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Phil Stacey
- By Phil Stacey
- Genre: Country
Common Sense Media says
Formulaic schlock-athon from Idol finalist.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that on this American Idol finalist's debut CD, family-safe, family-values messages abound -- at the expense of subtlety, originality, and imagination. Stacey does reference Christianity, praying, and God.
What's the story?
Phil Stacey, American Idol's Season 6 finalist, delivers fine vocal performances on his debut CD, offering 11 well-produced country-rock ditties that (despite the all-around terrific playing and singing) are absolutely unmemorable. The lyrics are family-safe but so saccharine as to almost come across as self-parody.
Is it any good?
The project sticks closely to formula: uptempo rocker followed by countrified, finger-picked, droning anthem, followed by heartfelt ballad, and so on. Stacey offers terrific singing over a lot of well-worn (some might say worn-out) lyrical themes and musical arrangements. The simplistic-bordering-on-inane lyrics avoid originality at all costs; it's a testament to Stacey's vocal abilities that he can sing lines like "Every prayer has been answered/every dream I have's come true/and right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be/here with you here with me" with earnest, heartfelt passion. Ultimately, it's Stacey's endearing sincerity and delivery -- certainly not the songs -- that save the day. Non-Idol fans might want to look elsewhere for exceptional, ground-breaking country music.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about having what it takes to be a true original. Do you think Phil Stacey would have had a shot at stardom if he hadn't been a contestant on American Idol? If you had to pick one quality, would you rather have a great voice or a great imagination?
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| Artist: | Phil Stacey |
| Release date: | April 29, 2008 |
| Label: | Lyric Street |
| Genre: | Country |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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