The Details
- 3 Doors Down
- 3 Doors Down
- **
If only 3 Doors Down would just give in and become a country band, their music would probably sound a whole lot better. They’re already favorites of NASCAR and practically the official band of the U.S. military; “Citizen/Soldier,” from their new self-titled album, has been used as a National Guard recruiting jingle for months now. The thank-you list in the liner notes for the album mentions such mainstream country stars as Sara Evans, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Big Kenny of Big & Rich. The band’s small-town Southern roots and regular-dude looks (only one guy has visible tattoos and a fauxhawk) ensure their appeal to the heartland fanbase.
And anything has to be an improvement over the generic sludge-rock they’re peddling yet again on their fourth release. These songs almost all sound like retreads of past hits, and are either dour, plodding rockers or lifeless, falsely uplifting power ballads. The only flashes of inspiration come when the band flirts with some other arena-friendly genre: Lead track “Train” has a slight hint of twang, like it could turn into a country-rocker, and “Runaway” features a lively, infectious riff that almost conjures up memories of hair metal. Neither possibility pans out, though, and while a few songs have catchy choruses, they quickly run together in a soup of unremarkable riffs and interchangeable sentiments. At least bland, faceless country acts like Rascal Flatts sometimes sound like they’re having a good time.
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