Pace Press

Issue date: 9/21/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Classy, timeless, sophisticated, catchy and clean are all words to describe John Stevens' debut album Red, which hit stores late last June. For American Idol Season Three fans out there, you'll remember John Stevens from singing classic lounge songs while the rest of the finalist sung more from the pop genre.

Well, if you liked him back then, you should go out right now and buy his CD because it's all classic swing and lounge music which he pulls off pretty well. His intent for coming out with a swing album was because he "wants to show America that jazz, big band and swing music aren't dead. Those types of music are timeless and fun, and there's a whole cool lifestyle associated with it. If it's done right, these genres appeal to people of all ages." For those of you who don't watch American Idol, he sounds much like Michael Bublé, who sings "Come Fly with Me" in the Starbucks commercials.

The album is only about a half an hour long in duration and features 11 classic, familiar songs with a new twist. He even does a cover of the Maroon 5 hit, "This Love," which to be honest with you, as a huge Maroon 5 fan, I didn't think he could pull off. However I did appreciate hearing one of my favorite songs in a different style than the original. But while I like that Stevens experimented with the song, I still think the original is a lot better.

My favorite song on this album is his cover of the Beatles song, "Here, There and Everywhere." I found it to be strongest not only vocally but instrumentally as well. The CD's instrumental elements are amazing and only enhance his voice more.

But while I liked this CD, I also have to admit that it has some flaws. I like that he includes a lot of traditional and familiar songs, but I wish that he had at least one original song. He could have left out the song, "Let's Fall in Love," which is slow and boring. And if he had to put that on the album, he should have found someone better than actress-and apparently now singer-Erika Christensen to sing with. She has an average singing voice, and it doesn't really blend well with Stevens.

So should you buy this album? Well, I guess that all depends on what music you're into. But not only would I recommend it, I would buy it or at least download some of the songs off of iTunes. It has classic songs that you can sing along to either while driving your car or sitting alone in your dorm room. It's also relaxing and calming when compared to a lot of today's music; therefore, I recommend listening to it before going to sleep or during a study break. And unlike a lot of the new stuff coming out today, the album is clean and is something appropriate for people of all ages.

Grade: B

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