Chris Mann 'Roads' Album Review

 If you've never heard him sing, Chris Mann's music is like Josh Groban gone pop, but in a good, non-Backstreet Boys kind of way. I receive quite a few albums to review from established and upcoming artists, and I can honestly say it was a pleasure to listen to and review Roads, Chris Mann's latest album. There are many times when I stash reviewed albums that I didn't care for at the bottom of a storage box, but Roads is staying in the CD tower next to my desk.

Chris Mann is a classical crossover artist that you maybe saw on NBC's "The Voice." His new album is largely a cover album featuring songs that you've heard like Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind,” Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” “Ave Maria” and Damien Rice’s “The Blowers’ Daughter.” He also co-wrote two new songs: “Cuore,” based on Bach’s “Air on a G String,” and the contemporary ballad “Falling.” Mann's classical training paid off (I'm biased when it comes to classical singers) because he sounds like a veteran artist even though this is his first album.

One of the most unexpected songs, but also one of my favorites, is "Viva la Vida," which Coldplay originally performed. I just want to start jumping up and down and have a mini dance party whenever I hear it. (I'm a dork.) One of my least favorite is "The Blower's Daughter," which features Christina Aguilera. Mann sounds awesome in it. Aguilera, one of my favorite artists, sounds great too. The problem: they sound disconnected. You don't hear a peep from Aguilera until the last minute or so of the song. When I heard it for the first time, I was like, "Whoa! Where did she come from?" She just sounds kind of awkward and out of place, like the two singers didn't record the song in the studio at the same time...or something. You can listen to "The Blower's Daughter" in it's entirety on PerezHilton.com!

I you were a fan of Chris Mann when you saw him on "The Voice," there is no doubt that you'll love Roads. Learn more about Chris Mann at ChrisMannMusic.com.

Find Roads on iTunes 
Find Roads on Amazon.com

 

This is a review post from One2One Network. I was provided with a copy of the album and I am eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions stated are my own.