FACT: I am a HUGE David Cook fan.
FACT: This album review is a little biased.
FACT: This is a solid sophomore record from David Cook.
This Loud Morning takes the listener on a journey. There's an actual progression and a story from the start of the record that eventually takes a couple of turns midway through, ending with a track that basically sums up everything. Let me be clear though, while one can listen to each song individually, it is an album that rewards those who listen to it in it's entirety. Seriously.
Here's my track-by-track review: This track demands attention! From the atmospheric intro that's shockingly very ethereal and dreamy to the pulsating beat of effect-laden keys to the wonderful melody to the big anthemic chorus to the excellent guitar work and even David Cook's genuinely inspired singing,
Circadian blew me away. True, it's overloaded with layers of intricate production, but it has a confidence that's immediately gripping. Plus, the children's chorus at the end makes this song exponentially more interesting.
10/10Possibly one of the more dynamic tracks on this record. The melody just zag when I expect it to zig - you know what I mean? Of course, that's nothing groundbreaking by any means, but there are some pretty nifty transitions in this song. I especially like how the bridge ends with a note that impressively shifts into a guitar line. I also find the chorus to be ready-made for the stadiums.
8/10Nothing special. It tries to be uplifting or inspirational, but it suffers from a boring formula of a four chord chorus, verse, bridge and anything else to occupy the rest of the song. I know. I know. Most of David Cook's songs are structured that way, but this just didn't grab me the same way the other songs did. The bridge is probably the best part though and the fact that the instrumentation actually reminds me of U2.
7/10Somehow, there's such a cinematic quality to this song. The easy-strumming guitar intro before exploding into a soaring chorus is quite expected, but it feels more real and earnest than anything. It has a bigger impact by the time it hits the hard rocking chorus because there's already plenty of build up from the relatively slow start. The vocals are also very good as it features the character on David Cook's voice with a sensibility that makes great use of the intense imagery of the song.
9/10The
almost electronic intro with soft piano line accompaniment and steady drumbeat caught me seriously off guard - in a good way. It's like a box full of surprises! Haha. I like how his laid back vocals on the verses suddenly transition into a loud plead during the chorus. There’s an actual emotion behind them and not just some mindless shouting done for the sake of developing a character. Lovely phrasing. Incredible hook. Solid production.
8/10Wow. This actually has some pretty impressive vocals. Again, I like how David Cook's voice soared when he hits the chorus and bridge. Just from that alone, the song already leaves an impact on the listener. But then, add the fact that this also has an interesting layers of instrumentation from the brooding piano and strings in the beginning to the searing guitars and pumped up bass during the climax of the song. Yes, at it emerges into the peak, everything begins to sound even more splendid. Arguably, one of the strongest tracks on the album.
9/10Truth be told, the first verse decorated with a cool guitar work is more enjoyable than anything that happens after that. But that's not saying that the rest of the track is awful, because it's not. The vocals are, as usual, pretty good, especially in the chorus with a hook that's worth sitting through. It totally has enough swagger and the guitar solo towards the end is quite good.
7/10Ok. I seriously had a couple of reservations when I heard this as his debut single. Right off the bat, I knew that this song just didn't sound right for David Cook. It's too
poppy and I didn't know how well this track will tie up with the rest of his record. But you know what, in context, I actually appreciate this song now more than I expected. Yes, it could've been - judging on the lyrics - harder and distorted, but this creative decision is arguably more musically rewarding this way. Plus, it's a total ear worm.
8/10This song has the same sound that powered some of
Kings Of Leon's hits - the echoing, the incredible guitar riffs, and the reverb that makes everything sound like it's already booming around a vast sports arena. It also boasts a sharp melody that's unbelievably catchy and a pretty strong lyrics to boot. Not to mention, David Cook's impassioned vocal performance. Hands down, one of my favorite tracks on this album.
10/10Filler song? While I think that this is actually a decent song with a couple of interesting elements, it's just not
different enough to stand out. Simply put, the song is generic. To me, this is the only track - maybe with
We Believe? - that feels disposable, though will likely appeal to a large portion of the fan base that pushed Cook to the win American Idol three years ago. Not for me though.
6/10Beautiful. Visceral. Heartfelt. This ballad with a different feel compared to the others is probably the best song in terms of simplicity. Sure, the production still feels a bit over-the-top, but the relative subtlety of this versus the big and occasionally loud choruses prior to this, makes the track undeniably refreshing. The depth in this song is immeasurable and quite intense. David Cook's voice also feels earnest and it strains like there's some actual heartbreak.
9/10This last track brings the album full circle reliving everything from
Circadian to
Goodbye To The Girl. If you ask me, it's a pretty clever thing to end the album. There is still a lot going on with the production and it still somehow explodes in the chorus, but the overall impact of the song is pretty solid. It's less anthemic compared to the others, but the stunning lyrics along with his pitch perfect vocals make this track slightly above average. Plus, the strong guitar work makes a terrific backdrop for the powerful statement. And when the children's chorus fadeout at the end of
Circadian makes a comeback in this song, I just about lost it. Haha. Pretty clever.
8/10
His last record,
David Cook, came out of the gate with his identity intact, and this new album proves that he's an artist with a clear artistic point of view.
This Loud Morning is squarely mainstream without being generic and a lot more introspective and earnest than what I was actually expecting. It's sure heavy on production with all the intricate layers of instrumentation and loud anthemic choruses, but that actually made this record a lot more interesting than the last.
Ultimately,
This Loud Morning is a strong mainstream rock album, combining anthems and power ballads with intricate production and David's brooding voice. If you are a fan of rock music, chances are you will probably like this album. But there are a dozen songs here and I expect some may appeal more than others. That's ok - music reaches out to everyone by making something for everyone. But like I said, this is an album that rewards those who listen to it in it's entirety.
RATING: 8.3/10
