Was America wrong about David Archuleta?
What the American Idol runner-up's debut album has, and doesn't have
Archuleta: Bright future?
(AP Photo/Richard Drew)
How did David Archuleta finish as runner-up on season seven of American Idol? asked August Brown in the Los Angeles Times online. His just-released debut album “is larded with awkward modernist R&B, Christian semaphore ballads,” and “warm-milk mewling.” The “best teen pop” often explores “dangerous ideas, yet Archuleta counts Tamyra Gray and Kelly Clarkson as influences in his liner notes—kids deserve more salacious pandering than that.”
“Most teen Disney heroes have got nothing on David Archuleta,” said Kerri Mason in Billboard online. The 17-year-old was “one of the most exciting American Idol contenders” ever, and he has “one of those once-in-a-decade pop voices—a silky tenor with a natural melancholy that makes him a heartbreaker by default.”
“Li’l David Archuleta isn’t a singer,” said Greg Barber in The Washington Post online, “he’s a scientist.” And his debut album is “a concoction specially formulated to increase blood flow to the hearts of girls aged 10 to 15.” This is “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.”
Archuleta’s first major-label effort is “hardly worth getting in a lather over,” said Preston Jones in the Star-Telegram online. Now that the America Idol “furor” has “mostly subsided,” it’s plain to see that Archuleta is “little more than human Silly Putty.” He “helped write only two of the 12 songs” on this album, and he likely won’t “have anything approaching a conventional career.”
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22 Comments
Posted by pattie, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 12:06 pm If Preston Jones had any reporters skills he would have researched and known that David was working on a deadline and has in fact written several songs that will be bonus tracks. I see that Preston is just journalistic Silly Putty though so I think I'll skip anything he writes from now on.
Posted by Latasha Archuleta, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 12:06 pm I think he should have won American Idol.
Posted by Cindy, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 12:09 pm Preston Jones needs to take the pulse of actual fans and realize Miley Cyrus aint got nothin on this kid. Mr Jones, think again!
Posted by frogcooke, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 12:13 pm Love his cd! Great variety of pop styles on there. From pop to pop/r&b to pop/rock. With a few ballads thrown in the mix. Starts off with his hit single 'Crush' to the catchy 'Touch My Hand' Theres also the slinky and catchy 'Your Eyes Dont Lie' that has a great beat to it. Then we have 'Desperate' thats more pop/rock and builds up and explodes with his rich smokey voice. The two ballads 'You Can' which would make anyone melt and 'To Be With You', a gorgeous song offer up a nice change of pace and some wonderful vocals. Definately worth checking out the bonus tracks from itunes and walmart, some of which he co-wrote and fully wrote('Falling' written when he was 14). 'Works For Me' the walmart exclusive co-written by David is a great acoustic laid-back feel good song with some uptempo to it. I think he's got a great career ahead of him and can't wait to see what else he does in the future. I'd recommend checking out his cd. There is definately something for everyone on this cd, great variety.
Posted by i love archie, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 12:14 pm the same trash said some critics with crush, and see crush now? it's almost platinum..Archie cd is out this world. buy it...
Posted by ScoopK, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 12:39 pm Preston Jones is little more than human BORING. David Archuleta is only 17 and he seems to have the mentality of a 12 year old, which is not a criticism at all. He's still learning about the music business, and what he DID have a hand in writing is some of the best work on his whole album. Give him a few years and he'll blow everyone away even more than he already does. Isn't it enough to have enormous vocal talent? Also: BARRIERS. If that isn't the greatest tribute to AWESOME that you've ever heard, you are not LISTENING.
Posted by rayy, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 1:05 pm I'm not a fan of the show, but I think he has a real raw ability. Whether or not he will develop his talent remains to be seen.
Posted by Lisa , Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 2:26 pm Completly disagree, this is a superb debut album, crush is almost platinum and the album is #1 in Itunes right now. David has a huge fanbase, not just teens. David has also written more bonus songs, that are beautiful.
Posted by Fancy_, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 2:32 pm If you don't care for the album, just say so. You quote many other opinions and then give your opinion on their opinion? This album was #1 on I-tunes 4 hours after it was released. It's going right where Crush went-Platinum-because it's sensational.
Posted by Rae, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 5:09 pm hmmm... It may not be an historic album but many of the songs are simply outstanding. No one can touch David's voice for beauty, emotion and purity. It will be the first of many in his historic career. I am not a teenage girl,,, that was decades ago. I am a professional and in my career, opinions are better researched. Certainly you are entitled to yours- but I will bookmark your name and check back a few years when he has achieved international superstar status.... but I guess that would not be a convention career either. For a 17 year old, with years to develop his own personal style, having such amazing talent, I would bet on him in a New York minute.
