Baptized
studio
ArtistDaughtry
CoverDaughtry-Baptized.png
ReleasedNovember 19, 2013
RecordedMarch–September 2013
StudioThe Cat Room (Los Angeles)
GenrePop rock[1]
Length44:54
LabelRCA · 19
Producer
Prev year2011
Next year2016

Baptized is the fourth studio album by American rock band Daughtry, released on November 19, 2013, by RCA Records.[2] It was preceded in September by electropop-influenced lead single "Waiting for Superman".[3] It is the final album to feature drummer Robin Diaz and first album to include keyboardist/guitarist Elvio Fernandes. The album departs significantly from the group's hard rock sound present on their first three albums, instead introducing a more pop rock musical style with strong synth-pop influences.

Background

The band worked with many other songwriters and musicians on the album. Some that they worked with include Martin Johnson of Boys Like Girls,[4] Sam Hollander,[4] Blair Daly, Espionage, Rock Mafia, Ali Tamposi, The Monsters and the Strangerz, Scott Stevens,[5] Kara DioGuardi, Jake Sinclair,[6] Claude Kelly,[4] Johnny Black,[7] and Matthew Thiessen.[8] Daughtry stated that he worked without his bandmates and instead went with the new producers.[9] Daughtry has stated that the album features a new, poppier sound and would also include folk influences.[4]

Singles

The first single from the album is "Waiting for Superman", written by Chris Daughtry, Sam Hollander, and Martin Johnson. The song was released on iTunes on September 17, 2013.

"Battleships" impacted hot adult contemporary radio on May 12, 2014 as the second official single off the album.[10]

Other songs

"Long Live Rock & Roll" was released digitally on October 22, 2013 as the first and only promotional single off the album.[11] It was also released as the lead single in the UK market on February 24, 2014[12]

A new "stripped" version of "Witness" was released to digital retailers on February 20, 2015.[13]

Reception

Critical

The album has been met with mixed reviews from most critics. Chuck Eddy of Rolling Stone gave the album a 2.5 out 5, saying "Seven years after he placed on American Idol, Chris Daughtry and his band are opening up their would-be grunge to more nuance: folk instruments and synths, smoother high notes tempering Daughtry's bellow, "boom-b'boom" vocal-bass hook lightening the gender war in "Battleships". The sound on Baptized somehow links U2 to Rascal Flatts, adding Springsteen stances in "Wild Heart". More unexpectedly, there's also a banjo shuffle where Daughtry chooses Van Halen over Van Hagar, catalogs some of his other heroes and wonders who wrote Hole's songs. "Long Live Rock & Roll", it's called – a defense, perhaps, against anybody claiming guys like him helped kill it".[14]

Glenn Gamboa of Newsday gave the album a grading of B−, saying "Daughtry takes some cool chances on his fourth album". He then commented positively on "Waiting for Superman", calling it "a sleek change of pace, rolling together bits of The Fray and Bon Jovi into the patented Daughtry sound"; and gave "Long Live Rock & Roll" a positive review, saying "he cleverly reminisces about Billy Joel and grunge in a country-style rave-up".[15] However, he commented negatively on "Battleships" "with the stunningly weird chorus of "We love like battleships ... And the cannon goes, 'Boom boo-boom boom boo-boom boom boom'", which is, well, crazy, and you wonder if he's gone too far".[15] He then concluded by saying "Daughtry broadens his sound with mixed results".[15]

Ken Capobianco of The Boston Globe also gave the album a mixed review, saying "Daughtry strips his sound to more acoustic textures and even ventures into electro-pop. At times, the change is refreshing, yet too often he seems to think the world needs more songs evoking Train or Lifehouse. Only the powder keg rocker "Traitor" diverges from the new approach. Luckily, Daughtry has one of the more expressive voices in rock, so he still breathes some life into the overload of corny lyrics".[16]

Jon Caramanica of The New York Times delivered a more negative review for the album, saying that he felt Daughtry felt limited with the stripped-down music. "But even though Daughtry's music has softened, there's not much Mr. Daughtry can do with his voice, which has an appealing, powerful growl with no sultriness to it. It wants badly to roar but is given almost no opportunity".[17]

Commercial

The album debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on Top Internet Albums,[18] and No. 3 on Top Rock Albums,[19] selling 55,000 copies in its first week.[20] It has sold 270,000 copies in the United States as of January 2016.[21] In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at No. 42, selling 4,978 copies in its first week.[22]

Personnel

[23]

Daughtry

  • Chris Daughtry – vocals, guitars (15), tambourine (15)
  • Elvio Fernandes – keyboards (15), backing vocals (15)
  • Brian Craddock – guitars (15)
  • Josh Steely – guitars (15), mandolin (15)
  • Josh Paul – bass (15)
  • Robin Diaz – drums (15)

