http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/08/david-cook-rob.html

David Cook has promised to make a rock record that's true to himself, and the American Idolwinner has confirmed that the studio maestro tasked with helping him realize that goal is Rob Cavallo. The producer has already lent his talents to high profile projects from My Chemical Romance, Kid Rock, and, most extensively, Green Day, including their Grammy Award-winning
album American Idiot, and Cook is confident that Cavallo is the right person for his upcoming release. "I think he's a great producer with the kind of sound that I want," Cook tells EW.com. "And in talking to him, he's just a good guy. Like the song selection I had on the show, Rob just fit."

The two are currently squeezing in studio time whenever the Idol summer tour allows, and Cook still plans to release the album in mid-November. As previously reported, Cook has had writing sessions with Our Lady Peace's Raine Maida and Collective Soul's Ed Roland, but there's one person who isn't involved with the album: industry vet Clive Davis, the man who executive produced all of the Idols' debuts, but whose role at SonyBMG, where he's currently Chief Creative Officer of SonyBMG Worldwide, has shifted. "I never heard his name brought up," Cook said.

That may free up Cook to make his own decision about whether to include his Idol finale single, "The Time of My Life," on the album. (Being forced to include agenerally-sappy but familiar song on a decidedly rock debut had been a bone of contention for one previous winner, Taylor Hicks,
who reportedly resisted having "Do I Make You Proud" on his album.) Cook hasn't yet made the call about the single. "It's not like there's any resistance to [the song]," he says. "My goal is to make a cohesive record, and I don't want any song to stick out like a sore thumb. But in every meeting that I've had with 19 [Management] and RCA [Records], they've been very supportive of what I want to do with my record."

Thanks for posting this! im happy to find out that he's working with Rob Cavallo, who has worked with Grren Day and MCR...i love them both! im sure Cook's album will not dissapoint one bit, i can't wait!

Great article, thanks Jenney!

And if he gets to decide, I'll be very surprised if TOML is on the record. Don't get me wrong, it's surely grown on me and he did a great job with it, but I can't imagine it will "fit" with the rest of songs that end up on the CD.

Sounds like everything's going in the right direction for the new album. I'd be surprised to see TOML on it. I think David's appreciative of how successful it's been, but if he has any say, and it appears he does, it probably won't be there, because he keeps mentioning the cohesiveness aspect.....

I'm really looking forward to finding out what the theme for the album is!



Ha, was composing my reply while you were posting this.

Looks like we agree about TOML!!!!

GMTA

I really like My Chemical Romance, but I must confess, I don't know anything about Green Day. I don't care for Kid Rock, so I don't know much about his music. But if Cookie is happy with Rob Cavallo, then I am, too!!! I agree with speculation that TOML won't be on the album. I do like the song, but it doesn't seem like it fits our Cookie. Even though he makes it work, I think we all know it is a song he would not have sung under any other circumstances! I highly doubt TOML would make his album cohesive in any way, shape or form. It seems TPTB are giving DC more autonomy than they have given any other winning Idol. Probably because he really has proven himself to be a cut above their normal winner (not trying to take away from any other winner, I really love Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks). DC has so much experience and immense talent. I am so happy for him!

HA! I'm glad I didn't try to post this because I was getting ready too. Thanks Jenny!

I agree totally with this statement and all the other opinions expressed especially when it comes to TOML. The song has done really well and I'll admit I like it but as Scott said and a few others when it comes to the song, it just doesn't fit the vibe that David is trying to create for this record and so I'm hoping it will be left off of the CD too.

LOL! I pounced on this one when it came up in my Google alerts!

I find TOML kind of catchy too, but I'm hoping for something totally different in his new CD, maybe a vibe that doesn't deal with relationship issues, although I do really love AH.

If they make him put TOML on the album, it will stick out like a sore thumb! And, I hate to say it, but it would probably be the song that gets skipped every time! Just sayin'...

Yep, I can totally see that happening.

WTF is wrong with that website (http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/08/david-cook-rob.html)
I clicked on it and suddenly I got IE windows popping all over my screen. 19 of them to be exact and it's the same website until I decided to end the process in task manager.

Nice article though!

That's great!

Thanks for sharing!

I admit I don't know crap about Clive except that he caused a LOT of trouble for Kelly with her latest album and that he was very supportive of Blake (not that it did much for Blake in the long run). I don't know what to think with him not being involved in the album. Is it good? Bad? Help me out here. I know he was demoted.

Put me down as someone who doesn't want TOML on the album. I actually think it's not too bad a fit for Cookie.
He can carry a cheesy ballad pretty well: after all, he sings IDWTMAT every night and gets the crowd to sing along. But I don't think it belongs on the album.

Personally, I'm thankful that Clive's name hasn't been brought up for this album and I hope it stays that way! lol

I've gone on and on about this in the pre-album forum, saying TOML should NOT be on the album, that I don't think it will be on it, and that TOML's unexpected success will allow them to leave it as a stand alone single. After reading this article and hearing David's views, I am now convinced more than ever that it will NOT be on the album, but may be on itunes as a bonus download. David gets his way. Period. He is the first idol winner that gets what he wants when he decides it's worth fighting for. He is NOT Taylor Hicks and there will be no reprecussions if David gets his way and keeps it off the album. I feel strongly about this, but of course could end up proven wrong.

