If you had said to me in February, "Brenna, on November 18, you will wake up early to download David Cook's debut CD to your iPod," I would have laughed. "David Cook?" I'd say. "He of the pervy bangs and staring in girls' windows and doing crossword puzzles? That David Cook?" Oh, how much has changed in the last 10 months. We have a new president. The Pens were thisclose to hoisting the Cup. Ben Roethlisberger keeps throwing interceptions.... ok, maybe not everything has changed. But I'm living in Patriots country, while Lindsay has taken up residence in NoVa. And yes, ladies and gentlemen, MSHBB somehow became Cookster biggest fans #1 and 2 sometime around the Great Haircut of Dolly Parton Week.
So, in a MSHBB exclusive mid-November reprise, here's my track-by-track review of "David Cook," by, yes, David Cook...
Declaration - A good mid-tempo rocker. It's a good opener - catchy chorus that's easy to sing along to, lyrics about being his inspiration, you know, all the stuff that makes girls like us swoon.
Heroes - More Cookster belting. It's going to be a trend on this album. On first listen, it's certainly not one of my favorites. Next.
Light On - I wasn't a huge fan of this one when it was first released. It's grown on me, perhaps due in part to the guylinered, guitar-playing hotness he is in the video. I still think the lyrics are mildly stupid, but that bridge/soft reprise of the chorus gets me every time.
Come Back To Me - Another song about a relationship on the rocks. Cookster, is there something we should know? Anyways... you remember how Paula said "Always Be My Baby" should be on a movie soundtrack? I feel the same way about this song. I imagine this being played in that pivotal scene in one of those romantic comedies staring Julia Stiles that was so popular in the early 2000s. It's a sweet song, but I don't feel like there's anything really special about it.
Life On The Moon - This is the first song on the album that I loved upon first listen. It's a power ballad with big guitar chords and a slow build and the Cookster's delicious voice singing over it all. Lyrics are kind of corny, but I'm enjoying it.
Bar-ba-sol - Aaaaaaaand, Cookster finally rocks out. It's part bluesy, part rocky, and 100% awesome. I can't wait to hear this one in concert.
Mr. Sensitive - More belting. I worry sometimes for his vocal chords. Regardless, this is another good mid-tempo song, along the lines of Declaration. He's got a flair for the dramatic, that's for sure. I can already imagine his show involving lots of bright lights and fog machines (watch out, Archuleta and your river of fog!).
Lie - It's no coincidence that my favorite performances of his were "Hello," "Billie Jean," and "Always Be My Baby." I want Cookster to serenade me with power ballads like this one. But seriously... "Lie to me and tell me that it's gonna be all right... lie to me and tell me that we'll make it through the night..." Is he trying to break my heart? He's doing a pretty good job, if so. Maybe things aren't going so swimmingly with K-Caldwell after all. ;) Also, I get a mental image of a "So You Think You Can Dance" waltz. It could work.
I Did It For You - This one is average. It sort of sounds like the songs before it - mid-tempo again. Cookster belting. Nothing too special.
Avalanche - Sense a trend here? Another mid-tempo song, with big guitars and belting. I get images of a movie scene again. I'm starting to think he's just good at that type of song. Imagine, guys, that Paula actually gave a critique that was both sensical and accurate. Stranger things have happened.
Permanent - Ooooooooh, the wait is well worth it for this one. Piano, strings, and Cookster singing about his brother. It's just beautiful. That sound you hear? That's me falling into my puddle of drool.
A Daily AntheM - It's a song that has a "Whoooooaaaaa" chorus that Lindsay & I will obnoxiously sing along with if we ever get to see Cookster in person again. Is that enough? :)
All in all, I think it's a solid debut. It's far from perfect, but really, who other than Daughtry got it right on the first try? Kelly really hit her stride on her second CD, and I'm looking forward even more to see what happens when the Cookster is a little farther away from the ever vigilant Idol eye. If you just want a taste, download "Bar-ba-sol," "Lie," "Declaration," and "Permanent."
