Released: Jul 14, 2009
Genre: Post-grunge
Label: RCA
Number Of Tracks: 12
Daughtry have used different aspects of the band as a whole to come out with different songs which are still as good as songs of the last album.
Leave This Town
Reviewed by:
secretdeath15, on july 17, 2009 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Daughtry's Self-Titles Debut Album was certainly something which had to be followed up with something that was along the same lines. Daughtry have been able to accomplish the Heavy Rock Songs as well as doing very good work with Soft Acoustic Songs. The Album seems to be about leaving somebody, and mixed emotions about leaving, 'You Don't Belong', 'Ghost of Me', 'Call Your Name' all express different feelings toward the same subject.
Daughtry have used different aspects of the band as a whole to come out with different songs which are still as good as songs of the last album.
I think that the songs have all accomplished something different, not bad, but different. The verses have been mixed but then join together brilliantly for the chorus. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: The Lyrics are brilliant and meaningful. You can tell this from the songs 'Life After You', unlike most recent releases of albums, the lyrics are just whatever rhymes, they are words that are felt. The song 'September' has got brilliant lyrics about how he is remembering someone and what they did, 'In the middle of september, we still played out in the rain, Nothing to lose but everything to gain, Reflecting now on how things could've been, It was worth it in end'.
The Lyrics fit perfectly with guitar. The range from Fingerpicking songs to power chords, they comply brilliantly with the lyrics and they sound amazing. Chris Daughtry has reached amazing lengths on this new album, mainly able to tell on the song 'Call Your Name' where he extends his vocals to reach the high pitches and not just the lower octaves. // 9
Impression: I would compare this album to 'All the Right Reasons' by Nickelback, in the way that it has been able to pull off slow guitaring songs and also be able to be just as graceful in getting to the heavier rock fans with metal riffs.
The songs that most impressed me on this album are 'Life After You', 'September', 'Learn My Lesson' and 'Call Your Name'. All of these songs are making good use of his voice and his skills as a guitarist.
I am not as impressed with the lack of Soft songs alike to the previous album with songs 'Home', 'Over You', 'All These Lives', but my opinion of their ability to be able to get across a Heavier songs. In a way it's gone 50/50. I like both of their styles now, this album is definitely one to own. I would buy it as many times as I could. A must have. // 9
Leave This Town
Reviewed by:
j-shizzledude, on august 17, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: 01.You Don't Belong: (9/10) You couldn't have picked a more perfect opening track, driven by an Alice In Chains sounding melody, it brings a hard rock flavor to the album, but still hits you with catchy hooks. While bringing out the post grunge drawl in Daughtry's voice, it falls flawless besides the need for a guitar solo.
02.No Surprise: (6.5/10) The stadium filling, radio written "No Surprise" Was probably the most "produced" sounding song on the album, but it's also one of the catchiest. It will obviously kill on the radio, and was certainly placed as the single to draw back fans of the debut. Although it bears a writing credit form Chad Kroeger (Nickelback) Daughtry's vocals bring a level of sincerity to the song that the one note Kroeger couldn't have done. The only little bit of diversity in the song would be the emotional bridge, although the song is a surefire hit, is brings little if no diversity to LTT.
03.Every Time You Turn Around: (8/10) While the chorus sounds extremely mainstream, the unique verses, riffy guitar work, and pounding beats, this tune actually stands out as one of the most intriguing tracks on leave this town. Guaranteed it will be appreciated even more live, it easily is the biggest anthem on the album.
04.Life After You: (6/10) Another bubbly, poppy, radio written tune, "Life After You" will probably easily get its fair share of air-play only to be topped by the single. It follows the exact same energy and cliché that could be found on the debut, it will get absolutely slammed by critics, but that's just part of the mainstream sound the Daughtry will always live by.
05.What I Meant To Say: (7.5/10) This riffy song of regret brings out an interesting perspective in Daughtry's writing. "I woke up today, sinking like the stones that you have thrown, wounded by the same old shots you take, it's easier to kick me when I'm low..." It is a riffy "What I Want" sounding tune that brings up an refreshing concept as opposed to a simple love clichés. "I know I said I'm sorry, but that's not what I meant to say..." That says it all.
