12 Stones did not set out to write an album for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Still, the loss felt in their local neighborhoods had its obvious effects on the band members, and they were compelled to write about the recovery taking place around them. "Anthem for the Underdog" spells out 12 Stones' philosophy for those working hard to get back on top. McCoy sings, "We're here now feeling the beat of a thousand hearts coming back to life again, we can make it." The lyrics are a testament to the spirit of those affected by this tragedy.
On the other hand, the weather is not the only thing that is uncontrollable. People prove to be just as unreliable in songs such as "Lie To Me," "World So Cold" and "Arms of a Stranger." McCoy sings about betrayal and loss in "Lie To Me," as he passionately offers, "All the times I shared with you, were you even there at all? Nowhere to run and nowhere to hide, you're scared of the truth; I'm tired of the lies." Yet, through all of the loss and pain in these songs, there is still an underlying feeling of triumph in the end.
"There is a real sense of urgency to get back on top throughout the album," McCoy explains. "We know what it's like to be the underdog but that doesn't mean we always will be. It's important to show our fans that things can change, life does get better."
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12 Stones, Wind-Up Records' 4 piece hard rock band, returns to the music scene with their third studio release in 5 years. Anthem for the Underdog picks up where the band left off from their brief touring hiatus, delivering more of their straight forward hard rock sans extraneous frills or contrived vocals. 12 Stones doesn't attempt to innovate, instead they focus on creating and playing some of the catchiest, crunchiest, rock music.
One caveat about this album: 12 Stones' lyrics continue to be bleakly frank, addressing brokenness, betrayal and emotional pain. This time around though, the snarling, angry tenor of the previous two albums is tempered by more of a tone of righteous indignation. Hope, healing and redemption make an appearance in the title track, the gracious concession of "It Was You" and the defiant "The Dark Day;" even the forlorn "World So Cold" offers a glimmer of hope in the midst of a grim examination of our out of control world.
To put it plain and simple: the guys of 12 Stones know how to rock! Fans of Creed, Skillet, Kutless, Fuel, Decyfer Down and Crossfade; this album is for you!
12 stones| Posted May 03, 2010
i like worship music but this is a pretty good album. altough not on this album, i like 'the way i feel'. like 'lie to me'. but not a big fan of them.
Amazing work| Posted June 12, 2009
This album is full of amazing songs. Some of my favorites include Lie to Me and It was You. These songs are great to listen to any time. They rock out on some, while on others it's a little softer.
Amazing| Posted October 13, 2008
This is definately 12 Stones best album yet. The lyrics lift you up and encourage you through hard times. I am very impressed and can't wait for their next one!
Disappointed| Posted August 15, 2008
I was stoked when I first heard of this release, after Potter's Field I couldn't wait to see how AftU would be, but when I finally got it, I was very disappointed. It's not a bad CD, but they lost alot of the hardness that I loved them for, it seems that they've being going steadily downhill from their first album.
The Greatest 12 Stones CD Yet| Posted June 05, 2008
This Cd is so good. It has very powerful lyrics. My favorite song would have to be World So Cold. It has real true meaning for today's world. I definatly think this album is worth buying.
Disappointing| Posted February 22, 2008
I was expecting a lot more from 12 stones. Their first 2 albums were pretty good and I expected something as good in "Anthem". I was wrong, it sounds like soooo many other bands albums. The only good songs are World So Cold and This Dark Day. Hopefully 12 Stones will come up with a better album with their next release
Underdog| Posted February 20, 2008
12 stones, to me, have always been a band that is an underdog. I personally feel that they are underated and don't know why. Anthem for the Underdog is perhaps their best album to date, but yet other reviews i have read bash the album. It is a great cd that show cases their vocals and lyrics. Songs, Lie to Me, and Broken Road, are two of their best songs written and i would have thought they would be great radio hits, but no one plays them. Maybe it is due to marketing, but i think the band deserves great credit and hope they continue to grow as a band.
Great CD| Posted January 23, 2008
This is an awesome CD. I had not previously been a 12 stones fan, and had hardly heard of them. But once a friend of mine suggested that I check them out on iTunes, Iwas hooked. Anthem for the Underdog is awesome, and every song is exceptional. I would suggest this cd to anyone that loves christian rock.
Love it| Posted January 15, 2008
I love this cd! Every time I listen to it I enjoy it more then the last. I'm slowly becoming a very big 12 Stones fan.
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