The Bottom Line
Despite the somewhat lifeless Stargate production, Elliott Yamin's first post-American Idol hit single goes down with mellow smoothness. Unlike 2006's victor Taylor Hicks, Yamin sounds completely contemporary sliding nicely into today's pop radio playlists. It's a great start for Elliott.
Listen to "Wait for You"
- Smooth, velvet voice
- Melody that goes down easy
- Cookie cutter Stargate production
Description
- Pensive piano intro
- Lyrics of romantic regret
- Mellow, pleasing vocals
Guide Review - Elliott Yamin - Wait for You
Elliott Yamin fans got an initial false alarm with the promo release of the song "Movin' On." Although "Movin' On" is a solid performance, "Wait for You" was wisely selected to take the earlier song's place as the official first single release from the album Elliott Yamin. The smooth, mellow r&b ballad sound is a perfect fit with other contemporary pop hits.
Stargate, the producers of "Wait for You," are among the hottest in the music business. They are responsible for such recent smashes as Beyonce's "Irreplaceable," Rihanna's "Unfaithful," and Ne-Yo's "So Sick." Unfortunately, in their slickly professional hands, Elliott Yamin's vocals sound a bit mass-produced. This lack of distinctiveness could be in part due to Yamin's inexperience. He is still feeling around for a unique sound.
Elliott Yamin, as the true cinderella story of American Idol's 2006 season, is almost universally loved by fans of the show. He has delivered a strong first album to these supporters, and "Wait for You" will be a fine beginning on the pop charts. With more maturity and experience behind him, he may yet be a vocalist worthy of mention in the same breath with his personal idol Donny Hathaway.
