7 Doors Down, a young band just starting out, manages to produce
some quality tunes with some solid lyrics. Billed as a modern rock
band, 7DD certainly has the crunchy guitars and riffs of a modern rock
band, with solid Christ-centered lyrics and decent production. Just
read the lyrics
for "Inside:"
Inside is where the change has to beThe method chosen to display the lyrics in the liner notes is very complete, clearly showing the band's proficiency for lyrical structure. The nasal tone of the vocals and the lack of range does tend to become quite grating after a while, sounding a lot like the vocals from Bleach. Maybe with a little more time the vocalist will improve. The production is decent, at times sounding weak but still carrying the band across. The best songs are "Inside," with its stop-and-go guitars, "Erasing Rainbows," with its melancholy vocals and beat, and "Reform This Sin," which has some interesting guitar work set to strained vocals.
Inside (inside) is where He's made it in me
The grass is greener in the pasture on his side
I think this is where I'll lie.
While a decent debut, 7 Doors Down does need to take some time and develop their vocals and guitars more. Fans of Between Thieves, Bleach, Plaid, and Audio Adrenaline might find this band appealing.
By Joe Rockstroh (8/25/98)
