Today's Pick

The R&B crooner Elliott Yamin's primary claim to fame was finishing third on the fifth season of American Idol. A likable performer with a knack for romantic soul ballads and a laid-back stage presence, Yamin was a fan favorite from the start and ultimately made it to the final-three round along with eventual runner-up Katharine McPhee and eventual winner Taylor Hicks. Since then he has released the hit single "Wait For You," and two albums.
Now Yamin is back with his follow-up third album "Gather 'Round," which contains 12 tracks and was released on February 2nd exclusively in Japan first, and he said on Twitter that it will probably include a few different tracks when its released in the US later in the year. Yamin looks old school classy on new album's cover, which is fine & all, but I hope it sounds more like his last album! The 32-year-old soul and smooth jazz singer from southern California has just been released the new music video for the new album's lead single, "3 Words." The song has is a soulful mid-tempo track that showcases Yamin's strong and unique vocal ability. The chorus builds a little unexpectedly but the track is still solid.
Overall "Gather 'Round" proves that Yamin has grown and matured as an artist. The album is very cohesive and features very solid music. The feel of the album especially in the last half is decidedly retro. This kind of style definitely works well for Yamin. "My goal was to make a singer's record and make it as genuine as possible -- make it who I am. I still have to work on my songwriting skills. I'm green to that process. But I worked with some talented people," he said. Will Yamin be able to recapture the success of "Wait For You?"
Having a persona that is indefinable and a life story so inspiring, Yamin owns the ultimate combination that makes people grow interest in him. Under such publication and high motivation, Yamin can easily butter up his way to reign music industry. Yamin is now arguably more popular in Japan, which has embraced many an American act. Hot off a short Japanese tour promoting his new Japanese release "Gather 'Round," Yamin will be making a trip to his home state of Virginia. On February 26th, he will be performing for the Meherrin River Arts Council Concert Series in Emporia, VA.

Elliott Yamin was born on July 20, 1978 in Los Angeles, and placing 3rd runner-up on the 5th season of American Idol. Elliott suffered from a lack of overt star quality on the show, but his hit single, "Wait for You" boasts amplitude of a radio ready headliner.
"Wait for You" was the first official single released from his self-titled debut album "Elliott Yamin" on March 13. The song is a slow tempo ballad composed in C major. It has the biggest potential to be the album's most massive hit, great radio-friendly melody, the lyrics are so relatable. Elliott mentions in the song waiting indefinitely for the one he loves to come back to him. Despite the fact she has left him, he insists he knows she still loves him. It was aired on radio for the 1st time on March 1, and released to iTunes on March 13, and was honored as one of the most performed songs in the ASCAP repertory during 2007. Elliott is proof that you don't need to be an actual AI "winner" to be.
The music video for the song director by Nick Spanos, was premiered today. It shows Elliott in a variety of locations reminiscing about his girlfriend who has left him. The video shows Elliott on the beach, in his bedroom, and simply walking on a sidewalk picturing his ex-girlfriend's smiling face, and pleading for her to come back, just like in the lyrics of the song. The video features a recurring close up face shot of Elliott, in a black and white tone. Elliott is also shown in the studio recording the song throughout the video. In the end, his ex-girlfriend finally approaches him on the beach.