Meredith Munoz of Pash
@ Fort Reno
Q:What's your song for summer?
A:"'Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before' by the Smiths, hands down."
Identical Tween: David Archuleta
LI'L DAVID ARCHULETA isn't a singer, he's a scientist. And from his laboratory has come a concoction specially formulated to increase blood flow to the hearts of girls aged 10 to 15 — his very first album.
Archuleta, the pint-sized 17-year-old whose froggy vox played the nation's heartstrings like a finely tuned fiddle during the last season of "American Idol," deviates not one iota from the formula that made him famous: punchy notes, catchy refrains and more earnestness than a phalanx of beauty queens describing in unison how they'd save the rain forests.
The album's first single, "Crush," fits the Archuleta model like a glove, from its crooned "Ooooooo, wooooaahhhhooooh" intro to its octave-hopping runs to the overpronounciation of words like "tuh-ruth." It's a relatively pedestrian treatise on puppy love — a trail that folks like Paul Anka, David Cassidy, the New Kids on the Block and Justin Timberlake blazed long ago. And paved. And built streetlights on. And added a moving walkway to.
That's not to say that "David Archuleta" doesn't try a couple of tricks, although none are new and some are more successful than others.
His track "Desperate" is swelling, hard-charging and sounds like an '80s Tears for Fears b-side, hold the baritone. "To Be With You" is a sotto voce piano-ballad-backed-by-violins that's pleasant and soothing. "Don't Let Go" is a peppy tune —- a little Duran Duranish with a late-'90s Fastballesque cadence.
The bluesy humming and thunder sound effects(!?!) on "Your Eyes Don't Lie" are a smidge over the top — although the revulsion in my brain didn't filter down to my toes, which kept on tapping. The sampled intro for the hip-hoppish "A Little Too Not Over You" is a little too not not annoying. And "Running" is a complete disaster, from the creepy female voice whispering in its first 10 seconds — is she saying "love meal?" — to the WTF lyrics: "Words keep fallin' / Out of my pocket / Runnin' late, missed the train / Everything is droppin' / Holdin' onto my heart / And I rush out, almost forgot it." Somewhere, there's a well-worn magnetic poetry set that's earned its keep.
The best tracks on the album, aside from "Crush," come courtesy of the heavy beats of "Touch My Hand" and the pen of Robbie Williams, who wrote "Angels," a song that Li'l D served up to a hungry audience on "Idol" and reprises here with similar results.
"David Archuleta" is a firm, vigorous fulfillment of expectations, with the title character's voice in fine form and at center stage. It's exactly the kind of Top 40 candy that many radio stations crave: catchy, slick and with a built-in audience of millions clad in "Juno" hoodies who will secretly or not-so-secretly wish it were they who made Li'l D's heart go pitter-pat.
Let the squealing begin.
» WANT TO RELIVE David Archuleta's "American Idol" run? Check out our Idol Chatter blog, which chronicled Season Seven from start to finish.
Photos courtesy Fox
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I love David Archuleta's first album. His voice is amazing! All the songs are awesome. He is an amazing artist and an awesome human being. By the way, I'm not a teenager.
By sdb66 , Posted November 11, 2008 7:46 AMDavid scores where Simon and even Randy said he couldn't go. The estimated audience here is way off. He is adored across all age ranges.
By Gracie , Posted November 11, 2008 8:09 AMHe is loved and sought out by professionals. He knows who he is.
It shows.
The generalization of the fan base is way off. There were plenty of 20something men in line for autograph signing bracelets this morning.
There is not a song to skip on this cd.
By pattie , Posted November 11, 2008 9:27 AMAHEM...I'm 49 and love this album. It's not just about young love, but about the emotions of love (at any age!). Suffice it to say, I'm a fan of David, his vocal abilities, his character, and his ability to connect with "me" -- despite my age. BTW, I'm happily married woman that just happens to recognize talent that deserves respect.
By Michelle , Posted November 11, 2008 10:15 AMYou just said it Michelle!
