Although he has never appeared on this particular reality show, Clay Aiken can arguably be considered the original "Biggest Loser". As the runner-up on season two of American Idol, Aiken proved early on that one didn't need to win the title to have a successful career in entertainment. With a double platinum first album, eight tours, a New York Times best-selling book, and a UNICEF ambassadorship under his belt, it's safe to say that Aiken is doing well. Recently he's added Broadway to his resume, currently appearing in Monty Python's Spamalot as Sir Robin.
In spite of his busy schedule, Aiken has found time to return to the studio to record his fourth album, On My Way Here, which comes out on May 6. On My Way Here is the second album with all original material, following his 2003 debut album Measure of a Man. Aiken released a Christmas CD in 2004, while the 2006 album A Thousand Different Ways was primarily a cover CD, featuring four original songs. There are 12 songs on the album, but a thirteenth track was a Wal-Mart exclusive and a fourteenth track was available on iTunes for pre-orders.
On My Way Here returns to the same formula used in Measure of a Man: to showcase Aiken's rich voice in ballads rife with corny, generic lyrics. It's a shame that Aiken keeps creating such bland albums, because he can truly sing. The titular song "On My Way Here" grabbed me instantly when I first heard it. Then again, it may be because it sounds very similar to "Measure of a Man". In "Lover All Alone" and "Sacrificial Love", Aiken controls his famously powerful lungs, resulting in two soothing but ultimately unmemorable songs. Power ballad fans need not worry though, for he unleashes those pipes in "The Real Me" and "As Long as We're Here".
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Dave
"for he unleashes those pipes in "The Real Me" "
I swear, nobody actually listens to albums anymore. :insert eyeroll here:
2 - Mac
Just once I'd like to read a review that doesn't mention the word Claymate. I'm a 50 year old guy who played in rock bands to get through college and I have no problem saying I like Clay Aiken. And Elvis Costello and Wilco and Kurt Elling. And a whole mess of different singers and songwriters. I think this album just might appeal to a lot of people who haven't a clue about Claymates or adult contemporary music or never owned a Barry Manilow album. Falling sounds like Invisible? Because it has a small section of techno sound? And that's bad? Not original? Yeah, because that top 40 crap doesn't all sound the same and I can't tell one female over-processed voice from another. He doesn't cater to the pop MTV crowd - ok. That's bad? Cause that music is GOOD? And adult contemporary is bad? It's the only place I can hear Van Morrison's new album and I'll take that over that Keep Bleeding song any day. It's no wonder I can't turn on the radio. What a pity you can't just review the album without the condescension to an audience who isn't a Claymate and still thinks Clay Aiken put out a good album. You don't have to like it but open yourself up to the possibility that there are people other than this monolithic Claymate world "critics" seem to be obsessed with.
3 - Necile
Thank you, Mac, for saying what most of us have been thinking all along. These critics all seem to have to base their reviews of Clay from the "I'm just too stinking KEWL" handbook.
And what is so freaking wonderful about MTV? I didn't realize that they were the be-all, end-all of musical taste. Thank God they're not!!!
4 - Joy
Obviously, actually listening to the album that you are going to review is no longer a requirement. It is so very much easier, and quicker, to go to Amazon and listen to the 30 second snippets.
5 - Emileigh
All critics need to identify themselves more clearly because as a music major in my senior year I am hearing some very fine and complex material in this offering from Aiken. I have really disliked his other stuff though I loved his vocal range and I thought he killed in Spamalot. I think you got this one wrong because I am giving it a few listens on AOL and I really am liking it. I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars!
6 - Don
You can tell from reviews which critics actually listened to the songs and which didn't. This CD sounds NOTHING like his other ones. There are some extremely different sounds on here -- very eclectic. If any other name was on the cover as being the singer, it would be getting great responses for being a good mix of songs and sounds. Saying nothing is worth listening to if you aren't a diehard fan is stupid.
Critics supposedly write (but not really) because they DON'T have the talent to be the singer themselves. Jealous much? But then anyone who TRULY BUYS or does NOT BUY a CD based on what some nobody says about a CD is pretty lame. Most people have their own brains and can use them. Shame critics can't -- and since the reviews are literally the exact same words in many cases, there is NO way they can claim their review is original. More like lazy and taken from whoever gets the review up first. Gosh people, work for your salary. Actually listen and think enough to write for yourself. I'll choose what to buy for myself.
7 - BenjaminBraddock
Is it OK to be a guy in college who plays football & likes this CD? Coz I am. "Weight of the World" which sounds kind of like a U2 song, "Falling" which sounds NOTHING like "Invisible" & "Ashes" which just sounds freakin' good, are my picks to download.
