On My Way Here Reviews

• On his way

  
  By A1U11PS71ML0YJ on 2008-05-07
  with this excellent third cd by Clay Aiken. While its the first of his cds that i've bought. I found myself partial to the title song "On My Way Here" written by Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic). It starts off the album very well and Clay's voice handles each song like it is meant for that individual song.
  
  While i enjoyed the album very much. I am really fond of certain tracks:
  
  "On My Way Here"
  "Ashes"
  "Everything I Need"
  "Something About Us"
  "Falling"
  "Where I Draw The Line"
  "Weight of the World"
  "Lover All Alone" a song he cowrote on
  
  With this release Clay continues to cement himself firmly in the music business and should continue to have much success now and in the future with this one. I will look into his other cds and plan on buying at least another one of them in the next few months without question. He's a great talent that shouldn't be overlooked because of his AI connection or whatever other reason.
  
  Purchase "On My Way Here" and hear the cd that has folks excited all over the country.
  
  

• Clay's best effort to date

  
  By AQRHHTV1Z0E6E on 2008-05-06
  Clay finally got a chance to make an album as HE wished it to be, and IMO he knocked it out of the ball park with every song. I enjoy the variety of song styles, which makes for a fantastic album overall. Great listening all the way through, over and over. Thoughtful lyrics throughout. I love it!
  
  

• The Real Deal

  
  By A3METKG82NZG87 on 2008-05-06
  
  Clay Aiken's new CD seems to reflect his maturity as a performer, his balance in a life under the spotlight, and his integrity and confidence to say what he wants to say. How many pre-thirty-year-olds have accomplished what he has in life? Clay redefines "cool".
  
  This album is rich, like a box of gourmet chocolates. Each song is a sweet taste of love, loss, living and giving. Rather than playing it straight through, savor each song (listen twice) and let the words speak to you.
  
  
  
  
  

• Solid entertainment

  
  By ACEA95FQS1AVP on 2008-05-12
  I loved Clay Aiken's song "Invisible." He has a great, strong voice, and though he does ballads very well, I prefer his uptempo songs. So, the last album was a little disappointing since it was so many covers and nearly all ballads/slow songs. I almost didn't buy this one, but Amazon's price was too tempting. I'm glad I bought it. "On My Way Here" has more than its share of ballads, but there are a few uptempo songs and the overall execution is far better than previous albums.
  
  Some reviewers thought the subject matter a little depressing. I actually found it uplifting. Most songs discuss the difficulties in life and how he got past them to be where he is now. Everyone can relate to that. "Ashes" is uptempo, and the lyrics are about everything "going up in flames" but he managed to rise above it all. This was one of my favorites, in addition to "Falling," also a faster song. Of the slower offerings, I felt that "The Real Me" and "Weight of the World" and "Where I Draw the Line" were the best. These aren't syrupy ballads going on about how great love is. They center on how love makes us vulnerable and can even hurt us, but it so necessary to live. How many people do we know who actually see the real us? "Where I Draw the Line" reminded me a lot of Rob Thomas' "Lonely No More," at least in tone. It's easier to guard our hearts to avoid pain, but if we never take that chance we're missing out.
  
  Though I didn't love every song on here, there were many that I enjoyed and could relisten to on a frequent basis. Aiken is certainly talented, and this album showcases that. I hope his next offering has more fast songs, but even if not I'll check it out. Overall, highly recommended.
  
  

• WOW ! WOW !

  
  By A2EIA9VE2QJME3 on 2008-05-06
  WOW!!! Once again Clay has a wonderful collection. He never disappoints.
  This new CD is really awesome. I hope he sells millions. I bought 2 already.
  I couldn't wait to get it in the mail so I downloaded it. WONDERFUL!!!
  I met Clay in New York at spamalot he's so Special! It was a blast.
  The songs are so fresh and real! They tell stories of life's paths.
  I gave him a copy of my son's first CD "A World Beyond" By Al Semas
  He was so gracious.
  He's magical! A fan always, Elzera
  
  
  
• Three and 1/2 stars
  By A2SU2FXSX60ZGG on 2008-05-13
  There are some recording artists whose fans are so intense that it is genuinely difficult to ascertain whether or not a given album is any good based on customer reviews. I find this to be the case with Clay Aiken. Some fans are so rabidly loyal, anything less than a five star review will elicit concern and suspicion, or worst case, hatred and venom.
  
