This week is sort of a themed column. Another season
of American Idol is wrapping, so let's look at some of the
American Idol-related music around.
There is no better place to
start than the little American
Idol who wasn't, Clay Aiken.
Clay recently released his
third album. On My Way Here
is another set of Clay doing
what he does best. There is
no shortage of ballads that
are more sugar-coated than
frosted Krispy Kremes. Clay's vocals are still solid and he
knows how to use subtlety, but the set is still too mature. If
you like Celine Dion's most recent album, Clay's new one
might be perfect for you. Start with the stand-out uptempo
track, 'Falling,' and experiment from there.
Another Idol making
waves is Blake Lewis.
He co-penned the
original version of
'How Many Ways'
that was recently
remixed and made
available through
Ama z o n . c om' s
DMR-free digital music
store. I am quite
thankful that Dave Aude was handed the track for remix
duties. He turns the chorus into a sing-a-long event, while
the Jake Benson and DJ Dan mixes sort of fall by the way
side as good, but not very commercially viable.
Something that came as a surprise to me was the bootleg
mix that I heard of David Cook's version of 'Always Be My
Baby.' RTZ took on the track and turned in an OK mix. I
personally wouldn't play it, but I think it was a bold move to
work out a remix to the song.
Last word is on an Idol mentor. Mariah Carey's 'Bye Bye'
is gathering steam with an official remix from Jay-Z and a
bootleg from DJ Vno.
Hey, you can add me on MySpace and get my latest beat
mix at myspace.com/freemixshowman or e-mail djres5@
windycitymediagroup.com with your music questions.