David Archuleta – Album Cover

I saw it earlier and think it was both surprising, for the lack of a vacuous grin or puppy dog eyes, and surprisingly good for an Idol album. Someone appears to have a bit of a ‘tude.

I actually think this is a really good album cover. Jive isn’t know for its great debut album covers, but this is better than most of them. It seems like they’re attempting to transition him out of the “cute kid” that appeared on AI, and into a serious artist (literally, he looks serious). But they still want to retain a bit of the teen idol appeal. He looks older, he’s not giggly looking, and it’s probably the least threatening for guys who may want to pick up the album (this cover is easier to pick up than one where he looks SUPER ADORABLE!).

It’s also 10 googillian times better than the single cover, which I still have a hard time looking at.

Is this confirmed? This is a weird cover…

ETA: Because he looks like he hasn’t slept for quite a long time. And the tee is, too regular for a cover.

Not liking it at all. He looks sort of mad…..it seems like they darked him somehow. The dark around the eyes and nose He isn’t that dark, more fair and that is what makes him “pop”, the fair skin, green eyes, black hair……

I get that they were trying for an older look and not so bubble gumish but it makes me think that the contents of the album is going to be all sad songs……..

Darn, I was hoping for more

This is so unlike Archie that I don’t know what to think. I know I’ve never seen him wear that face in any other picture, I almost didn’t recognize him at first. Hmm.
Guess I’m really used to seeing him with a big grin?

Is this confirmed? This is a weird coverà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

LOL
I don ´t think so… but it ´s much better than all the other photos and promotional until now…
I like it… think he can do much better but is an upgrade…

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s way better than the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Crushà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  cover. Man, those bright pastels made my eyeballs hurt. He looks mature, olderà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’but not sexualized, which would be icky. Heh.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

I agree.. I think this is the image that Jive will try to sell…

A sexy- safe to leave your daughters around guy… he will be the guy girls go crying after a measy break up with a bad guy… or the good guy you break his heart to choose the more cooler guy…It ´s not the best album cover but they are getting there… and is much better that all the “Sears” pictures of him… and the picture in his officialwebpage is really creepy since he looks like a doll…
So kudos to Jive in this one…

This is an excellent cover. It will allow him to appeal to more demographics and not just be seen as a teen bubble gum artist. I’m extremely pleased that Jive went this route.

And no Autumn the album is definitely not going to be all sad songs lol.

They actually went for a more mature look,,dare I say almost sexy. I agree it will appeal to the girls and the guys. Thanks Jive for not using pastel colors.

I do not like it at all.

I think a lighter background color would have helped with the look of the cover also. They gave him helmut hair I liked the moused up look better.

I like it and I agree with MJ.

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s way better than the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Crushà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  cover. Man, those bright pastels made my eyeballs hurt. He looks mature, olderà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’but not sexualized, which would be icky. Heh.

It’s not officially confirmed. But Amazon is treating it like an album cover (with the “click for a larger version” feature). And it’s a new picture. It could be a placeholder, you never know.

Honestly, if he had smiled or acted Archie-like in the photo, I don’t think it would have worked. Maybe if he was smiling but not looking into the camera, and the picture was a little out of focus (just imagining it). But a lot of his fans were suggesting that he go serious for the cover, simply because, right now, Archie has to be about breaking expectations. He’s not just that cute, giggly teenager from AI. From what we’ve been hearing about his own songwriting, he’s got a complex wit about him. We’ve only seen how he interacts with fans, and most people have only seen how he acts with Ryan standing 5 feet from him. That’s not the entirety of who he is. If this cover doesn’t seem like Archie, maybe it’s because we don’t know all that Archie is.

I liked your opinion of the picture MJ. As I was reading…”He looks mature, olderà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’but not sexualized…”, I closed my eyes and went. “EWW.” Then I opened my eyes and finished reading the sentence “….which would be icky.” YAHHHH!! LOL

I’m indifferent about the cover, since its the music that I’m looking forward to the most. He looks good. I can’t wait till November! YAY!