  My wife is a huge Aiken fan, but I daresay she is not as big of a fan as some posting here. We have Clay Aiken magnets on our refrigerator. I buy all of his albums for her. As a surprise this past December, I took her to his Christmas concert. She loved it, while I found it pleasant but a tad boring for my tastes (he stood virtually motionless behind the microphone the entire show). For Christmas, I bought her a plane ticket to New York City and tickets to Spamalot so she could see his Broadway debut with a girlfriend. So she very much loves Clay Aiken, and I support and indulge this habit.
  
  But were she to put an honest review for this album on this site, she would likely be lambasted as a "hater" or psychoanalyzed with suspicion. So I am posting the review she verbally told me last night, so her Amazon ratings will not suffer, but that her opinion might make it out there to other Clay fans who may wish to read an objective opinion on this recent album.
  
  Last night, I asked her if she had listened to this new album all the way through. "Many, many times," she replied. "OK," I said, "so be honest. Five stars is like, The Beatles' 'Abbey Road' -- what does this album rank? Honestly." She paused. "Honestly? Maybe three or four stars."
  
  I asked her if Clay had yet to record an album where the material matched his talent, nuance for nuance. "No." Such was the case with this album. Several pleasant songs, all around good to listen to, but nothing that made her crawl out of her skin the way I witnessed when AI season 2 was on the air. I'm telling you, there were weeks when I would just stare at the TV and say, "Damn, that kid is good," and she would have goosebumps rolling over her arms. But with this album? Not that level of joy for the listner, at least in her case.
  
  In other words, there are true Clay fans out there who want to hear him belt out those spine tingling notes, those mega ballads, those chill-inducing tones the way only he can, time and time again, the way we did on AI. But in studio, for whatever reason, we just don't seem to have heard it.
  
  This should not be misconstrued as people who are "haters," or "not listening to the same album" as others. Rather, it is people who have heard glimpses of an unspeakably amazing talent, and wished a studio would find material that matched it. We have not. And for my wife to say this album ranks at "Three, maybe four stars" does not make her a "hater." It makes her a realist. Not in the category of fans who discouraged her from ordering a reuben at the restaurant before one of his concerts (I'm not making this up -- the ladies looked at her and said, "You don't order THAT," because Ruben Studdard had beaten Clay in season 2).
  
  But she is smart enough not to post her honest opinion here for fear the die-hard fans will retaliate against her, as has happened to others here.
  
  All that being said, three-and-a-half stars is likely a fair assessment of this album from a true fan. As her husband, I will happily take the heat/hatred for this review. And I will also continue to buy all things Aiken for my wonderful wife, who I hope will someday tell me, "THIS album is FIVE STARS -- HONESTLY!" When that day comes, I will be the first to post the review. And I'll know it's time to buy two copies of that album -- one for her and one for me.
  
  PS: Since posting this review, I've followed up in the "Comments" section, and have subsequently been asked to point people to the comments section for the perspective it provides. Thank you.
  
  
  
• THIS should have been his second album
  By A33CLVW2K7SL1P on 2008-05-13
  (This is especially for those who have listened to the CD once or twice, and made up their mind it's not to their liking.)
  
  After my second time through this CD, I was prepared to give it a thoroughly sub-par review. Other than the title track and "Lover All Alone", nothing really grabbed me. However, I *wanted* to be grabbed, so I gave the CD another chance.
  
  Clunk. Nothing.
  
  After my fifth run through, I was ready to call it quits, especially as I found myself skipping through the songs, not even giving them a proper listening, to get from "On My Way Here" to "Lover All Alone". I did call it quits for a few days, then found that I was humming a tune in my head that I couldn't quite place. After driving myself insane for a day or so, I finally recognized it as "Something About Us". So I pulled out my iPod, played the song, and was a bit dumbfounded. Was this the same thing I skipped through a few days ago? Indeed it was. And yet now (or then) as I listened to the song, I thought it was one of the most gorgeous love songs I'd ever heard. Clay's voice was sublime, as he caressed each word, each phrase, with a tenderness I don't think I've heard before from him.
  