Archuleta also released an album this month, but out of principle, we will not be reviewing it. That song he's got on the radio is obnoxious, and besides, the CD probably has pre-teen girls screaming along with every track and Daddy Archuleta voicing his approval. Also, in what has to be a sign that the apocalypse is near, KLC also has a single on the Billboard charts.
Declaration - A good mid-tempo rocker. It's a good opener - catchy chorus that's easy to sing along to, lyrics about being his inspiration, you know, all the stuff that makes girls like us swoon.
Heroes - More Cookster belting. It's going to be a trend on this album. On first listen, it's certainly not one of my favorites. Next.
Light On - I wasn't a huge fan of this one when it was first released. It's grown on me, perhaps due in part to the guylinered, guitar-playing hotness he is in the video. I still think the lyrics are mildly stupid, but that bridge/soft reprise of the chorus gets me every time.
Come Back To Me - Another song about a relationship on the rocks. Cookster, is there something we should know? Anyways... you remember how Paula said "Always Be My Baby" should be on a movie soundtrack? I feel the same way about this song. I imagine this being played in that pivotal scene in one of those romantic comedies staring Julia Stiles that was so popular in the early 2000s. It's a sweet song, but I don't feel like there's anything really special about it.
Life On The Moon - This is the first song on the album that I loved upon first listen. It's a power ballad with big guitar chords and a slow build and the Cookster's delicious voice singing over it all. Lyrics are kind of corny, but I'm enjoying it.
Bar-ba-sol - Aaaaaaaand, Cookster finally rocks out. It's part bluesy, part rocky, and 100% awesome. I can't wait to hear this one in concert.
Mr. Sensitive - More belting. I worry sometimes for his vocal chords. Regardless, this is another good mid-tempo song, along the lines of Declaration. He's got a flair for the dramatic, that's for sure. I can already imagine his show involving lots of bright lights and fog machines (watch out, Archuleta and your river of fog!).
Lie - It's no coincidence that my favorite performances of his were "Hello," "Billie Jean," and "Always Be My Baby." I want Cookster to serenade me with power ballads like this one. But seriously... "Lie to me and tell me that it's gonna be all right... lie to me and tell me that we'll make it through the night..." Is he trying to break my heart? He's doing a pretty good job, if so. Maybe things aren't going so swimmingly with K-Caldwell after all. ;) Also, I get a mental image of a "So You Think You Can Dance" waltz. It could work.
I Did It For You - This one is average. It sort of sounds like the songs before it - mid-tempo again. Cookster belting. Nothing too special.
Avalanche - Sense a trend here? Another mid-tempo song, with big guitars and belting. I get images of a movie scene again. I'm starting to think he's just good at that type of song. Imagine, guys, that Paula actually gave a critique that was both sensical and accurate. Stranger things have happened.
Permanent - Ooooooooh, the wait is well worth it for this one. Piano, strings, and Cookster singing about his brother. It's just beautiful. That sound you hear? That's me falling into my puddle of drool.
A Daily AntheM - It's a song that has a "Whoooooaaaaa" chorus that Lindsay & I will obnoxiously sing along with if we ever get to see Cookster in person again. Is that enough? :)
All in all, I think it's a solid debut. It's far from perfect, but really, who other than Daughtry got it right on the first try? Kelly really hit her stride on her second CD, and I'm looking forward even more to see what happens when the Cookster is a little farther away from the ever vigilant Idol eye. If you just want a taste, download "Bar-ba-sol," "Lie," "Declaration," and "Permanent."
Archuleta also released an album this month, but out of principle, we will not be reviewing it. That song he's got on the radio is obnoxious, and besides, the CD probably has pre-teen girls screaming along with every track and Daddy Archuleta voicing his approval. Also, in what has to be a sign that the apocalypse is near, KLC also has a single on the Billboard charts.
We'll be back in January for a new crop of Idol rejects! Until then, happy holidays!
