Predictable.
That’s about the best and worst you can say about Scotty McCreery’s debut album, “Clear as Day.”
Scotty sings about young love and pickup trucks built for work, not looks.
Scotty sings about small towns and saying grace.
Scotty sings about fireflies and Friday night football games.
About the only country cliche he doesn’t cover is a salute to the troops.
But “Clear as Day” makes up for that omission with a double dose of songs about moms.
What did you expect? This is a debut country album from a former Idol contestant — an Idol winner no less.
Hey, there’s a formula to follow.
I could complain that not one of the 12 songs is written, even co-written, by Scotty.
But it’s not as though Idol just discovered the second coming of Taylor Swift. And even if they had, Idol would probably still insist that he sing someone else’s songs.
So we’re left with writers all over Nashville serving up age-appropriate material that Scotty performs quite well, just as reliably as he performed week after week on his way to winning the Season 10 crown.
The good news is that the album features better songs than either of the singles released so far — the too schmaltzy “I Love You This Big” and the too young-sounding “The Trouble with Girls.”
“Clear as Day” ranks high among the ballads, and ends with a surprisingly sentimental twist. But too dark an ending, I’m sure, to be an early single.
Scotty also sounds great on several of the album’s up-tempo songs, especially the opening track, “Summertime,” and my personal favorite, “Better Than That.”
And if the album doesn’t appear to have the cross-over appeal of … oh, say Carrie Underwood’s debut .. well, at least Scotty’s the real deal — an Idol contestant who showed up at the auditions wanting to sing country music and whose debut album is rooted in traditional country music.
That’s refreshing too given Idol’s penchant for peddling country by convenience artists like Phil Stacey, Danny Gokey and Casey James in recent years.
With that “aw shucks” personality, Scotty’s also a tough guy to root against.
So here’s hoping album number two is more mature (after all, Scotty turns 18 this weekend) and more personal.
Not to mention more successful than second albums from Idol’s past male country artists.
Because there hasn’t been a successful second country album from an Idol graduate yet.
Download worthy: “Better Than That,” “Clear as Day,” “Summertime”
Avoid at all costs: “Write My Number (On Your Hand)”
Grade: B-
Other reviews: Go here for links to several.
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4 Comments
Scotty is a cute kid and has a pleasant voice. The young girls love him because he is cute. Would he sound as good to them if his was just plain looking, I don’t think so. Scotty was by far not the best talent on AI this past year. But this is what AI wanted so he won. I expect a few from this year to become bigger stars than him, such as Haley and Pia. AI’s voting system has to change so that the true winner wins. Scotty’s singing is predictable and somewhat boring, but he is a nice kid.
I have all of Scotty’s music. His album, Clear as Day, is wonderful. He has a wonderful voice and I just love all the songs. As a matter of fact, I play it all the time – I never get tired of hearing Scotty sing. He is such a wonderful young man with a great personality and singing voice. As a matter of fact, I am a 62 year old grandmother. People of all ages love him, not just the young girls. He is the rightful winner of AI and he will go far. I have never been into buying anyone’s music, just listening to the radio. However, Scotty has changed all that, and I will continue to buy his music and go to his concerts. I’m sure that Scotty wishes his fellow contestants well in their future careers, but he’s the one I’ll be supporting.
Hmmm. Like authors favs on Scotty’s CD, but disagree on what to avoid. Write My Number… one of my favs…also like You Make That Look Good…all else is really good as well. I’m just a tad tired of ILYTB and think “Trouble With The Girls” is least fav of album…but do believe it will make for good music video..About post re: Scotty winning b/c he’s cute. Based on simply outward appearance alone, don’t think he’d hit much > than a 6. It’s the whole package thing that makes him attractive, not necessarily cute. Much older woman and voted like teen for Scotty, but not based on his physical appearance by any means. He just has that It factor going on…Actually Beiber (ugh) and definitely Hunter Hayes would win the looks vote b/f McCreery…An aside note however, HH seems to be equally nice charming well mannered guy in addition to phenominal talent..If I were teen I’d def. go there.
I am a huge fan of country music and Scotty McCreery. All of the things that make this album “predictable” are what makes country music great… People can relate to it because it’s normal things that normal people understand. All of the songs that were criticized in this review are amazing!! I listen to this album a lot and don’t ever get tired of hearing the songs or the amazing voice singing them! I don’t feel like the writer of this review has any background in country music or good music for that matter(: I’m not trying to be harsh but this review was all too harsh to begin with.