Rough Edge: James Durbin CD Reviews

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.

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