Album review: Lee DeWyze, 'Live it Up'

How did a review for Lee Dewyze become a diss to Adam Lambert? " More Taylor Hicks than Freddie Mercury?" Just write the review about Lee and leave Adam alone. In my opinion, Adam Lambert is the first male singer who can even come close to Freddie Mercury and his amazing vocals. Lee should only hope that his CD is as successful as "runner up" Adam Lambert's CD "For Your Entertainment".

What is sad is that a lot of unassuming citizens will read this review and accept it as the ultimate truth. In the meantime, it's nothing more and nothing less than a biased opinion of one or a group of individuals, no better qualified to make their opinions known than you and me.
In my humble opinion, Lee is the most refreshing and unique artist today with the most recognizable voice. All those people he is being compared to here, I barely know who they are. Also, if not for Lee, I would never know this news agency or the person writing this existed, not that I would ever give them a second thought.

"Comments are moderated, and will not appear until the author has approved them." Ah, there goes the First Amendment...

Lee's dad was postal carrier. Lee was not. It absolutely bugs the stuffing out of me when reporters can't get basic facts right.

Greg replies: You are correct. Fixed. Thank you.

Adam Lambert sounds like Taylor Hicks. Are you retarded?

Sorry you don't get it. I just watched his performance in NY last night . It was emotional and honest. The album is more polished but the live performances are back to the Lee everyone loves. His soulful voice stays in my head and heart. I have never been so touched by a singer.

How can you use the name Taylor Hicks in the same sentence as Adam Lambert? Ick......
Adam's first album is amazing. Taylor Hicks stinks. Adam is a superstar.

I disagree. I'm no Dewyze lover (I was among those crushed when Bowersox lost the title to him), but his debut could have been much worse. Consider Kris Allen's first album: It had no personality whatsoever. You describe Lee as having a Jack Johnson/Jason Mraz feel to him, but Allen didn't even have that. And yet winners like Carrie Underwood and Fantasia were the worst of all, with their R&B and country song cliches filling up their post-Idol efforts.

I'm not saying "Live it Up" is a masterpiece. As a pop album, it doesn't work. But, as a folkie singer/songwriter CD, its completely acceptable.

To answer Amanda's question, because no one would have read this review if it didn't include Adam's name somehow (he had to fabricate something) in order to get hits.

You lost me with the Adam Lambert diss. If that was so off the mark then how are we to find anything else you say credible?

Greg, you presented us your opinion of this release. I thought your review was well written. It certainly struck a nerve with some readers who posted comments. Some people were so incensed by what you wrote, they completely misinterpreted what you wrote. I have not heard the new release, but I'm planning to sit down with it. I feared what you wrote is what might happen to Lee when he got into the studio post-Idol. But, I will sit down myself and see if I agree. Thanks.

Adam Lambert sounds like Taylor Hicks (shudders) and Kris Allen's album had no personality? Maybe a trip to your physician in order. I think your hearing is gone.

Yes the label has pushed Lee into 'conforming' but he knew that going into the show and played the game anyway, using AI as platform to get his name out there and he ultimately succeeded way beyond that. But, Lee's album is NOT relentlessly bland. How you can call heart-touching songs like A Song About Love and Brooklyn Bridge bland is beyond me.
When you compare the album tracks with the videos of Lee singing them live for the first time in NYC last night, you can see Greg's point that the album was "designed to be clinically precise, airless, as if those were virtues that would entice radio programmers to buy in," But still there is a lot of good music here and Lee's vocals shine throughout.. Lee is a very talented singer and in the videos you can see the passion, and "all the quirks and eccentricities" that make Lee a compelling singer! NYC videos here> http://j.mp/aWdf8A

Too bad you didn't like Lee's album-I think it's full of gorgeous songs, like "Me and My Jealousy" and "A Song about Love." His fans are thrilled with the songs from the album that are streaming online, though it won't be released until Nov. 16.
Lee performed most of his new songs last night at the IHeartRadio concert in New York. You should check youtube- a lot of videos from the concert have already been posted-I think you will find more of that authentic, gritty folk vibe you were looking for in his live performances.

I would imagine that he mentioned Kris and Adam because that was the Idol class to precede Lee and Crystal. I've listened to Lee's snippets and I'm looking forward to getting the whole thing on Tuesday. I do agree that often the Idol machine has a way of sanitizing things a bit... but live many of these winners and runners -up can turn the album material into an entire different thing. I saw Kris Allen at the Chicago Theater last Friday and he was fantastic! I enjoyed his CD, but live those songs just; well they came alive. Saw Lee perform at the end of September at Arlington and he was great.
With the exception of a few I have followed and seen many of Idol winners and runners-up perform. One thing i will say that makes a majority of them stand out is they can actually sing live... you can't say that for a lot of the big performers today.... one that comes to mind is Taylor Swift. I think she is incredibly talented, but live her voice does not carry. But to the people that love her so much; very often that just doesn't matter.