It looks like a mug shot. Doesn’t capture his personality at all. But what do I know? The little girls may eat it up. LOL.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m indifferent about the cover, since its the music that Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m looking forward to the most. He looks good. I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t wait till November! YAY!

Right with you sister

I think it is way better than his single cover. That was just awful. But I am sort of confused at how they are marketing him.

It will allow him to appeal to more demographics and not just be seen as a teen bubble gum artist.

Aren’t they selling him though to the teen crowd? His first song is about a teenage crush, and the video was very much for the teen crowd IMO. He is also being played on Disney radio. Part of the look for the teen market seems to be bubbly, extremely perky people. David seems to fit that. But now they are going for the serious more grown up look? I guess I don’t get it. I think going for the teen market is a smart choice, but this album cover almost seems funny with the serious look on his face. It’s almost like he is thinking “Come here punk!” which is so unlike Archie.

David looks heavily sedated on that album cover. Likely the only way he can tolerate his manager. Or is that his co-manager. And seriously. Nobody co-manages. So it is his manager.

I think it’s “edgy” looking for Archie. Kind of looks like a mug shot – like he was picked up for underaged drinking and is nervously waiting at the police station for Dad to come bail him out.

My authority on Teen things says “he looks tired, like he needs to smile.”

As for the song “Crush”, it’s a song that fits him really well I think.

definately a step up from the cover of “Crush”!

I kind of feel the same way about David and Jordin’s album covers.

Archie and Joridn’s covers for their debut singles were embarassingly bad (Crush and Tattoo)

I like the design of both Archie and Jordin’s ALBUM covers but I just don’t think that the photos are that flattering, especially for two very, very good-looking people. i.e. jordin looks stunning in all of the photos in her album’s inside insert but the cover photo leaves a lot to be desired IMO.

I love both of them, I just think that Jive could have chosen better pictures (although I like the design of both covers)

Arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t they selling him though to the teen crowd? His first song is about a teenage crush, and the video was very much for the teen crowd IMO.

One of the things Jive have being pretty smart so far is understanding that mkt its really big and David can sell well in both… Disney has a big audience so by let him appear in the radio they reached to a large amount of people… In Radio Disney playlist right now are artist like Jesse McCartney, 3 doors down, all american rejects, Chris Brown, Daughtry, David Cook…

About Crush being a teenage song… I think it has a large appeal… you don ´t only fall in love when you are a teen is universal… I ´m 24 and have a crush,and it ´s not Archie LOL, I ´m sure even people in theirs 40 ´s, 50 ´s and 60 ´s have crushes…

Arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t they selling him though to the teen crowd? His first song is about a teenage crush, and the video was very much for the teen crowd IMO. He is also being played on Disney radio. Part of the look for the teen market seems to be bubbly, extremely perky people. David seems to fit that. But now they are going for the serious more grown up look? I guess I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get it. I think going for the teen market is a smart choice, but this album cover almost seems funny with the serious look on his face. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s almost like he is thinking à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Come here punk!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  which is so unlike Archie.

Jive has to walk the line between appealing to teens and not turning off older fans. Yeah, he’s being marketed to teens. It makes sense–he is a teen. But he is already hitting with an older audience as well (Crush is doing about as well on AC as it is on Top 40), primarily because his vocals are more mature-sounding than 99.99999%, oh, who am I kidding, 100% of what you find on Disney. Crush is a song about a teen crush, but it’s got a hooky pop melody that catches on with older people as well, and an R&B vibe in the verses that does well on AC and HAC. So the album cover shouldn’t be bubblegum-ish, because Jive isn’t marketing him to just one audience. They would be limiting themselves if they went in that direction.

Soundscene, I always like hearing what you have to say about things. You’re very insightful.

I like it….it’s different, unexpected.

In Radio Disney playlist right now are artist like Jesse McCartney, 3 doors down, all american rejects, Chris Brown, Daughtry, David Cookà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

And Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, leona Lewis… I really think 19 Entertainment and Disney have some kind of distribution deal.

