You Were Robbed – White Lion

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!

The band White Lion roared onto the late 80s melodic rock scene with their “Pride” record, which featured big hits like the catchy “Wait” and the tender acoustic ballad, “When The Children Cry”. The band inexplicably fell prey to the sophomore jinx with their excellent follow up, “Big Game". What should have been the comeback of the year, the band’s third album “Mane Attraction” was tragically ignored.

I was inspired to write this post when I heard that an American Idol contestant actually did a cover of “Broken Heart”, one of the first songs White Lion wrote as a band (and was incidentally re-recorded for “Mane Attraction”).



Here is White Lion’s version from “Mane Attraction”:


The real surprise was that the super catchy leadoff single, “Love Don’t Come Easy”, with a great video to boot, failed to ignite a third chapter in this band’s career.



Infinitely popular at the time was the majestic power ballad – White Lion delivered big time on these with the beautiful acoustic “You’re All I Need” and the piano-driven tune “Till Death Do Us Part”, which I’ve heard at several weddings.



“Mane Attraction” also shows the bad evolving a harder edge with epic cuts like “Lights and Thunder” and “Warsong”. "It's Over" is another well done melodic song. In listening to the closing track, “Farewell To You”, I get the sense that perhaps the band had a gut feeling that the ride was coming to an abrupt end.



The record also contains a stunning instrumental called “Blue Monday”, a tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan. This song, like all the others on the record, is testament to the sheer brilliance of Vito Bratta as a guitarist. His retirement soon after this record is a catastrophic loss to the entire music community. Anyone know what he is doing now? As for lead singer/songwriter Mike Tramp, he’s gone on to release a number of solid solo records, and his latest work with Rock N Roll Circuz is just fantastic (see review here).

Review: Daughtry and James Durbin

Modern rock
A quick look at two new releases from should-have-been American Idol winners. In short, it is a good day for fans of heavy melodic rock.


Daughtry “Break The Spell”

Back with his third effort, Chris Daughtry is seeking to recover from a lackluster sophomore jinx. “Break The Spell” certainly does just that – the record is a winner from start to finish, jam packed with melodic hard rock tunes. This record is much more like his blockbuster debut, bringing copious melody back into his brand of arena ready rock songs. Daughtry sounds hungry again - his vocals are soaring and passionate in every cut. Nearly every song is a winner, but if I had to choose favorites they would include “Renegade”, “Crawling Back To You”, “Outta My Head”, and “Spaceship”. If you are looking for the big power ballad, “Gone Too Soon” is the one to check out, but don’t overlook the understated beauty in the mid-tempo number, “Rescue Me”. Overall, this collection is markedly less gritty than some of his previous work, but the strong vocal performances and irresistible hooks win the day. Some fans might not appreciate his gravitation towards a more commercial sound, but it suits me just fine.




James Durbin “Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster”

One of the most shocking moments of last season’s American Idol was the premature dismissal of hard rocker James Durbin. Similar to David Cook in style and conviction, Durbin stays true to his heavy hitting roots on his debut. Blasting out first is the take no prisoners cut, “Higher Than Heaven” – despite its pious name, the tune features monstrous riffs that could make the Devil weep. It is a terrific opener, but don’t be mislead into thinking that Durbin doesn’t have the ability to balance his love of hard rock with more commercial melodies. Tracks like “All I Want” and “Love In Ruins” are much more mainstream, but will still sound as potent as “Stand Up” when it comes to belting these out live in the arena. Durbin’s voice is nothing short of amazing – he is incredibly adaptive. We all know his prowess at the mic when supporting an ferocious modern rock tune, but listen to the tenderness that shines through in songs like the touching “May”. “Love Me Bad” is probably my favorite tune, though, and Motley Crue fans should take note that Mick Mars is along for the ride on the track “Outcast”. Is it me or does Durbin actually channel some Vince Neil on this one too?

Odds and Ends

Each week I use this space to post some mini-reviews, cool tracks, random thoughts, neat news, or whatever else I damn well please.

