Taylor Hicks' Freshman Debut Album...Sort Of

Taylor may have sacrificed many a time before when he was on AI, but this time around, Clive Davis and 19 Entertainment , allowed Taylor to hang onto his signature southern soul and expand his Vocal Range and go for it. If there are new Listeners to this Album, he is sure to pick up new Fans. This Album allows Taylor to be just that, Taylor.

This album is a work of Labor and Obvious love for Harmony. He incorporated much of his Love for Soul and added some fast tracking Pop for good measure. I admit I was antsy about this album and I was gratefully satiated with its different takes on melody and hooks, and the Taylorized flavor that continues to capture the flavor of the south once again.

I was pleased with the Melodic sound of "Just To Feel That Way". It will become a great Radio Play song. It swings Taylor's vocals with great verses and sugary lyrics with wonderful instrumentation. I feel this may be his Signature song, along the same lines as "Do I Make You Proud". "Places I've Been", a song written by the Love Songstress Chart Topping Master, Diane Warren. Although it carries fine lyrics, it is rather slow and trudges along. I feel like it is probably filler music, (no offense Diane) and it allows Taylor to showcase his ability to acclimate to any song.

I want to categorize "Dream Myself Awake" as a Ballad, but it carries a pop/rock melody to it. It's a song that many a lovelorn will enjoy listening to. This is a song that is going to get serious radio play. A Ballad with a great Verse and Chorus that Taylor makes it work.

Taylor would not be who he is without his signature sound, Southern Soul. He does his sound justice by allowing for a variety that allows his vocals to sway to each song. "Soul Thing" starts with a quick drum intro and Bass line that give it strong texture. The Bass clearly engages you from the get go. I particularly enjoy the Muted Taylor background vocals. Add the Electric guitar solo after the initial refrain, and the Jazzed up Bridge with its Key changes and you have a refreshing sound.

For the Soul thumping sound that we can relate to with Taylor, he doesn't let us down. "Gonna Move" has that R&B style. The deep and quick Bass intro sound at the beginning of "Gonna Move" gives a great entrance to the Bridge that sends a clear message with its Lyrics and his Awesome Harmonica performance that sounds just as awesome live.

"Heaven Knows" has a little Ray Charles' Funk influence at the intro and carries its Bass line once again along with its keyboards. You almost feel as if he is the same room with you. There's some interwoven horns and back up singers, Trumpet and Jazz Bass sound and it makes for a show stopping song at any Venue. It's the kind of song you can dance and clap to anytime.

"Give Me Tonight" also carries a Funk influence and once again a deep bass sound carries the song. It is reminiscent of a Motown sound, but more of a blue eyed soul. It is heavy on the Bass guitar slap and lyrics.
I particularly enjoyed the harmonized Bridge after the second chorus.

"The Runaround" and "The Deal" carry some Pop influence and quick thumping piano playing and fast changes. Easy on the ear and clearly not Taylor's signature sound. Despite that, it is still enjoyable. "The Maze" has a catchy tune sure to be a radio happy song along with its lyrics. "Wherever I Lay My Hat" reminds me of a thoughtful, pensive song mixed with a sensitive mood.

Taylor has managed to salt and pepper this Album with his mentors' flavor, the likes of Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Marvin Gaye, to name a few. I did hear some 80's influence like Michael McDonald. One thing does stand out for me, he sounds so comfortable singing on this Album. The Producer, Matt Serletic, did a great job mixing, obviously without too much work, as Taylor made this Album his own and gave it a wonderful flavor of modern soul and flavored pop for good measure. You can hear his emotion and it doesn't sound like he was trying too hard or wanting to impress anyone.

Many called him a Southern Alabama repeat, such as Bo Bice, who got hammered with the formulaic norm of AI Albums that are traditionally put out. They all sound the same and everyone expected the same from Taylor's Album. Yes, he brought a sound, such as Bo did, of Southern Rock and Soul that isn't heard much on the Radio and many people are bombarded with statistics that only older people listen, which is far from the truth, as the Soul Patrol would have you know.

People love this Album because it doesn't sound like everyone else on the radio. His fan base on AI made everyone aware of that and when this Album goes Platinum or even Gold, he'll be the one laughing all the way to the bank as one of the best AI Albums ever.