  Well, that meant I had to give the entire CD another listening, and when I did so, it clicked. I "got it", though I'm not sure what it was that I was missing before. I wasn't expecting him to recreate Measure of a Man, and was hoping this wasn't another A Thousand Different Ways (sorry, I didn't like that one, save for "Lover All Alone"; someone of Clay's stature shouldn't be singing remakes on their second studio--non-holiday release).
  
  So for me, the sixth time was the charm. It's obvious that Clay has given up aspirations of being a hugely successful POP artist and is singing to his fan base. That's perfectly fine--a performer can entertain (and enrapture) his audience without trying to score the next big #1 single.
  
  I'm glad I gave it that sixth shot. It's had many more listens since then.
  
  Clay's given us a beautiful album, and I'm already looking forward to more.
  
  EDIT: I listened to it this morning (5/13) and now I even like the songs that weren't my favorites--in other words, I like the entire CD. This is truly a stellar offering, and I'm glad I gave it a sixth shot. (Thankfully, the other guys at the gym around me didn't know that I was listening to Clay Aiken while exercising. I doubt he gets much play on guys' iPods, especially at the gym!)
  
  
• Pop. Rock. Blues. Jazz. This CD's got a little of everything...
  By A2GBGLVROQM4CV on 2008-05-06
  I'm still waiting on this CD to arrive, but thanks to a friend I've heard all twelve songs.
  
  It's amazing - forget what you've heard before, this is a grown up Clay Aiken; no longer just a 'ballad boy'. A little modern blues a-la James Morrison, a little uptempo rock/pop, a little jazz piano, a few ballads, a little country-crossover and even an inspirational song. And a beautifully sad song the man wrote with David Foster. Just goes to show ya what the guy can do when his record label lets him choose the songs instead telling him what to sing. The guy has good and very eclectic taste in music.
  
  If you remember Clay from American Idol, but have never bought any of his CD's, this is the one to get!
  
  
• A Wonderful Effort From Clay
  By AH5AD0J6KRBCW on 2008-05-06
  While the cover art may be questionable (a hair product promotional ad comes to mind), don't let it turn you away. Being an avid listener of Aiken's since his 'Idol' days, even I was skeptical after his last offering of covers.
  
  I stand corrected.
  
  This album deserves a very solid four stars, simply for the high quality of the music and performance. For a thirteen track disc (referring to the Wal-Mart edition - one bonus track not available through Amazon), I found it to be an amazingly strong product, leaps and bounds better than 'A Thousand Different Ways'.
  
  In the music business - no matter how you try to reinvent yourself - it's key to find your niche and stick to it. With 'On My Way Here', Clay shows that not only is he certain that soft rock/adult contemporary is his strong point - he reveals an extreme confidence in staying with that genre. The tracks are well written, consisting of realistic themes and portraying simple emotions that the average fan will be able to identify with - and steering in the opposite direction of other 'artists' who fuel the 'sex sells' bandwagon. The orchestrations are smooth and full - a very nice complement to the rich, solid quality of Aiken's vocals.
  
  'On My Way Here' is a collection that will appeal to listeners both young and old, a very nice mix of mid- to up-tempo pop songs and ballads that are an easy listen and will transfer nicely to the stage for any upcoming tour. Aiken has represented himself well with this outing - a fine effort that fans have been waiting for since his first album of original material.
  
  Four stars and two thumbs up to this wonderful disc. Highly recommended!
  
  
  
  
• Clay At His Most Introspective
  By A3OZKAQ20U5KNL on 2008-05-20
  "On My Way Here" is a well crafted album that undeniably shows that Clay Aiken and team (Foster and Kipper) have spent a lot of time and energy creating.
  
  The broad range of all original material on this album is solid and it showcases genres from ballad, to up-tempo, to soft or pop rock. This diversity demonstrates the versatility of Clay as an artist and the songs here represent Clay's maturation as a talented performer.
  
  Above all that, the one thing that shines through is that polished, beautiful, honey-sweet, magnificent, soaring vocals. As much as I love all the songs, it is Clay's voice that makes listening to the cd again and again and again, magical and irresistible.
  
  Here too, is Clay at his most introspective with lyrics that purportedly represent his experiences of having been in the public's eye. However, listeners can also "emo-personally" connect to each song as we bring our take to the table when we reflect on our own experiences.
  
