Album Review: The Eagle Tribune

http://www.eagletribune.com/pulife/local_story_311174017.html?keyword=topstory

Published: November 09, 2008 03:00 am

ARCHULETA VS. COOK, PART II

Last year's 'American Idol' finalists release new CDs one week apart By Anthony DeAngelisCorrespondent

If David Archuleta wants to get his revenge on David Cook for taking the "American Idol" crown from him six months ago, he'll have his chance this month.

The two former Idol heavyweights will do battle once more, as the artists release their first studio albums within a week of each other.

Archuleta, the runner-up in last May's reality singing competition, will release his 12-track, self-titled album on Tuesday. Cook is set to release his album, also self-titled, a week later on Nov. 18, setting the stage for an Ali-Frazier-type battle.

Archuleta's album is already drawing attention with his hit single "Crush." So far, the song has sold more than 800,000 copies, making it one of the most successful singles released by an Idol contestant. If that weren't enough, the song debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 110 and No. 1 on the Hot Digital Songs chart — the highest single debut of the year.

As for Cook, he teamed up with Grammy-winning producer Rob Cavallo on his new album, and is expected to stick to his specialty, with a pure rock record release. He recently released his first single, "Light On" and should keep fans intrigued with songs such as "Bar-ba-sol" and "Come Back to Me."

For Cook, this isn't his first time around the block. He released a solo independent album entitled "Analog Heart" in 2006. And he recorded the EP "Incoherent with Desire to Move On" with the band the Midwest Kings that same year, playing guitar, bass and singing backup vocals.
Despite Cook's experience, many locals feel Archuleta will have the edge in their November showdown.

"He's young and I think he'll go far," said Tina Desrochers, 35, of Salem, N.H. "I can totally see him on Broadway some day."

"I love David Cook, and am definitely going to go get his album as soon as it comes out, but I think more people are going to buy David Archuleta's," said Priyanka Deb, 14, of Lowell.
"Pop music is just more popular with people, especially with those who buy CDs," added Vanessa Alvarado, 20, of Andover. "That's why I think he has a better chance."

Michelle Cote, of Plaistow, N.H., plans to purchase Archuleta's album when it is released on Tuesday. She said she believes he will sell more records than Cook because he appeals to a wider audience.

"I think he'll do well," Cote, 40, said. "He has everyone from the teenagers down, and that's who buys."

Some local fans are still bitter over the way the last season of "American Idol" ended, with Cook taking a record breaking 56 percent of the 97.5 million votes to win the contest.

"I was actually surprised that David Cook won," said Alex Perry, 15, of Andover. "I liked David Archuleta better, and anybody that I know loves David Archuleta, too."
"Archuleta should have won," Cote added.

"I think Cook sounds too much like (former Idol contestant) Chris Daughtry. He doesn't have anything new."

Still, for many, Cook's record-breaking success and late push for the American Idol crown was no coincidence.

"Archuleta was good, but I thought Cook was better," said Melissa MacDonald, 25, of Salem, N.H. "At the end, I felt he deserved it more."

Mike Gianino of Newton, N.H., said it's hard to tell who will be the clear-cut favorite when the album sales are tallied, but he believes it depends on Cook's ability to stand out in the rock industry.

"I wonder about his ability to span the whole rock 'n' roll market," Gianino, 48, said. "If all his music sounds the same, no one will buy his album."

No matter who wins the album sales battle, Gianino thinks both Archuleta and Cook could have great longevity in the music industry.

"The only thing I worry about is, will they all sound the same?" he said. "That will be the difference for them. But it's hard to know. One thing is for sure — real talent emerges from that show."

Correspondent Annesha Bhattacharya contributed to this report.