Rascal at NotingDavid.Org created this video to go with this amazing song by David.
Somebody Out There
The amazing Amy at SnarkyArchies also had this great interview with Mike Krompass who David co-wrote with for SOT and ALTNOY.
David's fans are awesome!!!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Happy Birthday
David celebrated his birthday last week and I'm celebrating mine today. Oh, I'm so happy.
I don't know how to upload an mp3 here, but I just listened to David sing me happy birthday.
Thanks, David!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
AOL Sessions
View the awesome performances here
JackRyan4DA at NotingDavid sums it up for me:
1. Less is more — Jive are you listening? See how fiiiine and glorious David sounds when his songs are not peppered with production-what-have-yous & techo tweeks? Leverage the best instrument that your talent has - THE VOICE, THE VOICE - and you could never go wrong.
2. A masterclass vocalist live & in-studio — STUNNING, simply jaw dropping. Seems impossible to achieve but he does sound pitch-perfect in these 5 songs with a full range to play around with, in terms of variety in the song selection & in the technical aspect of the music. It is already hard to believe that he was singing most of these songs live for the first time. But that he could surpass the vocal quality of the recorded version stands to reason that he should come up with a Live Album.
One more thing, let me tell you, his songs are not easy to handle. Crush - he has it down pat. But Crush + ALTNOY & My Hands are punishing in terms of breathing with extended high notes to boot; Where Crush asks for an ethereal quality in its rendition because of the purity of its theme, My Hands & ALTNOY require vocal maturity to lend the depth they require. His new lower registers came in handy here. But both songs have a number of extended high notes as well which David hit with precision. His falsettos and head tones were glorious as he switched from one note to another! NOT easy, gah!
One more thing, let me tell you, his songs are not easy to handle. Crush - he has it down pat. But Crush + ALTNOY & My Hands are punishing in terms of breathing with extended high notes to boot; Where Crush asks for an ethereal quality in its rendition because of the purity of its theme, My Hands & ALTNOY require vocal maturity to lend the depth they require. His new lower registers came in handy here. But both songs have a number of extended high notes as well which David hit with precision. His falsettos and head tones were glorious as he switched from one note to another! NOT easy, gah!
You Can, a deceptively simple song actually requires a measured sensitivity. It is a pretty song (my personal favorite in the basic 12 tracks) and in the hands of some other singer, it could have sounded cheesy . Listening to it w/o looking, he was able to bring out the emotional core of the song but there were segments in the piece where I sensed that he was more conscious of hitting the right notes rather than being authentic. But given his limited experience, this performance is already remarkable. Am sure that given time, he will be able to “let go” to give the likes of You Can the nuance they deserve. Then, it becomes truly transcendent - in the league of WYSYLM.
With TMH — I rest my case! Being in the minority in cheering for this song since the beginning, am glad to note of the converts not only from here but from all over! I believed in the possibilities of this piece, especially in the hands of an artist with David’s caliber. he elevated an originally light-weight song into a gloriously magnificent fun piece! Take note of that 6-sec head tone (counter 3:13), flawlessly followed by more vocal gymnastics in the next 30 secs or so - we’re not worthy! we’re not worthy! Just love it! Now, if David could only get cracking on that guitar so my dreams would have been fulfilled for this song
With TMH — I rest my case! Being in the minority in cheering for this song since the beginning, am glad to note of the converts not only from here but from all over! I believed in the possibilities of this piece, especially in the hands of an artist with David’s caliber. he elevated an originally light-weight song into a gloriously magnificent fun piece! Take note of that 6-sec head tone (counter 3:13), flawlessly followed by more vocal gymnastics in the next 30 secs or so - we’re not worthy! we’re not worthy! Just love it! Now, if David could only get cracking on that guitar so my dreams would have been fulfilled for this song
3. David has transitioned Since IdolDays, his AOL sessions showed a seamless transit into a matured performer. He just oozed more confidence, more self-assurance here. And very relaxed.
It has been said that “he’s very much attuned to what will work for him…and what will not work for him. He trusts his own instincts and doesn’t get caught up in the hype.” Seen as awkward & naive by some, he is often underestimated. And as someone wise once said, do so at your own peril ;).
