Invitation to the Dance (album)

2001 studio album by 40 Below Summer

Invitation to the Dance is the second album by nu metal band 40 Below Summer. The album was released on October 16, 2001 via London Sire Records. It is the band's first record to be put out on a major label. Two months after its release, the label went out of business, and the album was re issued through Warner Music.

Formed in 1998, 40 Below Summer had made a name for themselves by performing heavily across their native New Jersey and New York. Lead guitarist Jordan Plingos recalled "I think the first thing that we clicked with Garth about was that he was relaxed. He wasn't like, 'let's go, guys, let's go!' He was more like, 'get comfortable, get settled in.' His whole thing is bringing out the best in you, so pressuring you to do something doesn't help. He was all about us, which was amazing",

The elderly man on the album cover also appeared in the 2000 music video for the 3 Doors Down song "Kryptonite." Songs such as "Falling Down" and "Rejection" feature a volatile brand of singing which frequently alternates between melodic crooning, rapping and more extreme vocal stylings. The song "Power Tool" was one of the earliest pieces of music written by the band.

Allmusic's Jason D. Taylor gave the album a positive four star review, noting that "Invitation to the Dance at first glance may seem to be just another hard rock album, but along with further observation it is apparent that 40 Below Summer is striving to spice up what modern hard rock became in the 21st century." He concluded his review by writing "40 Below Summer's ability to keep the listener guessing and the album's repetitive appeal make Invitation to the Dance a surefire hit for those looking for something more out of hard rock than a down tuned bass and simplistic lyrics." He has also noted it is the only record 40 Below Summer do not control the rights to.