Category: Music Reviews

There are times in life you act against your head and in this case, I am glad that I did just that.

Friends of mine know that I am a huge fan of American Idol’s runner-up Katherine McPhee. I took leave on that day to watch the final live ready for a celebration when my dream was crushed by you-know-who. But that was then. As I was about to sample McPhee’s debut album, I really did not know what to expect. Honestly speaking, I would have given this album a pass after the first 2 songs if she was someone else.

The album has a wide collection of upbeat R&B and slow ballads and is easily one of my most listened to album of 2007 so far. Her slow ballads remind me of Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey such as “Home” (track 4), “Ordinary World” (track 8), “Better Off Alone” (track 10), “Neglected” (track 11), and “Everywhere I Go” (track 12). Her upbeat numbers remind me of Beyoncé. Most notable tracks are “Open Toes” (track 3 – the fun kicks in at 2.30 mins when the beat changes), “Not Ur Girl” (track 5), “Dangerous” (track 7), and “Do What You Do” (track 9).

Katherine McPhee has a warm and gifted voice and does not sound overpowering. The music arrangement of the songs are addictive to listen to. Overall, this album is pleasant to the ears. If you have time constraint, sample “Open Toes”, “Home”, and “Not Ur Girl” from Amazon.com. They are my favourites. By the way, did you know that Katherine is only 23 this year? I thought her voice and outlook looks more mature than that.

Related Links: Katherine McPhee’s Official Site, Katherine McPhee at Wikipedia.

Thank God. Finally an English album review, and not only that, but also a male artist to grace my website. New readers of my site must have thought that I only listen to Japanese female artists’ music (which unfortunately Koda Kumi will be my next review target as Norah Jones’s new album is a major let down to me).

Chris Daughtry may have disappointed the “America Idol” viewers that he only got to as far as being a semi-finalist, his eponymous debut rock album that he has written and co-written doesn’t. The first week sales of “Daughtry” has beaten the American Idol winner Taylor Hicks’s eponymous debut album.

“Daughtry”‘s opening track “It’s Not Over”, also the first single, is a good representation of what the album overall sounds like. Well crafted verses, memorable chorus, and a twisting bridge. The song is written by Daughtry and several others including Brett “Ace” Young who was also an “Idol” contestant. Daughtry has opened a poll in their band website letting their fans to pick their second single. The fourth track of the album “Over You” happens to be both the fans’ pick as well as the band’s. Personally, I wish they would have picked something different from the first single. Perhaps a slow ballad like “Breakdown” that is solely written by Daughtry himself or the last track “What About Now” would have been nice. Interestingly, Slash is featured in one of the track “What I Want”. The track is a bit short (less than 3 minutes) but is a good one to listen to. “There And Back Again” stands out as my favourite (and not necessary yours) because it is unique. The opening rift and the subsequent melody sounds like the new “Metallica” meets “Puddle of Mudd”/”Nickelblack”.

Music-wise, the sound of the album definitely reminds me of “Puddle of Mudd” and “Nickelblack”. The strength of the album, I would say, is Chris Daughtry’s gifted voice as well as the accessibility of the melody (read: radio-friendly which some of you may see as a major weakness).

There is nothing ground breaking in “Daughtry”. It is yet another “Idol” album that you will keep playing again and again in your leisure time.