Daughtry transcends ‘Idol’ success

By Katlin Stinespring
Hurricane High School

Chris Daughtry proves that you don’t have to win “American Idol” to be a hit. His band’s self-titled release, “Daughtry,” has gone double platinum and been in the Billboard Top 10 for all but one week since its release in November. Not bad for last season’s fourth place finisher!

The smash single, “It’s Not Over,” is a song to which everyone can relate. It’s about trying to get a relationship back on track and not giving up on someone. After a few listens, you’ll easily be able to sing along with the catchy lyrics.

“Home,” the song that “American Idol” is using as its departure tune this season, is about finding one’s place in the world not having any regrets on past decisions. “Over You” is the perfect break up song, venting about frustrations and lies and getting over memories of the past. The lyrics, sung with emotion and soul, are the prescription for healing a broken heart.

Former Guns n’ Roses guitarist Slash is featured in “What I Want,” by far the hardest rocking song on the album. It is definitely a head-banging song and one that could fall into the metal genre.

But the album doesn’t just showcase Chris’ vocals, he also wrote or co-wrote 10 of “Daughtry’s” 12 tracks. The songs are not dark and depressing but uplifting and emotional with a hard-edge sound. This is the perfect music to pop into a car’s CD player and crank up for a long, reflective drive.

Daughtry was “American Idol’s” first successful rocker, but here, he proves he’s more than that. He’s here to stay and will be producing rock hits for years to come.