weworemasks
02/24/08, 12:33 AM
The Audition - Champion
Record Label: Victory Records
Release Date: January 22, 2008
There are always a handful of albums in your collection that could be filed under “guilty pleasures,” and The Audition’s sophomore release, Champion, could definitely secure a spot. The Audition are a pop-rock group out of Chicago, Illinois, and their 2005 album, Controversy Loves Company, made for one of Victory Records’ strongest debuts in recent memory, especially taking into consideration that most of the band members aren’t even of legal age to drink.
On Champion the band has tightened up its sound, with considerable improvements on guitars. Guitarists Seth Johnson and Timmy Klepek have grown into their own guitar sound, and on songs like “Warm Me Up,” the band's first single, and “Ether,” you can really get a good feel of their newfound talent.
Another improvement lies within the vocals of lead singer Danny Stevens. The three years between the recording of their debut and Champion have given him enough time to progress melodically. Songs like “Make It Rain” and “Basbhat” feature catchy and addictive hooks that are bound to get stuck in your head and annoy you for days on end.
However, the band hasn’t progressed much lyrically. In some cases, the band has stepped it up, but on the other hand, lyrics like “Carry me like jet planes crossing the sea,” in “Edinboro” tend to come off as immature and lackluster. The Audition also tend to make short albums. Clocking in at about 37 minutes, Champion is fast-paced and to the point, much like their 32 minute debut. The band does not waste time with interludes or instrumentals, providing for a quick and easy listen. My biggest grievance with this album is the fact that this is a summer album being released in January, and that it probably does not have the lasting power to be played until the summer.
To sum up, The Audition have crafted a catchy album filled with power-pop and huge choruses to have you and your friends singing songs out loud in the car, if you’re into that sort of thing. Champion is by no means a groundbreaking album, but it’s a fun record that is worth the listen.
Record Label: Victory Records
Release Date: January 22, 2008
There are always a handful of albums in your collection that could be filed under “guilty pleasures,” and The Audition’s sophomore release, Champion, could definitely secure a spot. The Audition are a pop-rock group out of Chicago, Illinois, and their 2005 album, Controversy Loves Company, made for one of Victory Records’ strongest debuts in recent memory, especially taking into consideration that most of the band members aren’t even of legal age to drink.
On Champion the band has tightened up its sound, with considerable improvements on guitars. Guitarists Seth Johnson and Timmy Klepek have grown into their own guitar sound, and on songs like “Warm Me Up,” the band's first single, and “Ether,” you can really get a good feel of their newfound talent.
Another improvement lies within the vocals of lead singer Danny Stevens. The three years between the recording of their debut and Champion have given him enough time to progress melodically. Songs like “Make It Rain” and “Basbhat” feature catchy and addictive hooks that are bound to get stuck in your head and annoy you for days on end.
However, the band hasn’t progressed much lyrically. In some cases, the band has stepped it up, but on the other hand, lyrics like “Carry me like jet planes crossing the sea,” in “Edinboro” tend to come off as immature and lackluster. The Audition also tend to make short albums. Clocking in at about 37 minutes, Champion is fast-paced and to the point, much like their 32 minute debut. The band does not waste time with interludes or instrumentals, providing for a quick and easy listen. My biggest grievance with this album is the fact that this is a summer album being released in January, and that it probably does not have the lasting power to be played until the summer.
To sum up, The Audition have crafted a catchy album filled with power-pop and huge choruses to have you and your friends singing songs out loud in the car, if you’re into that sort of thing. Champion is by no means a groundbreaking album, but it’s a fun record that is worth the listen.