Album Review: Clear As Day - Scotty McCreery

Let me just get straight to the point and say that I'm NOT a country music lover. I wasn't even a fan of Carrie Underwood until recently. But since I always keep an open mind when it comes to music in general and with a sudden surge of interesting - at least to me - crossover country acts in recent years with Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift and American Idol's very own Carrie Underwood, I surprisingly got into it.

And with Scotty McCreery's win in this season of American Idol, I was bound to give it a try for me to be as objective as possible in "reviewing" his debut album, Clear As Day. Of course, I'm well aware that my new appreciation and little knowledge for the genre wouldn't give me any cred for this review, but it is what it is.

Here's my track-by-track review: 

This lead-off track sets the mood for the remaining songs in the album. It's fun, catchy and one of the handful tracks that show a more contemporary sound for Scotty. His vocals add sharpness to the song and there's a sense of conviction to his delivery. Plus, the production of this is quite good. 8/10

Not really a big fan of the song just because of the schmaltzy lyrics, but Scotty really sold this like it's the best one out there. I felt his passion, his voice worked well with the tune and I like how he pushed his vocals towards the end. 6/10

At first, this song just didn't do anything for me. I thought the verses were weak and I found the transition a little awkward. But! After a few subsequent listen, I warmed up to it. His restrained delivery is quite impressive for his age and when the chorus hits, his voice just soared - something I didn't expect. The song in itself is beautiful and Scotty's interpretation makes it even better. 8/10

Sure, this is not the strongest track on the record, but I understand why they released this as his debut single. It's a swoon worthy song that's obviously for his target market. So while the melody lacks a recognizable hook, it's pretty enough to get by. Besides, how this acoustic ballad soared into a full on orchestra at the last minute seriously gave me goosebumps. 7/10

Wow. This song features a good country rock melody coupled with some meaty slide guitar and Scotty's ear catching vocals. His phrasing is astounding and I like how convincing he sounds in this track. Nice playful song. 8/10

Just from the first few chords, I'm sold that this is possibly one of the strongest songs in the album. His vocals are solid, it has that cool vibe to it, the instrumentation is great and the way he tackles the words are pretty fascinating. Yet again, another surprisingly good upbeat track from Scotty. This, to me, has a good potential to be a hit song for him. 9/10

You know what's interesting about this song? It has a good amount of throwback vibe to it, but still sounds incredibly modern. The lyrics are cute and shockingly age appropriate and again, his vocals are solid. Why didn't we get much of this side of Scotty during the show? 8/10

Sunny! Haha. Not a fan of traditional sounding country songs complete with mandolins, banjos, fiddles and whatnot, but this is VERY charming. His country vocal inflections are nice and his throwback style complemented the tune. Outstandingly refreshing. 9/10

A heartfelt narrative set to a well produced and structured music. This is a soft ballad side to McCreery that I really like. It's not incredibly flat, but also not overly dramatic. It has a good balance of emotion, which is outstanding. I guess, mother's will absolutely adore this track. Just saying. 8/10

Incredible phrasing. Catchy melody. Interesting lyrics. What's not to love with the song? It's a nice country ditty that complements his voice to great effect. I wouldn't say it's the strongest track, but still a fun track that's probably a good sing-along song. 7/10

This song sounds a little generic at first, but there's something appealing about it. Maybe because of the obvious connection Scotty has with the song. It sounds earnest and there's a deep sincerity to his interpretation. Above all the technicalities, this is a song where Scotty delivers a true passion-filled vocals I've come to expect. 9/10

I'm not so sure if I like this song or not. Yes, it sounds a little mature, which is kind of refreshing, but there's nothing about it that's incredibly remarkable. It has a good inspirational theme, but that's just about it for me. I don't know. 7/10


Scotty McCreery's debut album, Clear As Day, I think, is a pretty solid effort. It doesn't set out to be the best album ever made and it's not a record that has songs for people to over analyze. It's just an easy listening album about life, love and family - as simple as it may be. At the end of the day, everyone will find a song to which they can relate as this is country music and it tells the story of your life. That is all.

RATING: 7.8/10

Album Review: This Loud Morning - David Cook

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. 10/10

Possibly 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. 8/10

Nothing 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. 7/10

Somehow, 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. 9/10

The 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. 8/10

Wow. 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. 9/10

Truth 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. 7/10

Ok. 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. 8/10

This 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. 10/10

Filler 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. 6/10

Beautiful. 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. 9/10

This 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

Album Review: Farmer's Daughter - Crystal Bowersox

Without question, Crystal Bowersox sounds absolutely great in this debut effort. Actually, the lack of overproduction in this record is a pleasant surprise. The writing holds up, her voice undoubtedly sounds great, and I like the production and maybe the style of the whole record. But will I buy the album? I'm not so sure.

