“I wanted to create a project where I could bring together some of my incredibly talented friends and share their gift of music with the world. This is a collection of some of my favorite writers and artists singing some of my favorite Christmas songs! I hope you enjoy listening to this collection of music as much as we enjoyed recording it. Next year I am hoping to do this again so I can include some people that due to scheduling and what not we weren’t able to this time around. I wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season, filled with peace and love. Enjoy!” ~ Dapo

Deeper… Warm… Luxuriantly relaxed… That’s how David’s voice comes across in this new arrangement of “Little Drummer Boy”. A song that we now all recognize as one of the surprise numbers in David’s Christmas Tour.

But while David’s LDB on Dapo’s album lacks the Tour’s totally unexpected cra-zeh drumming that has caused a lot of spazzing and tons of squealing among the fanbase, make no mistake about it. David’s voice on Dapo’s LDB is smoldering. Very much like the lion king, seemingly lounging but actually ready to pounce!

For the uninitiated, welcome to the dangerous BUT delicious territory that is The Archuletor

Dapo’s album is available for download from The Mothership or from Dapo’s site

Soooo, how does the LDB ala Dapo grab you?

~ jackryan4DA

Sony Music Philippines, AstroPlus, Astrovision, Ivory Records in cooperation with Archuleta Philippines proudly announce Manila’s launch of Glad Christmas Tidings

Time : Saturday, November 12 · 10:00am – 5:00pm

Location : Astrovision, Shang-rila Plaza

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The Mormon Tabernacle Choir releases a new Christmas CD & DVD featuring Filipinos’ favorite Idol, DAVID ARCHULETA!

Archies and Archietects! Come and celebrate early Christmas with your fellow Archies on NOVEMBER 12 at ASTROVISION SHANG-RILA PLAZA!

Get freebies and win exciting prizes when you buy the Glad Christmas Tidings at the launch!

Watch out for more deets to be rolled in the coming days!

He may not be with us Archies in Manila in the flesh, but he will be there in spirit… and more

Definitely, the most wonderful time of the year…

~ jackryn4DA

TAKE A PEEK OF ARCHULETA CHRISTMAS LAND @ASTROPLUS SHANG MALL

STOP #5 - THE CHRISTMAS ARCH STATION

THE AP PHOTOBOOTH STATION (where Kissy David will be waiting!)

LOOK AT THAT ARCHU LOOT! But there will be MOOARRRR!

She could not help herself! Can you blame her?! WARNING/REQUEST: Archies! Please be gentle with our Kissy David. 'Think I should buy him lip balm?

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM GCT LAUNCH

Key Mission: Get a copy of the GCT CD/DVD

STOP #1 – THE ASTROPLUS STATION
Upon getting your GCT CD/DVD – go to Astro Cashier and pay for your purchase. At this stop, make sure you get the ff:
a. Your official receipt/OR (needed to enjoy the archustuffs in the next stations!)
b. Free David Archuleta notebook (only for the 1st 100 buyers)

STOP #2 – THE SONYMUSIC STATION
a. Show your OR
b. Get your raffle stub/s (1 stub for every CD or DVD; CD w/ DVD = 2 stubs)
c. Claim FREEBIES (DA tumblers, posters and pins)
d. Look for raffle fishbowl to drop your stubs!

STOP #3 – AP PHOTOBOOTH STATION (where KISSY DAVID is waiting for you!)
a. Present your OR
b. Take your photobooth souvenir pic (max of 4 poses)
c. IMPT NOTE: Please be gentle w/ Kissy David! He may not last the day if we are not careful. And strictly NO LIPS TO LIPS poses!

STOP #4 – THE IVORYRECORDS-AP MESSAGE STATION
a. Get your sharpies/pens ready and write your greetings on a HUGE card for David!
b. For your separate personal letters to David, drop them in the MAILBOX!

STOP #5 – THE CHRISTMAS ARCH STATION
a. Marvel at the display! Tons of archutastic prizes to be had in the afternoon! Doesn’t it Fill up your hearts and make you giddy?
b. With full hearts & giddy spirit, why not share something (old toys, old clothes, gifts, school supplies, cash, etc….) and drop your gifts @ the ARCH (Angels Reaching Out w/ Caring Hearts)) LOVEBOX? Share and spread the love
c. Don’t miss taking a pic w/ DAVID IN TUX!