Posted by Cam, Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 6:50 pm Preston Jones needs to shove his head in an ostrich hole.
Posted by Cathy , Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 11:18 pm As a 40 something "teenie bopper" - I will go with the opinion of Kerri Mason of Billboard - someone who knows music. I have no idea what other album the others must have listened to - certainly not the one I just bought. I heard wonderful songs - song by a most lovely voice with more emotion in it than most singers twice his age - and most of this done while singing nearly every night with few breaks during the American Idol tour. This music is so much better than anything I have heard on the Top 40 "candy" - it transcends all of that.
Posted by Dalan, Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 3:56 am Why didn't the author of this article share their name with us? It must have taken all of five minutes to copy reviews from others and title it with such a thought provoking headline. There have been dozens of positive reviews written about this CD however you chose to mention only one and then question the talent and integrity of this amazingly talented artist. I suggest that the readers of The Week look for a more credible source of information on Arts and Leisure such as TMZ.
Posted by Amy, Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 8:32 am Oh blah blah blaaaah. Let the BIG PREDICTIONS rest already! And let him be. People already waiting to pounce on someone just starting out and already count him out?! Oh please!! I love David's singing, his genuine and kind personality AND this, expected "19 Entertainment- managed" CD. And I expect much more from this Huge and "unpredictable", new talent. I hope he continues to follow his dream of doing what he clearly is born to do, however he chooses to, and to share his amazing gift with us all. Those who CAN, DO. Those who can only watch from the outside and guess and give biased opinions (you're entitled), ...write reviews.
Posted by celeste, Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 8:40 am Well, I´m loving the album, and if you are smart go get the Walmart cd, it has a bonus song by David and Daniel Bedingfield and is just amazing... The Deluxe album in iTunes and Amazon has two others songs writed or co writed by David, Falling and Someone Out There (you only get the last one when you pre order the cd)
Posted by josh, Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 11:12 am David wrote/co-wrote 5 songs. FALLING was 100% written by him when he was 14 inspired by a girl who committed suicide. Songs he wrote are high quality songs. I was so impressed. His prodigical musical talent starts taking off. Not only is his voice, one in a million, but his writings are also way beyond his age. If critics are not satisfied with this album, blame JIVE. They are the one who wanted a radio friendly ear warming album. Any critics who don't see this talented kid's potentials, pack your belongings. You are in a minority.
Posted by Hallie, Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 9:59 pm pshh. As far as I know Preston Jones did not do his research! David has an insane fan base, that is growing every day. The idol fans haven't left him. He can have his opinions on the music, not everyone likes ballads, but to insult TCA2008's "Most Fanatic Fans?" Someone obviously didnt do ANY research before writing their article!
Posted by Sarah, Thursday, November 13, 2008, 1:56 pm How come you guys didn't do this with the Jonas Brothers? If they weren't so hot I'd hate most of their songs. but so far i'm likin David's album, and David is a good Christian why not mix some of his religion into his album. I'm proud!
Posted by DHA0714, Friday, November 14, 2008, 10:11 am August Brown and Preston Jones are completely clueless if not tone-deaf. David Archuleta's CD will be a big, big hit, due to the many fans of all ages who treasure Archie and not the strange critics who seem out to trash this nice kid with a killer voice.
Posted by Amy, Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 4:09 pm David's anything but "conventional", Presssston...and that's awesome!!! He's unique, unexpected, amazingly talented, authentic, And as a bonus, a genuinely decent and mature young guy!! Great, David....GO BE YOU! Your fans "get it" and are with you all the way. (go away critics)
Posted by Violet, Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 4:56 pm I agree with Billboard re a once-in-a-decade voice. David's voice has the texture of a finely bowed instrument. He has am impressive knowledge of hit music and a broad set of influences. Add to that his singer and salsa dancer Mom and his jazz trumpeter Dad and it's easy to see where David got his soulful side and his super catchy rhythm. Some reviewers are jaded, especially August who seems to think any teen music without sex in it is worthless. As for Preston, David is 17 years old, the album had to be made in 6 weeks, and most of David own songs were submitted near the end of that 6 weeks. If you include the bonus tunes, David has 4 co-writes and one total write (Falling). I'm one of David's older fans and I love the album. My favorite tracks are My Hands, Barriers, Running, Desperate, Your Eyes Don't Lie, To Be With You and Falling. Great first album!
Posted by Cassie, Sunday, November 30, 2008, 12:06 pm David Archuleta is amazing :]
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