  
  There is definitely something for everyone and I recommend this album to anyone who appreciates different musical genres, a captivating and accomplished vocalist, and a great talent.
  
  
  
  
• Great feats of Clay
  By A37PV5GMP2ILJC on 2008-05-28
  "I've fallen hard
  But I've been loved
  And in the end it all works out
  My faith has conquered fear
  On my way here."
  
  Clay Aiken's been working pretty hard since his 2003 second place win on American Idol Season 2, becoming a UNICEF Ambassador in 2004 and this year gracing the Broadway stage in Spamalot. He's also done his share of touring and volunteer work, while still finding time to record this, his fourth full length studio album.
  
  The album comprises 12 tracks of radio-friendly pop ballads of varying tempos, the strong points being the clarity and purity of his voice, and the inspiring and emotional lyrics. The first single, which is also the title track, was co-written by Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) and was the inspiration for the album.
  
  "Where I Draw the Line" is another track that should be a single, and it's about not wanting to surrender your heart for fear of getting hurt.
  
  "Seems whenever I let somebody get this close
  I'm right back where I got hurt the most
  And that's why, oh that's why
  Around my heart is where I draw the line"
  
  "Grace of God" reflects on being grateful for the blessings in your life, empathizing with the many people who may be in need or in trouble.
  
  Other notable tracks are "Ashes"; "Everything I Don't Need" (where he throws in an R&B vibe); "Weight of the World" (great chorus) and "Lover All Alone" (co-written by Aiken)
  
  The only thing wrong with this album is that it's only 12 songs long.
  (I don't really like the cover art either, but that's neither here nor there)
  
  Recommended for American Idol and pop music fans.
  
  
  
  Amanda Richards, May 27, 2008
  
  
  
• The Best Clay Aiken Album Yet!
  By AZK3SET3CK24S on 2008-05-06
  I'm so glad that Clay finally got to choose his own songs for this album. They are all beautiful, and Clay's glorious voice brings each song to life. A must-have!
  
  
  
• The best yet!
  By A1DOGIGZEEQ350 on 2008-05-06
  If I could give this album more than 5 stars, I would. The writing, production, instrumentation and most definitely the vocals show a vast growth and maturity for Clay. Although his first album was good, it was obvious that it was overproduced and in the wrong key for many of the songs. It didn't give Clay a chance to showcase his beautiful voice. But, this album is a complete 180 from the first album. You can tell that he put a lot of time and effort into this one. His vocals are polished and wonderful, the instrumentation is fantastic and the production is natural, not pushed. I was blown away by "Ashes" & "Fallen" which are faster paced with a bit of a rock edge and 2 of the best songs I've heard in a long time. Other favorites include "Where I Draw the Line" (emotional, lush, catchy), "On My Way Here" (another great Tedder song), "The Real Me" (gut wrenching and so true to life), "Weight of the World" (I swear this has a U2 sound), "As Long as We're Here" (fantastic chorus!), "Lover All Alone" was a bonus track on A Thousand Different Ways which most people didn't get to hear - a complete shame because it was the best track on the album. There isn't a weak track on this album. I'm completely blown away! Forget the preconceived notions you have about Clay and give this album just one listen. You will be immediately hooked!
  
  
• Solid Album
  By AJDFQJ3D5EH0Z on 2008-05-07
  New material from this brilliant voice...I felt a big sigh of relief....FINALLY!! I guess with high expectations, my first couple listens I was a little under-whelmed. However, the more I listen, the more I feel this is a great album. Clay does try to put some variety in the album, and his voice does shine! I am not blown away (thinking this is the best album ever); but this is still a top album. The lyrics on the songs are definitely worth paying attention to. After listening to the album a few times, non-stop, I did find myself in a happy mood. Meaningful lyrics and an inspirational voice; this is definitely an album worth purchasing.
  
  On My Way Here - Emotional ballad. Powerful.
  Ashes - Up tempo; solid song. I could see this fitting well on Pop radio.
  Everything I Don't Need - Bluesy feel. A different song, ok for me.
  Something About Us - Real slow; reminded me of Sinatra type of song
  Falling - Starts off slow, picks up pace. Not a bad song.
  Where I Draw The Line - Good pop song. 2nd half better than the 1st.
  The Real Me - Slow emotional ballad, pretty good; it is growing on me.
  Weight Of the World - A little more up tempo, nice listen.
  As Long As We Are Here - Strong lyrics, up tempo ballad. Nice high note.
  Sacrificial Love - Slow; pretty good song.
  Grace Of God - Ok ballad.
  Lover All Alone - Clay co-wrote; intense, emotional ballad.
  
