Kris Allen

Kris Allen | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 17, 2009)
• Original Release Date: November 17, 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jive
• ASIN: B0020MMDCY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (151 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,660 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #96 in Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk > Singer-Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

2009 debut album from the American Idol Season 8 winner. Kris Allen hails from a town of less than 60,000, but his ability to captivate an audience of millions has undoubtedly put him on the map. As nearly 100 million votes were cast for the Season 8 finale, Kris Allen quickly became a household name nationwide. This much-anticipated release features the first single 'Live Like We're Dying'.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome debut from the reigning Idol champion, November 18, 2009

By 

David P. (Malibu, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kris Allen (Audio CD)

When I first heard the snippets I wasn't so sure how much I was going to like the album. After listening to the whole album, I have to tell you just how impressed I am with this record. Provided the time constraints, it can be hard to come up with a solid debut album in time for the holiday release date. Nevertheless, Kris manages to do just that and more. Having 9 of the tracks co-written by Kris himself, this album is a great depiction of who Kris is as an artist and the types of themes he chooses to express though his music.

Here are some impressions of my favorite songs:

1. Live Like We're Dying - The first single off the album and a really cool and unique track that gets stuck in your head. I consider this to be a great choice as a first single as it is a fun song to attempt to sing along too (it can be difficult at times since it's a wordy song, haha).

2. Can't Stay Away - I love the funky feel to this song. The energy pumping throughout the track really gives it something special. Check this out for sure.

3. Before We Come Undone - Probably my favorite track on the album! I really think this should be the second single. It feels like the most radio ready song to me.

4. Bring It Back - A complete contrast to the three aforementioned tracks, this slow ballad proves how efficient Kris's voice can be in evoking emotion in the listener. Kris's ability to connect so profoundly to the lyrics makes this track particularly poignant.

5. Alright With Me - A really unique, upbeat track co-written by Joe King of the Fray. It's just a fun, lighthearted song that would be perfect to cheer you up if you're ever feeling the blues.

-Other favorites of mine on the album include Let It Rain, Red Guitar, and Written All Over My Face.

-Two other ballads on the album, The Truth and I Need To Know, also show off Kris's sensitive side and suit the flow of the album quite well.

-My least favorite songs are Is It Over and Lifetime. Nevertheless, I still consider them solid tracks that don't detract from the overall quality of the record.

Last but not least, there's the final track Heartless. Kris became well-known for his acoustic take on the Kanye West hit on Idol, but the version of Heartless on the album is quite different. With a cool, urban vibe instilled in the track thanks to hip hop producer Salaam Remi, Heartless sounds completely retooled from how we last heard it. Nevertheless, the fact that song throws you off guard while also revealing a new side to Kris is what I find most appealing about this track. Not the Heartless I grew to love, but I like it all the same.

All in all, if you're looking for a great pop rock record, then Kris is your guy. With a bit of practically everything, ranging from slow, heart-wrenching ballads to rocking, upbeat tracks, you're sure to find something you'll like on this album. Highly recommended!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprising Vocals, February 12, 2010

By 

Steven Haarala (Mandeville, LA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kris Allen (Audio CD)

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.

34 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Infectious Tunes + Heartfelt Delivery, November 17, 2009

By 

Aphra Behn (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kris Allen (Audio CD)

I've listened to this album a few times since I downloaded it, and I'm happy to say, it keeps sounding better and better. The music is very pop, with good hooks and infectious tunes, and the lyrics are engaging and involving. I find Allen's performance the best part of the album, since he seems to be able to inject emotion and honesty into every song. It seems as if this album and these songs mean a lot to him, and as a consequence, they play well to my ear, as well.