David Archuleta works with Rock Mafia Records

à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“They want a Miley touch to the album.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

I hope they’re referring to Miley’s impact and superstar status and that’s it. At least if Archie reaches such a pinnacle, I’ll understand why he’s so huge. I have no idea why that girl’s as big as she is.

I have no idea why that girlà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s as big as she is.

Yeah, I think you need to be under 15 to get it. LOL. But still, she did have some catchy songs. Since Archie can actually sing, what is pop fluff in the hands of Miley may actually be good pop in the hands of Archie. You know? Kinda like Kelly Clarkson. I’m sure Ashlee Simpson would have had a hit with “Since You Been Gone” too, but it would have sounded much more disposable.

I am 15 and I still don’t understand why Miley is such a frickin big deal. I really hope Archie doesn’t do the teeny-boppper music scene.

I am with allll of you on the why is Miley as big as she is!!!! My beautiful 5 and 10 year old daughters just adore Hanna Montana and I suffer thru that show and every Miley thing they can find. Except for a glance at that gorgeous father of hers who cant act his way out of bag either, I just gotta do it but I dont get it?. I sure hope it is referring to her popularity and not the type of music she sings, for Archies sake. The boy has been growing on me.

I think Davidà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s new, insanely catchy single, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Crushà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is going to going to take care of the labelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s need for a radio hit, just fine.

This is why I was sort of scratching my head over the article – how could you top “Crush” in the manufactured-for-radio-teen-pop department? What would they do differently? Synthesize the voice even more? Use no actual instruments at all? Hmm.

Miley’s TV show is kind of cute and inoffensive. The singing? not so much. At least she writes her own crappy songs, I guess.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Davids release their CDs on the same day by chance, only because I’m sure both labels want them out before Thanksgiving, and probably don’t want an Election Day release. That sort of leaves 11/11, 11/18 and 11/25. I suppose an October release could happen if they pull a KLC. It looks like Kelly Clarkson’s CD is set for an 11/18 release, too. I don’t know if that would impact RCA’s release date for DC’s album? I thought it was interesting that the press release from yesterday simply said “Fall,” rather than November.

If they really do end up releasing the records on the same day, I guess their thinking must be that fans will scoop up both CD’s while they are out in the record store or on-line at iTunes. They have obviously studied buyer’s habits, so I don’t think they view the same release date as negative, or cancelling out each other.

Or maybe they’re trying for a Kanye vs 50 Cent promotional stunt? Keep the competition aspect going until they run it totally into the ground. Yep, they’d do that. ;-}

Good for Archie, I guess. It seems like a waste of a great voice. And he seemed so focused on inspirational and message songs on AI; I thought that was what he really wanted to do – ‘save the world with a song’, you know?
And absolutely anyone could sing ‘Miley’ songs; of course, it’s her stage presence and insane peppiness that make the kids love her, not her (mediocre, IMO) voice.
We’ll see if singing similar poppy songs will translate for Archie into a ‘Miley’ career.

Or maybe theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re trying for a Kanye vs 50 Cent promotional stunt? Keep the competition aspect going until they run it totally into the ground. Yep, theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d do that. ;-}

While I too am doubtful it will happen this way – I’d actually venture to guess that they’d both sell more this way. The people who just adore the idols and want to support them would buy both. A crazed Archie fan who sees Cook’s cd right next to his? Will buy 10 Archie cd’s. Then, along will come a Cooktard to buy 10 Cookie cd’s. Meanwhile, the super over-invested fans are alternately hiding Archie & Cookie cd’s behind the Gregorian Chants. And, lets not forget all of those soldiers in Iraq who are just dying for an American Idol cd. I smell dueling “Operation Home”(s). :lol_tb:

Archie has been saying that he knows he has to cater to his younger audience, so while he may prefer message music, he can’t have an entire cd full of it.

He also needs to keep his older fans pleased, so there will be a make your mama weep ballad or two on there I am betting. I also hope that they are reading the feedback on Crush and seeing that although his fans like it, they want more of David’s voice front and center, it would have been an even better attempt if that had been done.