MiniReview

House of Lords “Big Money” - House of Lords debuted in 1989 with the release of the self-titled album, a record which is still regarded as one of the best arena rock releases of the 80s, up there with frontrunners like Whitesnake, Deep Purple, and Van Halen. The band has a varied and spotty catalogue ever since, with frequent lineup changes and oscillating musical styles to match. Some releases are downright catchy arena rock whereas others are less melodious prog rock. This month the band will add “Big Money” to its discography, which feels like a blend of their mixed melodic and prog rock past. The trademark vocals of James Christian sound finer than ever, and he is surrounded by updated guitar sounds and pounding beats. James teamed up again on the songwriting with long-time friend and partner Mark Baker along with the other band members Jimi Bell and BJ Zampa for this release. While “Big Money” rocks through and through, several of the tunes are overly long and burdened with less than compelling riffs. Standouts include “First To Cry”, “The Next Time I Hold You”, “Run For Your Life”, and “Once Twice”. More info on House of Lords can be found here.

Surprise of the week
Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars is recording with latest American Idol winner James Durbin. Get the scoop here.

News
R.E.M. has broken up. Hard to believe…read about it from the band member’s perspectives here.

New “best of” collection coming from Paul Simon October 24. Details and track listing here.

Get a taste of the Lou Reed and Metallica project, “Lulu” here. It’s only 30 seconds, but confirms my worst fears about this collaboration.

Love this article at Popdose about Survivor’s underrated ballad “Ever Since The World Began” (video below).

INXS have sacked their singer JD Fortune for the second time. Story here.

Where are they now? Colin Hay (Men At Work) released a new video. Check it out here.

Toto collides with Survivor – Kimball Jamison. Debut video!


Random iPOD song of the week
Survivor “Ever Since The World Began” from the album “Eye of the Tiger”


Reminder: we’re now on Twitter! Follow us for even more updates, news, and reviews!

Review: David Cook “This Loud Morning”

Torster is on holiday - more Best Albums You Never Heard will return soon! Until then, here is a review for you...


Modern rock
American Idol winner David Cook returns with his sophomore effort, “This Loud Morning”. The young singer/songwriter has experienced some unfortunate events amidst his raise to fame, the most tragic being the loss of his older brother to brain cancer in 2009. Like most artists, Cook incorporates his personal experiences into his art and the result in a deep and dark record, more reflective than most others out there at the moment.

While the lyrics and Cook’s vocals have never sounded more inspired, the music by and large doesn’t match this quality. The tunes rarely get out of second gear despite a lot of bombast and flare. In my opinion, these songs are way overproduced, and the tendency to throw everything into them including the kitchen sink distracts listeners from the heart of the song. The songs are generally cumbersome and slow, and the orchestration is just too over the top (the overzealous strings ruin “Fade Into Me”). Cook does sound terrific, rivaling the powerhouse vocals of Harry Hess (Harem Scarem), and he has some amazing moments scattered among these tunes, but they're just too much of a chore to get to. In short, the record is too ambitious for its own good and it sounds strained because everyone seems to be trying too hard.

Devoid of instantly irresistible hooks, the record takes several spins before they start to grab you. Songs that do this sooner rather than later include “Right Here, With You”, “We Believe”, “Hard To Believe”, and “Time Marches On”. A couple notable guests appear on this record, including contributions from Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) and AOR master Marti Frederiksen. This record will appeal to fans of Alter Bridge, Big Wreck, and Switchfoot. It’s loud alright, but there is more mourning in this record than morning.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 5, 7

David Cook – Official site

Check out the video for “The Last Goodbye”

Kneejerk: Bruce Springsteen – Lee DeWyze

Welcome to the latest edition of KNEEJERK, where we preview some new releases and give our short, "kneejerk" reaction...