STOP #6 – ASTROPLUS / AP DOWNLOAD STATION (back of Chrsitmas Tree)
a. Get your USBs ready for
* Exclusive-never-before-released David Interview (w/ Kat)
* David’s MAHAL KO KAYO message to AP!
* May be more
b. No USB? We will email the link

NOTE: DA videos to be played in 6 LCDs all throughout the day

Meanwhile, special program starts at 3PM. Hear what Sony, AstroPlus and AP have to say about our favorite guy and today’s celebration. Lots of games and raffles will follow.

You know you want to be there!

More Amazing News from Astroplus & Astrovision!

To all David Archuleta fans, if you get the Glad Christmas Tidings DVD + CD set (or Glad Christmas Tidings DVD or CD (P395) + another item worth at least P105.00) at the official launch at Astrovision Shangri-la Branch on Saturday, November 12, 2011, you get a FREE PASS to the Advance Screening of Breaking Dawn at SM Megamall!

Astro is holding promos giving out free passes to the advance screening of Breaking Dawn, SM Megamall, Cinema 8, on November 17 for every P500 worth of purchase at their outlets, so that’s awesome news for those planning to buy the GCT CD & DVD set at the launch!

Spend Glad Christmas Tidings PR From Sony Music Phils.!

David Archuleta invites Pinoy fans to “Glad Christmas Tidings” CD & DVD launch at Astroplus Shangri-la tomorrow, Nov. 12 from 10am-5pm.

Get FREE notebooks for every purchase of “Glad Christmas Tidings” plus a chance to win the following items:

Signed 2011 David Archuleta Calendar

6 life-size Standees

4 Big Photos

David Archuleta Christmas Socks

David Archuleta Christmas Hats

For more details, click HERE. See you there Archuleta Philippines!!!

Source: Sony Music Ph FB | Sony Music Ph Tumblr

VIDEOS

01 David Archuleta – Early Glad Christmas Tidings for Manila & Astroplus Shoppers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2F_Nw1YOEE

02 David Archuleta Invite & Official Glad Christmas Tidings Launch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v_fBHkbE1E

03 DAVID ARCHULETA – MAHAL KO KAYO LAHAT, ARCHULETA PHILIPPINES!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmFj8fIeo1o

04 David Archuleta – Exclusive Interview by Kat sponsored by Astroplus (released GCT Launch)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW2m-ekWF9U

05 AP’s Message – GCT Album Launching @ Astroplus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vF6iVjNql4

more to come…

PHOTOS

01 Some photos from the launch thanks to ferj

02 THE KISSY PHOTOBOOTH!

“IT WAS GRAND!” ASTROPLUS’ RECAP OF GCT LAUNCH

To read the rest – https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=314975431861673&set=a.314974471861769.98145.121819191177299&type=3&theater

The official grand launch of Glad Christmas Tidings was made possible by Archuleta Philippines, Astrovision, PhotoEmbassy Photobooth, Sony Music and Ivory Music & Video.

MY ARCHULOOT!

David Archuleta, you little ninja, you!

SPAZZ! FLAIL! DO THE ZG JUMP!

According to Sony Music Malaysia, VIPP ticket holders for the MY gig will have access to special treats and merchandise, including a brand new Asian Tour edition of TOSOD, which will include

not 1…

not 2…

not 3…

not 4…

BUT 5, yes FIVE brand new songs from David!

omygahomygahomygahomygahohmygahomygahomygahomygahomygahomygahomygahomygah!

From Sony Music Malaysia

YES there will be a new album release entitled The Other Side of Down: Asian Tour Edition album. Releasing on the 19th of July, the CD+DVD album includes 5 brand new songs on top of the original track list of The Other Side of Down inclusive of a lyrics booklet for only RM49.90. As for the DVD portion of the album, it includes 4 karaoke videos for you to sing along to your favourite David Archuleta song. So be sure to get a copy of the album this coming July.

Before we – and I don’t mean just the Asian fans – get a heart attack, let us wait for more details.

And that’s my cue to make some phone calls…

——————————————

EDIT/UPDATE 1:20pm – Just got confirmation from Sony Music Phils & I asked permission to say the following – TOSOD Asian Tour Ed will be available in Manila & they are moving heaven & earth to have it in time for his concert. It will be packaged similarly to what Sony Music MY announced. CD signing not yet confirmed though, cos it will still be up to the promoter

CUE massive thudding & flaling here! (And major follow-up Pinoy Archies?)

