The Review
After following this unlikely musical phenom through the American Idol season, I was anxiously awaiting his debut CD. With his pure, perfect-pitch voice, charisma, character, personality and ability to put his personal stamp on long-time favorite songs, Clay Aiken had a lot to measure up to. He doesn't disappoint. Although I don't think the songs are the best at showing off his emotion and voice - it is an easy, pleasant listen. "Invisible", his first single from the new CD, is a fun romp through pop. I fell in love with it when I saw him live earlier this summer. It is a great way to kick off the disc. Other songs that I've been listening to over the summer (thanks to the internet) "I Survived You", "Run to Me" and "I Will Carry You" were included as well - and are perfect sing-along tunes. And for the few people that have been living in a cave and didn't buy his debut single - "This is the Night" is included as well.
Just a note: Yep - I downloaded every song I could find that was rumored to be on the CD months ago. But at the same time - I've already bought 3 copies of Measure of a Man. Mostly because of what I had already heard.
Clay fans will delight in the debut. New listeners should be enchanted by the vocal ability and the man behind the voice. Especially if they catch any of his numerous promotional TV appearances. Clay is the rare star that hasn't let fame go to his head. He has kept his word and started a foundation (the The Bubel Aiken Foundation) to help young people with developmental disabilities. His humble, self-depracating humor is genuine, and makes you fall in love with him as if he were your younger brother - or an adorably geeky neighbor you've watched grow up. The adoration of his fans is almost maternal or protective in nature. Sure, we're cheering him on. Because he is so deserving of good things. He is a good person. Through and through.
What does this have to do with his CD? Well - everything and nothing at all. Nothing because being a good person can't make you a great singer - for him it is just a bonus. Everything - because in this day and age it is refreshingly nice to know it is being spent on a person with integrity and heart. Because it is money you feel good about spending.
Now the waiting begins for his next CD. All I can hope for is his ability to reach out and expand beyond the formulated pop that his talent is too good for. I hope that he is allowed more control of his product; to grow and expand as an artist. And I fervently hope that his desire to return to teaching doesn't take him from his fans too soon. Although we wouldn't be surprised, nor would we fault him for his decision. It is one of the qualities we love in him.
After following this unlikely musical phenom through the American Idol season, I was anxiously awaiting his debut CD. With his pure, perfect-pitch voice, charisma, character, personality and ability to put his personal stamp on long-time favorite songs, Clay Aiken had a lot to measure up to. He doesn't disappoint. Although I don't think the songs are the best at showing off his emotion and voice - it is an easy, pleasant listen. "Invisible", his first single from the new CD, is a fun romp through pop. I fell in love with it when I saw him 
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