4) Kudos to the band - they sounded great! Fantastic harmonizing with THE VOICE. It was obvious that they were enjoying the sessions This ones a keeper.
5) Kudos also to the stylist. Dang it! And that’s just about what I have to say about that cos I think I have done enough damage in with my previous posts already. LOL
All in all, David just cemented his stake at the music industry. If there was any doubt as to how he fits in, well his AOL performance just erased those concerns. Not just a fine addition to the talent pool, his likes is actually the much needed shot by the music industry to save it from the manufactured doldrums it is in.
It has been said that “he’s very much attuned to what will work for him…and what will not work for him. He trusts his own instincts and doesn’t get caught up in the hype.” Seen as awkward & naive by some, he is often underestimated. And as someone wise once said, do so at your own peril ;).
4) Kudos to the band - they sounded great! Fantastic harmonizing with THE VOICE. It was obvious that they were enjoying the sessions This ones a keeper.
5) Kudos also to the stylist. Dang it! And that’s just about what I have to say about that cos I think I have done enough damage in with my previous posts already. LOL
All in all, David just cemented his stake at the music industry. If there was any doubt as to how he fits in, well his AOL performance just erased those concerns. Not just a fine addition to the talent pool, his likes is actually the much needed shot by the music industry to save it from the manufactured doldrums it is in.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Album Review: Zach Horner
Album Review: David Archuleta’s Self-Titled
American Idol is known for producing pop singers with a huge following and catchy singles. Well, another one comes out in David Archuleta. His debut album gives us the common combination of love songs, violins, random electric guitars and “ooohs” and “yeahs.” But there is something different about David Archuleta. I’ll get to it eventually, but let’s review his bound-to-be hit of a debut album.
First off is the single “Crush.” This is the single that American Idols dream of. Somehow this year winner David Cook, with “The Time of My Life,” and runner-up Archuleta got better starters than Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks (who?) and Season 6 victor Jordin Sparks (the “Tattoo” didn’t stay, but her duet with Chris Brown saved her). “Crush” has a piano melody and a nice voice behind it that makes it click. It was #1 on iTunes for a long time.
Next is “Touch My Hand,” in which Archuleta sings about the feel of laying his eyes on a beautiful girl in the crowd of a concert and wanting to touch her outstretched hand. “Only me, only you and the band” are what David sees. I imagine this one will be a concert staple for him for a long time.
“Barriers” begins like a hip-hop single, but turns into a ballad about the obstacles between a guy and a girl. “My Hands” has those “ohs” and “ooohs” I was referencing earlier, but it translates into another guy-girl trouble track with an opportunity for Archuleta to showcase his vocal range. Then possibly the best song:
This track was actually co-written by the singer himself according to the liner notes. “A Little Too Not Over You” is already #73 on iTunes about 3 days after the album’s release. It’s a great song with catchy lyrics and a good beat that I will probably listen to a lot.
After that is the acoustic, gentle, sweet number “You Can” (“If anyone can make me fall in love/you can… and it’s you and no one else/if I could wish upon tomorrow/tonight would never end”). “Running” and “Desperate” is more of what we’ve come to expect. “To Be With You” is a piano-driven song that follows up on the theme of “You Can.” It’s an 18-/19-year old singing about being with a girl. “Don’t Let Go” and “Your Eyes Don’t Lie” are alright numbers that I skip over.
Last is the cover of the Robbie Williams hit “Angels.” I’ve never heard the original, but Archie’s version is pretty good.
Overall, David Archuleta puts out a solid debut that doesn’t do anything revolutionary except “Crush” and “A Little Too Not Over You,” songs that should be (“Crush” might already be) radio hits for a while.
Grade: B+
American Idol is known for producing pop singers with a huge following and catchy singles. Well, another one comes out in David Archuleta. His debut album gives us the common combination of love songs, violins, random electric guitars and “ooohs” and “yeahs.” But there is something different about David Archuleta. I’ll get to it eventually, but let’s review his bound-to-be hit of a debut album.
