NEW: FULL-LENGTH VERSION AT DAVIDARCHULETA.COM!

http://www.davidarchuleta.com/news/listen-something-bout-love-now

Oh. My. Gosh. It’s here.

David has just sent out a message via Twitter and to those who get his text-message updates, that a preview of his next single can now be heard at his hotline, (801) 386-8196.

It’s hard to pass final judgment when the audio is so poor, but if first impressions are any indication, the song sounds like it can be a hit and that it will satisfy the fans. It’s got an upbeat pop vibe, it’s catchy, David’s vocals are front and center, and it has a nearly Zero Gravity-like energy. Most of all, something about David’s vocal communicates the full feeling of joy mixed with pain that love brings: “Something ’bout love just breaks your heart… woah oh oh oh….”

NEW! High-quality 30-second snippet at FMQB: 30-second clip

Give it a listen:

Here’s a link to good-quality MP3, captured by MJ’s Big Blog.

Given that this preview is only a taste of the fully-mastered studio version in all its glory, this has gotten me not only salivating but also bouncing off the walls in a frenzy.

So… WHAT DO YOU THINK?

David, who usually expresses uncertainty when talking to fans about his upcoming music, is overcome with excitement in his latest video blog when talking about his upcoming album:

I just can’t wait for you guys to hear these songs! … I feel you guys will really get to feel me in these songs because I’m… a part of the writing, and so part of my ideas and just how I feel are in these songs.

Aside from the involuntary joy one feels while viewing a David video blog, one can’t help but feel enormous anticipation with this one as well. For David—who is a perfectionist in many things and admires the musical greats of the past—to feel a sense of accomplishment and joy in sharing his own musical production can only bode well for the quality of his second pop venture. David’s unique choices in selecting and styling his songs reveal an impeccable musical instinct.

How many frikkin songs has David written already? It seems like it’s almost every day we receive a tweet announcing a new song that David helped write. David’s first album was largely written for him, and recorded in hasty sessions at different stops over the course of the 2008 Idol Tour. David had very little time and/or experience to “find his voice” in the decision-making process regarding the larger choices for the album. Now, David’s initial forays in wielding a hand in his own destiny in both business and music will show their first fruits. David, Part Deux promises to surpass the original.

Okay, so David says that the next album will better reflect him? That we’ll “really get to feel” him in these songs? What will come from David’s self-admittedly and wonderfully “weird” and “spacey” mind? What should David’s confession of “me-ness” tell us about the musical styles and lyrics we can expect on the album?

Hardly anything at all, I’m afraid.

We have even less of an idea of what music is in store this time around, precisely because David has had such heavy involvement in the process. Any look at David’s musical and thematic inclinations will show that they are wildly varied. He can command a variety of genres, best exemplified during his American Idol days. One of the sources of excitement in following a young prodigious talent like David is the constant potential for surprise and discovery.

David has provided us with no hints. We’re left with looking back at what David has written or helped write in the past, to get any idea of what might be on the menu for his next album. So, shall we?

1. “Works for Me” – Sassy, Bluesy, Attitudy David?

How many of us thought David had a song like “Works for Me” in him? The song was co-written with Daniel Bedingfield and, with its soul influences and bluesy guitar hook, calls for strutting and finger-snapping. We also hear little bluesy, soulful touches that David brings on in full glory in his covers of “Crazy” and “Waiting on the World to Change.” All that’s missing is a glimpse of the Archuneck that David whipped out while singing “Shop Around.” In one interview, David has said that his new album will show more how he thinks. Looking at the lyrics to WFM, we see a witty, confident, and humorous side of David. Perhaps we’ll get to see some of this David in the album?

2. “Somebody Out There” – David the Love Balladeer?

Surprisingly, David’s first album did not include a ballad that had strong radio potential, especially given that this genre was the box many people put David in after his singing “Imagine.” It will be interesting to see whether David and the label opt for a strong ballad as one of his singles this time around. I thought that “Somebody Out There,” co-written with Mike Krompass, may not have had the potential of becoming a pop hit, but still it was the most musically interesting and lyrically strong of the three love ballads on David’s first album (though this was only on an extended version of the album). The lyrics and music expressed a simple, earnest, generous affection, spoken as if in an intimate conversation, that one doesn’t hear in many love ballads. Perhaps we will hear David bring some new ballads on his next album. The pop world needs a fresh, sincere voice like David’s.

3. “Don’t Tell Me” – The Rhythmic Pop Supah-Dupah Star?

