Bucky Covington Album Review

So, I'm not really a country fan, but I saw an ad for Bucky Covington's My Space site, so I checked it out. He's got clips from four songs on his debut album, coming out April 17. Like I said, I'm not the best judge of country music, but I thought Bucky sounded pretty good on the samples there. I can give a brief "review" based on what I heard there.

A Different World: This is a classic country "narrative," listing all of the things kids of the 70s went through (smoking and drinking mothers, lead-based paint on the cribs, daddy's belt, no video games, etc.), and how we all turned out "all right." Don't miss the references to prayer in the schools and the Pledge of Allegiance either. This single was released in mid-January, so some of you may have heard it already.

American Friday Night: This track has that definite southern/country rock vibe and praises all that is "All-American" on Fridays in the heartland: high school football, pretty girls, and great music. And there's a reference to that Pledge again. I actually think this one sounds pretty good.

I'm Good: Of the four samples on the site, I think I like this one best. Bad boy falls for the Deacon's daughter. He's diesel fuel. She's holy water. She doesn't like guys who drink, cuss, and chew. So the guy prays for a miracle.

"I know I ain't been livin' like I ought to.
Lord, I swear that she can make me want to."

And then he says he's glad God passed up the 4-wheeler and the bigger boat because

"Just give me this girl and I'm good."

Empty Handed: This song has a bit of a ZZ Top feel with Bucky's own style mixed in. It's another "narrative" about the guy on the fast track to hell regretting all his life's choices, and the small town beauty queen lost in the L.A. subculture, trying to make a name for herself. I think you'll find the theme to be a familiar one. Bucky's strengths definitely come through on this one.

Overall, what they've released sounds promising and I think Bucky's album should do well in the country world. They don't have an album cover released yet, but you can still pre-order the self-titled album Bucky at Amazon. Lyric Records is handling it, and this is the same label that produces Rascall Flatts, SheDaisy, and Josh Gracin, among others. Hopefully he'll meet with similar success.

Bucky fans of the world, check it out!

Taylor Hicks Album Review

We heard good things about Taylor's album, and so we did the natural thing and bought the CD (well, we love music!). We first listened to it later in the evening while we were cleaning with the kids, but even after we lost the concentration necessary to really review this album, we could tell Taylor's offering is among the best of the Idol contestants up until now. You can tell he's been at this performing/recording thing for a while, and you know he figured out his way around the studio pretty quickly.

Before I get too far, the "Do I Make You Proud" / "Takin' It To The Streets"single is sold as a stand-alone CD, and neither song is on his debut album. But don't let that stop you! You can buy both!

The first time through, the tunes seem simple enough, but listening more closely I can tell they are anything but simplistic. And like good ol' Southern Comfort, the music goes down smoothly and gives a little kick (I hear that's how it feels, having never tried it myself!). All in all, from opening drum riff to closing gospel chorus, this is quintessential Taylor Hicks.

1. Runaround: This is a great opening track. It leads with a hard shuffle beat, brings in Taylor's vocals over the top, and quickly gives way to great brass licks and a gospel choir. It's a good one.

2. Dream Myself Awake: This track was written by Rob Thomas and has the kind of chords and lyrics that give it a modern feel, but with Taylor's comfortable vocals and the tune's Southern styling, you'd swear you've heard it somewhere before. And just when I was missing the brass, in comes the horn section with some Chicago-like riffs. Awesome!

3. Heaven Knows: This is a Ray Charles and Smokey Robinson tune with a funky intro. The background horns sound like classic Tower of Power, and you know Taylor was dancin' that microphone stand all around that cramped little studio booth.

4. Gonna Move: The intro to this track screams of Summer nights on a Birmingham porch, and the rest of the song keeps painting the picture from there. Taylor shows off his skills on the "harp," and any recording featuring a group called The Almost Exhausted Tabernacle Choir is aces in my book.

5. Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home): This is a Marvin Gaye song, but Taylor has definitely provided a new take on it. It has a fresh, almost 90s Sting-like quality to the background arrangement. Bonus: you get the classic, raspy vocals we're used to hearing from Taylor.

6. Give Me Tonight: This track gives off a definite funk vibe. It reminds me of the great funk/rock/soul type tunes of the 80s. At one point I was getting ready for Axel Foley to jump out and shove a banana in somebody's tailpipe. Wait! I'd swear some of these riffs are straight out of the soundtrack from "The Karate Kid." Great tune!

