Danny Gokey Is the Worst
Some singers instantly elevate whatever material they touch, putting even the simplest of truths over with such raw, unimpeachable conviction that they become almost startlingly potent.
Danny Gokey isn’t that kind of singer.
He’s the kind who makes most any song he applies his pipes to sound worse through injudicious application of vocal tics and tricks borrowed from Michael Bolton, the kind who presents himself as the gaping absence of personality at the center of his own album.
On Sunday, I sat down and listened to Gokey’s new album. Twice.
What could possess a person to do such a thing? Only the best of intentions, I assure you. Given that Gokey is being marketed as country, and I write about country, I thought I should know something about him. I didn’t watch American Idol last year, or any year since 2003. And I’m not that interested in plain biographical facts. So, I came to his first album with little baggage and a simple hope: To get to know Danny Gokey through his music.
But after spending 80 minutes with the man’s album, I’m no closer than I was before. All I know is that he’s a glass-half-full optimist whose answer to all of the world’s problems is faith and love – and that doesn’t tell me much, given that half of the other aspiring contemporary country singers adopt the same pose.
Worse, I get the sense that Danny Gokey doesn’t understand, like, or particularly want to sing country music.
While past country Idols (Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Josh Gracin, even Bucky Covington) haven’t exactly been traditional standardbearers, I’ve always felt their engagement with the pop-country field to be sincere. I can sense the underlying appreciation of Martina, Shania, and Garth, if not Hank and Lefty. I understand their personal investment in calling themselves country artists – based on the country music they grew up listening to in the ’90s – even when their music doesn’t bear out that classification to my satisfaction. I get that they want to be here.
By contrast, Gokey’s complete lack of investment in anything resembling country music is readily apparent. He’s a Christian soul singer tapping the conventions of country music from a safe distance, seeing if he might strike gold. The nearest analog is Phil Stacey, who released exactly one ‘country’ (at Disney’s insistence) single and album on Lyric Street before following his heart to a Christian label the next year. I hope Danny Gokey’s country stint will be similarly short, so he can move on and make some music he actually enjoys.
On My Best Days, Gokey is like Bucky Covington minus sincerity, Rascal Flatts minus twang. Clay Aiken could deliver down-home sentiments like “Sunday morning, all dressed for church / Took a muddy road shortcut, showed up all covered in dirt” (“Life on Ya”) more credibly. Anne Murray could rock “Like That’s a Bad Thing” harder, and Gary Allan already did.* On his debut, Gokey makes everything – even that which might be heartfelt, like the mindless optimism that pervades the whole affair – feel like a complete lie. A lot of that has to do with the fact that he is not now, and probably will never be, a country singer. Not even by contemporary standards.
Toward the end of the album, he sings of a man who “did it all to impress someone else / When all he had to do was stop and be himself.” And he’s apparently just obtuse enough not to realize that he may as well be referring to his own country music career. I’m willing to accept that there’s a place for Danny Gokey somewhere in music, because millions of fans have already voted their support. But it’s very clearly not here, and he’d be doing himself, his fans, and country music a huge disservice to prolong this uncomfortable marriage.
* Seriously, why mess with a song previously recorded by Gary Allan? Unless you’re Rodney Hayden, don’t.
Personally, I like Danny. But I listened to half of his CD and was disappointed. I wish he would have made a Christian album. I know many were disappointed that he didn’t. His “cover” of “Like It’s A Bad Thing” made me say, “No, no, no, no, no” too. :o(
Danny Gokey has a hell of a GREAT voice with soul and passion and POWER> he is blessed- His new album ROCKS> his songs rock- you all haters need to back down with the rest of the weak.
never met a man who walked on water- NEVER MET A MAN WHO WALKED ON WATER but i still believe!!!!!
