MusicTalks
06/23/09, 02:37 PM
Elliott Yamin - Fight For Love
Record Label: Hickory Records
Release Date: May 5th, 2009
In the vernacular of the music industry, a coined term like "sophomore slump" is not a phrase that you want floating around your music. Typically, while stereotypes are unfair generalizations about certain things, they are, however, usually formed from some sort of fact. Statistically speaking, a successful debut album is a blessing, but in most circles, it's a curse. So, the moment an artist gets around to writing and recording a second record, they try, at all costs, to avoid becoming a magnet for a phrase such as this.
With his sophomore release, Fight For Love, Elliott Yamin has not only managed to steer clear of a slump, but he's essentially set up residence in a completely different zip code. With emphasis on his power R&B vocals and soultry prowess, Yamin moves on from his debut roots with the maturity and poise of someone who plans to stick around just a little bit longer.
"Let Love Be" opens the record and is easily my favorite track on the album. Its hook and beat are something that will immediately let you get into the music and feel the chorus. "Fight For Love" is definitely the most appropriate choice for first single, just as "Wait For You" was on his debut album. It's a bit of a mesh between current R&B and also the R&B that our parents grew up with. "You" is a slower, hard-hitting ballad, somewhat reminiscent of "I'm The Man" from the last record. Some of the songs, on first listen, might seem to run together. But, after one full spin, they start to take on their own life. And, songs like "Know Better," "Don't Be Afraid," "You Say," and "Apart From Me," make this record heady yet not crass; just smooth enough without being coarse. It's just poppy enough not to be a sell-out.
With fellow American Idol graduate Daughtry's second album coming out in less than a month, Yamin has set a precedent that Daughtry will be lucky to avoid, but not naive enough to ignore. Yamin can look back on his first and second albums with a sense of pride that he conquered both his freshman and sophomore year. Here's to hoping his junior year is just as good.
Elliott Yamin, Donnie Hathaway, current Idol Danny Gokey, a truly talented R&B voice, Richmond Virginia
www.myspace.com/elliottyamin (http://www.myspace.com/elliottyamin)
Record Label: Hickory Records
Release Date: May 5th, 2009
In the vernacular of the music industry, a coined term like "sophomore slump" is not a phrase that you want floating around your music. Typically, while stereotypes are unfair generalizations about certain things, they are, however, usually formed from some sort of fact. Statistically speaking, a successful debut album is a blessing, but in most circles, it's a curse. So, the moment an artist gets around to writing and recording a second record, they try, at all costs, to avoid becoming a magnet for a phrase such as this.
With his sophomore release, Fight For Love, Elliott Yamin has not only managed to steer clear of a slump, but he's essentially set up residence in a completely different zip code. With emphasis on his power R&B vocals and soultry prowess, Yamin moves on from his debut roots with the maturity and poise of someone who plans to stick around just a little bit longer.
"Let Love Be" opens the record and is easily my favorite track on the album. Its hook and beat are something that will immediately let you get into the music and feel the chorus. "Fight For Love" is definitely the most appropriate choice for first single, just as "Wait For You" was on his debut album. It's a bit of a mesh between current R&B and also the R&B that our parents grew up with. "You" is a slower, hard-hitting ballad, somewhat reminiscent of "I'm The Man" from the last record. Some of the songs, on first listen, might seem to run together. But, after one full spin, they start to take on their own life. And, songs like "Know Better," "Don't Be Afraid," "You Say," and "Apart From Me," make this record heady yet not crass; just smooth enough without being coarse. It's just poppy enough not to be a sell-out.
With fellow American Idol graduate Daughtry's second album coming out in less than a month, Yamin has set a precedent that Daughtry will be lucky to avoid, but not naive enough to ignore. Yamin can look back on his first and second albums with a sense of pride that he conquered both his freshman and sophomore year. Here's to hoping his junior year is just as good.
Elliott Yamin, Donnie Hathaway, current Idol Danny Gokey, a truly talented R&B voice, Richmond Virginia
www.myspace.com/elliottyamin (http://www.myspace.com/elliottyamin)