—————————-

The CD Cover

The Track List

The Postcard That You’ll Get When You Pre-Order

To Pre-Order

According to Odysseylive.Net’s FB

Wanna MEET and GREET David Archuleta??? Then be sure to head on over ONLY at Odyssey Music and Video Stores to reserve your copy of his newest album TOSOD Asian Tour Edition and get EXCLUSIVE DA postcards!!! This is your ONLY chance to MEET and GREET DA!! Stay tuned for promo deets!!

ps: For non-Asian Archie, think of the possibilities! No major album this year but an EP with his 5 new songs – not bad eh?

My fave pix in the TOSOD A.T. ed

The roller coaster ride that is TOSOD continues when you listen to the 7th cut of this album, “Parachutes & Airplanes”. I’d say it is well placed in the CD setlist, coming after “Falling Stars”.

Nicknamed “PANDA” by the arch angels, it is probably the 2nd track that the fan base is most familiar with (aside from the used-to-be-carrier single “Something ‘Bout Love”), given that David debuted this song during the BYU-ID Rexburg Concert sometime in June 2010 along with “If I Could Only Be” and “You’re Not a Very Good Liar”. PANDA received mixed reviews back then but it was my favourite among the three songs.

PANDA adheres to the feel-good theme of the album but veers away from the “soft-verse/full chorus” format found in most of the cuts in this album. The melody is bouncy from the get go and as the lyrics intimate, PANDA “never hits the ground”.

The lyrics are simple yet they are full of imagery. They reflect the always-curious David, not hesitant to ask whenever unsure.

Wise innocence shining through.

Interestingly, David seems to be taken with the idea of being in suspended animation. Just like in “Zero Gravity”, the sense of being high dominates PANDA.

And even if a parachute is a contraption that takes you down, it does so safely – no dropping like a hot potato for Mr. Archuleta, eh?

Meanwhile, PANDA shares a similar sentiment taken up by “Who I Am” — about the wish for a break, of getting away. Easy to imagine that the unexpected speed, at least to him, by which his career has taken leaves him with little room for a breather.

And I don’t ever want to say goodbye
I just want to steal this moment
Right away from time

Melodically, PANDA is strong. The tune stays with you after the 1st listen. The light but brisk piano-vibe in the introduction is a nice contrast coming from “Falling Stars”. It however reminds me — and this may surprise you — of the introduction of The Who’s “Baba O-Riley”. Listen to this live performance years ago and tell me if it is just my imagination –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKUBTX9kKEo

Of course, the tempo between the two songs is different but I think they share the same diatonic chords of D-A-G. Not 100% sure though if I got the chords down pat as I don’t have my guitar right now while writing this. I may have to get re-visit this some day

Then, the melody progresses into a robust chorus that is strikingly similar to “Come On Get Higher” chorus by Matt Nathanson, both in melodic and numerical progression. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHx4BlF6V2o

See what am referring to? That higher-note/lower note looping pattern in the two lines of the chorus. Is something wrong here? Certainly not.

A lot of songs share the same chord progression even if they don’t sound alike. Would it shock you to know that Green Day’s “Basketcase” bear the same progression of “Pachelbell’s Canon in D Major”? Or that there are about 36 popular songs with the same chords progression? This is just a small sampling of this occurrence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWFu2dU8bGM

So do not fret. This happens. We are not being hoodwinked. Songs may share the same progression but what would make each song stand out would be the lyrics, arrangement, styling and interpretation. The last two is where David shines the most. His musical styling is inimitable. His lyrical phrasing, impeccable.

This brings me to one of the most notable changes made on PANDA’s final arrangement. The album version carries a chorus that has been punctuated with strings similar to Beethoven’s Symphony Nr. 5 – have you noticed?

Now I have always regarded PANDA as the most fleshed out material, more radio-ready, among the three songs that David debuted three to four months prior to the album’s official release. But the addition of the string component to the album version was a very pleasant surprise. It upgraded PANDA’s production value, IMHO. At the very least, it made PANDA more appealing, more memorable to me.

And despite having a full-complement of instruments, PANDA doesn’t sound over produced. David’s voice is front and center. Here, David’s falsetto is rounded and full.

