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American Idol season 7 runner-up, David Archuleta drops his first album on November 11, 2008 but some critics are already dishing out the reviews.
The Salt Lake Tribune has given it a B- and said that the album focuses on David’s voice instead of collaborations with artists like Timbaland.
Entertainment Weekly was not as kind. With a grade of C+, citing generic writing and a lack of passion on romantic songs as the main reasons for the low evaluation.
I hope that the album does well and doesn’t discourage him because I really think that, under the right circumstances and with the right writers, David could be a huge star. I think he has one of the best voices to ever grace the Idol stage and he’s definitely got the right look.
image credit: Amazon.com
I’m a huge David A. fan and I’ve listened to the album and don’t understand the less than great reviews. I know I’m biased but there is no doubt that the kid can sing. It’s a pop album but it’s pretty solid IMO. There are at least 4 tracks that are exceptional and more depending on what you like. Music is so subjective and people have to remember that this kid had a few months to put an album together while he was on tour for AI. I know the fans LOVE it and I hope he’ll get another chance at a second album. He’s a huge talent and it would be ashame not to see him continue.
EW is clueless, and I give no weight to their review. David has delivered an vocally versatile and eclectic barnburner of a first CD. He sounds nothing like any young artist on the scene. All the songs flow well together to form a very cohesive album that will delight and surprise many listeners. He’s on his way to great things as a pop star.
This album kicks butt! And I didn’t care that much for him on AI, but I’m impressed with what I’ve heard. Good Job.
I absolutely love the song selections on the album and have found something I love about every song! Do you know how rare that is? Not one that I want to ’skip.’ I think David Archuleta is an amazing performer at any age and I can’t wait to see him grow and evolve as an artist.
And as far as emotional connection, a person would have to not have a heart (or some other very important part) to not be moved by some of these songs. Just sayin’.
These reviewers are more interested in what they think they know than in the quality of David’s CD. Why was the SLC reviewer “surprised” that the CD is “not bad”. I would have been shocked if it was “bad”. The fact is that the CD has 12 songs that range,imo, from very good, to truly great. David’s voice is spot on in every song and his diction is perfect.
Salt Lake City Tribune and EW need to seek training from a music professional. Go read the review over at Billboard….THE BILLBOARD! Thank you Billboard for putting the wanna be reviewers in their place.
This is a great debut! It’s rare that I find an album where I like all the songs. Personal favourites are Barriers, Your Eyes Don’t Lie, Desperate, To Be With You, A Little Not Too Over you. With his amazing voice and immense talent, this kid will be aroun for a long time.
Billboard likes it!!
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3i7e776b2746cf155991363762554b5a1c
I’m a fan of David, really I am. I was hoping he would win AI. But the first 5 or 6 song of this CD, save “Crush”, is so bland and boring! Thank God we get to “Running”, which is a great song! From that moment on, the album ranges from good to great.
Critics don’t buy albums, fans do! And, believe me, David Archuleta’s debut CD is going to be huge. The more you listen to the songs the more they grab hold of you and refuse to let go. I predict at least four hits, but probably more. Best bets, in my opinion, are “Barriers”; “My Hands”; “To Be With You”; and “Running,” but every single song of Archie’s is capable of winning your heart.
I love David Archuleta. He stole my heart as well
as the worlds.I say this because I care for him not only as an artist but as a person. I have to agree with E.W. As I have noted a few times in my messages. He is too special of a talent to be connected with “generic writers” He has an incredible voice that needs to be nurtured by
the instructiion of David Foster and that’s it. At this time. This is where his musical talent should be directed towards. Someone who knows with
great experience how to master his beautiful
vocal skills. Don’t get me wrong. I like the album.
It will grow more on me like crush. When I would
hear him sing his ballads on AI, it didn’t have to
grow on me. It zapped me with power right into
my soul. He needs to stay there for this time being. Tween pop music is a dime a dozen. David’s voice is spectacular and should be treated as so with the writers such as David Foster or Archuleta himself. There is no passion in these songs. He does not need other people to help him sing a song. Nor does he need the
engineerin that overpowers his voice. I suppose you would have to see him live in concert to experience the passion as in “When you say you love me” Seriously, I my opinion, I think and feel that 19 Entertainment may have had a contract with Jive to limit his talent ability in downplaying his voice by ONLY allowing generic writers to work with him. Why? to not interfere with their “cook’s” career. They know the mistake they have made in selecting cook at the American Idol. Cook could not hold
a candle to Archulet’s tour response of Beatlemania fan hysteria. Yes, It was again another ploy from that corrupt organization to
limit Archie from taking the world by storm. Doesn’t matter. What was meant to be is meant
to be and they can pull a lot of their dirty tricks
out of their bag. Jive’s connection with 19 ent
to limit David Archuleta’s voice and look. Yes, the
album cover is so not David and is not how the
world sees and knows him. He is not harsh and
angry and gang like. They are decharacterizing
this beautiful young man to dissuade the the public about him. All in the name of cook. They cannot let their boy cook be overshadowed by the this amazing huge talent from Archuleta. They have invested too much money in cook and have been witnessing their money going down the drain. Just by watching the ARchuleta tour experience. I am an Archuleta fan for always. I just don’t like how they have limited David so they could get these kind of reviews. They don’t dare want good reviews for David that would outshine cook. I will buy this CD in support of a true wonderful spectacular young man until he has the freedom to be him and sing with true passion that he is accustomed to singing.
David Archuleta!! No more generic writers. Sweetheart, You are destined to be witht he best.
It is a GREAT album! I like every single song. The music is everything I like! I love it and hope it does well!
No emotional connection? I was moved the FIRST time I heard “You Can” and then when I got to “To Be With You” I was tearing up. How can anyone say that David Archuleta has no emotional connection? These are “reviewers” that have a bias towards him beforehand. Did any of them hear his version on “Imagine” on AI? Say what you want about the song choices, lyrics, etc, but I don’t think ANYONE can say that the kid doesn’t sing with emotion. It’s ludicrous IMO. David’s CD is great for his first release. He will be around for a long time and I can’t wait to hear what else is yet to come!
GG, you should work for EW. You both have your heads in a bag. This album is so full of heartfelt messages and possibly 4-5 possible hit singles. Keep up the great work David!!!!
A lot of the critics who obviously critiqued David Archuleta’s album months before it was released, filed the critique in a metal file cabinet and pulled it out on November 11th and publishd it. My advice to them is “Don’t quit your day job.” I love the album and it is the first CD I’ve bought in probably 10 years. I am not crazy about every song on it, but I do love about 80% of them. How can you not like his voice, even if you don’t necessarily care for a particular song. We are going to be hearing him for years to come, thank goodness.
[...] Idol Season 7 Runner Up David Archuleta’s self-titled debut album hit stores today and the lukewarm reviews won’t help the fact that the smooth voiced Idol has some tough competition this week – [...]