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I also like how this band uses this album as a tent-pole for their political views without ever coming across preachy (which is an issue I have with their more recent work). That said though, there is no denying that their debut album, upon its release, was a nice surprise. `Duck and Run' is a lot of fun, with catchy lyrics as well as an engaging musical arrangement. Still, they don't take away from the adoration I have for the album as a whole.So, while I have to admit that this band has failed to grow in my eyes, their debut album is still a favorite of mine.
`Loser' has some of the best vocals on that album (he really has such subtle power in his voice). It's a very fun song.The rest of the album (`Not Enough', `Life of my Own', `Better Life' and `Smack') represent, for me, the generic and forgettable side of the album. I understand how `Be Like That' was overplayed and so it has lost its impact over the years, but I still have a soft spot for it in my heart. Their other albums may lose points for lack of originality, but I won't penalize their debut for setting their standard.For me, the best tracks here are `Be Like That', `Duck and Run', `Down Poison' and the closing track `So I Need You'. With each new release they basically rehash everything that came before, offering us the same album over and over and over again.
`So I Need You' does just that, brilliantly. It is fun, engaging, memorable and meaningful and it not only sums up why I LOVE this album or this song by why I love this genre of music.I still love `Kryptonite', even if it was never my favorite track. I have always expressed my feelings that the closing track especially has to sum up every reason why we should love the album and want to listen to it again. It is beautifully sung and very heartfelt, which I appreciate. `Down Poison' is probably my favorite track on the album.
It has this edge to it that makes it stand out triumphantly ahead of the pack. I have complained before about 3 Doors Down's inability to evolve. Yes, it is what got my attention and got me to buy the album all those years ago, but it was never my favorite track. Still, it is fun and it represents what this band is all about.
I also really love the playfulness of `By My Side'. It really engages you and gets you to take notice. There is enough here to respect and enjoy.
For me, despite strands of generic familiarity, `The Better Life' was actually a solid debut that still holds up today. I wish that they could have built on this sound and added layers with their follow-up albums, instead of offering us `The Better Life' over and over with different lyrics (although even that is a stretch at times). I love the downtrodden feel; the almost gloomy aspect of the song.
I LOVE the vocals on the chorus; completely haunting. None of the songs are bad, but they lack the pop and freshness of the songs aforementioned. If you want to get to know this band, this is the album I recommend you get.
"3 DOORS DOWN" What are you kidding. EVERYTHING 3 Doors Down does is Awesome. If you don't know them You should check them out they are incredible.Best Band XOXOXO
CD was rockin.CD arrived in a very timely fashion.Cd arrived in excellent condition.
This is one of the best albums I've ever had. I can't believe I lost it, along with some others, several years ago, but I loved it so much that I'm finally giving up looking and buying it all over again. More than worth it.
Heard the rest, and enjoy them all, but The Better Life is still the best of the 3DD recordings.
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