First off is the single “Crush.” This is the single that American Idols dream of. Somehow this year winner David Cook, with “The Time of My Life,” and runner-up Archuleta got better starters than Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks (who?) and Season 6 victor Jordin Sparks (the “Tattoo” didn’t stay, but her duet with Chris Brown saved her). “Crush” has a piano melody and a nice voice behind it that makes it click. It was #1 on iTunes for a long time.
Next is “Touch My Hand,” in which Archuleta sings about the feel of laying his eyes on a beautiful girl in the crowd of a concert and wanting to touch her outstretched hand. “Only me, only you and the band” are what David sees. I imagine this one will be a concert staple for him for a long time.
“Barriers” begins like a hip-hop single, but turns into a ballad about the obstacles between a guy and a girl. “My Hands” has those “ohs” and “ooohs” I was referencing earlier, but it translates into another guy-girl trouble track with an opportunity for Archuleta to showcase his vocal range. Then possibly the best song:
This track was actually co-written by the singer himself according to the liner notes. “A Little Too Not Over You” is already #73 on iTunes about 3 days after the album’s release. It’s a great song with catchy lyrics and a good beat that I will probably listen to a lot.
After that is the acoustic, gentle, sweet number “You Can” (“If anyone can make me fall in love/you can… and it’s you and no one else/if I could wish upon tomorrow/tonight would never end”). “Running” and “Desperate” is more of what we’ve come to expect. “To Be With You” is a piano-driven song that follows up on the theme of “You Can.” It’s an 18-/19-year old singing about being with a girl. “Don’t Let Go” and “Your Eyes Don’t Lie” are alright numbers that I skip over.
Last is the cover of the Robbie Williams hit “Angels.” I’ve never heard the original, but Archie’s version is pretty good.
Overall, David Archuleta puts out a solid debut that doesn’t do anything revolutionary except “Crush” and “A Little Too Not Over You,” songs that should be (“Crush” might already be) radio hits for a while.
Grade: B+
Monday, November 10, 2008
Album Review: NY Times
DAVID ARCHULETA
(Jive/Zomba)
(Jive/Zomba)
David Archuleta has a lovely, foggy R&B voice out of scale with his small body and, as many 10-year-old girls know, he came in second in May behind David Cook on “American Idol.” That he lost gives his first album a better story line. Could he have retained so much innocence as the winner?
Innocence, in pop, is a form of boldness: the powerful gesture of putting faith in not knowing. It’s old news in record-making, but the trick is in how far to push it and in finding music that can stand up to it. The crinkly-eyed Mr. Archuleta, a pudding of tongue-tied respect as opposed to the straight-shooting Mr. Cook, is a virtuoso of that gesture, and part of his persona on this album is that he may not even know it. He doesn’t mope; he just smiles in wistful acknowledgment of the eternal mystery of everything. The love stories on “David Archuleta” are all sort of subliteral. He can only trust good omens and kind eyes.
He’s a guy who gives the impression that he might not have a drink when he turns 21, three years and a month from now. It sounds strange when he sings “baby”; but soon enough (in Robbie Williams’s “Angels”) he’s extolling someone’s protection, love and affection, and then that someone is not a person but an angel. As for human relations, he is as earnest as it gets. In “Touch My Hand,” he looks out into the adoring crowd and doesn’t think about royalties; he sees “the sparkle of a million flashlights,” but only one face. “Never knew what the song was about,” he sings. “But suddenly now I do.” Gosh!
But what he has to climb over to get to that face. His life is like a series of dream frustrations: he’s separated from his love by walls and locks and roadblocks (“Barriers”); he’s losing strength and needs her to hold on (“My Hands”); he also needs her so he can be set free from himself (“You Can”).
The music, made by many producers and songwriters, averages out different forms of radio-format blandness, with tinges of Coldplay and Shania Twain, and a few dollops of good writing: “Don’t Let Go,” co-written and co-produced by the former ’N Sync singer J C Chasez; and “Crush.” But the persona remains intact, ready for more. “Show me that good things come to those who wait,” Mr. Archuleta sings at the end of “You Can.” He sounds as lost as ever, yet this is a mark of absolute assurance.
