During his time on American Idol, Michael Johns’ strongest performances always emphasized the bluesy side of his voice, culminating in a nuanced, slow-smoked cover of Dolly Parton’s “It’s All Wrong But It’s All Right.”
Two years after his unexpected elimination, Johns makes his post-Idol debut with Hold Back My Heart, a surprisingly strong album that finds him doing what he does best: soul, Southern rock, and contemporary blues. The album title is unfortunate, of course — more appropriate for David Archuleta’s teenaged pop than Johns’ thirtysomething songcraft — but that’s the worst thing about Hold Back My Heart, which sounds looser and less calculated than most albums by American Idol’s alumni. – AMG
REVIEW OF REVIEWS
Johns’ biggest successes come when he tones down the Phil Spector-esque Wall of Sound — a partition will do, really — and lets his influences simmer rather than boil. The album’s title track has a more spare production and its sonic meld is more George Michael, Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews — a mix more likely to draw listeners in Johns’ age range than their parents.
“This Is Goodbye” is a deliciously inverted prom song with a ’50s-style waltzy cadence and a bluesy sheen. But the best track on the album is “Turn to You” — the simple, jangly ballad that closes the record out. Gone is the overproduction. Gone is the shameless emulation. All that’s left are intermittent rasps and guitar strums that waft through the air like smoke in an empty bar. It’s sad and it’s sweet — and Johns finally wears a younger man’s clothes.
Hold Back My Heart does have a rock/soul vibe with a definite emphasis on soul. On this album Johns is certainly in his element, delivering a tight soul and old school R&B album. I dare say there is not a bad track on it. If anyone was unsure while watching Idol of what musical style Johns considered himself, they need only listen to this album. The songs are well written and all emphasize the strengths of his voice. The album’s first single “Heart On My Sleeve” was released in April and has been doing well on the adult contemporary charts.
TRACKLIST
1. Heart on My Sleeve
2. To Love Somebody
3. Feeling Alright
4. Little Bear
5. Foools Gold
6. Mountains
7. Fire
8. Hold Back My Heart
9. This Is Goodbye
10. It’s Too Late
11. Heart Is Weak
12. Turn to You
VIDEOS
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