Listen to Full David Archuleta Album on AOL!
November 10, 2008 by Jeanne
David Archuleta’s debut CD (yeah, the WHOLE thing!) is now available for preview on AOL. Make sure you head over and check it out before they take it down. I have to say that, after listening to it, I can’t understand why it got such bad reviews. He’s a young artist releasing his first album and I think this was a good start.
I know some people have been critical of "Crush" but I actually really like the song. Sure, it’s not a musical masterpiece but I think it’s a decent first single for a teenager (hasn’t anyone heard the "music" being spit out by those Disney channel stars? Ugh).
"Touch My Hand" sounds like a Keane song to me (Keane is one of my favorite British bands) so I actually don’t mind it.
I was less fond of "Barriers" but it wasn’t terrible. I just thought some of the echoing was annoying during the chorus.
"My Hands" was good to me! I liked the little violin accents in the background, the pace and the lyrics.
On "A Little Too Not Over You," he seems to be on the verge of going R&B and I think it suits his voice.
"You Can" is beautiful. It’s mostly David’s sweet voice accompanied by an acoustic guitar (and later some drums, etc… but the music remains minimal, allowing his vocals to take center stage). I love the words and the chords. Did it remind anyone of a Goo Goo Dolls song, though?
More after the jump!
I think that "Running" is gorgeous! Again, it’s got inventive chords and the melodic interchanges and complexity of the backup vocals is really nice.
"Desperate" is the first song that I really disliked. It doesn’t seem to suit David’s voice, the mixing is weird and the pace is awkward. That techno blipping behind the vocals during the chorus is just awful. Really.
The ballad "To Be With You" is another really pretty song - I got little goosebumps. I can see it being used in movie soundtracks/promotional ads. It’s interesting that new American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi co-wrote the tune. Very nice.
David co-wrote "Don’t Let Go" with JC Chasez (N*Sync) and Jimmy Harry. It’s kind of got a late 80s feel to it and I find it forgiveable. It’s definitely not my favorite track but I’ve heard worse.
I’m not even sure how to characterize "Your Eyes Don’t Lie." It almost feels like a hybrid between the guitar-work from the Chappelle’s Show intro, the humming from Blackstreet’s hit "No Diggity" and a little bit of Annie Lennox’s "Sweet Dreams" (the baseline). There’s something else in there too (help me out!). Oh well. I actually like the song. It’s strange but it’s not bad.
The final song is a cover of Robbie Williams‘ mega-hit, "Angels." David, of course, sang this on Idol and he did a great job live and the recorded version is great too.
image credit: Amazon.com
CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR IT ALL!!!
i’m heading over to AOL now. thanks!
i really like “a little too not over you”. it’s my fav other than crush so far. i’ll be updating though
I think David did exactly what he wanted to do with this album. He wanted to put different sounds out there and I’m sure it was to glean opinions from the listeners so that he can gauge what we and he might want to do on his next album. I don’t know why ppl don’t get David. He is a learner, and he will use this album to the utmost in prep for his next one. Also ppl should be aware that Jeff and David had some input into this album but not total control. Jive had the final sayso or sayno. All in all I think David did a great job on the vocal his voice is crystal clear. I hate some of the generic instruments myselfIt’s like every song uses the same sound track. Ugh! But I being the quirky type liked “Barriers” and the whistling “YEDL”. David just might prove to be the “Maverick” of the music industry. I haven’t chosen a fav yet. But like my raison d’etre, I have my eye on a few. *ha ha*
Because David did what he wanted to with the album, I give it an “A”. Components I rated lower, but none below “C”. Not because I support David, I tend to be honest with my review because this is his career and I think he deserves the truth from his supporters. I also think David is his own worst critic and will be harder on himself than any critic’s review.
Palm to Heart
” hate some of the generic instruments myselfIt’s like every song uses the same sound track.”
__I wanted to explain that sentence as I feel it gives the wrong impression of “David Archuleta’.
I was saying, it’s rather easy to tell these days what company produces what music. much like the fables “Wall of Sound” by Specter, all the clapboard sound and clicks seem to smack of Jive/Zomba. I ‘d love to see music swing away and artists find their own sound in instruments. Music is too cluttered. What we all loved about David on AI was “THE VOICE”. Some of the songs have cluttered his voice.
By theway let me say this to all of you even you Jive/Zomba. David core audience is not tweens and teens. You should know that David probably has the most diverse audience of any artist. Comprised of young and old and older, females and males, Blacks and Whites, and all in between, nationals and internationals. In fact AI reported that on season 7 the tweens group wasn’t a part of their audience, so that group is being recruited. Afterall, it is “Mommie can I” season.