I cannot believe Danny G. decided to “go Country.” IMHO you are either country or not, you don’t just wake up one morning. and decide to go country. Carrie, Bucky, Kellie and Josh all did country songs the whole time they were on American Idol and they are all natural born country folk. Danny is not and yet he already is set to open for Sugarland. Makes no sense to me. But what do I know. I do not like his current single and I have no plans to buy his album.
This is the best cd that I’ve heard from country in a long time. Hopefully more to come. I’ll glad he’s off to a good start. He did do country songs on idol, Jesus takes the wheel, hope you dance, what hurts the most and I think there’s one more. You can’t do all country songs on idol because you’re dealing with a different theme week to week. I know he doesn’t have a twang, but I could care less. DEFINITELY some of the most heartfult music that’ve I heard in a while. A+ for me
Um Danny DID do country on AI…Rascal Flatts and Carrie songs too. Country appeals to him cause he tells the story in the lyrics like country songs tend to do.
Danny gives my nethers the tingles. He sets my soul on fire with his voice. Sometimes when I’m alone, I touch myself down there while I have hot sauce on my fingers and pretend it’s his warm breath enveloping my [censored by editor].
“Vocal Tics and Tricks borrowed from Michael Bolton” Then maybe Michael Bolton “Borrowed” from Michael McDonald or vice versa….are you kidding me? You can’t come up with anything better than that to hate on somebody? “YOU ONLY HATE HIM, CAUSE YOU AIN’T HIM”… Get a life and get another job other than writing commentary on people who truly bear their heart and soul in what ever they do….I guess you’re referring to the “OLD COUNTRY TWANG” Well that’s a thing of the past…I guess Lady “A”, Taylor Swift and many other “NEW” country artists have what it takes….I thought “Being Country” meant being someone who went through hardships, and pain and “Believed in God and Country”….and sang about those feelings….so is this not the perfect specimen? Do you know what it’s like to lose someone? Probably not…well I do! And it’s not pretty….and Danny Gokey is releasing that pain through the songs he sings….just like I am letting go by listening to them….and might I also say that a few of the songs he chose to do were written by people who wrote for “other country artists” So I also guess you feel that Dave Haywood of Lady “A” who co wrote “It’s Only”…”IS COUNTRY” BUT DANNY WHO SINGS HIS SONG ISN’T” and that goes for the others…If he “isn’t country” then why would an ICON like Randy Travis, ask him if he considered recording for The Country Lable? I guess you get paid to write “whatever” about people….and yes everyone has their own opinion, but to put people down like you do, is A HORRIBLE WAY TO MAKE A LIVING….How do you sleep at night? I guess the money must be good!
I guess you get paid to write “whatever” about people….and yes everyone has their own opinion, but to put people down like you do, is A HORRIBLE WAY TO MAKE A LIVING….How do you sleep at night? I guess the money must be good!
Money? I do this for fun.
… I do much worse things for money.
Such as?
Sorry, my mistake. That should have read:
I WOULD do much worse things for money.
So if anybody’s hiring…
i unfortunately listened to his album 3 TIMES (i was playing a game and didn’t feel like stopping to change the music). the only song that sounded the least bit sincere was ‘I Will Not Say Goodbye’. absolutely not country
Gokey has a great voice, and he’s got some pretty strong country songs by solid Nashville songwriters on this CD. Saw him at the Opry when he was there in January, he really is a heck of a singer and crowd responded really well for him.
Good to see he is seeing some success with his album, even if this site evidently isn’t gonna be among his supporters.
Danny is a great singer, a very successful one and it is too late now that you bash him with hate and negativity… Its too sad that no one will ever agree to your post but yes you are entitled to your opinion and opinions like these doesn’t last that too long here and as a matter of fact, they will question your motives as to why you are doing this. I would say its just a stunt to read this things so to all my fellow Dannyfans, we will not be bombarded with this nonsense issues anymore cause we know that Danny did his thing and will impress us always every step of the way… Credibility is always at stake on writing commentaries… come to think of that… next time you write. peace!
Money? I do this for fun.
