Bob Guiney - 3 Sides

Albums from people made famous on television are becoming more and more common place. Reality shows and teen driven sitcoms are spitting out new “artists” (and I use that term loosely) faster than critics can flame them. Do we harshly judge these albums on the basis of their exploiting their television fame? Or do they just really stink? Guess I will get another shot to find out. Mr. Bachelor himself, Bob Guiney, is the next to step up to the plate with his debut album 3 Sides, a disc of radio friendly rock akin to Matchbox 20. Surprising as it may be, Guiney is listed as a co-writer on all ten tracks on the disc, which is rare for any pop album these days. As much as I want to burn this album, it isn’t the worst thing I have ever heard. I have heard shittier albums from people whose whole life is music. It is just pop rock, nothing more, and that is what it has to be taken for. The key question I kept asking myself while listening to this album was whether or not I would like the song more or less if another artist were singing. I was careful not to take the television persona over to the singer. It worked to a degree, but it didn’t save the album totally. I have nothing against the man and nothing against trying to pursue a dream via another opportunity, but the album, while catchy and pop, is just not something that is stellar. More than a couple tracks could be radio hits, and honestly I am a little surprised this album didn’t make more of a punch on the pop feeding frenzy that is radio. Can’t say I will be waiting anxiously for a sophomore release from this one; an average disc. [www.bobguiney.com]