(CD REVIEWS) Leith-al weapon

[olddantucker]

(CD REVIEWS) Leith-al weapon
Danielle O'Donohue
293 words
21 December 2006
The Advertiser
1 - State
59
English
Copyright 2006 News Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Damien Leith

The Winner's Journey (Sony BMG)

Reviewer: Danielle O'Donohue

*** 1/2

IT'S taken Australian Idol's decision-makers only four series to realise that rushing out a half-ready album from the winner just a week after the series has ended probably isn't the best idea.

This time, Damien Leith will get an extra couple of weeks to think about his debut proper while the release of The Winner's Journey keeps the fans happy in the meantime and gives Sony BMG its Christmas No 1.

The double-disc collection features a DVD of Leith's performances on the show and a CD of the best that also includes new single Night of My Life and impressive original Come to Me.

Leith has a beautiful voice and these songs certainly show if off. Sometimes though it seems that's the only reason Leith picked them to perform - to show how effortlessly he could hit those high notes.

On a show where one bad performance can signal the end, contestants continually go for the big numbers, the jaw-dropping songs that will get people picking up the phones to vote.

Nessun Dorma is genuinely stunning but songs such as Creep sound out of place.

Even more than Nessun Dorma though, it's the understated and moving Message to My Girl that suggests what's to come.

If Leith can resist the urge to turn every song on his studio debut into a falsetto-heavy showstopper and just let the natural emotion of his voice tell each song's story, then we may really have an Australian Idol on our hands. Albeit, an Irish one.

[Mi chiamano Kami]

Ooh, thanks for this.

I would give it five stars myself, of course (biased? I'll never tell! ) but the fact that this reviewer loves Come to Me and Message To My Girl, songs that are probably our best indication of what Damien's album will be like, is very good.

[12ktina]

I wonder how many times he's listened to the cd! Some of the songs that I thought were ok when I first heard them have grown to become my favourites! Such as Creep - I love that song, particularly love the performance where he raises his arm at the end when he is singing - he was so getting in to it!!

That's one of the things so special about Damien's music it grows on you more and more as you listen to it - you don't get sick of it!!!

[olddantucker]

It's a pretty poor recording of Creep on the CD though - remember, the reviewer is listening to that, not our downloads!

[dededom]

olddantucker said:

It's a pretty poor recording of Creep on the CD though - remember, the reviewer is listening to that, not our downloads!

Sadly, too true. One of the highlights of the live Creep was the roar of the crowd as he hit the Glory Notes, as well as the very "rock" star end of "Thank You THank You" which has been totally edited out (actually, my theory has been that it has been re-recorded at some point, becuase it is completely devoid of audience noise, and it the audience went crazy on this song when it was done at Idol).

[ravengrace]

12ktina said:

I wonder how many times he's listened to the cd! Some of the songs that I thought were ok when I first heard them have grown to become my favourites! Such as Creep - I love that song, particularly love the performance where he raises his arm at the end when he is singing - he was so getting in to it!!

That's one of the things so special about Damien's music it grows on you more and more as you listen to it - you don't get sick of it!!!

What is it about that arm movement at the end of Creep? I find it mesmerising to watch and I'm not sure why. I suspect it is the 'openess' with which he performs it, or rather, the total lack of self consiousness. He just seems so comfortable and so tuned in to the emotion that I can't help getting drawn in too. He will be a great live performer.

[12ktina]

ravengrace said:

12ktina said:

I wonder how many times he's listened to the cd! Some of the songs that I thought were ok when I first heard them have grown to become my favourites! Such as Creep - I love that song, particularly love the performance where he raises his arm at the end when he is singing - he was so getting in to it!!

That's one of the things so special about Damien's music it grows on you more and more as you listen to it - you don't get sick of it!!!

What is it about that arm movement at the end of Creep? I find it mesmerising to watch and I'm not sure why. I suspect it is the 'openess' with which he performs it, or rather, the total lack of self consiousness. He just seems so comfortable and so tuned in to the emotion that I can't help getting drawn in too. He will be a great live performer.

You're right - it's strange to be mesmerised by an arm movement, but I just love watching that part again and again! I think it was also when the camera angle changed and you also saw him from behind with the judges and the audience in awe!! Can't wait to see him in concert one of these days....

[winterlong]

Message and Come to me are my favourites too

I was just thinking today as I was listening to the album that I do hope there is something of this style on the new album... I just love the stripped back arrangements, they really highlight the emotion in D's delivery...


*crosses fingers!*

[sunshine]

Yes, I prefer Damien in a stripped back, more acoustic sort of style. I think he sounds a lot better with just the guitar or the piano, which is why 'Come To Me' and MTMG work so well for me.
'Nessun Dorma' was a one off and a challenge: I doubt Damo will be doing any more opera, but oh man, he pulled it off beautifully.
And, thank goodness his version of NOML was the one that got released.
I myself will never tire hearing that wonderful falsetto! ;D

[hyperrune]

Come on! Not many of his songs before Idol were falsetto ones, he only turned balladeer, he said, to get through Idol! Ones like These Days and Bigger Plan that don't use falsetto, for some reason are my favourites!
And Creep is his wedding song! How could he not sing it?!
Otherwise, a pretty civil review. Acknowledge the Voice!of!Power! [/winter_imitation]

[Trilly]

This is a pretty fair review,IMO. but Creep sounding out of place? Puhlease! 'Creep' was heart-stopping and totally Damien: a little ladedah instead of grunge, but WOWEEE!! all the same! Another of my all time faves. I would LOVE it if D went down this road, but I doubt he will...and those last notes with hand behind head..eeeek so fantastic!!!