Blogcritics Comments on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Comment by Karrie on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 1 Mar 2007 23:09:57 EST

So, "Kat"... if you can't explain why you don't like her, why are you posting? So you have different musical tastes than what her music has to offer. That's fine. But so what? While I do find your post peculiar, it does kind of highlight the stupidity of all this. While Jeff gave a legitimate review, most everyone else has given ramblings and opinions. Taste in music is like taste in everything else... we all will have varying tastes. We all will be different. That's what makes music and art great, and that's what allows for diversity. We should be celebrating that, not reducing ourselves to juvenile slander over it. No one is right, and no one is wrong. That is the nature of having tastes in music and the arts. Now, as much as I hate to even touch back to the whole ridiculousness that swarmed onto this board because Taylor Hicks was mentioned, I must correct one of the posts above. Jeannie states that Taylor's album has gone Platinum. It in fact is only Gold at this point. It may yet make it to Platinum, only time will tell. For those interested, the latest article about it can be found on CNN: 'Idol' winner Hicks says fans will rally behind slow-selling album

Comment by Kat on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:31:58 EST

How sad it is usually the women who bash her --------------- And how sad that it's usually grown men (or starstruck, confused teenage girls) who are willing to overlook her shortcomings, both vocally and personally, because she's hot. The knife cuts both ways. But no matter how many reasons I can raise, at the end of the day I can't justify why I dislike Katharine to one of her fans any more than I could justify why I like the color purple better than the color orange, or why I don't think lima beans taste good. I just don't like the gal's music or her personality.

Comment by zingzing on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 14:14:41 EST

where do people get the "zang?" anyway, i was just trying to piss off taylor hicks fans. and mcphee fans. they all seem so fragile.

Comment by darwin on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 14:07:34 EST

Hopefully you are more intelligent than you come across, zingzang.

Comment by zingzing on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 13:49:27 EST

i fucked taylor hicks last night in the parking lot of a denny's. right next to the garbage dumpster. he stank worse than the bums' vomit and rotting food. just saying. mcphee is sexy. but she still sucks.

Comment by Gina Raymond on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 13:26:04 EST

If Taylor truly is so great, why are his fans here seeming so threatened by Katharine? Taking pot-shots that she got there because she's sexy... trying to reduce her to just her good looks. It's all so juvenile and predictable, not to mention archaic. And ultimately, it undermines their very arguments because it just comes across so desperate. At the end of the day, Katharine can sing. I remember watching the very first show when they all first performed live. I hadn't noticed Katharine before that point. I'd already taken to some others actually. But then I heard her sing, and I was impressed. I started paying attention to her at that point and within pretty short time she easily became my favorite. For me, her performance of "Over the Rainbow" was in a league well above anything else I've ever seen on Idol. So to the point of this whole thing, I agree with your review, Jeff. I myself enjoy my pop music right alongside my more "real"/serious music. Pop music can be a welcome break from my all too "real"/serious life. And in that vein, I honestly enjoyed Katharine's CD and look forward to what's next for her. In closing I have one CD recommendation for anyone who likes fun, addicting music: "Alright, Still" by Lily Allen. Look her up at lilyallenmusic.com. Her CD is completely amazing. Do yourself the favor of checking it out.

Comment by claena on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 10:33:40 EST

I adore David Mead. I found him on myspace of all places. The early TH stuff can be found: It actually is worth listening too. I agree it's better than this first CD. But the first CD of every Idol winner has been "eh". So I didn't have high expectations. There are a couple of winners on the album, though, and it's worth a listen. My newest finds are James Morrison, Jason Mraz, and Jamie Cullum... Josh Ritter's pretty amazing live, but his CD didn't thrill me. Oh... I suppose I should throw in an obligatory Kat reference just to stay on topic. Blah. ahhaahha

Comment by Jeannie on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:06:19 EST

Kat's voice is one at this stage in her career that if I heard her CD playing in Borders, I would not know who is singing. Now Taylor Hicks, the American Idol from Season 5 I would recognize his voice anywhere. I love his music, which is a gendre I never cared for until I heard Taylor. Kat is a very beautiful girl and I would love to see her in broadway musicals or movies. I wish her luck even though I heard her album is not selling. Keep at it Kat....some singers take longer than others to get to the very top which I don't even know if that is what she wants. Taylor's album went Plantinum and he is now on his tour. First stop was Jacksonville, second will be Tampa. I like Taylor Hicks...I love to watch him perform..he has charisma, engergy and just sets your toes to tapping...plus he has a wonderful whiskey tenor voice. He is a joy to watch. I love his album.

