Alter Bridge - Blackbird CD

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 Alter Bridge Is Here To "Rise Today" (4.5 stars)
To start off short, Blackbird is head and shoulders above One Day Remains. How exactly? Allow me to explain. First of all, I would just like to say that I hate, no, DESPISE Creed. I always saw them as just a cliched and generic modern rock band with no talent and annoying melodies. So, by curiosity, I gave Alter Bridge's debut a listen, and was extremely surprised. Kennedy was a GOOD vocalist, unlike Stapp! And Tremonti could solo! However, I couldnt help but feeling he was shredding too much, and didnt seem very versatile. Also, I still couldn't help but notice the Creed-ish sounds present within their debut, still consisting of that generic alternative sound, and I'm one who listens to very little alternative and a lot more classic hard rock (Aerosmith, VH, GN'R, etc.). But enter Blackbird, and everything changes. There are numerous qualitites that make Blackbird miles above the debut, particularily the fact that the Creed and alternative cliched sound is nonexistant on this record. Instead it's replaced with a more classic metal influence. The album is heavier than the debut, but also much more melodic. The melodies and riffs are catchier and more "hook" oriented. Kennedy's vocals are much better, and Tremonti is playing more melodic solos and doesnt just play fast. He still shreds on this album, but only for the right amount of time so the solo's hook is showcased, and I believe it takes much more talent to do that than just shredding for long periods of time. The songs are also overall written, performed, and constructed much better. You get a bigger chunk of their heavy rockers (Buried Alive, Ties That Bind, Come To Life), hard rockin' anthems (Rise Today, Before Tomorrow Comes), and ballads (Brand New Start, Wayward One, and the classic-influenced and sure to be a classic Watch Over You). On top of that, you also get the epic title track, a progressive 8-minute masterpiece and serves as the band's "Stairway to Heaven", just less ballad-like. I still wish they would've done something with One By One and Break Me Down, which are fairly weak, but that's only 2 songs. This is a consistant metal album. The alternative style is pretty much abandoned and that's definitely for the better. You can really tell Alter Bridge is really rockin' their hearts out on this one, and not just playing it safe by keeping it generic, evident on the debut. Let's just hope they keep it up! Alter Bridge is here to "Rise Today!"
Submitted by Brendan (Allentown, Pa)
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 Fantastic!!!
This is the best album of the year!! For sure!!
Submitted by Sagramor (Parma,Italy)
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 Awesome !!
This disc is great I like everything on here because there is no current sound what-so-ever, meaning hip-hop, etc. EXCELLENT !!!
Submitted by a reviewer (Oshkosh, WI USA) 
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 Blast Off! The real Alter Bridge is here....!
Finally the second album AB is born.. And that's a real AB is beginning!! See you in AB3..!
Submitted by Melvin (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
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 Leaves the debut in the dust
And what a debut One Day Remains was. It showed what potential Alter Bridge had once they found themselves. And found themselves they have. Blackbird is the true essence of what AB is. One Day Remains could never be Alter Bridges true sound, as Myles is a gifted gutiarist and songwritter himself, and his talent was added to the arsenal for Blackbird. Blackbird is a better album then One Day Remains in every way possible. Its heavier, catchier, more subtle and complex, more varied then ODR ever was. Its on this album that we see what brian and flip can do, as they rarely let loose on the debut, but on Blackbird, they give it everything on every song. Myles blusey guitar work compliments Marks very well, such as colouring songs such as brand new start and wayward one, or his solo and licks on the title track. Mark is getting better as a gutiarist, he is more varied and confident on this album, and the gutiar work is more hook orintated and tastful, as opposed to the showy nature of One Day Remains, (I dont mind either way, Alter Bridge is that good). Whats great about their albums is that it doesnt matter if your song or album orintated, go for catchy well sung vocals, or good musicianship alter bridge is the band for you, they appeal to anyone who loves rock, weather its metal, soft rock, ballards, rock and roll, epic progressive rock, theres something for all. No matter how many times i listen to them, no matter how long or often, i never get sick of them. Instead of dying out and getting old like most radio friendly rock, alter bridge gets better with time. This is how rock is supposed to be done, if you dont like it, your into pop or hip-hop, this is music for real rock fans, not poppy teenie boppers. Support music as an artform, not music as a commodity. 20 stars at the least for this album.
Submitted by Cavan Ray (Perth, Australia)
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