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From the Vault...
08/02/2009
#1162 |
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info
Justin Guarini
"Justin Guarini"
© RCA/BMG/V9/S Records
Year of Release: 2003
Rating:
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track listing
One Heart Too Many
I Saw Your Face
Be A Heartbreaker
Unchained Melody
Sorry
How Will You Know
Inner Child
Condition Of My Heart
Doin' Things
(We're Not
Supposed To)
Get Here
(Brand New Version)
Timeless
(with Kelly Clarkson)
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Justin Guarini
"Justin Guarini"
American Idol Season One runner-up Justin Guarini becomes the second Idol finalist to
appear on our review pages at WSVNRadio.net. (Second season winner Ruben Studdard was the first:
I Need An Angel.
I didn't watch the entire Season One of American Idol; but I did see Justin Guarini and Kelly
Clarkson on an episode of while I was channel surfing one night when it was getting close to the finale.
(Watching this show inspired me the idea to promote our own "WSVNRadio finalists"; by creating The
WSVNRadio Hall Of Fame.)
As I read the reviews of Justin's debut album (it is now out-of-print; I was able to get a copy of this
CD from an Amazon.com seller), listeners either enjoyed it or hated it. As I, myself listened, I cannot say
I hate this album, nor can I really rant and rave about it, by calling it a superior release.
The good news, is that most of the songs have a great R&B flavor, as heard in the music of Usher. Songs
such as "I Saw Your Face, "How Will You Know, "Condition Of My Heart" all have a very loving, romantic
style as the ballads of Usher and his familiarities. There are times that sometimes I cannot tell the
difference, between Usher and Guarini. "Condition Of My Heart" would probably be the best standout
song from this kinds of songs. Another Usher-soundalike is "Doin' Things (We're Not Supposed To".
More common upbeat R&B sound has "If You Wanna,"""Thinking Of You." "Get Here (Brand New
Version)" has the softer Usher-soundalike style. The closing tune is another soft Usher-sounding duet,
"Timeless" with Season One winner Kelly Clarkson.
The opening track, "One Heart Too Many" has a latin flavor, as compared to Santana's "Maria
Maria." Unfortunately, his version of the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" is fairly well,
but not as superb as the original. (Maybe Season Two runner-up Clay Aiken would have sounded better, but in
the end, no one could really compete with Bill Medley & Bobby Hatfield.
Season One winner Kelly Clarkson would have a much stronger future as Justin. He co-produced and handled
his second album independently through his own label, Stranger Things Have Happened, as
he moved forward into the style of Jazz. Stranger would consist of his own versions of Jazz standards.
In 2008, he would release a 3-song EP, Revolve, as these songs would possibly surface on his third
album, to be released in the future. In the meantime, he worked with other Jazz-related artists, and
also wrote a religious composition for charity.
The softer ballads are the standouts on self-titled debut Justin Guarini. Most of these songs
could easily relate to Season Two winner Ruben Studdard, as his softer Christian songs were heard on
I Need An Angel. Comparing to the likes of Usher and even Ruben Studdard must be great comparisons,
as both of these singers would acheive great status in the R&B movement. Justin Guarini's debut album is
enjoyable, but not as superior as others, but it's still a good album to listen to.
Most, (if not all), of the songs of the American Idol debut albums were most likely hand picked
by the likes of the Idol producers. I'm sure for some, these songs may not have been favorable. Most of
the debut albums by the Idol winners were not as popular, some were actual bombs. But for some,
like Justin Guarini, Ruben Studdard, Bo Bice, and Taylor Hicks, they would resurface on a new label
(preferrably their own), and record music that THEY really wanted to achieve: A singer/musician's pure
creativity to sing, perform and be comfortable and proud of what they recorded should be the way it
should be. Although every Idol finalist had to start somewhere, it's great to see them branch on
their own with their own creativity and accomplish their dreams to be a success in their own rights.
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Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
RCA/BMG/V9/S Records
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