Clay Aiken - On My Way Here

Much has been said about this album even before it came out. Some reviewers have accused Clay of choosing songs with cliché lyrics, others have suggested the new release won’t appeal to a younger audience, and a number of web sites find it amusing to focus on the "battle" between him and Josh Groban as their albums released on the same day.

Well, they’re both young and male, but the likeness ends there.

Musically the album, entitled On My Way Here, lies very far away from Josh Groban in the pop landscape – there are the lush ballads but also tracks with soul flavour or country feel to them. As stated by Clay himself; there’s something for everyone. I suppose the classic ballad is the type of song he’s been frequently associated with and is in a way expected to sing, which can work to his disadvantage, so it’s a smart move to do something a little different this time.

"Everything I don’t need" immediately comes to mind in that regard. The groovy rhythm and soul-inspired vocals, which Clay delivers with unexpected confidence, makes it an instant favourite. "Sacrificial love" also stands out, although it may seem like the ‘predictable’ type of ballad earlier mentioned. The sound is simple and stripped of unnecessary effects and allows Clay’s voice to carry the song on its own. On "As long as we’re here" he touches upon yet another genre, the country pop style associated with people like LeeAnn Rimes. It should be said that it still sounds very much like a pop song, and so it won’t scare away listeners who dislike the country genre. I think it has a great hit potential - the chorus refuses to leave my head after one listening.

These songs, plus of course the self-penned "Lover all alone" and the originally Christian song "The real me" are to me 5 good reasons to buy the album. However, there are some of the rest of the songs that seem to be missing the x-factor. They are good songs, and like the rest of the album cleverly produced, but give a kind of indefinable, nondescript impression after the first listen. It may be they just need more time to grow on you.

Overall, the album presents some of the Clay Aiken we already know and includes a lot of surprises from a Clay Aiken we have yet to know – and it will be a lot of fun to get to know that person in the future.

Josh Groban - Awake Live

The Awake Live DVD displays a very energetic Josh Groban.


Having been to one of the shows of the Awake tour I thought I knew what to expect from the DVD/CD release, which was recorded in Salt Lake City - but it turned out to be anything but predictable.

In my opinion the visual presentation of the concert exceeds any of the previous live DVDs by Josh, or maybe that’s just what it seems like to my untrained eye because he seems to be at his peak in terms of live performance. The energy from him and his band seems to radiate from the screen, an effect that is added to by the crowd shots and the chaotic fan encounters as he makes his way though the audience in the middle of the concert.

As a long time fan it surprised me at first that the introduction to a lot of the songs, plus some banter and audience interaction, had been edited out, leaving as much as 5 or 6 songs in a row without any verbal interruption - which can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Of course it’s great to see that the music has first priority, but after a certain amount of songs I feel there is a need for a lengthy introduction or banter or something else to keep the viewer’s interest. But that criticism is more aimed at the editors of the final product rather than Josh himself, since I have no doubt the actual concert was filled with exactly those ingredients. On the other hand, the strict focus on the music might make the DVD more appealing to people who enjoyed Josh’s voice from the beginning, but don’t like or are put off by the fan aspect of it - the inside jokes, the gift-giving on stage, the screaming.

Well, the screaming the actually have to put up with, but it doesn’t come across as distracting or annoying, just an indicator of the energy level at the concert. An energy level which is through the roof throughout the entire 1hr45min show, including 3 encores.It is really a joy to watch Josh run around on stage and communicate that energy, especially compared to the first DVD based on his PBS special where his only movements were to sit down and get up again. Back then his voice was given the first priority, this time around the focus is on the music, the energy and the show as a whole, and it’s brilliantly done - and a lot more entertainging - but at the end it becomes obvious that while Josh is still full of energy, his voice is begging for a time-out, which in turn causes him to push and strain his voice more. It’s easier to miss when you’re at a concert in person because of the reverb, but it’s audible on the DVD. However, apart from that, Josh’s classical voice training shows in that it gives him the advantage of never missing a note or singing off key.

If you have seen Josh live in concert before, this DVD will be like an audiovisual scapbook of memories - If you haven’t, enjoy your first Josh Groban concert experience. It’s almost like the real thing.