Have you ever heard Shinedown ? Yeah i guess you must listen this great and powerfull band. Their music hits me on a primal level, and never fails to get my blood up. The reason they can so easily rev my engine is simple: their lead singer, Brent Smith. His vocal range and power are amazing. In every studio track i've ever heard from them, he rips like the best classic grunge singers we grew up with, while at the same time maintaining balance and pitch. Check shinedown photos for more info about band profile.
The very thing that inspired me to love the studio versions of shinedown songs, i figured would be the downfall of any acoustic shinedown cuts i could find. With a standard 2 man guitar and singer setup, i thought the power of Brent Smith's voice would overpower the simplistic guitar to the detrament of the song. I have never before been so happy to be proven wrong. Outside of the studio and away from the effects / leveling done for "plugged" shows, Brent shines. His voice completely takes over the stage, and becomes the focal point of the song, with the guitar and occasional chime from the other musician only really there to provide a contrast to the singer's raw power.
Shinedown offers real rock in an age where the genre is not at its purest state. They seem to carry the torch (atop is a small, flickering flame) that bands like Three Doors Down and Alter Bridge are trying to keep lit. Shinedown's version of "Simple Man" was basic but great, for it introduced many in the younger generation to two pillars of Southern rock n' roll--Lynyrd Skynyrd (the original writers/performers of "Simple Man") and "Dimebag" Darrell (Pantera's recently murdered guitarist to whom Shinedown's version was dedicated).
Three Doors Down pay a similar homage to Skynyrd's organic rock by their rendition of "That Smell" on their live EP Another 700 Miles (2003). As for Alter Bridge, a casual listen to One Day Remains (2004) or Blackbird (2007) will make their role in rock's revitalization obvious. It's unfortunate that the genius of Alter Bridge's chemistry has been undervalued and underrated due to Mark Tremonti's association with the overexposed Creed (maybe one day people will appreciate Creed's music--it was truly great music). Alter Bridge is a definite step away from Creed for Tremonti; I just wish his new band could carve its own individuality in the public eye. I guess one way for that to happen would be for me to not mention Alter Bridge and Creed in the same breath.
Not only that, you can see more information about shinedown concerts date if you want to know and see great band in perform.
