Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster
Despite its status as one of the most popular television shows in America for the past decade, it goes without saying that the vocalists on American Idol are typically mediocre at best. While Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Adam Lambert, and Carrie Underwood have been doing fairly well since their appearances on the show, we have to look at the other hundred or so contestants who have either entered train-wreck status or faded into anonymity. Sanjaya Malakar has had a much more successful career than Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze. Most of you are probably saying…who? Has DeWyze put out an album? Does anyone even care?
Although the skies may seem bleak, there is hope for new talent on the horizon. Last season’s rocker, James Durbin, recently released his debut album Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster, and the reviews thus far are promising for the young artist.
The album debuted at number 36 on the Billboard 200, at number eight on the Billboard Rock Chart, at number 25 on the Digital Album Chart, and sold 28,000 copies throughout the first week of release. This follows a collective EP of Durbin’s best Idol performances, which was released in June 2011 and debuted at number 31 on the Billboard 200 and has sold 600,000 copies to date.
The 23-year-old California native–who, like fellow Idol rocker Daughtry, finished in 4th place during the season–gave the album more of a pop sound than many fans expected due to his metal performances on the show, yet still delivered the signature shrieks and crisp voice that made him a fan favorite during Season 10.
Durbin had a hand in writing most of the songs on Memories, but artists such as Ben Moody from Evanescence and Season 7 Idol winner David Cook also lent a hand to writing and producing the album’s tracks. The opening and closing tracks–“Higher Than Heaven” and “Stand Up” respectively–showcase Durbin’s signature vocal abilities, while the somber track “May” is a touching piece showing off Durbin’s softer side.
Durbin released the track “Love Me Bad” as the lead single from the album for Top 40 radio stations, while simultaneously releasing “Stand Up” to rock radio stations. To date, both have done moderately well with airplay.
Riding the coattails of the success of Memories, Durbin married longtime girlfriend (and the mother of his son Hunter) Heidi Lowe, on New Year’s Eve 2011. Many of his American Idol cast mates were in attendance for the ceremony. He has also become an inspiration for those living with Asperger Syndrome and Tourette Syndrome, from both of which Durbin suffers, as proof that mere disabilities cannot prevent anyone from accomplishing their greatest dreams. After a year like 2011, James Durbin must certainly be feeling higher than heaven.
Angela Nicole Holbrook
10th January 2012
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