Music Review

Taylor Hicks (2006)

Taylor Hicks

Reviewed by Henry Goldblatt | Jan 04, 2007

Henry Goldblatt

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EW's GRADE

Details Release Date: Dec 12, 2006; Lead Performance: Taylor Hicks; Genre: Pop

$TINKERING TAYLOR Hicks\' debut seems to think a Gaye hit needed to be (Carly) Simon-ized Taylor Hicks$

Image credit: Taylor Hicks: Jim Wright/Montage

TINKERING TAYLOR Hicks' debut seems to think a Gaye hit needed to be (Carly) Simon-ized

On Taylor Hicks, season 5's American Idol relies on the same up-tempo pap (sorry, pop) that made him the most polarizing winner ever. Now that he's off the Idol soundstage, his limited vocal range has never been more evident. Every time he reaches for his head voice, he sounds as if he needs to blow his nose. And though he's surrounded by seasoned veterans like Rob Thomas (who penned the album's best song, ''Dream Myself Awake'') and Bryan Adams, he's decided to embrace Paula Abdul's mantra: ''Make It Your Own.'' Unfortunately, that means stripping away the joygasm of horns from Marvin Gaye's ''Wherever I Lay My Hat'' and replacing them with a pulsing beat that resembles Carly Simon's ''Let the River Run.''

(Hicks's CD is part of a wave of Idol-related releases. See also EW's reviews of the new albums from Fantasia, Kellie Pickler, and Daughtry.)

Originally posted Dec 13, 2006 Published in issue #912 Dec 22, 2006 Order article reprints

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American Idol Taylor Hicks' chart performance stuck in idle

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