… I do much worse things for money.
Hee!
Danny lost me with the pelvic thrusts; he’s no Elvis, that’s for sure. Nah, he’s got a decent enough voice but no direction. If he’d been signed by Roc-a-Fella he’d have twice the reason to throw the heart sign, and he’d be rapping. Someone needs to guide him but I don’t think country’s it. No connection.
Jay, then I guess you know better than Randy Travis, huh? You have NO IDEA what you’re talking about!
But THANK YOU to those like Estelle who DO!
I will let the facts speak for themselves. Danny will have the highest debut of any male country artist in a long time, according to Brian Mansfield of USA Today. He is expected to chart #5 on Billboard’s Top 200. HDD called his debut impressive for a male country artist. He has already been #1 on the CMT Countdown, and #3 on GAC. Danny made an impressive debut at the Grand Old Opry in Jan and has already been invited back to perform this month.
Yes, he’ll be perorming twice this weekend!
Totally disagree with you Mr. Wilcox. I love Danny Gokey’s voice, I think he chose songs that fit him very well. I think country fans are already welcoming him to the genre. He’s criss crossed the US performing small shows at country radio stations and he has received great response. By the way, his heart is a lot purer than your dark one.
What I like about Danny’s My Best Days album is that it really represents who Danny is as an artist. I have always loved Danny’s rich, bluesy, smoky voice. Among my favs so far – I Will Not Say Goodbye, Tiny Life, Crazy Not To, I Still Believe, Like That’s A Bad Thing. I am really glad they have the long version of Its Only. Kudos also to producer Mark Bright. I hope this is the start of a great working relationship between him and Danny.
Danny Gokey could have gone any direction. Right now country is a great place for him. Later, he can cross over to other types of music. I thought to be country all you had to do is Love and Respect this country we live in? What is the norm for country, or the requirements. There isn’t any. Music should be universal, and I believe it is until we market or claim it to be something else. Danny has every right to go down this path. Your writing voiced your opinion, but with a cruelty that you enjoyed. That’s sad. I bought Danny’s CD and can’t seem to get through it without getting emotional with Tiny Life and I Will Not Say Goodbye. Why? Well, when someone sings beautiful written songs with passion it’s hard not too. Many of us will connect with his voice and words. People like yourself will not. That’s okay. You’re entitled to your opinion, but kinder words might of brought you more respect. Danny is trying his best to move forward and do good work. How can you not respect that and not want to join in? If you don’t like him fine. Don’t buy his CD, and don’t bother at all. All these “haters” seem to have a lot of time on their hands. It’s also a sad commentary on our society in general. Or… maybe it’s that all these so called “haters” really like Danny. I’m beginning to think he has a lot of fans that are “haters.” :) I wish Danny all the success, but most of all Happiness.
While there will be much to choose from in these batch of comments, I want to see this line featured in this weekend’s Quotable Country, Wilcox!:
“By the way, his heart as a lot purer than your dark one.”
I don’t even have the heart to listen to this album in the first place.
” I thought to be country all you had to do is Love and Respect this country we live in? ” – I’d like to see this in the Quotable Country, sounds like a Taylor Swift fanatical converted to Danny Goye.
Wow, quite the unimaginative review. I guess its easy to say he’s ‘Christian singer” because he used to sing Gospel and has positive messages on some songs. And not country enough? Wake up and smell the coffee.
Country is a place where faith can be talked about.
I wasn’t a big fan of Gokey’s on Idol, but gotta say; This is one heck of a debut album.
Guy has an incredible voice, superb vocals and the Nashville song writers done good.
Bought it on iTunes during the sale and not sorry I did. Think he will have a good career in Country.
BTW; its obvious you’re not paid to do this for a living.
I’m not a country fan, but I’m a Danny Gokey fan. His style of country music has opened a whole new musical genre for me along with the music of Rascal Flatts , Lady A.,and Carrie Underwood.
