For their third album, Third Day abandons the trendy alternative sound of Conspiracy No. 5 and moves further in the direction of the Southern-fried rock at which their debut album hinted. This in itself is a good decision--the music is more mature than ever, and while not incredibly original (the album has Black Crowes written all over it), it's at least played well. Problem is, the lyrics haven't matured as fast as the music.
The song titles themselves read like bumper stickers--"I've Always Loved You," "Your Love, Oh Lord," "Took My Place,"--and the lyrics aren't much better. For example, the song "Believe" is a great song, musically. It sounds almost like an outtake from Slow Dark Train by Vigilantes of Love, with its buzzy guitars and heavily Southern vocals. But the lyrics are
predictable and insipid:
Never mind what you think that you had seen
It all can change in just a moment
Here before you is all the proof you need
Why can't you even just believe it?
Always looking for a sign
Miracles won't change your mind
Tell me how much evidence you need
Turning truth into a lie
Hardened heart and blinded eyes
All you need to do is just believe
The song with the best lyrics, ironically, is nothing but a paraphrase of Psalm 36. The song ("Your Love, Oh Lord") is unfortunately ruined by the drum machine percussion and obnoxious keyboards contained in the track.
Third Day really frustrates me, because they have so much potential, yet only reach it once or twice per album. Here's hoping their fourth album taps into that potential.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
7ball #26Reviewed by Christa FarrisIt seems everyone is a critic when there's a new Third Day album. Some fans loved Third Day's self-titled debut, while others dismissed it as a clone of Hootie and the Blowfish. Some preferred the thicker, darker rock and lyrical progression of Conspiracy No. 5, while fans of the first album thought it too heavy and not "religious" enough. The band's third project, Time, won't be any less…HM Magazine #79Reviewed by John DiBiaseIt's that Time again to gear up for a new release from Atlanta's best: Third Day. These southern boys took Time out from their touring to record their 3rd CD installment - Time. With 9 No. 1 singles (and counting), these 5 guys have perfected the art of creating quality chart-toppers, like "You Make Me Mad" and "Nothing At All." 3D continues their winning streak this Summer with the…ReAL Magazine 1999Reviewed by Timothy Paul YenterKeep it simple. Stick to the basics. Third Day has become a Christian music favorite through their heart-felt, unadorned lyrics driven by three-chord rock melodies. Sometimes dismissed for their rudimentary song structures and elementary lyrical writing, Third Day's greatest weakness is also their greatest strength. They write songs that express the key elements of the Christian life through…Similar sounding releases
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