Customer Reviews

Kris Allen

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

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!

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'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.

This debut album is very listenable. It is great to workout with...clean house to...drive with...and correct papers by! My fourth graders love to do their art while listening to it. The more I listen to it, the more I like it! I thought there would be a klunker or 2...BUT I was wrong. The whole thing is amazing. He has such talent. I will be the first to buy his second 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 have to admit that I was an Adam Lambert fanatic ever since Idol began and his cd is simply awesome. I have now listened to Kris Allen's cd a few times, and I have to admit that his first cd release is simply amazing. I love his easy-going, smooth, and emotional qualities that he evokes so easily on each track. He reminds me of a younger Gavin DeGraw which is remarkable. There isn't one song that I don't like on this album, and I have to give major Kudos to Kris for making such an enjoyable and infectious cd that not even one of the biggest Adam fan's like myself can ignore. Great job Kris...you deserved the title!! Now, more music please...thank you.

Kris Allen has released an awesome album; and with his type of talent he's sure to be around for quite some while to come! Kris performs wonderfully on this CD; and there's not a dud in the bunch. Every song is very well done and the fact that Kris co-wrote quite a few of these songs impresses me all the more. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very well done.

My favorite songs include "Live Like We're Dying," which starts the album with a dynamic track that has Kris squarely front and center--right where he belongs! The beat is catchy and the music fits perfectly with Kris' vocals. The guitars help the tune as well. "Before We Come Undone" is full of energy and again the guitars and percussion help to carry the melody while Kris sings his heart out. Other strong songs include the incredible "Can't Stay Away;" "Red Guitar;" "Is It Over" with its excellent shifting between major and minor keys and "Heartless," a cover of a song by Kanye West that has a mighty fine beat to it.

Of course, there are other songs that also rate quite highly in my book. These songs include the wonderful "The Truth" with those guitars--and how's about Kris' faultless delivery of this number? I also like the thoughtful "Written All over My Face" which also manages to rock really well; and there's the stunning "Bring It Back" with its poignant theme of a love a man wants to preserve with his woman. "Let It Rain" is another stunner; and "Alright With Me" has terrific key and tempo changes, all of which Kris handles like the pro that he is! "Lifetime" is poignant and meaningful; and there's another gem in "I Need to Know" that gets a most sensitive treatment by Kris.

Kris Allen blasted onto the scene on American Idol; and with this incredible pop/rock album his standing as a fine young artist is firmly cemented. If we're lucky, he'll be performing and entertaining us for many years to come. Kris possesses a rare and precious type of genius; and this is a must-have for his fans.

If I am not mistaken, this is Kris Allen's first album...so why do I get the impression everyone expects him to be perfect? Okay, I will admit, this album almost seems routine when it comes to this style of rock, but at the same time, he is just learning to experiment and to perform on his own at the level he is at. I also think that it is a sign of relief when an artist doesn't sound like the pop acts that are out there today (so many just sound the same). Yes he sounds like Daughtry a bit (sorry if the spelling is off), but how many artists sound the same in general? He can't be the ONLY one to sound similar to another artist (No offense to boy bands, but they ALL sound the same).

From what I have read, he did write many of his songs and really is proud of his work, and I think it shows. This is the kind of music he wanted to produce and I do hope he stays proud of it. He may not get the media attention that others will get with their debut album, but I have a sneaky feeling he isn't one to want that kind of attention. If you are looking for some good music to play around the family (young ones as well) and just listen to some great guitar / alternative rock tones, go ahead and give Kris a shot. I hope that he keeps growing from here and always is proud of what he creates.

Go...Go listen...and then when you have extra money on that gift card from the holidays....go buy it :)

Happy Holidays!

I am not an Idol fan, but I heard "Live Like We're Dying" on the radio and thought it was a cool song. Subsequently, I checked out Kris Allen's album and was pleasantly surprised. I can't stop playing this CD and I love 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.