Kris Allen

Assessing the talent of Idol contestants can be a tricky thing. Some of them sound really good on the show, singing standards and proven hits, but they don't come across so well in the recording studio. Others are so-so on the show, but their albums turn out to be good. To me, Kris Allen is one of the latter. During the competition, I saw him as a smiling audience-pleaser. But his CD reveals more talent and appeal than I gave him credit for. On the show, I didn't regard Kris as being "serious" enough. But on this album, he sings about serious subject matter, mostly relationship problems, and his voice reveals both intimacy and strength that I didn't notice on Idol. The lyrics are very clearly sung, and despite the production, his vocals, when they are not multi-tracked, almost seem "live". You can hear Kris begging for understanding of his human flaws, and expressing other basic feelings - confusion, need, determination, the joy of youth. Some of the music is slightly country-tinged, but mostly it sounds like mainstream pop-rock. Although many tracks are formulaic, this is to be expected on the first album from an Idol contestant. It's up to the artist to breathe life into them, and Kris does this. The material is mostly sincere, not much attitude or irony (although he does strike a hard-rock pose in "Can't Stay Away"); but then, he's a sincere guy. My favorite tracks are "Written All Over My Face", with its demanding "talky" vocal and some glam-rock guitar; "Is It Over", which has a "bluesy" feel, both vocally and instrumentally; "Alright With Me", a happy, carefree acoustic number; "I Need To Know", a slow, quiet piano ballad with touching lyrics and heartfelt delivery; and "Heartless", another demanding vocal beautifully executed. Kris has certainly captured my attention with this CD.

I'm one of those who liked Kris on AI and like this album a great deal. It's the only AI album I've ever purchased. I do find the songs admittedly mainstream but very catchy. There is a sadness to many of the songs; most of which are about breaking up. I don't understand those critics who say that Kris lacks emotion or feeling in his music. I think its there in every song, sometimes painfully so.I'm surprised that few reviewers mention the spiritual side of Kris and his music. There is a definite spritual, although not overtly Christian, tone to many of these songs, esecially "I Need To Know", which I hear as a very moving and mournful prayer. This is one thing that attracts me to Kris and his style of music. I'm not a Christian. I know Kris is; I think in the very best sense of the word. He lets his sprituality into his music without hitting you over the head with it. He's a serious young man who I think knows his limitations and strengths. He may never have the mass audience of Michael Jackson or Carrie Underwood and I doubt you'll ever see simulated oral sex in one of his shows. But he is a talented young man, with a pleasing voice and great songwriting and interpretive skills who many people can identify with. He'll have a successful and long, perhaps relatively modest, career and this album is a great start to it.

I admit it. I liked Kris on IDOL but thought Adam outperformed him. A year later, I'm glad I was wrong, as this album is (for me), miles above Lambert's. The songs (especially the ones written or co- by Allen), are mostly excellent and survive multiple (in my case hundreds) of listenings. Sometimes the production is a bit much; when you have a voice as good as Kris Allen's, you don't need every instrument on every track. It was said by movie critic Pauline Kael that voices like Bessie Smith and Aretha Franklin had a healing quality that other (albeit excellent) singers like Billie Holiday didn't have. I feel that way about Kris Allen. His singing has a heartfelt, soothing quality that conveys compassion and an understanding far beyond his 25 years. Some might call that an old soul, but that's become so trite now. I'll just say that this CD has for me the same quality and value that Joni Mitchell's best work (like BLUE and COURT & SPARK) have: they heal. They elevate. They inspire. I'm disappointed that this album hasn't had the smashing success of some other IDOL debuts only in the sense that it says something sad about current tastes. Let's hope it's inspired enough people so that Mr. Allen can entertain and touch us for many years and we can grow along with him. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

And it's not like I regret voting for Adam. Adam is fantastic and I love his album like crazy. But for all the fervent Adam fans out there, don't let your disappointment in the Idol finale keep you away from a really great album by Kris Allen.This is an excellent CD which fully delivers on the promise Kris showed on American Idol. The lyrics are heartfelt and the backing ranges from the simplest of guitar or piano to the richness of a full string section on a couple of tracks. Favorite songs include Alright With Me (ADDICTIVE), Before We Come Undone (still think this should have been a single), Can't Stay Away (if the first 30 seconds don't grab you, I don't know what to say), and I Need to Know (raw and emotional and gorgeous).I'm ridiculously late with this review, so who knows if it will even be read. But I'm getting impatient for a second major release from Kris (btw, his youthful first effort, Brand New Shoes, is TOTALLY worth hunting down) and I figured better late than never to make a plug.

