"Bitches Ain't Shit But Ho's And Tricks," that is the title of the first track on “Champion.” Well actually it's "Basbhat." Me being the curious girl I am googled it. Thank Urban Dictionary for a definition. "I've been mistreated too, if you think I'm gonna take it, no." Obviously, the song fits the title, plus it's short and to the point.
"Heaven for the Weather" has a crappy end, "Edinboro" is unbelievably catchy. "Hell To Sell" is just hot, yes, that type of hot, "to make her scream and shout but not from pain... there is no room for sparks, show her lightning." It's not just the lyrics but the way Danny sings them, the intensity in his voice and the back up oh's makes this one of my favorite tracks on the CD. I feel incredibly dirty listening to this song, but I also want to drop my pants, so I guess the song accomplished it's goal. This song is explicitly about sex, even though every Audition song sounds like it's about sex...
"Ether" has a guitar riff that will get trapped in your head, plus the line "Tonight, tonight, we're gonna make all the headlines." This is one of the songs that will adorn away messages for the weeks after the album drops.
This is the first attempt at a ballad on the album "What Gets You Through The Night." It seems like a push, and it's missing that Audition charm. It picks up from the slow beginning, but the piano in the background seems a bit unnecessary, although it is pretty, and it shows you a little more of what Danny can do.
"Make It Rain" is amazing. This song saved this CD from being just average. Every line will pierce you. Each line worthy to quote, with overlapping guitars, distinct riffs and backing vocals, and such high intensity. The song describes every girl you've ever hated or wanted to be with, maybe both. It's the type of song you wish was about you. "This girl's so condescending. Mysterious, but beautiful. So go run and tell all the neighbors I'm gonna grab her heart and won't let go."
As I throw my hands up and dance around after pressing repeat five times, I remember, there's one more track... "Have Gun, Will Travel" disappointed me a bit, but only because it had to follow up "Make It Rain." There is a great guitar solo, but besides that it's nothing special.
"Champion" is a solid album with catchy hooks and that distinct gritty Chicago sound I fell in love with when I picked up "Take This To Your Grave," but it's not the type of CD that will define a genre or you'll call one of your favorite albums. As a follow up to "Controversy Loves Company" I was hoping for a bit more after such a long wait but I wasn't disappointed just a bit unimpressed.
It's dirty, like you just step out of the basement of a sketchy bar in Fell's Point, and are in desperate need of a hot shower and your arms wrapped around a toilet. Next party you're at make sure you pop it in, it's a CD you should share with the kid you're trying to take home for the night, because it is that type of CD.
4 out of 5 [CO]