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New from "AI" finalist Elliott Yamin |
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Written by Howard Cohen, MCT
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Tuesday, 20 March 2007 |
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 ELLIOTT YAMIN "Elliott Yamin" (Hickory) 3 stars
Elliott Yamin's debut album proves one thing: The Soul Patrol's allegiance to "American Idol'' Season Five winner Taylor Hicks was misplaced last year. Yamin, who finished third, has a self-titled debut that may not quite belong on a shelf with your parents' old Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye LPs, but it's a much closer fit than Hicks' faux soul dud released in December that has already checked out of the Top 100.
Yamin's whiskey tenor is a sturdy, natural and resonant instrument reminiscent of the vintage soul era. His songs are unfailingly positive.
But "Elliott Yamin,'' featuring the work of producers Tony Reyes, Stargate and Mike Mangini, takes a few songs to find its groove. The opening cuts, including the single "Movin' On,'' rely on generic sounding drum machines, feel a bit artificial, rushed, and leave little impression beyond Yamin's voice.
But the CD's latter half, starting with the vintage drumming and chorus hook of "I'm the Man'' and the percolating percussion rumbling under the dance-worthy "Alright'' signal the arrival of a multigenerational talent.
Yamin may also have one of the better deals to come out of "Idol.'' His label is an imprint devoted solely to his music, has the backing of major label Sony for marketing, and the singer-songwriter gets publishing royalties and reportedly is a 50-50 partner in the project. If it sells well Yamin could come out better financially than some other higher profile "Idol'' contestants who have major label deals.
"Elliott Yamin'' is in stores this week. Season Five, "Idol's" most crop-worthy bunch yet, isn't done. Yamin's fellow Idolmates Bucky Covington (a self-titled country CD due April 17) and Paris Bennett ("Princess P,'' May 7) are next up.
Pod Picks: "Alright,'' "I'm the Man.'' | Only registered users can write comments.
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