Thank God. Finally an English album review, and not only that, but also a male artist to grace my website. New readers of my site must have thought that I only listen to Japanese female artists’ music (which unfortunately Koda Kumi will be my next review target as Norah Jones’s new album is a major let down to me).
Chris Daughtry may have disappointed the “America Idol” viewers that he only got to as far as being a semi-finalist, his eponymous debut rock album that he has written and co-written doesn’t. The first week sales of “Daughtry” has beaten the American Idol winner Taylor Hicks’s eponymous debut album.
“Daughtry”‘s opening track “It’s Not Over”, also the first single, is a good representation of what the album overall sounds like. Well crafted verses, memorable chorus, and a twisting bridge. The song is written by Daughtry and several others including Brett “Ace” Young who was also an “Idol” contestant. Daughtry has opened a poll in their band website letting their fans to pick their second single. The fourth track of the album “Over You” happens to be both the fans’ pick as well as the band’s. Personally, I wish they would have picked something different from the first single. Perhaps a slow ballad like “Breakdown” that is solely written by Daughtry himself or the last track “What About Now” would have been nice. Interestingly, Slash is featured in one of the track “What I Want”. The track is a bit short (less than 3 minutes) but is a good one to listen to. “There And Back Again” stands out as my favourite (and not necessary yours) because it is unique. The opening rift and the subsequent melody sounds like the new “Metallica” meets “Puddle of Mudd”/”Nickelblack”.
Music-wise, the sound of the album definitely reminds me of “Puddle of Mudd” and “Nickelblack”. The strength of the album, I would say, is Chris Daughtry’s gifted voice as well as the accessibility of the melody (read: radio-friendly which some of you may see as a major weakness).
There is nothing ground breaking in “Daughtry”. It is yet another “Idol” album that you will keep playing again and again in your leisure time.