The Audition softens up on Self-Titled Album

The Audition recently released their third record on April 28, 2009, entitled Self-Titled Album, from Victory Records. (Photo courtesy of Myspace.com / May 9, 2009)

Something funny happened to The Audition when they released their latest album.

Their debut album, Controversy Loves Company, was the attention getter of many pop punk listeners. The follow-up, Champion, delivered a darker, razor sharp edge to their sound that clashed with descriptive, dream like intamacy lyrics. I was extremely impressed with the band's talent and technique on that last album. It may have been their best yet and I hoped that they'd keep getting better.

But when I found that the band recently recorded another album and bassist Joe Lussa left the band, I was in for another, yet less positive, surprise. Self-Titled Album, the third installment by the rock group, is a little bit more on the softer side of Champion. After listening to the entire record on Myspace, I was somewhat disappointed. I expected more firey guitar solos and songs with themes of angst, heartbreak and musicianship.

On the other hand, the album still rocks despite the pop fused punk style the band appeals to, the extra synthesizers and the Fruit Stripes album cover. There are still some great guitar licks and solos and the lead singer's voice has never been better. Perhaps this album is reaching out to audiences who prefer easy listening music to the sounds of screeching, chugging electric guitars.

"It's Gonna Be Hard (When I'm Gone)" is a perfect example of a song that appeals to a more easy listening audience. It begins with a gentle acoustic guitar melody before frontman Danny Stevens enters with the first verse. By the chorus, the song turns into a beautiful power ballad of heartbreak.

Stevens clearly hasn't lost his lovely, resonant voice that sometimes reminds me of The Alan Parsons Project. In fact, he has increased his vocal range on this album than ever before, which is impressive. He goes beyond listeners' expectations in "The Way That You Move" and the new single "My Temperature's Rising". It was also surprising to see that after roughly four years that the rock group has been together, Stevens finally picks up a guitar after their bassist left in January.

Some other tunes on the rest of the album are more thoughtful and clever than I thought was going to be, judging by the melodies on all ten tracks. "Over My Head" takes a stalker-user approach to the piece. The song is as electrifying and seductive as the scintillating lyrics. It would be even better if there was a more powerful guitar solo rather than repeating a chord progression during the bridge.

The Audition's new sexy single "My Temperature's Rising" sounds like a continuation of another one of their hits, "Warm Me Up", only that the tune takes a more romantic approach. The single itself has a Bon Jovi like rhythm and catchy lyrics to correspond with the warm, bright, colorful melody. However, the single isn't very original because it has the same description of how falling in love was like getting a fever or the flu, which is used in many other songs. But after seeing an online video interview and looking at the lyrics differently, it's actually more about finding out more about the person as love unfolds, like conducting surgery.

And somehow, The Audition always saves the best for last. "Sign. Steal. Deliver." is a tune that pays homage to Champion. It has a much darker tone, cutting into the heart of an ex, which the lyrics are about. The title is satirical, since it looks like it's taken from the Stevie Wonder hit, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours". But this song is just the opposite of the intended Wonder theme; it's a final note to a lover after a breakup. As for the song itself, it gives a harder, edgier rhythm and melody which is pleasing to The Audition's diehard listeners.

Although the album is catchy, biting and agreeable, Self-Titled uses too many synthesizers and not enough talent. It reminds me of the Plain White T's old sound. I'm still waiting to hear a record from them that will flat out throw me on the floor with originality and art. But from what I've heard, the band sounds like it's going to take a few steps back. If that's because the band lost their bass player, their guitarist Timothy Klepek has filled in for bass, and Danny Stevens is still learning guitar, there might be a reason for why The Audition is slowing down on their style. I'm going to give them another chance because their last record was crapshoot and I have a feeling that they're going to improve. Fall Out Boy has improved so much, especially with their record Folie A Deux, so now I'm waiting for The Audition to find their real groove that is uniquely them rather than All Time Low.

Overall, this record is well worth the money and time. After listening to the album about five times, it's just as great as their other albums. But I'll be waiting for their real, original sound.