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“American Idol” second season runner-up and target of much public mockery, the mildly goofy-looking Clay Aiken is back with more material — and thankfully more fodder for mockery. His latest album and fourth full-length release, On My Way Here, unfortunately doesn’t make it all the “way” to being particularly inspired.
The de facto “Idol” winner (come on, who knows whatever happened to baby Ruben?) gives fans a variety of sound, ranging from his typical power ballads to pop-rock that evokes fellow idol Kelly Clarkson’s energetic hits. These lively songs come the closest to resembling something new — well, new from Aiken at least. While his pop-rock tunes don’t have a terribly original feel, they’re embarrassingly catchy, so good luck resisting singing the chorus to “Ashes” before it’s through. Unfortunately, “Falling” is the only other catchy rock tune on the album.
In an odd reversal of expectations, Aiken does pop-rock better than the vocal-heavy romantic piano ballads he’s known for. Most are at least passable for restaurant and hotel muzak, but they are weighed down too much by several fatal, recurring flaws of On My Way Here.
Opening with the title song, the album is ridiculously optimistic and not nearly as deep or reflective as it sets out to be. Cliched and painfully simplistic, lyrics such as “In the end it all works out/ Faith has conquered fear/ On my way here” make it hard to take the rest of the album seriously. The recurring “It’ll be all right” message, likely the product of the writers’ Prozac more than anything, is as subtle as it is inspiring; that is, not at all. At times sounding like it belongs on one of those infomercial-exclusive Christian music compilations, the album’s corniest by far is “Grace of God,” with lyrical gems like “Faith holds the hope of the world,” that don’t really make any sense when you think about them.
Yet far worse than the unwarranted optimism you can tell even Clay isn’t really buying is the absurd overabundance of inane rhyming. Nearly every song is fraught with desperate pairings that would make even Dr. Seuss sick, such as “Struck by lightnin’/ It’s so frightenin’.” Disgusting.
The lyrics could be ignored if the melodies were consistently pleasant and sophisticated rather than brought down by inappropriate clapping, snapping, gospel backup vocals or a very out-of-place country feel. Aside from the few pop-rock songs, none of the power ballads are particularly memorable, as most are emotionally and melodically bland. Several showcase Aiken’s warm, full vocals, such as “The Real Me,” but fall victim to the album’s flaws, particularly the snaps. Whoever thought background snapping would actually enhance a song should be slapped. Hard.
The sole exception is “Lover All Alone,” the song with the most emotional depth, expressing the sorrow of a lonely, idealistic romantic with no one to share his love, which some fans have speculated might be a desperate cry from someone still in the closet. Yet it also shows his voice off the most with a beautiful range and a wisely minimalist use of piano, guitar and cello. Not quite an “All By Myself,” but a decent ballad of loneliness nevertheless.
Hardcore fans will adore On My Way Here regardless, but Clay’s usually powerful vocals and a smart use of strings are no match for its hokey lyrics or melodic pitfalls. He can sing, yes, but he hasn’t found his own sound yet.
While most are decent enough melodies, there are no instant classics here, or any classics at all, really. Clay Aiken can do as many cover songs as he’d like, and maybe he should actually stick to them, but it’s unlikely anyone will be covering his. This one’s on its way nowhere.
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Are you a Clay-mate? Want to hear some of Aiken’s new tracks yourself? Listen to Arts-on-Air, the collaborative music podcast from WSUM and The Badger Herald, at Wsum.net/bh, and hear what the panelists thought about On My Way Here as well as Nouns, the newest from indie-punk band No Age.
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2 1/2 stars out of 5
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What I think of your bias review in one wood BULLSHIT!!!
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…personal attacks… may be deleted.
Interesting since your podcast was full of personal attacks against Clay, which pretty much negates your entire “review”. Grow up.
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(you do realize the written review has nothing to do with the ranting podcost, yes?)
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Um…Garens, I think you’re way off base with this. I’m not a big Aiken fan, but I heard the CD on AOL at the urging of my little sis & I actually enjoyed almost all of it. There are more uptempo, catchy songs than you are admitting to.
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Have you listened to the songs on Top 40 radio lately? This album is a lyrical masterpiece compared to that drivel, but you just had to find some excuse to slam Clay. People, don’t listen to him! Listen to the album on AOL. http://music.aol.com/songs/newreleasesfull_cds
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Alex, your unhealthy negative obsession with this man (and his sexuality) makes your ‘review’ more than a little creepy. Fortunately for ‘Aiken’, people can make up their own minds about what they want to hear. And fortunately for you, therapists still study Freud.
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I’m a 50-year-old, self-proclaimed Claymate and I demand that this reviewer GROW UP!
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Ouch! Well, at least you bothered to listen.
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I’m a Clay fan and I love “Lover All Alone.” As soon as I heard it I thought he was gently telling the Claymates that “the picture he (and they) tried so hard to find” was a comment on his sexuality. He has said since that people have “figured it out.” That’s OK….he has to be who he is…we can’t expect anything different. Go Clay!
