Outsider (Three Days Grace album)
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Outsider
| type = studio
| artist = Three Days Grace
| cover = Outsider (album cover).jpg
| alt =
| released = {{start date|2018|3|9}}
| recorded = July 2017–January 2018
| studio =
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| length = 39:20
| label = RCA
| producer = * Gavin Brown
| prev_title = Human
| prev_year = 2015
| next_title = Explosions
| next_year = 2022
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Outsider
| type = studio
| single1 = The Mountain
| single1date = January 25, 2018
| single2 = Infra-Red
| single2date = June 25, 2018
| single3 = Right Left Wrong
| single3date = November 12, 2018
}}
}}
Outsider is the sixth studio album by Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. It was released on March 9, 2018 through RCA Records.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/three-days-grace-to-release-outsider-album-in-march-9-the-mountain-video-now-available/|title=Three Days Grace To Release 'Outsider Album in March 9; 'The Mountain' Video Now Available|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=January 25, 2018|access-date=March 8, 2018}} The album was produced by two of the band's prior producers, Gavin Brown and Howard Benson but also by members of the band themselves.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/three-days-grace-i-am-the-outsider-8099976/|title=Three Days Grace Debuts 'I Am An Outsider' From Upcoming Album: Exclusive|magazine=Billboard|author=Gary Graff|date=February 16, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2018}} It is the second album to feature Matt Walst as lead vocalist.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-matt-walst-more-comfortable-writing-outsider-disc/|title=Three Days Grace's Matt Walst 'More Comfortable' With 'Outsider'|author=Chad Childers|website=Loudwire|date=March 7, 2018 |access-date=March 8, 2018}}
The album debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 24 and sold 17,000 copies in the US in its first week.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/billboard-200-chart-moves-three-days-grace/|title=Billboard 200 Chart Moves: Three Days Grace Net Fifth Top 40 Album With 'Outsider'|magazine=Billboard|date=March 22, 2018|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|access-date=August 25, 2022}} The album also peaked at number nine on the Canadian Albums Chart.
Background and recording
Once the tour for their 2015 album Human concluded, the band decided to take time off to work on the next album "in as much isolation as possible," according to drummer Neil Sanderson. The band desired, Sanderson explained, to "get a break and find the space to create." To accomplish this, the group spent a year writing at rural properties owned by Sanderson and bassist Brad Walst.{{Cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-outsider-album-the-mountain-video/|title=Three Days Grace Announce 'Outsider' Album, 'The Mountain' Video|author=Chad Childers|website=Loudwire|date=January 25, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2018}} The first song they wrote was the album's lead single, "The Mountain". According to Brad Walst, the group wrote and recorded around 20 songs, selecting the album tracks by "vibe" in order for the album to have "a good sequence to it."{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/music/three-days-grace-shares-details-on-new-rock-album-outsider/article/515519|title=Three Days Grace shares details on new rock album 'Outsider' (Includes interview)|author=Markos Papadatos|website=Digital Journal|date=February 21, 2018|access-date=February 25, 2018}}
Talking about the themes found on the album, Sanderson said "I think there's a common thread that talks about how to navigate your way through modern life and being bombarded by information and feelings and beliefs. We don't have all the answers here, but we definitely do bring up the topic a lot." He also revealed that lead vocalist Matt Walst was much more involved in the songwriting, messages, and concepts than on Human, which was Matt's first since joining the band in 2013. Brad Walst also stated that the album is about "the journey to find your place." The background electronic aspects of the album were influenced by Bring Me the Horizon's 2015 album That's the Spirit.
