~ Sound Advice Options

[Norbu]

[img]http://i.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/030603/18424__clayruben_l.jpg[/img]
''Idol'''s Ruben and Clay -- will you buy their CDs? Matching Kelly Clarkson's chart success won't be easy. That's why EW.com offers the duo advice from Jimmy Jam and other proven hitmakers by Brian Hiatt

SINGLE MINDED Our experts agree: Ruben's style meshes more with current pop-radio formats

''American Idol'' winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken will soon meet the only judges tougher than Simon Cowell: American record buyers. The pair will release their debuts later this year on Clive Davis' RCA Records, which has already made a platinum hit of Kelly Clarkson's ''Thankful.'' But since 350-pound Luther Vandross sound-alikes and Peter Cetera-style Broadway belters aren't exactly burning up the pop charts, making equally successful albums will be a challenge for both singers.

Because we're always willing to help, EW.com rounded up a trio of proven hitmakers -- producer/songwriters Jimmy Jam (Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey), Matthew Gerrard (Nick Carter), and Peter Zizzo (Vanessa Carlton, Avril Lavigne) -- to offer the pair advice on how they can make albums that'll get 25 million ''Idol'' fans to stop dialing and start buying.

Molding Clay Our panelists agree: Clay's vibrato-soaked, ultra-enunciated vocal style is unlikely to mesh with anything on pop radio. ''I don't see there being room for a new Michael Bolton,'' says Zizzo. But that doesn't mean Clay is doomed to play the Candlestick in ''Beauty and the Beast,'' as Simon once suggested. Pre-orders for Aiken's single are already out-selling Ruben's 4 to 1, which suggests there's a market for his sound. So Clay should simply release an album of Broadway-style ballads, accepting that radio might never play a note of it.

''I think of someone like Josh Groban, who's made a sort of operatic record that introduced young fans to a new type of music,'' says Jimmy Jam. ''It'd be a waste for Clay to do a watered-down pop record.'' Jam adds that Aiken should work with veteran producer David Foster, whose discography includes Groban's album, as well as ''Glory of Love,'' by Aiken's idol, longtime Chicago frontman Cetera. ''Foster understands how to capture drama in a vocalist and make timeless songs that live forever.'' Or at least sell a CD or two.

Studying Studdard Ruben ''205'' Studdard is an easier case. Even if he simply records a predictable album of mellow, bedroom-eyes R&B, he'll tap into an existing radio format and fan base. Says Zizzo: ''Why shouldn't there be a new Luther Vandross, who's just a romantic, who's not singing about bling-bling? Ruben could really be filling a void in R&B music.'' Without ever achieving pop-phenom status, the ailing Vandross has had numerous multiplatinum albums. Ruben could expect similar success, says Gerrard: ''Vandross had an amazing career, and he didn't have to be the flavor of the month. He could sell out concerts everywhere and didn't have to have a top 10 record.''

But if Studdard wants to go in a flashier (if not bling-blinging) direction, that could work, too -- and would help him reach pop fans. Jam imagines an album that incorporates the neo-soul of artists such as Musiq, and even elements of hip-hop: ''If you think about the record LL Cool J did with the Neptunes ['Love U Better'], Ruben would sound right at home on the chorus.'' Jam also suggests that Studdard incorporate a nod to the spiritual music he loves. ''There's a huge growth market for gospel,'' he notes. Better him than Bob Dylan.

http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,456309~...andclay,00.html

[galahad]

[quote]
Because we're always willing to help, EW.com rounded up a trio of proven hitmakers -- producer/songwriters Jimmy Jam (Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey), Matthew Gerrard (Nick Carter), and Peter Zizzo (Vanessa Carlton, Avril Lavigne) -- to offer the pair advice on how they can make albums that'll get 25 million ''Idol'' fans to stop dialing and start buying.
[/quote]

Well, let me see... I would say that Clay outselling Ruben 4 to 1 is evidence that Clay fans at least have stopped dialing and started buying.

about these so-called hitmakers: Janet is great, but what has she done for me LATELY? Mariah Carey - still coming back because she couldn't handle FAILURE... Nick Carter - Name ONE adult not making money on him who thinks he's a SERIOUS vocal talent... Vanessa Carlton... nowhere as big as she COULD be... Avril Lavigne - when she stops singing through her nose, let me know!

I mean really - couldn't they get people who know what sells to the MASSES? Of course this group is pro-Ruben... two of the three handle almost exclusively Urban artists... and many of the artists listed (Carter, Lavigne) will be lucky to be remembered in 2 years.

Meanwhile, people like Desmond Child (Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, etc.) are dying to work with Clay... I'll put his songs (Most of Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet, Aerosmith's Angel) up against any of these artists have offered in the past 10 years.

At least compare things fairly, EW.com

[northof49]

David Foster ( Is he a Claynadian yet?) sounds like a great idea to me. I don't want another Justin Timberlake or any of the other current 'pop' male clones, I want MUSIC. Real grownup songs with melodies and lyrics that make sense and the purity and clarity of Clays voice to sing them. We have quite a few female singers who can and do perform that kind of music, but no male singers that I can think of. As for Josh Grobin, he's okay, but I'm not going to buy his albums. I just don't like his voice or song selection enough. Michael Bolton is good, but I haven't heard anything new from him in a long time and he always sounded a bit too much the same no matter what he did. I do have a few of his cds though.