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You self proclaimed Claymates are the ones that need to realize that not everyone appreciates the schlock that is Caly Aiken. I’ve listened to this album and I honestly couldn’t make it thru one of the songs completely without wanting to puke my guts up. I also can’t stand what’s on top 40 but I don’t think there is much substance to what Clay is singing about either. I personally think the reviewer was much too generous in giving it 2 1/2 star. I would give it a half a star at most.
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To Anon 8:40am: If you don’t like this kind of music in the first place, then why bother listening? Go find yourself some alt-rockers or whatever, and leave Clay alone.
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To Anon at 12:08, I enjoy all kinds of music thank you very much including easy listening. I was not basing my opinion on only appreciating alt rock which I do only sparingly here and there.
I don’t care for his album for many of the same reasons that the reviewer didn’t and I don’t appreciate you Claymates attacking everyone who has a dissenting opinion than yours. Clay is not the be all and end all that you all make him out to be. He is just another celebrity.
I’ll take Josh Groban and/or Michael Buble any day over Aiken. Don’t get me wrong I think he’s talented but not moreso than Groban or Buble or many others for that matter.
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I liked this review— if nothing else, you’re a great writer—
I was never particularly fond of Clay, and I think you’re probably band-on with the trite lyrics thing.
Of course, if you want to hear great music, check out my stuff (shameless plug, sorry!)
Last.fm/music/Jason+Silver
Totally free too.
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This reminds me a lot of the whole “Google-News” fiasco after the Celine Dion review…you guys sure like to crawl out of the woodwork!
And here’s the breakdown kids: Clay a talented vocalist? Yes. Clay a talented performer? Possibly. Clay a talented writer or selector of material? Certainly not.
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“mildly goofy looking Clay Aiken, hmmmm, and exactly what beauty contests have you won???
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First of all, no true “fans” would even hint about Clay’s sexuality, so get over it. Every singer out there has their own fan base and people who love their music. Clay is no exception. Obviously, Clay didn’t do this CD for Springsteen fans or Marron 5 fans. He did the cd for HIS fans and for himself. So just stop with the trying to get the fans worked up over your so-called review of his cd. Clay’s cd will once again prove to be a hit! Whether you like it or not.
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It’s interesting that this reviewer failed to mention the only song he found praiseworthy, “Lover All Alone”, was written by CLAY AIKEN, while being certain to propagate that tiresome fallacy about his sexuality. Clay’s fans know the truth already after heaing him state it for years, until he tired of bozos such as you refusing to listen.
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Are you kidding me! Clay has more tallent in his little finger than most of the singers on the radio today. His new CD is no exception! I can’t beleive you’re so jealous of this amazing man. Sounds like you need to grow up! Hickory Claymate, Vickie
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Are you a student? This should be posted as ‘in your opinion’ not as a review. who died and made you a reviewer?
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Aiken’s music is eclectic. The same way he does his concerts. Maybe he tried to get out as much a showcase in this project and still keep it coherent as he needed to. This business is fickle and he was probably working his opportunity.
Yes, his fans will buy it. Somehow I sense that even if he made the greatest album ever made, you, nor any of the detractors here would not be downloading it any time soon.
He made a cd for himself and his fans…people who LOVE what he does. His music speaks to me. It permeates my soul. I don’t know what moves other people and I don’t care. Why don’t you people go follow the yellow brick road or something instead of following Clay.
And why can’t critics just critique the task at hand and leave out the inuendo and invasion into someone’s private life. Clay Aiken does not owe us anything more than good music. I LOVE THIS CD. It is 1000 times better than those tired schlocky playlists played ad nauseum on the radio.
And FWIW…personally, I don’t think Clay needs to “find a sound” Because, he can do it all. MORE power to him.
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If, according to the writer of this review, the lyrics are cliche and simplistic, then what do you make of such lyrics as these:
I�m bringing sexy back, Them other boys don�t know how to act. I think you’re special, what’s behind your back? So turn around and I’ll pick up the slack. (Justin T)
And some of the lyrics from this song I wouldn’t even dare to repeat!
Mr. Aiken’s lyrics are beautiful and moving, especially compared to much of the trash out there today. If you don’t like his style, fine. But to say this about him,”�American Idol� second season runner-up and target of much public mockery, the mildly goofy-looking Clay Aiken is back with more material � and thankfully more fodder for mockery” is totally uncalled for and rude.
I give the album 4 out of 5 stars. I love several of the songs, especially “Something About Us”, “Lover all Alone,” and “The Real Me”. Beautiful songs with lovely and inspiring messages.
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I heard Clay Aiken is gay.
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You have to give Aiken credit - it must be really hard to come up with a CD this corny and boring. Oh - and by the way, he wrote a little bit of “Lover All Alone,” not the whole song.