You probably remember Chris Daughtry, the resident rocker on the last season of American Idol.  Well, Chris just rocked out a new album (and one song has been released and other slated to follow – click here to jam to some of his Idol performances) and is now aiming for musical credibility. How is he handling his transition from American Idol to real world radio? See what he has to say in his latest interview with Men’s Fitness magazine.

Men’s Fitness: You were the favorite to win American Idol last season, yet you finished fourth.  Looking back, do you think it is better that you actually didn’t take the title?

Chris Daughtry: Absolutely 100%.  For what I wanted to do with writing and putting a band together, I don’t think I would have had as much control over that had I won.  Now I’m gonna put out and album that’s night and day from what I was doing on the show.

Men’s Fitness: Your album is due out this month.  Describe the overall sound.

Chris Daughtry: It’s really big, bold guitars and hooky melodies, which what we really wanted to focus on, songs that rock hard but at the same time cross over to mainstream radio.

Men’s Fitness: What kind of things do you write about?

Chris Daughtry: Most of it is about relationships.  Being a married guy, you always have something to apologize for.

Men's Fitness: Is American Idol Judge Simon Cowell really an asshole behind the scenes?

Chris Daughtry: The funny thing is, he was the one who said no to me in the initial audition rounds.  But we got along so well.  Off-camera, he was the nicest guy to me.  He always said, “You know what, I really think you have got something.”  When it comes to the camera time, he plays that role.  It really is him, but when you talk to him off-camera, you don’t really get that vibe from him.

Men’s Fitness: Folically challenged guys wanna now how they can work the bald look?

Chris Daughtry: I was blessed with a nice head.  I was always scared to shave it when my hair started receeding in the front because I figured I would have some weird birthmark I didn’t know about.  Luckily, when I did it, it turned out all right.  So if you’re balding, just go for it, man!  Don’t mess with the comb-over.  Don’t try it if you ain’t got it, just shave it off!