Not a Bad Day!

Often, an entire year can be characterised and remembered by just one song. 2006 was one of those years. Every backing track to a TV sporting failure, every weepy soap story – indeed Daniel Powter’s Bad Day sound tracked just about everything. The radio couldn’t be switched on without that track coming on, to the point where there was surely no one who could bear the sound of it. Which was a shame, because it was a catchy, well written piece of pop rock, with a great chorus and a wide appeal.

Fortunately, Powter disappeared at just the right time – had he lingered around for much longer, and attempted to capitalise on the success of his massive hit too soon, I have a feeling he may have been lynched. As it is, his return with second album Under The Radar comes after just about the correct length of hiatus, such that the world can probably stomach him again.

The ‘difficult second album’ syndrome has surely never been a bigger concern than in this very case - after all, how does one follow a hit so huge? The answer is more obvious than one might think. Get Linda Perry (America’s answer to Cathy Dennis – once had a big hit of her own, then set about writing just about all the hits you’ve heard since) to write your songs, and make them sound exactly the same as last time round.

Daniel Powter knows his market, and it’s a hugely lucrative one, so another album of the softest rock possible, with big hooky choruses and sickly sweet lyrics was always on the cards, and his fans will not be the slightest bit disappointed by Under The Radar.

True, the 11 tracks blend seamlessly into one, and there’s nothing cutting edge here whatsoever, but it’s the perfect M.O.R record, destined to adorn the coffee tables of homes the world over, and to capture the hearts of many a 12 year old girl besides.

There’s a place for Daniel Powter in this world – he’s latched onto a simple yet winning formula, and good luck to him.