The Audition

With the release of the Audition’s debut album, Controversy Loves Company, you wouldn’t have been a fool to think these kids had potential. Their catchy pop rock was unique and stood out amongst their whiny label-mates. But alas, here comes their sophomore release, Champion, and while Chicago’s sweethearts have refined their sugar-coated vocals and stepped it up to a whole new level of poppy-ness, they seem to have toned down the originality. And it is unfortunate because now instead of sounding fresh and rejuvenated, they just sound out of ideas. "Hell to Sell” could have easily slid onto Cobra Starship’s new album, while "Edinboro” could have been written by 30 Seconds to Mars. When things do get a bit exciting, as on "Warm Me Up,” you’ll just want to go listen to Panic! At the Disco’s A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. So where exactly does that leave the Audition? In your kid sister’s record collection right next to Fall Out Boy.