Michael Johns Releases Hold Back My Heart
The Former Idol Contestant Releases Soulful Debut Album
Jul 7, 2009
Michael Johns, the shock elimination from season 7 of American Idol is back with his highly anticipated debut album, Hold Back My Heart.
Johns' fans got a small taste of what would become his post-Idol sound during Dolly Parton week. Johns redid It's All Wrong, But It's Alright into a soulful, bluesy number that made him stand out and made the judges take notice. The performance was the highlight of Johns' run on Idol.
Last Chance
Johns asked to be released from his Idol contract while he was still on the road with the nine other contestants last summer. He talked to ABC News about his conversation with Idol producer Simon Fuller.
"I said, I am 29-years-old, this is my last go round and I know what kind of artist I want to be," Johns told Fuller in their conversation.
Johns said that Fuller agreed, but also asked him to not release any material before season 7 winner, David Cook.
Hold Back My Heart
Where most American Idol contestants first albums somewhat fall into the similar pop category, Johns is one of the few that has managed to find his niche in rock/soul music.
Johns' current single, Heart On My Sleeve opens the album, and may have fans wondering if Johns made a straight up pop record. Once fans get past the Bee Gee's cover of To Love Somebody, track three, Feeling Alright starts, and the whole vibe of the album changes into that rock/soul vibe that he just barely was able to tap into to show American Idol viewers during his run on the show.
The Songs
Billboard.com writer, MIchael D. Ayers wrote in his review of John's Hold Back My Heart, "Although Johns finished 8th in the 2008 edition of American Idol, his early exit actually worked in his benefit. He immediately went into the studio and started to lay down the initial tracks for what would become Hold Back My Heart."
Howard Cohen from the Miami-Herald found Feeling Alright, Fire and Little Bear to be the standout tracks on Johns' post-Idol debut which he refers to as, " frisky, gritty and soulful".
Johns' passion for singing comes through on songs, It's Too Late and the album's title track, Hold Back My Heart. The lyrical content and the bluesy vibe from the piano and guitar manage to emotionally connect well with Johns' voice.
The Stats
Johns' first single, Heart On My Sleeve peaked at number 25 on the Billboard charts.
Hold Back My Heart debuted at number 97 on the Billboard 200 and number 12 on the Top Independent Albums.
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