I just can't see myself listening to more than a couple of her tracks over and over again. Some songs, at least to me, never seem to go anywhere. There are not enough strong melodies, no memorable hooks, and some of the songs just don't build to a climax. To be honest, after listening to the album thrice, I still can't recall a single song or even a melody from the album.

This isn't saying that the album is bad though. Maybe this isn't just exactly my preferred type of music. But I'm pretty positive that there has to be an audience for this kind of music. It may not be me, but I think this is a solid effort, regardless.

Here's my track-by-track review:

Frankly, I don't care much for this album opener. Yes, she inhabits the song with natural ease, despite the fact that this track sounds like it was a decade too late. But I think the main deficiency of the song is its general lack of a hook. The chorus is pretty much just an extension of the verse and the title/hook seems merely an afterthought here - offering no memorable change of melody. Plus, it's too twangy for my taste. 5/10

I actually like her cover of this song. Everything seems almost the same with the original but her vocal touches here and there makes her version stand on its own. It has that throwback feel to it and she does sound good singing the track. But at this point, it's already a given that Crystal has the pipes to pull this ditty off, so I'm not surprised. 7/10

Possibly one of the strongest tracks on her record. Starts as a slow and sensuous ballad that transitions into something which is surprisingly much more introspective than I expected. This, to me, is lyrically and thematically an edgy song that represents her perfectly as an artist. It may not be the most radio-ready track on the album, but I'm really glad she fought for this to be her lead-off single. 9/10

The one-two punch of Farmer's Daughter and this actually gets the album going. This track just took my breath away. It starts quiet and slow, but then grows to a more rocking anthem that once the song explodes into a huge, soaring chorus, Crystal's vocal remains controlled and focused, which is pretty impressive. The bridge is amazing and production-wise, it's on point. Absolutely lovely. 9/10

This is quite surprising. On first listen, this song is probably one of my favorites on the album. And it's probably the least Crystal-y. It's a shockingly bubbly song that sounds like it could have been ripped from a Owl City album. Haha. It’s funky, dynamic, and it rides on a tight rhythm section. Nothing revolutionary, but it has a fun vibe. I like it. 8/10

Not quite a ballad, not quite an anthem. But I have to say, this Kara DioGuardi-Chad Kroeger penned ditty isn't that bad. Sure, the song does sound like a Nickelback cover but I really think Crystal's voice adds something extra to this track. To me, this is a terrific example that she can actually extend her repertoire into slightly slicker pop without losing sight of her acoustic/folk roots. 8/10

It isn't one of my favorite tracks in the album but I have to say, this sounds, potentially, the most viable country radio single in this album. I think this has a decent amount of commercial appeal. No, the hook in this song still isn’t strong enough to stand on its own legs, and neither the rest of the song’s lyrics but Crystal is rocking in it hard and she - finally! - let loose. This is actually refreshing. 7/10

The percussion, the rhythm, the vocal, this is musical seduction at it's best. The song rocks as all heck. Enough said. 8/10

If not for Taylor Swift,  I would have wanted Crystal to name her album Speak Now. I don't know. There’s just something very earthy and real about this track. Here, Crystal has a satisfying, clear voice, and that slick, robust production clearly makes the track soar. That said, I'm not so sure about the structure of the song. I find the intro a tad too long. 7/10

My least favorite song on the album. I don't know why, but for some reason it's just grating on my nerves. It's not the lyrics or the production, but the tone of her singing is just strange. The melody strangely reminds me so much of The Carpenters. 4/10

Phenomenal! Arguably, the strongest track on the record. This is the only song that caught my attention when I first listened to the album. Crystal sounds great harmonizing with her husband, Brian. I actually like that they both effortlessly wraps their warm and slightly-raspy voices around the song. The instrumentation with it's lush strings and subtle drums is a nice contrast to the lyrics as well. Oh, and the bridge is nothing short of beautiful. 10/10

Just like Mason, there’s just something about the vibe to the production that I really like. This is actually a refreshingly calm track that boasts a breezy melody and warm vocal. I love how quiet this is, and how she never pushes too hard or tries to make this song bigger than it should be. I like the restraint. 7/10


Of course, opinions about certain albums are relative but I have no doubt that this debut material from Crystal Bowersox is solid. She manages to infuse her distinct sound in this record and that in itself is already an outstanding accomplishment for her. I actually wouldn't be surprised if she gets good reviews from legitimate music critics.

So, even though I'm personally not too crazy about this record, I think that the people who like this type of music will adore this album. Besides, I feel that Farmer's Daughter has more substance than most of the records that was released this year. Just saying.