The don’t really like the cover at all. It’s just not Archie to me. Who kidnapped the always smiling and happy Archie? I am a BIG fan of Archie and I know I am buying his album but I seriously think that there are WAY better pics of Archie. I haven’t seen one bad pic of him yet. (The untouched ones, lol.) I am in my 30′s so I am definitely not in the teenage category but I just don’t like how they are trying to make him look intense and in a way sad. Oh well, if it is the official album cover, I will be ok with it. His music will speak for itself. I didn’t like “Crush” that much at first and now it is growing on me after his live performance. They could of done away with the over produced sound on the single. Let Archie just sing, please and better pics inside and on the back of the cover. Archie is just beautiful without all the photochopping….LOL…Yeah we still have crushes even at our old age, LOL..

Arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t they selling him though to the teen crowd? His first song is about a teenage crush, and the video was very much for the teen crowd IMO. He is also being played on Disney radio. Part of the look for the teen market seems to be bubbly, extremely perky people. David seems to fit that. But now they are going for the serious more grown up look? I guess I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get it. I think going for the teen market is a smart choice, but this album cover almost seems funny with the serious look on his face. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s almost like he is thinking à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Come here punk!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  which is so unlike Archie.

mac, I have to say that I am with you 100% in your confusion. The song’s title “Crush” evokes young love and the video reinforces that by using teens and DA himself as the actors. Lots of artists don’t appear in their own videos and if the idea was for a “mass” appeal I think doing without DA would have done that better. Of course people have crushes at all ages but this song and video very clearly point to “teenage” love and the Album cover switches gears by trying to portray DA as much older and mature IMO

Excellent picture! Always smiling makes him appears younger and only appeals to kids. He need to look mature, which in this pic he does.

Thank you PJ!! I was thinking the same thing. There was just something about this picture that was bugging me and it hit me that the only thing missing is Archie holding up a string of numbers. And I will go a step further….it looks like a mug shot of a very stoned Archie.

Hey he’s a cute kid and I get the going for an older look but this one does nothing for me, except make me giggle and crave peanut butter and crackers….LOL

I am no teen girl so maybe it will work for them. Hell I don’t like Cook’s serial killer picture either. Damn…I’m picky

LOL, Bax, maybe “stoner” Jason corrupted him. I kid. I kid.

Yeah I like what Soundscene said too. You are so articulate. I am with PJ too on that it looks like a mug shot. Archie is supposed to be innocent and adorable. LOL, bring Pork Chop back. I am such a dork. They need to make Archie cute as hell to sell to the teens, if that is the direction that they are mainly going towards. What do I know? I just buy it for the music.

a very stoned Archie

Now there’s a mental image that will have me snickering for the rest of the night.

I agree with some of the comments that it could have been a slightly less stoned look, but if it’s between this and fake smile Crush cover pic, I’ll take this.

Thanks guys.

I don’t much like it at all. He’s so much better looking than that. Give me Kristy’s horse over that…

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t much like it at all. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s so much better looking than that. Give me Kristyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s horse over thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

Agree in that one, he can do so much better, he is very good looking, and I always picture the cover of him, playing the piano or something like that…

cruzceleste……..
“Agree in that one, he can do so much better, he is very goo looking, and I always picture the cover of him, playing the piano or something like thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦”

YES, that is what I wanted a pic of Archie on the piano, he can look all serious there and still look cute as hell…lol..:)

But even with all of your and my objections, this photo is an upgrade for Jive standard….
just compare his web right now

That one is just plain creepy…

To this, a guy in IDF made this one
This one is much better and cooler

I am not sure what the uproar is over. He looks mature and this is a good picture of him. On his first album he has the teen crowd covered. He needs to appeal to a more adult crowd. I think this CD cover totally works. He can’t be smiling all the time…

I think some of you guys are missing the point in choosing this pic. They obviously weren’t going for cute as much as they were going for hot. This pic will appeal to young adults which is the demo Archie needs the most help in. He already has a huge fanbase of teens etc who will buy the album already regardless of what the cover pic is.

is it just me or do his lips look pretty pink?
other than that, he is a cutie!

