Everyone knows "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks idolizes '60s soul. But the kind he offers on his self-titled major-label debut falls closer to the stuff hacked out in a far different decade: the '80s.

With its neutered horns, aerated production and anonymous backup vocals, Hicks' CD unmistakably recalls the more cynical works of Joe Cocker, Steve Winwood and Hall & Oates from the Reagan era. That's a long way from soul's original surge, despite the fact that one track directly quotes Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" while another finds Hicks interpreting Marvin Gaye's "Wherever I Lay My Hat" - and fairly well at that.

Throughout the CD Hicks comes off better than his surroundings. His rasp retains its pluck and feeling, despite producer Matt Serletic's repeated attempts to drown it in indifferent arrangements and sonic goo.

Commercially, Serletic's approach shouldn't surprise: Real soul doesn't have nearly the shot at current radio play that this kind of adult-contemporary, tempered take does.

At least in concert, Hicks may get the chance to do these songs right.

Originally published on December 15, 2006