Here Right Now (Bonus Track Version)

Album Review

There's nothing wrong with Graham Colton's Here Right Now, but that's part of the problem. There may be no grand missteps here, but there doesn't seem to be any attempt at experimentation or risk-taking; it's strictly middle of the road, standard pop that sounds pretty but doesn't have much to offer beneath its pretty, polished exterior. This isn't bad, by any means — it's good for background music or light listening for the teen set — but those who wish to be engaged by an album will find that there is a decided lack of punch or bite on Here Right Now, a shallowness that is evident even combine with Colton's fine voice and the dedicated work of his backing band. Most of the songs on Here Right Now deal with love in some capacity — love lost, love found, love renewed and so on. However, they all seem to deal with the subject with an innocence that seems tailored to the previously mentioned teen demographic. It's charming, in a way, but lacking in the depth of emotion or passion that real experience brings. It isn't until nearly halfway through the album that there is a standout tune, the dance rock-infused "Always in Love," which is catchy, if not particularly memorable.