Seventeen Days

Written in a spirited 17 days, 3 Doors Down's aptly titled third album suffers not from rush delivery. Indeed, the record seems to thrive on manic energy and surging creativity, particularly on such jackhammer-like cuts as "Right Where I Belong" and killer power ballads like "Behind Those Eyes." But this is more than Dixie rock bombast, good as that part of the 3DD game is; check out the self-awareness of "Bigger Than Me." Comparisons to Skynyrd are inevitable (and likely welcome): Frontman Brad Arnold owns a healthy dose of the late Ronnie Van Zant's grit, personality and menace. Similarly, the goosebump-inducing "Landing in London" is a new-millennium "Turn the Page," even boasting a Bob Seger cameo. But even with a healthy respect for heritage, 3DD is a thoroughly modern American band, and a damn good one.—RW