  
  
• Should Have Been Clay's Sophmore CD!
  By A17EQ0WOU7QS47 on 2008-05-06
  I have supported Clay since his days on American Idol and I love almost all his work. The only thing I didn't care for from him was his sophmore CD, A Thousand Different Ways. I have to say that this new CD is a complete 360 degree change from that. On My Way Here not only has songs that are original, upbeat, and radio-friendly, but also amazing lyrics. The lyrics in every song tell a story and they truly make the cd what it is - a journey through Clay's life. Not only does Clay relate to these songs, but you will too. There is a song for everyone, no matter what your situation is!
  
  Being a younger Clay fan, it was really nice to have the faster, upbeat songs. I wouldn't say they are necessarily rock-esque, but they are similar to the type of songs Kelly Clarkson sung on her Breakaway CD. It was a refreshing and nice change from all those slow ballads Clay usually does. I really can't choose a favorite because I like so many of the songs on this cd, but I recommend listening to "Falling" and "Ashes" for those of you who have never heard of Clay Aiken before.
  
  Happy listening!!
  
  
• On Clay's Way Here...
  By AM6SOTOKGRZGA on 2008-05-11
  One of the things that a listener will notice right away when they buy this CD is the magnitude of experimental arrangements on several of the songs and how many mid-tempo songs there are. "On My Way Here", the lead-off song and title track, sounds to me that it will be another of Clay's signature songs for his audience with it's lyrics resembling pretty much his career and life to this point. There is a line in that song, "my address has changed; almost every year", which makes me think of an artist on the go and never in one place for very long. The overall flow of the album might come as a surprise or it might not, depending on how much of a Clay Aiken fan you are before buying. "Ashes", the second song for example, is a good vocal work out that in my mind is tailor made for Clay. If this CD hadn't have even been released i could imagine Clay singing those two songs in concert. "Everything I Don't Need" has an R&B sing-a-long melody to it as does "Ashes". Again, several of these songs are written as if the writers intentionally sought Clay to perform them and maybe they had? I will be perhaps one of the first to make the comment that i had never heard of Kipper or anyone else associated with the CD, except for Clay, so during the CD's early planning stages when news would leak out about the album's producer and the songwriters featured on it, i was never caught up in it because i had never heard of a lot of these people because i've not paid attention to pop music's behind the scenes people. Listening to this CD, one has to wait until track number four before you hear the quintessential ballad, "Something About Us". This isn't the only love ballad on here, though, but it's a surprise that the first three songs are mid-tempo given his reputation for being a ballad singer. "Falling", meanwhile, features one of those experimental arrangements in which the use of robotics is applied. I don't know what else to call it...robotics...electronics? Whatever it's called, "Falling" features several lines sung by Clay in an altered voice which has become something of a pattern with many rock acts. The centerfold of the fold-out cover features a near silhouette of Clay with a city behind him. I don't know the details of the city concept but on this CD and his last one, a city landscape was featured. A lot of the songs are power ballads, which is Clay's stock in trade in my opinion...the kind of song where it starts out slowly and then builds up to a fever pitch. "Where I Draw the Line" comes across as a song that listeners/fans can hear and think of Clay's personal life as to why he's not taken yet. That song, specifically, is the song that will be considered a show stopper if sung in concert...it has it all...the big arrangements and the belt-out vocals. Then, he brings the tempo back down with "The Real Me". I like this CD and give it 4 stars and that's just because the CD is long and if one is going to really enjoy the CD they have to have the time to listen to it all the way through and not pick and choose songs from it at random. I enjoy the CD when i listen to it and there is one song in particular that jumps out at me more than the others...it's "Grace of God". It's just a bouncy song...there's not much bouncy material on a Clay Aiken CD for whatever reason, there's usually power ballads and love ballads, no bouncy songs. This CD will be a big seller for Clay as his previous releases have been. Clay's known fondness for 1980's pop/rock is eveident on this CD on some selections like "Weight of the World" with the electric guitar solo's and then there's "As Long As We're Here", track number nine. The song starts out slow and a listener sits on their seats expecting the jolt to hit them and finally it happens when he starts into the second verse. The only song on here that is of a previous release is "Lover All Alone" which had originally been only available as a digital download but now it's showcased on this CD. This CD is soft rock/Adult Contemporary and so if that's up your alley, then this CD is worth a listen.
  
