The American Idol watchers amongst you will recognize Elliott Yamin from that show. An unorthodox contestant for the show, Yamin nevertheless gained major approval from Simon Cowell, who lauded him as “potentially the best male vocalist ever” on Idol.

With For You is Elliott’s first official single from his forthcoming self-titled album.

The song is a very conventional R&B ballad mixing a piano melody with a pulsing electronic bass drum. The whole effect is very similar to the material on fellow Idol Reuben Studdard’s The Return album: a modern approach to romantic music that is less than engaging, bordering on dull.

This is unfortunately the trap that many post-reality TV artists fall into: playing it safe to capture (or retain) the public’s affection. And while Wait For You may sell Yamin a few records among his fan base, it’s not different enough to capture a wider audience. Obscurity beckons…