In David's recent interviews, such as q102 and the playlist interview with the Portland station, he continually references "the writing process" for the new album.

I can't recall a time with previous AI winners when we heard the Idol speak so frequently about *the writing process* of the album & how involved they were in it. Am I wrong?

To me, that speaks volumes about the type of record we'll get. If 19/RCA is letting David put his personal touch on it so much, we'll get a record we'll dearly love.

And in my opinion, if he is so involved with the creation of the record, he really is an idol unlike any other.

Thoughts? Am I totally off base here?

usually.. the first album of the past idol winners, they have little hands on the album... the label decide what songs to be in the album and by the second album, we start to see the singer's input and involvement..

eg. Kelly Clarkson was not involved much on thankful and only for a few songs on Breakaway.. By her third album, My December, she is involved in almost all of the writing of the songs...

To me David is different from the rest of the past winners and he is not afraid to take risks.. even if he does not involve in the writing of the songs, he will try to re-arrange the songs to fit his style and make it his own.. i guess we have nothing to worry for his upcoming album... it will be a great one

I've never followed AI winners this closely before, but it seems that David is very much involved in his album's writing process. Could be that he has more experience in this arena than previous winners and it helps that he knows what he wants (as per interviews with stylists and vocal coaches during the show).

Hey, annie702. Totally agree. When Miles was asked which contestant was the easiest to work with, he *immediately* said "David Cook because he knows what he likes and what looks good on him."

Dustin, totally agree that David seems to be different from the other past winners. They came into writing their own stuff in time, but with David's unbelievable talent and instincts, it seems they're willing to let him have at it right away, which is *so* great for us.

I'm just really stoked to hear him talking about the writing process and how involved he is. After hearing Axium's older stuff and especially AH, an album that has David's signature on it -- from lyrics to arrangement -- bodes well for us. I'm giddy with excitement!

i can't wait to listen to his album. i think it's a highly anticipated one, more so than past AI winners.

i agree with you... i never get this excited about an album from any previous winners.. well maybe kelly clarkson but not for her debut album though..

when i heard david cook do hello, billie jean and always be my baby during idol.. i know he is destined for greatness

Amen, Dustin.

I think he is different from the idol winners insofar as really knowing what he wants in an album, and knowing how to express that. In all the covers he did on the show, he really put his own touch on the arrangements. I don't think it'll be any different here.

I really hope he puts a lot of his material on there. I love his lyrics, and can identify with them a lot. I hope 'Optimistic to a fault' is on there!

The song is actually called 'Better Late Than Never'...he's told fans who have asked about it specifically that it's not going to be on there...but I'd love to be surprised

Alas! not going to be there? I hope it'll be on a later record, at least. I was obsessed with that song for at least a week.

Thanks for the correction, btw.

This is one area where David is unlike any other past AI winner. He brings to this process a rather substantial catalogue of quality recordings and songs. AH and Axium albums and tracks are the best portfolio any "new" artist can hope to bring to a major label. He also had an unrleased album recorded, and I suspect even more songs that he's written but not recorded yet. He's an establish (and prolific) singer-songwriter. Daughtry got to use some songs he wrote (he wrote Home either just before or during AI-I forget the exact timing of that) but most are collaborations or from other songwriters. And he wasn't a winner... he was singed without all the usual baggage that comes with being an AI winner or 1st runner-up.
Then there is DC's maturity, professionalism and over-all positive reputation he gained during AI, right down to his conduct, competance and talent when recording the weekly studio tracks. I think he already has been given, and will continue to get more latitute, leeway and input than any past AI winner could have hoped to get. David seems to be a force to be reckoned with... yet in a way that never pisses anybody off! That's why the stars are lining up to work with him.
EDIT: and if anyone wants to know one of the main things that fuels MY obsession with him, the qualities I list above reign supreme. His talent grabbed me, but these other qualities have me absolutely invested in him succeeding. I would be truly devastated if all this hard work on his part... really hard work... and amazing talent... should for some reason not be enough to make him more than just successful, but a big star.

This may already be posted in another thread, here's a picture of David working on his new album!



Above is a picture of Idol winner, David Cook, working on his debut album that is due out in November. David says his goal for this album is to make it "undeniably" him. He will also take help from those who he considers his own idols - Ed Roland from Collective Soul and Raine Maida from Our Lady Peace.

From here:

http://americanidolist.com/2008/07/10/pic-...rking-on-album/



I agree. He grabbed my attention early on during AI for those very reasons. That quote from his audition where he said he studied the Daughtry audition looking for an edge. It was just such an intelligent, thoughtful comment compared to the usual hyped-up stuff you get.

I have no idea why, but he looks like a child in this picture. A very adorable child, mind.

