Daughtry - "Battleships"

[Kurt]

Second single from Baptized. Grabs an add at WKRZ this week; just under the top 30 on HAC right now.

[maine]

It's a shame how bad they sold out. This is the best one from the album (which is trash). If it wasn't for the "boom ba boom ba boom" part, it would be a really good song. It's alright, maybe it'll do better than "Waiting for Superman".

[popbox]

I was legit surprised Waiting for Superman didn't become a slow build hit. Anyways I think that had a better chance than this so gonna say this doesn't do much.

[K.]

Ugh, that hook is awful. Otherwise it's not that bad.

[getonthebus]

All the worst parts of One Republic and Train slammed together. Burn this and we'll act like it never happened.

[icefire9]

I like it, but if Waiting for Superman couldn't catch on, I doubt this will.

[irice22]

Jul 8, 2014 17:23:42 GMT -5 maine said:

It's a shame how bad they sold out.

Sold out? They got launched from American Idol fame. Not exactly the humblest of beginnings.

[irice22]

Furthermore, this is the worst song I've heard.

In... ever.

[maine]

Jul 8, 2014 21:10:08 GMT -5 irice22 said:

Jul 8, 2014 17:23:42 GMT -5 maine said:

It's a shame how bad they sold out.

Sold out? They got launched from American Idol fame. Not exactly the humblest of beginnings.

I meant they used to be somewhat rock. Now they're just straight pop. No rock in any way shape or form with their new music.

[onefrayedrepublic]

Jul 8, 2014 21:10:59 GMT -5 irice22 said:

Furthermore, this is the worst song I've heard.

In... ever.

You haven't heard Wiggle yet?

[M1tchD]

"Crawling Back To You" was their last great single. Even though I liked "Waiting For Superman," overall their new stuff isn't that good at all. Especially this, which would sound much better with someone like Pat Monahan singing it.

[Deleted]

Jul 8, 2014 21:10:08 GMT -5 irice22 said:

Jul 8, 2014 17:23:42 GMT -5 maine said:

It's a shame how bad they sold out.

Sold out? They got launched from American Idol fame. Not exactly the humblest of beginnings.

True, but to be fair, their first two albums were pretty heavily Rock, especially their debut.

I think they got bloated with the success of their debut era, though, and they sold out to please the masses. Hard Rock acts can't find success at radio anymore; I'm sure Daughtry and co knew if they had ANY shot at success, they'd have to sell out lol.

It makes matters worse for them that their sound just isn't "in" at radio anymore, too.

It's a shame that they've chosen to go down the watered-down AC hit route for the sake of the GP/radio, neither of which appears to be here for them anymore.

I loved Chris on Idol, but as far as I'm concerned he sold out for a buck, and his band's lack of success as of late is pretty well-deserved.

[kanimal]

Jul 8, 2014 17:23:42 GMT -5 maine said:

It's a shame how bad they sold out. This is the best one from the album (which is trash). If it wasn't for the "boom ba boom ba boom" part, it would be a really good song. It's alright, maybe it'll do better than "Waiting for Superman".

Weren't they working with Chad Kroeger (trying to release Nickelback 2.0 songs) from the get-go?

[musiciscool]

This isn't really a bad song. I like it, but I would like to hear some rock in their songs. I don't see this doing much, either. I like Daughtry, but radio just doesn't seem to be there for them anymore.

[maine]

Jul 8, 2014 22:44:42 GMT -5 kanimal said:

Jul 8, 2014 17:23:42 GMT -5 maine said:

It's a shame how bad they sold out. This is the best one from the album (which is trash). If it wasn't for the "boom ba boom ba boom" part, it would be a really good song. It's alright, maybe it'll do better than "Waiting for Superman".

Weren't they working with Chad Kroeger (trying to release Nickelback 2.0 songs) from the get-go?

No. They worked with Kroeger on two songs for their second album, "No Surprise" and "Life After You".

[kanimal]

Jul 8, 2014 23:07:36 GMT -5 maine said:

Jul 8, 2014 22:44:42 GMT -5 kanimal said:

Weren't they working with Chad Kroeger (trying to release Nickelback 2.0 songs) from the get-go?

No. They worked with Kroeger on two songs for their second album, "No Surprise" and "Life After You".

My bad - it was the guys from Evanescence on the first album.

But I still feel like they were largely pop-rock on the debut album (there were a few "rock" singles, but we're not talking super heavy stuff).  And if the Kroger collab happened on album two, I guess I'm confused when you're saying they sold out.

