Alter Bridge's Universal Republic debut is the follow up to their debut album, the Gold-certified album One Day Remains, which debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart its week of release. The album featured three consecutive hits on rock radio: ("Open Your Eyes," "Find The Real," and "Broken Wings"). Comprised of Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips, Brian Marshall and Myles Kennedy, three of the four members of Alter Bridge made up the 30+ million selling band Creed.

UK pressing of the Alternative band's 2007 sophomore album featuring one bonus track: 'We Don't Care At All'. Blackbird is the follow up to their debut album, the Gold-certified One Day Remains, which debuted at #5 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart its week of release. Comprised of Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips, Brian Marshall and Myles Kennedy, three of the four members of Alter Bridge made up the 30+ million selling band Creed. 14 tracks including the first single 'Rise Today'. Island.

This CD was recommended to me (I was also attracted to the cool-looking cover) and I'm glad it was. It totally rocks with catchy, addictive tracks. Actually, it took me awhile to get into it, except the opening number which I loved from the beginning. I thought the songs sounded the same but, upon further listens, I realized how wrong I was. I'm catching things in the tracks that set them apart and am realizing that all 13 songs are, on their own, solid (well, except for "Watch Over You," which I don't care much for). Intelligent lyrics, too. Now, Blackbird is rarely far from my CD player.

"Ties That Bind"--Seriously rocks! Loved this track since I listened to the preview on Amazon.
"Come To Life"--Power verses. I like the verses better than the chorus. The entire song is good, but the chorus just seems a bit ordinary.
"Brand New Start"--Slower track. Almost a power country feel. Well, if you like Daughtry, you'll like this one--especially when the chorus kicks in.
"Buried Alive"--Now we're rockin'! The guitar brings some individuality to the track and Myles Kennedy shows off his vocal versatility by displaying some high-pitched vulnerability--"I'm cold and I'm so afraid that I'm too weak and I can't change."
"Coming Home"--I like the timing in the chorus. It sets this track apart.
"Before Tomorrow Comes"--Good song but a little contrived and more like other songs you hear out there. It makes sense to me that this was the album's third single. It is powerful with inspirational lyrics. A little much for me, but not a bad song.
"Rise Today"--Probably the most recognizable song on the CD. It was used as the theme for WWE Unforgiven 2007. It definitely is a motivational number--"Won't you rise today and change this world?"

"The Blackbird"--This song must mean a lot to the band. It is not only the name of the album but its lyrics are printed on a separate page. It was written in memory of Mark Morse who owned a guitar shop and sold Myles Kennedy his first guitar. Mighty dirge--Morse was given a powerful send-off.
"One By One"--Excellent, one of my favorites. Powerful and catchy musically, lyrically it is about those who've given their lives in war "for a promised land that may not be won."
"Watch Over You"--Slow song. This one ended up on pop radio as the album's second single. This track is actually my least favorite. It is just ordinary to me, nothing really stands out about it. I'm glad I didn't judge the album by the singles as I may not have bought it.
"Break Me Down"--Solid rocker. Excellent from beginning to end.
"White Knuckles"--Heavy rocker as the title would suggest. Another of my favorites, especially the chorus--"The Damned are done believing the cursed can dream no more."
"Wayward One"--The song reminds me of "Bourree" which I know from Jethro Tull, but I realize was taken from Bach or some other classical composer. I don't know if that was their intention, but I always think of that song when I hear it.

If your a rock fan, you owe it to yourself to buy this album. No disrespect, but I was glad when they got rid of the lead singer from Creed, and this album fully shows why. The guitarist can finally play like he wants to, and this album benefits from it. The vocalist put the vocalist from Creed to shame. My favorite songs are Blackbird, Brand New Start, and Coming home. Please, buy this album. You won't regret it.

Alter Bridge's soph effort Blackbird, is an exceptional work of heavy metal art! I cheer the return of this excellent hard rock/heavy metal band. I did not think they could to better than their first work, which was great, but they exceeded my expectations. If I had to describe this album in one word: "AWESOME!"

Alter Bridge has noticeably grown as a band. If you liked their first album, you will enjoy this one much more.

The album is good. I liked half of the songs, and Amazon's MP3 option was nice to build my own album out of them.

The lead vocal's voice is incredibly strong. When they find the right song, it's magic. However, some of the songs don't sound very tight. They need just a little something to make the vocals and the rest of the band connect. The guitar work is simply amazing, and if you like guitar playing, look no further. They definitely went with more of a hard rock sound, and it's something that I kinda miss.

It sounds like they are trying to find themselves their own sound, and they'll be amazing once they do.