CD of the Week: Kalan Porter

KALAN PORTER
"WAKE UP LIVING"
(Sony BMG/Canada, 2007)

I know, I know, I just posted a song from this album a few days ago ... but, like I said, things were kind-of going crazy at that moment, and I'd been chomping at the bit to get my hands on the album for weeks, so it was pretty-much destined to be a "CD of the Week" here. Hey, just be happy I didn't mention him at all in my latest podcast! Anyway, I must say that Canadian Idol Kalan Porter's second album (the first sophomore release from any Canadian Idol, by the way) was worth just about every minute of the wait.

On the surface, this album seems like nothing special -- your basic collection of radio-friendly pop songs. But dig deeper and you'll find a young musician stretching his creative talents. Having top songwriting credit on most of the tracks in this collection, Kalan delivers deeper lyrics (no doubt a by-product of the emotional journey that his mother's battle with cancer took him on) and finer melodies. But the highlight for me is that Kalan Porter voice ... probably because of the reason I've mentioned a couple of times before: the fact that such a rich, full voice bursts forth from such a waifish lad.

Nearly every track on the album is enjoyable, and there's plenty of variety in the tunes, so something's bound to please someone: the lofty, inspirational opener "Down In Heaven", the playfully cocky rocker "Hurray", the gorgeous waltz "Try" (worthy of Rufus Wainwright, and with a wall-of-sound feel that would make Phil Spector* proud), the darkly upbeat "Karma King", and the delicately beautiful ballad "One Last Try". Judging from Kalan Porter's artistic progression from his first album to his second, I think he's got a long career in music ahead of him, and I hope to see more albums from him in the future. I'll definitely be buying the next one!

*back when he was a talented record producer and not the psycho-looking, under-suspicion-of-murder dude he is now

Song of the Week: Destination (Where I Belong)

"Destination (Where I Belong)"
Kalan Porter
from the album "Wake Up Living" (Sony BMG/Canada, 2007)

Thanks to a slightly weird week, capped off by a plumbing malfunction this evening here at home (wish us luck living without running water for the next day or so), I've had almost no time to think about what to post as the Song of the Week. So, thank goodness for Canadian popster Kalan Porter ... I just got his CD in the mail yesterday and am still on a bit of a high from it, and from this song in particular.

There's just something I love about that five-note melody that forms the foundation for the verses ... it soothes and relaxes me. And so does that lush, hearty voice of his ... it seems to totally make the song what it is. I do still have to fully "digest" the disc, but my first impression is definitely a good one. Kalan gets to exercise his songwriting skills, taking first credit in most of the tracks. I have a feeling this song will be my favorite of the album -- or at least it'll be tied with "Hurray" (but only because that one features Kalan's violin playing and this one doesn't). Well done, Kalan ... no "sophomore slump" here!

Wake Up Living

Look out ... the cute little Canadian with the big beefy voice is back! Kalan Porter's new album comes out August 28th (in Canada), and here's the first single! It's a ballad, but it's been so long since he's released anything that I'm a happy camper! Besides, the video's kind-of cool....



Other upcoming releases I'm waiting eagerly for: Teddy Geiger (September?) ... Ben Lee (September 18) ... Queen Latifah (September 25) ... The 5 Browns (October 2). It's shaping up to be a good season!

American Idle

I've never bothered to buy any CDs by any of the "American Idol" winners, because they've just never interested me, and I've never had a serious temptation to even watch the show. I did buy finalist Jim Verraros' CD (a pretty decent album), and have thought a bit about buying Bo Bice's album after enjoying his performance on Santana's latest CD, but that's as close as I've come to being an "American Idol" fan. I have, however, in recent years stumbled across a few good CDs by the winners of other "Idol" shows around the world, so here are a few recommendations....

Kurt Nilsen: "I" -- Winner of not only Norway's "Idol" show, but also of the global showdown "World Idol", and for good reason. This guy's got a hearty and slightly raspy (but far from irritating) voice which goes well with the rock-infused songs on this enjoyable album. (And it doesn't hurt that he covers songs by Duran Duran and Tal Bachman, two favorite acts of mine.)

Kalan Porter: "219 Days" -- Google a picture of the winner of "Canadian Idol" season two, and you'll find a skinny, baby-faced blond with delicate facial features. Listen to him sing, however, and you'll be hit with an amazingly solid voice that fluctuates from growling baritone to sweet-but-confident tenor. This is a fine selection of pop songs, with Kalan occasionally exhibiting his talent on the violin (including a cool solo for the album intro). You might laugh, but only from wondering how such a big, thick voice can come from such a thin, wispy body. Look for a contribution from Guess Who and BTO alum (and fellow Canadian) Randy Bachman.

Will Young: "Keep On" -- The third album from the winner of the first UK "Pop Idol" competition continues Mr. Young's steady upward climb in quality. He's got a skilled voice that can carry him through a broad variety of songs (well, as broad a variety as, say, the more adventurous Ronan Keating album), and is worth checking out.