BEN RATLIFF
Album Review: Bring Da Beat Back
http://bringdabeatback.blogspot.com/2008/11/album-review-david-archuleta-david.html
If you had told me before the seventh season of American Idol began that my favorite contestant would be a guy who's younger than me, I would have laughed in your face. But as it turns out, David Archuleta's age & heartthrob image are very deceiving. The purity and strength of his voice are not only far beyond his years, but extremely rare in any male singer. David Archuleta had me on his side the entirety of Idol's last season, so it goes without saying that I was really anticipating this album. Thankfully (& in no way to my surprise), David delivers on his self-titled debut album like only he can.
David Archuleta starts off with first single "Crush," which blew me away at first listen & continues to light up the airwaves as one of the best songs currently at radio. Second single "Touch My Hand" follows & has a great feel to it that is just different enough from, yet similar to its predecessor that it should be successful as well. David continues his genius with "Barriers" & "My Hands," the latter of which has a "Crush" feel, but includes an even better musical structure.
My personal favorite track is "A Little Too Not Over You," the chorus from which will turn you into a puddle of sludge the first time you hear it. David abandons the big sound of the previous tracks with "You Can," a beautiful acoustic song that is one of those vocal displays we were all hoping would be included on this album. "Running" is another of my favorites--even if they are difficult to pick out. The track that follows, "Desperate," has some of the more intriguing lyrical content on the record.
"To Be With You" is a controlled piano ballad that is absolutely gorgeous. The enjoyable "Don't Let Go" is then followed by "Your Eyes Don't Lie." Now, David Archuleta is lucky he is who he is because if I heard the beginning of this song & it was by almost anyone else, I would have been too scared to continue. Although it starts out sounding a bit country, David pulls off the song really well. The album is wrapped up with a great new recording of "Angels.
"David Archuleta is the perfect blend of radio-friendly tunes & actual talent that I've personally been dying for. I am so glad David found a contemporary recording sound that works well for him. For what it's worth, this album is easily my favorite from any Idol alumni, which shouldn't surprise any of my loyal readers. David Archuleta is such a talented guy & his debut album displays that talent perfectly.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
If you had told me before the seventh season of American Idol began that my favorite contestant would be a guy who's younger than me, I would have laughed in your face. But as it turns out, David Archuleta's age & heartthrob image are very deceiving. The purity and strength of his voice are not only far beyond his years, but extremely rare in any male singer. David Archuleta had me on his side the entirety of Idol's last season, so it goes without saying that I was really anticipating this album. Thankfully (& in no way to my surprise), David delivers on his self-titled debut album like only he can.
David Archuleta starts off with first single "Crush," which blew me away at first listen & continues to light up the airwaves as one of the best songs currently at radio. Second single "Touch My Hand" follows & has a great feel to it that is just different enough from, yet similar to its predecessor that it should be successful as well. David continues his genius with "Barriers" & "My Hands," the latter of which has a "Crush" feel, but includes an even better musical structure.
My personal favorite track is "A Little Too Not Over You," the chorus from which will turn you into a puddle of sludge the first time you hear it. David abandons the big sound of the previous tracks with "You Can," a beautiful acoustic song that is one of those vocal displays we were all hoping would be included on this album. "Running" is another of my favorites--even if they are difficult to pick out. The track that follows, "Desperate," has some of the more intriguing lyrical content on the record.
"To Be With You" is a controlled piano ballad that is absolutely gorgeous. The enjoyable "Don't Let Go" is then followed by "Your Eyes Don't Lie." Now, David Archuleta is lucky he is who he is because if I heard the beginning of this song & it was by almost anyone else, I would have been too scared to continue. Although it starts out sounding a bit country, David pulls off the song really well. The album is wrapped up with a great new recording of "Angels.
"David Archuleta is the perfect blend of radio-friendly tunes & actual talent that I've personally been dying for. I am so glad David found a contemporary recording sound that works well for him. For what it's worth, this album is easily my favorite from any Idol alumni, which shouldn't surprise any of my loyal readers. David Archuleta is such a talented guy & his debut album displays that talent perfectly.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
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