Clay Aiken has never sounded more at home than he does singing the lushly arranged classics on his fifth studio album Tried and True - the international pop phenomenon's first album for Decca Records. Showcasing Aiken's powerful voice and considerable interpretive gifts, the new CD is comprised of songs from the '50s and '60s that Aiken grew up listening to as a child. The platinum-selling artist and idol to many has arguably never sounded better. For Aiken, Tried and True (so named because he feels the songs have stood the test of time) was about getting back to himself after a career performing more pop-oriented material. "There are a lot of elements to this album that are about me returning to what I'm comfortable with," Aiken says. "To me, older songs are more melodically appealing and beautiful. So doing this album was an opportunity to just be myself." Aiken's delight in the material on his new disc shines through with his impeccable vocal delivery, as well as his genuine emotional connection to each track. Highlights include swinging album opener "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," made famous by Frankie Valli; "Misty," the Johnny Mathis hit, and a soulful rendition of Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds." Tried and True also features two songs Aiken sang while appearing as a contestant on the second season of American Idol: "Mack the Knife" and "Unchained Melody," alongside songs with guest appearances by saxophonist David Sanborn on "What Kind of Fool Am I?" and Broadway star Linda Eder on Roy Orbison's "Crying." Aiken launched his career journey seven years ago on American Idol, where he won over millions of viewers with his phenomenal voice and down-home charm. He parlayed his success into full-fledged stardom, selling more than six million copies worldwide of his previous four albums, all of which debuted in the Top 5 on the Billboard chart. In addition, Aiken has launched nine live tours, made the New York Times best-seller list by co-authoring the inspirational memoir Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music In Your Life, and won several American Music and Billboard Music Awards

Track Listing

CD

1. Can't Take My Eyes Off You
2. What Kind of Fool Am I?
3. It's Only Make Believe
4. Misty
5. Mack The Knife
6. It's Impossible
7. Unchained Melody
8. Suspicious Minds
9. Crying
10. There's a Kind of Hush
11. Moon River

DVD

1. Build Me Up Buttercup - Live
2. Bonus Material