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With one radio hit already under their belt from this release ("Kryptonite") and another climbing the charts ("Loser"), it's obvious these guys are no flash in the pan. Their music has an early 1990s grunge feel with a good pop sensibility similar to bands like Creed and the Goo Goo Dolls.
"Not Enough" is another straight-ahead rocker with radio potential. "Be Like That" is as close to a ballad as you will find on this record, and brings to mind Firehouse's "Love of a Lifetime" (I know, it was cheesy but a well written song) while still maintaining the grungy personality of the band. And tracks like "Better Life," "So I Need You" and "By My Side" show that this band has been influenced by early metal gods Judas Priest and Iron Maiden with their driving rhythm and slick, melodic guitars -- yet lead singer Brad Arnold (also the drummer) still sounds much like Eddie Vedder, making 3 Doors Down
a somewhat unique band.
While overall the songwriting and production are strong on this album, this band needs to prove they aren't a one-hit wonder after the huge success of "Kryptonite." That will not be an easy task because there is nothing on
The Better Life aside from the first two singles that really makes me want to listen to it over and over. A good album, not a great one.
~Mike Farley
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