Katharine McPhee
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Free Music Notes for Katharine McPhee
Free Music Review: VERY Good
Hit: 5 Stars
Without a doubt, Katherine Mcphee should have won last year's American Idol, but we're "over it". Katherine's album is fresh, and her vocals are great, front and center. Yes, she's decided to go the "Mariah Carey/R&B" route, and really, the only problem is whether the listner believes it or not. I, personally, do. Obviously, it wasn't a style she showcased on the show, but she never really did to stick to one specific genre. If anything, I'd say her voice is best suited for ballads, which the album definitely delivers.
Love Story-This is a great start for the album. The chorus is a little grating, but it's also part of the song's charm. The bridge brings the song's sort of retro style a little more into the now. 5/5
Over It-A simple pop diddy that sounds like JoJo but with stronger and more mature vocals. It serves its purpose. 3/5
Open Toes-Yes, the lyrics and subject matter are a tad silly, but I like the song's obvious humor. The last 40 seconds of the song is absolutely crazy, with an infectious beat and chant (yes, chant) you'll have in your head for days. 5/5
Home-The first ballad of the album, it has a Christina Aguilera/Beautiful-esque feel to it. The lyrics and subject matter are a little on the American Idol finale song side, but what the lyrics lack is made up for in Katherine's lovely, well controled voice. 4/5
Nor Ur Girl-A song with ska undertones (think No Doubt during Tragic Kingdom) but a little more hip. The chorus is absolute perfection. 4/5
Each Other-I've yet to see one person not think of Mariah's We Belong Together when first hearing this song. It's nothing new, but Katherine sounds nice on it. For what it's worth, I'd say it's the better of the two generic pop songs on this album (the other being Over It). 3/5
Dangerous-I just do not see the big deal with this one. I really want to love it, but I feel it's just too low key for my tastes. Paging the 80's isn't always a great idea. I guess it has a unique, random quality to it that some will enjoy. By far the weakest song of the album, though. 3/5
Ordinary World-The album's best song. Walter Afanasieff, the ballad master behind many of Mariah's earlier hits, shows his magic once again with the song best suited for Katherine's voice. The powerhouse of the album, if you will. 5/5
Do What You Do-A mid tempo dance track that is a little bit too good for a Pussycat Doll album. I feel it shows Katherine has a bit of versaility in her, she carries this song very well. 4/5
Better Off Alone-Katherine's voice is superb in this soulful piano-driven ballad. She shows some real emotion, which is often a complaint for Idol alumn material. 4/5
Neglected-If there's anything Katherine's album proves, it's that uniqueness sure can go a long way. With a somewhat middle-eastern vibe, this mid tempo number is completely hypnotic. Katherine gives a great, rare (for her) high register vocal in the chorus that will absolutely send shivers up your spine. Second best song of the album. 5/5
Everywhere I Go- Written by Babyface, its strong suits seem to actually be the opposite of most of his work's. The verses are great, while the chorus seems a bit, well, unenchanting, but still very pleasant. It's makes for the pefect ending for the album, though. 4/5
Even though I was a fan of hers during the show, I was not expecting such a well thoughtout, overall very enjoyable effort from her. I like this album a lot more than I expected to. In fact, it may rival Carrie Underwood's for the best Idol debut. I would definitely reccomend this album for anyone who wants to listen to an album with pure production and great, natural vocals-something that seems to be all too rare nowadays.
Free Music Review: Phenomenal
Hit: 5 Stars
This is BY FAR the best CD I have purchased in such a long time! I was not even all that huge of a fan of hers when she was on American Idol but, I liked her SO much better than Taylor. Katharine is a class act with a stunning voice that she proved on AI and that is even more so proven on her debut CD. Her CD ranges from very melodic ballads to up-tempo R&B/pop songs to well crafted R&B jams that her voice shines on throughout. I immediately added this CD to my iPod and I cannot stop listening to it since then - I have literally listened to it probably about 15 times today and I still cannot get enough. That's how great it is.
