Eliot Popkin – Endless Ride / 2005 Free Man / 11 Tracks / http://www.eliotpopkin.com / Reviewed 11 November 2006

Eliot Popkin looks like a slightly chubbier version of Michael Ian Black. I am unsure exactly why I thought it would make sense to mention that, but what Popkin does on “Endless Ride” is play a very non-offensive brand of pop rock that is similar to the type of music that individuals like John Maher come out with every few years. The disc’s first track is “I Don’t Wanna”, and it leads in well to a very Stephen Curtis Chapman-type of song in the title track.

There is no outward religious ideology that is fueling the track of this disc, but the general musical style is similar to individuals like the aforementioned Chapman. “Mister” has an acoustic guitar that begins the track, but as quickly as it started, this accompaniment ends. I wonder what would have happened if Popkin would have allowed this track to be completely acoustic. I think that if that had happened, the overall output of this disc would have been stronger owing to a difference found between track. The one thing that can be said is a strong positive during this album is Popkin’s voice.

Easily the equivalent of a Eagle Eye Cherry, Popkin could benefit with a little more edy set of compositions for eir next album. “The Reason Why” shows Popkin in the process of creating a track that seems to be of the same style of any track off of any American Idol’s debut album. Popkin has the ability to create something completely new and impressive with eir voice, but the very middle of the road compositions that are present through the entirety of “Endless Ride” just do nothing to lift or highlight Popkin’s special vocals. There is little doubt in my mind that Popkin could go forth and create a string of hits with tracks like “Deeper Sensuality”, but I believe that Popkin’s true calling is with something like the Metapolitan or on Broadway. There is something ultimately unsatisfying about the pop music here, and this is not due to the fact that Popkin’s tracks do not impress, but rather that songs like “A Little Bit More” show that Popkin has a little bit more to give to all of eir fans. I love “A Little Bit More”, and I am sure that individuals that can find this album will love it as well. Just expand your horizons, Popkin, and your ride will truly be endless, regardless of wherever you go.

Top Tracks: You’ve Got Love, A Little Bit More

Rating: 5.4/10

[JMcQ]