American Idol’s James Durbin Attracts an Army of Rock Royalty for Debut Album, Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster

First Two Singles Impact Rock and Top 40 Radio; Rocker Reveals Track Listing

LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire – Oct 19, 2011) – American Idol finalist James Durbin is gearing up for the release of his Wind-Up albumMemories Of A Beautiful Disaster on November 21^st, and is giving fans a taste of what’s to come as he reveals the track list and first two singles from the highly anticipated debut. The anthemic lead single “Stand Up” will go to rock radio and the power-charged “Love Me Bad” will go to Top 40.

Unforgettable performances on the Idol stage with legends such as Judas Priest and Zakk Wylde led Durbin’s own “Idols” to support the rocker’s first ever release. Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe, songwriters James Michael (Sixx: A.M., Mötley Crüe) and Marti Frederiksen (Aerosmith, Buckcherry, Ozzy Osbourne), along with Swedish rock band Hardcore Superstar. Durbin, who co-wrote five of the albums tracks exclaimed it was “surreal” to be working with this bevy of rock royalty and recalls, “When Mick Mars started shredding on his guitar I literally lost my mind.” The long-time Mötley Crüe fan continued saying, “He’s a true rock legend and he’s playing on my record. It doesn’t get any cooler than that.” Mick Mars echoed the same fervor, “It was sick to have played on James’ debut album. To be the only featured guest artist on the record was really cool as I know a lot of others wanted to be on it. James Durbin kicks ass; he’s the real deal.”

“Stand Up” is a gleaming showcase for Durbin’s signature rock-star yowl and powerful, energetic voice and the NFL agrees. It has tapped the single as its stadium anthem for the 2011 season featuring it on jumbotrons nationwide during games this fall and is featuring it on their “Game Day” EP as the song impacts radio.

22-year-old Durbin was guided throughout the making of “Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster” by leading rock producer, Howard Benson. Benson (My Chemical Romance, Daughtry, Motorhead) gives Durbin room to evolve musically on the hard-hitting album, saying the opportunity to work with Durbin was “pretty simple: I loved his voice. I think he has a compelling story to tell.” Benson, who kept his eye on Durbin throughout Idol thought, “It was interesting that he spoke his mind and didn’t back down from who he was. That’s always a good sign.”

On American Idol, James Durbin waved the flag for rock and it was that devotion to rock that helped him overcome his private struggles with tourette’s and asperger’s syndrome. He touched the hearts of people everywhere while on the show, and with the release of “Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster” he is ready to wave that flag high again.

Full track listing for Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster is:
Higher Than Heaven
All I Want
Love In Ruins
Right Behind You
Love Me Bad
Deeper
May
Screaming
Outcast – feat. Mick Mars
Everything Burns
Stand Up

Follow James on Twitter and Facebook here: http://twitter.com/durbinrock, http://facebook.com/durbinrock, http://www.durbinrock.com

Source: Market Wire

JAMES DURBIN, ‘LOVE ME BAD’ – SONG REVIEW

James Durbin, the ‘American Idol’ heavy metal castaway, has released another single, ‘Love Me Bad,’ from his debut album on Wind-Up Records, ‘Memories of a Beautiful Disaster,’ due out on Nov. 21. The tune is being promoted as Durbin’s pop single, as it follows the rock single ‘Stand Up.’

‘Love Me Bad’ starts off on the softer side with a simple guitar melody cascading around Durbin’s heartfelt lyrics painting a vivid visual for the listener of a lovelorn rocker with his heart torn to pieces. Picture if you will a downtrodden Durbin riding down highway anywhere gazing out the window at objects unknown, “A cigarette fills an empty room / Smell of heartbreaks and cheap perfume / Photos scattered across my wall / Maybe someday I’ll take them off / But I miss you / Yeah I still miss you.”

That’s right about where the song breaks wide open. The full band chimes in behind Durbin’s soaring chorus of longing and regret, creating a sonic boom of broken hearts, “In the middle of the night / When I feel you by my side / Well, it’s nothing but a memory / What if we never said goodbye / If I never made you cry / Baby this is killing me / So love me bad / Love me bad / Again.”

The song shows off the versatility of Durbin’s vocal range, blending the softer verses with interludes of bombastic choruses set to a tapestry of delicious melodic rock riffs. And what’s any great rock song without a big finish — Durbin’s vocal harmonies combine at the end for a beautiful vocal crescendo.

