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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
Katharine McPhee has a cloudless voice and a warm, wide-eyed Alice in Wonderland quality that won her swarms of fans on American Idol's fifth season--if Simon Cowell had a ready antonym for "ghastly," there's little room for doubt about which contestant he would have applied it to. While debates over whether McPhee's considerable grace and talent should have won her the TV competition rage on across the Idol-viewing landscape, one thing's certain: she's made a debut album good enough to render such determinations meaningless. Katharine McPhee is an R&B-leaning pop disc that pulls the urgency and tenderness out of her voice and pins it smack in the center of each song. The slickly produced opener "Love Story" displays a certain swagger, and "Not Ur Girl" and "Open Toes" follow it up with still more spunk and attitude (something some McPhans asked to see more of on AI). If there's a crisp, smartly maneuvered Christina Aguilera-meets-Beyonce-and-Mariah sensibility at work in those songs, the ballads belong to McPhee alone. "Somewhere over the Rainbow" made her a star on TV; "Ordinary World" and "Better off Alone" have the staying power to make her a star in music. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews: Read 225 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

The Best Pop Debut Album in Years February 1, 2007
119 out of 140 found this review helpful

One of the best pop debut albums I've heard in years, "Katharine McPhee" has something for everyone: Catchy pop numbers, club anthems, power ballads, and powerful blues ballads.

Throughout, the strikingly beautiful runnerup to the talented (and underrated) Taylor Hicks in the 2006 American Idol competition is in top vocal form. By the time you are halfway through the album, she's delivered several potential hits, and given you more than your money's worth.

And the second half is as good as the first. In the process, she demolishes any suggestion that her talent is limited to singing syrupy ballads while her dad tears up in the front row.

Track-by-Track:

1. "Love Story" is a rousing, if somewhat routine rocker that opens the show with a sign this singer has gone in a new direction.

2. "Over It," the co-released single, is an early candidate for the year's top pop song. With several solid hooks embedded in an intricate vocal arrangement, the song connects with countless thousands of teenage girls as Katharine declares her freedom from a dominant boyfriend. "I'm over your hands, and I'm over your mouth, trying to drag me down and fill me with self-doubt." The song is undeniably catchy.

3. "Open Toes" is a delightfully uninhibited celebration of airheaded teenage materialism, and the joys of --- shoe-shopping! Eminently danceable, the song isn't meant to be taken seriously, in fact I can't imagine why a nation of erudite reviewers hasn't at least speculated that Katharine is engaging in some self-deprecating humor. By the time she announces, almost deleriously, that "If I'm feelin down, then I go out, and shop 'til I drop everywhere that I want. Nothing feels better than spending my treasure on me, finally, I'm where I'm s'posed to be", I think the Kat *should* be out of the bag.

4. "Home" is a solid power ballad, and Kat sings the lower notes, which occasionally tripped her up on American Idol, with conviction and artistry. Like Mariah, but somehow more convincing.

5. "Not Ur Girl" is another of those "girl power" anthems ("I'm not your girl,and I'm not leaving with you just because you asked me to"), delivered with a driving rhythym.

6. "Each Other" is what (eons ago) used to be called a "cheek to cheek" song -- perfect for slow dancing, with a nice melody and nicely arranged background vocals.

7. "Dangerous" is a strong pop number. "He'll steal your heart away, and run away," she announces, lamenting that "I wish I knew what I know now, I swear it never would have went down". She doesn't ramp up the intensity quite as much as I'd like, but overall it's a solid effort.

8. "Ordinary World" is, in Katharine's hands, quite extraordinary. If you think her performance is routine, write down the lyrics, listen to the melody, and imagine Christina Aguilera singing it. Then listen again. You'll realize how much extra Katharine brings.

9. "Do What You Do" may seem contemporary, but to me it sounds like countless songs I danced to in packed clubs in the crazy 80's. I can't go back, but this song almost got me there. It's OK.

10. "Better Off Alone" is a blues ballad. Kat powers into it, very convincingly. Of all the songs in the album, this fits her vocal range best.

11. "Neglected" is one of the best songs on the album. Instrumentally and vocally, the arrangement is simply superb, and the chorus line has a hook that could make this one a hit single. The melody simply stays around, and won't leave. Also great "cheek-to-cheek" material.

12. "Everywhere I Go" is a Mariah Carey type number. But Mariah Carey is no McPhee. Carey has greater range and self-assurance, but McPhee delivers more of the elusive emotional connection that sells a song, rather like Karen Carpenter or, a generation before, Connie Francis. Something in the warmth of her voice, the timbre, gives her that special edge. Her youthful willingness to take chances makes her more unpredictable and occasionally erratic, but for this listener, vastly more appealing.

This album is a rarity. There are several potential hit singles, no truly bad songs, and only one, Dangerous, that sounds like the artist is holding back anything.