Nina, 46 years
By Nina , Posted November 11, 2008 11:31 AMHi, everyone --
By no means did I mean to suggest that folks who can legally drink or vote wouldn't enjoy Li'l David's album -- I think folks who liked him on "Idol" will still like him.
I would, however, contend that he's probably getting a lot more coverage in Tiger Beat than in People magazine and that the youth demo is where his music's being marketed. Although I'm sure he doesn't mind a bit if he's "adored across all age ranges," as Gracie suggests.
I didn't dislike the album, I just think he didn't really show us anything here that he hasn't already done on TV. Does anyone disagree?
By Greg Barber , Posted November 11, 2008 12:24 PMI AM A MAN AND I AM NOT A TEENAGER! When will the reveiwers releaize that most of David's fans are 40+ women, not teen girls? He has fans of all ages, just as he has fans on every continent. FACT. (Please do research on who his fans are - so far 50% of reviewers have added to the misconception that teen girls are his main target audience - several surveys have shown this to be WRONG!
By Edward , Posted November 11, 2008 12:26 PMI would like to add my comment that I am male and in my 40's. David's music has moved me since I first heard him sing on Idol. You are correct that he has that rare ability to tug at our hearts. However you should know that there are hearts of all ages he speaks to. This album makes me feel young again. I am so happy for David.
By robert , Posted November 11, 2008 12:58 PMDavid has reawakened my love of music again! He is raising the bar in our music industry!! His pure, angelic vocals and musical artistry make every song on this CD a winner!! No, I am in the over 60 group and am happy to say that David's radiant character and beautiful voice have made me feel young again and want more of HIS kind of music. There is no sex, no violence, and nothing to be kept from our children!!! What a" breath of fresh air he is bringing to our music! His heart and soul tell the story! He is a true role model for all of us!
By Sharon , Posted November 11, 2008 1:43 PMDavid has reawakened my love of Swedish death metal!
By CP , Posted November 11, 2008 3:07 PMThis article has been featured at THEWEEK.com as Best Opinion - Great piece!
By Harold , Posted November 11, 2008 4:16 PMShe's saying "Mafia" at the beginning of "Running" (which is musically beautiful in my opinion, and I like the goofy lyrics too).
She's saying that because it's a Midi Mafia production (or maybe Rock Mafia, I get the mobs confused). You can also hear her at the beginning of Fantasia's "When I See U" and other songs.
By lautour , Posted November 11, 2008 6:19 PMDavid Archuleta is without a doubt the most incredible 17 year old singer I have ever heard! I absolutley LOVE his new album. I admire his humility and everything about him.
By alexis , Posted November 11, 2008 7:26 PMDavid your first album is the best I song I ever heard in a long time REMEMBER I'M YOUR BEST FAN YOU WILL EVER HAVE I LIKE YOUR FIRST ALBUM THE BEST YOURS TRULY DALLAS
By Dallas , Posted November 11, 2008 8:16 PMYup, it's Mafia for Midi Mafia. It's the signature phrase.
Mr. Barber, I'm thinking that the feeling you experienced with that whistling ditty, Your Eyes Don't Lie, will change to one of obsession - that is indeed a song that stays with you! Ask any teen...I did - my two kids. Totally singable and whistle-able (is that a phrase?). It will be out there next summer...mark my words.
And Mr. Barber I guess I was watching a different season of AI since I didn't hear most of what's on the CD at all. Case in point...My Hands..with the quirky lyrics and arrangement...where was there anything even close to that one??? It's too bad he didn't do something like that actually. And Crush? Hello...not even close the ballads that David tended to sing on AI. Desperate (the quasi rock ballad) and Your Eyes Don't Lie....I could go on.
Overall, I think it's the perfect debut CD and an ideal launching pad for Mr. Archuleta's more adventurous forays of musical expression in the years to come. I think David and Jive did good.
By pastel , Posted November 11, 2008 9:50 PMThank you for your mostly positive review. I do have to add that even tho his record label was aiming his first attempt at teen/tween market, what we see is a larger cross-section of the buying public enamoured by this talented young singer. You said that he wasn't bringing anytihing new or fresh but I think alot of us don't really care that his songs are nothing we haven't heard beofre, but would rather just listen to him sing no matter what it is.
