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Rating:
The Three Days Grace are:
Adam Gontier (vocals and guitar)
Brad Walst (bass)
Neil Sanderson (drums)
Barry Stock (guitar).
Well, I am very happy to be the first to try to review this album and specifically this band. They are Three Days Grace, formed in Norwood, Ontario, Canada, in 1992, first under the pseudonym Groundswell, then, once they moved to Toronto in 1997, under their current and definitive name.
This is their second album, the follow-up to their self-titled 2003 album “Three Days Grace”, a good record, which already exuded talent from every note but still had that raw edge, which is a normal thing for the first work of an emerging group like them. "One-X" is in my opinion truly an excellent work, confirming the quality leap everyone expected, that artistic maturity that was already obvious three years ago. The songs are more aggressive but also leave room for melody, the guitars play wonderfully in symbiosis with the drums and the beautiful rock voice of Adam Gontier, the frontman of the group. His tone vaguely recalls Kurt Cobain but has its own character, giving the sung words the effect they deserve.
The album opens with the first track “It’s All Over”, the music begins with the slow and distant screeching of Barry Stock’s guitar, which immediately makes itself heard with a powerful sound that characterizes the whole piece, followed by “Pain”, the second single extracted from the album, where the powerful riffs of the guitars alternate with a melodic plucking that accompanies Gontier's singing, which at times recalls the voice of Lauri Ylonen, frontman of “The Rasmus”. The third track is the first single extracted “Animal I Have Become”, in my view the least significant piece, given the very monotonous and sparse lyrics, where Gontier does nothing but repeat he has an animal inside that obsesses him. Brad Walst's bass is very appreciable in the first notes, which, due to its dominance, recalls their debut single “I Hate Everything About You”. Then comes “Never Too Late”, which kicks off the real album; not that there wasn't quality before but in my opinion from this track onwards, the real progress made by Gontier and his companions stands out. The piece opens with an acoustic guitar, then flows into the powerful riffs of both electric guitars, which along the way, intertwine with the acoustics and Neil Sanderson's excellent drum, giving life to a stunning sound. “On My Own” slows down the pace but not completely, the guitars with their "hiccup" sound, shake the choruses. “Riot” wakes us up, opening with metal sounds as a carpet to Gontier's voice, then exploding into powerful riffs on the short choruses. “Get Out Alive” has a "ballad" mold, although this is partly contradicted by the usual rock character, especially towards the end where there's an explosion that wouldn't leave even a stone still! Charging ahead with “Let It Die” which opens melodically with the singer's beautiful voice, alternating with energetic riffs and acoustic guitar, then “Over & Over” enriched by a background of strings that here and there accompany the voice. This is the real ballad, a very melodic piece. “Time Of Dying” brings us back on track, Gontier unleashes, his hoarse voice accompanies another great rock/metal piece. In the penultimate position, “Gone Forever” which in some fragments recalls some pieces of Good Charlotte, regarding certain choral parts. Nothing that makes it less impressive, also because the music is gritty and splendidly performed as usual. The last track, which also gives the name to the album, is “One-X”, which closes the work worthily. Starting with a suggestive and slow murmur created by the snare drum and bass drum, it flows into the usual delightful alternation of energetic guitars, which seem to backdrop what I consider one of the most beautiful rock voices currently around. Here critiques will rain down (and not only here), but I truly believe that Gontier has an important voice, without which the album wouldn't have this quality.
In conclusion, I believe I have already extensively expressed my thoughts regarding this work, which I consider truly excellent. I've been listening to it for days in the car and at home (unfortunately not at work) and I'm more and more convinced that the four guys from Norwood will keep us talking about them in these terms. In the current rock landscape, unfortunately, quality often lacks and everything becomes too commercial and it's maddening to think that bands like Three Days Grace are so little known in Italy (and perhaps also in Europe).
The worst part is that even if you wanted to, unless you're lucky enough to take a nice month-long trip to the States, it won’t be possible to hear this band live in the Belpaese... maybe one day. Let's hope we're not so old that we can’t hear them!