PANDA abounds with low registers that bring out the beautifully maturing voice of The Archuletor, the primary reason why we ain’t hitting ground.

Take another listen and let me know what you think, ok?
Parachutes & Airplanes

There’s something crazy ’bout this day
Like I’m walking on a trampoline
I couldn’t get much higher

(REPEAT REFRAIN)

- jackryan4DA

Echoes of “Crush” introduce the song – those plaintive piano notes crescendoing into electric guitars and keyboard, with David’s soft Voice crooning, “I don’t know what I’m doing here/How I landed in this space/ But it’s a good place.”

Preach to the choir! Isn’t that every Arch Angel’s anthem? We don’t know how we made it to this journey on the Archubus, but it’s definitely a “good place.”

Thing is: there was a brief moment over the weekend, when I seriously wondered if we were still there, not always relying on the sweet spot that David’s Voice gives us.  No mention of his Other Side of Down album on his most recent vlog had some of us thinking (or over-thinking, as some accused us of doing) that he wasn’t in a “good place.”  So we congregated on Twitter on the eve of Halloween to reassure David that his and our journey was not complete, that we loved him and his album no matter what.  After all, it’s not how an album charts or sells that matters, it’s the sentiment and the production of seriously good music.

That, to me, is what places David and the rest of us in a “good place.”

The week that The Other Side of Down dropped, I ranked “Good Place” as the strongest track on the album, saying

From its “Crush”-like opening to its emo-tinged rock edge, replete with an intensified bridge (accompanied by military-style syncopated beats), we definitely get a glimpse of The Voice unleashed even as it is contained in the parameters of pop music.  It is by far the strongest track – vocally, lyrically, and production-wise.

It is such a mature sound coming from David, moving us from where we left “Crush” to explore existential longing and contentment.  It is vintage David, when you think about it, always appreciative that wherever he has landed – up or down – he’s where he is supposed to be.  At the same time, anxiety lurks just below the surface – “I don’t wanna waste another summer / I don’t wanna wait until I fall / I could be a memory tomorrow / I could be nothing at all” – and hammered home by that militaristic-drum-based rhythm.  The urgency is there, and the “good place” where David resides is as fleeting as our time on this Earth.

“These are words I wanna say / every hour of every day / These are words that say how good it feels to be here with you today / I hope it’s not too late / I hope it’s not too late”

A “Good Place” is but a glimpse of the depths that the vocal, musical, and lyrical artistry of David can reach.  In short, he can and will go deeper, but at this moment, at this time, he reminds us that we are where we need to be. How we move forward from here is anyone’s guess.

In the mean time, the Voice reproduces “echoes” in some charmingly and hauntingly vital ways – from the Crush-like motif to the repetitive “I hope it’s not too late” refrain – as if he needs to deliver an end-of-days message.  Can we hear it, and are we hearing it from a “good place”?

Keeping our eyes, ears, and hearts open, never losing sight of where we’re at. We’re here with David for the long haul!

OK, I am the first one to admit it. Asking me to review one of David Archuletaʼs songs from the new CD is like asking the chocoholic “which piece of the Godiva assortment would you like?” Duh… Sure LIFE is like a box of chocolates and you donʼt always know what you are going to get but we are not talking about life here. We are talking about the music that comes out of the person we have all known and loved for the last few years. We know he does no wrong…musically.  Well, at least in my book. So read this with that in mind.

I am a crazy fan who loves every cut on the CD… a lot! Why did I choose this song to review? Nothing to do with the lyrics although Iʼll give you my two cents on that. It had all to do with the voice and the music… from the yeah, yeahs in the beginning (a trademark that is pure David) to the way he says “baby” to that timbre that is now ever so recognizable. Canʼt you admit that if you are out somewhere and hear the first note of David, you perk up just like a dog hearing the dog whistle that we humans donʼt hear! Itʼs the timbre of that voice. Clear and distinctive. This song exemplifies it in a big way for me.

I will also admit to a bit of an aversion of reviews. I have never been one to dissect lyrics , wonder “what did he mean by THAT?” tempting as it might be. I have a tendency to want just listen…absorb the beat of the song, the  instrumentation (or lack of, in many brilliant tunes he has produced) the feeling I get from it… While it may be great to totally analyze every verse, the chorus, the bridge, figuring out what the intent was, what is happening to produce  those lyrics, etc., we will never really know. We can suppose and assume but it is never more than that.