By CarlC , Posted November 11, 2008 11:49 PMDavid has the magic touch, anything that golden voice sings will be a smashing hit. His talent is unmatched, this is only the begining. Wait until the label unleashes him and he does it all his way. He had input into this CD, but not on everything, Jive did a good job letting a young new artist have as much as input as they allowed David.
By Debbie , Posted November 12, 2008 2:09 PMDavid you did Jive and all your fans PROUD.
David has the magic touch, anything that golden voice sings will be a smashing hit. His talent is unmatched, this is only the begining. Wait until the label unleashes him and he does it all his way. He had input into this CD, but not on everything, Jive did a good job letting a young new artist have as much as input as they allowed David.
By Debbie , Posted November 12, 2008 2:09 PMDavid you did Jive and all your fans PROUD.
Ditto to all the great reviews and comments about David and his first CD. I am in my 50's and I absolutely love David's beautiful voice wheather it is pop or ballads. Like Paula said, he could sing the phone book and it would sound good. He is going places.
By Diana , Posted November 12, 2008 2:19 PMI too am over 50 and I'm international therefore we can assume that David appeals to all ages and he's international! How many 17 year old teenagers do you know that can sing like him?
By GermanyFan , Posted November 12, 2008 2:40 PMThanks for at least turning the snark-meter down lower than I expected. Of course there has to be the necessary condescension about David's age and that of the "girls aged 10 to 15" who you inexplicably seem to believe to be his only possible fans. For the record, I'm not a teen or tween or anyone's mother or grandmother. I'm a twenty-something rock fan who is awed by David's once-in-a-lifetime voice and his mature interpretative skills. I know that newspaper critics have to be snarky to maintain their street cred when talking about 17-year-old geniuses, so I guess this was the best review I could hope for. However, maybe you should beg a copy of the itunes pre-order version and see the great songs that Jive stupidly left out of this album.
By Kae , Posted November 12, 2008 2:50 PMim no tween. im 20,in university and love this guy. Not just for his unbelievable talent, but the amazing person that he is.
By Anne , Posted November 13, 2008 7:10 AMI think it's sad that he's now this huge tween sensation. It sort of cheapens his amazing voice. I love him, and some songs on his album, but I'm really hoping for a more mature, less radio-friendly album in the future.
Love the part about beauty queens and rain forests, and "tuh-ruth". I laughed so hard.
By Jan , Posted November 14, 2008 10:41 AMI believe the sales figures will prove our point ... a wide range of people are buying this CD, not just teenage girls or people who saw David on Idol. He is one to watch and will continue to grow musically as most true artists do as they experience life. For now, this CD has so many potential hits, many co-written by David. Well done, David!!!!
By Karey , Posted November 17, 2008 3:16 PMI am a huge fan of David Archuleta...and let me just say, I was a teen when the Beatles burst onto the music scene. I love all types of music from Beatles to Motown to Led Zepplin...and Archuleta is rith there on the top of my music list. I have tickets to see him in Reno, NV on March 18. I can't wait...I feel 15 all over again.
By Maria , Posted February 16, 2009 2:28 PMyes, it has been said time and time again that david sounds better without all the background music and effects, but it's not necessary to attack his first album. it's a good album, so words like "revulsion" are completely off-kilter. plus his fanbase is wider than any other american idol contestant i've ever seen. i typically listen to country on the radio and my ipod, yet i love his music. i went to a meet & greet with him the other day and there were people from 8 years old to those who looked like they could be 65, all enjoying his company and his music. there was even a lady who was at least 35 who went to the meet & greet by herself (no children). as michelle said, critics like you need to stop generalizing his fanbase.
and by the way, it's not "humming" at the beginning of "your eyes don't lie," it's whistling. maybe you should learn the difference before you go reviewing music, about which you obviously know very little. not to mention it says "mafia" at the beginning of "running," not "love meal," you creep.
By me , Posted July 2, 2009 1:36 PM