October 28, 2004 / 340 reads"It's going to be out at the very beginning of the year," he said.
Michaels said he's wrapping up recording songs for the 12-track album right now. He said he's spacing out the time he spends recording to keep each song different and full of energy.
"It just keeps the sound fresh," Michaels said. "I never want to get in the studio and make it a job."
There is no central theme for the songs on "Freedom of Sound".
"Each one has a different feel," Michaels said.
For example, "All I Ever Needed" was written by Michaels after his grandfather died two years ago. The song highlights how his grandparents took time to appreciate what they had in life.
"The song is about sometimes what you're looking for is standing right in front of you," he said.
Difficulties and challenges in one's life make for great inspiration in songwriting, Michaels said.
"Sometimes the hardest things that happen to you are the easiest songs to write ... because they write themselves," he said.
Describing Michaels' solo sound is somewhat difficult because it's a mix of musical influences.
"I'm sort of a mixture of AEROSMITH and JOHNNY CASH," he said. "I grew up liking rock, Southern rock and country."