Bruce Springsteen “The Promise”

“The Promise” is a time capsule – a massive collection of recordings from The Boss from the “Darkness On The Edge Of Town” recording sessions. Two discs hold 21 previously unreleased songs from the creative peak of a living legend – what more could Springsteen fans want? To be prolific is one thing, but to write so many songs that are this good truly speaks to the magnitude of this man’s talent. “The Promise” could have been one of the greatest rock albums of the late 70s. We finally get to hear Springsteen perform familiar hits like "Because the Night" and "Fire", songs he gave to Patti Smith and the Pointer Sisters, respectively. It is difficult to identify highlights from so many wonderful songs, but suffice it to say that you’ll find some of the jubilant Springsteen and the E Street Band on numbers like “Gotta Get That Feeling” and “Ain't Good Enough For You”, and the more contemplative balladeer on “Someday (We’ll Be Together)” and “The Brokenhearted”. I also really liked “Wrong Side Of The Street”, “One Way Street”, and “The Little Things (My Baby Does)”.


Lee DeWyze “Live It Up”

The winner of last season’s American Idol (season 9), and the last to make it through the Simon Cowell filter, Lee DeWyze offers “Live It Up” as his major label debut. Quite the departure from his pre-Idol singer/songwriter releases, “Live It Up” is predictably slick and hip, with DeWyze tweaked to sound like Jason Mraz. Recalling some of his standout performances on Idol, this is not quite the sound I was expecting from the raspy rocker with the humble guy next door attitude. The charm of his voice, even that rock-ready tone, seems to be vacant from this record. I am left wondering what happened, but it is obvious he’s been through the Idol processing machine. It is a shame…his vocals could have made a great modern rock record, but this pop rock fluff that tries too hard to sound like other artists besides himself is extremely disappointing. “Live It Up” will bore you to death.

Review: Jason Castro "Jason Castro"

I know what CD Paula Abdul is salivating over right now - the new release from Jason Castro, voted off during the final stages of the seventh season of American Idol. The bright-eyed, dreadlocked, easy-going singer-songwriter took it all in stride and patiently crafted this self-titled debut over the years.

While he doesn't have the vocal prowess and performance skills of most Idol wannabes, Castro did have an earnest charm and could more than carry a tune. His soft, understated tenor did a magnificent job with Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", which is justifiably included as the closer on this short 8 song CD (note: there is an Amazon.com-exclusive version of Jason Castro that contains six additional tracks not available on the standard release - but I've decided to boycott this "deluxe" and "expanded" edition nonsense).

Castro's potential has recruited an admirable base of songwriters and production expertise to his project. The result is rather pleasant and innocuous acoustic-based pop rock. Consistent with the personality he displayed during his tenure on Idol, the songs generally have a sunny disposition that makes you feel all warm inside. In many cases, you'll find that you can't help wanting to sing along. "Let's Just Fall In Love Again" is a bouncy power pop tune that sounds contemporary, but clearly has some 70s bubblegum pop influence. "This Heart Of Mine" is similar, with a breezy quality many will find refreshing. I wish there were more tracks like these, because from here the CD slows down fast and never picks back up. "That's What I'm Here For" is too generic and "Love Uncompromised" sounds like a Colbie Caillat reject. "Closer" is a melodic mid-tempo tune that teases the that pace will back up, but it is followed by another ballad called "You Can Always Come Home", which features some sweet harmony vocals from Serena Ryder. "It Matters To Me" is yet another ballad, but one of the stronger ones in my opinion. As mentioned, "Hallelujah" is the closing track - nicely done, but yet another ballad. I would have preferred a few more upbeat tracks to make this CD more well rounded - maybe they are all on the expanded version, which is a shame.

While lyrically simplistic and heavy on the ballads, Castro's debut is pretty fun and catchy. Check him out if you like Matt Nathanson, Jason Mraz, or Colbie Caillat.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8

Jason Castro on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for "Let's Just Fall In Love Again":

Review: Allison Iraheta "Just Like You"

Allison Iraheta was one of the runner up contestants on last season's American Idol (2009). This young lady (she was only 10 in 2002 when American Idol premiered) brought a genuine rock edge to the show and it was sad to see her lose out to the likes of Adam Lambert (bizarre) and Kris Allen (yawn). Her debut CD "Just Like You" is out now. Sadly, I think a bona fide talent has largely been wasted, falling prey to the major label trend to bury everything under a wall of sound. The other major problem is the lackluster songs...you'd think with all the resources these corporations have they could afford something less bland. They seem to think that if you dress it up with strings or yet another layer of noise that it will somehow disguise the fact that the song was banal at the start.

