Claymates slam critics who carp about Clay Aiken

Pavlov had nothing on the Claymates. Clay Aiken put out a new CD this week and, of course, critics slammed it. [I gave it 2 out of 4 stars, lamenting the Hallmark Card-variety lyrics and a sameness of tone, but had praise for his beautiful vocals which have never had a better showcase on CD until this one. Claymates might not believe this, but I actually liked Clay when he was on Idol and admit to having his first single, Invisible, as well as Solitaire, on my iPod. I'm still waiting for Clay to fulfill the promise he had on that show yet a good four, five plays of this new CD just hasn't convinced me he's anything but a lightweight with a lovely voice. Many other reviews, however, weren't that charitable and slammed the ballad-heavy disc with a plain F.) Read my review here.

Here's some reaction:

• I am really perplexed by your review of Clay Aiken's most excellent CD to date. Why is it that you don't really review the CD but rather diss his fans and insinuate he has baggage that you know nothing about? Are tabloids really what drives you and motivates your opinions? That's really tacky and says more about you than about the music on this CD. How is this a review of the music? I am a music major and I think this CD is full of layers and layers of excellent production and superb vocals. Though there are several ballads, there are also several interesting pop rock songs where Clay's voice soars. Sometimes I truly wonder if any of you insecure males even bother to listen to Clay Aiken. Yeah, you give his beautiful voice credit but really, did you hear the same CD I just listened to? Can you really be fair with your preconceived bias? How about opening your mind and actually listening? BTW folks, give this one a chance. It really is Aiken at his best so far. There is something for everyone because Aiken can do it all.
• As a guy who never owned a Barry Manilow album I am quite confused by your review. My wife is a fan and I've had the opportunity to see Clay in concert as well. There isn't anything on this new album that is 70s-like unless it's the fact that the pop songs are beautifully constructed and sung in an innovative way - in the way people like Stevie Winwood and Freddy Mercury used to sing. The ballads are few and the lyrics are pretty compelling for pop music. There's a funky bluesy song, some pure pop/rock songs and a healthy dose of uptempo stuff that's full of real music and innovative arrangements. You're naturally entitled to your opinion but I wonder if you wrote this review with a National Enquirer in your ear.
• I read your review of Clay Aiken's CD, and it appears that you're guilty of reviewing an album without listening to it. "a preponderance of lush ballads that blend into one other for 12 songs" you say? How could you have not noticed the uptempo songs if you had actually listened to it? One or two of them start off slow so if you had given it more of a listen than 5 seconds you would have realized that. I certainly respect your right to not like Clay's CD - different strokes for different folks. But other than stating that it's all ballads (not true), and reflecting on the  secret hidden subject matter behind the lyrics there is almost no mention of the music itself. IMHO the album is fantastic. This is the first album that he's put out where absolutely every track is a keeper. No, I wouldn't expect a music critic to be as enthusiastic as a fan like me would be. And I'm so glad that you recognize the quality of his voice. But I would expect a reviewer for a publication like the Miami Herald to have at least given it a thorough listen.

Comments

[can't fight this feeling anymore]

Wait, did this guy really compare Clay Aiken to Freddy Mercury, or am I having some scary sort of drug flashback?

Poor Clay. You insecure males need to acknowledge his true manliness and talent.

You also need to see the post on him at gofugyourself.com from yesterday; it's hilarious. Dude. You may be easy listening but you're still a pop star. Ditch that hideous sweater!

[Toby's mom]

Actually not all critics "slammed it" as you so delicately put it. It's perfect for AC radio but not everybody likes easy listening, so to each his own.

[HoCo]

I like easy listening music. When it's good!

[Katy]

Ha Ha! I have come to the conclusion that this CD is a woman's CD and not meant for slow witted, thoughtless, unromantic men who would prefer the sound of locker room grunts in a song to actual good lyrics and melody.

It's ok. Just keep slapping that wet towel to the beat of Sexy Back. I just know you will feel soooo much more macho.

[Carrie]

Actually, only one reviewer gave it an F, ans I bet you anything that he did not listen to the album. Some people do react to Clay Aiken's name like Pavlov's dogs, and you seem to be no exception. Is it because this album's lyrics is too sophisticated for critics who give universal praise to "masterpieces" like my humps-my humps-my humps and umbrella-ella-ella?

http://music.aol.com/songs/new_releases_full_cds

[Jamie]

It's obvious that Howie did not listen to the complete CD. It's not full of ballads. One song in particular is like riding a rollercoaster. You can't judge a song by only listening to the first twenty seconds.

[Lindsay]

Clay is the best singer i know and his CD is AMAZING MORE THAN THAT i get goosebumps that didn't go away until an hour after i listen to it. i think all you critics need to get what ever is shoved up your butts out and realize that it a great album.

[HoCo]

It's funny how Claymates think there are two kinds of music: My Humps or Clay Aiken! Believe me, there is a world of great music out there that is better than both of these extremes.

[tennie]

As i've said before , what you reviewers write or think doesn't matter to me at all ,most of you are just small mineded people who need to go back & take a class in reviewing & reporting. If i was to grade YOU it would be an "F".