This is another possible route that David and his management could use to establish some early commercial success off his album. While a young teenager, David apparently wrote the melody and lyrics to “Don’t Tell Me” while another musician filled out the arrangement. With a catchy melody that progresses well from one section to the next, it is an amazingly proficient piece of pop work, especially considering it came from such a young artist. When I first heard this, I immediately thought it was influenced by Christina Aguilera’s “Stripped” album – David probably could rock some rhythmic pop if wanted to. The verses to “A Little Too Not Over You” – also co-written by David in tandem with Mike Krompass – also show his melodic creativity in this mode of music.

4. “Falling” – David the Soul Artist at the Piano?

In my opinion, this song, though it didn’t cause a sensation in the fandom (see #5), gives the clearest glimpse of the heights David can potentially reach with his music. The MUSIC (ahh, the music!), with its dramatic chord passages and his tenor voice soaring above them, show a David that is prepared to and entirely capable of bringing forth big emotion in his music. Perhaps David will bring us something spiritual and transcendental? A message of social relevance? Or something exploring the painful side of the human experience? We shall see.

5. “Zero Gravity” – David the Club King?

Ahh, “Zero Gravity.” Did any of the fans expect David to produce a song that, with the right production, would comfortably fit on the same station with Ke$ha and Lady Gaga? Like “Don’t Tell Me,” ZG’s catchy hooks and natural progressions from one section to the next make it a very strong pop song. But even more than DTM, ZG is such an earworm that it just has you singing along after a few listens – which is a key ingredient for a pop radio hit, and means that this was possibly a lost opportunity for a second successful single. With pop music becoming increasingly influenced by techno and other kinds of dance music, one can see David and his label trying to experiment with a dance track or two on the new album, at least as bonus tracks.

Given David’s wide range of musical inclinations, one wonders how he and the label will come to an agreement as to what will be on his next album. Perhaps David’s album will be eclectic? Or perhaps it will be a cohesive mission statement that declares, “This is me”?

On that, we don’t have an answer either(!). And perhaps everything I have said has been worthless drivel based on wild speculation.

But that doesn’t make speculation any less fun.

So everybody join in!! What do you think will be on the menu? And what are you craving!

-Ronaldsf

The recent discussion surrounding David’s own personal Twittergate has brought to the surface, yet again, the political differences that lie among David’s fans. This debate has prompted heated exchanges and caused hurt feelings.

As crazy as it sounds, that only means that David must be doing his job.

In the course of David’s young, incipient career, he has accomplished the highly unusual feat of bringing together people from a wide variety of backgrounds and viewpoints under a single umbrella. His enigmatic appeal draws in young and old, socially conservative and liberal, men and women, straight and gay, and people from different cultural backgrounds and nations.

Many of us were struck by David’s performance of “Imagine” on American Idol, and felt his hope for a better world. But what was that world we imagined? It was a world “without religion.” Or a world with religion. Or a world of peace and cooperation. Or a world without the injustices that divide us. Or a world that upholds principles and morals. Or a world that embraces change and diversity.

In a word: a million-and-one things.

A song is not a conduit to a spiritual world that lies outside of this one: it is a call upon our imagination. It is a channel—in David’s hands a powerful, direct channel—to thoughts and emotions we otherwise could not access.  When David sings a song such as “Imagine,” we feel connected once again to our own hope in humanity, our own courage that we once thought lost, our better natures.

David’s greatest crime is that he does this so well, for so many. And the kicker is that David’s extraordinarily generous and compassionate nature means that his fans project all of their hopes not only onto his music, but onto him—he becomes each fan’s paragon of virtue. And so, in each fan’s eyes, David becomes that disciple who can most effectively spread to those who would otherwise live in darkness the “good word,” whatever that should be. He becomes that person on whom we can project our deepest and sincerest hopes for the world.

And so it should surprise absolutely no one that David walking into a gay bar and then responding to rumors with some inartful statements have aroused passion. Not only were fans’ differing political views placed in direct conflict, but hopes we had kept in our heads had slipped away as well. While there remains much disagreement, there is one thing everyone can agree on: no side can lay exclusive claim on David as their angel, which he never was in the first place.

The ongoing exchange here at TDC has not been without some hurt, but it has also fostered greater understanding among people who otherwise would never talk so frankly, let alone be in the same room. That would never have happened, had David not initially united us. Thank goodness that David, when communicating, is not limited to 140 characters.

Perhaps the process of creating a more harmonious world is nowhere near as harmonious as singing “Imagine.” But in our case we did get somewhat closer. And starting us on this journey did require a boy to sing.

-Ronaldsf

Let’s do an exercise, shall we?