I don't disagree that their sound now is DIFFERENT (and worse) but it is truly different and more commercial-minded in spirit?

[maine]

Jul 8, 2014 23:19:42 GMT -5 kanimal said:

Jul 8, 2014 23:07:36 GMT -5 maine said:

No. They worked with Kroeger on two songs for their second album, "No Surprise" and "Life After You".

My bad - it was the guys from Evanescence on the first album.

But I still feel like they were largely pop-rock on the debut album (there were a few "rock" singles, but we're not talking super heavy stuff).  And if the Kroger collab happened on album two, I guess I'm confused when you're saying they sold out.

I don't disagree that their sound now is DIFFERENT (and worse) but it is truly different and more commercial-minded in spirit?

Before they had actual guitars, drums, etc., now it's all computer generated beats. Their first album was good, their second album was alright, their third and this were terrible. They went more and more pop on each album. I would love to see an album with songs like "What I Want", "Renegade" and "You Don't Belong" (their heavier stuff), with some rock songs with a pop edge like "Over You".

I don't know, I just feel like Chris just completely disregarded the band on this album and went with a computer instead. He actually stated in an interview with Yahoo! that he started the album with the producers without his bandmates. He just has money on his mind and I'm actually kinda happy this album has completely flopped so far.

[popbox]

Their debut does have some pretty heavy rock tracks. However they've been shedding the rock sound since the second album so it's no surprise they've pretty much completely ditched it by now. Didn't happen overnight.

[irice22]

Jul 9, 2014 0:56:22 GMT -5 popbox said:

However they've been shedding the rock sound since the second album so it's no surprise they've pretty much completely ditched it by now.

Ha! I see what you did there.

[JOJO SIWA DERANGEMENT SYNDROME]

This is such an odd choice for a single. I think the title song or "Traitor" would be better choices. The latter has controversial lyrics given all of the recent shootings, but it's something different.

I was a fan of their first and second albums along with selected tracks from the subsequent ones. I thought the current one was enjoyable. It was somewhat different from the usual. If they kept making the same exact style as the previous albums, one would think that they are stagnating. I think the label pushed for a more mainstream Pop/Rock sound this time around which has received a mixed response. Some like it whereas others think that they have totally lost their way. If the rumors are to be believed, there has been a lot of alleged turmoil behind the scenes with the group. I know a couple of members of the band have left and been replaced over the years. I wonder if Chris wants to attempt a solo career, and if he does, how would he be received?

[funguy10]

I stand by my choice when I say that Long Live Rock and Roll is a better choice. That song may do a whole lot better than this.

[suttonplace]

Eh, I don't think Daughtry has sold out for a buck so much as he is trying to remain relevant under enormous pressure at a time when his signature sound is not popular at radio. He had the good luck to come off of idol at a time when his sound was popular at radio, and experienced huge success; his second album was a bit watered down (again, at that point his sound was on its way out so all of the singles were mid tempo songs rather than harder songs) and did fine although not as well as the first; on the third he and the band went for a harder sound and some of the songs, like renegade and outta my head, were great...but radio wasn't interested. But the Idol contracts have really high advance clauses (and I believe they may escalate higher with each successive album) that make all but the most successful albums uneconomical for the label. He's probably getting a lot of label pressure to update his sound to something radio will play now in order to improve his sales over last era. He's just trying to make music and keep his record deal while in a tough spot. He'd probably like to stay with a more rock sound -- but I'll bet dollars to donuts the label said nope

[penpal99]

Jul 9, 2014 8:37:19 GMT -5 suttonplace said:

Eh, I don't think Daughtry has sold out for a buck so much as he is trying to remain relevant under enormous pressure at a time when his signature sound is not popular at radio. He had the good luck to come off of idol at a time when his sound was popular at radio, and experienced huge success; his second album was a bit watered down (again, at that point his sound was on its way out so all of the singles were mid tempo songs rather than harder songs) and did fine although not as well as the first; on the third he and the band went for a harder sound and some of the songs, like renegade and outta my head, were great...but radio wasn't interested. But the Idol contracts have really high advance clauses (and I believe they may escalate higher with each successive album) that make all but the most successful albums uneconomical for the label. He's probably getting a lot of label pressure to update his sound to something radio will play now in order to improve his sales over last era. He's just trying to make music and keep his record deal while in a tough spot. He'd probably like to stay with a more rock sound -- but I'll bet dollars to donuts the label said nope

Thank you so much for your balance, genuine and pretty well informed view about Daughtry:)

Those earlier posts are just - to say the least - just pretty personal and plain stupid I actually thought they were written by the same spiteful guy - lol!