With her rare combination of unaffected likability, great pipes, almost supernatural beauty, and growing artistic range, Katharine McPhee is clearly positioned to become America's next pop superstar.

5 out of 5 stars

They Got This One RIGHT! January 30, 2007
73 out of 93 found this review helpful

I really appreciate that they covered just about everyone with this CD! Old Kat Phans, new Phans, Younger and Old, upbeat and club hoppin' or slow and soulful, it's ALL on here!

The songs that truly show case Kat's voice are Ordinary World, Home, Better Off Alone, and Everywhere I Go.

And I can imagine, Open Toes (which is so SO much better than I ever thought it could be) will definitely be played in clubs along with Not Ur Girl, Do what it Do and Dangerous.

Neglected is one of those slow head rocking songs. That I know a LOT of people will like!

I was in love with Over It and it's radio friendly Pop sound and Love Story's 70's throw back feel already!

But the ONE song on here that I feel could single-handedly sell this CD is "Ordinary World"
This is the one! This is what she needs to be singing at EVERY appearance! I mean this is what will please the Classic Kat Phans and win over ANYONE else who hears it! The first 30sec of the piano and her crystal clear voice are worth the price of the whole dang CD!!! I knew the writers/producers Walter Afanasieff and Emanuel Kiriakou who have penned some of the classics of Mariah and Celine would NOT dissapoint on this one and they came through in spades, they might as well clear some room for that Grammy they'll be picking up! Let people hear that one, that's all they need!

Kat chose a sound that has GREAT cross over appeal. Several tracks give enough urban R&B appeal they could easily be played on MTV VH-1 and BET. You heard of Blue Eyed Soul, well Blue, Brown or Green....Kat has got IT! Which may come as a surprise to some who only know her as the Over the Rainbow girl.

As I was listening I was being reminded of Janet in her heyday. Not vocally but the style of some of the songs. And then others were VERY reminiscent of Mariah and Christina's power ballads, and Kat actually sounded very much like them on a couple.

Yeah, I think they got the right mix, there will be at least ONE song on here for nearly everyone!

I can see now why a critic recently sighted this CD as being akin to a soundtrack rather then just a CD. It DOES have that feel. It truly is a "A Love Story" told in song, by a young lady who will find her place among the greats one day!

5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful Voice February 22, 2007
73 out of 92 found this review helpful

I am a fan of the American Idol show but the show actually did not show her talent.

This CD is very good and I will be waiting to purchase her next one as soon as it is released.

I am sure that she will do nothing but improve as she gets used to being center stage (and she's wonderful now).

5 out of 5 stars

Great Songs Great Voice! February 22, 2007
71 out of 88 found this review helpful

I completely forgot about KM a few months after Idol ended and this cd has me totally in Love with her again. I pretty much like all the songs on the cd. The ballad ordinary world is amazing. I think Mcphee will be a big star!

4 out of 5 stars

Its good February 25, 2007
70 out of 81 found this review helpful

After watching Katharine McPhee on American Idol, I was expecting a broadway musical soundtrack for her first CD. After listening to the track samples, I was surprised at the variety of sounds on the CD. I bought it and have listened to it several times.

My breakdown, track by track:

Love Story -- RAT TAT TAT! This is your wake up call! This isn't gonna be the same Katharine McPhee you know and love from American Idol. This is a fun, old school track. One of my faves.

Over It -- reminds me of JoJo's Too Little Too Late but less bubble gum. Its radio friendly, so this is probably why the picked it as the first single.

Open Toes -- I like the music, but not lovin the lyrics. Maybe an anthem for girls with shoe addictions.

Home -- reminds me of a Christina Aguilerra ballad, but McPhee does a great job singing it. Nice ballad.

Not Ur Girl -- another fun dance track with an old school feel.

Each Other -- r&b track that reminds me of Mariah Carey. Good love song.

Dangerous -- Another retro dance track with a 90's sound. McPhee puts her sultry vocals to good use on this one. Love the "love ship" line.

Ordinary World -- NOW were talking! Finally -- the power ballad everyone's been waiting for. And McPhee doesn't disappoint. She could sing this song at her concerts for the rest of her career. One of the highlights of the CD.

Do What You Do -- sort of Gwen Stefani. Fun track I can hear remixed and played in clubs. McPhee in clubs -- who wouldve thought!

Better Off Alone -- nice Ballad by Austin Caroll. I heard his version on his myspace. McPhee's version is just as soulful. Great vocals. This song might be the best fit for her voice of all the songs on this CD. Sweet.

Neglected -- hypnotic. Another one of my favorites. Excellent r&b track. Again, great job on the vocals.

Everywhere I Go -- Hot track. Should be the next single. Killer vocals. Nice ending to the CD.

I would give the music 3.5 stars, bumped up to 4 for the great voice.There are a bunch of possible hit singles on this CD. If you like r&b and pop, this is a good buy. A great debut CD for Katharine McPhee.

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