They also don't seem to know what to do with Iraheta. Is she going to do pop dance like Pink or the rock stuff that drew comparisons to Joan Jett and Pat Benatar? "Just Like You" does deliver on the rock stuff at times, but with an intense inorganic feel a la Kelly Clarkson or Avirl Lavigne. On the other hand, there is a lot of pop fluff the listener has to endure in-between the good songs.

The first two tracks are awful, which includes the schizophrenic single, "Friday I'll Be Over U". "Robot Love" is another electronic mess over top Gary Glitter's famous "Rock and Roll Part 1 (The Hey Song)", overused at sporting events. The title track is a very good song, and is followed by the respectable "Don't Waste The Pretty", two tracks that begin to redeem the album. But then it steers down mediocre avenue once again for what seems like a torturous eternity until "Still Breathing", where we can actually hear Iraheta's beautiful voice over some acoustic guitar for a little while before the ubiquitous distortion kicks into overdrive again. The trouble with "Trouble Is" - a fine example of what frustrates me about this record - is that it is a boring song to begin with that no amount of strings, vocals, or glossy production can hope to salvage. "No One Else" is much more compelling thanks to its memorable melody in the chorus. The album closes as badly as it began, with the ridiculous "Beat Me Up" - a horrible lyric set to a brain-numbing house beat and boring guitar riff, and aptly titled, "You Don't Know Me". I don't feel like I got to know Iraeta on this record at all.

I sincerely hope Iraheta can rebound with a team that is better suited to let the majesty or her voice shine rather than burying it in senseless noise and wasting it on unexciting songs.

iPOD-worthy: 3, 4, 9, 11

Allison Iraheta on MySpace.

Review: Daughtry "Leave This Town"

Chris Daughtry is now feeling the other side of the double-edge sword of having a phenomenally successful debut album. The former American Idol contestant was subject to one of the biggest injustices in the history of the show by being voted off far too early in the competition several years ago. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, he went on to make one of the biggest selling records in recent times, gracing radio with plenty of melodic hard rock goodness. He is his own hard act to follow.

To help with the sophomore effort, Daughtry has enlisted the songwriting talents of Nickelback's Chad Kroeger, Brian Howes, Mitch Allen, and more. The disc begins with the in your face guitars and the soaring, badass vocals we all expect from Daughtry. After this fierce reminder that he is still a force to be reckoned with, he glides right into the more radio-friendly "No Surprise", following this up with three more pop-based rockers, "Everytime You Turn Around" (a personal favorite), "Life After You", and "What I Meant To Say". After this, the songs are OK, rarely leaving the ballad or mid-tempo pace, and not matching the quality we've heard on the debut. The latter half of the CD is very ballad heavy and grows tiresome, not helped by duds like the country-flavored "Tennessee Line".

Another complaint is that the record seems to be on a mission to impress with the guitars and bombastic production rather than the voice. Daughtry has an amazing voice, but it is a shame to hear it take so few chances and to persistently get buried in the excessively loud guitars. Lyrically, we're also on ho-hum ground: unimaginative and straight-forward, but at least not silly.

The record is solid, but Daughtry is just running in place. In short, the title of the first single pretty much sums up the record as a whole: no surprise. I hope he comes back with a vengenace on the third release to give us the record we know he has the potential to deliver.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8

Daughtry: Official site.

Review: David Cook "David Cook"

David Cook: the first American Idol winner to release an album I actually like! I had a feeling this one might be good given his incredible voice, which booms with natural talent for singing classic rock.