Say what you want about him, the bottom line is – the guy can sing and make a connection with people.
Do you really have to have bad diction to be a country artist? I don’t think so, just refer to the musicians above.
Being a musician myself, I appreciate a vocalist that can reach down and touch the soul; as Kara said last season on AI, that’s hard to do….and he does it so well.
Good luck Danny in all you do!
Fun? You do this for fun. That speaks volumes.
This bears no semblance to a critical, rational review. I think you doth protest too much about your “baggage”; its pretty obvious you are carrying so much of it that its spewing out every pore.
I’m on the fence about Gokey in country; but gotta say I think his album is pretty good. Good solid lyrics, tunes and the man can surely sing.
And judging by his sales so far (Just saw on HDD he is predicted to by #4-only 4k behind Blake Sheltons cheap EP, BTW!) he may be around for a while- I guess there are plenty who think it is a pretty good match.
And I heard he is touring with Sugarland, no less, who don’t seem too worried about him opening for them!
You are having fun…so that’s OK. I love the Gokey. His voice is honey-sweet with some rasp. He is as country as the next guy. I’m playing his CD over and over again along with Josh Turner, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Andy Griggs & old man George Jones.
Danny Gokey is a GREAT country artist Love his album Love him. Extremely tired of all the hatred that is spewed about him. Give the guy a break and get on with your lives. Have to Give LeeAnn a pat on the back though. She has no use for Danny (that is her right) and so she just doesn’t listen to his music. Smart Girl the rest of you haters should take a hint!!!
I think this an extremely fair-minded piece of writing (despite the funny title). Apparently it needs to be said: country music isn’t about a particular faith or set of values or personal character. Some acts within the “country music” tent may make it seem so, but country music itself is a legitimate art form with distinct musical characteristics and a rich history.
And it is not mean or close-minded to expect the artists who associate themselves with it to somewhat appreciate those things. Nothing about Gokey or his album suggests he does. That’s not to say he’s a bad person or anything, but you can’t expect every country music fan to take him seriously. And hey, I’m sure there’s music you don’t like, too. Are you being mean if you tell your friend in the car you don’t like it? Where do you draw the line between that and a little blog post?
Where do you draw the line? When you infringe on Danny’s right to sing what he WANTS to! It’s called free speech! He once said that he didn’t want to take the Christian Music route because he wanted to reach more people with his message in song, and he does like to sing songs with a message ~ so that’s why he went country ~ along with Randy Travis’ recommendation that he should do so!
And by the way, Keith Urban ( do you know him?) has just asked last year’s American Idol Winner, Kris Allen, to “open” for him on tour! Kris Allen is NOT a country singer at all, and doesn’t profess to be. He’s “pop-rock,” but sang a duet with Mr. Urban at the Idol Finale last year. Now they are great friends and sound great together, even tho Kris is definitely not country, but a very talented singer/songwriter himself!
Danny’s sister,
Are you for real? NO ONE is infringing on Danny’s “right” to sing anything. CM listened to the album and offered an opinion (not a review as you will notice that this was filed under the editorial category) based on his listening experience. Or would you rather that he NOT listen to it? Quite simply, you need to accept that there will be people who don’t care for your favorite artist. There are many artists I like that others could care less about; that doesn’t invalidate my own enjoyment of their work.
What is truly puzzling is that with all of the venow that’s been spilled at Danny, THIS editorial is what you’re upset about? Because I’ve seen others say MUCH worse and without even basing it on music. I can only assume your response is a bit of a knee jerk reaction.
For the record, I don’t hate Danny and I doubt any of the other commenters do, either. I do not have any interest in owning his album, but I wish him well as he’s obviously endured hard times.
I completely agree Mr. Wilcox. I also think that some of these comments are so freaking awesome I can’t believe it.
Based on the comments here, I can only assume Danny Gokey and Carrie Underwood share a fanbase.
