Michael Sarver - Michael Sarver
By: Matt Bjorke
More than any other genre, country music seems to have become the preferred genre for many of its contestants. While success has found Josh Gracin, Bucky Covington, Danny Gokey, Kellie Pickler and of course Carrie Underwood (the most successful idol in terms of sales, hits and concert touring) but for these successes there are a plethora of other artists who haven’t been nearly as successful. Names like Kristy Lee Cook, Carmen Rasmussen and Phil Stacey come to mind when discussing ‘failures’ from the program, it’s hard to say any of these artists are truly failures because each of these artists got something they didn’t have prior to American Idol, a career in the music business. Season 8’s Michael Sarver is hoping to follow the successful path of those mentioned in the first sentence and has sent Michael Sarver out to retail and radio for fans to pick it up.
The immediate thing to notice about this debut album for Dream Records is that it features solidly mainstream country production and Sarver does have a very good recording voice and as a watcher on the show, I always thought country was the only genre that he felt comfortable in and as the songs on this record prove, my intuition was right. Country rockers like the progressive album opener “Watch Me” and “Gonna Be A Good Night” work well while ballads like “Safe” and “Always Surving” show off a Gracin-like ability with ballads. But where Michael Sarver shines the most is when he’s singing the midtempo, hook-filled ear candy of songs like current single “Ferris Wheel” (a song co-written by album producer Rachel Thibadeau (co-produced with Ben Glover) Kyle Jacobs (a.k.a Kellie Pickler’s fiancée), and one of the Kelley brothers. In a perfect world, this song would’ve gotten itself on country radio playlists as the lyrics are sweet, the melody is downright catchy and the vocal delivery is playful. “Baby I Want You” is another song that finds Michael Sarver in a sweet spot vocally as his somewhat honeyed baritone gets playful in the verses (even if the chorus is a little ‘average’).
Not every song works on the record as “Cinderella Girl” comes off as like an Idol cast-off which would likely have Randy Jackson saying “Dude, the band was hot but it felt like something was missing.” It’s not what you should be doing while Simon says “it feels like something that a band on a cruise ship would sing.” Basically, despite lyrics about being completely in love, Cinderella Girl” comes off feeling like a recycled tune from the 1980s with a little banjo tacked on to make it country. The reverbed vocals on it just don’t work. “The Way She Loves Me” is just OK but after it and the distracting “Cinderella Girl,” Michael resurrects the album with a trio of uplifting tunes in “Tell Me,” the previously mentioned “Always Surviving,” and “You Are.” They showcase an artist who would work well as a touring mate for Idol Season 8 cast mate Danny Gokey.
While I liked Gokey’s My Best Days a lot more than I like The Michael Sarver album, Michael Sarver does have its merits and it is a well-made, confidently performed debut album that could set up Michael Sarver nicely for a solid and steady career in the country music industry, something that he never could’ve conceived of before he entered American Idol as that oil-rig workin’ roughneck.
You can support Michael Sarver by purchasing this album at Amazon | iTunes.
READER'S COMMENTS
happyhexer says:
Posted: Thursday, July 29, 2010
Mr. Bjorke, I respectfully disagree that "country [is] the only genre that [Michael] felt comfortable in." Vocally, Michael Sarver did quite well with old-fashioned R&B. And am I the only one who can hear the R&B influences on "You Are?" (I have the single.) But I agree that given Michael's background and what is going on in other musical genres right now, country might be a better fit for him. (But not because he can't sing other genres. So tired of singers being put in a box.) I also agree with your comments on "Cinderella Girl." Really don't like that song (which is why I didn't buy it as a single). But from your review, it sounds like there are plenty of other songs on Michael's CD that I will like. LoveThisAlbum, have you never heard the adage that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar? This is actually a very favorable review for Michael -- one that I am sure he is happy with. It's certainly made me interested in taking a listen. And has it not occurred to you that Michael can pick up a lot of sales from Danny Gokey's fanbase? There are a lot of folks who like them BOTH. Why would you want to undercut that? Guess I WON'T be rushing out to buy Michael Sarver's CD. At least not until after I manage to remind myself of what a nice guy Michael really is, and that he is not personally responsible for what his fans say. Oh, and I agree with the other comments that Michael and Danny first need to tour with established country artists to enlarge their respective fanbases. But Michael and Danny are friends, and I could see them doing shows together at some point in the future.
Pam says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Love this Album: You obviously feel a little threatened by Matt liking Danny's album a lot more than Michaels. What is wrong with 3 stars? That is Matt's opinion; no need to put Danny down to pump Sarver up. Please get your facts straight; Danny had 3 offers and you don't know what they were. One was Christian (Mark Bright's label), one RCA Sony Nash and the other which was bidding against RCA (no one knows which label). And, lol, the AI tour does not constitute "Michael and Danny touring together". Why would you want them to (esp. since you don't seem to think their styles mesh? I agree, MS is more traditional country; while Danny has his own unique soul/pop/country sound) anyway? Idols need to establish their own identities; I don't think it's odd some people here don't think it's a good idea for Danny and Michael to tour together. I wish Michael well; it's definitely a tough business.
Josie says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
LoveThisAlbum, good for you sticking up for your guy. But Danny's fans manage to do a pretty good job of sticking up for theirs without swiping at anyone else, so I know it can be done. It is pure speculation to talk about what options Danny had. No matter what they were, country was a great choice for him because his values and what he likes to sing about are right at the very heart of what country music is about. Now, about Michael. Great guy, really nice voice, and I think he's got a debut album here with much to be proud of. I wish him great success. I don't think that the idea of a tour with Danny would be for the best for either of them right now, I think they both need to be with other artists who would bring complementary fan bases to help them expand their own fan bases, at this point in their career. Maybe a little further down the road.
Rich says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Michael Sarver is a nice guy. And I am glad he is getting to do what he likes. But as Brian Mansfield said, it will be really hard for anyone who finished in 10th place to launch a successful mainstream career. And I would definitely nix the idea of him and Danny possibly touring together. Their sound and musical styles - and stage personas are so different. I just don't see a lot of chemistry between them. Now, at some point, I would love to see Danny and BFF Matt Giraud sing together. But for now, everyone needs to continue to establish their own identities outside of the AI bubble. Or they will be forever stuck like Allison in her little sister act to Adam.
stef says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Saw the Ferris Wheel video on CMT or CMT Pure a couple of times, seems like a cute song. It's not going up for radio adds?
LoveThisAlbum says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
1. If one more person refers to Josh Gracin while talking about Michael Sarver... It has definitely become an unoriginal reference. He does not even come close to touching the talent that Michael has. 2. Rock This Town is not a song. They are lyrics IN a song. 3. Charles Kelley did not write "Ferris Wheel". Josh Kelley did. Get your facts together before posting them. 4. Cinderella Girl does stink. I'll agree with you on that. But I happen to know for a fact that Michael did not want it on his album. The "label" did. They won. 5. He and Danny did tour together. Did you miss it? It was last Summer. 6. Michael is farrrrr more country than Danny will ever be. Country must have been Dannys only option. and #7 Michael could obviously conceive having a music career, why do you think he auditioned for American Idol?
Randy says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Michael Sarver seems to be a great guy and I do like some of the songs. But nay on the tour idea with Gokey- who I agree with you- has a much better album. Idols have to establish their own identity away from American Idol. Plus Gokey still needs to tour with some big names himself to expand his audience.
Erik says:
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
I completley agree with this review. Especially the part where Danny and Michael should tour together. The only thing that's wrong is that there is no song on the album called "Rock This Town." I still love the album though.
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