Season 7: A Bunch of Ringers!
The recording industry is, apparently, nothing new to a few of our Season 7 Idol finalists. Making an album? YAWN. That's ancient history.
Aside from Carly Hennessy-Smithson (we've all heard about the legendary bellyflop that was her attempt at Pop stardom), four other contestants have albums listed on Amazon.com. And, luckily, the majority of them allow you to listen to clips of the tracks!
The only one that doesn't have preview audio? Read on, and know that it'll cost you $75 if you want to own it and check it out for yourself.
Cook's album sounds like the kind of drek you might expect from him. Shocker, huh? And that dopey "Give Back Hand" thing he did last week? Even THAT wasn't original - look at his bloody album cover!
Guy really seems to be in love with his own hand. All I'm saying.
Listen to the tracks, then realize why he should NOT win American Idol. He can't be a rocker. He tries too hard to be a rocker.
Maybe he could be the next Meatloaf? David Cook might work as a Rock Opera-er.
Otherwise, pyeeeeew. I do not like him, and I would not purchase his music. His album does little to change my mind.
Clyde's Review: 1.5 out of 5
KLC has a sweet, unassuming Country girl sound. She could've EASILY become a star already, had any of these songs was picked up by Country radio...isn't that terrifying?
It's actually not terrible. It's not great or earth-shattering...but, she's playing to her audience and sings the right song style. That's proven to be a good thing for Ms. Lee Cook, and the low expectations everyone has for her performances make it easy for her to look like she's improving by leaps and bounds with each passing week!
So, in conclusion, album not bad. They could re-release this with the Idol single if she wins, and no one would know the difference. Sounds as new and fresh as today's Country artists ever sound...which is always about 15 years old.
Clyde's Review: 3 out of 5
Carly (Hennessy) Smithson's "Ultimate High"
Ah, Carly Hennessy. Your album reeks of "released in 2001 to make a bid at joining the Britney/Christina Pop Princess ranks." The songs are over-produced schlock, and her voice is so computerized, it's hard to tell it's even Carly singing after having heard her on Idol.
I have to say...I do prefer the Pop side of her to the Celine side of her. This stuff just feels so outdated and gooey by modern standards.
I'm sure she'd much rather be remembered for some power ballad-type thing than "Get You Off."
Sorry, Carly. Maybe in a parallel universe 2001...
Clyde's Review: 2.5 out of 5
Michael Johns' "Rolling", as part of the band Film
Clyde's Review: 3 out of 5
Michael Johns' album is like that one CD you don't remember buying back in high school because one of your friends was kind of into it for a little while. It's been living in a shoebox for 10 years, and when you blow the dust off the box and take the disc out today for a trip down memory lane...
...man, you feel old. And you wonder why you spent $13 on this, instead of putting to toward a better CD or a MAD magazine.
It's semi Rock-y, Adult Contemporary stuff that would appeal to his fanbase, and I don't think it's entirely horrible. Just not my thing.
Unlike Cook's, which was, indeed, horrible regardless of what styles of music you enjoy.
This thing does sound aged, though. And it's not THAT old. Appropriate, considering the singer!
Clyde's Review: 3.5 out of 5
Brooke White's "Songs from the Attic"
There are no song clips to listen to for Brooke's album. Unless you're smarter about computers than I am and can find her stuff elsewhere by yourself...you'll be paying a whopping $75 to get your hands on this little disc! Wow.
To hear her cover of Aerosmith's "Dream On," the song that KILLED Michael Johns, click on this underlined phrase.
Fake piano, yes. But I like her cover, anyway!
Clyde's Review: I didn't get to listen to her album, but her voice still shines on "Dream On." America, keep her around and give her the chance she deserves as the only truly unique voice on the show! I'll give it a 5 out of 5, just be true to character.
(C'mon, you know it's awesome. Get this girl outta' the attic!)
