How often can you say that a band's second release is better than their first?! Well? How often?! Oh sorry, I couldn't hear you. Well the answer is not very often. The new Daughtry album 'Leave this town' is one that really surprised and for me is in fact better than their debut multi platinum release. Care to know why?! Read on...

The almost Linkin Park style riff kicking of 'you don't belong' sets up what 'leave this town' is, a big, loud modern style rock album and if I wasn't typing right now I'd applaud Daughtry for this as it's about time an album this good was released by anyone.

The lead single 'no surprise' I have been aware of for a long time when it was a demo by former Click 5 singer Eric Dill and I had always said that if released it would be a huge hit. Recruiting Nickelback's Chad Kroeger to help with a rewrite of part of the song, the band have recorded one of the best songs of the year and I can be happy knowing that that demo I loved so much got it's day. I mean really, such a  catchy song, and when you hit a groove like that of 2 minutes 19 seconds into the song it's no surprise it's a hit. See what I did there?!

The album continues to surprise and I think this is partly due to the band. It's the first time that all band members have recorded together and you can tell that the combination works. Who'd have thought that an American Idol contestant could make such good music?! ME, that's who. So all those haters of the Idol franchise should really wake up as if it wasn't for that show and Chris Daughtrys appearance, we may never have been able to hear these songs on 'Leave this town.'

My personal favourite on the album is 'what I meant to say' a song that will easily become a single, Chris, if you're reading this, this  track needs to be a single mate, it is killer. A big rocker and ooh a  guitar solo. How I miss those. If your foot isn't tapping along when  you hear this track I'd say you're either deaf or just weird. You decide.

Of course an album isn't complete with a slower track or 4. One of the best being 'September' even though it's August but I'll forgive them for that, the song is very personal, moving and a beautiful track indeed. Well done boys.

'Ghost of me' = 3rd single in my opinion. That's all I'm saying about  that one.

The album rounds out with some more rockers 'Supernatural' is very very well produced, some new sounds and a different feel in the verses makes this a strong track at the back end of an album where normally artists can fade out with a few fillers.

Vince Gill?! No I'm not just randomly saying the name of a country singer. He makes an appearance on 'Tennessee Line' which is an odd  choice for a guest vocalist, but one that I like, and makes this acoustic driven number an interesting choice on an album of rock.

If I had only 1 complaint about the last track is that it took 2 minutes and 36 seconds for me not to worry about an acoustic slow song  finish. One of my biggest fears!! But nicely done and the album is complete...

Wow is all I can say here. 'Leave this town' is truly a great album and one that will again see Daughtry get the kudos they deserve for this release.

Here's to many more albums from one of the best bands out there at the moment.

Touchdown.

*Reviewed by: Troy Milfton