  
• Compelling New CD
  By A3S3YV8KJ2NYHO on 2008-05-07
  I've been waiting for Clay Aiken to put out a CD that's as rich and mature as his singular voice. This is decidedly in the right direction and he's developing a unique and interesting sound. While the CD has a variety of genres and moves easily from funky r&b to pop/rock to jazzy standards - they are tied together with a rich complex musicality and there's a maturity to the arrangements that's really nice to listen to.
  
  His range is great and he uses that to great advantage - pushing his vocals into unexpected areas. Aiken plays with his voice like an instrument and manages to make pop/rock songs like Ashes and Falling intriguing and different. Everything I Don't Need is a definite pleaser and his naturally unique phrasing really adds to this funky soulful song. Lover All Alone is hauntingly sung with deceptively simple lyrics that are poignant and mature. Not every song is perfect. But it's great to hear a voice that's as good as Aiken's teamed up with a talented producer like Kipper. In an industry where I'm happy if I like 3 or 4 cuts off an album - On My Way Here is decidedly above average and a performer as quirky and interesting as Clay Aiken is deserves to be heard.
  
  
• Clay, you are Amazing!
  By A3MPV6UPZ3LLAM on 2008-05-09
  Dear Clay: What I respect most about you, apart from your gorgeous, honey coated voice, is your message of Universal Consciousness that speaks to experiences we all share in Life and in Love. This collection of meaningful songs is light years ahead of the material recorded by any other artist today. Through superbly crafted lyrics, each song reveals the spectrum of experiences confronted by each along the way toward maturity and refinement of one's life. The songs are emotionally reflective; fun and upbeat; uplifting; and, for me, they have inspired feelings of hopefulness.
  
  This CD reveals both your self mastery and personal growth of your soul in a collection of songs that invite the listener to embrace the IDEAL of both higher and deeper expressions of LOVE. They are invitations to move toward renewal of spirit in body, mind, heart and soul. "On My Way Here" is a subtle, thoughtful, potent package and one that will be deeply felt by people who have open and receptive minds and hearts. This work merits 5 stars, in my opinion, for content as well as delivery.
  
  The music arrangements never over power your gorgeous voice. You reveal refinement and richness in your tone, range and depth. You have chosen this material with deep sensitivity. Thank you, as well, to the production team who have made this collection superior. Clay, you will never be a "Lover All Alone", because your fans will continue to love you forever. Thank you for such a stunning and timeless gift to us all.
  
  
  
• Expect the Unexpected
  By A2F21T9B6XR4SN on 2008-05-07
  The album is full of surprises for me. The title track, On My Way Here, written by OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder sounds semi-autobiographical for Clay, a aural complement to his book Learning to Sing. It's a ballad full of both traditional pop sounds and orchestral instrumentation. But don't get sucked into thinking this is going to be an album of ballads. It's anything but.
  
  Keep listening to the album.. The sounds, the lyrics, the unique use of his exceptional voice will surprise you. This ain't American Idol Clay Aiken, it's the mature, successful yet seasoned Clay Aiken, with just a little bit of cyniscm thrown in. This album has funky R&B, unexpected techno in the middle of a song that starts off slow, driving pop/rock like Ashes and Falling and a jazzy love song that sounds like warm maple syrup poured over cinnamon pancakes. I've read "professional" reviews who call this an album of ballads and wonder if they hit the wrong button on their ipod. It's congitive dissonance. They expected ballad boy, they didn't get it. They might have even sorta/kinda liked it. And they didn't know what to make of it.
  
  The lyrics are complex and sophisticated. The melodies are intricate and often there are different melodies within the same song, woven together in a very interesting way. I hear new things each time I listen.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Terrific CD
  By A2ERYWAO5WE24Q on 2008-05-08
  So happy that Clay finally got to make the CD that HE wanted with two great producers, Kipper and Jaymes Foster. This CD shows Clays range and that he can sing any type of song from Blues, Jazzy, Pop Rock, Country and Christian, he is certainly not just a ballad singer. Like that he went out of the box and tried new things. There is not a song that I don't love and all relate to the theme of lessons and experiences learned. Can't stop listening to it. Would recommend to people of all ages. Absolutely magnificent.
  