8 - Toni
For the record, I did listen to the entire CD. Several times, in fact. And no, I don't get paid for this job.
It's interesting to presume that a less-than-stellar review means that the reviewer is "jealous".
Also, I never said that there was anything wrong with being an adult contemporary artist. I think that he should stick with that instead of trying to branch out to pop music, which seems to be the case given some of the fast tracks on the CD.
9 - hannah
Is it just me or are these critics copying each other? One form letter and they fill in the blanks. We're onto you guys. You are just too cool! 'Baby Got Back' has meaningful lyrics??!!! How about 'Sexy Back'? Now that really says something doesn't it? That's not trite is it?
Why don't you tell the truth and admit you just don't want to give Clay the credit he deserves for an great album? You are just too transparent. You got one thing right. Clay has an incredible voice. His fans are not going away and he is gaining new fans all the time. He can do anything he sets his mind to. His performances in Spamalot received rave reviews from real critics in the New York Drama Critics Circle. Look it up.
Clay he will be around long after some of you music "critics."
10 - Toni
So the only "real critics" are the ones that offer praise? And those who do not offer praise have some sort of secret agenda? Intriguing perspective.
Thank you for your comment! :)
11 - hannah
Now I'm sorry I attacked you that way Toni. It's just too easy for you guys to expect Clay to be too perfect and then to bash him because he is perfect.
It's frustrating to us and sadly he has become used to it. :(
12 - Toni
I understand people's anger over my review. I'm sorry that it makes people angry and think I'm "bashing" him, but I stand by my opinions on this album.
I wanted to like this album. I have respect for Clay's talent and think he's an amazing singer. The thing is that it gets wasted in creating so-so music.
13 - Emileigh
Hey Toni, do you really believe Kipper makes so so music because he produced this CD and he is one of my favorites. I'm curious. What do you listen to in music? I'm 23 and I listen to an eclectic mix of top 40, jazz, blues, classical and HotAC. I was raised on classic rock as my parents were both musicians in the 70's. So, please do let me know what you actually like and give this CD another listen with an open mind and an ear for the layers of what Clay's voice and Kippers magic have created.
14 - janet
For those wondering if Toni's review is valid in describing this CD, PLEASE go to a Barnes and Noble or other store and listen to this CD YOURSELF. Don't let other people, namely critics, decide for you what you like in music.
I have listened to Clay Aiken's CD, and I think it's quite refreshing! If only this kind of music could be heard on Top 40 radio instead of the same old stuff that sounds the same! But we all know the sad state that radio is in. I applaud Clay for crafting an album that actually has some meaning for society, even if the lyrics are simple and straightforward. Maybe the public needs this over the meaningless drivel we seem to be hearing ad naseaum these days!
Good job Clay Aiken!
15 - Loren
Toni, of course no one has to love the album to give it a fair review. Nor hate it to show their sophisticated musical tastes. What some of us are confused about is why Claymates enter into your analysis of music in the first place. And for me, I'm confused by words like unmemorable. Do people produce albums full of memorable cuts? All 12 of them? Lover All Alone is haunting in it's simplicity - at least to me. That makes it memorable. Is it groundbreaking? No. But short of Dylan going electric or the Beatles adding full orchestras to their pop music - I haven't heard much that's truly memorable. What I have heard is plenty of good music coming from a variety of different singers/musicians. Everything I Don't Need starts off great but becomes uninspiring? It's supposed to be inspiring? I thought it was just supposed to be funky and fun. And it is. At least to me.
And most confusing to me is how this album only appeals to Claymates but those looking for more originality and substance should look elsewhere. I don't know how high you set the bar - but my guess is you can count on your hand the number of recent cds that are full of "originality and substance". I found much that was original in this album. As for substance? I'm off to read a book.
16 - kayla
I sore you in the play called spamalot I thought you were great if you do I got your adograf and whent on the stage
reamember kayla and robbie. I hope you like new york how is jerone he sleeps over ms.marys house.cant wate to see you agin.
love
kayla
17 - kizmet
I decided before Clay's CD came out to scan for the word "Claymate" in any online reviews, and only read those that did not include the word. Any good reviewer would review the CD, not his fans, so I am leaving without reading yours. I don't care if a review is good or bad, taste is subjective, but I will not waste my time on a lazy reviewer with a closed mind.
18 - doreen
Sigh. The Claymates always overreact and they ALWAYS hurt Clay more than they help him. They are maddening.
