Clay Aiken
“On My Way Here”
No matter how many times I pressed the mush of Aiken’s album into the CD slot on the stereo it never solidified into a record that was worth the time or listening effort. Aiken doesn’t stupefy you with vocal virtuosity and the songs never rise above mediocre mid-tempo pop. It’s a losing combination cobbled together just in time for soft-sell Mother’s Day marketing. Even when Aiken attempts to rock out – as he feebly does on the songs “Falling” and “Weight of the World” – he never generates any excitement. The most perplexing song of the album is “The Real Me” where Clay sings a song written by someone else.
Verdict: Leave it.
David Jacobs-Strain
“Liar’s Day”
As a journeyman guitarist, DJ-S has been developing his finger-picking slide over the course of five country blues records. On “Liar’s Day” he still sounds like he’s playing two guitars at once, but he’s finally stretched himself stylistically. If the song required a 12-bar blues line, it got it – and he rocked where he had to. There’s nothing forced here and his singing has the right grit for both styles. The arrangements are backwoods stark and dark, a streamlined sound that mostly works because it keeps his voice and clean guitar work in front of the songs. It’s a roots vibe that’s best heard on “Sawgrass Revival,” and “Say it to my Face.”
Verdict: Like it.
Charlotte Sometimes
“Waves and the Both of Us”
The attraction of a twisted chick working out her personal dramas in songs is as strong on Charlotte Sometimes’ debut as it is on the best of Tori Amos or Fiona Apple. Miss Sometimes understands that pop music has to be accessible, but also needs depth to be meaningful and avoid vapidity. This smart, doe-eyed 20-year-old from the Jersey-side totally succeeds on “Waves.” And she didn’t allow herself to get caught in one style: There’s ’60s girl pop, dance and folk. The key tracks are “How I Could Just Kill a Man” with its dark lyrics and bright melody and the lusty title song “The Waves and the Both of Us.”
Verdict: Love it.