If this is real, then also, his album is self-titled. Jive is never too good with covers, this is good enough for them.

^^ I had read somewhere else that his album would be self-titled. Can’t remember where, but I always figured that it would be.

I’m not a tween or teen, but I actually love it. I agree with Soundscene, David’s music is being primarily marketed to teens and 20-somethings, but Jive clearly understands that David also has a lot of fans outside those demographics. I think this cover is mature looking enough to not embarrass the 30-, 40- and 50-something fans standing in the checkout line, yet also doesn’t alienate his younger targeted audience.

I’ve actually heard David say many times in various interviews that he understands the wide range of his audience and while he wants to record music that appeals to those close to his age, he is also very careful to choose music that people of all ages can relate to in some way. That’s why “Crush” appeals as well as it does with older fans–everyone can relate to crushing on someone else. I have a strong suspicion that most of the music we’ll hear on his album will be in that same vein. Perhaps the cover is a bit symbolic of David trying to walk that fine line connecting him to his fans both young and old.

Oh, and P.S., I don’t worry at all about David working with writers who’ve collaborated with Disney stars. I have a feeling that David will be the one who ultimately decides what direction his music will take and I don’t think being Disney-esque is appealing to him.

Let’s face it. Archie is 17, but looks sooo much younger (15?). Just based on some interviews I’ve read and heard, it really doesn’t sound like David wants to be labelled “Disney”. So I think this pic is a really good compromise. I think the red-tee is young and hip and his look is completely introspective. Like what Soundscene said,

If this cover doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seem like Archie, maybe ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s because we donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know all that Archie is.

Now that i’ve looked at it a little longer (if this is the real album cover), I think it really looks great. I love the color schemes and the font. But seriously, like someone else said, it’s all about the music anyways.

Also, I really think “Crush” isn’t just for the kids.

Oh, and P.S., I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t worry at all about David working with writers whoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve collaborated with Disney stars. I have a feeling that David will be the one who ultimately decides what direction his music will take and I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think being Disney-esque is appealing to him.

Agreed. Recall that interview where he discusses working with Rock Mafia and initially finding out that they worked with Miley Cyrus. His comment was basically, “but isn’t she Disney…” or something to that effect, clearly not wanting that for his album. Then he discovered that Rock Mafia have been around for years and worked with tons of different artists, and what they had for him wasn’t Disney at all.

I love it. I understand wanting the smiley Archie but honestly, I’ve noticed lately that a lot of guys are into him (I didn’t think that would happen) and this picture doesn’t look like it is just for girls and Mom’s. He just CAN’T go that “adorable” route.

I also agree with soundscene!

I agree they’re going for an older look to appeal to non-teens. Very smart. Archie is a pretty serious guy underneath the dorkiness. I think the album cover kind of showcases that. It makes me hope they’ll be stronger songs than Crush on the album.

I’ve read in so many places that David will never appeal to anyone but tweens because he is not “edgy” enough and there is lots of hand wringing about that. This cover is perfect for wide appeal. It is David being edgy, but still gorgeous. A guy would not have to be embarrased to pick up this CD, but would probably not want to pick up a CD if David was his usual smiley, dreamy-eyed self. And girls love the brooding look. He really is a great looking guy (I may have to adjust my vocabulary since I am used to saying great looking kid). I am just a year of so past my teen years and I find this photo very appealing (not in that way guys). If this is the real cover, I think it’s a winner.

I agree theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re going for an older look to appeal to non-teens. Very smart. Archie is a pretty serious guy underneath the dorkiness. I think the album cover kind of showcases that. It makes me hope theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be stronger songs than Crush on the album.

I’m sure there will be. David’s dad has told fans that there is quite a variety of different sounds on the album as well as a couple of ballads. Personally I can’t wait to hear the songs David has written. I agree that most people only know David from the poor way in which he was presented on AI but hopefully his songs will be able to show that he’s a lot smarter and more mature than people are willing to give him credit for.

