An Early Preview of Clay Aiken’s Self-Titled Album
by L.C. Lee
-- 08/12/2003
There isn’t too much information out yet about Clay’s album, but what there is, L.C. has put together in an attempt to get a look at what we can expect. Take a look at the possible song list, including writers and producers. Plus, L.C. has already heard five clips of the new tracks!
According to Clay Aiken’s publicist, his debut album will be self-titled, putting to silence rumors of it being named “Measure of a Man” (while that title originally appeared on Amazon.com, it has since been removed). The album is tentatively scheduled to be released on October 14. The album is being executive produced by Clive Davis, who has procured several of the songwriters and producers who worked on Kelly Clarkson’s Thankful album.
In a LiveDaily interview, Clay described the album: “A lot of the stuff is like ‘This is the Night.’ It's a pop-flavored album. I think there's a lot of people out there who may not be the best influence for kids. I wouldn't want my kids listening to some of the stuff out there. None of the stuff on the album is like that.” It appears that Clay’s album is going in a power-pop direction, which probably suits him best and should move him towards becoming a staple on adult contemporary and Top 40 radio.
The information in this article has been compiled from various news articles and interviews.
The following is a tentative track listing for Clay’s self-titled album (in no particular order), including much of my own speculation. I have heard audio clips of the first five songs listed, so I’ve included my first impression on each of these songs.
“Invisible” (songwriters: Desmond Child, Chris Braide): The anticipated first single “Invisible” is a cover of a song by an Irish boy band called D-Side that is currently a hit over in the UK. My take on it is that it looks like Clay is starting to form his own style. Vocally, it's similar to "This is the Night," where he transitions seamlessly from his chest voice to his head voice, and really belts out the chorus. The instrumentation is a real departure for Clay, and rocks it out a little with the guitar-heavy hook. Lyrically, it's very mysterious – it seems like Clay is playing the role of voyeur. Good choice for a first single, since up-tempo songs tend to get more radioplay than ballads. Chalk up another hit.
“No More Sad Songs” (producer: Cliff Magness): This is my favorite of the five new songs I’ve heard. Very powerful lyrically – he’s saying that he’s over his former girlfriend, thus he wants to hear “no more sad songs.” We get to see another side of Clay, who puts all his emotion into the vocals, making you believe his strength and independence. Would make a great second single after “Invisible.” If this becomes a single, it could become a signature song for Clay.
“I Will Carry You” (producer: Cliff Magness): Clay successfully made this a hopeful and optimistic song without sounding too saccharine (very tough to do). The lyrics just grab you, particularly with the way Clay expresses the words (his phrasing is so on the money). Has a very strong hook, and the passion poured out in the vocal runs are almost inspirational. Could easily be a hit if released as a single.
“I Survived You” (producer: Cliff Magness): This is a power ballad with a rock edge. Clay’s vocals are just incredible. His voice is subtle and understated when it needs to be, powerful and rangy when it needs to be. The arrangement is very similar to the one Magness put together for Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You.” Very, very solid album track.
“Run To Me”: No word on who the songwriter & producer for this song is, but if I had to guess, I’d say Cliff Magness or Rick Nowels (if this is the Nowels song, you can disregard the listing for Nowels’ “Untitled” track, below). This is probably my least favorite of these five new songs, but by no means is it bad. Clay’s voice really soars, but overall, the track just felt very safe. Maybe this one will grow on me.
“Solitaire” (Neil Sedaka cover): “Solitaire” was my personal favorite Clay performance on AI, and I’m sure Clay will knock it out the park again with a full interpretation of Neil Sedaka’s five-minute original.
Untitled (songwriter: Steve Morales): Morales has written songs for Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Celine Dion, and Christina Aguilera. I’m only familiar with Morales’ work with Celine and Christina, which were upbeat songs, so I’m expecting an upbeat song that still allows Clay to stretch his vocal chords a bit.
Untitled (songwriter & producer: Rick Nowels): Nowels is a versatile songwriter and producer with a proven track record, who has worked with a wide range of artists including Madonna, Santana, Jewel, and NSYNC. Each of Nowels’ songs sound different due to his use of live instrumentation. Nowels has so many different styles, I’m not going to even bother speculating what type of song this will be.
Untitled (songwriter: Cathy Dennis): Dennis wrote “A Moment Like This” for Kelly Clarkson, so I would expect another sappy, syrupy pop ballad from her. Hopefully, Clay’s vocals can save a song like this.
Untitled (songwriter: Chris Braide): Braide co-wrote “This is the Night” and “Invisible,” and has written a third song for Clay’s album. I would expect Braide to deliver another power-pop anthem in the same vein. On a side note, this is even further speculation on my part, but Chris Braide and Cathy Dennis co-wrote “Anything is Possible” for Will Young (UK Pop Idol), so I wouldn’t be surprised if that song ends up on Clay’s album (rather than a new song written by Braide and/or Dennis). As we know, 19 Entertainment hasn’t been shy about lifting songs from the UK (Westlife’s “Flying Without Wings” and D-Side’s “Invisible”) for the Idols.
“This is the Night”
“Bridge Over Troubled Water”: I expect both songs from the single to be included on the album.
*Possible track: Untitled (songwriter: Rick Astley): Remember British heartthrob Rick Astley, who had a few hits in the U.S. in the late ‘80s? Some have compared Clay to Rick Astley, probably because of their similar clean-cut images. Rick's manager Tops Henderson is reportedly in negotiations for Rick to write a song for Clay’s album, but this song is no certainty yet. Astley is known for up-tempo dance songs, so I would expect a collaboration to show off Clay’s fun side and be a real crowd-pleaser.
There could be more tracks, but this is all the info that I have for now. There is still plenty of time for any of this information to change (songs getting cut, added, etc.), so please remember that everything is tentative. I hope this article gives all the Clay fans a good idea of what Clay’s album will sound like.
Note: I've received several emails from Clay fans asking about a possible Ruben/Clay duet. Rumors of a possible duet were spreading the week after AI2 ended, but no news on it of late. Simon Fuller, head of 19 Recordings Ltd., has been quoted as saying that it's likely, and I mentioned in my preview of Ruben’s album that such a duet might appear on both CDs.
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