Customer Reviews

On My Way Here

5 star:		(171)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

with this excellent third cd by Clay Aiken. While its the first of his cds that i've bought. I found myself partial to the title song "On My Way Here" written by Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic). It starts off the album very well and Clay's voice handles each song like it is meant for that individual song.

While i enjoyed the album very much. I am really fond of certain tracks:

"On My Way Here"
"Ashes"
"Everything I Need"
"Something About Us"
"Falling"
"Where I Draw The Line"
"Weight of the World"
"Lover All Alone" a song he cowrote on

With this release Clay continues to cement himself firmly in the music business and should continue to have much success now and in the future with this one. I will look into his other cds and plan on buying at least another one of them in the next few months without question. He's a great talent that shouldn't be overlooked because of his AI connection or whatever other reason.

Purchase "On My Way Here" and hear the cd that has folks excited all over the country.

While the cover art may be questionable (a hair product promotional ad comes to mind), don't let it turn you away. Being an avid listener of Aiken's since his 'Idol' days, even I was skeptical after his last offering of covers.

I stand corrected.

This album deserves a very solid four stars, simply for the high quality of the music and performance. For a thirteen track disc (referring to the Wal-Mart edition - one bonus track not available through Amazon), I found it to be an amazingly strong product, leaps and bounds better than 'A Thousand Different Ways'.

In the music business - no matter how you try to reinvent yourself - it's key to find your niche and stick to it. With 'On My Way Here', Clay shows that not only is he certain that soft rock/adult contemporary is his strong point - he reveals an extreme confidence in staying with that genre. The tracks are well written, consisting of realistic themes and portraying simple emotions that the average fan will be able to identify with - and steering in the opposite direction of other 'artists' who fuel the 'sex sells' bandwagon. The orchestrations are smooth and full - a very nice complement to the rich, solid quality of Aiken's vocals.

'On My Way Here' is a collection that will appeal to listeners both young and old, a very nice mix of mid- to up-tempo pop songs and ballads that are an easy listen and will transfer nicely to the stage for any upcoming tour. Aiken has represented himself well with this outing - a fine effort that fans have been waiting for since his first album of original material.

Four stars and two thumbs up to this wonderful disc. Highly recommended!

Clay finally got a chance to make an album as HE wished it to be, and IMO he knocked it out of the ball park with every song. I enjoy the variety of song styles, which makes for a fantastic album overall. Great listening all the way through, over and over. Thoughtful lyrics throughout. I love it!

I'm still waiting on this CD to arrive, but thanks to a friend I've heard all twelve songs.

It's amazing - forget what you've heard before, this is a grown up Clay Aiken; no longer just a 'ballad boy'. A little modern blues a-la James Morrison, a little uptempo rock/pop, a little jazz piano, a few ballads, a little country-crossover and even an inspirational song. And a beautifully sad song the man wrote with David Foster. Just goes to show ya what the guy can do when his record label lets him choose the songs instead telling him what to sing. The guy has good and very eclectic taste in music.

If you remember Clay from American Idol, but have never bought any of his CD's, this is the one to get!

