Regular readers of this blog know that I’m not exactly Kathy Bates to Clay Aiken’s James Caan, and that I had some reservations about the American Idol runner-up’s choice of the oft-covered "Without You" as the first single off his long-awaited new disc, A Thousand Different Ways. Yet even with lowered expectations in tow, I’m still finding myself disappointed by Clay’s adequate yet utterlypredictable interpretation of Badfinger’s ballad, which is now streaming for free at his official website (click here).
Sure, the dude can sing — and in an era where Paris Hilton is a top 20 act, actual vocal ability is, well, hot — but Clay’s "Without You" sorely lacks the anguish of Harry Nilsson’s Grammy-winning rendition, nor does it have the sheer melodrama of Mariah Carey’s. Worst of all, though, Clay doesn’t take any chances with the song’s phrasing or melody or arrangement (the way Kelly Clarkson did when she tackled "Without You" during the first, Dunkelman-assisted season of Idol); as a result, Clay fails to (in the words of Paula Abdul) make the song his own. I wish Clay had tried stripping it down and slowing it down — to turn it into a heartbreaking dirge. Or perhaps attempted to infuse it with an ambient, loungey vibe. As it stands, though, his "Without You" inspires neither love nor loathing, just a shrug of this blogger’s shoulders. What do you think of Clay’s new single? Let ‘er rip in the comments section below.
Mmm…Agreed, Slezak. Could have been better. Clay has a great voice, but most of his songs don’t really grab the listener. I also wish he’d do fewer ballads. Maybe that’s the case with the new CD, although the first single isn’t encouraging.
First off, can someone please tell Clay his hair looked better when he was doing the Ryan Seacrest?
AND There is so much computerized overlay on that track I’m not sure Clay actually sang it…
I do not care for Aiken’s music, but I like his new look. Sort of new wave a la the Killers/Panic! At The Disco going on.
Sharp!
Anyone want to take bets on how long it will take for the Claymates to start spamming this entry?
I disagree with you. I like the song and Clay makes it his own. I believe you alrealy pre-judged his new CD. You should go back, close your eyes and listen to this song one more time. That’s Clay’s song, his own unique voice making this song his own!
“Anyone want to take bets on how long it will take for the Claymates to start spamming this entry?”
Um, judging by the post following yours, I would say approx. 30 seconds.
Slezak! Don’t you remember what happened the last time you dared to mention that name on PopWatch?? We weathered a Claymate attack that lasted for 4 days! I can hear the stampede now….
Slezak, you forgot to mention you can download a poster of Clay to plaster the walls at your very own listening party!
I think I’ll use mine to wipe up the vomit…
YIKES! I haven’t heard his cd or the single (and if there is any justice in this world, I will never HAVE to!) but in the picture accompanying this article, Aiken looks like an anorexic k.d.lang. Couldn’t he have been a bit more gender specific?
Mariah’s was full of melisma and I can’t even listen to the end. I see a very different interpretation with Clay’s versus Nilsson’s. Nilsson’s had one kind of anguish, Clay’s sounds more forlorn at first, almost like he doesn’t believe she’s leaving. Then he builds up to the crying out, like it just hit him. I like both the Nilsson and Aiken versions very much and I do believe Clay did bring something new to the song.
So much irony here, I don’t know where to begin…
“The President intends to appoint the following individuals to be Members of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities:
Clayton Aiken, of North Carolina”
Taken from:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/09/20060905-10.html
I think your title says it all, “Snap Judgement” and you made it before actually listening and upon seeing the name Clay Aiken. You went into listening with the same preconceived notions you always have about Clay.
Oh goody, an “unprejudiced” review by one of Yelly Slutson’s fans.
Your review does not really surprised me . You have always been biased when it comes to Clay Aiken. His version is more moving and grab you in.His voice is surperb and crystal clear in the song. If you going to be a critic you should be fair and partial.
Happy to see that k.d. lang is back with a brand new look. Who’s this Clay person they keep talking about?