Taylor Hicks, free of any restraints that may have been placed by Idol-related producers, delivers an excellent mainstream pop album that should please his fans - and earn new ones.

Taylor put obvious care into his vocals, which are strong throughout without over-singing (as he has sometimes been criticized for). My favorites are "Maybe You Should" - a mournful ballad about the end of a once-loving relationship, and "Seven Mile Breakdown" - a southern-rock track with a driving beat. A cover of Nick Lowe's "I Live In a Battlefield" is another highlight. Elliot Yamin (who finished 3rd on Idol the season Taylor won) joins him for a duet on the closing track, "Woman's Got To Have It." These two guys are both soulful, bluesy singers. The combination of Elliot's smoother delivery contrasts very well with Taylor's huskier tone.

I was surprised at how many genres Taylor ventured out into throughout the CD. "Nineteen" is a country song about a Marine who loses his life in the war. "Once Upon a Lover" is a latin-style track with Taylor singing at the high end of his range. The title song is a mid-tempo rock song about trying to move past political differences and work together.

Simon Climie produced the album - he previously produced for Eric Clapton. Taylor shares writing credits on 7 of the 11 tracks. In-demand session drummer Abe Laborial Jr. (Paul McCartney's drummer for the past several years) provides the strong foundation. Unfortunately Taylor's harmonica only makes one cameo appearance (on the album's weakest song "Keeping It Real") - I was hoping for a few solos, but it doesn't diminish the album's overall appeal.

Personally I've been waiting four years for the second proper album by my favorite American Idol winner,even if somewhat because of what happened to him I don't watch the show anymore. I have listened of course to his debut

and...well there are some differences between the two albums,and by the large they're the ones I was hoping for. Wheras the debut tended to focus a lot of targeting the youth audience and was occasionally marred with over production this takes the best qualities of that album and finishes off the edges with an adult focus. Maturity aside the American Idol producers,as indicated in other reviews have fallen to the wayside. Where my fifth star disappears has to do with the by and large lack of originality. I don't think it's Hick's fault;his singing is always taking the unexpected turn. But music is about music,the vocals are a different matter and that's the whole thing;while the gospel organs,pianos and even the the horns are nice soulful touches but....really don't project anything new.Since that(somewhat sadly) will not be even noticable by most people who hear this I'll focus on how I feel about the music. The title cut is...well very deceptive.It's a heavy handed heartland rocker that will actually give you the impression Hicks has sold his soul to the mainstream rock establishment but luckily this slight musical diversion,which will probably please every music listener beside me is not really followed through the rest of the time. You'll hear a bit more of that later in the CD on "Seven Mile Breakdown" and "I Live On A Battlefield" but with a more Southern Rock twist,with plenty of blues and R&B injected;that roadhouse feeling that could only be born from someone with roots from the deep south.By and large this albums consists of slower,bluesy soul such as "What's Right Is Right","Maybe You Should" and one track that gets me curious "Nineteen";I am not 100% sure if this is some kind of Lynyrd Skynyrd style "good ol boy" patriotic anthem or a more complex tale of a young man returning from war;considering the sensative nature of the artist at hand I'd have to go with the latter.As with the debut their are plenty of surprises but...well frankly these ones are a bit more filled out."Once Upon A Lover" for example takes a wonderful spin down the road of Latin soul,with a wonderful rhythm to it.My favorite song on the whole album is "Keeping It Real";a stew of Allan Toussaint/Dr.John/Professor Longhair style New Orleans R&B rhythms bounce along to this slyly humorous song about the contradictions of celebraties,the situations of Britney Spears,Mariah Carey and OJ Simpson are directly mentioned,as they escape from media attention almost by inviting it.It also speaks indirectly to Taylor's own American Idol experience;if anything over the years has evolved into something more artificial and self defeating it would be that show.Just a matter of opinion."Wedding Day Blues" again quickly finds a bit of a humorous spot of Taylor Hicks-As-Self Made Wedding Crasher that's very ammusing. He ends the album with a duet with another American Idol contestant from the same season Eliot Yamin on "Woman's Got To Have It".This is the probably the most distinct song on the album;kind of a modern day interpretation of 70's Philly Soul balladeering with two soulful singers,one warmer one gruffer bringing out the best in each other. In the end I am hoping that their are better things ahead for Taylor Hicks. He was always the most underrated of American Idol winners and got a bad break after his debut flopped commercially. So it was very good that he cut his ties with the people involved in that show. So even though this album is not 100% perfection in terms of Hicks' musical vision (nobody of course is perfect) this would be a great direction to continue and,most importantly develope in.

