Three Days Grace hasn't lost their unique touch.
I fell in love with the sound of Three Days Grace after hearing the quirky guitar riffs and lead-singer Adam Gontier’s vocal style on the band’s single “I Hate Everything About You.” Because of this, I was excited to get a chance to see what it brought to the table with its latest album “Life Starts Now.” What I can tell you is that if you are a fan of alternative rock, you will enjoy what you hear.
Loyal fans will be surprised to hear that the band took its music to another level with this album. The guitar riffs are pleasing to the ears even though the rifts are not distinctively impressive, and Adam Gontier utilizes his voice to intensify what some would consider facile lyrics. This combination still holds the band’s signature style, but takes a few steps away from its previous projects.
The album opens with what I would consider a default guitar riff in the song “Bitter Taste,” one that I’ve heard on other albums by classic rockers. Gontier makes this song with his mellow-turned-harsh voice along with the guitar solo. The same goes with the single they released called “Break.” The production isn’t anything special, but the lyrics are a surge of energy that listeners can’t ignore.
The one thing that doesn’t seem to fit is the drum pattern that drummer Neil Sanderson plays during the guitar solo. The song is a fast-paced call to the rebels of the world, and slowing it down takes away from it. “World So Cold” may remind fans of the band’s earlier works with its dark chords and subject matter. The band lightens the mood a bit with my personal favorite, “Lost in You.” Adam does a good job in making his listeners think of that special someone by keeping his voice more tranquil than raspy, even though traces of it can still be heard.
My second favorite is the following track, “The Good Life.” This is a head-banger’s dream with a steady rhythm and intense riffs along with lyrics that ring out to partying college students across the nation. “No More” is not as riveting, and ends abruptly, but the echoing guitar and the harmonizing of Gontier and Sanderson keeps the ears entertained.
The next track, “Last to Know,” is a rock ballad that is a good song to play after a bad break-up, but too slow and sad any other time. One track that is anomalous to the rest is “Bully.” Adam addresses how people are quick to point fingers when a child commits a heinous act. The guitar break is impressive, beginning with a choppy, staccato style followed by an energetic flow that has yet to be heard anywhere else on the album. The finale is the album’s title song, “Life Starts Now.” The band ends the album strong with depth-defying lyrics that touch the spirit, and a production that calls forth attention yet eases the mind.
Three Days Grace have taken its music in a new direction without losing its sense of style completely. It follows the formula for an alternative rock group, and their music is great to listen to when one is feeling a bit rebellious, or under the weather. For those listening to the group for the first time, this album is a great one. Fans of the band’s previous sound, however, may be a little disappointed, or even feel cheated by the work, but will have to admit that the band has not lost its touch over the years.
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