Comment by stevie ray on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 23:46:52 EST

an article about Kat, but Taylor fans dominate the subject. Most are jealous that she does have a voice, a bod, a personaliy.....she has it all!! How sad it is usually the women who bash her

Comment by mary on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:39:31 EST

Re: "I try to look for the best in any music, and since this is a review of Kat's CD, I'll ask everyone to stop focusing on the throwaway Taylor Hicks comment that I made." Sorry, but we google Taylor. So if you don't want Tay's fans all over you, Never use his name in someone else's Review. You asked for it and you got it. By the way I did like Kat's cd. But I loved Taylor's.

Comment by Jeff Martin on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:34:47 EST

Michelle, you like strumming guitar male singer-songwriters? Try David Mead. I'll pimp for the guy until the day I die. I especially recommend his most recent album, "Tangerine."

Comment by Michelle on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:25:24 EST

There's a site called graycharles.com.. or greycharles.com.. anyway, it's a good site. No fangirlies there.. okay there are a few.. but not as bad as most other sites as this one is run by a guy who's really all about music.. My tastes pretty much vary.. The Beatles are my favorite band ever.. even if I was born about a couple of years after they broke up.. I'll tell you right now I have a weakness for guitar strumming singer/songwriters and if they play a harmonica.. even better.. So I tend like Springsteen and Petty.. I LOVE Elliot Morris and Ray LaMontagne.. that's just a micro-look at what I listen to. I have a CD Collection that boasts 1000 or more cds.. and yeah I have the new Taylor Hicks CD and I wasn't too thrilled with it because it's waaaayy over produced. Too clean. Too perfect.. Not enough grit in his voice and certainly not enough of his own take on the songs no matter how much he claims there is. But, the songs are all very catchy.. very.. catchy.. The best ones honestly, are the three he wrote pre-idol The Deal, Soul Thing, and Hell of a Day (I got the Wal-Mart bonus copy.. has one extra song on it). Of the non self-penned, I'd say "Just to Feel That Way" (which will be the single, let me know if you hear it on the radio though.. I havn't yet and probably won't), "the Right Place" (originally written for Ray Charles), "Give Me tonight" (fun to dance to) and "Gonna Move," written by Paul Pena, (although I enjoy the live version much more) are the better songs on the CD. The other songs I skip through.. but hey 8 out of 13 ain't bad.. right?? Seriously, if you get on the greycharles site, when you get a chance, listen to the original version of "the Deal" off of Under the Radar and "Somehow" and "The Fall" off of "In Your Time"..

Comment by JustLookin on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:15:52 EST

I'm surprised you didn't at least mention the Babyface track "Everywhere I Go". IMHO it's the hidden gem of this album and should be a big hit if they release it at the right time (after Open Toes perhaps). Good luck with the SP crazies.

Comment by MM1 on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:08:24 EST

Katharine McPhee has looks and a good voice. However she doesn't know who she is yet. Could not take critism and after 4-5 mos on AI is this CD all she could come up with? Listened to it, most songs you don't even know who is singing. It's a real misery of a CD. But this crap is what sells and it does sell her SHORT. Don't know how she came in as Idol runnerup, the other females war far superior to her. Guess the "sex look" route is the best she could come up with. What a waste of a good voice!

Comment by Jeff Martin on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:57:13 EST

"Remember when Music was good??" No, what was that like? "I'll admit Kat's cd has some Catchy stuff on it.. but so do the handlebars on the train I take to work every day" That's pure gold. Well done. There's still some good music out there, but not knowing your taste, I won't recommend anything directly to you. Point me in the direction of TH's pre-Idol stuff (if it's out there) and I'll give it a listen; it sounds interesting. I haven't given his album a listen; maybe I'll find it for free and review it here for all my new Soul Patrol friends.

Comment by Michelle on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:49:41 EST

I miss Mr. Yamin something awful.. and before I'm given the title of Yaminite.. or Yaminion or whatever that group is.. I'm not.. I'm just being as objective as possible.. so while, yes, I do like Taylor very much (will never use the word "love" I don't know the guy), I concede that Elliot had a better voice than he or any other contestant on the show last season could ever hope to have. Okay, so you've written about bands that no one's heard of.. out of curiosity (because this is in fact what made me a fan of Taylor's, not his AI goofiness, etc..), have you heard any of Taylor's original stuff? (and I'm not talking the over produced versions either--I'm talking the raw-Pre-Idol stuff).. I don't know if it's your style.. Most of it is James Taylor meets the Eagles and I really like it.. More my speed.. I'll admit Kat's cd has some Catchy stuff on it.. but so do the handlebars on the train I take to work every day.. Only the things you catch on the handlebars are curable.. I fear there's no way to cure the music industry of it's shallow-based marketing/mass producing disease.. Remember when Music was good?? I kind of learned, through many a history book and through my parents album collections, that once upon a time.. It ACTUALLY was worth it to buy a whole album...

