12 Stones - Anthem for the Underdog
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Artist: 12 Stones Title: Anthem for the Underdog Label: Wind-Up UPC: 601501312625 Price: $11.98 |
12 Stones - Anthem for the Underdog Track Listing
1 - Anthem for the Underdog
2 - Lie to Me
3 - Broken Road - 12 Stones, Wattenberg, Gregg
4 - Adrenaline
5 - It Was You
6 - This Dark Day
7 - World So Cold
8 - Arms of a Stranger
9 - Hey Love
10 - Games You Play
11 - Lie to Me
About 12 Stones - Anthem for the Underdog
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
12 Stones - Anthem for the Underdog Reviews
Average Rating: 4.0
Rating: 5
This is the first 12 Stones release I've purchased, and after listening to this album all the way through, I definitely will pick up their older CDs sometime soon. In terms of musical structure, 12 Stones are certainly not the most innovative of groups, but they have a great energy to them that makes their sound bring a smile to the listener's face. Frontman Paul McCoy has a very unique voice that can go both high and low, and although not everyone will like his vocal style, his delivery combined with his lyrics are the highlight of the album.
The album boasts an even mixture of big, chugging rockers and clean, acoustic-tinged ballads. A notable heavy rocker is "Anthem for the Underdog" which has big guitars contrasted with a gentle piano in the verses under McCoy's voice. "Adrenaline" features double bass drum kicks combined with a pummeling snare (it's the heaviest track of the set); "Games You Play" is driven by a snarling guitar hook and an aggressive delivery from McCoy. A notable ballad is "Broken Road" which is powered mostly by acoustic guitar and contains the best chorus on the entire album (it was co-written by the famous and talented rocker Chris Daughtry). "World So Cold" is a fantastic track about war and peace that has some great lyrics about keeping optimism through darkness; "Arms of a Stranger" is a heartfelt yet beautifully-simple track about being coming home and finding one's true love suddenly gone.
Don't purchase this album expecting groundbreaking sonic texture. Purchase it for the innocent spirit of every track and the confident way that it puts its own spin on conventional rock. This is a great album to listen to if your looking for some great music that isn't flamboyant or screaming for attention but is strong in every aspect and shows it in the most subtle of ways.
Rating: 4
HISTORY LESSON: For those thinking, "Hmm, vocals sound halfway familiar," they should. Paul McCoy was the guest vocalist on Evanescence's career beginning Bring Me To Life.
Back to the present...
12 Stones are back at it with Anthem for the Underdog. My deal with getting into this CD was only that I remember Paul yelling (kind of) throughout the debut, which he does none of here. Yes, friends, there is nothing but singing for the boys nowadays. No complaints on my part, however, Paul's distinctive singing voice separates them from the dredge they could've been compared to on their debut. On a darker note, they do blend in with a lot of the premeire radio bands now.
Yes, 12 Stones is a Christian band. That is all I will say on that matter.
Once you sink your teeth into the music and get acclimated to it, Anthem for the Underdog is actually a satisfying listen (if only acting as a thirst-quencher while you search around for that next great CD). Anthem for the Underdog is a great way to start with a fairly good indication as to what will come as you progress through the CD. Featuring an anthemic (pun!) chorus and demanding guitar work, it proves to be a highlight. Adrenaline is by far the fastest song, and most reminiscent of previous works. And, get this, its actually about having adrenaline. I know! Brilliant! This Dark Day is a great song that actually has a fairly dark feel to it with excellent lyrics and a fantastic vocal performance. We then get to the song that will no doubt be the regarded as the best song on the CD, World So Cold. With its no-punches-pulled lyrics that is true in every aspect and the intense music accompanying Paul's incredibly powerful performance, you can't NOT like this song.
I'll always approve, for better or worse, when a band decides to grow and evolve. And while I highly enjoy this CD, and listen to it fully quite often, I can't give Anthem for the Underdog the full five stars for the simple fact that it does blend in so well with so many other popular bands nowadays. Still, don't let that push you away from checking this out, it's worth it.
Rating: 5
I have liked 12 Stones since their very first release. I was so thrilled when I found out they had come back from their hiatus to create a new album. And...let me tell you- this album does not disappoint. It is by far my favorite album to date from them! Lyrically it shows how they have grown and matured. Musically it does not disappoint either. I feel that it shows growth and maturity not only lyrically and musically but also spiritually. Some of my favorite songs off the album are Lie To Me, Broken Road, Hey Love, and It Was You.
I highly recommend this album to all hard core Christian music lovers!
Rating: 5
This is a GREAT cd!! I love every song on it. I don't know why some people complain and says this cd isn't that good. But I think every song is wonderful.
Rating: 5
This album is awesome. All songs are great but my favouite tracks are the Anthem For The Underdog, Lie To Me, Adrenaline, World So Cold and Hey Love.