After a two year absence, Blake Lewis, American Idol Season 6 runner-up, (this is my second album review about an AI runner-up) comes back better and stronger with his sophomore album, "Heartbreak on Vinyl". The album goes down a different direction for Lewis. The tracks on the album come across as very up-tempo, electro, pop songs that rely heavily on the background beats and production, but Lewis' vocals are to be taken seriously. Lewis' voice comes off stronger and more confident than in his debut. Though the album sales so far are no where near impressive, the content of the album shows listeners that runner-ups are just as good as AI winners, maybe better.
The thirteen track album starts off with current single and title track, "Heartbreak on Vinyl". One of the best tracks off the album, "Heartbreak on Vinyl" is a well written pop song about the love he found at a classic record shop. The song is a good way to begin the album. Lewis' vocals are great while the beats and lyrics will have people singing along. The tracks that follow, "Binary Love", and "Sad Song" are great songs that keep the album on a positive note. Lewis fills the tracks with emotion while keeping them very modern and hip, showing listeners the direction he is taking his music career. Great direction if I may say so. The standout track on the album is "Freak", a fast-paced, dance song that would sound great in any club it was played in. The song will literally get you up off your feet and dancing, or at least make you want to dance. Some slight stumbles on the album come from the tracks "Rhythm of My Heart", "Rebel Without A Cause", and "The Point". These songs are not horrible, they are actually really good, but they seem to dim the album's brightness after it came out so strong in the first half. Nevertheless they are still well crafted and engineered songs that allow Lewis to show off his range. Two great tracks follow one right after the other. "Afraid" and "Left My Baby For You" are amazing songs that take the album to a whole new level. While one describes how he would feel if he were to lose the one he loved the most, the other talks about the fact that he left one woman for another but at the end is left with neither. Again the tracks are strong and one would be able to tell that Lewis poured his heart into the tracks. A useless part of the album is the beat boxing segment, "SuperScratchaVocalisticTurnatableLicious". I understand this is what Lewis is known for and what he enjoys, but it seemed silly to me and did not go well with the theme of the album. With the album coming to a finish, Lewis introduces some great songs that allow the album to have a successful closing. "Our Rapture of Love", "The Remedy", and "Love or Torture (Please Don't Stop)", (the last two being personal favorites) ties the album together very nicely and each are great, successful songs for Lewis. All three explore different musical elements and genres that Lewis powers through with strong vocals, probably his best performances on the album. The album is fun for any listener, but also contains lyrics that are heartfelt and real. Lewis was involved in the writing of all songs, except one, and it shows. A great writing, singer, a great album altogether.
Even though this is barely Lewis' second album, it contains some of the best work of his career and clearly tops anything he did on American Idol or his first album. A majority of the songs are amazing and the album starts of fierce. A few songs slow down the momentum, but only for a few minutes because then it picks up and stays strong till the end. Only major problem with the album is the beat boxing, but other than that it is a fantastic album. This album is one that was looked over and it is a real shame. The material on it is better than some stuff on the radio now, but the music industry is all about popularity. Lewis proves that he carries the chops that albums need to succeed, and allows the album to become an enjoyable listen. "Heartbreak on Vinyl" receives an 86%, and as one of the few that actually purchased the album, I have to say I am glad I did.
Tracks to hear: "Freak", "Afraid", and "Left My Baby For You"
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