Just one more comment to add on the album cover–I wonder if the reason people are having an adverse reaction to the photo is because it’s just a tad bit too shocking to them, i.e. they’re just not used to seeing anything other than the ever-smiling, constantly giggling David.

“I agree theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re going for an older look to appeal to non-teens. Very smart. Archie is a pretty serious guy underneath the dorkiness. I think the album cover kind of showcases that. It makes me hope theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be stronger songs than Crush on the album.”

Amen. This is exactly what I wanna say.

“Just one more comment to add on the album coverà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’I wonder if the reason people are having an adverse reaction to the photo is because ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s just a tad bit too shocking to them, i.e. theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re just not used to seeing anything other than the ever-smiling, constantly giggling David.”

I concurr with the above opinion…………and isnt he turning 18 in December?

It looks like a mug shot.

No–The cover of Chris Sligh’s CD–THAT looks like a mug shot.

It’s growing on me. It’s a super good looking picture (although I wonder if his body was bulked up a little, the way Jennifer Hudson’s was slimmed down on her CD cover). It’s definitely a more mature image than I think he is. Maybe the label thinks his sound will be more mature than the kid he is. Or maybe they’re thinking of the long haul and they don’t want the first CD to have a picture of a child on it when the 4th CD has a grown-up man on its cover.

It IS better than the single picture. I would have prefered him playing the piano, but I do love the eyes looking at you. I think serious is fine. Whoever said David is serious is right. He is VERY serious. Many people have seen the nervous giggle too many times and judge him as silly. I just wish it wasn’t quite as “dark”, but I am ok with it, if it helps to sell to a more diverse audience. It is the music I am looking foward to, and fans can find thousands of adorable pictures to look at if they are wanting their archufix.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve read in so many places that David will never appeal to anyone but tweens because he is not à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“edgyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  enough and there is lots of hand wringing about that. This cover is perfect for wide appeal. It is David being edgy, but still gorgeous.

After watching him on Idol, tour, appearances, there is no way David is “edgy” IMO. He has a long way to go (if ever) to become “edgy”. An album cover alone is not going to accomplish that.

Love it! Serious, edgy. Okay–edgy for Archie. :wink_wp:

Yeah–I’m with the crowd. He’s not edgy. Maybe edgier . . . like a cotton-covered pillow is edgier than a velvet-covered pillow.

I agree theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re going for an older look to appeal to non-teens. Very smart. Archie is a pretty serious guy underneath the dorkiness. I think the album cover kind of showcases that. It makes me hope theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be stronger songs than Crush on the album.

David has plenty of non-teen fans who love his inner dork. He needs to expand beyond the AI fanbase. Will this help? I don’t know. It’s a helluva lot better than Blake’s CD cover though.

Noà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’The cover of Chris Slighà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s CDà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’THAT looks like a mug shot.

I was actually referring to photography. The line running down the side and his name where the numbers would be, plus the “tude.” I’m sure that’s what they’re going for…

Making him do a mug shot is a bit of a risk. It’s just not him and peeps see through that. Not quite as bad as Kat’s cover… oops… wait. It was the music that wasn’t her, not the cover.

Anyhoo, best of luck to Archie!

When you really analyze it, I think it’s brilliant. The young kids will buy it no matter what, but older fans and guys who may only have heard of David or seen him briefly on AI will see the cover and get an entirely different impression of him than if it were the dorky teen look. They would be more apt to pick it up and listen. Cuz he looks serious. He’s a teen, but he’s got his serious side.

I’m sorry but I just see an extremely tired young man here. I see nothing edgy in this picture at all. I honestly see, “I’m so tired, just leave me alone.” The picture scares me if it’s his album cover.

I wonder if the lines going up and down from the I and the T were meant to mean “IT”?

It looks like they plopped Archie’s head on Cook’s shoulders and then told Archie to think about quadratic equations or something. I also think that album covers are no big deal. I would never buy or not buy something based on the cover. (But yes, Blake’s CD is the exception. I could not have picked that CD up and taken it to a cash register in a store without feeling a bit embarrassed). So yay, it’s not purple and swirly!

