The story of Daniel Powter that we have come to know about in 2005 with the release of his eponymous debut album pleasantly surprised many of us but his music has obviously made a much stronger impression. A splendid single Bad Day still sounds on radio airs around the globe and is taken as a hit that has already become classic. Amazingly this song has proved so bright and memorable that the rest of the singles from Powter's first album never made it to reach the same heights and the artist's name is so far associated with Bad Day with most of people. For this very reason three years later Daniel has finally decided to change the situation recording some new material. An important function is laid upon his sophomore effort called Under The Radar to attract the audience's attention to the new creations of a talented author that is Daniel Powter and probably present the world with some new hits among which we are sure to find no less effective than the one that brought the world fame to the singer.
It goes without saying that Daniel Powter has made a lot of efforts to outdo himself and one cannot but make sure of that listening to Under The Radar. Just like on the first record the singer never ceases to demonstrate his talent of a pianist refining practically every track with most beautiful and sensual chords. The album opens with a wonderfully soft ballad Best Of Me, perfect for a romantic evening with candles and a great way to make a love confession. Not Coming Back pleases both with the fast tempo and well adopted rock elements in the form of hit guitars and no less contagious drums while a slow track Whole World Around demonstrates once again Daniel's sensitive side presenting a desperate appeal to the protagonist's beloved. The first single Next Plane Home is just perfect for the part for it is a mid tempo song with a catchy tune and Powter's great vocals and is Am I Still The One?, one of the best melodies on the album whereas Negative Fashion is definitely among the album's leaders and contenders to be the song that is able to outshine Bad Day's success. Another highlight is a mid-tempo composition My So Called Life with a most beautiful guitar accompaniment and the final ballad Love You Lately although devoted to breaking up is filled with confidence that everything is going to be just fine.
Daniel Powter is certainly an outstanding personality. His creative path, his struggle for the right to do what he enjoys most and an incredible success are all examples of how one can make any dream come true with enough of will. Yet it is obvious that this artist is not going to content with what he has achieved continuing to search for his best sound and improving the arrangements of the songs. Daniel has invited Linda Perry (Pink, Courtney Love, Christina Aguilera) as a producer for Under The Radar and she has undoubtedly managed to add even more sensuality and romance to his music. Pop culture has gained quite a lot with Powter's first work but the world has definitely been long missing such a soft and sincere record as Under The Radar. Minimum of intensive mid-tempo compositions in favor of piano love ballads makes Under The Radar valuable especially for the female half of the audience and the male one is left to take wisdom from this collection of confessions and stories of a happy life together. As the given themes never exhaust themselves we can be sure that Daniel Powter's next creation will not make us wait too long.
Daniel Powter
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