Today's Pick

Casey James just released the emotionally-charged video for "Crying on a Suitcase," which fits in perfectly with the heart-wrenching song, the follow-up to Season 9 American Idol's debut single, "Let's Don't Call It A Night" from his eponymous debut album. It's a more straightforward, mainstream country song than "Let's Don't Call It a Night," which leaned more toward soul or blues. The 30-year-old Texas native' delivery here is appropriately urgent.
Often a new artist will languish between less definite emotions, however, and the more mainstream cuts from his self-titled album are less convincing. The soul-country sub-genre is one that no artist has really claimed, but James is clearly comfortable mixing influences. This is an easy album to listen to start to finish, and the singer's beachy, gravely timber make him easy to identify. James used his time wisely, building a project that should provide the foundation for a nice career.
"Crying On A Suitcase" is a boppy melody driving and a solid piece of modern country. Chugging electric guitars, a nut-and-bolt tight rhythm section and swirling B-3 organ compliment James' bluesy voice. The song doesn't waste any time before it hits the hooks James is begging, but the story calls for begging. This guy needs to get off his duff and catch the girl before she flies away. "This song is so intense and emotional. The idea of someone right on the verge of losing their loved one, and doing everything to keep it from happening. Who hasn't been there?" shares James.
Filmed in Nashville, he takes on the dramatic role of a man desperate to save his relationship in the emotionally-charged video, which opens with a shot of James standing alone in a bathroom, staring into the mirror. Judging by his shaggy hair and tired eyes, he's contemplating a seriously sad situation. As the video cuts to a montage of the singer hiking, dancing, and taking photos with a beautiful girl, it's easy to see that James is playing the forlorn lover of a girl who has left him. Sure enough, the video shows the two once-lovebirds arguing until the beautiful brunette picks up her suitcase and walks out the door.

American Idol alum Casey James has premiered the new video on CMT for his first soulful country tune, "Let's Don't Call It a Night" Friday as part of its Big New Music Weekend. Texas-based country singer got the nation's attention as a third place finalist on the 9th season of American Idol last year, and is currently working on his debut album, to be released on Sony Nashville early next year.
The 29-year-old only dabbled in country music while on then 9th season of American Idol. He played a Keith Urban song, and a Shania Twain song during Shania Twain week, but was clearly more influenced by rock and blues. His time on the show was bookended by John Mayer songs, appropriate because of all the artists he covered on the show, it's Mayer that his debut song "Let's Don't Call It a Night" most closely mimics. James actually sounds more like Jonny Lang than John Mayer, but both men play a guitar similar to the one James uses as a tool for his seduction.
American Idol Contestant made his mark on the popular show with his bluesy voice, southern-rock edge, and stellar guitar skills. James wrote the soulful song with Brice Long and Terry McBride. The single reflects exactly the image James stayed true to throughout his stint on American Idol. Definitely leaning towards the southern-rock end of the Country Music spectrum; his bluesy voice is making knees go weak all over the place as he sings of not wanting his night with his lady to end because he's got big plans.
The slow and sexy sheet-burner is a little clumsier than anything the always-polished Mayer would record. From the first lyric, one can't deny the lure of this song's sultry stylings, but the words are a little vapid. If James were actually singing this song to seduce some lucky woman, she'd likely grab a handful of his gorgeous hair, look deep into his blue eyes and whisper, "Shhh... don't talk." But the song goes on, allowing the Texas-born singer to redeem himself some during the chorus. It's an appropriately steamy clip for such a sultry tune; director Roman White keeps the slightly goofy-creepy premise is James serenading these ladies from the hallway on an even keel.