So, is the title officially “David Archuleta” ?

I wonder if the lines going up and down from the I and the T were meant to mean à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“ITà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ?

No doubt it’s meant to convey many meanings. Pesky marketers.

First impression – looks a little Addams Family … but I guess that’s an improvement over the Brady Bunch.

I thin its just the way the image is cropped that makes his shoulders look wider and the fact there is a shirt on under the red one.

heres a pic of him in just the red shirt(same one)

I have to go with the “nay” vote….I don’t like this cover pic at all. He looks tired and/or sad. Maybe it would be more edgy with his hair longer and spikey. The red shirt makes him look pale….and his lips look swollen (maybe too much chapstick LOL ). I’ve seen many pics of Archie that were mature and serious without making him look sickly.

Oh well…I guess it’s the music inside that really matters.

cheese…yes, that is the official album title.

Davidx2- His lips are very full- something many of his fans love about him.

Why did they select a picture where he looks like a zombie?

He does look a bit tired, or sad…..maybe that’s the shock because almost every picture we see of him he’s smiling…..this does make him seem his age. I sorta like it because his eyes are riveting.

Actually I hear he got very little sleep before the photoshoot, this was still during tour. And yes.. his lips are full lol You dont notice it as much when he’s smiling.. but they are.

So what I am hearing everyone saying is:

He looks like an edgy drugged out Adams family like zombie with full lips taking a mug shot? Did I miss anything?

He looks like an edgy drugged out Adams family like zombie with full lips taking a mug shot? Did I miss anything?

he looks hot (and mature).

I think that sums it up mac…. lol lol

I personally like it.. but hey, who am I to say. lol

OK davidaforlife. Revised it!

He looks like a “hot” and edgy drugged out Adams family like zombie with full lips taking a mug shot! :laugh_tb:

Oh, mac, you’re hilarious! Here I am, just back from my lunch break, all sleepy. Now, I’m wide awake! Thanks for that! : )

I like Archie’s shirt. I like the simplicity of design of the CD cover. I wish they had chosen a different picture. Archie looks a little sad, a little angry and a bit tired. I guess I was hoping to see one of his million dollar smiles.

I like the picture frogcooke posted of Archie in the red shirt better.

So what I am hearing everyone saying is:

He looks like an edgy drugged out Adams family like zombie with full lips taking a mug shot? Did I miss anything?

I’m gonna add one: a non-green version of “The Incredible Hulk”. It does look like they are trying to make him look “tough”. Odd.

hmmmmmm, not liking this cover at all. As a retoucher, it just jumps out at me as a terrible, terrible retouching job. But maybe, whoever did it wanted it to pop for the wrong reasons. The highlights are seriously overblown, the lips are saturated to be pink, the shadows are overaccentuated, overstretched and in some of the wrong places. The background looks like they plopped him in front of a grainy door. The dark shadows around his eyes should not be like that and his eyes appear to have no life in them. As someone who takes pics, I would never put a dark haired person up against a dark background like that. The hair receeds into the “door.” There are so many things competing in this picture that it pulls your eyes all over the place and doesn’t let your eye connect to his eyes. The overblown hightlights and shadows that are in the incorrect place pull your eye to his pink lips. Your eyes should be pulled to his eyes but they appear lifeless here. This is a cute young man and I don’t care if they were going for edgy-they missed it big time. This looks like they were going for more mature and serious but I just don’t like it at all. The lines radiating from his name make it even worse and pulls your eyes further from the focal point of a portrait which is the eyes that are called the windows of the soul. The initial image was probably nice but whoever did the finishing work just blew it. They didn’t do justice to him at all.
Saw a picture of David Cook today too that was seriously awful. These two are too good looking for this kind of image manipulation.
Of course, this is my opinion and I tend to “see” pictures a little differently than most people. If someone else put the highlights, shadows, etc in the correct places, everyone would immediately notice the difference and say ah, that is what is “weird” about it. But honestly, sometimes what is off works for some. I think I’m more traditional at most times. Shadows where they don’t belong bother me!