Not worried about them Miley’ing him, and after how he’s taken to the stage I would take his aw shucks charm over Miley’s I ate too much sugar peppiness. I watch the show in passing on occasion because as a Mom of an 11 year old girl, (who hates when her mommy says Mileys cute, but can’t sing) it’s in the how to be a good mom contract.

As for simultaneous release dates, don’t think it’s gonna happen. Not that it would be horribe for either if it did, but it just seems to be something dropped to get us talking, as if we haven’t been doing that for months now.

Ha Abbysee – I had to sign that contract too and it is extremely legal and completely binding isnt it?

I think if you look at it in the perspective of taking all the Miley fluff out of the article, he’s basicaly working with a producer that has several hits. Besides, the boy can sing. I think just throwing around the word Miley in the same article is what might scare a few people. But the producers have worked with other people too.

here is a post by someone else over at idf, and I just wanna bring it here. I think it has a very good point.

“I do have to give it to Jeff and David. They are being very smart. They get it. There is no doubt that they love and appreciate all the idol fans. But the simple fact is that we are not enough. Like Simon said finale night – It’s easy to get caught up in the moment. It’s easy to see what an amazing voice and person David is. So it’s easy to think that it’s a given that David can make it in the music industry and be around for a long time.

Jeff and David get it and that gives me tons of confidence.”

He has to EVOLVE. I think thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s what he wants to do. He ready to grow.

I don’t consider it growing and evolving when you resort back to what every other artist is doing today to become popular and sell “units”. Obviously David picked the songs he did on Idol (inspirational ballads) because he said that is what he liked to do. The songs that are released on Top 40 today are mostly all written by other song writers. Then they just pick a voice to sing it. It is all formulaic. No artist creativity. So if Jeff and David want to resort to this in order to “sell units”, then I guess they do “get it”.

I don’t really believe that Archie (or his Dad) has much say at what goes into the album. Jive is making all those decisions I’m sure. If you don’t move units the TPTB don’t even wait a year to drop you so I can’t blame Archie and company for going the safe route. Hopefully, at least a few of the songs will be okay.

I haven’t heard one Idol first album that I would say wasn’t formulaic (at least in part) and the ones that went for “artistic creativity” (I won’t name names) were pretty big flops and quickly were dropped from their label.

So David doing this will get himself a bigger audience than the Idol one and he will get out there, get all kinds of exposure and then when that is all set up he will be able to pick and choose whatever he wants to. They all have to play the game sometimes to get ahead but all the Archie lovers know what made them happy, what they loved and I bet they will stick around and wait for that type of album to be put out after he does what he has to do for now. Right? Maybe?

John Mayer and Jason M, etc arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t going to work for Archie without some life experiences, growth, and time for songwriting. That type of music is going to be insanely impressive in a couple of years

If what he puts out is like what has come from them, I can’t see them wanting to ever work with him. I don’t know that a “Miley touch” is good for his long-term career moving in that direction.

.

I’m sure the album will have some of those ballads that Archie did on Idol. All the idols who value total artistic integrity are free to go the indie route. They may not move the units but they’ll be evolving. Or they could have just skipped the Idol competition and worked at their music the way regular artists do.

Taking away the Miley part, he is working with hit producers. I don’t see anything to worry about. It seems Jive is trying to get as many potential hits as possible in his records, which is fine with me.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really believe that Archie (or his Dad) has much say at what goes into the album. Jive is making all those decisions Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure. If you donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t move units the TPTB donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t even wait a year to drop you

Yeah, what jpfan said. Especially for an AI runner up. The standard procedure so far has been to record a rushed album, put out a quick single and abandon ship if that single fails to pick up. To the label all Idol winners are a potential quick buck until proven otherwise. So, I kinda see why Jeff and co. would put a priority on commercial singles.

Besides, I would like to reiterate my earlier point. Catchy songs do not have to be disposable, it depends on the presentation. Has anyone heard the 50 trillion different covers of Rhiana’s Umbrella? I never really thought of that as a song until I heard other people’s interpretations, that’s when I realized how well crafted it was. David can record the same type of songs Miley would have done but they can sound completely different depending on how he does them.

I think if you look at it in the perspective of taking all the Miley fluff out of the article, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s basicaly working with a producer that has several hits. Besides, the boy can sing. I think just throwing around the word Miley in the same article is what might scare a few people. But the producers have worked with other people too.