One of the things that a listener will notice right away when they buy this CD is the magnitude of experimental arrangements on several of the songs and how many mid-tempo songs there are. "On My Way Here", the lead-off song and title track, sounds to me that it will be another of Clay's signature songs for his audience with it's lyrics resembling pretty much his career and life to this point. There is a line in that song, "my address has changed; almost every year", which makes me think of an artist on the go and never in one place for very long. The overall flow of the album might come as a surprise or it might not, depending on how much of a Clay Aiken fan you are before buying. "Ashes", the second song for example, is a good vocal work out that in my mind is tailor made for Clay. If this CD hadn't have even been released i could imagine Clay singing those two songs in concert. "Everything I Don't Need" has an R&B sing-a-long melody to it as does "Ashes". Again, several of these songs are written as if the writers intentionally sought Clay to perform them and maybe they had? I will be perhaps one of the first to make the comment that i had never heard of Kipper or anyone else associated with the CD, except for Clay, so during the CD's early planning stages when news would leak out about the album's producer and the songwriters featured on it, i was never caught up in it because i had never heard of a lot of these people because i've not paid attention to pop music's behind the scenes people. Listening to this CD, one has to wait until track number four before you hear the quintessential ballad, "Something About Us". This isn't the only love ballad on here, though, but it's a surprise that the first three songs are mid-tempo given his reputation for being a ballad singer. "Falling", meanwhile, features one of those experimental arrangements in which the use of robotics is applied. I don't know what else to call it...robotics...electronics? Whatever it's called, "Falling" features several lines sung by Clay in an altered voice which has become something of a pattern with many rock acts. The centerfold of the fold-out cover features a near silhouette of Clay with a city behind him. I don't know the details of the city concept but on this CD and his last one, a city landscape was featured. A lot of the songs are power ballads, which is Clay's stock in trade in my opinion...the kind of song where it starts out slowly and then builds up to a fever pitch. "Where I Draw the Line" comes across as a song that listeners/fans can hear and think of Clay's personal life as to why he's not taken yet. That song, specifically, is the song that will be considered a show stopper if sung in concert...it has it all...the big arrangements and the belt-out vocals. Then, he brings the tempo back down with "The Real Me". I like this CD and give it 4 stars and that's just because the CD is long and if one is going to really enjoy the CD they have to have the time to listen to it all the way through and not pick and choose songs from it at random. I enjoy the CD when i listen to it and there is one song in particular that jumps out at me more than the others...it's "Grace of God". It's just a bouncy song...there's not much bouncy material on a Clay Aiken CD for whatever reason, there's usually power ballads and love ballads, no bouncy songs. This CD will be a big seller for Clay as his previous releases have been. Clay's known fondness for 1980's pop/rock is eveident on this CD on some selections like "Weight of the World" with the electric guitar solo's and then there's "As Long As We're Here", track number nine. The song starts out slow and a listener sits on their seats expecting the jolt to hit them and finally it happens when he starts into the second verse. The only song on here that is of a previous release is "Lover All Alone" which had originally been only available as a digital download but now it's showcased on this CD. This CD is soft rock/Adult Contemporary and so if that's up your alley, then this CD is worth a listen.

Clay Aiken's new CD seems to reflect his maturity as a performer, his balance in a life under the spotlight, and his integrity and confidence to say what he wants to say. How many pre-thirty-year-olds have accomplished what he has in life? Clay redefines "cool".

This album is rich, like a box of gourmet chocolates. Each song is a sweet taste of love, loss, living and giving. Rather than playing it straight through, savor each song (listen twice) and let the words speak to you.

I've been waiting for Clay Aiken to put out a CD that's as rich and mature as his singular voice. This is decidedly in the right direction and he's developing a unique and interesting sound. While the CD has a variety of genres and moves easily from funky r&b to pop/rock to jazzy standards - they are tied together with a rich complex musicality and there's a maturity to the arrangements that's really nice to listen to.

His range is great and he uses that to great advantage - pushing his vocals into unexpected areas. Aiken plays with his voice like an instrument and manages to make pop/rock songs like Ashes and Falling intriguing and different. Everything I Don't Need is a definite pleaser and his naturally unique phrasing really adds to this funky soulful song. Lover All Alone is hauntingly sung with deceptively simple lyrics that are poignant and mature. Not every song is perfect. But it's great to hear a voice that's as good as Aiken's teamed up with a talented producer like Kipper. In an industry where I'm happy if I like 3 or 4 cuts off an album - On My Way Here is decidedly above average and a performer as quirky and interesting as Clay Aiken is deserves to be heard.

(This is especially for those who have listened to the CD once or twice, and made up their mind it's not to their liking.)

After my second time through this CD, I was prepared to give it a thoroughly sub-par review. Other than the title track and "Lover All Alone", nothing really grabbed me. However, I *wanted* to be grabbed, so I gave the CD another chance.

Clunk. Nothing.