I only really started watching AI during Season 5. I think I saw Carrie Underwood win the previous season, but it had absolutely no meaning to me at the time. But from what I've seen in the past two seasons, and what I've heard/read about the others, to me David seems like the most prepared. He already perpetuated that kind of aura about him before and during the show. I'm so very glad that he is working on the songwriting on this album; after all, he knows exactly what he wants to be, so it would be stupid for TPTB to not let him do his own stuff.

[/rant]

I think you have hit the nail on the head, Scott. He has the work to back up the claims of being able to write. I think TPTB are willing to trust his abilities based upon his previous work and also the fans reaction to it. I couldn't be happier to think that he is getting to take such an active role in the creation of his first CD since the show.

Jeannine

he looks so incredibly hot in that picture. i can't even start.

Oh, I agree! It's breathtaking, really!

Yeah, David has such a high level of professionalism and competence that I'm sure TPTB realized that if they only let him have some leeway then the record will be fabulous! I would imagine that he needs the least amount of coaching of any Idol contestant (or winner) ever on the show. He knows who he is and where he wants to go with this album. TPTB just need to give David the tools and resources he needs, which it sounds like they are given David's comments in awe re: the resources being made available to him, and he is destined for even greater success.



Oh, I agree! It's breathtaking, really!

Yeah, David has such a high level of professionalism and competence that I'm sure TPTB realized that if they only let him have some leeway then the record will be fabulous! I would imagine that he needs the least amount of coaching of any Idol contestant (or winner) ever on the show. He knows who he is and where he wants to go with this album. TPTB just need to give David the tools and resources he needs, which it sounds like they are given David's comments in awe re: the resources being made available to him, and he is destined for even greater success.



Oh, I agree! It's breathtaking, really!

Yeah, David has such a high level of professionalism and competence that I'm sure TPTB realized that if they only let him have some leeway then the record will be fabulous! I would imagine that he needs the least amount of coaching of any Idol contestant (or winner) ever on the show. He knows who he is and where he wants to go with this album. TPTB just need to give David the tools and resources he needs, which it sounds like they are given David's comments in awe re: the resources being made available to him, and he is destined for even greater success.

David collaborated with Jason Wade of Lifehouse on the new record! There's already a thread:
http://www.david-cook.org/David-wrote-with...Wade-t9888.html

....AND Zac Maloy of the Nixons.

The beautiful man - with his pencil and his guitar! Now that is awesome!! LOVE LOVE LOVE this photo. OMG!

As others have pointed out, yes, no other idol winner has had so much to contribute to his first CD. It's so impressive. He has certainly set the bar VERY high for any other future idol winners!! I don't think anyone will be able to follow him. AI will certainly never be the same for me. Carrie is the best female and he is the best male.

Kelly didn't have much say on her debut album, but she wrote half the songs on Breakaway (Behind These Hazel Eyes, Because Of You and Walk Away were also #1 hits) and she either wrote or co-wrote ALL the songs on My December...

You guys are definitely right, though. David is definitely taking a lot of control over this record and none of the others have done that in the past...

I agree with a lot that's being said... David knows exactly where he wants to take this record, and that's where he's going to take it. His experience with recording and writing help him out a lot. He's also working with an INCREDIBLE producer(Rob Cavallo) which can only make him better.

Since Kelly Clarkson has been brought up, it's true, she had basically no hand in her first album, dabbled in her second and controlled her third. I think it would have been different had she had the same "portfolio" of albums as David does.

This album is going to be incredible and I cannot wait to get it....

I have never been so invested in an artist. I'm sure most of us saw the potential starting with Hello, were pretty sure by Eleanor Rigby and hardcore sold by Billie Jean. We all needed to know more about what made this guy tick. So you start digging into his his pre-idol songwriting, arranging, and recordings and you just become obsessed with how such a powerful artist could go undiscovered for so long.

And now we get to watch the whole thing unfold before our eyes knowing nothing but greatness lies ahead. I really believe it is a renaissance in the making. And there are so many that won't even have a clue who he is until the album is released. I call them the "American Idol arrogant" who refuse to believe that the show actually finds great artists. I truly believe he has all the resources in place now that will bring the greatness to the attention of the masses with the release of this cd and I can't wait.

I cannot believe the level of control David is getting - unheard of as far as I know, he's writing with the people he wants to write with, a producer's been brought in who's ideal for him, his first band member is someone he wanted - it's amazingly brilliant.

To be honest, I wonder how much TPTB has learnt from the way they handled Leona Lewis. She didn't get an album out until nearly a year after she won the X Factor, instead of the normal rush release of an album full of soggy covers - they took their time, tailored the album to her voice and have had increadible success both sides of the Atlantic, they broke the usual formula for talent show winners and it paid off. So when they get their hands on David, they know he can write, sing, arrange, so instead of forcing stuff on him and co writers he doesn't want, they've given him his head - actually producing something to fit the artist (like with Leona) rather then rushing something out asap.