A few more things in Cook's favor: Rob Cavallo is at the helm as producer, noted for his work with Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, and Shinedown to name a few. Cavallo and mixer Chris Lord-Alge give the record a highly polished and thundering sound, but balance things well so that Cook's remarkable voice is not six feet under in the mix. And that is a good thing since some of these songs would only be so-so if sung be anyone else. Some other big hitters have helped Cook forge this impressive record full of radio friendly fodder, including some of his influences such as Chris Cornell, Ed Roland of Collective Soul, and Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace. In addition, Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls) helps with the rocking "Declaration" and Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra) contributes to the amazing "Avalanche". Consequently, there is a strong 90s alternative rock vibe permeating this record.

One thing about this record that REALLY irks me is the huge gap of silence separating "A Daily Anthem" and a hidden bonus track I'll call "Just A Kiss On The Neck". This makes track 12 over 15 minutes long, much of it being silence. Why do artists/producers still do this?! Seriously, what is the point? Make it a separate track for crying out loud!

David Cook will appeal to anyone who digs Daughtry, Shinedown, or Big Wreck. Born from American Idol, the record does veer more toward the 'Hollywood' side of things, but under the glitz and makeup is a true talent with his heart in it. The lyrics are certainly a step up from the typical sap that oozes from the nozzle of American Idol. On "David Cook", there are hooks aplenty, huge guitars, and an exceptionally talented dude who sings his lungs out - what more could you want?

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 12 (actually two songs that you'll have to crop with MP3 DIRECT CUT or equivalent)
My CD had two bonus tracks...the stereotypical American Idol finale song, "The Time Of My Life", which really sticks out like a sore thumb here, and "Breathe Tonight", which is tons better - a catchy and upbeat tune that sounds right at home with the front half of the CD.

David Cook on MySpace. Official site.

Check out the video for "Light On"

Rare CD: David Cook - Axium "Matter of Time"

"DAVID COOK, AXIUM
"MATTER OF TIME"
2002 USA
PRE-AMERICAN IDOL
NEW, UNPLAYED CONDITION, AUTHENTIC, NOT A COPY!!
EXTREMELY RARE LIMITED PRESS OF 500 COPIES.
THIS CD NEVER CAME WITH ART WORK, INSERTS, SEAL WRAP OR A SLEEVE.
TRACK LIST:

"Why Do You Care?"
"Close Your Eyes"
"Empty Again"
"Matter of Time"
"Me"
"Change"
"No Free Advice"
"No Place to Go"
"Somber"
"Peace of Mind (Song for Sarah)"

Sold for $510.00 on ebay.

Review: 7th Heaven "U.S.A.-U.K."

If the guys from Def Leppard mated with the gals from Vixen, the result would be 7th Heaven. Remarkably, this band has been around since 1985; even more remarkable is that their unmistakable late 80s pop rock sound did not make them famous back in the day of Bon Jovi, Europe, and Giant.

This Chicago band has evolved nicely over the years and now sound more like Def Leppard than Def Leppard, but with a twist. The new lead singer, Keith Semple, gives the band a modern feel, infusing sounds that also remind me of American Hi-Fi, SR-71, or the Marvelous 3. Keith Semple, for those who do not know, was a winner of "Pop Stars", the UK version of American Idol (incidentally, this is where the inspiration came from to title this 2008 release USA-UK).

7th Heaven is truly unique in today's musical landscape, fusing the best of pop rock from the 80s and early 90s with modern sounds that definitely keep it fresh. There isn't a dud in the bunch, but my favorites include "Better This Way", "Cellophane", "Gave You My Word", and "Oh So Really Old".

Like the good old days of "Hysteria", the record is over 70 minutes and there just seems to be no end to the number of singles that could be huge on radio...if only it were 1988 again. The production is generally outstanding, although the drums could sound better in spots. For those of us who still love anthem rock with a big and bold chorus that you can't help but shout along to, 7th Heaven is a dream come true. You should be gettin' it - Armageddon it!

