Three Days Grace

One-X

Crystal Weir
(SugarBuzz Kansas City)

SugarBuzz Magazine

Canadian rockers Three Days Grace have made a good impression in the music industry. Their second album One-X (Jive Records) was released June 13, 2006, debuting at number 5. Not bad at all!

As I prepared to listen to the album for the first time, I began to wonder why I hadn’t tuned in for the Three Days Grace experience before. I mean, I’ve heard a couple of their singles enough time to sing along with most of the lyrics, so I mustn’t have hated it. But I couldn’t have loved it or I would have explored this band further. I had even seen them a couple of times back in the day when they were just hitting radio and I remember having a great deal of respect for them because they were doing a series of free shows. That really has to suck…traveling all the way from Canada to play some casino in Kansas City, knowing that nobody is paying a dime. Bands like this usually get somewhere though! Showing the world that you are willing to work your ass off just to play music seems to make a difference as far as longevity goes.

So here’s the deal. When Three Days Grace first started picking up spins on the radio, I related them to the Papa Roach-ish bands that seemed to present a slew of angry “my parents suck” and “my life is a mess because of you” lyrics. The singles were not bad, but it’s no secret that I relate to a much more aggressive lyrical presentation. More or less, the emotional connection that we are all seeking in music wasn’t there.

Before you get the wrong impression, let me shift gears and tell you that I love the direction that Three Days Grace has gone. They haven’t changed a lot as far as style or image is concerned, but they have just grown overall. I get that connection now when I hear the voice of Adam Gontier talk about what has happened to the person he once was in “Animal I Have Become”, the first single from One-X (Jive Records). Musically and lyrically, they are now reflecting on the feelings that come with being on the road, the people that constantly surround you and how none of them really matter. This is a lonely place to be, and we evolve into someone else in order to live the dream.

I can say proudly….Lucky, are you listening? I liked One-X (Jive Records). Visit Three Days Grace at www.threedaysgrace.com for more info. You can get the album anywhere.

Note: Three Days Grace will be appearing with Soil and Staind on a “small venue” tour over the next couple of months. Sugarbuzz will bring coverage of this following an August 8th appearance. Check the www.threedaysgrace.com for shows near you.

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