Songwriting even with collaboration, is a personal experience. I have been working with a songwriter helping a friend of mine get out a demo disc and it has given me more perspective on the process. Putting out an assumed message that could be totally different in Davidʼs mind is, in my opinion, not beyond the Archulator. Iʼll just let you chew on that one without further analysis!

But I digress into Archuletafog… I am supposed to be writing about this song in particular. “Complain” for me, while a pop tune had a definite country slant to it. I could easily hear Keith Urban or better yet, Darius Rucker doing a cover of this tune. Listen to Dariusʼ new CD and see if you donʼt agree with me. This is one strong reason that I was drawn to this. Not overproduced, clean and simple, good runs and sustained notes from the incomparable voice. Just pure  Archuleta.

Lyrically there is nothing really challenging here. “I canʼt complain”, I can imagine, is a mantra of Davidʼs on a daily basis. Hearing him say “Baby I canʼt complain” is a whole other twist as I doubt he hardly ever says “baby”! Makes it even better. I am going to bet the farm that they spent much more time on the sound than the lyrics on this one. Sure he may complain but more than likely it was because someone else didnʼt get what they needed or someone else was put out for some reason. You know, David.

Not a technical review… More of a rambling. But I forewarned you! Somethings you canʼt just pull apart too much. Music is one of those things for me. Especially coming from David. For me and the entire CD, I just canʼt complain.

Well, maybe I can about one little detail… When is the CD TOUR???

~~Mikesd

Click to Listen:

Listening to David’s sophomore pop album, “The Other Side of Down” is like opening a gift swathed in several layers of wrappers or boxes. Each layer, heightening the excitement; Each peeling, revealing or confirming another facet of David’s enigmatic persona.

This Time it’s Personal

So when David says “this album has more of me” and that “I want people to see me, hear me. It’s like re-introducing the real David Archuleta”, that’s exactly what we get – an album stamped with his personality and his own experiences. It brims with delightful pop textures, unbridled positivity and that quirky sense of “Davidism” on life and its challenges.

TOSOD makes you smile, moves you to tap your feet or bob your head or rekindle some not-so-distant romantic sentiments. Par for the course for a pop album, right? Well, not exactly.

Because TOSOD is anything but simple. At closer inspection, TOSOD reads like a coming-of-age novel. I hear it as a declaration a David’s transition from one life-stage to the next. It tells me growth, wisdom, insight, and the ways in which David develops a mature and conscious understanding and expression of himself and his circumstance.

As fans, we know only too well of David’s genteel side. He may be honest and to most of us, entertainingly candid, but David is unfailingly circumspect with his public dealings (although I would bet a Pad Thai dinner that he is the same even with his private interactions!)

By words and deeds, he is a man for others. His zeal in helping people and supporting his loved ones is probably only outweighed by his passion for music. Even when visibly dead tired, he would still make time for fans. And never one to hog the limelight, David tends to redirect the focus on others’ achievements. Heck, he even promotes other artists during his own promo tour!

Which makes “Who I Am”, a refreshing detour.

A “Me” Time for the Consummate Giver

Out of the 10 songs David co-wrote, there are about four songs which I find more introspective. “Who I Am” is one of those. But what makes “Who I Am” different is that for once, you hear David claim a “Me Time”. And wisely so.

I’m gonna take this moment that I’m in right now
Stop the craziness somehow
Leave it all behind me
And no one’s gonna find me…

The insatiable demands of others can be overwhelming. That’s why a “Me Time” is crucial. The book “Why Men Never Remember and Women Never Forget”, explains: “If you never have any time except reactive time — things you must do for others — you don’t have a sense of control”.

In “Who I Am”, David shows how he takes control from the whirring madness he finds himself in – even if it is just a brief time in a back of a cab. He shares the importance of stopping and taking stock of things with a humorous twist like ignoring a call from Jeff Fenster himself (there is that dry wit, again!).

It takes maturity to stake this claim and not be apologetic about it. To press the escape button when one needs it and be candid about it, I guess helps make a consummate giver like David continue to give.

It may get crazy at times, but David can always go back to who he is and never go wrong with the abundance that that entails.

