Telegraph

Drake Bell | Format: MP3 Download

Product Details

• Original Release Date: August 23, 2005
• Label: Backhouse Records
• Copyright: 2005 Backhouse Productions
• Total Length: 40:29
• Genres:
• ASIN: B000TPXN0U
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,541 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NOT just for the young, October 10, 2005

By 

T. S. Potter (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Telegraph (Audio CD)

In my opinion, you don't have to be a young boy or girl who finds Drake 'dreamy' to really appreciate this album (not AT ALL to devalue the musical tastes or celebrity crushes of younger folks).

Whereas most 19-year-olds with guitars are just young people who can write songs, Drake is a SONGWRITER. Whereas most of those 19-year-olds can play the guitar, Drake is a GUITARIST. He's the real deal and has more than enough talent to spread over the 10 of these 12 music tracks.

I'd say he leans toward the rock (as opposed to pop) genre, but there's nothing abrasive about his rock and roll style. Take any period of the Beatles, pretend they're spices and you can find them seasoning up the entire album in one way or another. There's also some Patty Griffin (the paradoxical semi-detached yet achingly personal lyrical style), some of Bruce Springsteen's blue-collar-workin'-man energy, and a bit of John Mayer (not so much the glossy sound... but the journalist-turned-songwriter sensibilities). He even has a gift for Jason Mraz-esque word-play, but where Jason uses it (or seems to use it) as a novelty that serves his musical style, Drake seamlessly incorporates its usage into the bigger picture.

If this album doesn't get much radio play (and that would be radio's loss), it's because it's more varied and musically sophisticated than the stuff radio programmers are comfortable with. I'm not saying it's "experimental" or "abstract" by any means. There's just plenty of blues, jazz, classic rock, and folk rock to go around and yet there's no one song that conforms cleanly to any of those genres. He's a renaissance man who deserves to be at the front of the line along his 20-something-year-old peers.

By-the-by, this album provided the perfect soundtrack for a cross-country drive. It's a good, fun album to drive by. Good energy, strength... never over-the-top and not an ounce of whimpishness (for lack of an actual word).

For those curious, his voice is pleasantly raspy and there's always a sense of unapologetic know-how in his delivery, without the bratty psuedo-punk attitude that litters many a radio station. The concerns are always beyond that of typical late-teen angst as well (no doubt due to his having to grow up pretty fast due to his young celebrity status, which he seems to approach with a refreshing lack of arrogance). As sophisticated as he is in his lyrical style, he always gives the songs room to breathe and even indulge in good-clean-fun of the California Rock variety.

For those teetering on the brink of buying this album, I'd say it's safe to put both feet through the door. To coin a cliché, "What's not to like"?

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't be fooled by lack of reviews, August 9, 2007

By 

Marla Baird "equal-op music lover" (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Telegraph (Audio CD)

Full disclosure: I'm a 40 y/o SAHM who has been exposed to Drake Bell's music on Nick's "Drake & Josh" thanks to my 11 y/o son. Once I heard "Found A Way" off the newer album, I was hooked!

"Telegraph" was released independently in the fall of '05, and (I believe) riding the wave of attention Drake Bell is getting from being on tour w/his new album - as well as the special movie ending of the Nick show - has been rereleased w/an 07 publishing date.

Why there are two product listings for "Telegraph" on Amazon, I have no idea. But there are 60+ GLOWING reviews of this album at the original product listing. I wanted desperately to own this album after falling in love with "It's Only Time," released Dec 06. But all I found here was a handful of collectible-quality CDs priced over $100! (And I'm a sucker for liner notes) So to have the opportunity last week to preorder "Telegraph" directly from Amazon was a real treat!

Unfortunately, when I tried to spread the word of a rerelease of "Telegraph," most pp found the original product listing, which shows to be available from 3rd-party sellers only. So, I'm definitely going to send all my friends a direct link to the NEW Amazon listing for "Telegraph", because it is completely worth it to get an original recording of this album, as opposed to the 2nd or 3rd gen I've been listening to!

As an older listener, I love catching the more obscure influences Drake has obviously referenced - clearly, The Beatles has had an enormous effect on the development of his writing and playing skills. But I hear more current influences on the "Telegraph" songs: as varied as Green Day, ska/reggae, some Spanish guitar at the beginning of "Somewhere" and, believe it or not, even more mature lyrics than those that some mothers of preteens have complained about on "IOT." I could see 3-4 potential radio hits on this album, if it is given the chance.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For All Ages, November 11, 2005

By 

Melissa Sabatino (Media, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Telegraph (Audio CD)

"Telegraph" is a great first release by musician/actor Drake Bell. Ok, for those of you who just want a quick review, here it is, in this one paragraph, you need read no further unless you want particulars; if anyone chooses to read the rest of my review, that's your choice. This CD rocks! It is not continuous rock, but it reaches moments of real rock intensity. Drake Bell is a skilled vocalist, all the back up musicians are good, and the lyrics of the songs tell interesting stories. This quality music is appealing to a variety of age groups, and parents need not worry because there is no foul language. The CD is great and compelling because it is fresh, energetic and impassioned, as well as well-crafted.