7. Just To Feel That Way: This next song has nice 12/8 rhythm that has become so popular lately. Taylor gets to show off his (not seen enough) softer side, but he maintains that typical edge to his vocals.

8. The Maze: This is another one of those "comfortable" rock tunes with a modern feel, but it's not the best on the album in my opinion. It is still a good song, though.

9. Places I've Been: Here is the requisite Diane Warren tune. I guess you need one like this since "Do I Make You Proud" is nowhere to be seen on the album. "Places I've Been" sounds like the American Idol, and if Taylor hadn't recorded it, someone from the show would have this year.

10. Soul Thing: This track is a Hicks original and is my favorite by far. I remember hearing it on his old website before we even knew he was in the Top 12. Somebody was circulating it well before the finals. It has a great feel, plenty of soul, a fantastic back beat, and a wonderful chorus. The lyrics and the style are definitely from the South, and Taylor sounds perfect on it.

11. The Deal: This one is also written by Mr. Hicks and is another great showing from the soul man. In the right style. Just right.

12. The Right Place: This final track is written by Bryan Adams and like so many of his songs, it is a great tune. We get to see the softer side of Taylor again, but he will still bring the Hicks intensity, especially at the end. "You've come to the right place, baby"

My favorite tracks on the album are "Soul Thing," "Gonna Move," and the rest of the album. Honestly, I can't pick just one third place.

I've gotta say of all the albums put out by American Idols, this is probably my favorite. Admittedly I haven't heard Carrie's (and heard great things about it), but I doubt seriously it would cast much of a shadow on Taylor's. Get it. Listen to it. And even if you are not a member of the Soul Patrol (I wasn't going to say it, but oh well!), you will love this album!

Jon Peter Lewis Album Review

Any album that can make you think of The Cars, Billy Joel, The B52s, and Marvin Gaye is alright in my book. JPL does just this, while maintaining a distinct style that made him a favorite in A.I.'s third season. Overall I think he sounds a lot like John Mayer, which is a good thing, and his voice sounds just like it did on the competition with a little more "polishing." Here is a list of the songs on the album, along with my first impressions.

1. Boy Next Door: great track with some definite alternative undertone. The opening sounds a bit like U2, in my opinion.

2. Gypsy Queen: starts out riding "like Kerouac" and ends up serving lattes on Sunset to the "mentally challenged." Great lyrics.

3. What's Wrong: the opening drum riffs definitely remind me of bands like The Cars, and the rest of the song does not disappoint.

4. Man from Amsterdam: you can see some of his feelings about A.I. and Hollywood sneak through here. I love the guitar work reminiscent of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on "Under the Bridge."

5. If I Go Away: his vocals have a John Mayer feel here and reminds me of why he did so well on A.I.

6. Man Like Me: another great slow one from JPL, probably my favorite on the album.

7. Stories from Hollywood: the chorus on this one reminds me of mid-80s Billy Joel, and that's a good thing.

8. Rodeo: this one sounds like they recorded it live in JPL's garage, but it still has a professional sound to it (reminds me a bit of They Might Be Giants). The lyrics mention Laverne and Shirley, the Three Stooges (before Shemp), and the Lone Ranger. What else could you want?

9. Burning in Hello: it starts with some ZZ Top-ish guitar work and vocals, and keeps on driving ahead. Not one of my favorites on the album, but still very good.

10. Turn to Grey: this one has a great R&B feel (hence the Marvin Gaye reference earlier) and still maintains the style for which JPL is known.

11. Amanda Grace: Very folksy sounding and very good.

My personal favorites are "Boy Next Door," "Man Like Me," and "Amanda Grace." You can hear clips of some of his songs on his My Space page. And Amazon has clips of all the songs on the album. I listened before buying the CD and I knew we'd love it.

On his website JPL mentions how he wanted to distance himself from the heavily pop-influenced albums that A.I. contestants usually end up putting out, and stay closer to music with a rock and roll edge. He's done that and created a great album at the same time. The two years away from A.I. have been good for him, but he'll never erase the memories of those Ford commercials!

Taylor Hicks Goes Platinum . . .

. . . before even releasing his first single!! AMAZING!! We've heard nothing but good about his album. The reviews are truly phenomenal. We've heard that NPR has had interviews with people who have said that his original songs (he's written many of them) are better than the others! His songwriting and style are highly praised. We've ordered a copy for ourselves. :) We can post a review once we listen to it.



Here's the very short article that highlights Taylor going Platinum:
http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=29847