  
• Best CD of the year
  By A3NDG8B9HR666G on 2008-05-06
  A collection of songs that is edgy,mellow, fresh, uplifting, inspiring and fun. Clay's voice is flawless.Ashes and something about us are completly unique and refreshing to hear. Everthing I don't know is so amazing. In this collection there is something for all ages
  This should win a grammy for Clay I highly recommend it
  
  
• Great album
  By AORD5QVOQH8T0 on 2008-05-07
  I can honestly say, that there isn't a song on this album that I don't like. The lyrics are inspirational, moving, some even sexy and the voice is gorgeous. Clay lives up to his title The Prince of Positive Pop dubbed by MTV. There are uptempo songs, midtempo, and slow. No, you won't sleep through this CD. My most very favorite is Everything I Don't Need. It really rocks, and Clay just really brings it. It's very different from what he usually sings, and he is fantastic. The other uptempos are fantastic too...rockish, pop, and contemporary. There are some lovely ballads that will please the ballad romantic lovers, and some inspirational songs, dealing with rough days, and love. The Real Me, and As Long As We're here are very noteworthy...so beautiful. The ending track is Lover All Alone which Clay wrote with David Foster. It's from his heart, and it is so achingly beautiful and moving.
  
  Clay has a winner with this CD. Everyone will find their own favorite songs. You'll dance, jive, and even shed a few tears. Enjoy !!!
  
  
• Buy this CD now.
  By A3VB5P7H9JPZE5 on 2008-05-21
  Yes it's THAT good. Both "Measure of a Man" and "On My Way Here" are masterpiece albums. -- Tim Mainka, a.k.a. Sonic Freedom®
  
  
• Listen to This Alone in the Dark
  By A110LD6J0CHN61 on 2008-05-24
  This album will deliver one hell of an emotional whop--if you choose to listen, and I mean carefully listen, to both the lyrics and the music. In interviews Clay has revealed that the theme of the album is what he has learned about himself and life over the past five years from both his private and professional experiences. Many Clay fans--myself included--have found our lives vastly enriched as we have cheered Clay on over these five years; we care about him a great deal, and we will certainly be reading particular significance into each song's meaning, as well as in the ordering of the songs in the album. However, Clay has also said that he expects that listeners--and that would also include those who know nothing at all of his history--will interpret and relate to the songs as they may apply to themselves. While you may not have been a young special education teacher who got thrown into the bizarre and often brutal world of pop music by virtue of (almost) winning a cheesy talent-contest show, you may have had a traumatic childhood that left you gun-shy in pursuing adult love relationships, you may have been confused as to the true nature of love and made some bad self-defeating mistakes because of that, you may have been in a situation where your character was very publicly and most unjustly slandered, you may have had something unbelievably awful happen to you and have asked why God did this to you, or you may have fallen into a deep depression and tried to talk yourself into getting up and moving forward to embrace life. But good miracles could have happened to you, too. You may have found love where you never expected to find it. This album is about faith and fear, but above all it is about the redemptive power of "real love" and the realization that indeed one does not just survive painful experiences but also, if one is fortunate, learns from them. I would hardly call this "lite pop music," would you?
  
  May I suggest that you put your headphones on, sit alone in the dark with absolutely no other distractions, and listen to the album straight through. Consider the first song, "On My Way Here," as the end of the experience, or at least the "now," and move back in time as one song follows the next--all the way back to "Lover All Alone." Then listen to the album like this several more times, letting arise in your mind and heart what may. If something seems jarring--for example, does that old-fashioned crooner-type love song "There's Something about Us," speaking of "a perfectly perfect love," have somewhat of a mournful tone? What is that about? Consider that this may be deliberate, not a weakness on the part of the singer to connect to the song; look at the song in the context of the sentiments and the musical essence of the total album. I firmly believe that the musicianship, the production, and Clay's vocals and intonations on this album are all stunning and meaningful. Please don't let prejudice and misconceptions deprive you of fully enjoying and finally appreciating this very special album.
  
