Update: January 17, 2006: Congratulations to Taylor! Taylor Hicks - the debut release is Platinum.

Taylor Hicks emerged as the favorite in Season 5 of American Idol (AI), wanting only to have his voice heard. To that end, he was heard - being coronated the victor in May, 2006.

Since Season 5 ended, Taylor has been on a whirlwind roller coaster ride -

• promoting the obligatory winner's mini-CD,
• preparing for and then touring the US (via tour bus - a dream come true for Taylor) on a coast-to-coast [expanded] 60-city lineup with the other AI Top 10 contestants, and then
• (as he stated himself) sleeping on the floor of the recording studio to record his music, his way.

Pushing the release back a month from that originally expected (from November to December, 2006) allowed Taylor to do just that - record his music, his way.

What is the end result of all the hard work?

Not surprising - and to the delight of his fans, Taylor stays true to himself and delivers thirteen handpicked tracks - some new, and some 'old soul' revisited - of "whomp" music - a blend of soul, funk, jazz, and blues.

The delay in releasing the album was a smart move, and it proves to the industry what the fans already knew - Taylor can deliver the goods. Taylor has stated he was fortunate to have a wealth of songs to choose from, and handpicked those to be included, creating speculation that it is, indeed, Taylor who is in charge of his path to success - not management trying to mold him into something he's not (as was done with previous AI winners). By forging a collaborative approach, this offering showcases exactly why Taylor won in the first place - his versatility and likeability.

Throughout the album, Taylor (et al) infuses a dynamically full spectrum of sound to compliment the whiskey tenor voice and styling unique to his passion - 'old soul' - simplistic, feel it in your bones funk, with a dose of good ol' southern groove - sampled in Heaven Knows, Gonna Move, and Give Me Tonight.

In addition to the unreleased and cover material, Taylor has included three new versions of his own compositions - Soul Thing, The Deal, and a bonus track - Hell of a Day.

Track Listing:

1. The Runaround*
2. Dream Myself Awake* (R.Thomas)
3. Heaven Knows
4. Gonna Move
5. Wherever I Lay My Hat*
6. Give Me Tonight
7. Just To Feel That Way*
8. The Maze
9. Places I've Been (D.Warren)
10. Soul Thing (T.Hicks)
11. The Deal (T.Hicks)
12. The Right Place (B.Adams)
13. Hell of a Day (T.Hicks)**

**Bonus Track

*Highlights:

The Runaround - The first track on the album, it's an upbeat, energetic "whomping" good time that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Dynamically filling the ears with heavy drum and bass lines, and complete with a horn section and dixieland barroom piano, it'll get the feet tapping, moving, and even stomping. Those familiar with Taylor's style can just picture him on-stage dancing around with those happy feet of his - and infectiously want to join him and share that energy. Although the lyrics indicate he's getting an education in love and heartbreak, the listener is going to get an education on how music should be fun. Whomp on, baby! Soul Patrol!!

[audio:clip_runaround.mp3]

Dream Myself Awake - penned by Rob Thomas, Taylor slows the pace down a little with a pop ballad showing some of that versatility he's known for - and appealing to 'mainstream estrogen'. Dream is a nice mix of 60's go-go and 90's pop.

[audio:clip_dream-myself-awake.mp3]

Wherever I Lay My Hat - a cover of Marvin Gaye's 1964 version, Taylor updates the original, delivering a 90's style pop performance reminiscent of a Rod Stewart song (maybe Rod inspired this one?), but it works.

[audio:clip_lay-my-hat.mp3]

Just To Feel That Way - Although this could be deemed an "American Idol" power ballad, I project this will be the song to be the biggest hit from the album. Opening with a melancholy piano strain, lyrically and musically this song is a hit. And Taylor nails it, pouring himself into the song with feeling, delivering a powerful vocal performance with an impressive mix of soulful gruff and pleading crescendos. Emotionally, through the ebb and flow, the highs and lows, and tugging on the heartstrings - the listener feels the pain, feels the open wounds as he sings the chorus:

Let's walk on the wire,
I won't let you go -
We'll follow the street lights
down this jagged road
We'll break it all open,
finding our way,
We might end up broken and wounded,
but baby it's worth it -
For even one day
just to feel that way.

[audio:clip_jtftw.mp3]

If this doesn't leave you with goosebumps, you're cold-hearted.

To end this review, I close with the lyrics from Just To Feel That Way. Taylor's journey - to date - has been broken and wounded, and now he's emerging as a formidable force to be reckoned with; ready to set the industry on their feet - whomping his way. Whooo!

Just To Feel That Way (lyrics by L.Robbins, et al)
I feel you letting go :: Holding on, caught in between :: Could you risk the pain :: Take the chance your heart might bleed :: Just to feel that way :: Can't keep running in circles :: I'm standing right here :: Could you rewrite the story :: But trade all the tears :: Oh it's not too late to feel that way :: Take a walk on the wire :: I won't let you go :: We'll follow the streetlights :: Down this jagged road :: We'll break it all open :: Finding our way :: We might end up broken and wounded :: But baby it's worth it :: for even one day :: Just to feel that way :: Let this moment unravel :: and we'll be alright :: The world might be gone tomorrow :: But we're here tonight :: Oh it's not too late just to feel that way :: Let's walk on the wire :: I won't let you go :: We'll follow the streetlights :: Down this jagged road :: We'll break it all open :: Finding our way :: We might end up broken and wounded :: But baby it's worth it :: For even one day :: Just to fall apart :: I don't care :: I'm not going anywhere :: Without you being here by my side :: Yeah I just don't feel right :: We'll follow the streetlights :: Let's walk on the wire :: I won't let you go :: We'll follow the streetlights :: Down this jagged road :: We'll break it all open :: Finding our way :: We might end up broken and wounded :: But baby it's worth it :: For even one day :: For even one day :: Just to feel that way :: Just to feel that way