Michael Johns – Hold Back My Heart – Drops Today!
Ya, Michael Johns’ new album, “Hold Back My Heart” is totally retro. And no, most of these tunes will never get played on the radio.
The new album evokes those soulful rockers from the early 70’s–Elton John, The Faces, The Rolling Stones. But while I love me some current sounds (Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m an old fart, but I think modern music is fine) I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mind a little time travel once in awhile, either. For the most part, “Hold Back My Heart” is a very nice trip, indeed.
Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m a little disappointed with some of the over-production (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ To Love Somebodyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ would have been better served stripped down) but there are some solid songs on this discà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ Fools Goldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Feeling Alrightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Heart is Weakà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ are three of my favs. It helps that I dig Michaelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s rough-hewn bluesy vocals.
“Hold Back My Heart” is available everywhere, including iTunes and Amazon.
Click the links to buy at Amazon and iTunes:
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20 Responses to “Michael Johns – Hold Back My Heart – Drops Today!”
Mj, I am with you. I too am an old fart, well sorta, and I love modern music, but a little trip back can be awfully nice. Fools Gold is my fave so far. I just really love his voice. It’s got some meat on it. I like that.
Yep, I loved his acoustic, “To Love Somebody”, but I’ll probably still buy at least that-not bad on the album.
I’ll have to listen to “Fools Gold” again (if possible) because my initial take on it was good. “Feeling Alright” was a little eh, to me and I don’t think I got to “Heart is Weak”, so I’ll check it out as well.
Thanks mj!!
ETA: I like, “heart is weak”. hmmm, I’m liking “turn to you ” too. I agree, abbysee, his voice is nice.
ETAA: oh, “turn to you” is short…too bad.
I just finished listening to the CD online through the link you posted and I really like it. I agree about the overproduction problem, but his voice is just so damned pretty! I’m going to listen to it again tomorrow, probably a couple times.
I actually forgot it was coming out this week, what with the multiple setbacks the release date went through, but there was a small review of it in this week’s People magazine. The review was 3.5/4 stars (if I remember correctly) and obviously very positive…despite their requisite slam on Taylor Hicks (this time for not being as soulful as Johns, apparently). IDK what Taylor did to piss them off, but those CD reviewers at People have the memory of elephants.
Okay that comment about the People review is hilarious. Usually they slam Taylor when the review Idol winners but I guess they got one in reviewing a guy who finished 8th two seasons later also. It would be funny if they included a Taylor slam in every Idol album review for the next 6 months.
You know Brooke more 70s than Hicks. Castro more original than Hicks. Carly sounds more like Amy Lee than Hicks does. Kris a deserving winner not like Hicks. Lambert a true star not like Hicks. I can’t believe he is still pushing their buttons over at People.
I’m a Taylor basher from years past but even I have moved on.
I can’t wait to hear it. I haven’t had time to listen yet so will probably have to wait until I get my own copy.
The entire album actually sounds pretty good. Not yet available on the Canadian iTunes site though.
Love it! This is a really great album, so different from what I have heard from other Idols.
The comments about overproduction is interesting because I think some might say think it suffers from underproduction, certainly compared to most of the music out there. I also think and hope the AOL version isn’t the same as the actual CD – won’t know until I got a hard copy playing on my proper stereo system but they tend to make those free previews in a such a way that discourages you from trying to rip it. I was listening to Elvis Costello’s album on Rolling Stone for free and they clearly did not use the full production values.
I just enjoy hearing a great singer’s vocals without all the special effects for once.
By lack of production, I think people may be referring to the lack of over-dubbing, auto-tune, and the tendency to harmonize layers of voices electronically. Now, those highly produced songs can be quite good and a lot of fun (love Black Eyed Peas), but with a voice like Michael’s, I just wanted to hear it in all its bluesy, soulful glory. I’m glad he did that. I think, in theory, it could get radio play at a certain type of station — except that type of station (alt rock/singer-songwriter) that would otherwise play his kind of music never, ever will play a song from a former Idol contestant.
I like it. And it’s now #5 on the itunes pop chart and #37 overall. Not bad considering there hasn’t been a break-through single released yet.
It’s now up to #4 in pop albums and #29 overall on Itunes, not too shabby considering there hasn’t been very much promotion out there for this album!
Anyone who is interested, video of Michael’s interview with Fresh 102.7, an NYC station is up on their Web site right now: http://www.fresh1027.com/pages/2435621.php
It’s definitely not too shabby (the iTunes numbers so far), but I think it’s to be expected it would chart out of the gate when all the fans and everyone else line up to start buying copies. Johns has got plenty of fans. The true test will be how long his numbers stay up there.
I read somewhere that Michael said he was going to start a radio tour july 4th. And also that he will tour in august with Brooke White.
Michael Johns album Hold Back My Heart is currently at #26 in Top Albums on iTunes.
Michael Johns album Hold Back My Heart is currently at #4 in the Pop category for Top Albums on iTunes.
Update:
Michael Johns album Hold Back My Heart is currently at #22 in Top Albums on iTunes.
Michael Johns album Hold Back My Heart is currently at #4 in the Pop category for Top Albums on iTunes.
Update:
Michael Johns album Hold Back My Heart is currently at #21 in Top Albums on iTunes.
Michael Johns album Hold Back My Heart is currently at #4 in the Pop category for Top Albums on iTunes.
Update:
Michael Johns album Hold Back My Heart is currently at #20 in Top Albums on iTunes.
Michael Johns album Hold Back My Heart is currently at #4 in the Pop category for Top Albums on iTunes.
I love this album..That all I have to say! Oh yeah! Congrat’s Michael