David Cook's Record Everything We Thought Nickelback's New One Would Be

Finding a copy of David Cook's self-titled record proved much harder than I initially thought. My usual seedy sources came up short, and the leak that was circulating above ground was of poor quality. So it was only yesterday when I finally got to listen to the bugger. In truth, knowing what I know now, I probably could've stood to wait a bit longer.

David Cook's post-American Idol record is exactly what so many feared it would be. The rock influence that won Cook so many fans on Idol is virtually nonexistent on the album. In its place is shlocky, paint-by-numbers radio fare that has a decent shot on radio, but is utterly devoid of the balls that Cook displayed earlier this year. "Declaration" sets the stage for the rest of the album with a below-average anthem in the vein of Collective Soul and Nickelback. Except its nowhere near the quality of either. "Permanent" is as dry and boring as a ballad could possibly be, and "Life on the Moon" is an awkward, unimaginitive affair. Nothing on this record, not the songwriting, not the music, not a damn thing matches up to Cook's work with Axium or the oft-bootlegged Analog Heart.

The album is saved from completely crapping the bed with glimmers of hope like "Bar-Ba-Sol" which actually shows off some testosterone in its up-tempo pace and less than pristine drums. "A Daily AntheM" is perhaps the most honest moment we hear on this record, a slightly better than expected tribute to Cook's brother (the capitalized letters spell lil' Cook's name). But even that doesn't match up to "AC", the song he did with Axium. And Cook gets his growl back on on "Kiss on the Neck", perhaps the finest overall track in this set. There's one problem though; "Kiss on the Neck" is the hidden track, appearing ten minutes after the last song. David Cook feels mismanaged, overproduced, and ultimately underwhelming.

As I tend to do in moments like this, I blame the label. Cook's label wanted so badly to score some cash in the form of radio play that they abandoned what made him popular in the first place in favor for their tired, established method. The songwriting, which Cook helped with, is good, but not nearly as good as anything Cook has written by himself (see: Analog Heart). The extra 'help' on the record makes it sound less like Cook himself and more like the people who got to put their hand in the cookie jar. It basically comes down to there being too many "Cooks" in the kitchen, when in reality one could've done a much better job. I can only hope that Cook gets another record and take the few successes from this botched, forced attempt and use them as a new foundation.

I can't believe I'm about to type this next sentence, but here goes. If you find yourself with 10 bucks to burn on music tomorrow, skip over this and pick up Nickelback's new album. It's far more consistent, and believe it or not, it's much better written and performed than anything on this abortion of a record.

Final Score: 4.5/10

==TJ==