If The Reviews Are Bad, Mr. Archuleta’s Going To Be Upset

Dan Gibson | November 11, 2008 10:00 am

Our look at the closing lines of reactions to the week’s biggest new music continues with a glance at reviews of David Archuleta’s self-titled album, which arrives in stores today:

• “The music, made by many producers and songwriters, averages out different forms of radio-format blandness, with tinges of Coldplay and Shania Twain, and a few dollops of good writing: ‘Don’t Let Go,’ co-written and co-produced by the former ’N Sync singer JC Chasez; and ‘Crush.’ But the persona remains intact, ready for more. ‘Show me that good things come to those who wait,’ Mr. Archuleta sings at the end of ‘You Can.’ He sounds as lost as ever, yet this is a mark of absolute assurance.” [NY Times]

• “But when the gloss gets stripped away and Archuleta slips in some sweet flourishes on the mostly solo-piano ‘Running,’ you glimpse hints of how his innate tenderness might triumph if he weren’t saddled with the most generic writing and production money can buy.” [EW]

• “Here we have another Idol album of pap pop and would-be adult-contemporary duds fit only for Archie’s most devoted tween girl fans. At its best, you get ‘Running,’ which sounds like Clay Aiken 2.0. At its worst, you get ‘My Hands,’ which is Justin Guarini 2.0. Either way, David Archuleta utterly fails to convey the qualities that made the Utah teen an Idol favorite.” [Boston Herald]

• “The lowlights are too many midtempo tunes that fail to make an impact, even after repeated listening. (In contrast, ‘Crush’ rewards numerous listens.) This isn’t an album that takes risks. Archuleta is to be commended for co-writing two songs, but those sound more filler than killer, with lyrics that settle for platitudes. But then again, who are we to look for answers for the meaning of life from a 17-year-old from Murray?” [Salt Lake Tribune]