The band embarked on a headlining tour called, The Outsider tour in 2018.{{cite web|url=https://threedaysgrace.com/the-outsider-tour-in-canada-announced/|title=The Outsider Tour in Canada Announced|website=threedaysgrace.com|date=July 16, 2018|access-date=July 11, 2022}} The group also supported Avenged Sevenfold and Prophets of Rage on the End of the World tour that same year.{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/avenged-sevenfold-end-of-the-world-tour-prophets-of-rage/|title=Avenged Sevenfold Announce 'End of the World' Tour With Prophets of Rage and Three Days Grace|website=Loudwire|author=Chad Childers|date=March 5, 2018|access-date=August 25, 2022}}
Singles
The band released the first single with two promotional tracks to back the album's release. "The Mountain" was released as the lead single on January 25, 2018 and was accompanied by a music video.{{cite web|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2018-01-25-three-days-grace-debuts-new-single-the-mountain-from-new-album-outsider/|title=Three Days Grace Debuts New Single 'The Mountain' from New Album 'Outsider' - iHeartRadio|website=iHeartRadio|author=Nicole Mastrogiannis|date=January 25, 2018|access-date=September 3, 2023}} The song peaked at number one on the US Mainstream Rock chart.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/three-days-grace-makes-billboard-rock-songs-chart-history|title=Three Days Grace Makes Billboard Rock Songs Chart History|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=March 29, 2018|access-date=September 3, 2023}} "I Am an Outsider" was released on February 16, 2018 as a promotional single from the album. "Right Left Wrong" was released as the third and final song to promote the album on March 2, 2018.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/three_days_grace_new_song_right_left_wrong/|title=Three Days Grace release incredible new track 'Right Left Wrong'|magazine=Alternative Press|date=March 3, 2018|access-date=March 8, 2018}} On June 12, "Infra-Red" was released as the band's second single from the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/rock/future-releases|title=Rock Future Releases|website=All Access Music Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611184011/https://www.allaccess.com/rock/future-releases|archive-date=June 11, 2018|access-date=June 25, 2018}} The song topped the US Mainstream Rock chart.{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-billboard-record-14th-no-1-mainstream-rock-single/|title=Three Days Grace Set Billboard Record With 14th No. 1 Mainstream Rock Single|website=Loudwire|author=Chad Childers|date=September 10, 2018|access-date=September 3, 2023}} On November 13, 2018, the band released the album's opening track, "Right Left Wrong", as the third single for radio airplay.{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/rock/future-releases|title=Rock Future Releases|website=All Access Music Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104081029/https://www.allaccess.com/rock/future-releases|archive-date=November 4, 2018|access-date=November 17, 2018}} The song reached number one on the US Mainstream Rock chart.{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/three-days-grace-extends-mainstream-rock-songs-no-1-record|title=Three Days Grace Extend Mainstream Rock Songs No. 1 Record|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=April 18, 2019|access-date=September 3, 2023}}
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = Distorted Sound
| rev1Score = {{Rating|8|10}}{{cite magazine|url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-outsider-three-days-grace/|title=ALBUM REVIEW: Outsider - Three Days Grace - Distorted Sound Magazine|author=Jack Press|magazine=Distorted Sound|date=March 8, 2018|access-date=March 12, 2018}}
| rev2 = Melodic
| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=http://melodic.net/album/three-days-grace-outsider|title=Three Days Grace - Outsider|website=Melodic|author=Kaj Roth|date=March 22, 2018|access-date=July 2, 2023}}
| rev3 = Salute
| rev4 = Sputnikmusic
| rev4Score = 2/5{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/76378/Three-Days-Grace-Outsider/|title=Review: Outsider - Three Days Grace|author=Simon K|website=Sputnikmusic|date=March 10, 2018|access-date=January 3, 2024}}
| rev5 = Ultimate Guitar
| rev5score = 5/10{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/three_days_grace/outsider/|title=Outsider Review|website=Ultimate Guitar|accessdate=December 8, 2022}}
}}
Outsider was met with mixed reviews. Jack Press of Distorted Sound praised the opening track "Right Left Wrong" for Walst's, "defining performance... similar to Gontier's mid-noughties range as much as they sound undeniably fresh." He also complimented the songs "I Am an Outsider" and "Infra-Red" for its "arena-driven chorus" that blur the lines between alternative rock and pop rock. However, he criticized the track "Love Me or Leave Me" for its repetitiveness. He concluded, "It's what sets this record apart from other alt-rock outfits right now, whereas much of their peers are focusing on feel-good party anthems, Three Days Grace give us a masterclass in coming to terms with the well of emotions that lay inside of us."