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18

7th Heaven on MySpace. Official site.

Review: Constantine “Constantine” (2007)

Constantine Maroulis was voted off American Idol in 2005, before being a rocker was feasible on this “talent” show. He ended up in 6th place, hence his label’s name “6th Place Records”. His first solo CD, the self-titled “Constantine”, surfaced in 2007 and boasts an impressive assortment of established talent to help him make his own mark. Constantine seems to have found his niche somewhere in the Rob Thomas vibe, trying to infuse a bit of soul in his otherwise straight up pop rock.

The debut CD has its flaws and fillers, but has more pleasant surprises than negatives. First, I forgot how good his voice sounds. Constantine has an excellent voice for this genre and he knows how to please by reaching up for the dramatic notes at the appropriate times. Second, he’s recruited Philly songwriter Jim Boggia to pen a handful of songs; Jim is an awesome songwriter.

The first song had me worried. “Girl Like You” sounds like a Rob Thomas-Santana leftover, and is pretty generic and bland to me. I also don’t find his efforts to rock out sincere; “Child, You’re The Revolution” and “I Thought It Was Something” fall flat. But “Several Thousand” (also heard on Jim Boggia’s “Fidelity Is the Enemy”) and “Sister, Sister” are slow to mid-tempo numbers that sink their teeth in deep and keep hold of you. “Right To My Head” is another great mid-tempo track with a nice mix of acoustic and electric guitars and sing-a-long chorus. “So Long” is a simple acoustic appeal that finds Constantine pining for a lost love, but he hits all the right buttons and the sparse arrangement puts his voice in the spotlight…and it shines. “Heaven Help The Lonely” is a nice upbeat track near the end of the CD, and you’ll be singing this chorus for the rest of the day.

Funny – I usually gravitate to the more upbeat numbers when listening to CDs, but for Constantine, I seem to prefer the ballads and mid-tempo numbers. If you were a fan of him on American Idol, the CD is a no brainer; for the rest of you, few pop rock fans will be disappointed with this release. It should have been a much bigger success! I look forward to the follow up...

iPOD-worthy: 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

Constantine on MySpace.

Rare CD: David Cook "Analog Heart"

"This CD is now out of print. This is NOT a burned CD; it is the real deal. David Cook’s Analog Heart 2006 album. The CD is in excellent condition. This CD was produced and recorded by David Cook in Tulsa. It was released in May of 2006 at his shows.

You are bidding on a copy of American Idol winner, David Cook's original, limited release CD, Analog Heart. There were only 250-500 copies ever printed and it was not released in stores.

Ten Tracks Include:
Straight Ahead Don't Say A Word
Fall Back Into Me The Truth
Searchlights Procelain*
Stitches Let Go
Makeover Silver

*Please note this is the spelling on the CD, it was an error on the proofreading!"

Sold for $680.00 on ebay (13 bids)

Rare CD: Kelly Clarkson "Go" (single)

"GOOD LUCK finding a copy of THIS one, Kelly Clarkson fans! This is what I believe is the never-released CD single Kelly recorded of the song "Go," used for a time in Ford Motor Company advertising. This was available for free download, true--but the single never made it to market and I don't believe the song is available in 'hard copy' form on any Clarkson release: HERE IT IS! Splendid collectible, this. Still sealed--these may have been meant as promo giveaways at Ford dealerships, I don't know (doesn't say "promo copy" on it). These may have been manufactured then shelved when the decision was taken to make the song available for download; whatever the case, it's a superb--and RARE--Clarkson collectible now!! From Sony BMG/Ford "Bold Moves" 2006"

Sold for $302.99 on ebay (37 bids)

Rare CD: David Cook w/ Axium "Alive in Tulsa"

"David Cook is the new American Idol for season 7. He is a great musician and a good friend. I have had the privilege of being his friend for over five years, thus I own every CD that he has been involved in. This CD, “Alive in Tulsa”, is Axium’s only live album. This album was recorded at The Venue, at 18th & Boston in Tulsa, OK on Valentine’s Day 2004. I was there at the show working with Axium and MidWest Kings. It was an awesome show—I have seen them play live many times and was so happy that they recorded a CD! Axium is the first big band David was involved with in Kansas City. I hope you enjoy the album as much as I have! This CD does not contain any inserts and comes in a plastic jewel case. This is how I received the CD from David and rest of Axium in 2004.