And a side note... Sharon at 7:48am I am extremely offended by your use of the R word. You should be ashamed of yourself.

I'd guess from reading the comments that Greg's review turned up on a AI newsgroup or message board so the sheep needed to herd over and defend their "idols." God Forbid you say anything about Aiken, Greg, the Claymates are still out there.

Uh, it's the reviewer's opinion. I'm a Lee fan but anyone who posts a negative review should not see tons of comments like "You're biased!! You don't get it, you're horrible!" if they don't like the album.

Note to my fellow ADAM LAMBERT fans: Take a deep breath and read what this review actually said. It did not say ADAM is the same as Taylor Hicks. It said the album Adam was forced to make is MORE like Taylor Hicks than FREDDIE MERCURY (RIP FREDDIE!!!!!). Sad but true. ADAM was forced to compromise his style on that album.

Not surprisingly, everyone is missing the writer's point, which is: the major label record companies homogenize the sound of an artist so much that he/she loses their identity and they all begin to sound the same. Of course, off-record Adam Lambert doesn't sound like Taylor Hicks. Both are great singers, but with completely different singing styles. Adam is reminiscent of Freddie Mercury and Taylor Hicks recalls the sound of Joe Cocker. And by the way, If you don't know who Joe Cocker is, then you are not qualified to judge Taylor Hicks' formidable singing skills..

When the idol machine is through with Lee Dewyze and Adam Lambert, then they can go indie like Taylor Hicks did & do whatever type of record they damn well please. But for now, this is the challenge all idol-launched artists must bear.

Lee is the first Idol I've followed and I can honestly say it's been a blast! As long as an Idol contestant realizes what they are getting into if they win (knowing they have to jump through the proper hoops to get their music played on the radio) that is their choice. Lee wanted a platform to get his voice heard and I for one am thrilled that I got to hear it. I still hear his vocals shining through on his new songs and I'm thrilled not every song sounds alike.

Yeah...he already tried the Indie label (and I LOVE So I'm Told and Slumberland...great job WULI) but it doesn't reach as many ears as a major label. I would have never discovered this amazing singer/songwriter if he wasn't on American Idol.

Every Idol is going to have their fanbase and I'm thoroughly enjoying being part of Lee's!

I think, from the snippets i've heard, that the music is a little bland. But like many folks have said, this is probably just what Lee has to go through to get his songs on the radio, etc. Once he's done with this contract, if he's successful enough, he can be more original again, and hopefully have more money to be creative in his own way.

I still hear Lee in many of these songs. I think he needs a good lyricist to help him. I don't think words are his strong point and the folks working with him on this album didn't help much in that regard. Not sure what that says about your average customer. Lee kind of reminds of Eric Clapton a bit. Not that he's necessarily comparable as a musician, just that he's not much for words as far as his personality goes.

I HAVE LISTENED TO ALL OF LEES MUSIC. AND THIMK LIVE IT UP WILL GET HIM WHERE HE WANTED TO BE. I ALSO THINK ME AND MY JEALOUSY WILL BE A HIT. THAT SAID HE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. I LIKE TOO MANY SONGS NOT TO BUY IT.

lol the lame attempts to force Adam Lambert's name into this review are kinda hilarious and make no sense no matter how much people try and defend the writer.

"Though not nearly as flamboyant as Lambert, he demonstrated on “Idol” that he has a knack for earnest folk-soul.." -- Huh? How does Lee's knack for earnest folk-soul have anything to do with Lambert's being flamboyant or anything else to do with Adam Lambert?

I think it would have made much more sense to compare Lee to Kris Allen since they are similar in style and both the winners of Idol on their respective seasons.

But as others have pointed out it was probably done just to generate hits with no regard to writing a review with any real substance or relevancy.

Honestly the opinions of his fans is what matters,we helped get him where he is by voting for him because we loved his vocals,etc.We are the ones that will buy his album,we are the ones who will buy tickets,merchandise and so on,so our opion does matter! I love his album,I was there there last night,it was incredible!

The only time that Adam Lambert and Taylor Hicks can be in the same sentence(s) is if you want to say, "Adam Lambert and Taylor Hicks both performed 'Play That Funky Music' on American Idol. Hicks was a joke. Adam slayed it."

And as far as Idol santatizing it's artists, Adam said no, he was free to bring whatever he wanted. They are a lot more hands on though if the "artist" has no recording experience.