Exactly. People see the name “Miley” (because that article is all full of spin) and they start thinking he’s going down the manufactured Disney route. Rock Mafia does not equal Disney. They’ve been around for a long, long time, making hit music. They weren’t spawned by the thrusting of Miley Cyrus on stage.

What we’re seeing here is the “radio friendly” side of David’s record, which he has said over and over would be a part of the album. Fact is that if he doesn’t “sell units” he’s not making another album with Jive. Thus far we know the sound of 1 (maybe 2) of the songs on his album–”Crush” and the re-make of JC Chasez’s never-quite-released-as-a-single “Ruined Me” (which may not make the album at all, but is listed on ASCAP for David). Rock Mafia are known for catchy, sometimes edgier-sounding, pop-rock songs. If he’s recording 2 of them, and they get tracked, that accounts for 3, maybe 4 of the songs on the album. With 12 songs generally on an album that leaves room for a lot of other types of songs.

This is his first record. He’s never had any type of album before now–no album made in his garage, no indie effort, nothing. He’s starting from scratch, which means he probably doesn’t yet know exactly who he is as an artist. And he has to dispel the idea that all he is, is a crooner of message ballads. This album is all about getting him out to a larger audience and putting his name in the hat of artists that can hit with the general public.

I have every confidence that this first album will include more meaningful, complicated material as well as these radio friendly songs (which aren’t throwaways–there’s a reason people like them, and they catch on with an audience). But because he’s so new to this, I suspect that we will get a better understanding of who he is as an artist when his second album comes out (as happens with most brand new artists). He just has to get the opportunity to make that second album.

If what he puts out is like what has come from them, I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t see them wanting to ever work with him. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know that a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Miley touchà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is good for his long-term career moving in that direction.

This assumes that what Rock Mafia does with him is bad, though. I don’t think we can make that assessment without hearing the songs as David sings them. Besides, the article could have easily said the “Mariah” touch, since Rock Mafia worked with her too. David is 17, so they mentioned Miley.

Plus, I think Justin Timberlake has done just fine for himself after putting out some of the most radio friendly, non-complicated music to hit radio waves with NSync.

We can’t forget that this is David singing these songs. His musicality far surpasses the pop stars for the tween set. He’ll be singing these songs, not Miley.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really believe that Archie (or his Dad) has much say at what goes into the album. Jive is making all those decisions Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure. If you donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t move units the TPTB donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t even wait a year to drop you

He apparently has a lot more say in what goes on his album than what we would expect. He’s rejected songs; and they’ve listened to many. That’s not to say that Jive doesn’t have a huge say in what ultimately winds up on the album, but they aren’t forcing songs on him that don’t fit. But yeah, Jive knows what works, so I assume that they are probably listening to their advice on what sells.

Yup, we will just have to wait and see but it does scare me a bit…

He apparently has a lot more say in what goes on his album than what we would expect. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s rejected songs; and theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve listened to many. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not to say that Jive doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have a huge say in what ultimately winds up on the album, but they arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t forcing songs on him that donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t fit.

One thing about 19E though, this seems to be the case with almost all the Idol records. I believe the label has ultimate say about what ends up on the album (as well as its overall direction), but most of the Idols have indicated they were given a lot of leeway when choosing songs. Except when Clive decides something is a “hit” that is.

He just has to get the opportunity to make that second album.

Totally agree, soundscene. As I’ve said before, they’re playing the game exactly as they should. They really don’t have much choice at this point. Archie will no-doubt want to put some meatier stuff out there in the future, but he has to still be IN the game in order to do so. He has said as much himself; he’s 17 and now’s the time to appeal to the younger crowd.

Not worried about the “Miley” thing, either. Working with big-name producers is not a bad thing. He is very aware of what he’s doing, this kid; we should not be fooled by his somewhat aloof personality (which I find absolutely adorable and endearing, by the way :smile_wp:). He said something in an interview just the other day, I believe, about the fast-approaching album release date and the fact that he has a tendency to be “too picky” sometimes. That indicates to me that he’s very much involved with what’s going to be on this album. Hope that’s the case.