Kaj Roth of Melodic gave a mixed review of the album stating, "Outsider sounds pretty much like a typical Three Days Grace album but it's just not as great as Human or their early stuff, it's well produced and they show no signs of selling out but most of these songs won't make it onto a best of with this band." Joshua Leep of Salute also gave a mixed review of the album remarking, "teens and young adults will definitely be able to grasp pretty quickly. Older folks might not be able to relate to the lyrical content quite as much, but there are of course always exceptions. Regardless, it is a solid effort with some honest, unhindered, and unhinged music." Simon K of Sputnikmusic praised the tracks, "Villain I'm Not", "Right Left Wrong" and "The Mountain" for its "infectious chorus." However, he criticized the lack of change in their sound, but complimented the "tight rhythm of 'Strange Days' or sombre synth saturation of 'Love Me or Leave Me'." He ended off remarking, "Outsider lacks is that one track to grab onto; there's nothing standout here, nothing that will justify you coming back for a second helping."
Awards and nominations
The band won the Rock Songwriters of the Year award for "The Mountain" on the 30th anniversary of the SOCAN Awards{{Cite web|url=http://yaletownfm.com/scan-awards-2019-chad-kroeger-three-days-grace/|title=30th Anniversary SOCAN Awards Chad Kroeger And Three Days Grace {{!}} Yaletown Financial Management Inc.|website=yaletownfm.com|access-date=April 20, 2019}} and Rock Artist of the Year on 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://kbpi.iheart.com/content/2019-03-15-three-days-grace-wins-rock-artist-of-the-year-at-iheartradio-music-awards/|title=Three Days Grace wins Rock Artist of the Year at iHeartRadio Music Awards|website=107.9 KBPI|access-date=April 20, 2019}} Outsider was nominated for Album of the Year and Rock Album of the Year at the 2019 Juno Awards.{{Cite web|title=Three Days Grace Nominated For Three Juno Awards – Three Days Grace|url=https://threedaysgrace.com/2019/01/29/three-days-grace-nominated-for-three-juno-awards/|access-date=March 11, 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=October 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022095918/https://threedaysgrace.com/2019/01/29/three-days-grace-nominated-for-three-juno-awards/|url-status=dead}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Awards and nominations for Outsider |
| align=center
! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Organization ! scope="col"| Award ! scope="col"| Result ! scope="col"| Ref(s) |
| rowspan="2"| 2019
|rowspan="2"| Juno Awards | {{nom}} |
| Rock Album of the Year
| {{nom}} |
Track listing
All tracks are written by Three Days Grace (Neil Sanderson, Barry Stock, Brad Walst and Matt Walst) and producer Gavin Brown, with additional writers as listed below.
{{Track listing
| title1 = Right Left Wrong
| writer1 =
| length1 = 3:56
| title2 = The Mountain
| writer2 = Johnny Andrews
| length2 = 3:18
| title3 = I Am an Outsider
| writer3 = Andrews, Meghan Patrick
| length3 = 2:42
| title4 = Infra-Red
| writer4 = Dan Kanter, Isiah Steinberg
| length4 = 3:50
| title5 = Nothing to Lose but You
| writer5 = Andrews
| length5 = 2:52
| title6 = Me Against You
| writer6 = Ted Bruner
| length6 = 3:29
| title7 = Love Me or Leave Me
| writer7 =
| length7 = 3:04
| title8 = Strange Days
| writer8 = Andrews
| length8 = 3:10
| title9 = Villain I'm Not
| writer9 = Andrews
| length9 = 2:55
| title10 = Chasing the First Time
| writer10 = Andrews
| length10 = 2:55
| title11 = The New Real
| writer11 = Casey Marshall
| length11 = 3:00
| title12 = The Abyss
| writer12 = Bruner
| length12 = 4:09
| total_length = 39:20
}}
Personnel
Credits retrieved from album's liner notes.{{Cite AV media notes|title=Outsider|year=2018|type=booklet|publisher=RCA}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Three Days Grace
- Matt Walst – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Barry Stock – lead guitar
- Brad Walst – bass guitar
- Neil Sanderson – drums, backing vocals
Additional musicians
- Rhys Fulber – additional programming
{{col-2}}
Production
- Gavin Brown – producer
- Howard Benson – producer
- Three Days Grace – producer
- Mike Plotnikoff – engineer
- Chris Lord-Alge – mixing
- Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound, New York City
- Jill Zimmermann – engineer
- Darren Magierowski – engineer
- Paul Decarli – editing
{{col-end}}
Charts
Release history
References
{{reflist|refs=
| title = BMI song credits
| website = Broadcast Music, Inc.
| url = http://repertoire.bmi.com/StartPage.aspx
| access-date = April 16, 2019}}
}}
{{Three Days Grace}}
{{Authority control}}