He did do country songs on idol, Jesus takes the wheel, hope you dance, what hurts the most
Man alive, that just says it all right there, doesn’t it? Two overblown numbers from two of the least traditional acts out there, and one poppy detour from one of Nashville’s most solid traditionalists. I’d have given him more credit if he’d done, say, “Does My Ring Burn Your Finger” or “I May Hate Myself In the Morning.”
Danny Gokey could have gone any direction. Right now country is a great place for him.
So this is all the respect country music deserves, just what it gets to the extent it can serve as a stepping stone to other genres? Wow.
Do you really have to have bad diction to be a country artist?
Where did this come from?! I have been reading CC for a pretty good while and have yet to see CMW or any of his cowriters or commenters here bash any non-traditional country artist for his or her good diction.
Music should be universal, and I believe it is until we market or claim it to be something else.
This might not be self-evidently wrong, but that doesn’t make it any less wrong. There are perfectly valid reasons for dividing music into genres. To take my own words from elsewhere: Certain artists and bands are going to have similar sounds and those artists and bands are going to be grouped together despite protests about pigeonholing certain music into certain categories. And it works, because when you want to find more of that certain sound you have some idea of where to look for it — whereas, if it was “just good music,” that’s just way too general to be of any use at all. If music is supposed to be universal, then, just for another example, there are 67 Sirius satellite radio channels focusing on various genres and subgenres. Should they get rid of 66 of them and just have one channel playing everything? Or a number of channels playing a different shuffle of the same playlist? How far do you wanna go with that?
…country music itself is a legitimate art form with distinct musical characteristics and a rich history.
And it is not mean or close-minded to expect the artists who associate themselves with it to somewhat appreciate those things.
Amen.
Just want to say again, a BIG THANK YOU to all the Danny Gokey supporters here! You warm my heart!
C.M…I hope you’ve learned a valuable lesson in all of this…never criticize an American Idol singer who goes country. Their fans are Tenacious (with a capitol T). Honestly, at this point, I think the pants on the ground guy could release a country music album (which would be awesome, but I digress), and I still think there would be a small subset of people who would monitor the country music websites/blogs, and go ballistic at the onset of any criticism of the guy’s album.
In all seriousness, I don’t watch American Idol, nor do I know any of Danny Gokey’s music outside of his debut single. It didn’t appeal to me, but if some people like the guy’s music, then that’s fine. But I think some people are overreacting a bit due to the supposed intent of the article. I don’t think C.M was trying to insult Danny Gokey, the person, or was trying to start a flame war with Gokey’s entire fanbase. I’ve read a lot of the author’s reviews over the past few years, and he’s always come across to me as a fair reviewer. He didn’t write this review to incite a riot, or to generate more hits to the website. He wrote it because he genuinely felt there were issues with the album, many of which he has voiced on numerous occasions about other artists who are considered “country” by most fans. The guy was merely being honest about his opinion of the album, and I don’t think he wrote the review as a way to “get Danny Gokey”. (And believe me, he’s been much, much more critical of other artists than he was of Gokey in this review)
The main point that I don’t quite understand in this whole mess is this…why do some fans take umbrage at any criticism of their favorite artist? I can understand if someone is spreading rumors or outright lies on a website, but that’s not the case here. I’m a frequent follower of a lot of country music websites/blogs, and I don’t agree with every single review that I find. But it’s no big deal…I still listen to the music that I want to listen to. Everyone has a different perspective, and I’m cool with that. If you’re a Gokey fan, then go to his shows, and buy his albums. Time will tell if he will have sustained success in country music. I honestly don’t know if he will, or if he won’t. But, I’ve just never quite understood the “ultimate fandom” mentality that causes many people to defend their favorite artists from any critical reviews. I guess it’s just another thing that makes the world go round.
Well, I appreciate all the response to this one.