What I want to know is what is David supposed to sing? A cover cd of his idol songs? Josh Groban’s outtakes? Certainly he can’t have anything ready he’s written on his own the caliber or John Mayer or Colbie Callait (sp). It’s like he’s gone from being totally irrelevant in the pop music scene to being above it?

I think he/Jive is doing exactly what he needs to do. He has to do infectious pop. Like I have been saying all along, he will have the ballads his older fans want showcasing that VOICE, but young girls care about songs like Crush (there’s an adorable video of them singing it to him during an autograph signing the other day), and those teen idol photographs that have been circulating on his fansites today. They are the demographic that Jive/19 is seeking. Looks like they will get it too. A little Miley association isn’t bad at all.

Yep, what abbysee said.
Awwwww, I’d love to see the vid of them singing Crush to him. How cute is that? Bet he was all kinds of blushing. :redface_wp:

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really believe that Archie (or his Dad) has much say at what goes into the album. Jive is making all those decisions Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure.

I’d have to agree here. While it’s smart for them not to force songs on David that he’s not comfortable singing, I don’t believe for a second he has total influence over what goes on his cd. And, I’d guess that his stage-daddy has no influence whatsoever. I doubt producers and record industry executives are going to be taking orders from a guy with no industry credentials at all.

Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d have to agree here. While ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s smart for them not to force songs on David that heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not comfortable singing, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t believe for a second he has total influence over what goes on his cd. And, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d guess that his stage-daddy has no influence whatsoever. I doubt producers and record industry executives are going to be taking orders from a guy with no industry credentials at all.

I haven’t heard anything about David’s dad giving orders to anybody, much less the people at Jive. He’s involved because no parent would send their 17-year-old son into meetings and song selection sessions with industry professionals all alone, especially when their son has never done this before. And while his father may not have industry credentials, he is a jazz musician. So, at the very least, he knows music. Song selection is the current topic, so it seems very reasonable that his father would give him advice about songs.

I think with all the hoopla during the season about his father (which was unfair, at the very least because he was under contract not to talk to the press), any mention of him being involved in the album process is met with side glances and wary looks. Take away what TMZ started, and you’ll have a very normal situation for an underage signed musician–a parent involved in the process. Heck, Jordin’s deal with Jive took forever because her father was so involved, yet I don’t recall people scoffing at it. If David’s dad was trying to control David’s dealings with Jive, I don’t think David would have signed his deal the night of the finale. I think it’s pretty obvious, actually, that they’re being very smart and realistic about Jive’s major role in all this.

With all early indications looking like “Crush” will be a huge success, I’m not worried about a thing. If he does work with these guys it will be great, but it could also just be another unsubstantiated rumor. (Didn’t E online also run with the unsubstantiated ‘bad dad’ rumor?) Yeah.

And “Miley” is just a buzz-word these days because she’s HUGELY popular for some inexplicable reason. In fact, I’ve seen some younger fans already freaking out because all they read was “David Archuleta wants Miley!”

David’s talent and depth will shine through even the shallowest of tween pop songs. IMO. :smiley2_tb:

Just doing a drive by.. I saw this on Twop

Alright, for his first week on the air (and for the single not officially being released), he’s still made the list for Radio & Records CHR/Top 40 Most Added (Songs registering six or more plays at the most stations for the first time this week). And guys, his song was distributed on a Friday, not on a Tuesday, which means he didn’t even have a full week for adds.

ETA http://www.radioandrecords.com/Formats/Charts/CHR_Top40_Chart.asp

Just doing a drive by.. I saw this on Twop

Alright, for his first week on the air (and for the single not officially being released), heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s still made the list for Radio & Records CHR/Top 40 Most Added (Songs registering six or more plays at the most stations for the first time this week). And guys, his song was distributed on a Friday, not on a Tuesday, which means he didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t even have a full week for adds.

ETA link :http://www.radioandrecords.com/Formats/Charts/CHR_Top40_Chart.asp

LOL. TWOP quoted me from IDF. Funny. Really great, though–I’m glad “Crush” seems to be catching on pretty quick. Time will tell if other stations follow the leaders.

Oh that’s funny! It’s great info and I enjoy seeing what is happening with their songs at first. I’m glad you posted it so that it could get posted then posted again. LOL

Heck, Jordinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s deal with Jive took forever because her father was so involved, yet I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t recall people scoffing at it.

