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RSSAce Young Delivers Self-titled Album
Jul 08
Music Album, American Idol Comments Off
Ace Young’s self-titled post-American Idol debut is eerily reminiscent of Justin Timberlake from the tenor of his vocals to the vibe of the album to the harmonious melodies stapled on to a Meatloaf-sized production. Young manages, in the same slick way Timberlake does, to evoke Michael Jackson from 1982 (Thriller) instead of Michael Jackson from 2001 (Invincible).
Much has been made of the lack of success of American Idol male alumni. Even wholly credible albums like the one from rocker Constantine Maroulis fail to make much of an impact on radio or sales. That’s because, with the exception of Daughtry, most of it is over-produced crap (see Lewis, Blake). But on Ace Young, the production probably saves Young some post-Idol grief. It’s a slick pop album with just enough hip hop cred to entice radio.
The Letter is Young’s Billy Jean (well, Billy Jean-lite). Evoking his best Nickelback impression, A Hard Hand to Hold, will get the pre-teen girls weeping in their soccer patch tee. And Dirty Mind would melt many a middle-aged man in the hands of Justin Timberlake. So what if Young delves is turgid Christian balladry with album closer The Gift? And who would complain that Fast Life sounds suspiciously like a George Michael single? Well…
The problem, if one needs to point this out, is that there is nothing uniquely Ace Young on this album. The first single Addicted is clearly radio-ready, but you wouldn’t be able to distinguish it from any boy band offering that’s already in the rotation. And ultimately, while Ace Young sounds good, it doesn’t make much of a lasting impression.
