Rhydian Roberts: Rhydian
Rhydian Roberts releases his self-titled debut album
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Friday, 21, Nov 2008 11:08
SYCOmusic, out November 24th.
In a nutshell...
Predictable, easy-listening, Christmas sell-out
What's it all about?
Featuring the expected nod to Meat Loaf in the form of Not A Dry Eye In The House and Somewhere from West Side Story, this album is nothing out of the ordinary, although it can't be denied Rhydian's voice will easily handle all 11 tracks.
Who's it by?
Rhydian, the runner up in last year's X Factor and bleached Welshman. Although seemingly arrogant at the start of the competition, the nation took him into their hearts as he provided something different to the mainstream artists in the show.
He turned his hand to various genres throughout the programme, extending his appeal past grandmas and aunties. Now, after hiding below the music radar and under the watchful eye of Simon Cowell, Rhydian is releasing this just in time for Christmas.
As an example.
"This is my quest/To follow that star/No matter how hopeless/No matter how far/And to fight for the right... " - Impossible Dreams
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
The opera critics will say he has sold out while the pop experts will say he has stayed too safe. Definitely will be a stocking filler for the hardcore fans and the older generations who appreciate his unfaltering voice, but not really Grammy standard.
What the others say
"While we can't, therefore, give this album a meaningful star rating, it's safe to assume on the basis of West Side Story's Somewhere and Meat Loaf's Not a Dry Eye in the House, that overblown, camp operatic covers will be the order of the day." - the Guardian's Peter Robinson commenting on the fact that only four tracks are available to review.
So is it any good?
As noted, only four tracks were released to the media. Somewhere and Not A Dry Eye In the House are good enough but nothing new and Rhydian sounds exactly like Meat Loaf. Luckily for him I love Meat Loaf, but what's the point in having a copy when you can have the original?
The surprisingly limp lead single Impossible Dreams - which he is rumoured to be performing on Saturday's X Factor - is a poor choice for his first chart foray. With its musical-inspired lyrics about dreaming and goals, it's all too familiar with Shayne Ward/Leona Lewis/Leon Jackson's first offerings of "I can't believe I'm a star" mantras.
He would have been better leading with I'm Coming Home Again, a track also written just for him. The highland background makes it sound like a mix of Titanic and Westlife, which is certainly is rousing if you like that sort of thing. Unfortunately I don't and although his voice impresses me, these songs do not make me sit up and notice it.
6/10
Rachel Jones
"This album review has proved to be poor in its conclusional rating of 6/10.Rhydian's album is fantastic and his voice amazing. Lovers of good quality music have rated it and it has charted at number three in the album charts is selling beyond platinum status and six weeks later is still in the Top 30. Rhydian is a new artist that is here to stay." - Alexhjs Long
"In Rachel's defence, the record company only provided a four-track CD for review, which makes it nigh-on impossible to fairly review an album." - Entertainment Editor