Us and Them

by Shinedown

Overview

Shinedown's 2003 single "Fly from the Inside" blended atmospheric Alice in Chains references with a lumbering post-grunge sound similar to Nickelback. The debut LP Leave a Whisper offered more of the same -- a satisfactory sound as rock radio filler, but ultimately pretty calculated. But it became a hit, certainly due in part to radio support, but mostly because of the Jacksonville, FL-based band's reputation as a great live act. The quartet played something like 400 shows over the course of 2003 and 2004, and that gelling process is unquestionably a factor in the more realized hard rock sound of the 2005 follow-up, Us and Them. Shinedown frontman Brent Smith channels Chris Cornell (or at least Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy) on opener "The Dream," but the song's grunge theft is forgiven by its airtight groove. Shinedown have been road-tested, and they prove it again on "Trade Yourself In" and "Yer Majesty." Unfortunately, for most of Us and Them the band still relies too much on formula. "Save Me" and "Beyond the Sun" are direct descendants of 3 Doors Down. They didn't invent ploddingly urgent post-grunge either, but provided the most recent examples with their string of early-2000s hits. Elsewhere, "I Dare You" is like a formula and an experiment all in one, suggesting light pop like the Calling even as gritty guitars churn up the reverb. It's a confusing song that doesn't do anything for the album's continuity. Shinedown definitely have a rewarding hard rock album in them somewhere. But after all its populist concessions, Us and Them isn't it. ~ Johnny Loftus

Product Details

Release Date:	07/16/2021
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0075678647512
Rank:	692

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Heroes
2. Save Me
3. I Dare You
4. Yer Majesty
5. Beyond the Sun
6. Trade Yourself In
7. Lady So Divine

Disc 2

8. Shed Some Light
9. Begin Again
10. Atmosphere
11. Fake
12. Some Day
13. Save Me [Acoustic]
14. I Dare You [Acoustic]
15. Some Day [Acoustic]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Shinedown   Primary Artist
Brent Smith   Vocals
Barry Kerch   Drums
Jasin Todd   Guitar
Paul Fleury   Cello
Juan Perez   Maracas
Brad Stewart   Bass,Guitar
Olivia Battaglia   Vocals

Technical Credits

Brad Stewart   Group Member,Composer
Tony Battaglia   Audio Production,Composer,Producer
Ted Jensen   Mastering
Brent Smith   Composer,Group Member
Barry Kerch   Composer,Group Member
Jasin Todd   Composer,Group Member
Larry Mullen, Jr.   Composer
Jay Baumgardner   Mixing
Gary Rossington   Composer
John Shanks   Composer
Chris Gill   Mixing,Composer,Engineer
Rick Beato   Composer
Femio Hernandez   Mixing,Mixing Assistant
Tom Lord-Alge   Mixing
Jason Blackerby   Engineer,Assistant
Adam Clayton   Composer
Ronald W. Vanzant   Composer
Paul Hewson   Composer
Andrew Zaeh   Art Producer
B. Stewart   Composer
Josh Rothstein   Photography
Steve Robertson   A&R
David Evans   Composer