Gregory Robson
03/30/10, 10:54 AM
Kimberly Caldwell - Without Regret
Record Label: Vanguard/Capitol
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Who?
Former American Idol finalist Kimberly Caldwell releases her full-length debut. The Katy, TX native, who was a five-time junior vocalist winner on Star Search, also dabbles in TV as an entertainment correspondent on the TV Guide Network. Prior to that gig, she hosted a TV show on Fox Sports and is currently at work on a mini-series with John Schneider. She is also in talks of hosting the Mark Burnett-game show Jingles and had a brief romance with American Idol winner David Cook. The album, her first, was produced by Marshall Altman (Matt Nathanson, Virginia Coalition) and features songs written by Kara DioGuardi, Chad Kroeger, hit-maker Diane Warren and Melissa Etheridge.
How is it?
For those of us that aren't ashamed to turn up the radio when Kelly Clarkson starts singing, it's a near home-run. The disc jumps out of the box with the soaring ballad "Heart Like Mine." It's an odd way to open a disc, but the song itself is pure gold. With a titanic chorus and Caldwell's strong-lunged vocal prowess it has the kind of passion, honesty and precision that has allowed Clarkson to soar to the top of the charts. With the exception of second cut "Going Going Gone," a jagged exercise that tries too hard to be tenacious, the rest of Without Regret is splendid. Though the disc wades heavily in ballad and mid-tempo territory, Caldwell has limitless range and her husky, rough-hewn vocals call to mind Melissa Etheridge and Meredith Brooks. That comparison is what should help her tower atop a crowded adult contemporary female singer/songwriter field.
A song like "Mess of You," has the propulsive symphonic trappings down pat and much of that credit goes to up-and-coming producer extraordinaire Altman. His deft touch behind the knobs allows songs like "Taking Back My Life," and "If You're Gonna Fall," to sound polished, slick and mistake-free. Due credit of course goes to Caldwell who wrote nearly half of the compositions herself. Though it's probably not a popular opinion, Without Regret has armfuls of commercial appeal that is certain to find favor with those that enjoy female singers who can belt. Though she tackles an array of trite themes: staying true to a partner, leaving the mess of a relationship, staying true to oneself, welcoming an ex-flame, etc., there's still something captivating and telling about the collection as a whole.
Though prognosticating Billboard chart success feels a bit foolhardy (when is it ever guaranteed?), there's little reason to think this won't resonate with its niche audience. Not bad for an American Idol cast-off, eh?
1. Heart Like Mine
2. Going Going Gone
3. Mess of You
4. Say Love
5. Human After All
6. Taking Back My Life
7. Cost of Love
8. Frozen
9. If You're Gonna Fall
10. When I'm Not Around
11. Sleep While I Drive
Melissa Etheridge, Meredith Brooks, Bree Sharp, Kelly Clarkson
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/kimberlycaldwellofficial)
Website (http://www.kimberly-caldwell.com)
Record Label: Vanguard/Capitol
Release Date: April 6, 2010
Who?
Former American Idol finalist Kimberly Caldwell releases her full-length debut. The Katy, TX native, who was a five-time junior vocalist winner on Star Search, also dabbles in TV as an entertainment correspondent on the TV Guide Network. Prior to that gig, she hosted a TV show on Fox Sports and is currently at work on a mini-series with John Schneider. She is also in talks of hosting the Mark Burnett-game show Jingles and had a brief romance with American Idol winner David Cook. The album, her first, was produced by Marshall Altman (Matt Nathanson, Virginia Coalition) and features songs written by Kara DioGuardi, Chad Kroeger, hit-maker Diane Warren and Melissa Etheridge.
How is it?
For those of us that aren't ashamed to turn up the radio when Kelly Clarkson starts singing, it's a near home-run. The disc jumps out of the box with the soaring ballad "Heart Like Mine." It's an odd way to open a disc, but the song itself is pure gold. With a titanic chorus and Caldwell's strong-lunged vocal prowess it has the kind of passion, honesty and precision that has allowed Clarkson to soar to the top of the charts. With the exception of second cut "Going Going Gone," a jagged exercise that tries too hard to be tenacious, the rest of Without Regret is splendid. Though the disc wades heavily in ballad and mid-tempo territory, Caldwell has limitless range and her husky, rough-hewn vocals call to mind Melissa Etheridge and Meredith Brooks. That comparison is what should help her tower atop a crowded adult contemporary female singer/songwriter field.
A song like "Mess of You," has the propulsive symphonic trappings down pat and much of that credit goes to up-and-coming producer extraordinaire Altman. His deft touch behind the knobs allows songs like "Taking Back My Life," and "If You're Gonna Fall," to sound polished, slick and mistake-free. Due credit of course goes to Caldwell who wrote nearly half of the compositions herself. Though it's probably not a popular opinion, Without Regret has armfuls of commercial appeal that is certain to find favor with those that enjoy female singers who can belt. Though she tackles an array of trite themes: staying true to a partner, leaving the mess of a relationship, staying true to oneself, welcoming an ex-flame, etc., there's still something captivating and telling about the collection as a whole.
Though prognosticating Billboard chart success feels a bit foolhardy (when is it ever guaranteed?), there's little reason to think this won't resonate with its niche audience. Not bad for an American Idol cast-off, eh?
1. Heart Like Mine
2. Going Going Gone
3. Mess of You
4. Say Love
5. Human After All
6. Taking Back My Life
7. Cost of Love
8. Frozen
9. If You're Gonna Fall
10. When I'm Not Around
11. Sleep While I Drive
Melissa Etheridge, Meredith Brooks, Bree Sharp, Kelly Clarkson
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/kimberlycaldwellofficial)
Website (http://www.kimberly-caldwell.com)