I wanted to hate it. Really, I did.

The more we heard from Taylor Hicks in Season 5 of American Idol, the more I was convinced he's be a steely-toed bomb when it came time for record release.

Couldn't be more wrong.

He's been performing his first single, "The Runaround," on various TV shows, and while it won't be a big hit with the teen-beat crowd, it's likely to endear him to the adults. It's catchy, smart pop, and his band is great.

It's still on YouTube, if you'd like to view his recent performance at The Rockefeller Center.

Doesn't mean I'm buying any albums. Doesn't mean I'll like any of the rest of his self-titled debut, expected to be released on Dec. 12.

However, I know a good, well-written *song* when I hear it, and this tune is terrific. Hopefully, haters out there will give this guy a chance because clearly he has something.

Might be epilepsy, but it might also be talent ... or at least a damned good songwriter doing his bidding.