If you consider that I felt compelled to write the article because of how much I disliked Gokey’s album – to an extent that surprised even me – I think it was actually pretty fair as far as enraged rants go. Had this been a regular review, I might have felt compelled to look for a silver lining or use a title less provocative than “Danny Gokey Is the Worst.” But it was written as an immediate, visceral reaction to negative stimuli – in this case, Danny Gokey pretending to be Michael Bolton and calling it country music.
Obviously, Gokey fans (this was linked to from iheartdannygokey.com) are going to be happy to see him release music anywhere, and won’t find the question of genre to be of much importance. Judging from some of the comments above, many of these people know little to nothing about country music. That’s fine. I know little to nothing about Danny Gokey, save for what he reveals on this album. Based on that, I don’t want to know more. Country music, on the other hand, is pretty important to me. We’re coming at it from different directions… which isn’t to say that some country fans won’t enjoy Gokey. There’s no accounting for taste.
To clarify, though, my critique isn’t that he’s not ‘country enough’ by some old-school standard. It’s that he’s not even authentically engaging with what’s happening in the contemporary country scene, which includes acts like Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift. His effort to ‘go country’ feels disingenuous to me, and I think his music would ring truer if he weren’t trying to force it to be something it’s not.
If nothing else, this has given me lots of fodder for the next Quotable Country.
Mr. Wilcox, I’m SO glad you got your “extra fodder!” And I was so very happy to find that there ARE country music fans who DO enjoy Danny’s music and who are NOT so RUDE to call Danny “THE WORST” of anything! I must say that you are NOT “the worst” I have encountered, thank goodness, but don’t worry, I won’t be back here to read your blogs or bother you any more. My husband’s family have deep roots in country music (and they LOVE Danny, by the way) ~ but I have never liked country music myself (thanks to the likes of Taylor Swift not being able to carry a tune in a bucket) ~ but lately I have found that there are many big-hearted people in Nashville who consider themselves fans! THEY have won me over; but YOU, dear sir, have NOT! I wish Danny the fulfillment of all his dreams ~ which is TO SING GOOD MUSIC, mainly! And to make it clear to some of the other “lovely people” on this blog, Danny is NOT my “favorite singer” though I do love his voice very much. I do have a favorite singer who is in Nashville as we speak, writing a new CD, and he is NOT country at all ~ but he has always spoken SO HIGHLY of the PEOPLE in Nashville and even wants to MOVE there, mainly because people are so nice, and there is so much “music” there. He too has an AMAZING voice, but thank God, he will not be subjected to the likes of some of the nasty people on this blog, including yourself. Thank God for the many Country Music Artists who DON’T give “country” a bad name to people like me! Whew! Enjoy your FODDER!
I think I might have been one of the guys who misinterpreted your critique, and after re-reading it, I think I understand what you’re trying to say. The main point of my comment was just to say that I thought it was a fair review, and that I thought you would treat any other artist in the same vein, if you felt they were not emotionally invested in country music. I didn’t see it as a “hate” piece, and I think a lot of the commentators did. But, I can see where a couple of lines in my post put words in your mouth, and didn’t illustrate a clear understanding of your opinion in the article. Sorry if I caused you any inconvenience.
Also, look at this way…you’ve got to have some good fodder for a couple of fake news stories after all of this.
I think I might have been one of the guys who misinterpreted your critique
I didn’t think so, Mike. My comment was addressed to the general audience (mostly of Gokey fans), not to you in particular, so no inconvenience caused or offense taken.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Carry on.
HOW DARE YOU WRITE BAD THING ABOUT DANNY GOKEY. I NOW ATTACK YOU PERSONALLY. YOU BAD MAN. DANNY BEST SINGER! MY EMPTY LIFE FULL NOW BECAUSE OF DANNY. FEEL BAD, BAD MAN! BAD! AMEN IN JESUS!
I guess Trailer.
IN SOVIET RUSSIA, DANNY GOKEY CRITICIZES YOU.
Not I.
