Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this American Idol runner-up has weathered a few storms during his five years in the spotlight, and this album is his chance to tell about it. The content is a bit heavier than his past stuff -- talking a lot about love, personal struggle, personal triumph and purpose -- but the language is Clay-clean and sends a positive message overall about being true to yourself and taking the good with the bad.
Families can talk about Clay Aiken's success after appearing on the popular American Idol. Do you think Clay could've had the same success had he not been on the show? Do you think success and celebrity has changed him? Do you agree with the way the media has always portrayed Clay Aiken? Is it fair or unjustified, or does it just come with the territory of being in the spotlight?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jessica Dawson
In his first album since 2006's A Thousand Different Ways, Clay Aiken has shed the comfort shield of covering other people's songs to bearing his soul and singing his heart out about his own life. All of the 12 tracks on ON MY WAY HERE are originals and even host some heartbreaking lyrics written by Clay himself.
You might wonder how long these American Idol castaways can ride the wave of pseudo-celebrity, but Clay Aiken is proving once again that he isn't planning to go away...yet. On his fourth album since Idol, Aiken sings about what he has learned, loved, and lost since his name became a famous one. He's older, maybe a little more cynical, and wiser -- and it comes through in his voice. "Everything I Don't Need," sounds like a lightweight version of John Mellencamp, with bluesy rock guitar, solid harmonies, tambourine, and hand claps. "Ashes" is upbeat with a modern sound, and "The Real Me" -- a sweet, sad confession about life in the spotlight -- shows Aiken's soft side that he's loved for. Some songs sound a bit Broadway-ish and over produced with Clay's theatrical flare and lilt, but "Claymates" will be happy to have their boy back with a solid follow-up to the chart-topper Measure of a Man.
For more softer sounds, check out Josh Gracin, Josh Groban, or Gavin DeGraw.
Rate It!
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Social BehaviorPersonal strength, optimism: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and "I wouldn't change what I've been through/I'd rather try and fail/it lets you know you're alive" |
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CommercialismObvious tie-in to American Idol. |
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