|
|
|
|
|
|
JAMES DURBIN
"Memories of a Beautiful Disaster"
(Wind-Up; 2011)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
Another American Idol contestant that didn't win but puts
out an awesome album anyway. Thanks, James Durbin! (and Chris Daughtry). You can
read James' bio on any site and it says "heavy metal" singer. I'll say that he's
got the pipes that helped him sing Aerosmith (Steven Tyler was a judge), Judas
Priest (which he sang with on the show's finale), Journey and 30 Seconds to Mars
to wow the Idol audience but not the fickle judges. So what? Guys like James are
going to be noticed long after the show has wrapped and the cast party has
ended.
James has a great voice but I don't know if he is a heavy metal singer. It seems
to me that, in order to be one, you need a heavy metal band backing you. He's
got a great voice with some aerial range but this disc starts tough and then
starts to settle into the easy chair of music. At least toward the end it picks
up and finishes with a fireworks display on the song "Stand Up." I'd give James
a hard rock button to wear before any other type of flare for the middle of the
disc. He does have Mick Mars from Motley Crue helping out on the track "Outcast"
so that's a nod to heavy metal if you're looking for a reason to pick up this
disc. "Outcast" is almost out of place here but, if Vince Neil falls off the
wagon or a cliff, James could step in and fill his shoes with no problem.
I never saw his "performances" on American Idol but I can tell his comfortable
style is hard rock and I'm sure when he was filling out the application to
audition he mentioned that he sang heavy metal, so they probably pigeonholed
him. He has a great range and it shows on the songs "Love Me Bad" and "Deeper."
Download these: "Higher Than Heaven," "Love Me Bad," "Outcast," and "Stand Up."
For more info click on over to
http://www.durbinrock.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2013 by R.
Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised:
14 Oct 2024 12:41:51 -0400 .
