theAudition
Controversy Loves Company
Victory Records, September 2005
Offensive words: none
Genre: power pop/pop punk
Also check out the Anberlin
and Last Tuesday.
theAudition was formed in 2003 in the suburbs of Chicago by Ryan O’Connor (drums) and Joe Lussa (bass) who both shared a common love for music and the desire to tour. The band went through the usual baby band lineup changes, then added Seth Johnson on guitar and started playing local shows alongside bands like June and The Academy Is…with fans being immediately excited by theAudition. With a new demo in hand and half a year’s worth of local touring accomplished, theAudition was discovered by like-minded local label Victory Records and immediately signed a record deal. A month after signing, theAudition lost their original singer and was on the search for a replacement. The band found a soulmate in Danny Stevens, who came straight out of motor city, Detroit, Michigan. Ryan spoke of Danny’s inception in the band, saying "I made some calls to a few people I knew and the one person I really connected with was Danny. We both shared the same passion for music and after writing You‘ve Made Us Conscious we knew that he was meant to be in theAudition."
Music
An album full of great hooks and riffs with very radio friendly power
pop/emo tracks that are a catchy style but not that unique. "Dance
Hall Turns To Ghost Towns" was a great choice for the first track
with a good riff rock feel and overall solid song. The next few tracks
have the same similar vibe with a bit more pop rock influence raising it's
head on "It's Too Late." "The Ultimate Cover Up" was
another good solid riff rock song with great bass lines coming into focus.
A great song with some more focused and musicianship being highlighted
than on a few tracks. "Rep Your Clique" has a bit more punk
influence which was a nice touch in the verses and added some variety.
Overall, theAudition is a very solid band with great hooks and riffs but
many tracks start sounding like the next with little diversity within the
album.
Lyrically/Vocally
Lyrically, the band has a solid positive outlook and approach with no
offensive words on the album. A slight mention of drinking wine in a
bar and making out. Overall, I was pleased with the maturity within the
confines of the album and standing firm in being unique as
individuals. The approach lends to tell the listener to stand firm
in who they are and not letting the system dictate and manipulate them in
to being something they are not.
Danny Stevens has a good solid voice that mixes well with the band. He has
great range and ability to appeal to a wide variety of fans without being
nasally or whiney like many singers in this genre.