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Anthem for the Underdog

12 Stones - Anthem for the Underdog Audio CD

A fair review of the 12 Stones "Anthem for the Underdog" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all 12 Stones reviews here, or go back to the 12 Stones tabs.

Band: 12 Stones
Title: Anthem for the Underdog
Rating:

Release Date: 2007-08-14
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Anthem for the Underdog 2: Lie to Me 3: Broken Road 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 [Acoustic]

12 Stones Going A Bit Too Mainstream
I even like the new direction toward ballads. I won't lie to Paul McCoy, as I do like some of the songs on Anthem for the Underdog, specifically "Lie to Me" (the acoustic version) and "Adrenaline" which recalls the enthusiasm of the last song on their first album, "Sick and Tired". However, I can't help but notice that he has unnaturally altered his voice to sound more like the lead singer from Nickelback. I'm not a Nickelback hater. I'm not even against one band showing influences from another. All I am saying is that the influence of one particular band should not be so obvious. The uniqueness and the edginess that was in the previous two albums is just missing. Next time, maybe they will do better.

Anthem for the underdog is the best 12 Stones CD yet!
This is not the case with the latest offering from 12 Stones. As young bands mature they sometimes lose there edgy and raw sound that made them great in the beggining. Full of guitar solos, intricate drum beats, and great vocals this album does not dissappoint. Some of the lyrics are a lttle too much on the "girl done me wrong" side, but others are prolific life lessons and keen observations that lend an eye to the writers world. All in all a great album for those who like the "hard emo" sound.

Nothin' fancy, just 39 minutes of great music
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. 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. 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.

I don't believe the world can't be saved
Paul McCoy was the guest vocalist on Evanescence's career beginning Bring Me To Life. HISTORY LESSON: For those thinking, "Hmm, vocals sound halfway familiar," they should.

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.

They just get better!
I was so thrilled when I found out they had come back from their hiatus to create a new album. I have liked 12 Stones since their very first release. 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!.

You can see a complete list of all 12 Stones discography, or go back to the 12 Stones tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.