“Seventeen Days” sees 3 Doors Down take their Southern rock style and give it a harder, more metal edge (thanks in no small part to producer Johnny K, who has also worked with Disturbed and Drowning Pool). “The Real Life” alternates a wall of sound with more restrained choruses (perhaps they were influenced by Nickelback during their summer tour in 2004?), and harder/angrier songs like “For Today” and “Right Where I Belong” definitely show that 3DD is heading in a more hard-rock direction.

But the group returns to its trademark sound in the final track, the ballad “Here By Me”, which blends a quiet melody with tender lyrics and a deeply personal vocal delivery.

All in all, it’s definitely a solid album if you are a fan of this band.