1. "Love Story" - This for me is one of the weakest songs on here. It's just a plain jane type song. Nothing really stands out about it. Just kind of "blah". 3/5
2. "Over It" - Katharine's first single. I like this song a lot. A nice mid-tempo song with the message of being over someone. 5/5
3. "Open Toes" - LOVE IT!!! This songs lyrics are a tad on the cheesy side but, they are suppose to be. The beat is so hot. A VERY up-tempo track: to the point where you just want to get up and dance. A nice hip/hop feel to it. The last 30 seconds of it are insane. HOT! 5/5
4. "Home" - A beautiful ballad. A bit of a Christina Aguilera feel to it (in a good way...without all the screaming) lol. Her wide range is really showcased in this song. Such a great song. 5/5
5. "Not Ur Girl" - This song has a nice pop/rock sound to it. Not one of my favorites but, it has grown a lot on me since my first listen to the CD. 4/5
6. "Each Other" - This song really reminds me of a Mariah song. SO good. I love this song. I could go on & on. A great mid-tempo beat. 5/5
7. "Danger" - A nice pop song. Like the lyrics. Katharine shows some sass on this song. A nice jam. 5/5
8. "Ordinary World" - Another truly great ballad. Her voice is so superb. This song gives me Goosebumps. 5/5
9. "Do What You Do" - Katharine proclaims at the start of the song "this is sick" - that it is. Another great up-tempo song with a great, infectious beat. 5/5
10. "Better Off Alone" - WOW! She is such a soulful singer. Another amazing ballad that she just belts out! 5/5
11. "Neglected" - LOVE IT! Another one of my favorite songs on here. Another song that sounds like it was made for Mariah but, so much better off sung by Katharine. A great mid-tempo tune! I cannot stop listening to this song! 5/5
12. "Everywhere I Go" - WOW!! I have ran out of "great" adjectives. Lol A great song to close a great CD with. Classy. 5/5
With this debut Katharine will be here for years to come. Ever song on this CD has HIT written all over it. They are all radio friendly. She has the looks, talent and the staying power.
You need to RUN out and get this CD ASAP - well worth the money spent!!!!!
Free Music Review: A "Must Have" CD for 2007
Hit: 5 Stars
Katharine McPhee and her management have taken a considerable risk in moving away from the "Big Vocals" music with which she is most associated and into the minefield of today's urban/R&B/Pop scene. Fans of the former style may not follow her in this new and probably unfamiliar direction and fans of the latter style may not buy into her remade persona. It really remains to be seen whether the gamble pays off in units sold.
Regarding the music itself: for those of you who have had the pleasure center of your brain removed, this CD is not going to be for you. For everyone else, this offering from Katharine McPhee will prove to be a fun and enjoyable ride.
Most assuredly, the backbone of the CD consists of the sort of vocal artistry one would expect from a singer of McPhee's talent. Songs like "Ordinary World", "Home", and "Better Off Alone" deliver the big notes and pure tones that are McPhee's bread and butter.
It is on songs like "Not Ur Girl", "Do What You Do", and most pointedly, "Open Toes", however, where the true spirit of Katharine McPhee shines through. Fun is the watchword of these tunes, and only the most hard-bitten cynic will be able to resist their poppy, head-bobbing, mirth-inducing charms.
Much criticism has been heaped on "Open Toes" as silly, throwaway junk. These critics are missing the point, or more specifically, they're missing the joke. McPhee has readily admitted that the song is "corny"; she is perfectly aware of it's limitations. But, much like a physical comedian who intentionally falls down in order to make others laugh, McPhee is perfectly happy to lower the artistic bar on this song, happy to endure tongue-clucking reviews, in order to deliver a plain old good time. There'll be no Grammy for this song, but if it gets people up and dancing, it will have served it's intended purpose.
All in all, an outstanding offering from a talented, generous, and enthusiastic artist. Appropriate for all ages (lyrics are entirely kid friendly), this CD is highly recommended for purchase.
4.5 stars (always room for improvement...)
Edit (6/8/07): the artist has recently remarked that the second half of her CD is "not the greatest", "cheesy" and "schmaltzy". Take that into consideration before buying.
