Will Young Album: “Friday's Child”

Oh, Wow! This guy's voice is just astonishing. Like a painter or sculpter creating visual images Will uses his voice to sculpt musical pictures in an ultra cool, futuristic way that is guaranteed to blow the mind. Will is a genius. He is light years ahead of anyone else. His magnetic delivery of "Light my Fire" at the "World Idol" contest left me reeling, and I am glad I taped it. I bought everything on CD and DVD that Will has released the next day. If you want the DVDs you have to order through Amazon.com,uk. and you need a PAL, Region 2 capable DVD player like a Daewoo to play them. But it is worth it.

Song #3 "Stronger" is indescribable how he uses his amazing vibrato in a vocal loop that makes it sound almost flute-like at times.

#4 "Leave Right Now" is an incredibly hypnotic love song that he ignites with his special magic and passion that gets you where you live. And you feel it.

Song #11 Is just gorgeous. His voice is just gorgeous. He is an incredible song stylist. An amazing, ultra hip sound track with its hypnotic groove shimmers behind his voice and vice versa. You gotta have this CD. It's Totally 21st Century Sound. Incredible!

When I first heard of Will Young it was shortly after his pop idol win, and I downloaded a few of his tracks. I wans't impressed by the caliber of songs, but Wills voice always attracted me so I kept "Light My Fire" around. Now proving the critics wrong by being the first idol winner to release a second album (as far as I know) Will presents us with "Friday's Child" an 11 song album that both showcases Wills enjoyable voice, newfound versatility, and fun songs. While initially Will faced some criticism for being nothing more then a textbook ballad singer, he has burst out with a variety of songs.

The album starts off with the gospel-esque "Love The One Your With" a good boppy head-bouncing track that showcases Wills voice on this cover. After this comes the funky "Your Game", which I believe is Will's new single. This is sorta Justin Timberlake/NSYNC-esque with a sorta start-and-stop vocal style, reminsicent of boy bands but cooler.

Drift away into the soulful, peaceful opening to "Stronger", a track about Will's desire to prove himself musically (and who knows where else). His voice just glides over this. "Leave Right Now" is a Boyzone-ish type guitar ballad, but his voice just gives me the chills in this track and the next one. "Love Is A Matter Of Distance" is one of the shortest songs but also one of the best in my opinion, with great lyrics, and a really nice background to it. Wills voice just sounds so sweet and innocent on this one, amazing!

After that slow set, hop right into another funky track, "Dance The Night Away" which just makes you want to get up and do as the title says. A different sound for Will's voice, again a bit boy-band like, but quite unique. Reminds me a bit of S Club vocally. "Very Kind" is probably the most unique track on this disc, and one of my faves. Starting with nothing more then a steady guitar-riff that sounds like a drum beating, this song takes a minimalist stance taht really just makes it totally amazing. Good lyrics, really different instrumentals, and Will sounds particularly good here. "Free" is again a very different song, don't be fooled by the string quarter beginning, it has a very cool riff and beat throughout. The chorus is awesome and the song itself is just perfect for Wills voice, a neat track.

"Going My Way" has a sorta loungey spanish feel to it, a generally good pop song that just sorta lilts along at the perfect tempo. You'll find yourself listening to this one alot and just tapping your fingers absentmindedly. "Out Of My Mind" is def. the most poppy/dancey of them all, with disco undertones and a bit of early Michael Jackson, not my fave song, but it'll have you hip shaking in no time. Finally we finish with "Fridays Child". From the first notes of this song I was hooked, although the length (8:56!) is a bit unnecessary. Will sounds really innocent and pure on this song, I jsut fall in love with his voice so much.

All in all I would reccommend this album if you are looking for a guy that sings (minus excessive riffs), sings well, and is unique in the music world. The album has a number of standout tracks and is just a great addition to any collection, perfect background party music as it goes from smooth to upbeat to downright adorable. Cheers!

Reality music competitions have always been a time for celebration. Who can forget Star Search, where Christina Aguilera and Destiny's Child first showcased their talents? Or Eurovision, which launched stars from Celine Dion to Dana International. Now with the sudden interest in reality, if you were to call it that, this phenomenon has flourished to its fullest. From O-Town being put together on TV to P. Diddy's Making the Band to Star Academy.

Pop Idol, a British TV show that grew to instant fame and became somewhat of an international trend, started the recent craze. While many tune in to watch what Simon Cowell has to say, sometimes the music is worthwhile. However, not many winners became stars.

Kelly Clarkson's finest hour came with the Aguilera-penned "Miss Independent." Ruben Studdard and Fantasia have yet to establish themselves. Across the Atlantic, the show's judging panel seems better equipped to pick out stars. Darius, Gareth Gates and Lemar have all managed to release hits songs. The winner, however, maintains his reign as Britain's best new pop act.

After winning, Will Young managed to release two adequate albums, even when they are high on cover versions and low on new material. His renditions are usually revamped versions of the older ones. He never delivers a track without a twist. His cover of the Doors' "Light My Fire" was made slow and chill, while his rehashing of Luther Vandross's "Love The One You're With" is, dare I say, better than the original.

Then there are the tracks that astound, like the simple, yet powerful "Leave Right Now." The standout track is definitely the gospel-tinted "Your Game," which recently won the Brit Award for best British single.

Then there are the tired template tracks, like "Stronger" and "Dance The Night Away." But the album is not totally made dull by these; it is carried by the singles and the closing 10 minute title track, which ends the album smoothly.

Friday's Child is better than From Now On and a definite growth from where Young started. Wavering between routine ballads and more than amusing soul tracks, it latches on as an effort by one gay boy with Aretha in his heart. Not bad from a dirty-shirted contestant who got in by singing a quirky version of "Blame It On The Boogie."

im a kid 4rom Ca and the first time i saw him was the premire of WORld Idol. He made a huge impression that i bought both of his cd the day after. This cd is as good as the previous one or even better. Im astonied by his voice which levels him in the elite with the rest of the musiq wrd. I absolutely luv him for his amazing voice.

What can I say? Will Young has always fascinated me with his wonderful voice and his new album proves that he has grown musically over his hiatus. I abslutely adore this cd. His voice reaches new heights and we finally get to see a bit into Will as a writer. Tracks #1 (Love The One You're With) and #2 (Your Game) show off the power and range of Will's voice. Overall, I love this album! I would recomment it to anyone!