Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this American Idol veteran delivers some some viable, if derivative, rock & roll on his self-titled CD -- with a little something for everyone. Lyrics play it safe, with the exception of some occasional dark-side musings, made-to-order for teenagers who take themselves extremely seriously.
Families can talk about the phenomenon of American Idol and the opportunities it affords both winners and losers. You can also read the lyrics of "Breakdown" and "All these Lives" -- songs that appear to address real issues with obtuse poetry -- and discuss what Daughtry is trying to communicate in these songs.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Chris Daughtry knows his way around a power ballad, and showcases his vocal range beautifully on his first post-American Idol CD, DAUGHTRY. Gritty and emotional, his voice – supported by a powerful rhythm section – is the star of this show as he careens through a variety of hard-hitting styles reminiscent of everyone from Creed to Slash (who delivers a cameo appearance on "What I Want") to sensitive-guy crooners of every genre.
Daughtry sings with so much passion, in fact, that it's easy not to notice how derivative and musically unadventurous these songs really are, with only a couple of notable exceptions. The lyrics are simplistic, the rhymes predictable and sometimes corny -- leaving Daughtry's emotional impact squarely resting on the arrangements and performance. The fact that he pulls off an album with some grit and power anyway is living proof of the North Carolina native's natural talent.
Lines like "feeling like this could only mean I'm sinking" (repeated several times) or "Take, take your time / smell the roses but steal the vines / Don't wait for the hands of time / to second guess and change your mind" make the listener wonder how soon this singer-songwriter would have been aced out of competition if the show (in some alternate universe) was called "American Poet" instead of "American Idol." A couple of exceptions -- and highlights -- are "Breakdown" ("Open up the book you beat me with again / read it off one sentence at a time / I'm tired of all the lines, convictions, and your lies…") and "All These Lives," a song that addresses child abduction with "Momma can't get down those halls / fast enough to see / glass is sprayed across the floor / from the broken window / she can't breathe anymore."
Chris Daughtry is a talented man who could use a great songwriting partner. It will be interesting to see what happens if and when he finds one.
Fans will also enjoy Slash, Nickelback, Creed, My Chemical Romance, and other albums by American Idol alumni.
Rate It!
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ViolenceSome darkly poetic imagery here and there; nothing really explicit. |
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Social BehaviorNo clear message of any kind, except for subtle support of self-absorbed teen angst. |
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