LOL you guys are knit-picking……..Im not buying the album for the cover but for the contents! As soon as I buy it Im going to burn the contents in my ipod anyway…………….oh well……………

I buy album because of cover, that’s why I have a lot of 4AD albums. When I was in high school, I picked album purely based on the cover. It’s an easy and quick way to tell the genre and artistry of an album. I think that’s a thing for alt. For pop, it doesn’t matter much. But to say this is to appeal to more mature audience, they should do something with his temporary site first.

Uggg eli… dont get me started on his site… LOL Thats a whole other rant right there. lol

“they should do something with his temporary site first.”

I totally agree. They should change that site right away.

Oh yeah, the temporary website. Ugh. I don’t go there. Somebody will have to inform me when it’s changed because I just can’t look at it. I will be overjoyed-ecstatic-thrilled if his actual website used the theme and colors and photos from the above photoshoot.

holy photoshop batman!

I’m not digging the cover either. And, no, there is nothing edgy about it. There is something about it that is just….off, I guess. Can’t quite put my finger on it. Almost like, the Addams Family (as someone mentioned above) but as a Disney remake?

He looks like Eddie Munster. Never noticed that before.

I think it’s the first runner up album in three years that won’t discourage sales. Remember “open crotch” and “purple whatever.” As an adult, I won’t be ashamed to buy this album in a store Anything pastel might have stopped me. I’m enjoying the album snark though, very funny.

Ehhhh…why is Archie trying to look all hard ‘n’ stuff?

I guess I didn’t expect him to grow up in four months….

Does anybody remember the comic strip Dondi?

I don’t know why, but looking at that picture, Dondi just popped into my head. LOL.

Does anybody remember the comic strip Dondi?

:laugh_tb:

For the longest time, I thought he looked like a Monchichi, but he’s outgrowing that baby face.

I think it’s awesome he’s not wearing one of those hideous jackets they always seem to put him into. They remind me of Michael Jackson’s Thriller and that was SO 1980! I’m hoping they continue to move on and he continues to wear the t-shirts and leaves the collared buckle snap jackets behind.

Does anybody remember the comic strip Dondi?

LMAO, MJ! Y’all are killin me with these comments. I am cracking up here. :lol_tb:

Seriously – love the cover photo. I love smiling Archie, but really – he can’t be smiling ALL the time. I think the pic looks much more like I would expect a typical 17-year-old to look; a bit more introspective and angst-ridden than the giggly kid we saw on the show. Sounscene said it best – we haven’t seen all of who Archie is, and I think that’s exactly what jive was goin for. For the record, I will happily buy both Davids’ CDs regardless of what the covers look like – can’t wait.

He looks like an edgy drugged out Adams family like zombie with full lips taking a mug shot? Did I miss anything?

…with broad shoulders. And they are broad in proportion to his body. As are his lips full.

I think everyone’s being a tad too critical.

I think he’s supposed to look “sexy” but it’s David Archuleta. I’m sure girls his age are digging it!

I think heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s supposed to look à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“sexyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  but ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s David Archuleta. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure girls his age are digging it!

LOL! Actually, a good number of them are not. They want a cute, smiley David photo. But, as I’ve already mentioned, I don’t think the tween/teen girls are whom Jive is trying to attract with this cover as Jive already knows they’ll buy the album anyway.

:blink_tb: :question_wp: :eek_wp: :longface_ee: :hmm1_ee: :confused_wp:

I understand them wanting to sex him up a bit or take a serious shot but WTH is THAT lmao?? Looks nothing like the kid. Archie actually has a really handsome, pretty face and from what I’ve seen, rarely takes a bad shot. This photo is IMO, one of his worst shots ever and yet they use it as the cover. I’m positive his lips weren’t that wobbly (for lack of a better term) or his nose that dominant. Where did his fierce jawline disappear to? His face looks like a ball and his eyes looked stoned. (I’m trying to be super nice here). This does not do the boy’s beauty justice. Seriously, WTH were they thinking lmao?