The Medium is the Message

I really like how the melody and instrumentation were used to match the message of the song.

“Who I Am” starts with a situationer, placing David in the midst of a typical busy day. Listen to the music. You hear this semi-monotonous beat from a guitar that stays for the 1st two verses. It steps up in the 2nd verse but the repetitive thump persists.

Then you find a build-up which starts as soon as David declares “Days like these, it’s hard to breathe”, then release… you hear the melody metamorphose into this infectious chorus. More instruments join in – the piano, the drums and you get a euphony of sounds bearing an unmistakable celebratory jam.

In going back to “who he is”, the monotonous thump (regular verses) drops away leading to an exuberant groove (chorus). It’s like in claiming his “Me Time”, David is able to slip and slide between the crazy world of entertainment and his real life, while maintaining his balance.

The transformation becomes more pronounced after the bridge – when everything gets quiet except for the piano – yes the piano, not a guitar! See the symbolic shift? We all know that David is a piano man. So what starts out as a rhythmic guitar-led verse, crescendos into this brief, quiet piano-focused moment – cos we need to hear him out. At this point. his stake to claim is fulfilled and we are left with jubilant, liberating, declaratory kick-filled chorus to finish the song. Yeah!

The Craziness of Ranking

As I write this, the 1st week sales started coming in. And so begins the anguished, horrified and disappointed reactions from die-hard fans. What do you know? “Who I Am” has a message for those of us baffled by album’s 1st week sales.

Sometimes (sometimes)
You just know (just know)
When to hold on
When to let go

Of course we want the best for David. We wish a stellar musical career for him. Who has not dreamed of accolades and awards for all his hard work? We shake our heads, dumbfounded when we don’t even get to hear his songs on radio. Instead, we are treated to a barrage of mindless, same-sounding, cookie-cutter, badly written stuff that sell like hotcakes. This speaks volumes about the current state of radio-America, but that piece shall be saved for another day.

I think David has chosen his battles. Instead of kowtowing to Corporate America to create an image to sell to the fickle public, he chose to present authenticity. But by going against the grain, he risks his chances at instant, commercial success.

I got nothing to win and I got nothing to lose
Just trying to walk in my own two shoes
Gonna take the time now
It’s time for me to find out
Who I am

I think that as long he can keep making music, he is OK not being a super pop star. We should therefore take the cue from him.

He has given us a beautifully crafted record, a must-have for anyone who wants or needs to hear what feel-good, great-sounding pop music is all about, delivered with a superb, once in a lifetime vocal power. As fans, we have done our part. Let’s enjoy the music. Meantime, let’s see his Label genuinely push for this album. If it doesn’t, that’s s shame cos there are a lot of songs in this album that deserve airplay.

“Who I Am” is one of my personal favorites. It is deceptively simple. I suppose that’s what I love about it. Yet, it exemplifies how David has progressed through entirely new passages, into a life of deeper meaning. By going back to basics and doing what he does best: by being, as he would say with that megawatt smile, “Who I Am”.

- jackryan4DA

Click to Listen:

There is nothing about this song that would make you say, “Oh, that’s David Archuleta,” except the Voice.

Most people don’t associate David with a rock sound – in fact some people haven’t quite gotten tuned into David’s pop-star status. There are still some who only remember the 17-year-old sweetheart with the gorgeous voice who sang ballads on American Idol. Truly, some people are just not tuned in. And they would surely be surprised to hear David perform this song, with it’s disquieting lyrics and clear rock sound.

During the introduction, the bare bones of basic drum beats and single guitar notes, lays the rhythmic backdrop for the rest of the song. Then we are treated to David’s clear voice accompanied by a simple staccato bass guitar and drum.

Wasting time, just going mindless
Watching your charades
When you were younger, did it occur to you
10 years from then, you’d act the same age?

When the band kicks in with a vibrant rock background we feel the full depth of emotion the words imply.  The power of David’s voice is amplified by the background vocals – David’s own voice in harmony or in counterpoint – that add a richness and complexity further contributing to the rock vibe.

Did you feel like stomping the roses?

At a recent performance in New Albany, David literally stomped on the stage during this song. The Archustomp, only ramped up! He turned up the rock vibe and gave us the intensity of some recent performances of Don’t Let Go. And perhaps just as Don’t Let Go is very personal to David, this song is, too.  Written by David and Bryce Avery (The Rocket Summer), this pop-rock sound is not what we expect to hear from David. And yet, there’s nothing better than when David rips on a rock song and makes it seem almost as natural as hearing him sing a ballad.

