Leave This Town (by Daughtry, Rock)

Former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry's new record, LEAVE THIS TOWN, finds his band exploring the ups and downs of romantic relationships -- a theme that fits with the group’s rise from regular married guys (all but the drummer have wives) to huge stars trying to reconcile their relationships with new-found fame. Though most of the lyrics focus on the problems this brings, which makes the CD seem somewhat of a downer overall, none of the songs contain the explicit language or graphic descriptions that often accompany accounts of relationship woes. For example: “Complicated situations are the makings of all that’s wrong / And I’ve been standing in the river of deliverance for way too long / There’s gotta be a better way to say what’s in my heart without leaving scars.”

Chris Daughtry’s ticket to fame was his mass appeal, so it’s no surprise that his music, while hard-driving, sticks with the radio-friendly, power-rock formula. That said, this record shows a few more glimmers of originality than the first, such as the country-inspired track “Tennessee Line” and the cool “woo-hoos” backing the song “Supernatural.” Of course, Daughtry’s laser-clear voice remains the band’s best asset.