ROTFDL @ Zeppelin! OMG that was the funniest critique I’ve ever disagreed with!

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m positive his lips werenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t that wobbly

This. Killed me!

I do agree that he has had better pictures but see, if I say that I don’t like it then he’s going to jump out of the picture and beat the h*ll out of me!

Looks at album cover again. No pastels, unicorns, etc. I still like it. (shrug).

Looks at album cover again. No pastels, unicorns, etc. I still like it. (shrug).

LOL Charlie the Cookies mascot unicorn in Archie album debut…lol

zeppelin
I totally agree with you. The nose jumps out at me but that is because they removed the natural shadows from around it. Why they made his eyes have those dark circles is beyond me. They blew out the highlights on his cheek area but shadowed his eyes and blew out the shadows the nose should have. He’s a cute kid but this pic is overworked in the wrong way. They sapped the life from his eyes and made his lips look “wobbly” and too pink. Wish they would have done something different than this. I would love to see the raw picture.

If the worst thing about David we can find to snark about is the style/styling of this album cover – I’m cool with that! :happy_tb: … for an artist, a little of the “expect the unexpected” is quite intriguing… I think Jive has accomplished their mission with this cover – catch our attention… David does have that knack of generating a lot of analysis, conversation and dialogue doesn’t he? Anyhoo… most of us have been aware of him, and his many facets of physical beauty from the beginning… it’s those who have not seen or been exposed to him as we have that Jive is counting on to be “hypnotized and mesmorized” by the image enough to snap it up… the substance of what should be inside that album cover I’m sure will negate all concerns about the cover’s “style”… :cool1_tb:

I read all comments here. I agree with most of comments. My conclusion is not about the cover itself, cuz still we don’t know if it’s a final cover. As ggdoorsfan said, Jive did a great job to “catch our attention”. All his fansites are burning now. haha…I guess that’s what they want. I hope we’re gonna have a better cover when the album comes out, cuz David Archuleta is one of the most good looking guys.

http://thumbsnap.com/v/MR5Kwd99.jpg

Just an attempt to see if a difference will show with the picture.
I removed some of the darkness around his eyes, pulled some of the pinkness from his lips, replaced that grainy background that looked like paneling to me, reduced the shadow under his chin and smoothed it out a smidge, and a few odds and ends here and there. One thing that is really a small difference but makes an impression is to de-emphasize the darkness of his nostrils. You never want the nostrils to draw attention. Most images don’t emphasize them but when the head is tilted at a certain angle, it can happen. I am really a dope when it comes to pictures because I always want them to look the best they can. Whoever did the finishing on this image didn’t do it justice. It is small stuff but noticeable. At least to a dork like me. A first cover should be a gem, not an almost gem. There is only so much I can tweak with a low res image but it was fun to try.

I agree with everything soundscene said. I really like the album cover and I don’t see sadness and tiredness but determination and a bit of a healthy attitude, kinda like him saying “Watch out, I am not who you think I am. Take me seriously.” – I really love it.

Weelassie, while I do like the retouches you did, I can also see why Jive did the album cover the way they did – it looks a lot grundgier (is that a word? LOL) and more interesting (as in discussion-sparking) than the classic look of your retouch. Nice job though!

Robbie and Matthew are working on the songs with Producer/Writer Mike K who has known David and his father since David was 12 years old. Mike produced some of Davidà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s early demos which led Jeff Archuleta to reach out to Mike to again bring Mike K into the production/songwriting process for Davidà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s new cd on Jive Records. Mike K then reached out to Robbie and Matthew and invited them to come in and co-produce the songs with him. Rumor has it that Mike K will have another song on Davidà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s album co-wriiten with hit writer Steve Diamond and David himself!! You can read more about Mike K at http://www.myspace.com/mikek

who is this mike k guy? is he producing davids album? wonder why we havent heard anything about who is producing it?

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