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+