What makes Truant by Alien Ant Farm notable?

The album received mixed reviews but demonstrated a significant shift in the band's artistic direction, showcasing deeper lyrical themes compared to previous work. Notably, it peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, highlighting its resonance within the alternative rock scene despite not achieving mainstream success like its predecessor. Truant marked Alien Ant Farm's third studio album, following their successful major-label debut, ANThology, which featured the hit cover of 'Smooth Criminal'. By the time of this release in 2003, the band was navigating the challenges of maintaining their momentum after initial success, experimenting with their sound while grappling with expectations from fans and critics alike.

Truant works well if you're into wave-like pacing with peaks, dynamic flow with contrasts and headphone detail hunting moments.

How many songs are on Truant?

Truant has 14 tracks, running approximately 68 minutes.

Truant

Alien Ant Farm · 2003

68 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock

A blend of haunting melodies and heavy riffs, Truant explores emotional depths through alternative rock and metal influences.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Drifting Apart — This track encapsulates the album's emotional core, melding introspective lyrics with dynamic instrumentation that reflects feelings of disconnection.
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Glow — With its infectious chorus and layered guitar work, Glow stands out as an anthem of resilience amidst uncertainty, embodying the band's evolving sound.
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Goodbye — The song features poignant lyrics about loss and farewell, showcasing a mature songwriting approach that distinguishes Truant from earlier releases.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

44 /100

Lowland

Higher than 4% of albums we've rated

The album shows growth in lyrical depth but maintains a familiar sound within its genre.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
Several tracks incorporate layered guitar riffs that create a dense sound, particularly in 'Glow' and 'Rubber Mallet'.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

wave-like pacing with peaks
dynamic flow with contrasts
headphone detail hunting moments
extended piece for deep focus

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer standalone single tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Truant marked Alien Ant Farm's third studio album, following their successful major-label debut, ANThology, which featured the hit cover of 'Smooth Criminal'. By the time of this release in 2003, the band was navigating the challenges of maintaining their momentum after initial success, experimenting with their sound while grappling with expectations from fans and critics alike.
Stylistic neighbors: Papa Roach· P.O.D.· Linkin Park