1. Bastard A** Yellow Light
2. AC
3. Clean Break
4. Feed Your Ego
5. Incarcerate
6. Creep – Radiohead cover
7. Thought You Knew
8. Truth is a Gun"

This sold for $290.00 on ebay (35 bids).

Rare CD: Tamar Davis "Milk and Honey"

Um, OK. For reasons unknown to me, this 2006 release by Tamar Davis is going for big bucks. Prince discovered this American Idol reject and had a big hand in this release (a quick look at the spelling of the songs titles will tell U Y).

A Japan import version recently went for $1,135.00 on ebay (23 bids). That is a lot of milk and honey.

Currently unavailable at Amazon.com. Check now.

Review: Kelly Clarkson "My December"

We can sum this up real quick: Clive was right, Kelly was wrong. Oh, so wrong.

In case you are not familiar with this, record producer extraordinaire Clive Davis and his American Idol star Kelly Clarkson got into a rather heated and public debate regarding the songs for her third release, "My December," which saw the light of day in June 2007. Kelly Clarkson is undeniably one of the greater vocal talents these days, and she probably got a bit of a big head with the utterly successful "Breakaway" CD. She has every right to feel proud of that record, but should not lose sight of the fight that song choice is a big key to success (you'd think she would have learned that as many times as they say it on American Idol!). But lousy and forgettable songs are not the only flaw this CD suffers. Kelly's vocal stylings just seem to wander aimlessly, and despite the intensely personal lyrics, they don't pull me into her world.

I heard how much negative press the CD received, but just could not bring myself to believe it could be THAT bad...but sadly, it is. There are only a few tracks I would say are marginally acceptable. Case in point...there is something about the last track (Irvine, not the bonus track) that engages me. In this hushed and sparse coda to the record, Kelly sounds wonderful, her soul and vulnerability can be felt, and it left me with a feeling that she can redeem herself.

I love the fact that Clarkson veered more towards a rock edge with "My December," but I hate that she sacrificed pop sensibilities. She should shoot for having the best of these worlds on her next release...or she'll end up shooting herself in the foot.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 4, 5, 13

Kelly Clarkson on MySpace. Official Site.

Check out the video for "Never Again"

Review: Daniel Powter "Daniel Powter"

Many viewers of the 5th season of American Idol (anyone even remember who won?!) waited in hot anticipation to hear more from the guy who sang the contestant elimination song entitled, "Bad Day". This infectious, feeling sorry for myself tune tattooed itself into our collective conscious and many folks, myself included, were eager to hear more from this man called Daniel Powter.

After a long delay, I finally got around to doing so. Finding the CD in the dollar bin at a Used shop helped. Don't know why I still cared...he was a one-hit wonder in 2005 with "Bad Day," a premonition that I should have heeded. A one-hit wonder he was, and if he releases more CDs like his self-titled one, a one-hit wonder he shall remain.

His piano-based tunes are pretty good, but generally boring. What really kills it for me is the overuse of his falsetto. Why why why? He sounds just fine (and more like a human) in his normal singing voice. Why beat the falsetto thing to death? I even checked the CD linear notes to see if he actually thanked someone for holding his testicles in a vice during the making of the record. Seriously, only dogs might like the high pitched voice.

It also does not help too much that many of the lyrics are just stupid...and in stark contrast to "Bad Day," no one is going to be able to relate to them...except maybe the dogs. Nothing else, save track 9 (Lost on the Stoop), even comes close to matching the simple beauty of the hit single. Sorry Daniel.

iPOD-worthy: 3, 9

Daniel Power on MySpace. Official Site.

Video for "Bad Day":