The reviewer is right that much of this music is corny and bland, which is nobody's fault but Clay's, as it's clearly the kind of music he listens to and hears in his head. This cd had a new producer but the best producer in the world can't make Clay something he's not, and he's not modern or edgy or original, sorry folks. I'm a fan and I bought the cd but have to admit it's something I will probably rarely listen to. I'm sorry to say that.
I wonder if the reviewer likes Ashes? That's my favorite song so far. It sounds more modern than most of the rest. I don't really think Clay's aiming for Top 40 here, or mainstream pop, I think he's aiming for AC, which he hasn't managed to break into so far as they have refused to play him. Hopefully they'll find a couple of songs on this cd to like.
I love a beautiful ballad, but these songs are so trite for the most part, overwrought and with trite lyrics ... still it's well produced and much better than the last cd. I agree with the reviewer that it's on a par with Measure of a Man and is not more modern than that cd six years ago. In fact I think MOAM had some better songs on it.
I do like Ashes though. So far that's the one I would recommend.
19 - Doreen
On listening more, there are a few songs I like besides Ashes. Where I Draw the Line is appealing ... and Something About Us is a likable romantic ballad that could have a life of its own if people discover it.
Falling is too corny as is Weight of the World. They have a decent sound but the lyrics are so trite. Somebody should teach Clay about cliches as they immediately negate what he's trying to do.
The Real Me and As Long As We're Here sound like Christian music, which I don't care for.
20 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Ultimately, the problem with this CD is the same for mostly all Vocal focused & non-vocal focused Pop CDs. They are produced with the "Hit" mentality in mind. They are engineered with software for error correction & to level out all instruments perfectly making the recording sound way too slick. There isn't a brand preference for the instruments because they can get the sound they want with said software. You can tell when tracks have been layered with instrument parts as opposed to an actual performance. Thus,Clay's voice is in the forefront & stands out oddly just a bit. The songs have had a million takes & there is no real connection between the musicians just sight reading.
Honestly, Clay has a brilliant voice & I too wished he wasn't so in love with the Adult Easy Listening material but that's his zone. I can only hope he will pull away from the pop machine & release an album of his own. Stop worrying about the producer & get with some highly talented players that can help you progress. You have an awesome voice...Learn to communicate on your own!
21 - Jordan Richardson
I haven't heard this album and am not a fan of Clay Aiken, but I will be using the term "Claymate" in subsequent reviews to see what kind of traffic I can drum up!
22 - Toni
Thanks for the comments everyone! :)
As I mentioned, I wanted to like this CD. I actually liked a few songs from Measure of a Man. However, even after listening to On My Way Here several times (in its entirety), it just didn't grab me with the exception of the title track. Many of the lyrics sounded corny (seriously, Romeo and Juliet?) and the chorus of some of the songs are repetitive. I'm not saying that it's worse than the silly pop music that we hear on the radio; just that I expected more from someone with that magnitude of talent.
23 - Loren
" I'm not saying that it's worse than the silly pop music that we hear on the radio; just that I expected more from someone with that magnitude of talent."
You're right there Toni and had that been in the review it would have changed the whole dismissive tone quite a bit. This is Clay's first album that is "his" in that he was involved in the actual making of the album. I think he'll make that album someday that will make you sit up and say "thank you" and it's fine that this isn't the one. But it's a heck of a lot better than much of the pablam on the radio and while you may not hear it - I found quite a bit of what Clay was doing vocally to be extremely innovative and original. And even that old hack Cole Porter referenced Romeo and Juliet in a love song. What did he know?
24 - Lindsay
It would be nice to read a review that didn't comment on Clay's fans.
25 - Don
Well you may have listened to it several times and you are allowed your opinion. But to talk about trite lyrics and then consider things that get raves and win grammies -- talking about sidewalks and fingers turning green and my umbrella brella brella etc -- that is NOT trite. Give me a break. There is very LITTLE good music around and if you expect real meaning to need to look somewhere other than top 40 or AC music -- like maybe a college campus lecture instead.
Talking about no edge -- whatever. The MUSIC does have edges to it - it is NOT bland and normal. But because he doesn't sing about sex, drugs, illegal activities or destroying someone's property it doesn't have edge -- OK. Whatever. There is plenty of meaning in those songs for people who want a message. As Long As We're Here is full of meaning, especially considering this song really reached out to him while he was on a trip as a Unicef Ambassador working for children. Maybe that is the problem -- he sees a whole different LIFE than people who want to be entertained with EDGE, instead of meaning.
Again opinions are great but for me, if anyone can't find some meaning in at least some of these songs, with their diversity, then I just feel sorry for them and what their life must be based on. He talks about love, hurt, anger, need, praise of others, including God -- surely something is there has meaning.