My colleague Whitney Pastorek recently reviewed Kris Allen’s self-titled debut (out today) — check out her thoughts, and her grade here — but as EW’s […] Read the full post.
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It’s a really solid album. I’m actually surprised that there isn’t a song that I HAVE to skip over. I’m not really feeling “Written All Over My Face” and “Lifetime” but everything else is really good.
“Is It Over” from start to finish is amazing. Loving that track.
“Is It Over” is awesome! I think that Kris will really do well in this genre. He actually explored this sound in his pre-Idol CD Brand New Shoes, and I think he really likes this side of him. I hope we will see more of this bluesier Kris in the future! And agreed on not having to skip any track. This is very rare for me. I buy CDs but I rarely ever play an entire CD without skipping. Solid album, Kris!
Right when I get home from work I am putting this album on my iPod!!!! Can’t wait!!!
Michael, Kara called. She wanted to remind you that “Cryin’” and “Crazy” are EARLY Aerosmith tunes.
Seriously, though, I love your reviews, and though I sadly have been at work all day and haven’t gotten to hear the album yet, I’m super excited to buy it on my way home from work!
LOL!!!
I really hope that ” Before we come undone” is the next single! Great review!
Good lord. Mercy. I like the guy but there is no way in hell I’m reading all this.
You seriously need to take it down a notch. I like the Idols but I don’t have the time or endurance to wade through all this.
He (nor is Lambert) isn’t here to wash our sins away, for crying out loud.
Hey Keith, this is an idoloonies world, go back to your barn.
Ha Ha… That was funny!
I’ve been waiting for this day ever since the end of May! Had my eyes on him from the very beginning of the A.I competition, and this Album just showed me why I made the right choice! It’s beautiful, and the fact that he co-wrote/wrote 9 tracks out of the 13 on the Album is amazing with regards to his busy schedule! He’s very talented, and I hope to hear more from him in the future!
I know, right? After his “Ain’t No Sunshine” I was like, “Hmmmm, this is a guy to watch…” He totally hooked me. I’d been cheering for Adam because he is obviously so talented but I started looking forward to his performances less and less and was so excited to see what Kris would do each week…
Whew! Glad to see that you are finally getting on the Alright With Me train… I didn’t love the snippet, but know I am rooting for it to be the 2nd single. Go Kris!
I love Kris’ album! It’s all so catchy and fun, but then there are the more serious tracks like “I Need to Know” (which I think more refers to his relationship with G-d.) An awesome debut from Kris, a true artist!
Reading Kris’ comments in the ‘Thanks’ section in the back of the CD was very telling. The first person he thanked was God. When I first heard ‘I Need to Know’, that was my impression, he was talking to God. Beautiful!
At first I wanted CSA to be the second single, but I am coming around to the BWCU way of thinking. And omg, Need To Know is rapidly becoming the most-played track on the entire album.
I love Red Guitar way more than you do, though, and I was so sure it would be really cheesy.
Urgh…MIke. I agree, it’s not on any of the Twin Cities radio stations!! W T F is right!!!
Please do request it!
My personal favorites are I Need to Know, Red Guitar and Alright with Me. But I’ve only listened to the album through once so I may feel differently later.
Thank you Michael for given the CD the attention it deserves.
I would be curious to hear your take on the bonus tracks.
I haven’t heard the Daughtry-Allen bonus track and would like to.
I’m glad sales were OK today. I want Kris to have a future.
The bonus track ‘Send Me All Your Angels’ that was co-written by Chris Daughtry is awesome. It’s now one of my favorite songs. I don’t know why it wasn’t included on the album and is only a bonus track. I made a point of buying it at Walmart for that reason and was so glad I did.
Its on youtube!
Love the album….Kris Allen has the unique ability to make you feel every song as though he were singing for his life. If the guy could act as good as he can sing he would be unstoppable! Have listened to every song more than 20 times…..each with its unique flavor…love them all.
Fantastic review! I agree with just about all of it. I have to say I’m really curious how many of these will come across in a live performance. Especially Alright With Me – he could break it down into an acoustic but still jaunty fabulous dichotomy of wonderful Kris Allen-y goodness. Yeah ok, I’m excited.
The only thing I’ll disagree with you on is I Need To Know. I ADORE the song and I’m most definitely raising my hand for the 20+ plays, but I think your interpretation could be off. It’s something I was trying to figure out too. Instead of it being about a romantic relationship, listen again and look at the lyrics. IMO he’s reached a roadblock, at some crossroad and questioning. Asking God or asking himself what to do and where to go from here. Maybe I’m making it too big (but really with the way he sings it, that’s the way it sounds), but either way I think it’s an interesting perspective to see it through.
i completely agree with you about i need to know…
I agree, it seemed to me that he was talking to God. Beautiful!
Seriously the best Idol debut album. Love,love,love The Truth and Red Guitar!
I literally listened to I Need To Know 23 times one night… and it’s not slowing down… i think it’d be risky to release it as a single, but i think it would pay off AMAZINGLY!!!!!!!