Anyway, well done guys, keep it up.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Pain (03:25)
Pain without love
Pain I can't get enough
Pain I like it rough
'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all
You're sick of feeling numb
You're not the only one
I'll take you by the hand
And I'll show you a world that you can understand
This life is filled with hurt
When happiness doesn't work
Trust me and take my hand
When the lights go out you will understand
Pain (pain) without love
Pain (pain) can't get enough
Pain (pain) I like it rough
'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all
Pain (pain) without love
Pain (pain) can't get enough
Pain (pain) I like it rough
'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all
Anger and agony
Are better than misery
Trust me I've got a plan
When the lights go off you will understand
Pain (pain) without love
Pain (pain) can't get enough
Pain (pain) I like it rough
'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all
Pain (pain) without love
Pain (pain) can't get enough
Pain (pain) I like it rough
'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing
Rather feel pain
I know (I know I know I know I know)
That you're wounded
You know (you know you know you know)
That I'm here to save you
You know (you know you know you know)
I'm always here for you
I know (I know I know I know)
That you'll thank me later
Pain without love
Pain can't get enough
Pain I like it rough
'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all
Pain (pain) without love
Pain (pain) can't get enough
Pain (pain) I like it rough
'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all
Pain (pain) without love
Pain (pain) can't get enough
Pain (pain) I like it rough
'Cause I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all
Rather feel pain than nothing at all
Rather feel pain
03 Animal I Have Become (03:54)
I can't escape this hell
So many times I've tried
But I'm still caged inside
Somebody get me through this nightmare
I can't control myself
So what if you can see the darkest side of me
No one will ever change this animal I have become
Help me believe it's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal
(This animal, this animal)
I can't escape myself
(I can't escape myself)
So many times I've lied
(So many times I've lied)
But there's still rage inside
Somebody get me through this nightmare
I can't control myself
So what if you can see the darkest side of me
No one will ever change this animal I have become
Help me believe it's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal I have become
Help me believe it's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal
Somebody help me through this nightmare
I can't control myself
Somebody wake me from this nightmare
I can't escape this hell
(This animal, this animal, this animal, this animal, this animal, this animal, this animal)
So what if you can see the darkest side of me
No one will ever change this animal I have become
Help me believe it's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal I have become
Help me believe it's not the real me
Somebody help me tame this animal
This animal I have become
05 On My Own (03:09)
I walk alone
Think of home
Memories of long ago
No one knows I lost
My soul long ago
Lied too much
She said that she's had enough
Am I too much
She said that she's had enough
Standing on my own
Remembering the one I left at home
Forget about the life I used to know
Forget about the one I left at home
I need to run far away
Can't go back to that place
Like she told me
I'm just a big disgrace
Lied too much
She said that she's had enough
Am I too much
She said that she's had enough
Standing on my own
Remembering the one I left at home
Forget about the life I used to know
Forget about the one I left at home
So now I'm standing here alone
I'm learning how to live life on my own
Lied too much
I think that I've had enough
Am I too much
She said that she's had enough
I'm standing on my own
Remembering the one I left at home
Forget about the life I used to know
Forget about the one I left at home
So now I'm standing here alone
I'm learning how to live life on my own
Forget about the past I'll never know
Forget about the one I left at home
06 Riot (03:52)
If you feel
So empty
So used up
So let down
If you feel
So angry
So ripped off
So stepped on
You're not the
Only one
Refusing
To back down
You're not the
Only one
So get up
Let's start a riot
A riot
Let's start a riot
Let's start a riot
A riot
Let's start a riot
If you feel
So filthy
So dirty
So messed up
If you feel
So walked on
So painful
So pissed off
You're not the
Only one
Refusing
To go down
You're not the
Only one
So get up
Let's start a riot
A riot
Let's start a riot
Let's start a riot
A riot
Let's start a riot
If you feel
So empty
So used up
So let down
If you feel
So angry
Just get up
(Let's start a riot)
(A riot)
(Let's start a riot)
Let's start a riot
A riot
Let's start a riot
Let's start a riot
A riot
Let's start a riot
(A riot)
Let's start a riot
A riot
Let's start a riot
Let's start a riot
A riot
Let's start a riot
07 Get Out Alive (04:34)
No time for goodbye he said
As he faded away
Don't put your life in someone's hands
They're bound to steal it away
Don't hide your mistakes
'Cause they'll find you
Burn you
Then he said
If you want to get out alive
Ooooooooh
Run for your life
If you want to get out alive
Ooooooooh
Run for your life
This is my last time she said
As she faded away
It's hard to imagine
But one day you'll end up like me
Then she said
If you want to get out alive
Ooooooooh
Run for your life
If you want to get out alive
Ooooooooh
Run for your life
If you want to get out alive
(If you want to get out alive)
Ooooooooh
Run for your life (life)
If you want to get out alive
(If you want to get out alive)
Ooooooooh
Run for your life
If I stay it won't be long
'Til I'm burning on the inside
If I go I can only hope
That I make it to the other side
If you want to get out alive
Ooooooooh
Run for your life
If you want to get out alive
Ooooooooh
Run for
If you want to get out alive
(If you want to get out alive)
Ooooooooh
Run for your life
If you want to get out alive
(If you want to get out alive)
Ooooooooh
Run for
If I stay it won't be long
'Til I'm burning on the inside
If I go I can only hope
That I make it to the other side
If I stay it won't be long
'Til I'm burning on the inside
If I go if I go
Burning on the inside
Burning on the inside
Burning on the inside
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Other reviews
By Taurus
"Animal I Have Become" is one of the best songs on the album, perfectly setting tempo with a strong bass intro.
"One-X" is the most complete song, featuring a drum solo, enveloping riffs, and a great guitar solo showcasing the band’s maturation.
