My Best Days (by Danny Gokey, Country)

My Best Days is the debut album from Danny Gokey, the third-place contestant from American Idol Season 8. Known on the show for his country singing slant and squeaky-clean personal life, Gokey has infused the same characteristics into this record. The collection of ten songs -- one of which, "I Still Believe," was co-written by Idol judge Kara DioGuardi -- includes mostly positive perspectives on love and life in general. For example, in "Tiny Life," Gokey sings about staying focused on the truly important things in life: "Sometimes I think it's such a simple thing / I close my eyes and realize all I really need / Is the love I have and the love I have to give." And in "Be Somebody," he discusses how living with lies is often worse than the consequences of telling the truth: "Johnny was a lie teller 'cause he thought somebody might like him better / ... And he did it all to impress someone else / When all he really had to do was stop and be himself."  

Though this CD has some wholesome messages to share, it doesn't offer a lot in the way of musical interest. Gokey's pipes, while respectable, have nowhere near the force of vocals from other Idol guys like Chris Daughtry, David Cook, and even Kris Allen. Add the simply passable singing with formulaic new country arrangements, and you get an album that will likely get some airplay -- but not for very long.