I really love this CD. I felt like Taylor got lost for a while, but I guess he has been busy on Broadway and making this awesome CD. I have always liked his style, but this CD proves he really can sing! Love the bluesy feel of the songs. I really like 'What's Right is Right' and 'Maybe You Should'. This CD is a great showcase of Taylor's talent. I really LOVE the song "Woman's Gotta Have It" because it features my favorite Idol Elliot Yamin! Love Him!!! Way to go Taylor, you shine on brother!

The Distance by Taylor Hicks has terrific songs on it that display Taylor's excellent talent as an artist. Taylor can sing alongside the very best of them; and when he sings he can take any number and make it his own with his unique sense of style and grace--not to mention his energy. This album has Taylor Hicks singing in quite a few different genres; and he even co-wrote seven of the songs on this CD! This definitely shows just how well Taylor is growing as an artist. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is nicely done.

The album starts with a strong number which is also the title track for this CD, "The Distance." "The Distance" has a rock and roll flavor to it;the percussion and guitar work stand out without ever stealing the actual spotlight away from Taylor Hicks. Taylor sings this with his heart on his sleeve and he bats this one straight out of the ballpark! His excellent diction really enhances his performance all the more and just one listen proves it. I'm very impressed with this opening song. "What's Right Is Right" has a distinctly more laid-back feel to it as Taylor sings this bluesy soul ballad to perfection--and beyond! I really like "New Found Freedom:" that backup chorus bolsters this tune--not that Taylor needs backup singers but it does sound pretty good.

Another reviewer correctly notes that "Nineteen" is a moving, sad ballad about a man who loses his life much, much too soon in war. The percussion and keyboard sound great and Taylor never sounded better. "Once Upon A Lover" has a Latin twist to it and Taylor does this one up right! "Once Upon A Lover" is very pretty and it's clearly a major highlight of this album. Great!

"Maybe You Should" strikes me as being particularly tender and beautiful; Taylor delivers this with all his heart and soul. "Maybe You Should" is another bluesy tune that features Taylor Hicks squarely front and center which is quite all right with me! Taylor's delivery of "Maybe You Should" really impresses me; he conveys all the emotions of the lyrics in this song to make "Maybe You Should" a highlight of this album. "Keepin' It Real" switches gears back to a more rockin' type of ballad that would make many artists green with envy--Taylor Hicks is all THAT good. Taylor also plays harmonica on "Keepin' It Real."

"Wedding Day Blues" has a great arrangement that showcases Taylor Hicks and he does this bluesy song so well it shines like gold! The album also ends strong with Taylor Hicks and Elliot Yamin (a former American Idol finalist) performing "Woman's Gotta Have It." "Woman's Gotta Have It" has a soulful feel to it that sounds mixed with modern R&B and it all holds its own very well.

Taylor Hicks gets high marks in my book for this album. He performs songs that are written in a wide range of genres and he simply never falters. Taylor's fans will definitely want this in their music collections; and people just discovering Taylor Hicks would do well to get this album.

This is a great, clean and soulful CD by Taylor. Much improved over the first CD. It has every kind of music but the one theme that is not lost in this CD is Taylor's voice. It is masterful.

If you like soul music with a little bit of country influence, some Latin salsa and a killer ballad in Maybe You Should, this latest Taylor Hicks CD is for you. I just love watching him bring these songs to life in his live performances. Great job, Taylor. It's a classic collection.