Daughtry - Baptized (2013)

After three albums full of arena-sized guitar riffs and cinematic, arms-aloft rock anthems, Chris Daughtry and his cohorts decided to switch things up a bit. Baptized doesn't abandon the surging drama and power-ballad bravado of old, but it tosses some new tricks into the mix. Welcoming a fresh crew of production talent into the fold, including the Rock Mafia team that's worked with everyone from No Doubt to Miley Cyrus, the band blends its rock brawn with some pure pop savvy and a production approach laced with colorful splashes of electronics. The percolating synths and clap-along grooves of tracks like "Battleships" and the single "Waiting for Superman" point towards new directions for Daughtry, while electric guitars are frequently eschewed for acoustic on other tracks. And yet, longtime followers will be reassured to discover that the band's big, bold momentum remains intact.