Performance credits

Vocalists
  • Chris Daughtry – lead vocals (1–3, 5–7, 9, 11–13), vocals (4, 8, 10, 14)
  • Martin Johnson – backing vocals (1–3, 5, 6, 12)
  • Rock Mafia – additional backing vocals (7)
  • Johnny Blk – backing vocals (9)
  • Jake Sinclair – backing vocals (11)
  • Scott Stevens – backing vocals (13)
Gang vocals
  • Sam Hollander (1–3, 6)
  • Martin Johnson (1–3, 6, 12)
  • Brian Paddock (1–3, 6, 12)
  • John Schmidt (1, 12)
  • Chris Bernard (2, 3, 6, 12)
  • Devin Kam (2, 3, 6)
  • Kyle Moorman (2, 3, 6, 12)
  • Steve Shebby (6)
  • Daughtry (15)
  • Ornee Gill (15)
Instruments
  • Martin Johnson – acoustic piano (1–3, 5, 6, 12), programming (1–3, 5, 6, 12), acoustic guitar (1–3, 5, 6, 12), electric guitar (1–3, 5, 6, 12), percussion (1–3, 5, 6, 12), additional instrumentation (1, 2, 5, 12), "cigar box" guitar (3, 6), mandolin (3, 5, 6), ukulele (5)
  • Kyle Moorman – programming (1–3, 5, 6, 12)
  • Brian Paddock – programming (1–3, 5, 6, 12), bass (1, 2, 5, 6, 12), electric guitar (6)
  • Steve Shebby – additional programming (6)
  • Chuck Harmony – acoustic piano (9)
  • Johnny Blk – all instruments (9)
  • Elvio Fernandes – music performer (10)
  • Jake Sinclair – keyboards (11), programming (11), guitars (11), bass (11), drums (11)
  • Mark Holeman – synthesizer programming (13), drum programming (13)
  • Scott Stevens – synthesizer programming (13), guitars (13), drum programming (13)
  • John Alicastro – additional programming (13)
  • Michael Lauri – additional programming (13)
  • Toby Gad – all instruments (14), programming (14)
  • Tim Pierce – guitars (7), bass (7)
  • Daniel Damico – additional acoustic guitar (13)
  • Tim James – mandolin (7)
  • John Keefe – drums (1, 12)
  • Victor Indrizzo – drums (7), percussion (7)
  • Larry Gold – string arrangements and conductor (9)
  • Glenn Fischbach and Jennie Lardieri – cello (9)
  • Davis Barnett and Jonathan Kim – viola (9)
  • Dayna Anderson, Eliza Cho, Emma Kummrow, Olga Konopelsky, Luigi Mazzocchi and Charles Parker – violin (9)

Production

  • Rani Hancock – A&R
  • Martin Johnson – producer (1–3, 5, 6, 12)
  • Johnny Blk – additional production (1), producer (9)
  • Kyle Moorman – additional production (1–3, 5, 6, 12)
  • Brian Paddock – additional production (1–3, 5, 6, 12)
  • busbee – producer (4, 8)
  • Stephen "DreZa" Dresser – producer (4)
  • Rock Mafia – producers (7)
  • Aaron Dudley – additional production (7)
  • MdL (Mason David Levy) – producer (8)
  • Claude Kelly – producer (9)
  • Elivo Fernandes – producer (10)
  • Dave Schuler – additional production (10)
  • Jake Sinclair – producer (11)
  • Scott Stevens – producer (13)
  • Toby Gad – producer (14)
  • Onree Gill – producer (15)
  • Christopher Hunte – production coordination (9)
  • Kayla Lee – production coordination (9)
  • Erwin Gorostiza – creative director
  • Chris Feldmann – art direction
  • Michelle Holme – art direction
  • Alice Butts – design
  • José Enrique Montes Hernandez – photography (flowers)
  • Jasper James – city landscape photography
  • Michael Muller – band photography
  • Stirling McIIwaine for Pearl Entertainment Group – management

Technical credits

  • Chris Gehringer – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York)
  • Serban Ghenea – mixing (1–12, 15)
  • John Hanes – mix engineer (1–12, 15)
  • Martin Johnson – engineer (1–3, 5, 6, 12)
  • Kyle Moorman – engineer (1–3, 5, 6, 12)
  • Brian Paddock – engineer (1–3, 5, 6, 12)
  • busbee – recording (4, 8)
  • Steve Shebby – engineer (6)
  • Adam Comstock – recording (7)
  • Steve Hammons – recording (7)
  • Mike Piazza – engineer (9)
  • Jeff Chestak – string engineer (9)
  • Elivo Fernandes – recording (10)
  • Scott Stevens – engineer (13)
  • Tony Maserati – mixing (13, 14)
  • Chris Daughtry – mixing (15)
  • Karl Peterson – assistant string engineer (9)
  • John Krausse – assistant mix engineer (13)
  • Chris Tabron – assistant mix engineer (13, 14)
  • Justin Hergett – assistant mix engineer (14)
  • Chris Bernard – digital editing (1–3, 6), drum technician (12)

