Review
Seven years into its run and American Idol has finally produced a winner who can hold his own and work with his own Idols. This says more about David Cook, grand champion of season seven, than it does of the franchise itself: AmIdol suffered a significant ratings slowdown during its no-drama seventh season and, despite the megastardom of Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, and Chris Daughtry, major-league stars only saw the show as a way to hock a new album. Fortunately, major-league stars hold no fascination for David Cook. As he proved time and time again on the show, Cook’s greatest wish was to be an American Our Lady Peace, a hurdle that’s not exactly hard to clear. This low ambition works in Cook’s favor on his eponymous major-label debut as it gives him a goal that’s achievable — plus, it’s been so long that this sound has been in fashion that his heroes are waiting in the wings, eager to contribute to a project that may just raise their own profile. Foremost among these is Cook’s biggest idol, Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace, who co-wrote three songs, but he’s not alone: Zac Maloy of the Nixons has three songs, while Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra assists on “Avalanche, ” forgotten neo-grungesters Infected rev up the record with the hardest-rocking (and best) song in “Bar-ba-sol, ” and Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, no stranger to reality TV himself, gets a credit on “Declaration.”
Nickleback and David Cook releases mark the death of grunge
That’s the fate of all revolutionary forms: Once the mainstream devours and digests them, they’re excreted like so much cultural waste.
The unappetizing result hits a pungent new low in the work of David Cook. Even by the most generous math, he’s a sixth-generation copy of an original sound, descended, steeply, from Nirvana’s meaningful peak through second stringers (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden), third (Candlebox, Bush), fourth (Nickelback) and fifth (Daughtry). Cook, let us pray, will slam the final nail into this coffin.
How fitting that grunge’s nadir should take place on “American Idol, ” whose crown Cook swiped this year. It’s even more appropriate that this year’s champ regurgitated the work of an earlier contestant from that very show (Chris Daughtry). Given the success of Daughtry’s CD (over 4 million sold), it should have surprised no one that Cook triumphed over rival and fellow David, Archuleta.
The holiday rush of new gift-able music
David Archuleta, David Archuleta, [Jive], One star
This is just plain creepy. Archuleta is a good singer, and his single, “Crush, ” which opens his self-titled debut, is catchy computer-generated pop. But there is absolutely zero soul on this record, which is not a good thing if what you’re attempting to craft is essentially modern R&B-based pop. Shameless pandering to teens who need to have an imaginary romantic relationship with any pop star they will considering shelling out a few bucks on is not a new thing. The “American Idol” team has managed to steal the sensuality from the equation, however. Liking Archuleta is akin to having a major crush on your iPhone. Icky.
David Cook, David Cook, [RCA], 2 stars
David Cook is David Archuleta’s scruffy doppelganger, of course, and it’s a role he seems to relish. His debut effort is a rock album, writ large, but in a text devoid of meaning. Teaming with producer Rob Cavallo, who has made records with Kid Rock, Green Day and the Goo Goo Dolls, was a smart move for Cook. Cavallo’s specialty is a huge wall of overcompressed guitars and keyboards, with reverb-drenched drum-canons and rudimentary bass lines gluing it all together. It’s anthemic modern rock-by-numbers, a well-honed formula, and one that apparently held endless appeal for Cook.
Again, the guy can sing ¦ I’m growing weary of saying this about nearly every corporate rock and pop record that comes out, as if it’s some sort of grand revelation ¦ but he doesn’t seem to have much to say with that big voice. “David Cook” is cliche-ridden and generic, just like “Idol’s” Daughtry and the father of all flaccid hard rock bands, Nickelback. If any of this sounds like a compliment, then the album will appeal to you.
Fresh thoughts on new music: Neil Young, David Cook, more
David Cook was chosen as the seventh “American Idol” this spring, the first winner to be an out-and-out hard rocker — and a pretty decent one at that. Scoff (please!) at the whole concept of the show, but you could do far worse than this Houston native. Cook’s self-titled, major label debut (**, out Tuesday on RCA) was produced by Rob Cavallo (Kid Rock, Green Day) and features the power ballad “Light On, ” cowritten by former Soundgardener Chris Cornell. Radio-friendly and solidly in the school of Nickelback and Bon Jovi, this is bland but inoffensive stuff.
