Wednesday, July 30, 2008

An Alog Heart

A fan gave me David Cook's album Analog Heart from 2006 a while back.  It got tossed into a bin after a show and I didn't find it until today as I was unpacking stuff to repack for the tour dates upcoming.  Anyway, I finally got to listen to it.

I was David Cook fan while he was on the show.  This album, if I weren't a fan wouldn't do anything for me to become a fan, if I'm being honest.  The albums sounds great, but I wish they had spent more time on the vocals...David Cook proved this year he's a fantastic vocalist, and unfortunately, there are many times on here that isn't shown.

However, with that said, this album actually makes me even more excited about his upcoming album.  Why?  Didn't I just say Analog Heart wasn't incredible?  Yes...but overall you can hear his ear for a great song (though the songs weren't all that great here, they were awful close), great arrangements and good production.  The thing about indie albums is that it's tough to find an indie that puts everything together right...on this one, David put together a great album with good songs, and really good production (for the style of music he was going for).  I'm not sure who produced the album or who played on it, but everything sounds really, really good.

So, for those who haven't heard it: you're not missing a lot - in fact, I think that, for once, 19 entertainment got it right, in forcing people to wait for the "real thing".  But trust me (and tons of others who have heard it) in saying that David Cook is a star and he shows great promise of it on this album.

I hear he's working with Rob Cavallo...that's freaking awesome!  Rob produced the Green Day records, the Black Parade album for My Chemical Romance and, most importantly to me: Goo.  Rob produced the greatest Goo Goo Dolls albums...if he can pull the same vocal performances from David that he's pulled from tons of other singers, then this album is going to be a winner.

I've learned my lessons on predicting how many albums someone might sell...so I'll save it.  But I will say this: I think David Cook has every tool he needs to be a best-selling artist.  Doesn't mean he'll be it, but he has the tools, and that's a start!  Now, let's hope his label continues to pour money into radio promotions!

ETA: So we're clear: I am a David Cook fan.  I like his music and this his songwriting shows incredible promise here.  I think that this album is in the 95th percentile for local indie artists I've ever heard (and I've heard a lot).  So, please don't read into this as me trying to bash David Cook or that I'm jealous...I am doing neither!  Thanks for checking out the blog.

35 comments:

risalea said...

I'm gonna' pass this along to my friend, Donna, who is an old teaching buddy of mine. She's a "Word Nerd" and loves David Cook like we love you, Chris. In fact, she's the official Word Nerd giftbasket deliverer to him in Bossier City (because they aren't coming to LR) It was really funny how we "confessed" to each other about our, well, ok, slight obsessions. I think David Cook is great...he seems like he has a good heart, and that's what attracts me along with the wonderful voice.

Carrie said...

Ehhh. People aren't gonna be happy with you about this one, Chris!

Alexis Jacobs said...

As a fellow "Cougar for Cook" I have to disagree with you on Analog Heart. But I do agree that he has the potential to be something great. I am counting down the days until November and my pre-ordered album is in my mailbox.

Anonymous said...

chris, thanks for posting your thoughts about analog heart. i'm a cook fan more so than ai, but do watch the show and do remember you :)

i agree with you about the album having potential even with its limitations. as for the musicians and production, here's a place were you can see the credits: http://www.david-cook.org/index.php?showtopic=7237&hl=analog+heart

have a great one and good luck in all. -a

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I have had analog heart for some time and I agree with you. The wonderful thing about AI is that you ain't just playing to the bar crowd. It pushes you as an artist and sometimes it makes you record stuff you never even would have tried. That can go both ways. I burned a CD with all of Cook's AI stuff and then put what I could fit of Analog Heart at the end. I gave one to a customer and her daughters who were Cook fans but not very good with a computer and then I had to run and gets some parts for their house. When I came back they had Music of the Night playing and they were all crying. They were so grateful because the cd with old and new is pretty awesome. I can't wait to see how his new stuff turns out either.
I sent Jason Walkers, "You're Missing It" to some of Cooks pages because I would like to hear that one on the radio. I actually would like to hear JW on the radio.

Anonymous said...

don't back down, chris...you're entitled to your opinion and had stated it respectfully and clearly the first time.

we word nerds don't bite...hard, anyways.
;)

peace!

Anonymous said...

quick question chris

how many cd did half past forever put out before take a chance on something beautiful?

ChrisSligh said...