So, I hope I cleared up that statement. The sound in music today is so one sound. How many of you had to be told that Ne-Yo had something to do with NKOTB?
I’d love for David to develop his own instrumental sound. Yes, the kid is that good. You guys have no idea about This Exquisite Creature.
Palm to Heart
David’s new album has a mix of songs so all his fans will enjoy this first produced album. For the little amount of time he had I am quite surprised so many of them are catchy, uptempo and ballads. To Be With You will become a very classic romantic song heard over and over again.
Too many favorites to mention but the diversity is there and yes many with too much instruments getting in the way of his fabulous voice. He’s 17 he will definately learn and grown with experience but for now this was an excellent start. Congratulations David! You are that rare gem being polished everyday!
First of all, David is not get tons of negative reviews. There are some fabulous ones too. The album is exactly what David planned….a little experiment. He has done a great job in doing that and providing listeners with something for everyone. My teenaged kids are not David fans, but have admitted to liking Your Eyes Don’t Lie and Desperate. Obviously strikes a chord with that demographic. As I said, something for everyone…and sewn together with those strong silky vocals, David’s debut CD is a beautiful thing.
Jeanne.. I’ll help you out! You’re Eyes Don’t Lie has a bit of Bon Jovi too! Listen to the twangy guitar bit on Wanted Dead or Alive and you’ll hear what i’m talking about.
Don’t forget Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks. The rolling thunder bits.
This song is outrageously COOL!! The whole CD is an amazing piece of pop/rock/r&B styling. I can’t believe Archuleta & Jive did such a great job in so little time. Can’t wait for the tour!
toma, i totally agree! and yeah, the tour will be amazing!!!
Agreed, Toma!
Thanks for all the comments guys! I loved reading what you thought about the album!
Thanks for the great review of this album. You’re right about most of the songs especially You Can. Simply unbelievable. But all of them are good. including Barriers and Desperate.
Great review. (My Hands is my fave.) Love to hear what you thought of the bonus tracks.
I was blown away by this collection of songs. They are contemporary and beautiful with David’s amazing voice drawing me into every song. I think the more I listened to them the more I ‘felt’ each song. I also love to sing along with so many of them that I find myself singing everywhere!
The review didn’t cover the BONUS songs, but my very, very, very favorite is ‘Somebody Out There.’ Talk about a simple song saying so much. Oh my, I feel like crying every time I hear that ‘cry’ in his voice.
In summary, I love this cd and hope the rest of the world finds the joy from David’s music that I have!
I can’t decide which of songs on David’s album is my favorite. Each time I listen to one, I think yes this one is my absolute favorite; then the next song comes on and I think no, this is my absolute favorite. I especially ping-pong between You Can (so sweet, pure David’s voice, Deperate (haunting), and Your Eyes Don’t Lie (sorry, but this is my jam, can’t be still). And then there are the bonus song’s Let Me Go and Works For Me. Ackkk! Can I have more than one favorite?
Palm to Heart
goboywonder, you must not have gotten to “Somebody Out There “yet.
David is so good at bringing you into his soul, and he hasn’t even had the experiences that come with these lyrics. Can you imagine what he’s going to be able to put out there after he falls in loves and marries and has children. Oh my gosh! I breathless just thinking about it, plus his voice will be richer.
P2H
I LOVE the album. I’m listening to it right this moment as I have been practically 24/7 since it was leaked. (I pre-ordered it on iTunes and bought a hard copy too so I could get all the bonus tracks but couldn’t wait.) I love all the songs on the CD.
My very favorites are ‘You Can’, and especially ‘Somebody Out There’ and ‘To Be With You’. David has so much passion in his voice when he sings that I feel it like a physical blow. I can’t listen to the last two without my eyes tearing up, and I can’t stop listening. Wow.
That exquisite, soaring, emotive voice of David’s is heavenly. I think this first outing is a great one. This kid has me listening to music again after a lapse of more than 20 years. I think his future in music is unlimited. And, it could not happen to a more endearing, harder working, or more wonderful and gorgeous guy.
David is the best thing to come down the pike in many a long year. I will be a huge fan and at his back FOREVER. Guarenteed.
I disagree, I think the CD is incredible. Every song is pure David. I think the label held him back alittle, they were being alittle careful with some of the song choices they decided to go with. But I look forward to the next one, and the next one, etc…..
This is the first review I’ve read that EXACTLY matches my opinion. The only thing I would add is that every time I listen to Your Eyes Don’t Lie, I like it more. It may even end up being my favorite on the CD.
hes so cute my favorite is a little to not over you