After my fifth run through, I was ready to call it quits, especially as I found myself skipping through the songs, not even giving them a proper listening, to get from "On My Way Here" to "Lover All Alone". I did call it quits for a few days, then found that I was humming a tune in my head that I couldn't quite place. After driving myself insane for a day or so, I finally recognized it as "Something About Us". So I pulled out my iPod, played the song, and was a bit dumbfounded. Was this the same thing I skipped through a few days ago? Indeed it was. And yet now (or then) as I listened to the song, I thought it was one of the most gorgeous love songs I'd ever heard. Clay's voice was sublime, as he caressed each word, each phrase, with a tenderness I don't think I've heard before from him.

Well, that meant I had to give the entire CD another listening, and when I did so, it clicked. I "got it", though I'm not sure what it was that I was missing before. I wasn't expecting him to recreate Measure of a Man, and was hoping this wasn't another A Thousand Different Ways (sorry, I didn't like that one, save for "Lover All Alone"; someone of Clay's stature shouldn't be singing remakes on their second studio--non-holiday release).

So for me, the sixth time was the charm. It's obvious that Clay has given up aspirations of being a hugely successful POP artist and is singing to his fan base. That's perfectly fine--a performer can entertain (and enrapture) his audience without trying to score the next big #1 single.

I'm glad I gave it that sixth shot. It's had many more listens since then.

Clay's given us a beautiful album, and I'm already looking forward to more.

EDIT: I listened to it this morning (5/13) and now I even like the songs that weren't my favorites--in other words, I like the entire CD. This is truly a stellar offering, and I'm glad I gave it a sixth shot. (Thankfully, the other guys at the gym around me didn't know that I was listening to Clay Aiken while exercising. I doubt he gets much play on guys' iPods, especially at the gym!)

I have supported Clay since his days on American Idol and I love almost all his work. The only thing I didn't care for from him was his sophmore CD, A Thousand Different Ways. I have to say that this new CD is a complete 360 degree change from that. On My Way Here not only has songs that are original, upbeat, and radio-friendly, but also amazing lyrics. The lyrics in every song tell a story and they truly make the cd what it is - a journey through Clay's life. Not only does Clay relate to these songs, but you will too. There is a song for everyone, no matter what your situation is!

Being a younger Clay fan, it was really nice to have the faster, upbeat songs. I wouldn't say they are necessarily rock-esque, but they are similar to the type of songs Kelly Clarkson sung on her Breakaway CD. It was a refreshing and nice change from all those slow ballads Clay usually does. I really can't choose a favorite because I like so many of the songs on this cd, but I recommend listening to "Falling" and "Ashes" for those of you who have never heard of Clay Aiken before.

Happy listening!!

"I've fallen hard
But I've been loved
And in the end it all works out
My faith has conquered fear
On my way here."

Clay Aiken's been working pretty hard since his 2003 second place win on American Idol Season 2, becoming a UNICEF Ambassador in 2004 and this year gracing the Broadway stage in Spamalot. He's also done his share of touring and volunteer work, while still finding time to record this, his fourth full length studio album.

The album comprises 12 tracks of radio-friendly pop ballads of varying tempos, the strong points being the clarity and purity of his voice, and the inspiring and emotional lyrics. The first single, which is also the title track, was co-written by Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) and was the inspiration for the album.

"Where I Draw the Line" is another track that should be a single, and it's about not wanting to surrender your heart for fear of getting hurt.

"Seems whenever I let somebody get this close
I'm right back where I got hurt the most
And that's why, oh that's why
Around my heart is where I draw the line"

"Grace of God" reflects on being grateful for the blessings in your life, empathizing with the many people who may be in need or in trouble.

Other notable tracks are "Ashes"; "Everything I Don't Need" (where he throws in an R&B vibe); "Weight of the World" (great chorus) and "Lover All Alone" (co-written by Aiken)

The only thing wrong with this album is that it's only 12 songs long.
(I don't really like the cover art either, but that's neither here nor there)

Recommended for American Idol and pop music fans.



Amanda Richards, May 27, 2008