2008 Woodie Awards
Blake Lewis beat-boxes his way to debut album
Libby Segal
Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: Entertainment
1/29/08 - A year has passed since beat-boxing fiend Blake Lewis was introduced to the world on Season 6 of "American Idol."
Lewis was my pick last year to be the next American Idol. I sat in my dorm room in Heathman Hall and immediately fell for this singer from Seattle. I stalked his MySpace.com profile and told him, "You should sing either 'Sunday Mornings,' or 'She Will be Loved' by Maroon 5." He messaged me back the same night saying, "I tried out with 'Sunday Morning,' originally but they edited it out!" You can assume that when he sang "She Will be Loved," on the second to last night, I made it a habit of joking around with people that he sang that cause I told him to. Don't believe me? Ask my roommate.
So I cheered Lewis on right through the finals and waited patiently for his CD, Audio Day Dream to debut on Dec. 4.
While I can't brag that this CD is full of songs I absolutely adore, I can brag that Lewis's debut CD is 10 times better than the debut from 2007 champion, Jordin Sparks. Lewis wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on his album and most of the songs highlight his special effects ability of adding echoes and background sounds- similar to the special effects he used throughout the "American Idol" competition.
I admit, I am not much of a techno fan, but his techno-like songs on Audio Day Dream can even get my crossed feet moving. The song "She's Making Me Lose It" immediately gets my head bobbing and fingers tapping. Eventually, I find myself rocking out around my room to the beat of the song. It's fast paced and has a unique sound to it.
A lot of the other songs on the album have this techno vibe as well including the debut single off the CD, "Break Anotha," and other songs such as "Surrender," and "Gots to Get Her." Blake also entertains with his beat boxing mastery on the songs, "Pass B-Shorty the Mic" and "What'cha Got 2 Lose."
Lewis mixes it up a bit as the CD also has several songs where he showcases his vocals, some of which are a miss and some of which are a hit. The track "Without You" is like a yawn potion, as well as "How Many Words" (which he also happens to beat-box throughout). However, his songs "End of the World" and "I Got U" are solid showcases of his vocal ability, writing ability and special effect ability.
Lewis was my pick last year to be the next American Idol. I sat in my dorm room in Heathman Hall and immediately fell for this singer from Seattle. I stalked his MySpace.com profile and told him, "You should sing either 'Sunday Mornings,' or 'She Will be Loved' by Maroon 5." He messaged me back the same night saying, "I tried out with 'Sunday Morning,' originally but they edited it out!" You can assume that when he sang "She Will be Loved," on the second to last night, I made it a habit of joking around with people that he sang that cause I told him to. Don't believe me? Ask my roommate.
So I cheered Lewis on right through the finals and waited patiently for his CD, Audio Day Dream to debut on Dec. 4.
While I can't brag that this CD is full of songs I absolutely adore, I can brag that Lewis's debut CD is 10 times better than the debut from 2007 champion, Jordin Sparks. Lewis wrote or co-wrote most of the songs on his album and most of the songs highlight his special effects ability of adding echoes and background sounds- similar to the special effects he used throughout the "American Idol" competition.
I admit, I am not much of a techno fan, but his techno-like songs on Audio Day Dream can even get my crossed feet moving. The song "She's Making Me Lose It" immediately gets my head bobbing and fingers tapping. Eventually, I find myself rocking out around my room to the beat of the song. It's fast paced and has a unique sound to it.
A lot of the other songs on the album have this techno vibe as well including the debut single off the CD, "Break Anotha," and other songs such as "Surrender," and "Gots to Get Her." Blake also entertains with his beat boxing mastery on the songs, "Pass B-Shorty the Mic" and "What'cha Got 2 Lose."
Lewis mixes it up a bit as the CD also has several songs where he showcases his vocals, some of which are a miss and some of which are a hit. The track "Without You" is like a yawn potion, as well as "How Many Words" (which he also happens to beat-box throughout). However, his songs "End of the World" and "I Got U" are solid showcases of his vocal ability, writing ability and special effect ability.