The opening track entitled "Found a Way" should not be dismissed as being merely a television theme song; it is tight and poppy and well-constructed. The keyboards warble pleasantly and the guitars chug nicely. "Circles" is more laid back and bouncy; it describes being at a party, and features Drake's co-star Josh Peck on beat box. The feel-good groove is not unlike that of the Sugar Ray song "Fly." The fade out of the song, with its circular piano and guitar, reminds me of a passage in "Teenage Wasteland" by the Who.

"Somehow" is introduced with piano and moody Spanish guitar, then moves immediately to a powerful chorus of vocals and heavy guitar. The song is a dark story, filled with imagery and feeling. Drake stretches his voice with passionate intensity. "In the End" is one of several songs that deal with relationships; there is uncertainty, mixed feelings, and wistfulness.

"Don't Preach" seethes with controlled anger; if it is a response to an actual experience with a parent or agent, then it is truly unfortunate; as a song, it is brash and loud and in your face-- and, well, success is the best revenge. In "Hollywood Girl" the lyrics seem to convey that there is a superficiality that comes with celebrity, but that it is something to be avoided; the song's narrator seems to speak negatively of the Hollywood Girl because "She doesn't believe in believing. Miracles have died in her mind."

The song "Golden Days" has the same insistent, rhythmic punchiness as in XTC's "Ball and Chain," and it is possible that we also hear the influence of The Clash's "London Calling" in the crunchiness of the guitars. There's a lot of piano on this release, and it is in the forefront here, which might bring comparisons to Ben Folds Five; there's also some Bobby McFerrin-like singing in the background harmonies.

"Down We Fall," with its multilayered orchestration, swirling backing vocals, and with the soft, clear quality to the lead vocal, makes me think of the song "Fall at Your Feet" by Crowded House; the emotional tone of the song also reminds me of the Crowded House song, the gentle openness, with lyrics such as, "And all I can say is you saved me, changed all the things that have made me." The song builds to a Beatles-like harmonic chord, then layers of spoken voices over guitar evoke the circus feel of Sgt. Pepper's circa Beatles, followed by searing electric rock guitar. It is to be heard with headphones, when the guitar and vocals shift from side to side..

"Highway to Nowhere" opens with Drake purring and growling like Patti LaBelle-I am sorry if I offend by making a comparison to a female vocalist, but there is a certain knowing raunchiness that he captures; if I had to pick a male equivalent for the vocal quality in this song, I guess it would be Simply Red's Mick Hucknall-- plus there is definitely a little Mick Jaggar from "Stray Cat Blues." The song transitions from a rock number into a handclapping gospel singalong.

Drake bends notes skillfully in "Telegraph," a song in which the complexity of the emotion of the lyrics is set off by the simplicity of the music. The opening piano notes prepare you for the earnestness of the lead vocal which is accompanied by layered backing harmonies-- and maybe I haven't mentioned yet, but Drake does his own backing harmonies. Drake uses his voice as his most powerful instrument, varying in loudness and quietness, in softness and raspiness.

Drake Bell's CD has a lot of texture. The songs incorporate a variety of genres and moods. There is pop song and rock anthem, singer/songwriter melody and power ballad. There is storytelling in the lyrics, strong guitars, and Drake's alternately clear and raspy vocals.

I appreciate Drake Bell's CD "Telegraph" for what it is musically. I also appreciate it because it can be enjoyed by several age groups. I am almost 45 years old, and my son is 7. We watch "The Amanda Show" and the "Drake and Josh Show" together; I had seen Drake Bell in "High Fidelity" and "The Jack Bull" years ago, but we'd never then known of his musical ability.

Of course we bought "Telegraph" and the "Drake and Josh" cd's because we loved Drake Bell's acting on the T.V. shows and in the movies. We were intrigued. What was gratifying was to discover that Drake Bell is truly a musician.

He writes the music, the lyrics, and plays guitar. He was schooled in guitar by one of the rock'n'roll greats, Roger Daltrey, and he looks to his predecessors, such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jeff Beck, for inspiration. Oh, and of course, to the Beatles-- you can hear the Beatles interwoven throughout "Telegraph," in the multi-layered harmonies. Drake shows skill in his vocal phrasing, and he brings playfulness and passion to his singing.

As a parent , I am very grateful to Drake for providing a positive male role model and quality music to listen to for my son, who also wants to be cool and to be a musician (and I understand that the lyrics of Drake's album were toned down just a shade). There isn't foul language, and more mature themes are handled responsibly (for instance, in "Circles," at a party the narrator is concerned that all partygoers are returning home sober). As an adult I appreciate the sentiment and narrative that go on in the lyrics far above what younger listeners would ever pick up on. There is a maturity of feeling in this album, a complexity and depth of feeling, that is articulated in a way that makes this CD not seem like a "teen" record. It is enjoyable for both the teen and the adult listening audience, and it is not something to be avoided for the younger listening audience.

Drake's earnestness and his passion come through in his voice. There is an energy and a freshness and an intensity to the "Telegraph" CD that is to be appreciated by everyone.This disc is proof that Drake Bell is a musician, as well as an actor. I look forward to Drake Bell's next CD.