3 Doors Down Hits Upon Some Formidable Electricity

For many rock fans their introduction to Mississippi's 3 Doors Down came via a tight package called "Kryptonite". Former drummer Richard Liles was a major reason why that song garnered the momentum needed to cement its place as a top 5 hit. Lead singer Brad Arnold was just as convincing then aa he is now but it was the drumming that caught fire. Zoom forward to 2016 and we discover 3 Doors Down has emerged with what this blogger asserts is the most radio friendly single of its career. As a cohesive unit the working parts are well oiled and ready to thrill. From the start the new "In The Dark" comes gift wrapped for bartenders looking for a go to selection to juice their clientele's good time. The band has certainly learned to play nice. Chet Roberts cobbles together impressive guitar virtuosity. The bridge trades in showmanship for steady workmanlike glue that holds the ship together. Over on bass Justin Biltonen contributes in an understated capacity. You know he's the cobra waiting to strike but he never once telegraphs his moves. The aforementioned Brad tonsil flashes sexual thrills right and left. Of course I wasn't present for the studio session but could you blame me for thinking Brad had a cat that ate the canary grin on his face when he was reciting the words. I don't recall ever having heard a song where a woman performed what Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper would refer to as coitus in the dark. Sexual positioning isn't uncommon in the annals of music history but you'd expect a modicum of light stimulation. The vixen sounds like she gets what she wants when she puts her wiles to work. "And all her moves won't let you get away" tells the tale of a dominatrix who could be either angel or devil depending on which end of the foreplay you come out on. She has the mystical power to render men unsure of who they are. She holds their hearts in her hand knowing how to turn the right screw. I'm admiring the consistency in energy generously poured in throughout. The machine has found a lane to travel in, and therefore all that's left is to roll into fourth gear and enjoy the feel of wind whipping through hair follicles. I make the claim that "In The Dark" meanders as far away from "Kryptonite" in terms of temperament and thematic elements. The former asked for comfort for a fallen man whose wits have betrayed him. Lines like "If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman" drive that suggestion home. The latter mines stripper pole masculine fantasies until it hits unyielding bedrock. The former was at times gravely serious. The latter keeps the cocktail hour enthusiasm going through steady temptation of the flesh. I'll be interested to learn whether or not "In The Dark" follows a similar path to across the board radio playlist acceptance. I'm not insinuating that "Kryponite" was an exotic dish meant for discriminating palates to mull over. That the song struck paydirt in 2000, the same year as Bon Jovi's far more rambunctious "It's My Life" should tell you the climate favored its ascendance. My argument is "In The Dark" sounds like it was fine tuned within an inch of its life for the sole purpose of courting rock radio. I'm not revolted though. It has hooks that will carry you through a bad week at home, school, or the floundering office social event. "In The Dark" succeeds in lighting up this blogger's penchant for sturdy rock brought to the table piping hot and ready to be devoured.