Yep. It didn't work out for Taylor keeping his single off of his CD but all Taylor ever did was fight with Clive on a constant basis. They never got along. I can't see where leaving TOML off the record would hurt Cookie because if you think about it, those who are looking for a rock record, the last thing they would want to hear is TOML! I hope RCA will support him in that regard if those are indeed his wishes. I can't see why they wouldn't, but your guess is as good as mine. lol

Maybe that had a lot more to do with Taylor getting the treatment he did than 19 and their evil, evil plans. I wasn't a Taylor fan and I didn't watch that season, but it seems that situation was a lot more complicated than it seems at first.

At any rate, Cookie seems to be pretty diplomatic, but Rob Cavallo seems to be big on thematic albums so he might have his own ideas on these things.

The less I say about Clive Davis the better. Hearing he won't have any involvement with this album is probably the best piece of news I've heard yet.

I couldn't agree more.

Sounds like David is getting to make the record he wants. It's amazing, but of course well-deserved, that he's getting so much respect from 19/RCA so early on. Maybe they realized that with an artist of his stature, it's best to just leave him alone and untainted.



I agree. I seriously doubt it will cohesively fit with the rest of the music he chooses to include. It's an okay song and everything, but it's not what I would call a true and pure David Cook song if that makes any sense. Besides, as you mentioned by the time the album is released, TOML will have ran its course so it's doubtful including it on the album would benefit sales all that much.

Count me as another one that believes that TOML should not be included on the upcoming CD and is also very happy that Clive Davis doesn't have his fingers on this project. Also, I think the great success that TOML has seen makes it more likely that TPTB will accept it as a single only. They are getting ample rewards from this single as we speak, through top charting, radio play and sales.

I also want to point out that 19E is not just handing over the reins to David. The fact that Rob Cavallo is producing this CD and the enormous reputation he has plays a pivotal role. It all seems to be lining up really nicely for David. I'm super thrilled for him!

David working with Rob Cavallo? Cool Beans!! He churned out a perfect record for both Green Day and My Chemical Romance, so I'm pretty sure he will do the same for David's new record.

And much as I relish Time Of My Life, I too will have to be in the opposition of that single being included in his new record. Yes, it will definitely stick out like a sore thumb, considering that David wants to do a record that's strictly rock.

Clive Davis not included in the works? Good - let's hope it stays that way. If I were to be brutally honest, I doubt Clive knows anything about things like these. If he were to be included, all he will succeed in doing is ruin the masterpiece David had put in into that upcoming record. In other words, Stay Away!

Knowing that David will have lots of creative freedom in that new record just got me all stoked.

I'm nearly dancing with glee at the thought TOML probably won't be on there - ignoring my own issues with the song - (I don't like the song and never will, despite having four different versions of it downloaded ), but the fact is it will stick out like a sore thumb, a lot of people who didn't watch the show, both US based and overseas, and buy the album based on David's single releases will be completely suddenly coming across TOML on the album.

Honestly, in all reality show winners that I know of, I've never seen anyone get this sort of input and control, it all gives me massive hope that Simon Fuller is looking at the wider market and longterm, and not looking to make a quick buck off the back of AI, and David is destined for Europe very soon indeed.

If I was given a vote (haha!) as to whether or not TOML should be on David's first album, my vote would be a HUGE NO! Like the rest of you said, its not a rock song, although I like how David changed it up from the original in his live performances, the MAIN reason for me NOT wanting that on the record is that I WANT SOMETHING NEW!

We've all heard TOML in its many many variations, and I would much rather a new song be on the record that we haven't heard than TOML. We're all wearing out Analog Heart and Axium material, so yeah I want EVERYTHING new from David!

I think Clive not being involved is a good sign. I doubt his vision would mesh with David's on what his record should be like.

This was a great article - thanks so much for posting it. I've always liked Green Day and have heard very little of MCR, but I'm glad that all parties involved feel like Rob Cavallo is a good fit for the record. I think we'll have to wait and see if TOML gets included, but I wouldn't be disappointed if it's not. As others have said, I don't think it will cohesively go with everything else that will be on there.

I am SO excited for November and for this album to drop. It's going to be amazing.

Ditto.

Feeling kinda chatty so here goes....

Taylor Hicks a rock record? Yeah, lol, mmkay. Did not know he and Clive fought constantly but I don't think that was the culminating reason for Hicks lack of success and getting dropped from his label.

Clive not being involved with David's record so much? Good. I think Clive has an ear for talent - aka Alicia Keys and others - but I think the music landscape has passed him by. I was sad to read about the fallout from Kelly's last record. But she wasn't dropped, she sucked it up and made amends, and she has a new one in the works where she still has autonomy.

In other, but semi related, news - Nigel is "stepping aside" from AI. Great for that, also. I never watched before this season, but this is the guy who said David didn't have charisma despite him being a natural in front of the camera and very witty. Nigel's another one who I think has lost the pulse of the music listening and music buying public.

Club music and formulaic pop have their place, there's always room for palatable head bopping music. But people are starved for genuine talent, not manufactured acts with recording studio wizardry and autotoners.

Wow, I didn't read that about Nigel yet... cool. I kind of predicted that one 170 threads ago! Remember I said in most cases, especially in Hollywood based entertainment companies, Nigel would be out by now based on performance (AI's slipping ratings and aging demographic) and his comments that, while weren't all that horrible, did little to help his boss's (Simon Fuller) hottest act!

Yes, I remember. I posted in another thread today good riddance for Nigel leaving. But I think you already know how I feel about Nigel from 170 threads ago.

Thanks for posting Jenney --

I so totally love American Idiot, it's an amazing album and it does stay true to its theme. So if Rob Cavallo was a driving force behind its success, then I can only see good things for this album.

And for my two cents on TOML, unless the theme is magic rainbows, I doubt it will be on the record.