What is this? You think a man who doesn’t know what the Grand Ole Opry is (yes, really; I suppose he figured it out before he played there) and said multiple times that he doesn’t want to be a country singer doesn’t have any genuine interest in country music? Outrageous.
Also: http://i43.tinypic.com/jpy2i8.png Twitter never lies to me, except about whether or not Johnny Depp is alive.
There’s a difference facts and the opinions here’s a few facts about the whole thing. Most of his endorsements during idol and post idol happen to be from country artists-even if other people don’t consider them country. I mention that because some think that someone else from idol would fit country more than his just because he’s from the south. Don’t you think that would be weird if they didn’t consider him authentic enough or country then why would they be endorsing him. The fans know about the people that I’m referring too.
#2 He beat his sales expectations for the first week. I think he might be the only one from last season to do so. Stores didn’t order enough to meet the demand and therefore sold out in most places. This also lead to more downloads for his cd because it wasn’t available everywhere. Despite that in the Chicago area he sold more than Blake Shelton and came in #2, even though Blake had 2-3 times the cd’s out there than he did. I’m positive he sold out a multiple other areas as well.
#3 People that purchased Gary Allan, Blake’s, Easton and Josh Thompson cd’s on amazon are also purchasing his. I’m asumming it’s because they like him or at least are willing to give him a try
#4 His debut reached #3 country/4 overall. I think he was first predicted to at least make the top ten and then later on the top five. Highest selling debut for country male since Billy Ray Cyrus, which is off to a good start. Seriously 3 out of the top 4 albums on billboard are country regardless on how you feel about the artists. Doesn’t that make country look good.
Even though I know that not everyone will he’s country or like him this is a free country. But I consider him and country a perfect match and I know I’m not the only one to think so.
Opnions: diversity in music is good for all genres, mid west folks can be country singers- you don’t always have to come from the south. I think he’s something different for country not the normal sound and I welcome his to it.
Change isn’t always about disrespecting something. envolving of the times I guess. I would like a loaf of bread to still be .10 like it was for my great grandparents but it’s not. So country changes just like everything else but I still like Johnny Cash. Just because I like his or others that some might not consider country doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it or know enough about it. He works for me and always will and that’s the music that I will buy.
The signs all appear that he’s off to a real good start and I wish him all the best.
This looks like the comments section for a Carrie Underwood review at the9513.
They share a common Idol fan-base.
I just heard the new Lady Gaga/Beyonce Knowles duet. I now have a new appreciation for the depth and integrity of Danny Gokey.
If ‘Telephone’ is the future of music, I hearby resign from popular culture. Jesus Christ that THING is painful.
I do think that gokey sounds and acts like a poser. His voice is alright but it is nothing extraordinary like his fans make it out to be. And I do agree with the analogy of vocal tics and tricks. His voice does not flow out naturally and he uses a totally different forced growl for the power parts. If you have a gravelly voice it sounds gravelly soft or loud. He starts off all soft and clear than starts gruffing it up and sounds all throaty. It is like 2 different people singing different parts of his songs. And even though he is accompanied by country sounding music, He doesn’t sound the least bit country and looks out of place singing this style. I guess his idol voting fans will totally disagree but this is a totally unbiased opinion.
How is that unbiased? Many but not all unbiased people who have heard him sing live are like WOW. You can tell when this happens if you’ve heard him live. He sounds so much different then what’s on the cd/recorded. Fans are going to be for vocals, but it’s his non-fans that have me thinking he’s on to something. Not the ones that don’t think he’s country, the unbiased ones. Still country enough for me though he doesn’t have to be Hank Williams for him to be.
I remember reading in Country Weekly that Danny was considering making a move toward country music. The story said that Danny liked the message in country music, and he tought that Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and Carrie Underwood have brought a new sound to the genre, which he likes, but that there’s no twang to him. Seriously? A country artist whose biggest influences are Keith, Carrie, Taylor, and the Flatts? My immediate thought was “Don’t touch my country music!!! Get your city-slicker paws off of it!”