Anthem for the Underdog

12 Stones | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 14, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Wind-Up
• ASIN: B000SQKZQK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,305 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

12 Stones' third release, Anthem for the Underdog, finds the middling Louisiana-based quartet in good form. Although the record focuses too heavily on ballads and ballad-like pieces, the moments when the band steps out with thoroughly adequate rockers ("Anthem for the Underdog," "Adrenaline," "Games You Play") are memorable enough. The inspirational message at each tune's core comes across without painfully overt didacticism ("It Was You," "This Dark Day" and "World So Cold"). Many tracks are bound for rock radio glory and, doubtless, equal play in the cars, bedrooms and pricey portable listening devices of suburban American youth. 12 Stones doesn't reinvent pop music--it's still a cross between early Hootie and the Blowfish and a less inventive Jars Of Clay--but it does create memorable workaday compositions that are sure to satisfy the listener's desire to get in touch with the disparate emotions of hope and despair, and to feel more of the former despite the looming presence of the latter. --Jedd Beaudoin

Product Description

Anthem for the Underdog will be 12 Stones' third album. It will be released on August 14, 2007. The first single will be "Lie to Me". The song World So Cold was used in a tribute video found on YouTube for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre shooting. In a bulletin posted on the band's MySpace page, the band said that they were surprised the song surfaced because it had not been released. However, the band members said they were "touched and humbled" by the video.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 12 Stones come full circle, August 20, 2007

By 

Nate McCooey (Lockport, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anthem for the Underdog (Audio CD)

12 Stones are, for whatever reason, one of those bands that has seemed to fly under the radar of popularity over the course of the past five years or so. Sure, frontman Paul McCoy made a guest appearance on the Evanescence's hit single "Bring Me To Life," and the band had a couple small hits of its own in the forms of "Broken" and "Far Away" (from their 2002 self-titled release and 2004's "Potter's Field," respectively) but aside from that these guys never seemed to really get the credit they deserve. Enter "Anthem for the Underdog," their third studio release, where I believe all of that will finally start to change.

With past efforts, 12 Stones have been accused of writing songs that "all sound the same" or that "try to sound too much like Creed." Personally, I never really understood where the Creed comparisons came from, aside from the fact that 12 Stones are on Creed's former label, Wind-Up records. Paul McCoy's vocals are distinctly different from and more melodic than anything ex-Creed frontman Scott Stapp ever tried, and I honestly don't see too many similarities musically. As far as similar-sounding songs are concerned, I agree to an extent but I also believe that this isn't necessarily a bad thing and that each song on the band's prior albums have enough identity to stand out on its own. With this release, 12 Stones have taken everything that made them a great band on previous efforts (powerful vocals, searing guitars, a forceful rhythm section, and inspiring lyrics) and turned up the intensity. Drawing from both the aggressive nü-metalish sound of their self-titled debut and the more melodic alt-metal of "Potter's Field," "Anthem for the Underdog" represents the best of both worlds in my opinion. To the careful listener, it is quite obvious that the band has done a lot of growing and maturing since "Potter's Field" was released 3 years ago.

The opening/title track of the CD is classic 12 Stones, and musically to me sounds somewhat like the track "Open Your Eyes" from their debut. First single "Lie To Me" comes next, a song which in my opinion is the band's best single released to date. "Broken Road," a beautiful song that the band co-wrote with Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame, comes next and easily earns its place as one of the best "ballads" the band has ever recorded. "Adrenaline" follows; this is the song that the band opened their set with when I went to see them perform as an opening act for Daughtry three nights ago. Definitely got the crowd on their feet and into a frenzy. "It Was You" is another beautiful ballad ranking right up there with "Broken Road." Lyrically, I believe this song to be about the faith that the band members have in God and how that faith has helped them to become what they are in life.

"This Dark Day" tackles the issue of substance abuse/addiction and the joy that is brought to one's life once it is overcome. "World So Cold," not to be confused with the Mudvayne song of same name, is absolutely spine-chilling. As mentioned on this CD's main page, this track was used as background music for a YouTube video commemorating those whose lives were lost in the senseless Virginia Tech massacre, and it's definitely an appropriate song for this purpose. "Arms of a Stranger" and "Hey Love," which boasts a classic Southern-rock flair, follow up and are two heartfelt songs that definitely do not disappoint. The album is rounded out by another love-gone-awry song called "Games You Play," and closes with an awe-inspiring acoustic version of "Lie To Me."

Some may complain about the length of this release, being only 11 tracks long and clocking in at just under 39 minutes. But the way I see it, when you've got music of this quality and caliber, how long the record is quickly becomes a non-issue. 12 Stones have truly stepped up their game and improved upon every aspect of their sound with "Anthem for the Underdog," and I'd truly be surprised if their next release can top this one.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It just keeps getting better and better, August 13, 2007

By 

J. Papania "Bob WeAdaBabyEatsaBoy" (Chalmette, LA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anthem for the Underdog (Audio CD)

Just like Potters Field, this CD has seen 12 Stones progress both musically and lyrically. With this progress came growth for the band. Although we saw some maturity in Paul's voice with PF, he has absolutely taken it to a new level with Anthem. Also, one of the things I think we missed with PF (the guitar solo's) are back. Eric's playing is superb on this new CD. I don't know what else to say except that my favorite band keeps getting better and better with each new release. Do yourself a favor and pick up Anthem for the Underdog. You will NOT be disappointed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good All Around Album, December 30, 2007

By 

Elaine Didier (Raleigh NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anthem for the Underdog (Audio CD)

Being a fan of 12 Stones' first two albums, I was thrilled when I first heard "Lie to Me" and the rest of the CD is pretty good as well.

There's a couple tracks I don't particularly care for, like Adrenaline, but that could just be my personal taste.

I think this CD is their best by far- it's not perfect, but it's got some genuinely good songs (my favorite is Hey Love) and tunes that can easily get stuck in your head for a long time.

To the other reviewers who said they thought the first two were better, I thought this album was much better balanced overall, and yes, they're not the greatest band ever, but they've come a long way and I hope they continue to get more attention.

They're a good band, easy to listen to, and 12 Stones deserves more popularity than they have so far. If you like Skillet, Kutless, and/or Thousand Foot Krutch (among others) and if you like Christian music in general (or just music without profanity- they're not overly Christian IMO), this is definitely a cd worth buying.