First of all, which is/are the future classics on this album? Classics are not necessarily brilliant, fantastic, well-written songs as you are leading us to believe; otherwise ‘Rock Around The Clock, Hound Dog, Let’s Do The Twist’ would never have met your specifications…not to mention ‘Passion’ by Rod Stewart or ‘Do You Think I’m Sexy?’ (which also went against the grain when it first appeared…and, of course, Rod spent many years singing in drag which kinda takes away from the word ‘class act’). Classics are songs that appealed to a few people, at first, and then, blossomed out to appeal to multitudes who could also identify with them. Many of Clay’s new songs will most certainly meet that criteria.

Clay’s first attempt at writing, ‘Lover All Alone’…which he wrote completely by himself..David Foster wrote the music and a third fellow produced the finished compilation….is a classic waiting to happen…and it will. Every single person can identify with this song…at one point in their life. It is haunting….and heartfelt…and absolutely raw. You can feel it bleeding all over the disc.

A second potential classic is ‘The Real Me’…which is beautiful and sung with angst and with which almost every celebrity can identify. I can visualize this song being included in a major romantic film some day soon.

Now, on to the ‘first runners up ‘ to the classics: If Carrie Underwood hadn’t been a country girl at heart, I’m sure Clay’s ‘Where I Draw The Line’ would have also appealed to her…as she’s a female, big-voice , hard driving singer who adds lots of hooks to her songs…hmmmm like wearing a nurse’s uniform , then a mechanic’s outfit…and a firefighter’s garb…etc. etc. etc. Unfortunately, the powers-that-be have not been fair to Clay……have not had the creativity to design a video for him that is both fantastic and true to his talent and wit. ‘Where I Draw the Line’ is well writtten, well-performed and much more unique than all that obscene rap that passes for music.

‘Everything I Don’t Need’ is ‘right-on’ as it can easily refer to every journalist and music critic out there…including the above….it could easily become the anthem to every female out there who has a a hubby or boyfriend who has cheated on her…. hmmmm maybe a follow up to Helen Reddy’s ‘I am Woman…hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore. Kinda reminds you of the Claymates, eh…?

I`ve heard On My Way Here described as an ear worm..and it`s a good term as this song sticks in your head and won`t let go. As a young mother, I raised my first two babies in a kitchen with the same black and white floor…so I know what Clay is talking about here. Men wouldn`t ..after all, how many men actually do anything in a kitchen? The song is relevant, has a catchy beat and stays with you.

Ashes , Sacrificial Love, As Long As We’re Here, Grace of God and Falling are all original songs that are refreshing after the handfall of various tunes that have been fed to us via the air waves for the past years. They talk about something more intelligent than ‘My Umbrella’ courtesy of Rihanna….Weight of the World deals with the fears of people who suffer depression and empathizes with them , letting them know that they are not the only ones having a hard time facing the crises in the world. The words of all these songs speak to real people with real issues/feelings and don’t just mouth platitudes that are hidden with overpowering noise.

Lastly, Something About Us is a beautiful, peaceful, romantic song that’s easy listening mood music, a la Michael Buble. It’s the type of song that’s been a classic on the Las Vegas strip for decades and never seems to go out of style or popularity. Simply because Clay is singing it does not mean that it’s old hat or easily forgettable. Of course, most men aren’t romantic to start with; but this song has lots of feminine appeal that Clay’s fans will love and appreciate.

Lastly, Kipper has put together a fantastic musical masterpiece in which the music segues from one creation to another…. equally beautiful, interesting and intriguing. The arrangements are a true compliment to Clay’s amazing vocals. This disc is mature, unique and ecclectic, as Clay has mentioned. As I have said before, songs start out appealing to a few people, gain momentum and then, develop a life of their own. No one can guarantee which song will be an assured hit, no matter who is singing it…and, saying a disc will NOT be a hit, doesn’t guarantee it won’t be, either. My money’s on Clay! Kudos to Clay for standing behind the concept of this album.

Review by:
Karen Cheyne
Campbell River, BC, Canada

Corporate line:
Since shooting to stardom on the second season of American Idol, Clay Aiken, the Raleigh, NC, native with the powerhouse voice has become a international pop phenomenon who has sold six million albums. In addition, Aiken has launched eight live tours, made the New York Times best-seller list, and won several American Music and Billboard Music Awards. In January 2008, Aiken made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python’s Spamalot.

When Clay began the search for songs to record for Aiken’s first album of original material since his 2003 chart-topping debut Measure of A Man, he fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic front man Ryan “Alias” Tedder called “On My Way Here.” The message of the lyrics — how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as adults — struck such a deep chord with Aiken that it wound up inspiring the theme (and title) of his new collection.

To musically represent the album’s lyrical theme, Aiken and Foster enlisted Grammy-Award winning British songwriter and producer Kipper, who has worked with Sting, Chris Botti, and Julia Fordham.

The hits:
Absolutely nothing.

The rest:
“On My Way Here” – This sounds all too typical. It’s as if he were back on American Idol and given some sappy song in hopes of making it to the next week.
“Everything I Don’t Need” – This is a total mess. I have no idea what they were thinking.
“Where I Draw The Line” – A yawn.
“Lover All Alone” – It might make people go “awwww” but that’s about it. This is terrible.

Finally:
Admittedly, I didn’t want to review this and maybe that skews my review–but this is totally unremarkable. Clay Aiken sounds like a guy who was handed a batch of song and was told to sing them. None of the songs have soul or a hook that instantly grabs you. “On My Way Here” is nothing more than Clay Aiken going through the motions.

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