We officially released Half Past Forever (self-titled) and we released in limited release "Besides..." which was B-sides from our first album.

Chris

rosalee said...

I see that someone's been updating Chris's Wikipedia entry......

Carianne said...

hah that's actually what I thought when my sister made me listen to a few of those songs. They show potential, but they aren't great...
I expect big things from this guy.

Anonymous said...

David did everything himself. Production, instruments, writing, everything. Please look at Analog Heart in that light and not be so quick to put it down. It takes a lot of skill to do something like that completely by yourself.

rosalee said...

Hey people -

Go over to Ken Barnes' Idol Chatter at USATODAY and leave your two cents on his discussion -
Who should have been in the Top 3 in each American Idol Season:

http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter/2008/07/does-idol-get-t.html#uslPageReturn

Anonymous said...

Anon, Don't get me or us wrong. Having heard Analog Heart before Cook was even a front runner on AI might paint it in a more proper perspective. It was good and exciting but I would be lying if I thought it was fantastic. After hearing Analog Heart I was a confirmed David Cook fan and that was just as he started showing he true potential on the show. The timing of things made me like a little kid when it came to AI night. I simply couldn't wait to see what was next, the same way I feel about Chris. Waiting for these guys turn at the plate, knowing that any moment one can be hit out of the park. It just so fun. Kind of like Heb 12:1. Cheering from the stands and wishing we had done more with our own personal talents when we had the opportunity.

Anonymous said...

Hey, if you ever wanna get rid of that CD..I'd be happy to take it off your hands!

DJ in AL said...

Anon, if you don't know alot about Chris you might not know that putting something together completely by yourself is something Chris knows a whole lot about. Chris has been there, done that. And I think he made it pretty clear he likes David and isn't putting him down.

Then again, everyone is entitled to his opinion. Chris is no stranger to criticism, he's been there and done that too!

gdahimself said...

To Anonymous,
From GDA,

If David Cook has the skill but not the talent to do everything, he should get help.
People can be very kind while they elect to buy someone else's records, and maybe never consider one of his newer albums in the future.

Anonymous said...

Hey Chris! You hit the nail on the head in regards to Analog Heart. It isn't good. I really love David Cook and his performances on AI. But AH does nothing to let you know that he is really as good as he can be.
The problem going on is that there are so many fangirls obsessed with him that they automatically think everything out of his mouth is golden. That's not the case for anyone. I sometimes get the feeling if he auctioned off his sweaty socks people (read:fangirls) would dab the scent behind their ears and call it the latest perfume. Eh, whatta ya gonna do??? But anyways, it is possible to like the musician and not like the music. So here's hoping his future music really shows his potential.

Carrie said...

Haha, anon, I like you.

Anonymous said...

Chris! I love both you and DC! I saw him not even 2 weeks ago and met his mom and brother, Andrew, they are all so nice and I cant wait to see what he comes out with. But as far as you go. I get to see you Saturday night in Pontoon beach, IL. Im super Psyched! My cousin was going and asked me to come so how could i pass up the chance to see you?!! I'd love to be givin the chance to meet you and tell you in person how much i love you but i understand that odds are your to busy. :( lol. Have a great day!

Deb in TN said...

Hey Chris....don't worry about stating your opinion....it's yours and you are entitled just as well as anyone else is entitled to theirs....and, this IS your blog, afterall...

By the way, did you know that Cookie has been Goggling and reading the various blog remarks about him? He's a brave soul because some of the Bloggers can be downright ruthless.....your critique was mild in comparison....I'm glad you are a fan, too.....

Anyway, I'm a WordNerd and a big Cookie fan too....had no choice--it's Rock.....

I do agree with you on some of your points regarding Analog Heart....I, too, have had it for many, many months and made this observation during AI: If you listen to Analog, then listen to Cookie's AI performances, you can hear how much Cookie has actually grown in his vocal abilities...I've always felt that Cookie's weakness vocally was his low notes....they come across as being flat to my ear in many of the songs pre-Idol....he has greatly improved in that area...

Again, I agree with you about songwriting potential...Cookie has a good sense of direction and creativity in the songwriting department....Overall, I think Cookie is a great talent and I am anticipating a worthy CD from him...I have the same expectations of him that I held with Daughtry/RCA....Like you, I hope 19 will deliver right on the money and Cookie can go multi-plat like Daughtry has....I think he's got a good shot at it...