Charts and sales

Weekly charts

Chart (2013)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[24]56
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[25]102
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"
scope="row"

Year-end charts

Chart (2014)Position
US Billboard 200[26]86
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[27]16

Sales

RegionSales
United Kingdom4,978[22]
United States270,000[21]

Release history

RegionDateLabelFormatEdition(s)Catalog
GermanyNovember 15, 2013SonyCD · digital downloadDeluxe88883-79665-2
United StatesNovember 19, 2013RCA · 19Standard
South Korea[28]SonyDeluxeS20126C
Japan[29]December 25, 2013SICP-3941
United Kingdom[30]February 17, 2014Deluxe re-release88883-79665-2-RE1

References

  1. ^ "Baptized - Daughtry | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic
  2. ^ Chris Daughtry (17 September 2013). "New album "Baptized" Nov 19th!". No. 380037212576169984.
  3. ^ "SINGLE PREMIERE: Daughtry - "Waiting for Superman" (+ Lyrics)". POP! Goes The Charts. WordPress.com. 17 September 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  4. ^ Parker, Lyndsey (30 September 2013). "Chris Daughtry Talks Beatles vs. Stones and Daughtry vs. the Haters". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  5. ^ Chris Daughtry (9 May 2013). "Thanks! Had a blast! RT @_THEMONSTERS: Great session with @alitamposi and @chris_daughtry . Dudes voice is the truth!". No. 332347142297489408.
  6. ^ Chris Daughtry (21 June 2013). "In the studio with @kara_dioguardi and @jakessinclair makin some awesomeness!!!". No. 347867885307310080.
  7. ^ Chris Daughtry (13 June 2013). "What an incredible day in my studio with @ClaudeKelly and @JOHNNY_BLK....AND we're still goin". No. 344993423704616961.
  8. ^ Chris Daughtry (28 January 2013). "Working with @matthewthiessen today. Totally rad dude". No. 296016095775686656.
  9. ^ "Chris Daughtry Talks Halen vs. Hagar, Beatles vs. Stones, and Daughtry vs. the Haters". yahoo.com
  10. ^ "R&R :: Going for Adds :: Hot AC". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  11. ^ "Archived copy". Amazon. Archived from the original on 2015-06-10. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
  12. ^ January 2014, Daniel Falconer | 31. "Daughtry upgrade tour dates; release lyric video". www.femalefirst.co.uk
  13. ^ "Witness (Stripped) - Single by Daughtry". iTunes Store (CA). Apple Inc. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  14. ^ Eddy, Chuck (19 November 2013). "Daughtry 'Baptized' Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  15. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (18 November 2013). "Daughtry's 'Baptized' review: Broader sound". Newsday. Archived July 15, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  16. ^ Capobianco, Ken (18 November 2013). "Daughtry, 'Baptized'". Boston Globe. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  17. ^ Caramanica, Jon (18 November 2013). "Crossing the Ocean to Discover the Personal". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  18. ^ Fred Bronson (December 2, 2013). "'American Idol' on the Charts: Daughtry's 'Baptized' Is Top Internet Album". The Hollywood Reporter
  19. ^ "Rock Albums: December 7, 2013". Billboard
  20. ^ Gil Kaufman (November 27, 2013). "Lady Gaga's ARTPOP Suffers Second-Week Chart Drop, Eminem Back On Top". MTV. Archived from the original on September 1, 2014.
  21. ^ "Upcoming Releases". Hits Daily Double. HITS Digital Ventures. Archived January 14, 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
  22. ^ "Official Charts Analysis: Robbie LP sells 108k to claim UK's 1,000th Official No.1". Local UK News. November 25, 2013. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  23. ^ "Baptized - Daughtry | Credits | AllMusic". – via www.allmusic.com.
  24. ^ "ARIA Report: Issue #1240". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  25. ^ "バプタイズド | ドートリー | ORICON STYLE". Oricon. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  26. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums: 2014 Year-End Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-01-15.
  27. ^ "Top Rock Albums: 2014 Year-End Charts". Billboard
  28. ^ "Daughtry - Baptized (Deluxe Edition)". Hanteo. Hanteo Information System Company. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  29. ^ "Baptized : DAUGHTRY". HMV. Lawson HMV Entertainment KK. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  30. ^ "DAUGHTRY ANNOUNCES 'BAPTIZED' TO BE RELEASED 17TH FEBRUARY 2014 PLUS UK TOUR DATES". 15 January 2014.