06.Open Up Your Eyes: (8/10) This eerie but power ballad sounds like something in-between Evanescence or 3 Doors Down. One of the highlights of the album lyrically, it perfectly reveals the sorrow and pain accommodated in learning to live again. "Open Up Your Eyes" is possibly one of the most rewarding songs on the album. While in its own way dark, it's also heartfelt, and grows on you.
07.September: (9.5/10) September touches the emotions in a way nothing Daughtry has ever done could, the lyrics and vocals are sincere and beautiful, and you can't help but instantly be sold on the harmony and soothing guitar line. The greatest highlight of the album would have to be the bridge in this track, Daughtry belts, "We knew we had to leave this town, but we never knew when, we never knew how, we would all end up the way we are..." It seems 90% percent of the album's emotions are loaded in this track, and it's nothing short of remarkable.
08.Ghost Of Me: (8/10) Besides "You Don't Belong" this is the only track that can really fall into the hard rock category for me. Daughtry's vocals in the chorus soar, and command, as Brent Smith of Shinedown would have done. I think it's a track that is a bit different than the what was found on the debut, but is also a tune everybody knew Daughtry had in them. It's tracks like this and the opener that shows Daughtry's strive not to sound overproduced, and it seems to be working.
09.Learn My Lesson: (7.5/10) Even though it sounds like it was stripped from the debut, "Learn My Lesson" Brings a vulnerability in Daughtry's vocals, and lyrics. These are sounds that normally wouldn't be enough to push the track above average, but throw in a impressive little guitar solo, and I'll give it it's credibility.
10.Supernatural: (7/10) Mixed feelings about this one, although you could argue that it pushed Daughtry's sound farther and farther into the pop realm, it also brings some serious diversity into the album. It bounces with club beats, runs with a bit of wailing guitar work, but is driven by the catchy chorus. I'm pretty much in the middle of the road with this one.
11.Tennessee Line: (8/10) "Tennessee Line" is about as diverse as the album gets, it reveals the thinning line between country music and today's rock. While it definitely has an obvious southern flavor, it never gets unbearably twangy, or stray too far from what the fans want. I was absolutely horrified to see that country superstar Vince Gill added vocals, but was relieved that they never crowd the melody and are always faint, and backing. The track may not follow the strict Daughtry formula, but fans will have a hard time overlooking this one.
12.Call Your Name: (8.5) One thing Leave This Town nails, would have to be the opening and closing tracks. Call Your Name is a song I had to listen to again, and again, after skimming the song. It reveals in my opinion the most appealing side of Daughtry's music, songs that start as heartfelt ballads, and evolve to heavy epic choruses, and the median of a slash style guitar climax always helps. The song follows the same kind of formula that "Breakdown" followed on the debut. Daughtry leaves no doubt in his vocals, as he wails in a impressively higher range. "Call Your Name" is the perfect, "Thank you for listening" track. It'll get to you. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: The Good: Daughtry's vocals are just getting better and better, and is easily one of the most impressive pipes in rock music today. Although Daughtry's vocals fall the center point of attention, the backing of this talented band not only gives the band greater credibility, but brings out diversity in the LTT. Another outstanding difference would have to be the maturity in the bands lyrics, as compared to the first album.
The Bad: Although there's no use in asking Daughtry to change everything they have become in the industry, it would be nice to see a bit more diversity in the music. I also felt that one too many songs on the album begged for a solo from Guitarist Josh Steely. And although Daughtry considers stadium rock as "heavy" it would be interesting to see some more tracks flood with anger like the title track. But Daughtry just seems to be testing different areas with the same formula. // 7
Impression: Overview: How do you top an album that goes double platinum and becomes the fastest selling rock debut in sound scan history? Obviously not by altering the formula that resulted in more than Daughtry could of ever hoped for. From the soaring double tracked choruses, crafty guitar work, and powerful bridges, it all rockets back to what Leave This Town's showcase is all about, the wail of front man Chris Daughtry. LTT is sharpened by two years on the road, and the music is the proof. The difference between "LTT" and "Daughtry" is the backing of a real band, as opposed to the one formed in the studio on the debut. While Daughtry brings back the same pro. crew for LTT, the album finds it's personal touch in songs co-written by the members of Daughtry, Josh Steely, (Lead Guitar) Brian Craddock, (Rhythm Guitar) Josh Paul, (Bass) Joey Barnes, (Drums) Not to mention that Chris bears a writing credit on all twelve tracks. The album finds success on all levels, with haunting ballads, thrashing stadium rock, and the mid-tempo emotional tracks that made Daughtry the sensation they are today. Every track seems to fall in place in a more satisfying way than Daughtry, adding to the theme. While there will always be those that question the band's credibility, I would be shocked to see a Daughtry fanatic consider LTT anything short of the first album. Whether it be the sorrow, anger, determination, regret, or redemption found in Leave This Town. The album falls into such a personal category that it would not be insane to assume that LTT could raise the same success that the debut did. Like it or not, Daughtry's infectious hooks will take over radio again. Whether you denounce the band as commercial bubble gum rock, or fall into the die hard category, there's got to be one message heard by all listeners, Daughtry is anything but over. // 9
This album is a MAJOR disappointment compared to their first one. It's not even really good, to be honest. This album should not be compared to Nickelback's ATRR, simply because that album is WAY better. There's no having fun with this CD, it's just straight-forward downer music the whole way through. At least you can have some fun with Nickelback music, especially on that album.
