Thanks to singer Paul McCoy’s guest appearance on Evanescence’s massive single “Bring Me to Life,” 12 Stones has gained a certain level of recognition without producing an album themselves garnering national attention. Unfortunately, the band’s new album, Anthems for the Underdog, does not seem like it will remedy this situation (though lead single “Lie to Me” is making a dent on Radio & Records’ Active Rock airplay chart where it had reached No. 22 at press time).  

Trading in the sort of Nickelback post-grunge sound that counts as straight-ahead rock these days, Underdog is a solid, glossy chunk of bombastic vocals, sound-alike guitar riffs and broad, angsty lyrics. Only elements like the lead guitar lines in “Hey Love” and “Arms of a Stranger,” the metal riffing on “Adrenalin,” or the stomp/clap beat and orchestral flourishes of “World So Cold” keep the album from dissolving into unmemorable, workmanlike predictability.  

In 12 Stones’ press release McCoy says that “this album is the best attempt we’ve got to grab new fans,” and that “there is a real sense of urgency to get back on top throughout the album.” If these are the band’s goals, then maybe a lack of distinctiveness is not necessarily a fault. However, in today’s dire music industry it seems that simply presenting a generic copy of a successful mainstream band no longer spells a hit, not to mention something of artistic merit. 

- Chris Molinar