My favorites on Analog are Makeover, Silver, The Truth, Don't Say A Word and Straight Ahead....I think Makeover would hit the mark on radio and is worthy of mainstream....And, if you want to hear more Cook, don't forget his previous band, Axium.....I love the songs Incarcerate (beautiful song), Balance (written in memory of his grandfather)and Callout....there's also "AC" written for his cancer afflicted brother, Adam....David's voice has interesting texture and grit to it without overdoing it....he's just got that oooomph....that "something special" about his voice....hey--just like you do! :) Wish I were going to Salem tomorrow (near my old stomping grounds) to see you again....looking forward to you being back in the area and close again....Have a safe trip, Chris.

Deb in TN said...

Oooops.....

Meant to say, "googling"...not goggling.....conjures up a visual of Cookie sitting in front of his monitor, reading with swimming goggles on.....silly me.

rosalee said...

Well, I just picked up 2 tickets for American Idol at the Nassau Coliseum for Aug 5th. 15th row on the floor. Not too bad. They had been sold out until now. I will go in my "uniform". I'm not sure whether I should wear the picnic shirt, the chrissligh.com shirt or a Fro Patro shirt. And of course, you know who will be right by my side.....

risalea said...

Let us know what you think about this year's show, Rosalee. I am beginning to think last minute tickets are the way to go. I remember the first time I met Amanda in person, she went up to the box office at Alltel (where last July's AI concert took place in NLR) that morning and got better seats than I had gotten using the "poptart code" early on. I hope "Chris" has a good time, too! LOL

rosalee said...

Don't worry, Risa - I'll prop him up so that he has a good view..

I was debating whether to hold out until the last day so that maybe I could get front row seats, but I decided to grab these because you never know....

Carianne said...

rosalee

15th row seats are awesome! I had 18th row in L.A. and had no problem seeing whatsoever! Enjoy the show -- I did! (and I can't wait to hear what comments you get lol)

Cathy Storms said...

Rosalee~You have to show us pictures of you and Chris at the Idol concert.
I think you should wear the picnic shirt. We're going to Big Bear next week and I'm going to wear mine...Also the black Sligh.com, the pink Sligh.com and my Sligh Rocks hat..I have to get a purse.

rosalee said...

Cathy -

Did you say "BIG BEAR"?

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff4/rosaleeNY/Fro%20Patro%20Picnic%202008/DSC_0308.jpg

That was NOT a photochop -
It was taken on July 6th in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

See? A picture for every occasion!

risalea said...

I'm thinking we should do something with a Sligh purse...something like Flat Stanley. Have a journal to go with it and send it round robin to whomever is going to one of Chris's events so that person could write a story and include their picture with "Chris". LOL Could be fun.

rosalee said...

I don't know if that would work - Remember when that banner was supposed to be passed around at the Idol concerts? It kind of petered out. And shipping could get expensive on a large item. But if each person had their own bag, they could take it to an event, take a photo and tell their story.

DJ in AL said...

Rosalee,

Big Bear?? You crack me up girl! How's Harry?

Risa,

That idea is cool and could work, well except for the shipping costs.

rosalee said...

Harry's fine. He's getting geared up for the concert. I hope the venue allows him to bring his new camera in. They allow small non-professional and digital cameras, but not "professional" cameras, and I'm not sure what category his camera falls under. He's not going to try to bring the camcorder in. If they make him take the camera out, we'll have to use our older, crappy one. It took a lot of blurry pictures last year.

The Gang's Momma! said...

It's been a while since I've commented, so I had a lot to digest when I came here. But I appreciate the honest look at DC's previous album. I'm completely hooked on his amazing voice and great gift for arranging that he got to showcase on AI. I think you are right, he's got great things ahead for his career!!!

Congrats on your successes - have been hearing you all over the place and have enjoyed it on your behalf. And thanks for the recommendations on Remedy Drive - I'll pass it on to my boys. They've liked your other recs so far :)

I would DIE to get my hands on that cd that badpacifist put together of DC - and my kids would roll their eyes and laugh at me. Would die for it! :)

Widya Tarina said...

The producer of Analog Heart was David Cook himself !

Anonymous said...

I agree with Chris. I loved, loved, loved David Cook on AI, but when I listened to Analog Heart, I was disappointed. His new album is amazing compared to AH.

And I agree with Deb in TN...the songs she mentioned are the only ones worth listening to really.

Chris, I love your Arise song!!