As we embark on a new chapter (or, rather, volume) of David’s journey, how about we look at David’s first and last performances of Imagine on American Idol, including his 2 conversations with Ryan Seacrest afterwards, and share our impressions?

The point of this exercise is not to say which performance is better (which is pretty pointless – they are the same person for Archusakes!), but to reflect upon how David has changed (or stayed the same) over these 2 years, personally and musically… and to reflect upon our own parallel journeys as fans.

I have some thoughts of my own of course, but I’ll save them for later. See you on the other side…

February 2008:

April 2010:

This is the most excited I’ve been about an Archuperformance since Contigo en la Distancia.

We already know that David’s reiteration of Imagine will be transcendent, and that David will bring to this cheesy reality show a good dose of his old-school, heart-stirring soul.

And we can already predict some of the buzz that will come in its wake. Singing the very song that catapulted him into international consciousness just over 2 years ago will invite the inevitable comparisons. Unless he gets the being-on-AI jitters again (which I doubt—Imagine is one of those songs David loves and was made for singing), David should succeed at demonstrating his growing significance as an artist. The vast majority of the AI viewing audience has not seen what we have seen: David’s tremendous growth in stage presence, command, and vocal depth and power over the past couple of years.

Of course, this is not about silly comparisons and petty debates. This is an opportunity to appreciate the purity and beauty of this anthemic song in David’s masterful hands once again. And it is also an opportunity to celebrate another milestone in the growth of a young artist into manhood. Something is telling me that this is a fitting occasion to bring out the champagne glasses, as well as the kleenex.

(Anybody else excited?)

- Ronaldsf

It’s time for a Patty Day lim’rick,
‘Cos Dave’s album, now that I think of it,
Is months down the road—
I’m writing an ode
To help pass the time cos I’m sick of it.

This Archudrought simply can’t stand,
No new Archumusic, no band.
And singing for Haiti
‘s not the same, baby,
Your album’s now wot I demand.

You’re writing in Nashville, that’s fine,
Your muse will soon come in due time,
But don’t wait too long,
I don’t care if your song
Is cheesy—for sure it’s sublime.

Your book I will buy, dontcha know,
But waitin’ till June? That’s too slow.
And singin “No Air,”
After weeks, that’s not fair,
Must hear you more frequently, bro.

I’ve now grown way beyond bitter:
Although it’s nice havin’ me Twitter,
It’s not the same thing,
Much rather you’d sing
‘Bout having to change your cat litter.

So wot if I come off too rude?
I’ve lost me once angelic mood,
So “Hey and ho ho,
This delay’s got to go!”
This Angel’s got new attitude.

I’ve worn out me copy of “Crush”—
Although it still gives me a rush,
I’d much rather hold
An album of gold
In me hands, is that asking too much?

A new delay of your album, I fear it,
So in the name of Ole Patty’s spirit,
I’m plucking me clover,
Wishing luck holds me over,
Awaitin’ the day I can hear it.
-Ronaldsf

When David revealed on Twitter March 5th that “She’s Not You” was from “a while back”—and therefore wasn’t a candidate for the second album—I felt relieved.

No, no, no… it’s not that I hate the song. I like it: it’s catchy, and in particular the melody and the guitar in the verses create a nice vibe. (Though the chorus is a bit too bland for my liking.) When I first heard it, I felt anxiety about the second pop album… was this the direction it was headed?

We now know that it was a track recorded for David’s first album, but still my day or two of not knowing this made it a useful reference point for thinking about where David’s studio production was at 18 months ago, and what new directions it could and should go in now.

“She’s Not You” resembled much of the first album in its level of quality, and in that it was quite conventional—it dealt with simple young boy-girl love, and fell squarely in that space between R&B and pop that characterized much of the album. This approach made sense at the time—it was perhaps the smartest thing to try first to create commercial success, and after all there was little time for David and the label to define jointly the best approach for the album. But now David and the label have the benefit of time to create an album that paints some bold strokes—bold, first in the sense of having some particularly strong, standout songs, and second, bold in expressing who David is as a person and an artist.

Because, let’s face it: we, his fans, know that David is capable of greatness. Still, we have yet to see a musical composition that summons an emotional gravitas that is commensurate to David’s ability to convey it. I am not asking that the perfect song be on David’s second album. However, it is fair to want and expect that a genuine attempt be made.

That means songs that feature David’s voice. Songs that David can connect with. Songs that can summon some of that earth-shaking emotion we know David is capable of delivering.

This doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning the pop route—in fact, if we are to speak of industry formulas, it seems to me that a pop power ballad, putting that stellar voice on a pedestal, would be the best approach. But what can I say? When it comes to what makes a song a hit, I’m not an expert. Still, as amateur fans we know enough to know that some things work for David that should be done.

