Album Review: 3 Doors Down’s “Us and the Night”

Album Review: 3 Doors Down’s “Us and the Night”

Finally, 3 Doors Down has come out of the studio and released its newest album on the Republic Records label. Produced by Matt Wallace, who also produced and mixed Maroon 5’s debut album, this is the sixth studio release for the group and includes not only new songs but new band members. Chet Roberts comes in on lead and rhythm guitar, and Justin Biltonen comes in as the new bassist. This also changes the group size from three members to five — and in this album, more is very good for the group.

“Us and the Night” is a new direction in musical styling for the group. With 11 new tracks of mostly rock songs, it moves away from the angst-filled sound their earlier alternative hits had. They still have a slight alternative sound going as an undertone in one or two songs, and I found most of the drumming sounded very similar, but I still enjoyed all the songs.

The lead single, “In The Dark,” is a very rock-sounding song that is a bit playful and raunchy at the same time. You can hear the departure of the alternative-sounding style the group is known for, and the inner rock singer comes out strong. Singing “She likes to do it in the dark” immediately gets most guys thinking about their dream woman. “The Broken” also has a very fast rock rhythm and plays out like a power anthem to those who need to find inner strength in their struggles. This is the one that I think should have been the lead single.

As if to back up the anthem sound and wording in “The Broken,” “Believe It” is also an affirmation to sticking to your dreams and goals in life, regardless of what others think. The vocals are strong and give you that “in your face” resolve to do your own thing. “Inside of Me” backs this affirmation theme further but with a slower beat. Talking about the inner conflicts we face, this song tones down the drums, softens the guitar just a bit, and features some slight piano in the background and a hint of violin to give this piece more orchestral undertones.

“Pieces of Me” is the love song, per se. While not proclaiming love to a woman, it’s more of loving yourself and learning to leave behind mistakes and taking new chances in life. It has a softer sound with a strong acoustic guitar and light drums. I love the harmonies with lead and backing vocals on various lines in the song, but the lead vocal carries most of this song and gives it more of a personal feel. “Fell from the Moon” is also a slower song but adds more piano and less guitar. There is still enough drumming to give it a slight rock feel, but not in a head-bouncing, fist-pumping way.

“Love Is A Lie” and “Us and the Night” help round out the album with that rock sound that seems a bit repetitive on the drum beats, but the tempos are different and the alternative styling of their earlier hits is heard very strong here, especially on the latter song. I hear heavy lead guitar on both songs and nice bass work on “Love is a Lie.”

If you were looking for the same sound as “Kryptonite” or “Here Without You,” you’ll be disappointed. If you wanted something new and different, you won’t be sorry! With “Us and the Night,” 3 Doors Down took their time and delivered a very strong rock album that doesn’t make your ears bleed with screaming vocals or eardrum-piercing guitars. I like the overall theme of “new beginnings” in this album since, in a sense, this is what 3 Doors Down did. It’s a new beginning for them.