Description:
Fans of the hit TV talent show American Idol have no doubt been eagerly awaiting this debut album from Idol's 2006 runner-up Katharine McPhee. They won't be disappointed. We all know the girl can sing. But with the help of a slew of veteran songwriters and producers she's come up with a product that's polished, entertaining and exultant. Here is a new artist in celebration mode: celebrating her new found success and the joy of singing itself. And that's what comes through most on this 12-track disc.
There's an excellent mix of dance cuts and ballads, pop and urban that keeps things interesting throughout. And McPhee has the a
Fans of the hit TV talent show American Idol have no doubt been eagerly awaiting this debut album from Idol's 2006 runner-up Katharine McPhee. They won't be disappointed. We all know the girl can sing. But with the help of a slew of veteran songwriters and producers she's come up with a product that's polished, entertaining and exultant. Here is a new artist in celebration mode: celebrating her new found success and the joy of singing itself. And that's what comes through most on this 12-track disc.
There's an excellent mix of dance cuts and ballads, pop and urban that keeps things interesting throughout. And McPhee has the ability to take you out to the party or deep into yourself with that stellar voice she possesses.
The front end of the disc establishes these things quickly. The opener, "Love Story," is a funky-pop dance number with plenty of hooks. It's arguably the catchiest song here and the little touches -- like the soul-brass sound back dropping the chorus -- work wonders. Then McPhee hops quickly into a quintessential pop ballad called "Over It" that boasts a passionate, sweeping chorus. The third part of the opening phase is "Open Toes" -- a fun song about shoes with electro-dance lashings.
But it's all good. The dance cut "Dangerous" sounds like Hall & Oates' "Maneater" revamped for the 2000s, with a chorus that will snag you and not let you go. Keeping the fun quotient up is the playful "Do What You Do." A natural club joint it finds Katharine showing a bit of sass: "'Cause all the boys in the club wantin' me/ And all the girls in there tryin' to be like me." It's also one of several tracks where you can hear her really explore her impressive vocal range.
Arguably her best singing comes on the ballad "Ordinary World." It starts delicately with just voice and piano before welling up in the style of Elton John's "Burn Down The Mission." And her vocals stay with that progression the whole way, showcasing the emotional depth of her singing.
Also notable are the blues-soul tinged torch song "Better Off Alone," which brings to mind "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman," and the dream-weaving ballad "Neglected." On the latter track you can hear a yearning in McPhee's voice that belies her relative youth.
Katharine McPhee continues the tradition of fine albums released by American Idol contestants. Simultaneously appealing to a younger pop audience and a more mature listening public that appreciates vocal styling and nuance, it is a debut release that will please many.
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Manufacturer: JIVE
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