What makes this song truly unique for David, though, is the lyrics. They’re edgy and much more raw than anything he’s done before.

Edgy David

Did you feel like stomping the roses?
Smashing out all the feeling inside of them
It’s bad business
The way you’re stomping the roses

We’ve always known that there was strength in David, a backbone of steel disguised in his sweet countenance and manner. But recently we guessed from his tweets that he was making that backbone known in his management meetings at Jive… hints from him of having to stand up for what he wanted on this album. And now we know that he’s changed managers as well.

I’ve always been your token nice guy
I know that you rule your whole world
Thought I could live in it
But I just can’t

Sounds like David is putting out a little bit of sass! This rocked-out, edgy song may just be David’s declaration of independence.

Go David!

Click to Listen:
Stompin' the Roses

Being a fan during the TOSOD Era^© is a different animal now than it was during American Idol. While on AI, the unique quality of David’s voice hit you like a mallet, but in David’s pop offerings we find that his voice becomes more like an ingredient instead of the main course. But David’s much more extensive involvement in the crafting of TOSOD means that we can see what is uniquely “David” in the songs themselves.

Elevator

Contrary to what seems to be a prevailing opinion on these boards, I would like to come out and admit that Elevator is one of my FAVORITE songs on the album. True to David’s philosophy that this album will reveal more quirky and fun side, Elevator is a unique burst of creativity that bakes a sing-song pop ditty out of a dough of spaciness and confusion. Who da thunk?

The melody goes up and down like a carnival balloon. The rhythm of the notes is infectious. The lyrics paint vivid mind pictures and meld wonderfully with the melody. It’s clear that one way David deals with the ups and downs of his life is to step back from it all and whistle a happy tune, and a catchy one at that.

Mike’s rhythmic guitar hook sets the mood from the beginning, at a somewhat hasty tempo. (I especially the love the guitar lick you hear for the first time right before David sings “I had a dream…”) And then David, always expressive and deliberate with his singing choices, comes in with that flirty quick vibrato in his voice that adds a bit of soul and playfulness into what would otherwise be straight pop. (Compare the first lyric he sings to how it would sound if someone banged it on a piano.)

If we’ve seen Weighty, Mature, Full-Of-Gravitas David in the past, then this clearly must be Playful David. This is “Works for Me” David. This is another refracted view into the mind of a young man with many dimensions, who can write in several musical genres, who sees music as a field for expression and play.

The verses are a carousel ride, with imaginative lyrics, and the melody going up and down is a nice tie-in to the song’s metaphor. But I’m not a fan of the chorus: it delves a bit into generic territory. If the thought was that it might help to make it easier to sing along to, for radio purposes, then I think this was a misstep – it’s the playfulness in the verses that are the actual hook of the song. (Also, in the Regis & Kelly video below, David sings the “High…” line right after the bridge, which I think was a missed opportunity in adding a great hook to the song, perhaps starting with the end of the 2nd chorus.) However, the last chorus is a wonderful mixture of all the melodic lines from the song coming at you at once.

Making It a Single

The first leak of Elevator divided the fan community, and it hasn’t been a hit. But perhaps I can venture as to why the decision to release it was made.

David’s challenge at this point in his career is a more difficult one than it was in 2008. Back then, while riding off his post-AI exposure, he just needed a solid, catchy song to find commercial success.

But today, he has two simultaneous yet contradictory goals: first, to find a solid, catchy pop song (that brings him back from relative obscurity), and second, to find a song that “sells” David as an artist for the long term, that shows how unique he is and makes him “relevant” to a new and young generation. But how to “sell” his “brand,” when his very essence is his eclecticism, both musically and personally?

With Something ‘Bout Love, his management tried to have David “break out” as a dance/pop artist. Now with Elevator, they hope to have David “break out” as a pop/alternative artist. (I’m probably misusing these labels, but you get what I mean.) And now we have the recent press coverage that clearly shows they’re playing up his “silly,” “dorky” side, and Elevator definitely shows this. Elevator is, without a doubt, unique. (Would any other artist have come up with something like this? ) However, that elusive magic combination of popular-but-defining has not been discovered yet.

