I purchased this cd when it came out and still listening to it today like it is new. Can't get enough of this young man's singing talent. There is something for everyone on the cd and it is family friendly. Where has this man been? He can only get better with time. If you have not purchased this cd - go get it today- you will love it. I have not purchased a cd in a very long time and it was well worth my purchase. Can't wait on future releases.

I have enjoyed listening to Clay Aiken since the first day I saw him on American Idol. His voice is rich, pleasant and true. He is truly a great artist. I along with so many others listen to the CD on my way to work, at lunch and after work on the ride home. It makes for such a pleasant drive. I even listen to it at work and the songs are all so true to life. It's wonderful. Can't wait for another one!

i have rooted for clay since about april, so i admit i missed the first weeks of competition of 'american idol', but was lucky enough to catch tapes and a cd of his performances on the shows. OUTSTANDING! he just captivates you w/ his voice and stage presence and you can tell he has been performing since he was tiny and stood on the carpet stacks at sears to entertain his mothers co-workers, and some customers! lol! the songs are ALL very fun to listen to, and i can't REALLY pick a favorite, although i am getting tired of 'invisible' and never did care too much for 'this is the night' or his production of 'bridge over troubled water', and wish he had ended 'idol' w/ different songs. i have to agree w/ the other posters who point out folks making PERSONAL attacks against poor clay, and trashing the cd because of their vendettas. there is a lot of animosity against clay for besting ruben in the marketplace, since the phoney phone competition of the show was, supposedly, 'won' by mr. studdard. GET A LIFE AND GROW UP R. S. FANS! you will NEVER change our minds about who we prefer, or make us hate mr. aiken, SO GIVE IT UP! Actually, you are just making us LOVE him more, since we like the underdog and feel EVEN more symphathetic towards him w/ every bad thing you childish brats utter! So, move on and work to help Rubie's career and forget about clay if he ain't your style! 'ai3' starts up in a week or 2 and it is time to move on, although i won't move on from looking to buy everything 'clay' i can get my hands on! i am a 'claymate' and have to admit i bought 3 of his 'MOAM' cd's, A.) because i am fascinated by him and his voice, and B.) because i wanted him to continue selling when ruben's record came out. so see what you are doing rubenites, the green eyed monster of jealousy is only backfiring against you. you KNOW the producers LOVE this rivalry, and you are playing into their strategy! don't take it out on clay that he rules and ruben drools! just kidding, ruben is okay, just not my cup of tea.

A genuine pop culture phenomenon who unexpectedly transcended the instant fame granted by his second-place finish in the AMERICAN IDOL competition, Clay Aiken made a decidedly un-hip media figure, often looking and sounding more like George Bush's nerdy, Andrew Lloyd Weber-loving nephew than a sexy or dangerous rocker. Perhaps not surprisingly, Aiken (with the help of uber-producer/record-company mogul Clive Davis), has crafted what sounds like the first-ever secular contemporary Christian album.

With an utter lack of pretense and genuine feel-good vibe worthy of the best work of Newsong or Steven Curtis Chapman, MEASURE OF A MAN is a pristinely produced, relaxed-sounding showcase for Aiken's gorgeously clear and unaffected vocal style. On solid pop songs like "Shine" and the McCartney-esque "Perfect Day," the retiring Southern singer communicates his songs in a pure, direct fashion that, by virtue of its appealing simplicity, manages in short order to project more soul than a CD rack full of gut-busting Michael Bolton histrionics. A defining moment in the mainstream pop genre, MEASURE OF A MAN bridges the generation gap between teens and their parents with comforting consistency and a refreshing lack of flash.

Since alot of you aren't familiar with Clay - here is a bit of background on him:
He finished 2nd in American Idol 2003, and he is a 24 year old college student from North Carolina who wants to work with special needs children when he is done with his degree (he has one term to go). This cd has been one I have been looking forward to for a a few months. Especially after hearing and reading about an interview where Clay mentioned Darren Hayes had written a song for it, I was eagerly anticipating it and also having his debut track "This Is The Night" to be on it as well.

I can say I was not disappointed at all when I got my cd, and its been one week since the release of the cd, and its been getting alot of play in my cd player too. Only a few songs I tend to skip over - certainly they may grow on me, but as is the case with most cds, many people do find a few tracks they tend to repeat, and I admit I have done that too. I can say this cd is of high quality in terms of the vocal range and the lyrics. Many big names offered their talents with production, lyrics, and/or music including Cathy Dennis, Steve Morales, Rick Nowels, Enrique Iglesias (co-writer on "The Way"), and..... *Drum roll* ....Darren Hayes (co-writer on "When You Say You Love Me"). The songs on the cd have appeal not only to teenagers but to adults of all ages. I found it refreshing that a young singer has not chosen to use sex and/or violence to make a point. This is a cd you could play in front of your grandparents and they wouldn't cringe hearing the lyrics.

The songs I tend have on repeat that are my personal favorites: "When You Say You Love Me", "The Way", "Invisible", "This Is the night", "Touch", "I will carry you" and "Measure of a Man". I am sure the other tracks will grow on me eventually sometime but in no way I do think they are bad in any way. Like every person, certain songs just get to you. I do hope this means a new era with popular music with artists you can actually understand what they are singing, and lyrics that make sense & tell a story of some kind tooI. Its time to bring in a new era of singers who can actually sing songs that have meaning of some kind and can be related to as well.