2009 seems to get a little more interesting in terms of album releases with each week. Between the returns of Green Day and Eminem in the next week, reunions popping up all over the place, and the usual run of new material, we’ve still got plenty to get excited about in the coming weeks and months. In the last few weeks we’ve heard new singles and an announcement of a new album to keep the excitement going.
Last week American Idol alum Chris Daughtry debuted his new song on the show that gave helped spark his career by kicking him off. Daughtry is set to release Leave This Town, the follow-up to their supremely successful 2006 debut, on July 14th, with lead single “No Surprise” set to hit radio later this month. “No Surprise” isn’t a particularly impressive showing from Daughtry, thematically it’s on the same plane as most of their debut. This in and of itself is to be expected, given that Daughtry shares a songwriting credit with Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger. I would have thought that, given the strong showing Daughtry posted on his/their (this whole “name the band after the singer” thing is more obnoxious than I thought) debut, Chris Daughtry would have a bit more freedom to write his own material. But clearly the label’s aching for a big single, so roll out the hit machine!
Daughtry – No Surprise [iTunes] (YSI)
Daughtry may not be in great shape based on that single, but he’s got more going for him than fellow Idol contestant Jordin Sparks does. Her new single “Battlefield” dropped today, and it squanders a dark, ominous beat with a weak melody and cliches galore. Wait a sec…dime-a-dozen lyrics about lost love, a forgettable melody, and a healthy dose of schmaltz to guarantee some radio success…is that Ryan Tedder in the background waiting for his royalites?? Good heavens, it is! The OneRepublic balladeer with the uncanny ability to project his own lack of personality into everything he touches has his fingerprints all over this track. It’s a shame; “Tattoo” was a pretty good single a couple years ago, and Sparks had potential to add her name to the very short list of successful Idol winners (see also: Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood). Her album drops on July 14th too, and hopefully there’s more to look forward to than this coulda-been, shoulda-been (probably will be anyway) #1 hit.
Jordin Sparks – Battlefield [iTunes] (YSI)
And in a complete directional shift, ¡VLM! favorite Paramore confirmed not long ago that their third studio album is finished and set for release in September. Not much else is known about the album (no name, no confirmed single), but the beautiful frontwoman Hayley Willams hinted that this album would center on friendship, as opposed to the relationship themes of 2007’s Riot! In all likelihood Paramore will reveal some of the new material on their summer tour with No Doubt, so a Paramore fan with more tolerance for Gwen Stefani than I have will probably be lucky enough to hear the new music before I get to it.
Three more new releases to keep an eye out for, on top of the dozens that are still to come, or already announced. What are you all out there looking forward to hearing this year?
==TJ==
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: American Idol, Daughtry, Jordin Sparks, Paramore, TV
I think most as so unfair about Jordin’s 2nd CD! I find it even better than her first! Most CD when you purchase if you are lucky there is 1 or 2 really good songs however; with Jordin new CD she has at LEAST 8 tunes that could be made into Singles and succeed! I love Jordin Sparks singing ability and new CD.