The Mississippi-based quartet 3 Doors Down has only one thing that sets them apart from other hard rock bands: lead vocalist Brad Arnold is also the drummer. The group shops the sounds of Pearl Jam and the Goo Goo Dolls, p... more »ointing at what they like, picking it off the shelf, and throwing it into the stew. While the music on The Better Life, their debut, sounds overall both competent and confident, the songs themselves are equally uninspired and clichéd. For example, the riff from the track "Loser" is straight out of the Alice in Chains songbook, adding much more cringe-worthy lyrics ("Addiction needs a pacifier, the buzz of this poison is taking me higher"). In fact, most of the lyrics zero in on well-worn rock themes of aggravation, confusion, and frustration, feelings that 3 Doors Down will easily coax out of discriminating listeners. --Jason Josephes« less
The Mississippi-based quartet 3 Doors Down has only one thing that sets them apart from other hard rock bands: lead vocalist Brad Arnold is also the drummer. The group shops the sounds of Pearl Jam and the Goo Goo Dolls, pointing at what they like, picking it off the shelf, and throwing it into the stew. While the music on The Better Life, their debut, sounds overall both competent and confident, the songs themselves are equally uninspired and clichéd. For example, the riff from the track "Loser" is straight out of the Alice in Chains songbook, adding much more cringe-worthy lyrics ("Addiction needs a pacifier, the buzz of this poison is taking me higher"). In fact, most of the lyrics zero in on well-worn rock themes of aggravation, confusion, and frustration, feelings that 3 Doors Down will easily coax out of discriminating listeners. --Jason Josephes
Casey E. (sir-gatsby) from ATLANTA, GA Reviewed on 3/25/2012...
Classic modern rock goodness.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Stephanie L. (neuro4) from TEANECK, NJ Reviewed on 11/30/2010...
This album got me started listening to the next generation's stuff.
0 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Ann P. from PLAINS, GA Reviewed on 1/5/2010...
I purchased the CD for my grandson.
He is a big fan and has really enjoyed
the music.
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Jennifer J. (AthenaCrosby) from PITTSTON, ME Reviewed on 9/7/2006...
Ahhh....3 Doors Down!!! Remember these great songs from this CD:
-Kryptonite -Be Likr That
-Loser -So I need you
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Beth B. (snowgems) from ECKERMAN, MI Reviewed on 8/1/2006...
I really like Tracks 1 & 2.
0 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Highly Recommend for Rock Fans
geo cramer | cincy, OH USA | 03/30/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've had this CD for awhile (promo copy) and got to see the band live in a small venue. If you like pure, hard rock'in, you'll enjoy most every song. The editorial reviewer is obviously a music snob & doesn't appreciate music for what it's worth. The 1st reviewer is also a screwball - there is nothing here anywhere that remotely sounds like Blink 182 or Semisonic. This band has similarities to Creed both in the vocals and guitar work. But, the music is a little more upbeat & the vocals more sincere. The format of their songs is similiar to an Oleander or Fuel album. The lyrics/choruses are catchy and make you want to sing along. If you like those bands, you'll enjoy this CD (alot). I have over 1,500 CDs of all types of music & this is one of the best of the hard rock CDs esp. for a band that's not yet established."
Oh hell yeah!
metalikat | Cincinnati, OH | 09/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Of course, following my alternative rock instinct I downloaded (and later bought) this cd. Expecting mediocre, this cd really got my attention. From the punky-edge of "Krytonite" to the more mellow toned down "Down Poison" and if great hits such as "Kryptonite" and "Loser" aren't enough in themselfs to convince you to buy "The Better Life" maybe this review will.1. Kryptonite: Even though I'm not too fond of the radio version (with a slowed down chorus most notably) the cd version has the same upbeat guitars as the rest of the cd but a great punk vibe added to the mix. 2. Loser: An all around great song, my favorite on the cd. Brad Arnold really shows off his vocal capability's in this song. 3. Duck And Run: A very angry song, has a tad of heavyness to it. This song will still be one of the most played on the cd by me. I even stole a little quote out of it for my IRC quit message. 4. Not Enough: I love the perfect colabiration between the guitars and vocals on this. The guitars don't follow the tone of the vocals but the speed hits it perfectly, you don't always see bands pull that off this great. 5. Be Like That: A slow, yet satisfying song. An average song, but definatly a nice addition to the cd. So the whole cd isn't perfect, but no cd to this date is. 6. Life Of My Own: An emotional rollercoaster of a song, I think if i tried to quote this song for IRC the whole song would end up in it. Lyirically the best on the cd by a longshot. 7. Better Life: Jam it baby, yeah! I love this guitar riff. very groovy, baby! (I'm in an Austin Powers mood). 8. Down Poison: I'm voting for this one to be the next single. Just an outright great song. 9. By My Side: Another mediocre song. I like it, but it just doesn't compare to the rest of the cd. I guess I just now have high expectations from 3 Doors Down. 10. Smack: Probably the worst song on the cd, less than satisfactory work especially from this band. 11. So I Need You: More or less a good song. It seems to be a good ending song. Single worthy? Probably not, but hey it's still good.With that being said, I would recommend this cd to anyone. A great cd, and I can't wait for 3 Doors Down's next one!"
Great rock album for many different types of music fans
B. Sowers | Virginia, USA | 07/29/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a really big hard rock and heavy metal fan, and I really like this album. It's definitely more mellow than most of the music that I listen to but it still rocks. Their music is kinda like Alice In Chains, Creed, Days of the New (the first album, not the second), and Matchbox 20. After hearing Loser on the radio a week ago I knew I had to get the album, that song is incredible. Loser, Kryptonite, Duck and Run, and Better Life are all great songs, but I found that those are the only songs on the album that stand out. The other songs just seem kinda bland. But I think the CD is worth it even for just those 4 songs. I'm writing this as a hard rock/metal fan, if you like more mellow rock you'll probably like the other songs."
Glad I wasn't so "Lucky"
cristane | TX | 10/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I wondered aimlessly down the aisles of cds searching for that right cd to spend the rest of my gift certificate on. I had narrowed down my choice to Britney Spears. Although I wasn't really big on the whole pop scene, that darn "Lucky" song was trapped in my head. Well I decided to go over the aisles once more just to make sure...then I saw the 3 Doors Down Cd. "Ok," I thought, "aren't they the ones that sing Kryptonite?" I liked that song and although I hate buying cd's for just one song I dropped the Britney Cd and grabbed the 3DD cd and checked out.Of course the first few days I did nothing but listen to "Kryptonite" but when I finally decided to listen to all of the cd, a thing which I rarely do, I was surprised. I couldn't believe someone wrote these songs about how I sometimes felt. Aside from "Kryptonite" there's "Loser" "Be Like That" (which I totally love!) and "Duck and Run". I was taken aback by the lyrics and rhythms that I vowed to see them in concert. And on Tuesday OCt. 17 I did just that. If you love the Cd wait till you see these guys in concert! They totally rocked! That was the best concert ever! But back to the Cd...if you've ever had emotions of sadness, wonder and dispair you are not alone...but they do not sing the typical "oh poor me, the world sucks" kinda songs..."Duck and Run" offers hope and inspiration with lyric such as "this world can turn me down but I won't turn away,and I won't duck and run because I'm not built that way." The cd is of all emotions and offers hope and is truly lyrically, musically, and inspirationally, the BEST Cd I have ever heard and they are also the BEST band I have ever heard. Oh and it doesn't hurt that they're from down south either. 3 Doors Down ROCKS!!!"