Powerful and Emotional (Rhydian - Rhydian)

Member Name: MI9to5

Product:	Rhydian - Rhydian
Date:	02/07/09 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well-known tracks sung beautifully

Disadvantages: A couple of slightly iffy moments

=== Who is Rhydian? ===

When Rhydian first appeared on X-Factor in 2007 I can't say that I was particularly fond of the guy. I agree he had a brilliantly powerful voice but he was eternally cocky and that just didn't endear him towards me. As the programme progressed however Rhydian's real character began to shine through and it became apparent that he was quite a sensitive young man with a super talent. By the final show I really wanted him to win. Unfortunately this was not to happen but he was still my favourite and his album now firmly sits in my collection.

=== RHYDIAN - The Album ===

The self titled album 'Rhydian' is the artist's first and only album to date and was released in November 2008. The album charted at number 3 in the UK album charts and peaked at number 29 in the UK Year-End Albums Chart. The album is in mnay ways a blend of different music genres and contains many popular and well-known tracks, each sung in Rhydians own rather unique style.

=== Track Listing ===

1. The Impossible Dream
2. To Where you Are
3. What If (Duet with Idina Menzel)
4. The Prayer
5. Bridge Over Troubled Water
6. There Will Be Time
7. Somewhere
8. Not A Dry Eye In The House
9. I Believe
10. I'm Coming Home Again
11. Who Wants to Live Forever

=== Track Breakdown ===

ONE - THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
The Impossible Dream was written for the 1965 musical 'Man of La Mancha' and became the musicals most popular hit. The song was also used in the 2005 Honda advertisement. Rhydian's version is in my opinion a very strong one and whilst keeping the flavour of the original version adds something of his own to this powerful song. The backing music is simple yet effective and Rhydian's voice really does emanate and resonate throughout. He manages to keep the verses smooth and emotional whilst making the chorus powerful and imposing.
'To try when your arms are to weary
'To reach the unreachable star
'This is my quest
To follow that star.'
********8/10********

TWO - TO WHERE YOU ARE
To Where You Are is a contempary song by American Josh Groban and appears on his 2001 debut album. Rhydian is one of two artists to re-release this song - the other being X-factor band G4. This song is really beautiful to listen to, as the backing track is exceptionally relaxing and enhanced by the soft and delicate vocals. Despite the vocals being delicate Rhydian manages to put not only an immense about of emotion but also power behind them. Unfortunately towards the end of the track the vocals do seem to get a little screechy.
'Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing
A power can't be seen'
********7/10********

3 - WHAT IF
'What If' was originally sung by Kate Winslet for the 2001 animated film Christmas Carol: The Movie. I personally though had never heard this track before but upon hearing it on this album immediately fell in love with it. The lyrics are superb if you listen to them properly and the backing track one that really enhances the whole mood and atmosphere of the track. Furthermore Rhydian's powerful yet masculine vocals are equally matched by Idina Menzel's powerful yet uniquely female ones. The pair sing wonderfully together and compliment and contrast the others performance to provide a perfect song in my opinion.
'Many roads to take
Some to joy some to heartache
Anyone can loose their way'
**********10/10**********

4 - THE PRAYER
The prayer is originally a duet and was performed by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. It is in my opinion a tremendously uplifting and beautiful track and I must admit I wasn't sure how well it would work as a solo piece. I must say though that I was pleasantly surprised as Rhydian does a tremendous job with it. He brings emotion and soul to the lyrics and really gives it his all. The choir harmonies towards the end are also lovely to listen to. I do however stand by my feeling that the piece is better suited to a duet.
'We ask that life we kind
And watch us from above
We hope it so we'll find
Another soul to love'
********8/10********

5 - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER
Bridge Over Troubled Water is the title track from Simon and Garfunkel's last album and has been a popular track since it's release. I must say though that I can't say that the song is a favourite of mine and unfortunately Rhydian's version of it has done nothing to endear me towards it. I must admit that he does give a very powerful performance of the track but something is just missing for me and the high pitch of the piece isn't something I can say I'm fond of.
******6/10******

6 - THERE WILL BE A TIME
There Will Be A Time is another really beautiful track to listen to and has some wonderful lyrics that Rhydian adds emotion, power and feeling to. His vocals are solid throughout the track and really shine at some points. These sparkling moments however don't transcend the song and so at times it does feel it is missing a certain something.
'That's we'll rise
Higher than the highest mountain
That's we'll reach for
Stars we never knew where there'
********8/10********

7 - SOMEWHERE
Somewhere is a song from the 1957 musical West Side Story and was also used in the 1961 film of the same name. The song has since then been performed by many artists and is a beautiful piece of music. I am therefore very pleased to say that Rhydian pulls out an amazing performance of it and gives us a track that is well worth enjoying. The backing track is a superb instrumental piece and Rhydian really pulls all the emotion that the track professes into his vocals and holds the magical feeling of the music and lyrics throughout the whole track.
'There's a place for us
A time and a place for us
Hold my hand and we're halfway there
Hold my hand and I'll take you there'
*********9/10*********

8 - NOT A DRY EYE IN THE HOUSE
This track was recorded by Meat Loaf in 1995 and to my knowledge had not been released by anyone else until Rhydian made it a feature on his album. I personally think this a tremendous cover version and in many respects matches Meat loaf's original. My dad, a massive Meat Loaf fan, disagrees but did concede that this is a brilliant version worthy of praise. Rhydian's vocals in this track sound different to how they do in the others on the album but the sound really suits him and the ultimate outcome is a superbly enjoyable track.
'The greatest story was you and me
We had it all we had everything
But now the story's done its just history
The last act is over'
**********10/10**********

9 - I BELIEVE
This is a song that I have always loved and therefore I wasn't sure how I would take to Rhydian's version but I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it the first time I heard it and have continued to do so on further listening. The backing music for this track is simple and subtle but suits Rhydian's style on the whole. Like in previous tracks he performs this one with a great deal of emotion and knows when to show off his powerful voice and when to leave the tenderness of his vocals to shine through.
*********9/10*********


10 - I'M COMING HOME AGAIN
This track is an original written for Rhydian and is one of my favourite tracks on the album. From the first bars of the backing track you just know it's going to be different. The opening music has a real folk feel to it and this is something I quite like. From this point on the backing music is rather subtle and doesn't impose on the lyrics but Rhydian doesn't need musical support of this sort anyway and this track highlights that. He really does have a tremendous voice and the power and emotion that he expresses is immense. This track is a beautiful and relaxing one to listen to on all counts.
'Echos, they travel so fast
Speaking so clear of the past.
Telling me I have a long way to go
Before I will find you at last.'
*********10/10**********

11 - WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER
Who Wants to Live Forever is a power ballad by rock band Queen and was released in 1986 and was written for soundtrack of the film Highlander. Rhydian performs this track very well and certainly does this well-known song justice. Personally however I would have ended the album on the original song, which precedes it as vocally I think Rhydian, does a better job there. This track however is still powerfully song and the vocal strength is brilliant but some little spark is lacking.
********8/10********

== Final Comment ==
In my opinion this is a superb album. It is filled with emotion and power and Rhydian performs some well known tracks with gusto and conviction that make them all truly enjoyable to listen to.

Summary: An overall suerpb album