The words “Can I have a moment of your time?” have never caught my attention more than in the first line of the first song of Shinedown’s new album, “Threat to Survival.” And what an attention getter it is as it pulls one into the band’s best album to date.

Hoping for a throwback to their third album, “Sound of Madness,” I was not disappointed when I got the exact opposite of the sound that got me through my middle school years. Instead, I got a modern twist on their past with brutally honest lyrics that describe who I am now. From the first words of “Asking For It” to the last of “Misfits,” lead singer and main lyricist Brent Smith brought the theme of survival to the forefront with lyrics full of life advice; from friendship to dealing with haters. Now, this isn’t too different from past albums. What is different is the lack of metaphor. Instead, the album is straight to the point with few places where the meaning is left to interpretation.

Then there’s the sound. Though keeping to their roots in hard rock, “Threat to Survival” is far more modern with upbeat, catchy tunes such as “How Did You Love” and “State of My Head.” But they still kept the softer ballads I crave with “Thick as Thieves” and “Misfits.” And it’s all complimented with Smith’s voice that only seems to improve with age.

Basically, this album is the work of a genius with the right mix of hard rock and catchy, yet meaningful, lyrics that I can’t wait to see performed live in Wichita next Friday.