RATING: 7.4/10

Album Review: Live It Up - Lee DeWyze

I must admit, I was never a big fan of Lee DeWyze on American Idol. Yes, I recognize his talent but he just didn't do anything special on the show that made me want to root for him - none of them did, actually. So, was I excited to listen to his debut album? Not really. It wasn't even a priority, if I'm being honest.

However, after listening to the whole record, I think this is a pretty solid stuff. Squarely mainstream, though a bit generic, which was pretty much what I was expecting. Most of the tracks manage to be radio-friendly but more eclectic than I thought, and it’s so much more introspective than most of the albums that’s out there now. It is eclectic yet, at the same time, coherent. Will it turn your musical world on its head? Absolutely not, but it is a record that is pleasant enough to listen to and possibly nice to have.

Here's my track-by-track review:

This was actually his original debut single but somehow had a sudden change of heart. Well, I think it was a good call. While this is undeniably a nice tune, I don't think it's the type of song that gets a lot of airplay compared to his actual single. This is more low key with less backing instrumentation, which I love. I think it's a pure authentic Lee song from the vocals down to the lyrics and production. 7/10

A track that is very bouncy in a John Mayer meets Jason Mraz kind of way. So unexpected and so playful for a debut track from Lee. I’m actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this song. It has tons of words, but, hey, that worked with Kris Allen pretty well, with Live Like We're Dying. Overall, I'm pretty satisfied - it gets stuck in my head. Total ear worm. 8/10

Handsome melody with an easy-going guitar strumming. This song seriously has a tendency to be extremely corny but it sounds refreshingly catchy and upbeat that it somehow avoided that route. Sure, this isn't the best track on the record, but it demands attention, which is always a good thing. 7/10

Easily one of the strongest tracks on the album and possibly the most personal for Lee. This is exactly how simple, straightforward love songs are supposed to make you feel. I'd say just indulge and let the wistful spirit of this track wash over you. Enjoy the emotion as it flows. Amazing!! 10/10

Possibly one of the most radio-friendly tracks. The melody is stunning, the verses are great, interesting bridge and it has got excellent drums beats and some Coldplay-like piano. There’s also an urgency to the music that never lets up. Plus, I love it when Lee stretches his vocal range, for a change. Good times. 8/10

I love this jaunty little treat from Lee. Seriously. This song has that fun and bouncy nature, which is very shocking since I didn't know Lee had it in him. Ha! A cherry song, which brings to mind a summer roadtrip with uncertain anticipation and excitement. To be honest, by the time the drums and synths kick into overdrive, I'm swaying to the beat and singing along. This actually reminds me so much of Kris Allen's Alright With Me. 9/10

Great melody and undeniably anthemic. This track has some striking similarities to U2's Beautiful Day - not a bad thing, mind you - which is ironically Lee's coronation song when he won American Idol. The production is high quality complete with strings, keyboards and his soaring vocals. A good song that has a catchy hook and could make its way onto some radio stations soon. 9/10

WOW! I'm very much in love with this song, if nothing else! It really has that jazz feel to it, which is surprising for someone like Lee. The track opens with an odd mix of piano and drums, but once Lee sings a note in this achingly beautiful melody, it's easily irrelevant. This has a nice building and dynamic that it carries over into his vocals - the hitch in Lee’s voice on that soaring bridge is stunning. 10/10

If there has to be one definitive let down track, it would be this. The song is just not unusual enough to stand out. In other words, a bit generic. This is the only track that feels disposable to me, but will likely appeal to a large portion of the fan base that pushed Lee to the win. It's not bad, it just seems more of an afterthought and doesn't make me want to go back and listen to it again. 5/10

Another mellow track, with a smooth hook. The groove is tight and will surely make some part of your body move. Actually, the whole song feels like it's moving along at a steady pace thanks to the drum train, the keyboards and the guitar line, which is actually my favorite part. 7/10

This is a decent song with a solid groove, and probably a nice way to finish the album. However, the melody on this mid-tempo track never really goes anywhere. And while this acoustic guitar strumming ditty - augmented by Lee's vocals - is hardly a disaster, I wish the album ended with something stronger like Brooklyn Bridge or Dear Isabelle. But maybe, that's just me nitpicking. 6/10


After a full listen through this album, it's tough not to try and compare it to the other debut albums of past winners, but they're entirely different entities, so I will not even go there. All I will say is that, Lee's debut effort after American Idol is not something to listen to if you want the boundaries of music challenged. I mean, if you’re looking for something unheard of or for the next step in music culture, this is obviously not it. This record just sits comfortably in convention, tried and tested sounds and methods which have been successful once before. But, that’s not to say that it isn’t entertaining in some way.

The material is tight, and Lee DeWyze's talent remains clear. Eleven tracks crossing between modern pop, folksy, and a hint of rock. Live It Up remains to be a safe release for an Idol winner, but there is no statement being made here.

RATING: 7.8/10