[Melissa]

I would personally like to know how anyone could call this an album full of ballads. Because thats the exact opposite of what it is. It makes me think that the authors of these reviews never even listened to it but wrote about anything they previously read or listened to by Clay. Ashes, Falling, Weight of the World, Everything i Don't Need. Those are the farthest things from a ballad. So when you say that ballads are all you will find on this slbum, i am slightly confused, because that is certainly NOT true.

[Alice Slaughter]

This album is great. Clay's voice was never better. "Lover All Alone" is a fabulous song written by Clay and music by Steven Foster. The song "There is Something About us" is a beautiful song. It could be a theme song for a movie or play. It is that great. Clay sings it with such emotion.
He has a better voice than Michael Buble.
Stop trying to put him in a box and judge him for the quality of the music.
RAP is not music. You can't even understand what they are saying. We like to hear our music on the radio also.

[JOANNE]

What is wrong with the reviewers?? Do you have to sing about drinking and sex to be good? I love Clay Aikens new cd he has a amazing voice.
The best voice from AI to date.

[Music Lover]

Do Claymates only know two styles of music? Clay's vanilla bland middle of the road pablum or foul language rap? Are you all aware that there is ALL SORTS of music available out there and it isn't all about the extremes of pure clay and dirty rap. Maybe if intolerant Claymates would venture out of their little rooms into the real world they might know about all the good, diverse (and not dirty) music that is out there.

[Carol]

Anyone who has ever been in a relationship or struggled with any personal battles in life will relate and love Clay's new masterpiece. He's smooth, silky, and adds a unique mood to each song! I appreciate the comments about the quality of his voice, but I don't get the "sameness" critique. This is an eclectic assortment of styles along a central theme. Love songs, ballads, rock songs, pop songs--something for everyone. Every song could be a stand-alone hit. Where do you find that on most albums? Nowhere! I give this reviewer a C+ for this review. Passing but not good or accurate enough.

[MusicLover2]

"Maybe if intolerant Claymates would venture out of their little rooms into the real world they might know about all the good, diverse (and not dirty) music that is out there." Music Lover | May 12, 2008 at 03:29 PM

Clay Aiken fans are "intolerant"? Your own intolerance, arrogance and condescending attitude is showing. And to make the comment that Aiken fans "do not live in the real world is evidence of your ignorance". I would venture to say those "intolerant Claymates" know more about "good music" and the "real world" than you could ever imagine because you see, you forgot one thing that all the other critics of Clay Aiken's fans say "Claymates are old". Bless them because some of them have done an awful lot of living outside their little rooms (whatever they are) for a long time.

[Patsy Plencner]

What do critics really know about music. I am a country music fan by heart because I couldnt stand the type of pop music, but one
night in 2003 Iwatched AI for the first time
and saw a young man that could sing. I followed Clay to the end and was upset because he didnt win but---
Ive seen Clay in concert many times and have everything he has recorded and have belong to the fan club since it was started. This new
album is by far the very best and Clay really
shows his talent. If I went and listen to what critics have to say about music or movies,I would never buy a CD or go to a movie.
So to you critics out there get a life.

Oh by the way I am 65 years old and I know what
I like when it comes to music and I love Clay's music.

Patsy

[HoCo]

Perhaps all the Claymates oughta spend less time emailing critics around the country about how good Clay is and go out to record stores or iTunes and buy his music. Each album he makes sells less than the last. His new CD has his worst Billboard entry yet: 94,000 first week sales. His last album, the awful covers disc, started with 211,000. And before you start hitting me with facts that albums are selling less now so of course he has a smaller number, that's all good and fine. But when a 67 year old legend like Neil Diamond can score his first No. 1 album this week and do so with 146,000 and no radio support and handily beat a younger artist like Clay who has a vocal fan base, that's pretty telling that Clay's on his way out as a pop singer. Nice voice, sure. But his records are boring. There are countless others one can listen to that don't have profanity but have actual honest, deeper songs. Try the Neil Diamond one. Now that's a real singer.

[jackie fernandez]

Howard, Howard,Howard me thinks you stink in your job.You need to find something else to do for a living.

You are so far off about Clays album "On My Way Here" So, so Far off. Believe me there are so many out here that love this Album and it will sell really well.

I get tired of idiots like you giving your lousy opinions on how this music is so 70's or 80's and so on. There are beautiful songs
through out time and should be appreciated
for they're beauty instead of making fun of them which is what all you jerks do. those past
artist paved the road for the artist of today,
stop and think of that.

I have a little advice for you.....LISTEN TO THE ALBUM or GO CLEAN OUT YOUR EARS.

[Matto]

It seems like it is impossible to write a Clay Aiken review without including Claymates into it, as well as mentioning Mother's Day which would clearly imply "old women's music". It is very unfair and manipulative. Is it a standard procedure to include selective parts of fan base into every single review in the United States? I honestly disbelieve all of his fans are old housewives, although I think there is nothing wrong about being one. I have accidentally discovered Clay Aiken a few months ago (he has never been promoted in Europe, so far) and wanted to read some reviews on OMWH and was shocked to find this urge 'critics' have to include Claymates into every single of them. I have to say I am not surprised they get slammed, and of course, it is what they expect after having written in such a provocative way. Now at least they have something to moan about. How pathetic.