David Cook
David Cook
Campus Correspondent Review By Jim Simmons,
Arizona State University
“American Idol” champion David Cook steps away from the throne and releases a solid and much anticipated debut effort with a self-titled solo album. Cook certainly broke the mold on the show by completely revolutionizing songs like Michael Jackson’s, “Billie Jean” and even Mariah Carey’s, “Always Be My Baby.” The latest album is no exception, with producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Kid Rock) capturing many of the vocal qualities that originally catapulted Cook to success on the show.
The album opens with a fervent “Declaration,” a tale of his triumphant rise to the top, and a tune that screams single with a little help from Johnny Rzeznik. The fiery opener carries the ferocity into “Heroes,” another impelling force, leading into single, “Light On,” co-written by Chris Cornell and producer Brian Howes (Daughtry, Hinder, Skillet) with Cornell helping Cook distinguish prominence as a vocalist. The album continues to unfurl with other notables like “A Daily Anthem,” appropriately titled for its arena rock anthem attributes, along with “Bar-ba-sol,” showcasing Cook’s grungy side and “Mr. Sensitive,” known for its colossal chorus.
Of the twelve songs featured, few are unable to ascend to those benchmarks, including “Life On The Moon,” a rather strange concept, along with a mellow and boring “Lie” and the ever cliché love devastation, “I Did It For You.” Cook also misses the mark with an attempt at balladry on “Permanent,” which has him staying in the upper vocal range nearly the entire song, overpowering the emotive piano and stirring string arrangements. While the album is hit or miss, Cook celebrates success, and unlike many past Idols, earns much respect by co-writing 10 of the 12 songs on this CD.
|