Give Clay some great songs; take Neil Sedaka up on his offer to write for him, include a few older songs that we want to hear in full length like 'Don't let the sun go down on me' and 'Solitare' and give him some new ones too. Apparently Diane Warren wants to write for him - so let her! I only hope they don't just include ballads as I loved his uptempo songs as much as the ballads.

I have ordered his single, will buy his first album and hopefully many more in the future.

[northof49]

oops! was posted twice - sorry

[JoshAI2]

I never listen to the radio, maybe it's good that it says Clay wouldn't fit in on the radio because people want something different. If Clay Aiken starts singing the kind of absoulute trash most "artists" sing, I would stop listening to him. Clay has pure talent, I don't think we need another everyday voice singing an everyday song on the radio. VARIETY. I dislike this article very much :-x

[StephieJ16]

I hadn't heard of Josh Groban till I went to Clay message boards. I downloaded his cd and its absolutly beautiful. I was hoping they would take Clay in this direction because the songs have haunting melodies and the lyrics mean something!! :shock:

(Just don't make Clay sing in Italian!)

Anyway, now that the shock has passed :wink: whatever they decide to do with Clay it should be good. They won't turn him into Justin Timberlake because it wouldn't work... If they do then there will be many angry fans :evil:

[weluvtrenyce]

[quote]But if Studdard wants to go in a flashier (if not bling-blinging) direction, that could work, too -- and would help him reach pop fans. Jam imagines an album that incorporates the neo-soul of artists such as Musiq, and even elements of hip-hop: ''If you think about the record LL Cool J did with the Neptunes ['Love U Better'], Ruben would sound right at home on the chorus.''[/quote]

i think id rather hear ruben take this route...seems more interesting

[Sunrise]

I don't know why they have to put these guys in a mold. Why can't new music exist? Ever heard of variety? Not lately. I don't listen to the radio much anymore because everything sounds the same. Let Clay's music bring something new and fresh to the radio!!!!
And as far as Ruben singing gospel? What about Clay? Heard any of his Christian songs! He could shoot through the roof in the Christian Market! GO CLAY!!!

[JoshAI2]

[quote]I don't know why they have to put these guys in a mold. Why can't new music exist? Ever heard of variety? Not lately[/quote]


I completly agree, everything just sounds the same.

[Essayann]

[quote]I want MUSIC. Real grownup songs with melodies and lyrics that make sense and the purity and clarity of Clays voice to sing them. [/quote]

Brilliantly concise, I could not agree more!

This is not what the EW mentioned "experts" are offering. Good thing THEY aren't handling Clay. I'm thinking Clive Davis, who took Santana and brought him back up to the top in one brilliant sweep as a mega grammy winner can do just fine by Clay. He's great at handling unique artists and he doesn't shove them into playdoh music molds.

[MidnightBreeze]

[quote]
.............Pre-orders for Aiken's single are already out-selling Ruben's 4 to 1, which suggests there's a market for his sound. So Clay should simply release an album of Broadway-style ballads, accepting that radio might never play a note of it.
[/quote]

It is the listeners who make the radio stations. We are the ones who make up the rating numbers.......the sponsors are the ones who look at the ratings to decide where to advertise. Radio stations sell time to advertisers for $MONEY$ :!:

Now if the radio-listening audience wants Clay, it would behoove the radio stations to play Clay. The Clay fans would listen to the station that plays Clay, therefore driving up that station's rating numbers........[b][size=20]more advertisers, [b][i][size=20]more $$$$$ popular station.

It seems rather simple to me. :wink:

[aikennut1978]

I have to agree with what Galahad says. They are obviously pro-Ruben. The already see Clay as being foredoomed to failure when it couldn't be less true. Clay has already proven his talents and as for

[aikennut1978]

I agree with you Midnight! Now all we have to do is get the radio stations to start thinking that! G105 knows the talent that Clay has and its not just because of the fact they are in his hometown. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!

[1iin1]

[v-streamer]

The new music which is played, (no, hammered into our consciousness) on the radio is mostly bad. The singing is bad, the lyrics are raunchy, the sound is lousy.
If people up to now accepted this awful stuff because they don't know of an alternative - well here's a great alternative - Clay.
A great singer with a beautiful voice, can hit all the notes, is expressive, and you can understand the words.
Can't these music people see that Clay is starting a new trend in music. Or is Rolling Stone the only one to notice this?
Radio stations - give him his due. Play him - damn it!

[The-Noun]

Oh he'll be on the radio trust me. But not because his music will be so good it MUST have airplay, its because he has legions of fans. Hes great, dont get me wrong. But everyone must agree, Ruben and Clay are only getting love because they were on the show.

I mean, look at the singles. "Flying without wings". The lyrics start great with lines like "Some find it in the deepest friendships, some find it in their lovers eyes". Then it turns to "But for me its waking up beside you, to watch the sunrise on your face" It seems like the writer just ran out of original ides, and just penned some predictable love lyrics.

"This is the night" The lyrics are waaaaaaay too boyband. "Lift me up in your eyes
If you told me that is what Heaven is, well, you'd be right." That is something Nsync should be singing, not Clay. I never pictured Clay as a "pop star. I always had him pinned as an intelligent singer, like Ruben. I dont know why they're making them sing such corny " i love you" songs.

These songs are just extrememly predictable. If anyone unknown released it on the scene, people would be "Ho-Hum" because they could listen to their BSB albums to hear "I love you" songs. But since its Ruben and Clay...they push thousands. Why? Because of the show. So to say "He wont get airplay" right now is idiotic of these people. He'll get airplay because he has legions of fans, thats all.