Taylor Hicks - The Distance [album]

Modern Whomp Records

March 10, 2009, 08:33 PM

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The bar has been set so low for former American Idol contestants, mediocrity could be mistaken for greatness if using their standard. Such is the case for Season 5 winner, Taylor Hicks. While he may have had memorable performances on the show, his under-performance since then led to being dropped from the major label deal that was handed to him. He is now out with his second album, this time independently released. The Distance has already received critical praise, being a relief for journalists forced to cover other contestants from the television program, I'm sure. But is good enough really good enough?

There are rare moments on The Distance that remind listeners why Taylor Hicks not only won the program, but changed opinions on what mainstream talent can be. Hicks was known for his soulful vocals and his often humorous on-stage displays where he seemed to be possessed by the music he was performing. That kind of possession is sorely missed on this album as Hicks comes across as mostly detached from the music, rarely varying in tone or delivery. Taylor Hicks is in no way a bad singer so even phoning it in results in passable, occasionally pleasant tunes. However, the songs themselves are unbearably generic and lyrically very immature.

The title track is a very formulaic song with a 'we are all one' message. While the song is rather simplistic and elementary, it has that kind of 'mass appeal' formula that executives look for and radio devours. Again, Taylor Hicks has a nice singing voice, but just because you would sound good reading the phone book doesn't mean anyone wants to actually hear you sing the phone book. Being a good singer isn't enough, you have to be backed up by great songs. Hicks co-wrote some of the cheesier tunes on the album, the only notable exception being 'Maybe You Should.' In my opinion, this song stood out as very well-written and really the only song Hicks actually performs rather than just singing. It is a track I will probably visit again.

The only other highlight on The Distance is the final track 'Woman's Got to Have It' with a guest appearance by fellow Idol alum, Elliot Yamin. While it isn't quite the song you spend the rest of the album waiting for, the two men compliment each others voices well and they sound like they're having fun. It's a nice break from the studio zombie that sang on the rest of the record, but unfortunately some poor decision making really prevents the song from being as good as it could be. It opens with some bullshit about 'talking to the fellas' and then fades out at the end. It's an easy song to get into once you're listening, but the lame beginning and lame ending will make it difficult to put on loop.

While the rest of the record falls short of being memorable or even likable, his cracker-ass interpretation of a Latin song did bring a smile to my face. It is unbelievably corny, but he shows that he could be a crooner type if he wanted to be. The question is, why doesn't he want to be? Why is he making a half-assed attempt at pop/country radio? He isn't a particularly good story teller on his own and the songwriting team he worked with mostly let him down. 'I Live on a Battlefield' is a decent track from the songwriting team, probably the best borrowed song on the record. But the real highlight to the song is the music. The riffs and musical breaks are the most appealing part. Hicks' disinterest in the tune is evident, so what could potentially be a solid break up song turns into album filler.

Someone may connect to a few of these tracks despite the poor performance, and Hicks may knock the songs out of the park live, but on this recording everything sounds crudely thrown together and coated in glossy studio shellac. I get the impression I care about this record about as much as Taylor Hicks does...and that's unfortunate. He's clearly a very talented guy and I was very interested to see what he would do with his career. I may be a bit out of line for seeing this as anything other than just a sophomore slump, but the first record wasn't good either. I thought he wanted to be a professional musician? Why isn't he trying harder?

Taylor Hicks on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads

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