Liner Notes: Daughtry brings more inoffensive rock ‘n’ roll

Daughtry, the band led by “American Idol” castoff Chris Daughtry, returns on Tuesday with “Leave This Town,” the follow-up to its quadruple platinum debut.

TRIVIA: Before landing on “American Idol,” Chris Daughtry tried out for “Rock Star: INXS,” but didn’t make the cut.

STANDOUT: The anthemlike “No Surprise,” co-written by Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, stands out with a harmonic opening and closing.

FANS DIG: Chin straps

ANDY SAYS: Daughtry sounds exactly like what it is: rock ‘n’ roll by way of “American Idol.” The frontman’s voice is strong but generic, while his broad lyrics and assembly-line arrangements feel patterned to offend the fewest people possible. If the group was singing pop, this would all make sense. Instead, the aggressive choruses and glowering stares feel like a put-on. Simon Cowell has more bite than this.

GRADE: C

Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com