The Better Life

3 Doors Down

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 8, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 8, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Republic
• ASIN: B00004C4QQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (375 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,726 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Mississippi-based quartet 3 Doors Down has only one thing that sets them apart from other hard rock bands: lead vocalist Brad Arnold is also the drummer. The group shops the sounds of Pearl Jam and the Goo Goo Dolls, pointing at what they like, picking it off the shelf, and throwing it into the stew. While the music on The Better Life, their debut, sounds overall both competent and confident, the songs themselves are equally uninspired and clichéd. For example, the riff from the track "Loser" is straight out of the Alice in Chains songbook, adding much more cringe-worthy lyrics ("Addiction needs a pacifier, the buzz of this poison is taking me higher"). In fact, most of the lyrics zero in on well-worn rock themes of aggravation, confusion, and frustration, feelings that 3 Doors Down will easily coax out of discriminating listeners. --Jason Josephes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

116 of 124 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommend for Rock Fans, March 29, 2000

By	geo cramer (cincy, OH USA) - See all my reviews

I've had this CD for awhile (promo copy) and got to see the band live in a small venue. If you like pure, hard rock'in, you'll enjoy most every song. The editorial reviewer is obviously a music snob & doesn't appreciate music for what it's worth. The 1st reviewer is also a screwball - there is nothing here anywhere that remotely sounds like Blink 182 or Semisonic. This band has similarities to Creed both in the vocals and guitar work. But, the music is a little more upbeat & the vocals more sincere. The format of their songs is similiar to an Oleander or Fuel album. The lyrics/choruses are catchy and make you want to sing along. If you like those bands, you'll enjoy this CD (alot). I have over 1,500 CDs of all types of music & this is one of the best of the hard rock CDs esp. for a band that's not yet established.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh hell yeah!, September 24, 2000

By	"metalikat" (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

Of course, following my alternative rock instinct I downloaded (and later bought) this cd. Expecting mediocre, this cd really got my attention. From the punky-edge of "Krytonite" to the more mellow toned down "Down Poison" and if great hits such as "Kryptonite" and "Loser" aren't enough in themselfs to convince you to buy "The Better Life" maybe this review will.

1. Kryptonite: Even though I'm not too fond of the radio version (with a slowed down chorus most notably) the cd version has the same upbeat guitars as the rest of the cd but a great punk vibe added to the mix. 2. Loser: An all around great song, my favorite on the cd. Brad Arnold really shows off his vocal capability's in this song. 3. Duck And Run: A very angry song, has a tad of heavyness to it. This song will still be one of the most played on the cd by me. I even stole a little quote out of it for my IRC quit message. 4. Not Enough: I love the perfect colabiration between the guitars and vocals on this. The guitars don't follow the tone of the vocals but the speed hits it perfectly, you don't always see bands pull that off this great. 5. Be Like That: A slow, yet satisfying song. An average song, but definatly a nice addition to the cd. So the whole cd isn't perfect, but no cd to this date is. 6. Life Of My Own: An emotional rollercoaster of a song, I think if i tried to quote this song for IRC the whole song would end up in it. Lyirically the best on the cd by a longshot. 7. Better Life: Jam it baby, yeah! I love this guitar riff. very groovy, baby! (I'm in an Austin Powers mood). 8. Down Poison: I'm voting for this one to be the next single. Just an outright great song. 9. By My Side: Another mediocre song. I like it, but it just doesn't compare to the rest of the cd. I guess I just now have high expectations from 3 Doors Down. 10. Smack: Probably the worst song on the cd, less than satisfactory work especially from this band. 11. So I Need You: More or less a good song. It seems to be a good ending song. Single worthy? Probably not, but hey it's still good.

With that being said, I would recommend this cd to anyone. A great cd, and I can't wait for 3 Doors Down's next one!

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic CD, June 1, 2000

By	Peter R Dumont (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews

This is one of the best debut albums I've heard in a long time. I was especially pleased because I normally wait to hear 2-3 songs from a new band before I run out and buy their CD. Boy, did I make a smart choice getting this one after only hearing the song Kryptonite. Very addicting music. Excellent bass player. If you like Collective Soul, Creed, Soundgarden, or Days of the New, you'll really like this. I'm confident that these guys will release more songs than just Kryptonite off this CD. In fact, it's not nearly the best song. This is a must have CD for anyone who claims to love good Rock & Roll. I look forward to album #2.