Clay Aiken was the gracious loser. After being defeated by Ruben Studdard for the "American Idol" title, he gave Studdard a hug and then left the stage so the winner could enjoy the glory. But Aiken was rewarded for his talent and charm with a record contract.
But when the singles of the two "American Idol" finalists hit stores, Aiken outsold his champion friend, so it is no wonder that Aiken's album, "Measure of a Man," has debuted first. After this, Clay Aiken will be an artist.
With his old-fashioned, powerful voice and classic good looks, Aiken will appeal to those who are looking for a break from today's hard rock, heavy metal or hip-hop. His songwriting gravitates mainly toward ballads, which have a taste of the 40s in them. This will help his music appeal older generations who are otherwise happy with established artists who do not have to curse to make sales. Regardless of your age, though, Clay Aiken will take your breath away with his voice and replace it with fresh air.
Of course, this is Clay Aiken's first album, so it isn't perfect. He was not alone when making it: Just like Kelly Clarkson, Aiken's first album was at the mercy of "American Idol" producer Simon Fuller (not to be confused with notorious judge Simon Cowell). This becomes apparent by the second track. In the "American Idol" competition, Aiken was known and loved for his diversity in music selection. Although he didn't excel in all genres, he was undeniably good. But Fuller made an album centered around the genre from which Aiken's most highly praised performance, "Bridge over Troubled Water," came: Ballads. This means that it's one-sided. This in no way implies that his songs are boring, or even that they become boring with repeated plays -- it means only that you should not expect variety.
Although all songs can be clumped into one genre, each song does have a little bit of uniqueness. The opening track, "Invisible," sounds like a Celine Dion song at first. "The Way" brings back memories of the early Backstreet Boys. "When You Say You Love Me" hits a slight country note, while the final track "Touch" actually borders on hip-hop. On "This is the Night," the song that made him a national sensation, Aiken shows off his powerful vocals with mind-blowing prowess. Although the songs all have the same general sound, each has something special to offer.
"This is the Night," Aiken's first single, is probably the best song on the album. You may, however, still be plagued by the commentary offered up by the brutally honest Simon. He said that he hated the song and that he hoped, for Aiken's sake, that the song would not be his first single. Well, it was, and whether Simon was right or wrong is best left as an individual decision. Answering that question will make one thing easier for you. Will you like Clay Aiken or not? Well, if you liked the single, great; but if you did not, stay away from this album, because it will probably drive you up the wall.
Aiken's strongest attribute, by far, is his milk-and-honey voice. Coming out strong, it is mature, smooth and expressive. Aiken has a one of a kind, potent voice that completely takes control over the course of the album. No matter how unimpressive a song's melody or lyrics are, his voice offers redemption.
Voice and good looks aside, Clay's personality makes him a worthy pop culture figure. From the moment he walked into the "American Idol" audition, Aiken shined with a confident but gentlemanly attitude. In "Measure of a Man," Aiken shows his charm and generosity in his extensive acknowledgments.
Aiken reinvigorates much of the staleness of current abrasive music. This, of course, may not be appreciated by all, but for those who do get it, the album will be a sign that hope is still out there. His powerful, moving voice will stop you in your tracks and make you want to learn the words to every song. (This, incidentally, is not very hard because the songs are pretty straightforward.)
"Measure of a Man" is a very basic album. It is a good base from which Aiken can start. It will establish him as a noteworthy artist and build a solid foundation for his coming career. His current fans will be happy, and he may also gain a couple more from older age groups which did not watch "American Idol." Although "Measure of a Man" is not a fantastic album, it arouses curiousity for and anticipation of his upcoming work.
3 Stars
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