Dec 08, 2006  |  By: BUCK C. COOKE  | COMMENTS     

DURING THE LAST SEASON of “American Idol,” hunky rocker Chris Daughtry won fans with his rock sound, enthusiastic performances and manly good looks. With an undeniable talent and fan base, it was the season shocker when Daughtry was voted off a couple weeks before Taylor Hicks was crowned.

After months of work, Daughtry is back exactly where he belongs: as a front man in a rock band. The band is DAUGHTRY (yes, it’s supposed to be in all caps, the better to differentiate the singer from the group), who just released a respectable self-titled debut album.

DAUGHTRY sounds like a cross between Bon Jovi, Live, Creed and Lighthouse. After the rocker left “Idol,” many feared he would be watered down and stuck in a record deal with a label that didn’t “get it.”

Fortunately, Daughtry landed at RCA Records and built a solid band to back him up. “DAUGHTRY,” the album and the band, thankfully, live up to the potential that Daughtry, the singer, showed on “Idol.”

THE LEAD SINGLE IS “IT’S Not Over,” which is great rock/pop and fits right in on the radio alongside some of Daughtry’s influences like Fuel. Daughtry says it’s about wanting another go-round to make good on that relationship you previously screwed up. “Used To” picks up the theme of a relationship gone wrong.

“What I Want,” which enlists the help of Slash on guitar, should be a successful single with aggressive, driving guitar work (as you’d expect from the former Guns-N-Roses member) and tight vocals by Daughtry.

Another standout destined to rock live shows is “There and Back Again,” although due to the gusto Daughtry puts behind the lyrics “Now shine/ Here’s your moment to shine/ Shine,” you might think the song’s actually titled “Shine.” Title confusion notwithstanding, “There and Back Again” is a great song that would also make a successful single.

Daughtry is listed as a co-writer on eight tracks, and wrote three of the tracks on his own, including “Home,” which he wrote before “Idol.” Ironically, it captures the road he’s traveled since competing on the show.

Daughtry also penned “Breakdown” and “Gone.” The three tracks he wrote alone are among the CD’s strongest, further showcasing his promise as a long-standing artist with real talent.

“FEELS LIKE TONIGHT” IS THE one track Daughtry did not have a hand in as a writer, but it’s still a good song. Like many others on the album, the song has a cinematic quality, and you can imagine it on the screen as action plays out or a romantic scene unfolds.

Daughtry extols the virtues of being in a band, but the members of DAUGHTRY are not listed in the liner notes of the album.

“I began my music career as a songwriter, but I’ve always believed in the power of a band,” Daughtry says. “The great moments are when you’re able to capture that extra special connection between members that you can’t really define. That’s what I’m striving for.”

Let’s hope the band members eventually get their due on the road.

“DAUGHTRY” is an excellent debut album and holds up to any rockers on Top 40 radio. Daughtry has a solid career in front of him, giving the “American Idol” pantheon its first rock god.

He may just be a demigod now, but give him time — Daughtry could be a presence for years to come.