Elliott Yamin
(2007) Hickory Records
On his self-titled debut album, Elliott Yamin showcases the old school R & B voice that brought him so many fans on American Idol. Though Yamin was largely considered an underdog on the show, he was always a viewer favorite, and this CD officially takes him out of underdog status and makes him a top contender for a lasting career. His voice is at top form here with his surprising range and smooth, emotion-filled vibe, and the boy even scats. This is, quite frankly, one of the best CDs to come out of Idol Land so far. Yamin even scores some songwriting credits with “Find a Way,” “You are the One,” “Train Wreck,” and “Alright.”
Some of my favorite tracks on the CD are “I’m the Man” with its strong guitar and “Train Wreck” with its old school smooth rhythms and harmonies. “Alright” stands strong, too, with tribal drums leading the dance music rhythms and harmonies. Although there is the lurking danger that all of the songs will sound the same, Yamin’s voice is versatile enough and his range is strong enough that he carries each of the songs through and makes each one complete in its own right. It’s probably no surprise that the strongest tracks on the CD were the ones co-written by Yamin. He seems to project even more feeling into those songs. I was pleased to hear “A Song for You” included in the CD. Yamin’s performance of the song was one of his highlights on American Idol, and his rendition of it here showcases the honesty and sensitivity in his voice that will make him a vocalist to contend with for a long time to come.