Kris Allen - Kris Allen
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CD Details
Artist: Kris AllenEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2009-11-17
Music Label: Jive
Soundtracks:
- Live Like We're Dying
- Before We Come Undone
- Can't Stay Away
- The Truth
- Written All Over My Face
- Bring It Back
- Red Guitar
- Is It Over
- Let It Rain
- Alright With Me
- Lifetime
- I Need To Know
- Heartless
Music reviews of Kris Allen
Music Review: Solid Debut
Rating: 4 Stars
Kris Allen was truly the first 'dark horse' to take the Idol crown. In a season where it seemed written in blood that Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey would be facing off against one another, Kris's out of character, brilliant spin on "Heartless" placed the 23-year old in the finals. Even more surprising, Allen beat the prodigiously talented Adam Lambert, a consistent frontrunner prior to the top 13. While I admit I wasn't happy that Adam lost to Kris (even though I'd also been a fan of Kris throughout the competition), I always planned to purchase his album because I thought he was talented. Debut Kris Allen is solid by all means, though not 'revolutionary'. With that said, it is about what I expected from the idol winner - strong vocals and a slightly more 'middle-of-the-road' adult alternative pop-sound. My biggest complaint is that at times some of Kris's uniqueness from American Idol is shed in favor of conformity - but I think every Idol winner's debut faces the issue of what provides the most preservation of their own show persona and what translate to radio. While there is blatant conformity to pop radio here, it is nice to see some tracks that buck the trend, such as the slightly odd, but fun "Alright With Me", which definitely sounds different from what is spinning on radio.
The album opens with the enjoyable, underrated single "Live Like We're Dying" which benefits from a sound vocal performance from Kris as well as strong songwriting. It is an exceptional way to open the album and it makes the listener wonder why this hasn't peaked higher on the Billboard Hot 100. Nonetheless, it is a spirited performance that reminisces of the brilliant vocalist fans witnessed on American Idol. "Before We Come Undone" doesn't let the pace of the album falter one bit; Kris impresses once more with a strong vocal performance, supported by capable production work and overall sound songwriting. "Before We Come Undone" lacks some of the prestige and prodigious nature of "Live Like We're Dying", but proves quite enjoyable and solid by all means. The best track on the album isn't the cover of Kanye West's "Heartless", but the energetic, funked-up pop thriller "Can't Stay Away", which would have been a perfect fit on Maroon 5's upcoming album. Brilliantly penned, well produced, and performed with great virtuosity, "Can't Stay Away" is my very favorite.
"The Truth" is solid as well, though a shade less enthralling than the three tracks that precede. "Written All Over My Face" isn't bad, but it isn't as appealing as others. The lack of momentum (which isn't much mind you) is counteracted with the fine "Bring It Back". "Bring It Back" sounds like it could've been penned by The Fray frontman Isaac Slade (though it isn't). It isn't that far removed from mega hit "You Found Me" in overall concept or structure. Despite the slight semblance of 'copy-cat', it still lays well and suits Allen's voice to a 'T'.
"Red Guitar" was penned by Allen, alone, a shocker for a debut idol album (remember Taylor Hicks penned some of his debut Taylor Hicks). It is actually not bad; the drum groove is in the pocket and Allen makes the song likable by giving a performance filled with nuance and utter conviction. "Is It Over", however, steals the red carpet right underneath "Red Guitar", proving to be quite enjoyable. "Is It Over" shows off Allen's pipes well, even if the guitars sometimes grow the slightest bit too dynamic. "Let It Rain" is solid, though proves to be 'too much of the same' by this point to truly be 'cutting edge'. That said, it is still and enjoyable listen worthy of a couple of spins.
"Alright With Me" does a phenomenal job of showcasing the 'fun' side of Kris (think his Idol performance of "Heartless"). One of my favorites, "Alright With Me" shows a folk-rock edge that isn't always apparent on this album; think Jason Mraz here. "Lifetime" is enjoyable enough, though not as fun as "Alright With Me". A catchy, power-pop laden hook makes "Lifetime" a great listen. "I Need To Know" is the last official track on Kris Allen, but it is followed by a slightly different arrangement of "Heartless" and "Send Me All Your Angels". "I Need to Know" is a ballad that the crooner lets simmer, utilizing piano and restraining his vocal performance. Beautiful, haunting (particular with the entrance of strings), it is artistry at its best. "Heartless" seems the slightest bit 'flatter' here and less exciting, maybe due to the fact it is a studio recording as opposed to a live performance - not bad though; not unlike the studio recording of Fantasia's "Summertime" from Free Yourself in which the live performance had 'more personality'.
"Send Me All Your Angels", penned by Allen, Chris Daughtry and Mike Elizondo is OK, but by this point, the listener has gotten a first impression of what a Kris Allen album sounds like. In essence, why does "Send Me All Your Angels" matter - especially after solid hits like "Live Like We're Dying" or "Can't Stay Away".
In essence, Kris Allen's debut is well crafted and generally enjoyable. There is some 'conformity', but this album plays well to Allen's strengths. Next round, maybe more songs like "Can't Stay Away" or "Alright With Me" that better exhibit personality would be appreciated. 3.5 - 4 stars.
Description of Kris Allen
2009 debut album from the American Idol Season 8 winner. Kris Allen hails from a town of less than 60,000, but his ability to captivate an audience of millions has undoubtedly put him on the map. As nearly 100 million votes were cast for the Season 8 finale, Kris Allen quickly became a household name nationwide. This much-anticipated release features the first single 'Live Like We're Dying'.Folk CDs
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