The Audition are on a roll and they have the UK firmly in their sights. Having just pulled out of a tour with Kevin Rudolf (he collaborated with Lil’ Wayne don’t you know) in the States in order to jet to the UK lastminute and join Madina Lake’s headlining dates, they’ve also unleashed this album of pop-rock perfection on an unsuspecting world. Coming just over a year after their last rather under-rated record ‘Champion‘, the slightly ludicrously named ‘Self-Titled Album‘ will most definitely be the soundtrack to the summer for those who discover its carefully considered gems of singalong gold.
Every single track features an immense driving force of a chorus with an undercurrent of bubbling energy which makes the record exude positivity and confidence. The catchiness of ‘The Way You Move‘ is very in your face and slightly overwhelms the more subtle tracks on first listen, but when you come to know the rest of the songs it becomes clear that this song really only scratches the surface of what The Audition are trying to say here.
It’s where the chunkier guitars back-up the soaring melodies from ‘My Temperature’s Rising‘ onwards that this band come into their own and demonstrate what they’ve got to prove. More consistent than ‘Champion’ and more overtly poppy than first record ‘Controversy Loves Company’, ‘Self-Titled Album’ should by rights propel this band to the big time. It seems that The Audition, with their slightly-altered line-up, have finally found their voice. And it’s definitely a good one. ‘Love With A Motive’, ‘Los Angeles’ and actual proper ballad ‘It’s Gonna Be Hard (When I’m Gone)‘ have the potential to be anthems and there definitely seems to be a more personal and thought-out motive behind the lyrics in these songs compared with the band’s previous work. This is definitely a step forward and a more mature outlook from The Audition.
Producer Mark Trombino (of Jimmy Eat World ‘Bleed American‘ fame) has obviously been a guiding light in the process of this record, making sure The Audition’s writing is presented in the best possible light. It’s the nuances as melodies turn the corner between verse, bridge and chorus that make this band special and Trombino has highlighted these perfectly with crystal clear clarity. Punchy percussive beats and crunching guitars lead into the most purely melodic moments that almost make you want to melt. And you definitely want to sing along. Danny Stevens’ characteristic warbling is reined in when it needs to be and the strength of the vocals throughout is faultless. ‘Love With A Motive’ is a definite highlight and flows from the band with ease and equal measures of rockiness and poppiness. The Audition have blended the rock with the pop with panache and class and in doing so have made their most accomplished album to date.
You’re not going to want to miss these songs live –
1 May 2009 – Manchester University w/Madina Lake Manchester
2 May 2009 – Newcastle University w/Madina Lake Newcastle
4 May 2009 – Sheffield Corporation w/Madina Lake Sheffield
5 May 2009 – Birmingham Academy w/Madina Lake (SOLD OUT!) Birmingham
7 May 2009 – Cardiff Solus w/Madina Lake Cardiff, Wales
8 May 2009 – Electric Ballroom w/Madina Lake London
Winey G.