LISTEN TO THIS: Taylor Hicks Edition
Next Monday in Floridian, I'll be reviewing seven (7) of the newest American Idol releases, including Fantasia's latest, which is so shockingly good it's messing with my head. For now, though, here's a quickie look at Mr. Soul Patrol's debut, which was released today and will no doubt sell tons (40 copies to my mother at least).
TAYLOR HICKS
ALBUM: Taylor Hicks (Arista)
GRADE: C
WHY WE CARE: The world's oldest 30-year-old is the reigning American Idol champ, an incredibly earnest Everyman with a husky blue-eyed-soul voice, clunky dance moves and Newt Gingrich's hair. Hicks' rabid fanbase is called the Soul Patrol -- and no matter what I snark, they're gonna flip for this 12-track debut that might as well be Michael McDonald's third Motown album.
WHY WE DON'T REALLY LIKE IT: The pride of Birmingham, Ala., means well with his juke-joint cliches and Memphis horns, but seriously dude: When you sample Ray's What'd I Say and Marvin's Ain't That Peculiar IN THE SAME SONG, you're begging to get slapped. This guy "borrows" from so many people, I swear I saw a picture of my wallet in the liner notes.
REMINDS US OF: Something we'd buy our mother for Christmas. (Just suck it up, sons and daughters. Target has it for $9.98.)
DOWNLOAD THESE: Dream Myself Awake (written by Rob Thomas), The Right Place (co-written by Bryan Adams)
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
Enter this CD as evidence in Hicks' upcoming trial for impersonating a singer with soul.
Hicks apologists may have allowed the Grey Guy to highjack last season's AI, but it will be Nickelback/Hinder/Baldy who are standing tall when the sales are counted.
Posted by: Guy | December 12, 2006 at 11:55 AM
JUST ANNOUNCED: Taylor Hicks is coming to the Tampa Theatre on Feb. 22.
That's the same night at Justin Timberlake at the St. Pete Times Forum.
Pick your poison, pop fans.
Posted by: Sean Daly | December 12, 2006 at 02:25 PM
So Sean, who are you going to go see?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Posted by: sparky | December 12, 2006 at 03:26 PM
Hmm, let's see: 20,000 hot moms and their barely legal hot daughters at Timberlake versus my mother and Aunt Shirley at the Hicks show?
No contest: I'll be bringing Sexyback (and about 40 extra pounds in "holiday" weight) to JT, baby. Wahoooo!
Posted by: Sean Daly | December 12, 2006 at 04:29 PM
Hey, if you're there to watch the audience go for Timberlake. I'd go see Taylor Hicks for some good music.
Posted by: Carol | December 12, 2006 at 08:47 PM
Well I am no Aunt Shirley and I am not anybody's mother but hopefully they will still let me in the Taylor Hicks concert :) I am ready for something new.
Posted by: Sandy | December 12, 2006 at 09:47 PM
Oh ye of little knowledge. You have no idea of what you speak. You obviously have not seen Taylor Hicks in person or on TV because you would be so jealous of all the young hot things that are after him. Justin may bring in the pimpley young girls but Taylor Hicks is a man who attracts WOMEN of all ages and sexual orintations. Seriously. I know lesbians that are hot for him. If you are looking to see hot babes, snif around Taylor.
Posted by: Nancy | December 13, 2006 at 03:14 AM
Sounds like you just may have to clone yourself for the evening, or go to the first half of the JT show, since most of the kiddies have to be in early. Taylor's crew could stay out until well past 10 on a school night.
Posted by: sparky | December 13, 2006 at 10:34 AM
Sean,
I do not know about Taylor Hick's album, but I do know that Chris Daughtry's CD is fantastic! I am a person who does not buy CDs (just download singles online). But I can't stop listening to Daughtry!!
Posted by: Laura | December 13, 2006 at 01:45 PM
I'm about to write up the Daughtry. Listen: The guy can flat-out sing. And great chunks of the album rock and rock hard (especially that cut with Slash). But for my tastes, Daughtry needs to calm his Nickelback fixation. He's talented enough to forge ahead and come up with a new sound.
Posted by: Sean Daly | December 13, 2006 at 01:52 PM
Did you say Daughtry = Nickleback? That's kind of curious because Mrs. Sparky likes the new Daughtry but when Nickleback comes on the Evil Mrs. Sparky comes out and she stars to curse at the box that beams out the tunes.
Posted by: sparky | December 13, 2006 at 03:27 PM
It's Nickelback, Sparky, not Nickleback. Perhaps the Evil Mrs. Sparky is a stickler for spelling.
Posted by: Chad Kroeger | December 13, 2006 at 03:53 PM
Nope, don't think it's because I cannot spell. I think she said something along the lines of, she hate's the lead singer's voice. And who is that again?
Posted by: sparky | December 14, 2006 at 11:20 AM
Mr. Daly, Your Grade C for Taylor Hicks' CD is obviously from a man's point of view. Let a woman respond. I play his CD over and over & wish to God I could see him sing it all in person, especially "Give Me Tonight." That man can sing and entertain. Did you not watch American Idol? He is HOt, his CD is HOT and he makes me HOT and I'm a 55 yr. old grandmother. Taylorize it, Mr. Daly.
Posted by: Linda O. | December 24, 2006 at 02:12 PM
I give him a D-...have you got Chris Daughty's CD? A+
Posted by: Chris D | February 15, 2007 at 02:39 PM