Album review: Cook's 'David Cook'

The latest ‘Idol’ champ, David Cook, steps into his role as mainstream rocker on his self-titled debut major label album. Finally able to move on from his “magic rainbows,” Cook really nails the target with this album, produced by veteran Rob Cavallo.

Kicking things off with the fired-up rock anthem “Declaration,” Cook surely knows how to wet the appetites of his fans. “Declaration” would be the perfect follow-up single choice because it is practically designed with radio in mind.

Something that is extremely noticeable on ‘David Cook’ is the lyrics. Having wrote or co-wrote 10 of the songs, Cook’s songwriting talents were not wasted compared to what is found on most ‘Idol’ debuts. This is especially seen on “Heroes,” where Cook emphasizes his love by suggesting “all these heroes come and go / but you’re still standing.”

As for mid-tempos, “Life on the Moon” is perhaps the best track of this kind on the album, as it displays Cook’s aptitude for conveying emotion into his work. Although it is not half bad itself, the album’s first single, “Light On,” pales in comparison as a mid-tempo track.

On “Mr. Sensitive,” aspects of a major motion picture’s raising theme song come to mind, and would perhaps be a perfect fit on a superhero film’s soundtrack. The hard rock instrumentation meshes surprisingly well with Cook’s controlled vocals. In addition to “Mr. Sensitive,” Cook really digs into the grungy depths of rock on tracks like “Bar-ba-sol” and the hidden track “Kiss on the Neck” and does not come off sounding pretentious.

On “Come Back to Me,” Cook trades in authenticity for radio-friendly fare in the form of a Bo Bice-lite track that would be a perfect fit for Hot AC radio. While “Lie” would also be an ideal single due to its hook, it is able to retain validity in the context of the rest of the album’s tracks. But the weakest track is without a doubt “I Did It for You,” which has such generic lyrics and a bland sound that it is almost embarrassing to see it tacked onto the album.

Where Cook really comes into his own is on the album’s ballads, especially “Permanent” and “Avalanche.” On “Permanent,” a vulnerable Cook utilizes his reserved vocals in conjunction with piano and stringed accompaniment. This is a side of him his fans do not see as often as one might expect, so it is definitely a pleasant surprise. While a little more forgettable, “Avalanche” is another example of Cook’s ability to adapt musically to a more heartfelt persona.

The album’s final standout comes in the form of “A Daily AntheM,” which is a spirited, uplifting piece of work that gives hope to a brighter day. And then there’s the inescapable “The Time of My Life,” which Cook has little choice but to include to cap off an otherwise solid album.

Without a doubt, David Cook puts his best foot forward on ‘David Cook,’ and the result of his dedicated work and moving vocals is hard to deny. Expect big things from the ‘Idol’ alum in the future.

David Cook will be available to purchase in stores and online on Tues., Nov. 18.