Album Review: Danny Gokey, My Best Days

Newcomer Danny Gokey follows the footsteps of his fellow American Idol alums into the world of country music. Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington, Josh Gracin and Phil Stacey are just some of the names of those who found themselves in Nashville after their time on the popular reality show was up. Those artists have had varying degrees of success with their music outside of the Idol world. Now Season Eight’s third place finisher Gokey tries his luck with his debut album My Best Days which is available now.

For his first single, Danny chose to release the title track “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me,” a positive song which kicks off the album and is a good indication of what is to come as you listen. The majority of the 10-track set is up-to-mid-tempo and full of encouraging messages with spiritual undertones like “I Still Believe,” a contribution from the pens of Idol judge Kara DioGuardi and songwriter Mike Busbee. While “If Only,” co-written by Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood and writer Tom Douglas, shares a message of making a difference in people’s lives.

Meanwhile, “Get Away” is a fun pop-country romp about escaping the everyday stress of regular life in which Danny really lets loose. On “Be Crazy Not To,” Gokey captures the out-on-a-ledge feeling of falling in love when you consider really sharing how you feel. For “Be Somebody,” Danny taps into those bluesy vocals that Idol fans loved on the show.

Gokey saves the best for last as he closes out his album with the powerful “I Will Not Say Goodbye” which touches on the topic of losing someone you love – something that Danny knows all to well about since he lost his wife Sophia two years ago.  The ballad soars and really connects with the listener due to Danny’s impassioned performance.

Nikita Palmer for Citadel Digital © 2010

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