In terms of arrangement and production, David’s fans are now more aware than before that, when it comes to David, it is often true that less is more. The bare instrumentation of “Contigo” put David’s voice front and center. As listeners, we honed in, not on the melody or the instruments, but on the subtleties of David’s voice. No fancy, expensive studio tricks, no synthesized hooks vying for our attention. Just us, and The Voice—a direct emotional conduit between the listener and the artist.

Another aspect of “Contigo” and of other songs (“Fields of Gold,” “Prayer of the Children,” “Imagine”) is that they were dear to David, on a theme that David could relate to. In my opinion, “Somebody Out There” was a much stronger ballad than either “To Be With You” and “You Can,” which I think comes down to the fact that David co-wrote SOT and could relate directly to what it said. “Falling” is gripping because we know these are David’s words, and that this music comes directly from his heart.

So I hope to see some movement in these directions with the second album. I am not saying that the album should be comprised entirely of soul-wrenching ballads. (Though I actually wouldn’t mind that.) In fact, I am hoping that there is some freedom given to David to express his rich musicality in a variety of musical genres.

In the first album, there was some variation in styles in the official twelve-track version, but they were a bit outside of David’s own inclinations. Unlike songs such as “Desperate” or “Running,” which because of the production were kind of hybrids of other styles, a conventional-pop melody with some stylistic dressing—some of the compositions David himself worked on, from the sassy “Works for Me,” to the club-thumping “Zero Gravity,” to the intimate “Somebody Out There,” jumped fully into the genre, spoke its language, and expressed a clear idea both lyrically and musically. Thus, a unity between words, music, and artist.

The most promising fact about the second album has been David’s extensive involvement in the writing process. This suggests that the folks at Jive/Zomba are trying a different approach and want this album to express David the Individual, whoever that may be. It is thrilling to think of what might be in store.

For now, “She’s Not You” is my new David music fix to sustain me through this long, extended Archudrought. Still, I do this with full knowledge that this isn’t the David that made me fall obsessively in love with him in the first place. Greater things await.

If this song were a person, then it would be the musical equivalent of a rebound—entertaining and pleasant enough for now, but just someone to hold me over while I’m really thinking about someone else.

“He was really nice… but he’s not you, David. I just know you’ll come back to me. I’m burning a candle in the window…”

-Ronaldsf

See the original performance set to Eva Cassidy

- ronaldsf

Do you know whose AVI this is?

For a long time now, Jackryan4Da, otherwise knows as JR, has been an integral part of this site, keeping the concert pages updated almost as fast as the videos appeared on YouTube. Through thick and thin she has been here, working and commenting, creating media files and sharing her incredible ability to sniff out the best videos and audios with us.

Recently, JR accepted an invitation to be a part of our Admin Team and will be writing for us in the near future as well. We look forward to having her join us. She has been an active commenter since the NotingDavid days, and even before that she was a participant at Snarky Archies. But JR was one of the fans who also has been with David since the very beginning. Hollywood week, you ask?  No, she’s been with David since Star Search days.

I spotted David long before AI.  It was actually during his Talent Search days.  It was shown here in Manila because he was competing with an MJ sounding Pinoy kid (who eventually became the winner).  I knew then that he had sumthin’-sumthin’ going on when he belted out a soulful Who’s Lovin’ You.  Season 1 of AI, I remembered him and wondered when he will join — see how much impact and impression he left with me?   So I have been an arch angel when ODD and OTT were not fashionable terms yet haha!

Even though she was able to see David live in Manila, she has just one regret:

“Despite being here for 6D/5N — probably the longest that he has ever stayed in one venue — I, along with all Pinoy angels, have not been privileged to see him upclose in a true-blue M&G.  This remains a dream.

Welcome, JR – and thank you for the work you’ve already done to keep TDC vibrant and up-to-date on David’s performances. We look forward to your voice here on TDC.

~ Freo, Liz, Marlie, Rascal, Ronald (and now, JR!)

THE DAVID CHRONICLES IS…

• A place where there are no hard rules on what may or may not be discussed. The musical, spiritual, personal, social, and political aspects of David are all open for comments.
• A refuge for those who have otherwise felt overly restricted elsewhere. Individuals are encouraged to express their love for David in their own manner, while being tolerant of the expression of others who may do so quite differently.
• A place to champion David, but also to critically analyze his work and his business organization, to enjoy the occasional joke at his expense or the OTT remark about his physical appeal.

And so this declaration ends. Now on to the work and joy of being a fan of David Archuleta.