Chris Mann's Debut Album "Roads"
I've been fortunate enough to get the chance to review Chris Mann's debut album "Roads", prior to its release today Tuesday October 30th, 2012. Let me tell you, this album is hands-down one of the best albums I've heard to date. It's such an original, and beautiful sounding lineup of songs. From Italian classical, classical pop, to remakes of country and rock songs...this cd literally covers it all. It's awesome, I just can't think of any more ways to describe it. I'm in love. (Oh, and did I mention that Chris Mann is as beautiful as his music?!?!??!) Oh goodness...read on.
Songs on the album "Roads" (Genre: Classical Pop)
1. Roads
2. Need You Now (Produced by Keith Thomas: Charlotte Church & Heather Headley)
3. Cuore
4. The Blower's Daughter (From the film "Closer", Produced by Marius de Vries: Jackie Evancho, Josh Groban, PJ Harvey)
5. My Way
6. Unless You Mean It7. Always On My Mind (Produced by Walter Afanasieff: Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey)
8. On A Night Like This
9. Ave Maria
10. Falling
11. Viva La Vida
(this albums' 11 tracks total time is just under 1 hour in length)
Produced by Keith Thomas (Amy Grant & Vanessa Williams) Executive Producer / A&R:RON FAIR for Faircraft Records, Inc./ Management: Susan Markheim:Azoffmusic Management/Front Line Management
***** Preview 4 songs from the new album here *****
I became a fan of Chris' on NBC's The Voice last season, as he was the 3rd runner up and part of my idol- Christina Aguilera's team. Although he didn't win the show, he did strike up an amazing deal with Faircraft/Universal Republic (headed by A&R executive Ron Fair). Thank goodness too, I have been dying to get my hands on an entire album from him since I witnessed the first line of words he sang on that show!
I was drawn to Chris for his vocal abilities combined with his shared love for Sinatra, Robbie Williams, and Luciano Pavarotti. His voice is just an amazing mix of classically trained meets contemporary pop with a dash of country, rock, Italian Opera, and soul. I don't know if there's an accurate way to label him and/or his music- he's simply brilliant from every angle of the spectrum. Cee Lo Green hit it on the nose when he said, "He is by far one of the most incomparable vocalists I have ever heard." It's so true. Every song he delivers is just so warm, inviting, and nostalgic. It's seriously breathtaking...hands-down incredibly beautiful.
Many of the songs on this album are covers, but done in such a way that you would almost never know it. The tracks include "Always On My Mind" (Willie Nelson), "My Way" (Paul Anka's also known performed by Frank Sinatra), "Viva La Vida" (Coldplay), "Need You Now" (Lady Antebellum), and "The Blower's Daughter" (Damien Rice). They sound so original, yet they still paid so much respect to the originals; they just showcased Chris Mann's epic talents both vocally and artistically on so many levels. Chris Mann has such a powerful voice, yet it's so controlled- he has seriously been blessed. Christina Aguilera stated on The Voice, "I feel the heavens open up when you sing" and I couldn't agree more. It's so very true.
This album also highlights Chris Mann's writing skills, as he co-wrote tracks "Falling" and "Cuore". "Cuore" really showcased his love and passion for classical music. It's smooth, sexy, strong, and addicting. Despite the fact that I don't know what the lyrics are (sadly, I barely made it through Spanish as a second language in high school) this song is one of the most beautifully arranged songs I've ever heard. The lyrics, the sound, the
pronunciation of the words...it all just blends like something out of a story book. It takes you to another place, at another time. It's soul warming, and it awakens your emotions every time you hear it.
Literally each one of the eleven songs on this album are amazing. Track number four "The Blower's Daughter" is a duet with his mentor Christina Aguilera, and as you may already know from witnessing their duet to "The Prayer" on NBC's The Voice last season- those two voices together are something out of this world. It may just be my favorite on this album. "The Blower's Daughter" was originally done by the talented Damien Rice, and is one of my all-time favorite songs. The two versions are so different from one another, yet both delivering that hunger to just keep listening. This song is so deep, so warm, so beautiful. Just when I had thought I couldn't love this song anymore than I already had...I heard Chris' take on it, simply amazing. I was completely moved by this song, yet again.
I'm a huge fan of classical, pop, country, jazz, really any music that makes me feel something is what I love to hear. What Chris Mann does is above and beyond that, he takes his music to places that most artists today don't. He really is on another level, and so far from being comparable to anyone else. He has been blessed with his voice, and with each song he sings for us to hear- I consider a gift to be able to listen to it, to feel it, and to experience it.
This album was just released today, so hurry over to Amazon and be one of the first to get it! You can also download it on iTunes. Trust me, this is an amazing album...and just in time for the holidays- this would be a perfect gift! I swear anybody and everybody will appreciate this album. This is one of those albums you can not pass up, it's a must-get. It is perfect for anytime of day or night. It's the perfect backdrop for a warm night out by the fire, or a cold winters' night curled up with a glass of Merlot in front of your fireplace. I have listened to this several times already, and I've only fallen more in love with it each time. Amazing.
You can fan/follow/listen to Chris Mann via... Twitter (@IamChrisMann), Facebook (www.facebook.com/ChrisMannMusic), and his Youtube Channel (/ChrisMannMusic). You can also check out his website www.ChrisMannMusic.com for the latest news, media, concerts/tours, merchandise to buy, etc.
Disclosure: “This is a review post from One2One Network. I was provided with a copy of this album in exchange for my review,and I am eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions stated in this review are honest, and are solely my own."