  
  
• An Awesome Work Of Art
  By A17PPO9Q31QMNU on 2008-05-06
  Just finished listening to the album On My Way Here. I just loved it, one of his best. Clay got to put the songs he wanted on this cd, and it shows. The song On My Way Here shows his journey through his life, and its a beautiful song. He has many upbeat songs on here, like Ashes, Where I Draw The Line, Weight Of The World. Everything I Don't Need just blew me away. It has a little rhythm & blues and it rocks. I just love Fallen. He did this in his lower register, and oh my it is sexy. Something About Us is a beautiful love song, one of my favorites. The Real Me is a tearjerker and I love it. As Long As We're Here is inspirational. Grace Of God has a Christian sound to it, and Sacrificial Love is wonderful, and last but not least is Lover All Alone is hauntingly beautiful and Clay wrote this one. All in all, hard to pick too many favorites, as I love them all. Very good and a work of art.
  
  
• Clay Has A Winner Again
  By A2EK6992E86HI6 on 2008-05-07
  Just listened to Clay's new CD. Fabulous. Each and every song is rich with texture. Clay has done it again. Well worth the two year wait.
  
  
• ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!!!
  By A16SV6WW7AIR5B on 2008-05-07
  Clay is FANTASTIC!!!
  There isn't a voice like his anywhere. Terrific CD and we bought 4 of them for gifts.
  Clay has given his fans what they've wanted.
  
  
  
  
• Best CD Yet
  By ABKN9G8IHCAKO on 2008-05-07
  This is a fantastic fourth album from Clay. The song selection is excellent and varied, the vocals are fantastic, and the music production is wonderful. Standout songs are Everything I Don't Need (wonderful R&B tinge to the song) and As Long As We're Here (excellent vocal performance by Clay, interesting musical production). The mix of up tempo (Ashes, Everything I Don't Need, Falling) to ballads (Something About Us, Lover All Alone) is excellent.
  
  
• That Voice!
  By A1I8P6I9FPT44G on 2008-05-24
  Clay's voice is what first caught my attention and with the eclectic mix of songs on this album - ballads, pop, jazz, light R&B - his voice is what keeps me listening.
  
  My only 'complaint' is that I haven't been able to choose a favorite song! A few stand outs for me:
  
  The soft, breathy vocals with simple instrumentation give a jazzy, romantic feel to "Something About Us".
  
  The plaintive vocals, piano, and Celtic fiddle combine to make "As Long As We're Here" compelling and beautifully haunting.
  
  How Clay's voice becomes one with the cello on "Love All Alone" is amazing. I also love the lyrics to this song. It's like a stream of consciousness set to music.
  
  There are more.... I like them all so much, which is a rarity. This album has the potential to become a classic. An excellent effort & well worth the wait for original music from Mr. Aiken!
  
  
• A meaningful, gorgeous album
  By A1IMRM7BLAKLOH on 2008-05-25
  I love this CD. Its lyrics come back to you hours after hearing them, making you say "Yes! That's just how I have felt sometimes." My favorite songs are "As Long as We're Here" and "Grace of God," two songs for people who wonder at the world's suffering. Some of the songs, especially "The Real Me," "Ashes," and "Falling," talk of those experiences of despair and loneliness that we all feel sometimes, but that we don't always talk about in an honest, heartfelt way. The album is about life lessons Clay has learned over the past five years, so while all these songs are honest, they are also full of faith and hope that human beings can learn to treat each other better and that we can grow through surviving the tough times. The effect of them is to create a sense of connection through an understanding that our feelings and experiences are shared by others and that we have a responsibility to our friends and family as well as those in need across the globe.
  
  Which isn't to say that the album is only about message - it is just as musically gorgeous as you would expect a Clay Aiken album to be. Clay and his producers have chosen songs that are stylistically quite different and range from edgy to ballads and the production is lush and expressive. It goes without saying that Clay is a true vocal artist; he can and does create worlds with his voice. When he sings these songs, you know he means them and they are a joy to listen to. I have to admit that my favorite track from a song-writing perspective is "Lover All Alone," co-written by Clay. Clay's lyrics have an essential, poetic quality and I hope he'll write more in the future.
  
  
  
  
  

• A Thousand Different Ways
• Spirit
• Awake Live CD/DVD
• Julianne Hough
• All Is Well - Songs For Christmas