Customer Reviews

OK Now

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Quite often when I buy a new cd it will take me more than a day to get through. There's couple reasons for that. 1. I'm too busy to listen to it straight though. 2. Some songs just really turn me off to it. This album however was the complete opposite... I ran to my room and listened to it straight through 2 times. Each song intriguing me. I'd have to say my least favorite song would have to be Beating My Heart, but that's not to say I don't like it. However I find with many albums, the truly good songs are the unreleased ones. My personnal favorite is Four Years followed closely by Dance Your Life Away. Four Years made me cry the first time I listened to it. It's had the same effect on a lot of my friends. And "Dance" was just such a fun song. I'm not saying that Dance could be considered a masterpiece, but so often masterpieces do nothing for me. I can enjoy a simple, happy song, and that's what "Dance" is. A song slimply celebrating life. I could sit here and type my praise of each song, but I'll let you make you own decision. But I will say one thing, just like his last album, not one song is like another which to me makes a good album, and a good artist. Variety

I can't remember the last time I was so excited about a secular artist releasing a new CD. I must say after listening to Jon McLaughlin's lastest effort, I am not disappointed. It is somewhat different sounding from his last CD, Indiana, so it is hard for me to pick a favorite between the two. It is a hard choice, but my favorite track is the final one on the CD. The song about dancing is really the only one I'm not particularly fond of. I look forward to what Jon does musically in the future. I just hope he keeps on his current track and keeps it rated G!

I bought Indiana about a year and a half ago, and I was quickly captivated by Jon McLaughlin's upbeat piano and introspective lyrics, reminiscent of Billy Joel and Ben Folds. However, this new album is too slickly produced for me to love it in the same way. It's no accident that the "customers also purchased" albums that Amazon shows are largely from "American Idol" products, because this album has the same saccharine quality. Jon's talent is sadly obscured by gooey dance-pop stylings here. When I was listening to "Dance Your Life Away," my husband actually thought it was a Justin Timberlake song! Not good at all. I'm as sentimental as they come and I found a few of these songs ("You Are the One I Love," "Four Years") to be unbearably corny.

There are some great songs on this album ("Why I'm Talking To You" has an awesome old-school R&B feel, and "Things That You Say" combines a soaring melody with poignant lyrics), hence the three-star rating. But I hope that with his next album, Jon strips things down and goes back to showcasing his talent on the piano. I saw him recently in concert and it was a great experience - he's a great performer who knows how to get the crowd going. I would love for him to put out a live album.

I will buy this based on "Beating My Heart". I have been hearing the song being used on ABC's promo for the new season of its TV shows and had been trying to discover who sang it, with no luck, until this afternoon. My wife was watching the Bonnie Hunt show and I heard him sing it as a musical guest on the show. Listened to the samples on amazon and now I'm hooked. Great music, considering I usually am not impressed by anything released after 1970.

Jon McLaughlin has amazed me. From being a nobody with his first album Indiana, which turned into an overnight success, to this new album OK Now, he now has had phenomenal success doing opening acts for famous musicians, small concerts, and solo performances all over the USA.

In this latest album, he shows us again how talented he is, writing a lot about personal experiences and his love for his home Indiana, in the song The Middle. You think that there's so much you can do with piano rock, but think again, Jon dazzles you again with his jazz number Why I'm Talking To You, and other songs with influences from Harry Connick Jr and Billy Joel.

Jon has now placed himself as upcoming artiste along the same lines as Jason Mraz, Gavin DeGraw and James Morisson. Not yet to Grammy acclaim like John Mayer, but there is no doubt that if he goes on like this, he will get a Grammy for one of his albums. Already his song from the Disney movie Enchanted, So Close, was nominated for a Grammy for best original song.

I look forward to your concerts and inspirational music Jon!

Ultra-cute Jon McLaughlin's second CD 'OK Now' traverses the common genre of uplifting pop. His vocals range from strong tenor to intimate whispers and hearty blasts of pop passion, with occasional blues and rock twists. There aren't many compositional innovations here, but each song maintains its integrity. "You Can Never Go Back" recalls early Electric Light Orchestra. Other tracks are more "studio-slick" than his first CD, which focused more on his vocals and piano-playing. Similarly, his previous rough-edge look has become more 'L'Uomo Vogue.' The catchy hooks, particularly in "Always on my Mind," are so polished you'll think you've heard the songs before, and you probably have, as a background tune on 'Grey's Anatomy.'

If you're expecting the melodic, piano-driven songs that made Jon famous, you won't find it on OK Now. On the other hand, if you're new to Jon McLaughlin's music, you might just enjoy it. With the exception of You Can Never Go Back and Beating My Heart, which have reasonably catchy melodies, the rest are just mediocre in terms of songwriting. Though all the songs are the average pop fare, Jon still lends his distinct vocals to the album. If you're looking for the distinct piano pop of Indiana, you'll be disappointed. Jon has changed his musical direction, which is bad in this instance, because he left the sound that made him great.

I'm very happy with this album. I was a little scared to venture into this sophomore project by Mr. McLaughlin as I knew the sound was a little different than his first album. It is different but still very likable and enjoyable. I enjoy most of the tracks on this album. My favorite songs are Dance Your Life Away, Beating My Heart, You Can Never Go Back and Why I'm Talking to You. It's an album you'll want to listen through more than once.

another great album from an immensely talented singer-songwriter
it's a travestry that he isn't bigger and more popular
this pop album is eons better than most of the stuff out there
sure this might not be as brilliant as "Indiana" and it is a tad overproduced (his voice is a little drowned out in some songs - totally no need for that as he has a great voice)
but still overall a great pop album

Fav tracks off this album are:
Track 2: Four Years - beautiful song.. captures the finishing of the college years perfectly.
Track 5: The Middle - seriously a perfect pop song. his voice is so soaring and emotive in this one
Track 8: Dance Your Life Away - insanely catchy song... great beat and melody

Other really great songs are obviously "Beating My Heart", "Things that You say', You Are the One I Love' & "We All Need Saving"
Seriously more people need to buy this album cause it's totally worth it

If you loved John's first release album, there's a good chance to fall in love all over again with his sophomore release! John is such a great storyteller and really locks in his audience with a combination of melodic tracks and reflective songwriting. It's pop-infused piano rock and it ROCKS! For those that like his older stuff, you'll resonate with:

- "Throw My Love Around"
- "You Are the One I Love"
- "The Middle"
- "Four Years"

He also takes risks on this album. Most notably these 3:

- "You Can Never Go Back"
- "Dance Your Life Away"
- "Why I'm Talking to You"

And my personal faves, which are edgy yet true to his style:

- "Things That You Say"
- "Beating My Heart"
- "Always On My Mind"

And don't discount the power behind "We All Need Saving". It's an acapella rich tune that captures the soul of John's music.