Free Music Review: They Got This One RIGHT!
Hit: 5 Stars
I really appreciate that they covered just about everyone with this CD! Old Kat Phans, new Phans, Younger and Old, upbeat and club hoppin' or slow and soulful, it's ALL on here!
The songs that truly show case Kat's voice are Ordinary World, Home, Better Off Alone, and Everywhere I Go.
And I can imagine, Open Toes (which is so SO much better than I ever thought it could be) will definitely be played in clubs along with Not Ur Girl, Do what it Do and Dangerous.
Neglected is one of those slow head rocking songs. That I know a LOT of people will like!
I was in love with Over It and it's radio friendly Pop sound and Love Story's 70's throw back feel already!
But the ONE song on here that I feel could single-handedly sell this CD is "Ordinary World"
This is the one! This is what she needs to be singing at EVERY appearance! I mean this is what will please the Classic Kat Phans and win over ANYONE else who hears it! The first 30sec of the piano and her crystal clear voice are worth the price of the whole dang CD!!! I knew the writers/producers Walter Afanasieff and Emanuel Kiriakou who have penned some of the classics of Mariah and Celine would NOT dissapoint on this one and they came through in spades, they might as well clear some room for that Grammy they'll be picking up! Let people hear that one, that's all they need!
Kat chose a sound that has GREAT cross over appeal. Several tracks give enough urban R&B appeal they could easily be played on MTV VH-1 and BET. You heard of Blue Eyed Soul, well Blue, Brown or Green....Kat has got IT! Which may come as a surprise to some who only know her as the Over the Rainbow girl.
As I was listening I was being reminded of Janet in her heyday. Not vocally but the style of some of the songs. And then others were VERY reminiscent of Mariah and Christina's power ballads, and Kat actually sounded very much like them on a couple.
Yeah, I think they got the right mix, there will be at least ONE song on here for nearly everyone!
I can see now why a critic recently sighted this CD as being akin to a soundtrack rather then just a CD. It DOES have that feel. It truly is a "A Love Story" told in song, by a young lady who will find her place among the greats one day!
Free Music Review: Credit to all involved
Hit: 5 Stars
When Katherine first went into the studio to record this album, RCA had demo tapes ready for her with her songs on them. She listened to them, worked on them, and then, as cautiously as a first-time artist could, rather gingerly put her foot down, telling the execs that was not the direction she wanted her debut album to go. A discussion ensued, and shortly after, the troops came in. Nate Hills, Babyface, Kara DiGuardi, Timbaland, some of the finest writers and producers in pop and r&b music today.They started from scratch, worked with Katherine, and at the end of the process, this was the result. An album that showed Katherine's vision, and that she was happy with, and proud of.
She knew she could have put out an album filled with "Rainbow"-type Idol songs, but to what purpose? Id wouldn't sell, it wasn't what she wanted, and it would appeal largely to a niche demographic ,which isn't the purpose of a debut album, namely, to reach the largest number of people possible.
Did it succeed? In spades.
From the opening song, the old-school r&b "Love Story", to the catchy "Over It", to the beautiful ballads, the extraordinary "Ordinary World", and the two almost as beautiful ballads, "Home", and the bluesy "Better Off Alone", to the chilling, haunting "Neglected", and finally, the Mariah-like, "Everywhere I Go", the album hits on all cylinders, full of little hidden gems, and songs that hit you right in the face as well.
"Open Toes?"-----you either like it or hate it. I could take it or leave it until the third time I heard it. then I had an earworm that lasted for two days. I found myself bopping aroung the house muttering "put 'em on, put 'em on, let's go", and at my age, bopping isn't easy.
A great deal of credit goes to the writers producers,RCA, and mostly to Katherine herself, for having the vision to know, the minute she stepped off the Idol stage, what she wanted to do, and then doing it with excellence.
Christina Aguilera is the standard by which many pop artists are measured today, and with good reason-----she's got a drop-dead beautiful voice. Anybody remember Christina's first album? No? I kinda do-----I think it had "Genie In A Bottle" on it.
I'd much rather have "Open Toes".