I’m not fond of stage parents, no matter whose stage parents they may be. So yes, I scoff at that too.

I agree that when dealing with a minor, it is incredibly important to have a parent in the room for all meetings. I just think that parent should be there, ya know, parenting – not necessarily trying to make business decisions in a business they don’t have much experience with.

And while his father may not have industry credentials, he is a jazz musician. So, at the very least, he knows music.

My dad is a jazz musician as well (for real, I’m not being facetious at all). In fact, way back in the day, my dad and all of his brothers were a jazz band. And, before that, my grandfather and his brothers were a jazz band. (I, having no musical talent whatsoever, am the black sheep of the family).

So, from my own personal experience (which is not an accurate scientific sampling at all), I can tell you that most jazz musicians are obscure for a reason. They hear music in a completely different way. A lot of them are completely out of touch with what’s on popular radio, and they wouldn’t like it so much if they actually heard it anyway. I’m not saying that Daddy Archie is that way at all. I’m just saying that having a dad who’s a jazz musician is not an automatic plus to the quality of David’s cd.

All of the “jeff & david” stuff just rubs me the wrong way. It’s David’s career – not his dad’s. And, the people from Jive advising David right now are better equipped to handle his career. I don’t think they need Jeff’s opinion, and they probably aren’t listening to it. That’s all I’m saying.

All of the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“jeff & davidà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  stuff just rubs me the wrong way. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Davidà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s career – not his dadà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s. And, the people from Jive advising David right now are better equipped to handle his career. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think they need Jeffà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s opinion, and they probably arenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t listening to it. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s all Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m saying.

I usually refer only to David and Jive when talking about the decision-making process, but I do see people lumping David and his dad together. I think it’s habit, more than anything, and not an indication as to David’s or his dad’s respective involvement in deciding what winds up on the album. I get a very strong feeling that Jeff’s advice is given to David, not to Jive.

i’m glad david is working with top producers but just worried about the ‘miley touch’ thing. i just can’t picture archie be-bopping to a miley-type of dance track (that’s what miley music is to me). it just doesn’t seem like a natural fit for him (from what i know if him during AI). i’ve said it before i hope jive & his dad are doing what best for him now and for his future. archie really does have a great voice. i wish him luck.

and i really hope they don’t release the davids albums the same day. just say no to fanwars.

Lucyfan, for you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkYeEaQOegk

Simply adorable.

A FEW POINTS…

I wouldnt mind a simultaneous release of the Davids’ albums…..heck Ill buy both…..just release em soon!

“Not worried about them Mileyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ing him”…I kinda like this new phrase…

Reading all these comments make working for a big recording company very interesting…the ins and outs of marketing, discovering talents, investing on artists…………i think its time to prepare a Resume….

I took the “Miley” thing with a grain of salt today and this interview with JC cements my thinking. Ruined Me isn’t exactly sweet.

http://www.livevideo.com/video/ABDC/168C2B3BCD7547469BD4D8370980BFFC/would-you-let-jc-operate-on-yo.aspx

abbysee, that video was so fun! I love David’s laugh!

I think Archie working with Rock Mafia is a step in the right direction. The fact that they co-wrote and co-produced with Miley doesn’t necessarily mean that her album is the sole representation of the work they can do. The way I see it, they probably made Miley better, and if Archie works with them, they can only make him better.

Archie wasn’t my favorite on the show, and throughout the competition, I couldn’t see how any label could market him. He had an affinity for dreary inspirational ballads, for heaven’s sakes! But with the premiere of his single and several cute interviews, I’ve slowly come to see his appeal. (My twenty-two year old sister has always loved him…LOL). With radio-friendly songs like “Crush” I think he totally appeals to the tween/teen market.

I’m in my late teens so I’m embarrassingly older than Disney’s target audience, but I see Miley’s appeal. Wanting a “Miley touch” to the album hopefully means catchy, age-appropriate songs that tweens will see to #1 on iTunes.

Have you noticed how the Jonas Brothers’ last 4 singles went straight to #1? The buying power of the tween/teen block is pretty skeery.

Thank you, abbysee! That was a treat. Adorable, indeed!