Katharine McPhee: Katharine McPhee - Review by Carrisa Jones

Being from Australia, I only know about Katharine McPhee from entertainment shows and blogs online but many of you know her from the fifth season of American Idol. Katharine was runner-up to Taylor Hicks but her debut album is definitely not a runner up. According to record sales; McPhee’s self titled album sold 116,000 copies in its opening week and for an album in the music industry these days this is quite an achievement. The album is full of catchy beats and many of the songs contain clever hooks that make the listener want to hear more.

The first released single ‘Over It’ is one of the best on the album. With its sultry beat and the rawness of McPhee’s vocals, ‘Over It’ tells the story about young lover. ‘Over It’ is very marketable to the younger generation of fans that nowadays make up the general population of album buyers. ‘Open Toes’ is another song off the album that can also be viewed as marketable. The song; which was co-written by McPhee, has often been described by the artist herself as ‘a girl’s anthem’ and ‘one of her favorite songs off the record’. ‘Open Toes’ consists of poppy melodies and r&bish harmonies and contains a catchy chorus that gets stuck in your head for days.

Another track which contains similar beats and sounds is to ‘Open Toes’ is ‘Love Story’ in which McPhee sings about ‘the boy you never wanted who just steals your heart’. ‘Love Story’ is a song with a current feel that is vocally better than most of the songs on radio play lists today. It is rumored to be the second single off the album and I personally hope it is.

Taking the dramatic and ballad title of the album are the tracks ‘Ordinary World’, ‘Each Other’ and ‘Neglected’. The latter two tracks still contain the over all sound style of the album while at the same time show off the vocal range and ability and McPhee possesses. ‘Ordinary World’ on the other hand is a slow tempo track with a piano accompaniment which compliments McPhee’s voice to a tee. After a slow start the drums kick in and the song only gets better along with McPhee’s vocal rage. Other songs on the album such as ‘Dangerous’, ‘Not Ur Girl’ and ‘Do What You Do’ provide funky beats and hooks that make you want to jump up dance and want to sing along.

Overall McPhee has broken away from the American Idol tag and proven what an amazingingly talent performer she is. Each track is modern and fresh and McPhee’s voice is definitely a powerful weapon. Personally; this album is one of the most played on my iPod and iTunes and if you haven’t got it go buy it now. You won’t be disappointed.