Battleship is a serviceable and catchy song (even though I confess that I am not too please with the 'boom' part) - with the obvious aim of targeting the Hot AC and Pop markets. And what's wrong with that? All musical acts have to face the financial bottom line at the end of the day - so stop acting so high and mighty about calling Daughtry out for being a 'sold out'!

And for those who have deliberately choose to forget - they had tried to become harder (rock) in their previous album (Break The Spell) and were accused of producing the same stale music and style. Some were saying that they had to reinvent their sound to stay relevant - instead of staying on the safe road. So for this album - Daughtry have risked alienating their fans with songs which are more pop than rock.

And I think, to a large extent, the risk is well deserved. The first single - Waiting For Superman - has already sold over a million copies and is constantly in the the overall top 500 overall Itune chart. Also for many weeks - it was no 1 in the rock chart.

For those who claimed that their latest album is a big flop - I just don't think so at all. If my hunch is correct, the current album sales should be reaching 300,000 copies? I really hope that their label could release the actual number.

I honestly think that Battleships could land itself in the top 40 - with some promotional push.

[maine]

I listened to this again and it's actually a really good song. It's just gonna take some listens to start liking the "boom ba boom ba boom" part.

[Rumors]

This isn't a bad song. I like it better than the first single. However, what's up with his vocals? I don't know how to explain this but it's like there's a sharp end to a lot of his notes. Kind of like a scratching sound? I just can't describe it. I guess his vocals are just WAY over-produced on this album. I sort of noticed it with the last album but it's very noticeable to me on these first two singles. It just turns me off from a song that I actually like in parts (where the vocals aren't so metallic (that's the right word that I want to use)).

[Rurry]

Jul 8, 2014 17:23:42 GMT -5 maine said:

It's a shame how bad they sold out. This is the best one from the album (which is trash). If it wasn't for the "boom ba boom ba boom" part, it would be a really good song. It's alright, maybe it'll do better than "Waiting for Superman".

"Sold out?". This is a band formed around an American Idol contestant. It's not like they were some obscure punk band or something lol.

They were always pure pop, it's just that their brand of pop has lost popularity over the past few years.

[Kurt]

I like most of Baptized - definitely better than Break The Spell but not Leave This Town. suttonplace put it well - I think the push in a more folk- and pop-oriented direction was an obvious move to cater to more recent radio trends; I don't think there's really anything wrong with that, nor do I think the result was poor. That said, "Battleships" is one of my least favorites on the album - the post-chorus is sort of obnoxious and I think "Long Live Rock & Roll" would have more appeal to their HAC core (my parents, at least, seem to enjoy songs packed with references like that, and it fits the folky sound that has somewhat become the new core of the HAC format).

[maine]

Jul 10, 2014 18:25:32 GMT -5 Kurt said:

I like most of Baptized - definitely better than Break The Spell but not Leave This Town. suttonplace put it well - I think the push in a more folk- and pop-oriented direction was an obvious move to cater to more recent radio trends; I don't think there's really anything wrong with that, nor do I think the result was poor. That said, "Battleships" is one of my least favorites on the album - the post-chorus is sort of obnoxious and I think "Long Live Rock & Roll" would have more appeal to their HAC core (my parents, at least, seem to enjoy songs packed with references like that, and it fits the folky sound that has somewhat become the new core of the HAC format).

Really? This is actually my favorite, despite the cheesy post-chorus. This would have been one of my favorite songs to date from them if it wasn't for that. It sounds very good, despite being purely pop which I don't like about them and this album in particular. I was listening to the previews for Baptized and I did not care for it at all. This is easily the best for me, and "Waiting For Superman" and "Traitor" weren't too shabby. Since Daughtry, their albums have gotten worse. I just like their rock stuff and I think that Chris' voice suits that better than pop

[Marooned@Midnight]

This is the best single choice from the album. I still can't get enough of this band and I hope this is a pop hit for them, however unlikely that might be. The record has been on repeat for me since it's release. It's hard for me to rank their albums. I can honestly put any of them on and listen through the whole thing and love it. This is right up here with the best of their catalogue IMO. I especially like the acoustic version.

[perfume]

121 89 DAUGHTRY Battleships 78 45 +33