Sounds like … a generally more energetic blend of the band's Southern pop/rock, with obvious comparisons to The Black Crowes, Hootie & The Blowfish, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
At a glance … though it's not exactly a stretch or a milestone for Third Day, this is the rock album that many fans have been waiting seven years for.
It's been a while since Third Day has truly rocked out on an album. Sure, they've maintained their kinetic energy in concert, evidenced on their two concert DVDs, and yes, there are some bits on the two Offerings live worship albums that are electrifying. But as for a bona fide, studio-recorded rock album of all-new material, you'd have to go back at least to 2001's Come Together. Still, many felt that album sounded more like polished, radio-friendly pop—and not Third Day's hugely successful brand of Southern rock. 1999's Time also took a more subdued approach, dabbling more in folk and country than rock. That means you'd have to go back to 1997's Conspiracy No. 5 and 1996's self-titled debut for the band's most rocking work.
Wait no more. Wire marks the return of the livelier, harder-hitting Third Day that so readily recalled the work of The Black Crowes, Hootie & The Blowfish, and classic Lyrnyrd Skynyrd. It's apparent with the opening track, "'Til the Day I Die," featuring the melodic guitar rock fans have come to love in concert. Mac Powell's vocals seem more raw, the band more powerful. Likewise, expect to rock out to the bolder and bluesier "I Got a Feeling," the punchy "Billy Brown," and the appropriately titled "Rock Star." Especially inspiring is "Innocent"—the guitar rock production gives it some bite and the dark string-driven bridge varies its tone, offering the moving and joyful cry of a prisoner freed from sin.
Third Day considers Wire to be a new chapter to their career, and in many ways, it sounds like it. The album features several new collaborations with noted mainstream talent. Replacing longtime producer Monroe Jones is Paul Ebersold (3 Doors Down, Sister Hazel, Skillet), who preserves the band's sound while making it feel both classic and modern. Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Lifehouse, Aerosmith) mixed, and Paul Buckmaster (Elton John, Train) did the string arrangements. Even Boyd Tinsley, famed violinist of the Dave Matthews Band, plays on "Blind," though the extremely brief cameo could have been done by any capable session player.
As for the songwriting, Third Day has always tended to simply express themes of faith with straightforward lyrics. Wire is no exception, as heard on the bouncy "I Believe" and the surefire hit "Come on Back to Me," written from God's perspective. The title track is a powerful rock ballad, but it's a little too much like their signature hit "Consuming Fire" with lyrics reminiscent of "What if I Stumble?" by dc Talk....
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