In spite of success with Leona, they still wouldn't have given him this latitude had they not had ample proof he would produce great things from it. I wonder if TPTB were influenced in this not only by seeing for themselves how great his prior writing was, but also by seeing comments of his fans on forums like this. It would be neat to think our comments on here might have helped him get the free hand he's been given. I would think our eagerness to buy up all his old CDs, often at crazy prices, might have had some influence as well.

[WARNING RAMBLE ALERT HA HA!]

Ditto to both. Sheryl Crow hit the scene when I was really young, like middle school/junior high and I was pretty obsessed as a musical fan. I do luv all kinds of music and have been to tons of concerts and just feel really connected to music, but I tend to gravitate most to the singer/songwriters. It's their words. Their sound. Their soul. Bared for me. Obvs not just for me. But that's what music is to me. It's really personal.

David is something like I've never seen or felt, I don't think, ever before.

I was one of those AI arrogants. I never watched prior seasons. I kinda felt like the show was family oriented - great - but took mostly marginally talented people and tried to mold them into a manufactured star. Like a public job interview for the next Britney or Justin, to be cast aside when their shelf life expired. The contestants seemed like they wanted fame by way of music, instead of a career in music and nevermind the fame. Of course, this is all abject opinion cuz like I said I never watched lol.

I like Kelly Clarkson. Carrie has been successful but I think she's a bit overrated and benefits from being hot. Sorry, just saying. I don't really know any of the others because their forays into the music biz have been pretty weak. I know, big fans can count sales and radio plays, but none of them have really penetrated the mainstream music fans like me who didn't have recognition from knowing them through AI. I mean, I know who Clay and Ruben and Taylor are because of the press over their win, etc. But they have not made it b.i.g. and I'm not a fan of their style.

But Cook. Yowza. I watched everything this year, starting with the auditions. It's like divine intervention compelled me to watch this season. David caught my attention like nobody's business. I thought - goofy hair, wut? - but wow really talented!!! I felt like I was watching something really special unfold before my eyes, week after week. Great for the Lil Sparrow week makeover, ha ha, I'm a silly fangirl, too. But musically, that was the week that ... I KNEW. All his performances were great, I thought. And he had already sung a few of his own rearrangements, like Hello. But they were all from the rock/pop genre. Then he took a Dolly Parton country song and rearranging it was the most risky f'ing thing and I was like HOLY SHIT BATMAN!

Everyone, including me, was over the moon with Mariah's ABMB, but Neil Diamond's AIRNIU touched me someplace really deep inside my soul and I just cried, it was magnificent. He pulled off U2 like a seasoned pro and I have never cried so much watching him win, it was magnificent.

I dl AH after the season ended, and at first it was tough. It's a littler harder rock than I was ... I dunno ... expecting. But I thought - shazam! - this little Indie-that-could is way better than lots of top label acts out there.

There is a spark, a real talent, in him. It's just amazing. There are not enough superlatives. I was so worried the AI machine would suck the life out of him and turn him into a Cyborg or something lol. But then - Rob Cavallo, his own MWK buddy Neil, Raine, Ed, the list goes on and on. The autonomy that he's been given out of the gate and big gun support from within the industry.

Mostly it just makes me feel like a sane person, lol, that people who do this for a living are just as impressed as me, the armchair girl music fan behind a keyboard ha ha ha.

So anyway. What he has to say, I am waiting with baited breath

I really feel that American Idol has finally found something more than just an American Idol. There's definitely something special about David Cook. I strongly feel that he's going to be huge, and I don't mean in a star-created-by-a-tv-format-who-shined-through-five-years-and-then-faded-away -sort of way.

And the fact that he has such a long and different kind of music-history behind him makes a huge impact on what sort of an album he's going to put out. Though I've understood that Analog Heart + the albums with Axium were all independent (correct me if I'm wrong? haha) so obviously the process with the album is going to be a lot bigger and more people are going to be involved. I think. But like said, Cook knows what he wants and how he wants it, unlike most of AI-stars he's not only an artist, he's an mucisian. I'm really looking forward to this album.

(I'm typing away pointless sentences, huh?)

Off The Chain - I completely agree with EVERYTHING you just said! David is a whole different kind of American Idol...

I've always felt that Carrie has been a little overrated because of her looks...

And as far as Kelly goes...I'm a HUGE fan, and I will continue to buy her albums and go to her shows, but she's got tough competition coming her way...

We'll see what happens in November, which CAN'T GET HERE FAST ENOUGH!!!!

I agree here.. and it is something I was thinking by myself previous to read this tread, when I heard that David was able to work with all his idols (Raine Maida, Ed Roland, Jason Wade, etc), I almost heard the voice of the producer Cavallo asking him: "Who do you want to work with?" .. and after a few magical words.... uyyyy they are working with him... even his former bandmate!!!!

Freedom to work??? Anybody need more clues???

I honestly can't imagine david just letting someone write his album he is to emotional if that makes sense....he feels his music and thats what makes it great