TAYLOR HICKS
“Taylor Hicks”
(Arista/19/S Records)

THE RIGHT PLACE: Taylor Hicks was seen as out-of-place, quirky and even amusing, but not as pop music material when he first auditioned for American Idol. Still, the Alabama-born, self-taught singer and musician made the smarmy Simon Cowell eat his own words when he became the first white man and the fifth Southerner to take the competition's top spot. Those who championed his raspy, blues-flecked vocals and down-home approach will appreciate that those qualities were preserved on this polished collection of blue-eyed soul and pop.

TAYLOR-MADE: Thankfully, there's no awkward posturing or wannabe-rocker attempts on his major-label debut. Grammy-winning producer Matt Serletic (Santana, Matchbox 20, Aerosmith) allows Mr. Hicks to be himself, with nods to Motown-era soul (the earnest "Wherever I Lay My Hat," co-penned by Marvin Gaye), Ray Charles ("Heaven Knows") and even Steve Winwood in the brassy, rollicking opening number, "The Runaround." He also retooled "Soul Thing" and "The Deal" from his second independent release, Under the Radar.

BOTTOM LINE: "Give Me Tonight" is strained and obvious, and "Dream Myself Awake" doesn't quite fit, but this debut is sure to keep Mr. Cowell impressed and Mr. Hicks' devoted Soul Patrol shouting his praise.