During his time on
American Idol
,
Michael Johns
' strongest performances always emphasized the bluesy side of his voice, culminating in a nuanced, slow-smoked cover of
Dolly Parton
's
"It's All Wrong But It's All Right."
Two years after his unexpected elimination,
Johns
makes his post-
Idol
debut with
Hold Back My Heart
, a surprisingly strong album that finds him doing what he does best: soul, Southern rock, and contemporary blues. The album title is unfortunate, of course -- more appropriate for
David Archuleta
's teenaged pop than
' thirtysomething songcraft -- but that's the worst thing about
, which sounds looser and less calculated than most albums by
's alumni. While none of
' own songs can quite measure up to
"Heart on my Sleeve,"
a stand-out ballad composed by
John Shanks
and
James Morrison
, his own compositions are perfectly acceptable, showcasing his coarsely scrubbed baritone and preference for earthy melodies. Organ, horns, and background vocals enhance the vibe, but
is essentially a showcase for
' voice, which sounds better here than it ever did on television. ~ Andrew Leahey