2005


29
Apr 09

David Cook (2008) by David Cook

david cook by david cook

David Cook
David Cook

2008, RCA/19 Records
rock, pop
3½

I’ll admit it – I’m a closet American Idol fan, and I was particularly impressed by David Cook last season. After his surprising win, I think it’s safe to say that his was one of the most anticipated albums of the year. Unfortunately, what we got was a bland album sung by a great singer, which left me in a lurch. We’ve already seen (and enjoyed) both of Cook’s softer and rougher sides, but there is no equal representation of the two on his self-titled debut. Most of this album is rock of the sort that makes Cook a Daughtry-knock-off rather than a singer/artist of his own right. I can’t even think of a song off the top of my head that particularly stood out – the much-vaunted “Bar Ba Sol” didn’t even live up to the hype. I’m sorry, but this album is just boring. The decent rating is only for Cook’s voice. Also, the album cover picture is horrendous. Enough with the airbrushing (both in photo and production quality) already!

“Light On,” “Declaration,” “Come Back To Me.”
myspace, last.fm
30 Seconds to Mars’s A Beautiful Lie, Director’s We Thrive On Big Cities

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27
Feb 09

Now That We’re Alive EP (2008) by Annabel

Now That We're Alive EP by Annabel

Annabel
Now That We’re Alive EP

2008, independent
4

Annabel is a trio from Kent, Ohio that doesn’t sound as though they’re from a (relatively) small Midwestern town. Filled with soaring pop, driving beats, and lyrics that are at once innocent and sardonic, it’s hard to imagine that they aren’t from New York. The knowledge that they weren’t from New York somehow endeared this EP to me more, because it is a prime example of what learning from other bands and evolving into your own sound can produce. Considering that lead singer Andy Hendricks sounds a lot like Tom DeLonge of Blink 182, Annabel has a great juxtaposition between post-rock sentimentality and pop-punk honesty. I’m excited to see if they’ve grown more in their recently released full-length album, Each and Everyone. When I find out, I’ll let you know (obviously).

“Castles in the Air,” Parade Rest.”
myspace, last.fm
The Appleseed Cast’s Two Conversations, The Lyndsay Diaries’s The Tops of Trees Are On Fire

Disclosure: A free copy of this EP was provided by Beartrap PR. Please see my review policy for more.

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19
Feb 09

How To Save A Life (2005) by The Fray

How To Save A Life by The Fray

The Fray
How To Save A Life

2005, Epic
piano rock, alt rock
3½

I won’t deny that I’m a fan of piano rock, but that genre requires careful craft work before the song edges from ‘respectable’ into ‘nonsensical sentimental sap.’. Strangely enough, The Fray manages to cover both types in their full-length debut, with no middle ground. Sometimes, The Fray mixes pop, rock, and piano in a potent combination that catches your ear. That would explain why “Over My Head (Cable Car)” was the big hit from this album. But at other times, the album seems to drone on with no end.

To this day, I can still only listen to 5 of the 11 songs on this album – I consider the other 6 essentially useless in sound, structure, and lyrics. And while I’m a fan of good production quality, it seems The Fray needs that production like a crutch. Keep that in mind if you like this album, and for the review of their new album tomorrow.

“Over My Head (Cable Car)” “Trust Me,” “Vienna.”
website, last.fm
Jack’s Manneqin’s The Glass Passenger, Augustana’s Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt

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