I was mentally prepared to adore this CD, as I have all of Kris's AI songs on itunes and I love them all! The CD took me by surprise with its pop/rock vibe and I found myself wishing for less guitar and more Kris. The first time I heard this CD's version of "Heartless", I felt as though I were listening to "Heartless on Speed", lol. I have to admit this faster version has grown on me, though, and I really like it now. My favorite songs are: "Before We Come Undone", "Bring it Back", "Alright With Me" and "Heartless".Will I buy Kris's next CD? Absolutely! I def LOVE Kris's voice and I'm hopeful the next CD will put more emphasis on that voice I could listen to all day - and less emphasis on guitar.

On the first listen, the music seemed to float over me with no stability, it certainly did not grab me. Was this because I was expecting a prolific contemporary sound that showcased the characteristic voice that we have heard? maybe. However on further listening that ideal transcended into reality.Listening to each track there are nuances in the vocal tone or musicality that make this album an interesting one. "Live like we're dying", the opening track, drives through with a solid structure handling changes in vocal style, is there a blues grass vocal in the middle? The melody may stick in your head, in a good way. There is perhaps a "One Republic" and "Script" resemblance to the craftsmanship in the structure of each song and Kris's vocal adds a forever changing, subtly, texture to each track.Track 5, "Written all over my face" definitely kicks into the 21st Century. Modern, contemporary with great guitar work.I am a great fan of stripped down piano and vocal. "I need to know" gives me that . It's mellow in places but emotes the story of the lyrics well.Without picking out all the subtleties of the album, in a nutshell it has great guitar and piano work, vocally the tone is colourful, emotive and I think blends well with the music holding it together well without over stretching it.I think, picking a line from one of the tracks, he has "put his best foot forward", made a very commendable album paving the way for a promising career. This album is "Alright with me" and it is a great way to breathe music and float along with its rhythm.These songs could transcend well to the concert stage. Being a lover of singer songwriters would love to see him work with Judie Tzuke.To end, "Heartless" the bonus track is a darker punchier affair, a great way to end the listening.

First album, I just listen to it long time ago. I don't think he has fully understand his voice yet, maybe producer didn't either. It sounds really loud to me. His voice is beautiful if he used it corrected like the latest albums. I'm a fan either way though.

アメアイファンの私は、シーズン8の時はアダムのファンで、CDも輸入盤を予約で買いました。そちらもよかったんです。クリスは地味なイメージがあったのでだいぶたってから購入しましたが、こっちの方が私は気に入りました。比べても意味無いですけど。何度でも聴きたくなります。癒されるというのはちょっと違いますが、気楽に聴ける70年代ポップスのような。確かにどの曲も似たようなもので、予想通り地味ですけど、ちょっと心の琴線に触れるものがあります。ただ、どなたかも書いていましたが、(13)はアメアイの時のアコースティックの方が遙かに良かった。あの時はあの辛口サイモンでさえ絶賛だったもんね。

AIはあまり興味なかったんですが、たまたま見た回がクリスの「Ain't　No　Sunshine]でその後気になりだして見始めました。まさか優勝するとは思っていませんでしたが・・・。クリスのさりげない歌声が好きなので、今回のアルバムも繰り返し聞いてます。クリスにはガツンとくるインパクトは求めていないので、このくらいの地味さがちょうどいいです。癒されるし、元気も出ます。強いて言うなら「Heartless」はTOP3でギター一本で勝負したアコースティックバージョンがよかったです。よく比べられてしまいますが、アダムと比べるのはあまり意味がないかなって思います。仲のよさそうな２人の写真を見ると、心がほっこりしちゃいます。どちらも応援しています！

2009年American Idolの優勝者であるKris Allenのデビューアルバム。個人的には楽しみにしていたアルバムですが、ボーカルは思った以上に表情に乏しく、メロディやシンプルなアレンジもそれを補いきれていません。本人の地味さをそのまま表してしまったような印象です。'(1)〜'(3)、'(10)などは決して悪くないものの、皮肉にも一番カッコいいのはKanye Westのカバー'(13)。少しFunk〜Hiphop色を取り入れたこの路線でアルバム全部やって欲しかったですね。