Durbin said that the title of this album was a way of looking back on events in his life to see the beauty within the pain, and this song seems to fit in perfectly with that sentiment. ‘Love Me Bad’ is pegged for Top 40 but packs enough punch to please rock enthusiasts as well, giving Durbin cross-genre appeal with his debut release.

by: Mary Ouellett

Source: Loud Wire

James Reveals his Album Cover & a Studio Session with Mick Mars

And here folks is the official album cover for James’ debut album which will be released on November 21st!

Where do I begin!? This CD has to stand out  from lots of other new releases on that day and it will. The font is eye catching, James’ demeanor & expression is intriguing and the album title is thought provoking. Hands down the BEST debut album cover of an Idol alum ever! Major kudos to the photographer & graphic artist. And even more interesting is that genre isn’t made obvious at all; the general music buyers who have never heard of James (who are the majority) will pick this up, wonder what it sounds like and will have to actually listen to it to find out. Very clever marketing ploy by Wind-up Records, and is it just me or does anyone else get a Twilight/Vampire Diaries take on this design? Not suggesting that James is necessarily being marketed to Twilight/Vampire Diaries crazy teens but they’re one group I can see being drawn to this cover (Robert Pattinson eat your heart out!). That age group is the most lucrative demographic, and I imagine that James’ music would be suitable to be featured on those type of shows or on horror movie soundtracks.

And if that’s not enough, James has given us a sneak peak of his studio recording session with Mick Mars of Motley Crue! All I can say is that this guitar riff is to die for and I cannot wait to hear the entire song!

I believe we can expect his debut single to be released within the next 3 weeks. I can’t yet predict how well James’ album will do but save to say, with Marti Frederickson & James Michael being the main songwriters & Howard Benson producing, it’s not impossible for Memories of a Beautiful Disaster to be a smash hit.

Stand Up – New Song by James for the NFL Gameday EP

Stand Up, the song James recorded in Washington DC for the NFL Gameday EP is now available at iTunes and will be available at Amazon tomorrow.

Here’s the song and it’s awesome:

The title for James’ debut album has been revealed: Memories of a Beautiful Disaster. The album will be released November 21st.

It’s Official: James Has Signed with Wind Up

WIND-UP ANNOUNCES SIGNING OF AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST JAMES DURBIN

DEBUT ALBUM TO BE RELEASED IN NOVEMBER

“The 1st certified metalhead of the show’s decade-long reign” – Revolver Magazine

New York NY – Wind-up Records is pleased to announce that it has signed season 10 American Idol fan-favorite and resident-rocker, James Durbin to a recording contract. Durbin will continue to be managed by 19 Entertainment’s President, Iain Pirie, GM Josh Klemme (formerly manager of Buckcherry and one of the managers of Steven Tyler) and Red Light Management’s Mark DiDia.

Of the signing, Durbin states, “Wind-up Records isn’t a label, it’s a family and I wanted to be a part of that. They are true music fans that want to see me have a long career as an artist. I couldn’t have asked for more when signing a record deal.”

Santa Cruz CA native, James Durbin, 22, rocked the stage of Idol every week with his signature high-pitched scream and touched the hearts of America throughout the season as he opened up about his Asperger and Tourette syndrome. Fans and critics alike flocked to Durbin in praise and inspiration as his love of rock prevailed. Durbin continues to showcase his inner rock-star as he brings arenas to their feet on the American Idol Live tour with his energetic performances. He is also mid-way through recording his debut album with Grammy nominated producer, famed rock producer Howard Benson (Daughtry, P.O.D, My Chemical Romance, 3 Doors Down). Wind-up will release Durbin’s debut album this fall.

Iain Pirie comments “James wowed audiences on American Idol with his dramatic and flamboyant style and he’s proving to be a huge hit on this summer’s American Idol tour. We are thrilled to be working with our friends Howard Benson and the team Wind-up on James’ debut album.”

Wind-up Entertainment CEO Edward Vetri shared, “We loved James on Idol. We thought he was the standout performer from this season. His passion for rock music made him a natural fit for Wind-up Records.” He goes on, “James has the drive, passion, love of music and a gifted, soaring rock voice that will win rock fans over throughout. Gregg Wattenberg, Wind-up’s Chief Creative Officer, added, “When the possibility of signing James Durbin to Wind-up Records came up, we knew it was a no-brainer. James is a rock star. We’re all excited to have him as part of the family and can’t wait to let his fans hear his debut album.”

Source: http://www.durbinrock.com