New Recordings
Cook’s record is a collection of clean, propulsive rockers. His vocal range remains impressive, although to the CD’s detriment, he rarely strays from his Nickelback-based formula. Maybe that’s what makes the ballad “Permanent, ” the least guitar-heroic song in the batch, stand out.
Archuleta, he of the sweetly yearning voice and the puppy-dog eyes, delivers a record that is more mature than expected. The opening song, “Crush, ” for instance, is a lovely ballad suggestive of a Utah version of Ne-Yo.
Most of the songs on Archuleta’s album have the markings of songwriting pros: middling verses with soaring choruses. A number of tunes such as “You Can” could work on the country charts with only minor retooling.
Gracious mentor, happy protege: Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson at the BJCC
At this stage of her career, Reba McEntire has nothing to prove to the music world. She has the hits. She has the sales. She has the fans. She has the hair, the wardrobe, the limo, the clout, the works.
The Queen of Country, 53, can hog the spotlight or share it generously, as her needs and desires demand.
On Friday night at the BJCC Arena, McEntire chose to downplay her contributions and lift up her tour partner, former “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson. The pop princess, 26, signed with McEntire’s management company, Starstruck Entertainment, last year after tarnishing her crown with an edgy downer of a CD called “My December.”
Underwood brings her carnival ride tour to Utah
Rest assured, Carrie Underwood’s Utah concert on Nov. 19 will be a carnival ride — compared with her schedule the past week.
On Wednesday, she hosted the 42nd Country Music Association Awards on live TV, and she readily admitted her nerves about the prospect in an advance interview.
So nervous was she, in fact, that she did her research, watching tapes of past shows to learn from the hosts, including her role model, Reba McEntire. “I feel like I got to practice it more than you’d think, ” Underwood said.
The 25-year-old Underwood, winner of the fourth season of “American Idol” and seller of more than nearly 10 million records since then, will bring her “Carnival Ride Tour” to the E Center Wednesday with opening act Little Big Town.
Misbehavin with Ruben Studdard
You probably know him best from …American Idol. But we caught up with Ruben Studdard five years after his second-season win and found an entertainer with far more to his name than merely being the fifth best-selling …Idol performer to date: Grammy and BET Award nominee; a 2004 American Music Award winner for Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist; actor, husband, father, Roll Tide fan and vegetarian (well, sometimes). It appropriate that the touring production of the musical revue …Aint Misbehavin, which stars Studdard (as jazz great Fats Waller) and former …Idol contestant Frenchie Davis, begins in Atlanta; the city holds a special place in the heart of the …Velvet Teddy Bear.
Dannii Minogue: I don’t use as much Botox as Simon Cowell
DANNII MINOGUE has accused fellow X Factor judge Simon Cowell of using more Botox than her. The star was fuming when the music mogul said she used the jabs to get rid of wrinkles. But the 37-year-old claimed she quit having the treatment ages ago. Dannii added: “Simon’s got more Botox than anyone on TV ever. It changes your face, you can see that with Simon. “Did you see the TV awards? The footage went back to hisPopIdol days. It is hilarious the amount he’s changed.”
Cowell ‘interested in buying Strictly’
Bruno Tonioli has claimed that X Factor boss Simon Cowell is looking to buy Saturday night rival Strictly Come Dancing.
The Strictly judge, who makes up the panel alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips and Len Goodman, said that Cowell “loves” the show and wants to make it an even bigger success.
“If ever the BBC wanted to get rid of Strictly he would want to do it. He is a smart guy and recognises when something is good. You can’t knock the show that is the biggest seller and is actually beating his shows all over the world. It sells, you know. It’s a fact, ” he told The Telegraph.
Predicting the loser on ‘Dancing With the Stars
THE DANCING FOOL: Cody takes a dip
We’re soon at the Final Three, and now, we must do what we must do – predict the next exit.
At this stage of the competition, it’s fairly easy, even routine, to predict the winner. That would be Brooke Burke and Derek Hough. Unless something surprising happens, then it’s over. Second place is a little trickier, but … probably Warren Sapp and Kim Johnson. Finally … third?
I’m going with Lance Bass and Lacey Schwimmer, and that leaves you know who.
