Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Elliott Yamin delivers family-safe, very well-performed, nice-guy R&B that is both lyrically innocuous and musically interesting. There's something here for everyone in the family except, perhaps, those who avoid American Idol finalists on principle.
Families can talk about Elliott Yamin's personal story. This powerhouse singer was so shy in middle school that he lip-synched his way through choir. He's also dealt with partial deafness and the challenge of Type 1 diabetes. How can music help someone get through hard times? How has it helped you face challenges or inspire you?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Elliott Yamin blasts out of the gate with all the sincerity and soul that got him to third place on American Idol, as well as an album filled with danceable, charming, and incredibly well-performed songs. The lyrical territory is nothing new (boy meets girl, boy loves girl, boy loses girl, boy maybe gets girl back) and the songs are not spectacularly written, but Yamin's singing is exceptional and consistently supported by appropriate, soulful instrumentals produced with loving care.
The most interesting part of the story here is in the artist's personal history. As a shy pre-teen, Yamin couldn't find the courage to open his mouth in choir (or so the story goes) and lip-synched his parts. Before he got out of high school he'd experienced the physical challenges of partial deafness and a diabetes diagnosis. As an uninspired twenty-something, he auditioned for American Idol on a whim, barely daring to hope that the adventure might have life-changing consequences. The rest, as they say, is history.
You can enjoy this CD because of the great singing, and the respectful (if not fabulously original) instrumental arrangements. You can share this CD because it covers lyrical territory that is absolutely tween-and-family safe. But many will love Elliott Yamin not only for his wonderful voice, but for the message of hope and inspiration in this young man's story.
Fans may also like Taylor Hicks, American Idol: Season 5: Encores, and Michael McDonald.
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Social BehaviorYamin's personal story of overcoming shyness and an illness will provide role-model-type inspiration. |
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CommercialismNo obvious product placement (CD packaging not available for review). |
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