As for why Elevator song hasn’t hit, the main reason for me is that its message is a bit obscure. One can hear that same melodic, expressive male alternative/folk/pop vibe, a la Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” and Train’s “Hey Soul Sister,” but those songs also had the advantage of being about romantic love. David, though several years these other artists’ junior, is exploring more serious themes, I’m afraid.

The Regis & Kelly Performance

Ahh, but we will see. Although lightning hasn’t struck yet, there is much… ahem, simmering beneath the surface. A look at David’s recent performance of Elevator reveals a leather-clad, markedly older and gosh-dang sexier young man than we haven’t quite seen before. But he’s that same unique, whistle-when-life-brings-you-down, jaunty David that we all know and love. Although David works very hard not to work it, it doesn’t work and he just works it.

Sexiness aside, this is a phenomenon we’ve seen before: once David gets into a song that feels like his own, he becomes another persona. And of course, this song is his own! But more than that, with Elevator we have a song that brings out that confessedly-dorky-and-playful, I-think-it’s-alright-to-just-be-myself David. It brings out his inner extrovert. He is markedly more relaxed and at ease, pumping his shoulder and flirting with the camera. (I especially love 2:26 to 2:30.) And it doesn’t hurt that this more confident David is newly yummy and schmexy.

Although Elevator hasn’t “hit,” it’s nice to see that it is showing the world more of that real David his fans already love. And it stands as another landmark for his own evolution.

Click to Listen:
Elevator

The only adviser David will ever need is his own ear.

I don’t know whether this song will hit or not, no one does; it doesn’t matter. It very well could, and it should, but it doesn’t matter. With this frothy, jumpy, deceptively edgy single, David proves his seriousness as a pop craftsman, in range of best-of-breed targets from Abba to Michael Jackson. And I’m not even talking about the performance. David has gone meta.

Despite the overly glossy producer polish, inevitably aggravating those of us who hunger for The Voice (autotune? really?), this feels like more of a David Archuleta production than we’ve had so far in this category. It is interesting that a faction of the fan base are claiming that it “doesn’t sound like a David song,” because I would argue that it actually sounds more like how a pure-pop David Archuleta song should probably sound than any previous production has. No, this is not Salt Lake City soul, or boy balladeer, but it is more successful on its own terms than anything he has previously offered in this genre. David is letting us see just how clever he can be in this game, and he’s not even using his most obvious talents to do it. Oh David, you phenom, you.

Certainly the skills of co-producers Sam Hollander and Dave Katz, with their slick interpretations of emo declarations, offer a uniquely appropriate fit with David’s own sensibilities, and David himself may have capitulated to his more commercial inclinations (nothing wrong with that), but I detect more of David in the mix this time, and not just from the standpoint of singer. You can feel a deeper comfort level, a stronger confidence in the material. Indeed, careful observation of David’s notoriously inscrutable tweets suggest important advances in his role as leader, not just collaborator. This is terribly exciting, especially when the results are so on-the-mark without being completely on-the-nose.

And therein lies the Archuleta genius that is beginning to emerge in his pure-pop confections. There is that strange but unmistakable coolness, something not quite sunny, even in the midst of all the celebration. David knows that emphasizing the brightwork requires shadows. This underlying sense of gravity is becoming an Archuleta trademark; that hint of pathos that David has always had in his favor, and which keeps him from becoming too diaphanous. For as fey as his style may sometimes seem (and for which which many of us treasure him), he is no lightweight. Even in the creamiest of commercial fare David never loses touch with the ground, with the source of the soul. I think that’s where the jumping thing comes from; the Zero Gravity experience is clearly baked into this piece.

The difference here, the evolution of The Archuletor in this instance, is that he is now experimenting with this rich juxtaposition in aspects of music-making other than his voice. The dimensions of David’s own musical intelligence are quite evident in Something ‘Bout Love, from pop prince to soul diva to Texas two-step, all wrapped up neatly and smart in one summery bubble that should bounce awfully easily out of cars and convenience stores all summer long. This is one impressive piece of commercial cargo, and I strongly suspect it is so not because David has succumbed to the likes of Sam and Sluggo, but because he has expanded his role as helmsman of his own work.

– Rascal

Click to Listen:
Something_Bout_Love_David_Archuleta.mp3