We may not like Aaron Burr around these parts, but we have mad respect for the man who played him. Leslie Odom, Jr is an incredible talent — whether we’re referring to his skills as a vocalist, a songwriter, or an actor, Odom has a proven track record at this point in his life and career. When a Crooner Dies is his fifth studio album (although two were Christmas albums, so I don’t really count those).
Odom’s earlier albums were Jazz affairs, but When a Crooner Dies is heavily geared toward Pop, with some jazzy elements slipping in here and there. There’s also a lingering R&B taste throughout the album. Mostly, though, it’s just Odom’s silky-smooth vocals and sultry falsetto.
“Sultry falsetto” in any other instance would be an oxymoron. It’s true for Odom, though.
Several tracks on the album, including opener “Loved”, “Show Me”, and “This Morning” feature powerful, sticky melodies which allow Odom to leverage his already-amazing voice in the strongest way possible. Half of the album is downright incredible.
A few tracks, such as “Take Me As I Am” and closer “Everything” are just okay, especially in comparison to the rest. “I Surrender” just doesn’t work for me, though. The verses are raw and, I believe, he was attempting to impart weighty emotion/exhaustion into the song, but it doesn’t really come through, and doesn’t sound great. He did discuss this particular bit in an interview with EverythingZoomer:
On this record, the worlds are converging for me. I’m not as concerned about capturing a pristine vocal. With previous albums, I’ve been known to do upwards of 100 takes. Insane. Just picking myself apart. Not this time. In fact, the vocal on I Surrender is the demo. I am allowing myself to come through as a storyteller and a human being which is sometimes imperfect. But if I can capture the truth of the sentiment in a song, then that’s the vocal. I don’t need to record it 100 times. And whether you’re on a Broadway stage or in a studio, it’s a vulnerable place to be when that spotlight comes on. But you just have to have a little courage and reveal.
The approach is commendable, but I don’t think it fully captured everything that he was trying to capture on that take.
Still, these are, overall, minor nitpicks. The only other gripe I have with the album is its brevity. At only thirty minutes, and with each song at only about three minutes and change apiece, it doesn’t last. But it is, overall, a very enjoyable half-hour.
Rating: Green