The album is really good. It has a different sound to Daughtry's debut album. The bonus tracks such as "On The Inside", "What We Have Become" and "Traffic Light" highlight the different sound of this album. "On The Inside" is clearly Nickelback-like, and the lead single "No Surprise" was co written by Chad Kroger. Personally, "Supernatural" is a standout track.
Listened through it twice with my friend yesterday. We agree . . . an okay, not great, album. Smacks too much of other songwriter's influence. And he hardly ever stops singing at a hundred miles an hour on the album.
It's a band formed from American Idol haha. Daughtry is one of the most mediocre, boring rock bands out there. None of their lyrics or their music stand out or are notable.
Honestly, I have been a fan of his since his auditions at Rockstar Supernova... This album is alright, it can be very mellow and you can definitely tell that other people wrote these songs. Is it better than his first album? No, but as for almost any band, the second album is the hardest...
I didn't like the first one so I wasn't surprised when I heard this album and it sucked. Best song to me is the opening track "You Don't Belong," probably because it's the heaviest track on the cd. The intro to the song gives you hope for the album, but the album mellows out and becomes the same old B.S. mainstream bubblegum rock.
THis time around, chris and his band did most of the song writing, unlike the last album that ballads writen by other prople. So, this is probably what he wanted the first ablum to sound like but the producers wanted to put a lot of pop songs on it to make sure he had a lot of top 40 hits. This album is a rock album, its not all over the place like the last one. if u dont like this record, then you probably arent really a real daughtry fan cuz i doubt hes ever gonna have anymore songs like the first ablum. Rock on chris!
It's another album full of pop hooks. It feels to me like a kelly clarkson album with daughtry singing.
If 4/4 pop/rock is you're thing i'm sure this is worth a try. I like the songs "what i'm meant to say" and "no surprise". the radio will eat this shit up.
This album is a MAJOR disappointment compared to their first one. It's not even really good, to be honest. This album should not be compared to Nickelback's ATRR, simply because that album is WAY better. There's no having fun with this CD, it's just straight-forward downer music the whole way through. At least you can have some fun with Nickelback music, especially on that album.
It has it's high points and has its low points. Has a few good songs that rock but has a few that make me wonder. It's obviously a VERY talented band, Chris is a great singer. Not as good as their first but nearly every band goes through this with a highly anticipated second album.
ajreciever14 wrote:
i think ug'ers hate this cuz it aint metal thats all. i personally like it. especially "no surprise"
Nah, brah. It's because half of it sounds like each other as well as most radio rock.
On topic, Tennessee Line is pretty good. Otherwise, an album that lacks enough edge or uniqueness.
We've detected that you are using Ad Blocking software.
If you hate ads, but love Ultimate Guitar, how about subscribing to Ultimate Guitar's Ad Free Service? If you subscribe to this service, you won't see annoying banner ads, pop-up ads, text-link ads or video ads and will be helping to support your favorite site at the same time.
As you know, we provide you with a lot of great, free content like news, reviews, interviews, tabs and chords, but you see, ads are the way we generate revenue to run UG and pay royalties to the songwriters and music publishers of the songs that are posted here.
Was this review helpful to you? 