Comment by Jeff Martin on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:24:09 EST

Thanks, one and all, for the comments. Some quick responses: Rotate, thanks for the encouragement, but people swarming after me on the Internet is precisely why I write on the Internet. Who doesn't love a good flame war? Also, I am lusting after McPhee - the classy one, not the glammed-up girl on the cover - but it has nothing to do with my opinion of her music. Claena, you're right: "Open Toes" is an abomination, but you absolutely know you won't be able to go into a bar at the beach this summer without hearing it. Michelle, go through my publishing history here. I have largely written about bands nobody's ever heard of, and prefer my music that way. In a very real way, you're right: KM's music is mass-produced, ordinary stuff. Bravo to you for saying it so succinctly. But I can tell you'll agree with me that it's catchy. Soulmates, McPheeverites alike: let's all be friends and remember with longing when Elliot, Kat, and Taylor were tearing up the stage. Who else misses Mr. Yamin?

Comment by JJ on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:17:05 EST

Jeff, the reason you're getting all these Taylor comments here is because the posters are all coming from a land called MJs...where everyone worships Taylor and snarks on Katharine ;) great review. thanks for staying unbiased. even a Kat fan will admit that this isn't a "great" album...but there is definitely potential.

Comment by Kat on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:53:07 EST

I stand somewhat corrected, but maintain that McPhee wouldn't have been that goofy. I actually do like Hicks in all his cheesiness...we kid because we love. I just thought McPhee was better. ------------- Jeff: then we cool. ;-)

Comment by claena on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:49:39 EST

I'm not a fan of Kat's album, but I didn't expect I'd be. Open Toes is perhaps the most stereotypically horrid pop song of all time. And that cover? The costume department from Pretty Woman called... they want their hooker boots back. Way to push back the women's movement, Kat. Mix this with her comments in a recent interview about how "if this doesn't work out, I'll just get married and a man can take care of me" and I shudder to think that she'll become a role model for our younger generation. I'm pretty convinced that her publicist faints dead away everytime that girl opens her mouth.

Comment by Michelle on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:47:07 EST

Hey, I won't deny that I am a fan of Taylor's.. somewhat.. I also like Elliot, Bucky, Mandissa, Paris and hell even Kellie Pickler (that girl's got a future in Comedy though).. I even like Kat.. I never said Kat wasn't Talented.. Just that she brought nothing new.. or even anything old but missing to the plate.. What I'm saying is.. Throw a quarter in the air on any packed street in LA and you'll find about 10 more like Ms. McPhee.. that's all.. I'm not a Taymate or whatever Soul Patrol thing.. I just am looking for something new to listen to instead of the same old boring drivel that the Music Industry loves to mass produce because, hey, most people like the same old same old.

Comment by onegoal on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:28:20 EST

I like kats new album. Shes a very talented young lady! Not to mention she is like the best looking girl in the world. Oh Mcphee!

Comment by Rotate on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 10:13:21 EST

Sorry, Jeff. You've just learned the valuable lesson that the Soul Patrol will swarm in like angry bees whenever anyone's opinion about Taylor doesn't match theirs. Oh, and I love how they assume/insist that no one could possibly prefer Kat to Taylor unless they are panting after her looks. So nice of them to read your mind for you and tell you the basis of your opinion, hmm? Not a very tolerant bunch are the Taymates. Keep your chin up though, Jeff. I, for one, happen to agree with you. Good review, thanks!

Comment by Jeff Martin on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 09:24:02 EST

I try to look for the best in any music, and since this is a review of Kat's CD, I'll ask everyone to stop focusing on the throwaway Taylor Hicks comment that I made. Michelle, I agree that Kat's CD is generic; I said as much in the review. Her performance on "Ordinary World," though, shows quite a bit of promise, and "Love Story" and "Over It" are nice songs. Not great, but nice. Hence the three stars.

Comment by Michelle on Music Review: Katharine McPhee - Katharine McPhee

Thu, 22 Feb 2007 09:19:16 EST

Okay folks.. Competition is over. Taylor Hicks won. Whether you like him or not. Quit whining about it because it's really just immature. I tried listening to Kat's CD. I'm glad she lost. Sorry. Not my type of music. Too generic. I've heard every song before. Not literally, but there's nothing unique or original about her or her music. Yes, she has a very pretty voice and I wish her all the best of luck with it. But quite frankly she bores me to tears. And as much as I like Taylor Hicks, I'm still waiting for him to do a "breakaway" cd because the one he came out with was over produced. The originals he wrote are the best one's on the cd. And if for one second you just get over the fact that Kat didn't win, you may actually like Taylor for the singer/songwriter he is. He HAS talent and what you may call goofy, I call real. Going to see him live is like going to a party.. That goofy guy you saw on TV is actually a powerhouse performer. And if we're talking actual singing talent here.. forget Kat. How she made it to the top 5 still baffles me because Mandissa, Chris, Paris and certainly Elliot all had better singing voices than Kat could ever hope for. So please, stop treating her like she's the second coming. She's a beautiful girl with a very nice voice. I wish her the best of luck and hope she persues her dream of being an actress..