"The Better Life" was good, but I think this album manages to top it. "When I'm Gone" has been the massive hit thus far and has become one of the biggest radio hits of the last year. It's been overplayed, but it's still listenable. The title track "Away From the Sun" is a definite stand-out track. It's slow, but I'd love to see it as a single...great chorus. "The Road I'm On" is one of the harder tracks and was the second single. "Ticket To Heaven" is another catchy rock/pop track that would make a good single. The star of this album is "Here Without You" definitely. Already proving to be a huge radio hit, it's a fantastic rock ballad and very relatable. "Changes" and "Dangerous Game" are ok too. "Sarah Yellin" definitely stands out from the other songs with a more serious vibe.

Overall, great album. "Away From the Sun", "When I'm Gone", "Ticket To Heaven", and "Here Without You" are the key tracks that make it wortha 5 star rating. The other songs are good and listenable, but these jump out at you. If you liked "The Better Life" there's a big chance that you'll like "Away From the Sun." Similar content and great music.


Solid power chord band   October 24, 2004
B. Williams
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

I own many of the tracks from this CD which I purchased from iTunes. I had the opportunity to see 3 Doors Down and Our Lady Peace in San Francisco, I went there to see Our Lady Peace, but I was very impressed with 3DD. They put on a fantastic show and their sound was very solid. Great tracks on this disc, if you like what you've heard on the radio, you'll probably enjoy this disc.


Better than 'Better Life?'   February 15, 2004
robert chukwumah (Dallas, TX)
16 out of 20 found this review helpful

I've already reviewed this disk, but I haven't given the track by track rundown that I'm so darn good at. Here we go:
1. WHEN I'M GONE (A-): Strong opening track and first single. Really embraces what this band is all about.
2. AWAY FROM THE SUN (A-): A great interpretation of mellow rock. This is a great road tune.
3. THE ROAD I'M ON (A): This song is skitzo! Humble verses, and an aggressive chorus. My favorite on this CD.
4. TICKET TO HEAVEN (A): Almost too good to be 3 Doors Down! It should have been the closing track.
5. RUNNING OUT OF DAYS (B-): Still good, but this song feels a little boring compared to it's predecesors.
6. HERE WITHOUT YOU (A): Be Like That was the softie on their first album. Be Like That wishes it could be like this.
7. I FEEL YOU (B+): the band's sound has fallen into a consistant groove...country/rock.
8. DANGEROUS GAME (B+): More country, better rock. I can see a Western shootout to this one.
9. CHANGES (A-): depressed to the point of anger/psychosis. Another Jekyl&Hyde song like track 3.
10. GOING DOWN IN FLAMES (A): this song is the fastest but also most melodic. This is a good sounding band.
11. SARAH YELLIN' (C): This one is the hardest. effects are cool, the bridge is too, but the rhythms get a little annoying.
12. untitled (D): might as well have left this one off. slow, dull, and now we know we won't hear anything like Kryptonite again. (but this is a good thing.)


Mainstream   October 2, 2004
A. Magnus (NY)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

If you are looking for rather common mainstream rock, this CD will meet your tastes. There's nothing edgy about this music and at times it almost wanders into pop. For better or worse, the songs don't display much textural variety. Guitar and vocal voicings remain pretty much the same throughout the CD which is to say, to me at least, the songs sounded too much the same. Will I listen to this CD repeatedly? Probably not because the music simply isn't challenging enough. Their debut CD is better.


Another Solid effort.   October 17, 2003
John E. Chadwick (San Francisco, CA)
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

No sophomore jinx here for Three Doors Down. With "Away from the Sun" the band shows that the first album was no accident. Solid songwriting, catchy tunes and a nice mix of hard rock, ballads and insightful lyrics make this one of the best releases of the year. For some reason, I have not heard nearly as many singles off this CD on the radio, but that is not because they are not here. "Ticket to Heaven", "Here without You" and "Going Down in Flames" seem like instant radio hits.
Aside from a couple weak tunes in the middle of the CD (#'s 7-8), this album is one solid, well-written offering from 3 Doors Down. If you were a fan of "The Better Life", I see no reason why you will not love "Away From the Sun".