Musings
Thoughts on the USA Today Blog and oh-fficial press release.
I'm feeling a thousand (or more) different ways about today's press release.
Part of me is disappointed in the track listing. I REALLY don't like Celine Dion's Because You Loved Me, and I'm doubtful about the Dolly Parton song (though I admit, I just don't like country music). Even though I like or am indifferent to most of the other covers listed, they all seem to be ballads, I wanted Clay to rock out. And I truly wanted BFM and Tears to be there... especially Tears. I love it because he sang it for us Claynadians first.
I know that Clay shouldn't care what I want. But the thing is... I thought he wanted it too. It's possible that he still does, but that he's not getting free rein on this album. Right now it looks like Clive is throwing his weight around, so I'll have to revel in the pure VOX for now, and hope for something really different in the future. I think it would have been possible to do an album of radio-friendly pop songs with inflections or 'touches' of other genres Clay is capable of doing - rock, green-eyed soul, jazz. That would have really excited me.
On the other hand...
Why couldn't the new arrangements of the covers do just that? I've heard a classic sappy old Indian song remixed into Truth Hurts' 'Addictive', and somehow it worked. I've heard When Doves Cry go from Prince's clubby dance song to a choral piece, and it was gorgeous. Clay himself even transformed 'I Survived You' from passive pop (JMO) to angry, attitude-dripping rock. There's a world of difference between Clay Aiken the song stylist and a karaoke singer with decent pipes.
Maybe I should hold back my tears until after I actually hear the whole album.
Also, I'm still hopeful that the original tracks will be mid-upper tempo and still mesh with the rest. Call me crazy, but I don't think that Bon Jovi would write anything snoozy. There is such a thing as a rocking love song. Lonely No More could be uptempo pop rock for all I know. I doubt they'd do the same concept as Rob Thomas' LNM (ie. not wanting to be lonely), so I'm guessing this is a Perfect Day type song about the joy of love triumphant.
Many people have said that Clay is a musical diamond with countless facets. I know that we will see him shine on this album... and I'm still trying to stay hopeful that we'll see more than one facet.
Now onto the fun stuff - my speculations:
Everything I Have will be open to interpretation - and Clay's wish to help children whose lives are torn apart by war, disaster, or poverty will be one of the ways to understand it.
Lonely No More will be the first single.
Without You will win Clay a Grammy.
Everything I Do will be the wedding song of choice by this time next year.
Even though I'm complaining now, I'll fall desperately in love with this CD when I hear it and will go for ever being disappointed.
Clay will make People's next Sexiest Men issue, and NOT as just an honourable mention.
The album cover alone will trigger a million sales.
~*~
If you made it this far, you get the prize! Here comes what you're all REALLY here for... :P
Today's Treasure #14
Okay, so we STILL haven't heard him talk with the hair. *g* But that's okay! When the seeing's this GOOD, I don't mind if Clay is seen and not heard. As long as he's singing.
And as long as he's blowing up his bangs. *dies*
Thanks to clayisouridol for uploading this.
Oh, and a bonus that I made today:
Technorati tags: clay aiken, a thousand different ways
I'm feeling a thousand (or more) different ways about today's press release.
Part of me is disappointed in the track listing. I REALLY don't like Celine Dion's Because You Loved Me, and I'm doubtful about the Dolly Parton song (though I admit, I just don't like country music). Even though I like or am indifferent to most of the other covers listed, they all seem to be ballads, I wanted Clay to rock out. And I truly wanted BFM and Tears to be there... especially Tears. I love it because he sang it for us Claynadians first.
I know that Clay shouldn't care what I want. But the thing is... I thought he wanted it too. It's possible that he still does, but that he's not getting free rein on this album. Right now it looks like Clive is throwing his weight around, so I'll have to revel in the pure VOX for now, and hope for something really different in the future. I think it would have been possible to do an album of radio-friendly pop songs with inflections or 'touches' of other genres Clay is capable of doing - rock, green-eyed soul, jazz. That would have really excited me.
On the other hand...
Why couldn't the new arrangements of the covers do just that? I've heard a classic sappy old Indian song remixed into Truth Hurts' 'Addictive', and somehow it worked. I've heard When Doves Cry go from Prince's clubby dance song to a choral piece, and it was gorgeous. Clay himself even transformed 'I Survived You' from passive pop (JMO) to angry, attitude-dripping rock. There's a world of difference between Clay Aiken the song stylist and a karaoke singer with decent pipes.
Maybe I should hold back my tears until after I actually hear the whole album.
Also, I'm still hopeful that the original tracks will be mid-upper tempo and still mesh with the rest. Call me crazy, but I don't think that Bon Jovi would write anything snoozy. There is such a thing as a rocking love song. Lonely No More could be uptempo pop rock for all I know. I doubt they'd do the same concept as Rob Thomas' LNM (ie. not wanting to be lonely), so I'm guessing this is a Perfect Day type song about the joy of love triumphant.
Many people have said that Clay is a musical diamond with countless facets. I know that we will see him shine on this album... and I'm still trying to stay hopeful that we'll see more than one facet.
Now onto the fun stuff - my speculations:
Everything I Have will be open to interpretation - and Clay's wish to help children whose lives are torn apart by war, disaster, or poverty will be one of the ways to understand it.
Lonely No More will be the first single.
Without You will win Clay a Grammy.
Everything I Do will be the wedding song of choice by this time next year.
Even though I'm complaining now, I'll fall desperately in love with this CD when I hear it and will go for ever being disappointed.
Clay will make People's next Sexiest Men issue, and NOT as just an honourable mention.
The album cover alone will trigger a million sales.
~*~
If you made it this far, you get the prize! Here comes what you're all REALLY here for... :P
Today's Treasure #14
Okay, so we STILL haven't heard him talk with the hair. *g* But that's okay! When the seeing's this GOOD, I don't mind if Clay is seen and not heard. As long as he's singing.
And as long as he's blowing up his bangs. *dies*
Thanks to clayisouridol for uploading this.
Oh, and a bonus that I made today:
Technorati tags: clay aiken, a thousand different ways
I think initial disappointment can turn into joy. Even though most of these songs seem like ballads, I think several of them will have a harder edge. I do see Clive's hand here. Hopefully, someday Clay will be free from the ties that bind.
{{{}}}
VV/EE
Posted by
Allegra |
8/03/2006 5:00 p.m.