With the much anticipated second album by Daughtry days away, the social net is buzzing with twitters and status postings on Facebook.

I was anticipating it so much that I simply had to get it before the official release date of 14 July 2009, and review it.  Where the focus of their self-titled debut album was placed on Chris Daughtry, the second album is marketed as a band moving forward.  Moving forward they are.

 Leave this town is the second step in what I hope will be a musical career spanning decades.  The first single No Surprise set the tone for what promises to be the first of a few chart toping hits.  Stories of small towns and dreaming of loves lost and found have always plagued the American music scene.  Somehow with Daughtry we look beyond the commercial cover and the words resonate within our souls.

There aren't many bands who can achieve this:  Bon Jovi in the early days, Live still does and Susan Boyle made me believe it with one performance.

The album started a bit dark with You don't belong, but I just couldn't bring myself to skip to the next song.  Reaching the third track you simply forget about the fact that you wanted to review the album.  You finish listening to September and you simply have to admit that you are sold on harmonies and the most beautiful blend of guitars.

Vocally I prefer this album as Daughtry added a flavour which I associate with Robert Mutt Lange's style of producing.  What makes the difference between the two is that on Leave this town it doesn't sound processed.  Seriously, that would be like the Backstreet Boys covering Guns & Roses.

Ghost of me is a solid track that I hope will be pushed as a single.  It is also the track that proves that Daughtry isn't an over produced band.  You don't plan guitar chops, riffs, variable drum patches and that bass slide at the end of the bridge.  That comes from rehearsing songs day after day and enjoying the songs.  It is almost like you are standing against the wall watching the sweat on the instruments drip to the ground as they settle into the ballad Learn my lesson.

Then you sadly get to the end of the album and Call your name is waiting there in all it's simplicity.  Perfectly placed to just say "thank you for listening".  Just before you think modern rock has gone soft on you they erupt in a symphony distortion driving it home. 

This is an album that will be understood by every person who has traded one town for another in search of something else.  The student in the big city who is dodging cars in traffic, in his hometown the street was open to ride with his bike.  The waitress who is serving coffee to people who haven't got the time of day to pass a smile, where at home she was met by her mother in the kitchen with a fresh brew before leaving for school.

Leave this town is a album recorded by real people, for real people.

I am still waiting for Sony BMG South Africa to give me the dates for the telephonic interview.  I was planning to ask them what to expect on the new album. 

I now have my answer.

Write simple and honest songs.  Songs relating to feelings normal people have and feelings you understand.  Daughtry is not selling us rockstar dreams, limo's or champagne and caviar pulp. 

This is a solid album - when was the last time any band could say that after recording 12 tracks?

The rumour is spreading that Daughtry is planning a stop over in South Africa for a tour.  I am hoping for a camp fire in the bush with a few acoustic guitars and a couple of beers.  I will have one question.

How can you be this great and sound so normal?

Comments (3)

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written by Kalan, July 11, 2009

Thank you, from Canada to South Africa for this wonderful review of DAUGHTRY's Leave This Town. For once I feel the that reviewer actually listened. :roll It is going to be big,and those of us who have supported the band from the very beginning are delighted! Thank you Joe,and I hope you get your campfire - I would love to be there

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written by Kalan, July 11, 2009

I forgot to mention that the link to the review was tweeted to Chris,who must have thoroughly enjoyed it since he RT'd the tweet. :grin

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written by redsaid, July 11, 2009

In my humble opinion, this is the best thing you've ever written!! No wonder it's getting attention!

VERY nicely done, dude!

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