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Kris Allen debut album review:

1. Live Like We're Dying - Okay so the first time I previewed this song I didn't like it at all, right now I'm thinking its highly possible I was strung out (on stress, lol) that day. As soon as I heard it as part of the album preview I really liked it. It actually is catchy and I think Kris sounds great. This one is now on my must get for my iPod list. I still don't know if its the best choice for a first single (I expected something slower) but its good. 7.5/10

2. Before We Come Undone - I immediately knew I'd like this track when it started. It has a really sweet sound. I love the chorus on this one hardcore. I just got really into this one, I love everything about it. I don't know how to describe the particular parts I like, but like the background vocals, kind of sound like echoes. I would have chosen this as the first single personally. 10/10

3. Can't Stay Away - This reminded me of something he did on AI, "All She Wants To Do Is Dance" which I actually loved. It just has like a cool vibe. To compare to another artist this actually has a very Gavin DeGraw sound, which is a good thing for me. The "uh woah ohs" were admittedly annoying but I don't think they completely ruined the track. Pretty decent. 6.7/10

4. The Truth - The chorus on this one is really strong, I love it. It's a builder song, it starts off slow and mellow and grows from that. At first I wasn't sure I'd like it because of the beginning but once it got into the chorus I was really enjoying it. I think I'll like this one more and more as I give it more listens. One tiny nitpick though he kept making this breathing/hissing sound that is hard to describe and it really annoyed me, I found it noticeable and it took me out of the song. 8/10

5. Written All Over My Face - The first time I heard this song I completely ignored it and couldn't remember it as soon as it was over. This one has too much of a samey sound to LLWD imo. Listening more intently I actually like some of the lyrics but I'm not loving the sound of this one. It's kind of generic and doesn't stand out. I hope they never release it as a single, it's musical wallpaper. I didn't get into it or really enjoy it. 3/10

6. Bring It Back - This one actually reminded me of the music of one of my favourite Toronto based indie artists in some aspects. Kris actually has a similar kind of vibe, a different kind of voice though. I liked this track. I liked that I could hear the desperation in his voice for her to bring back her love. It had a real emotional connection. 7.9/10

7. Red Guitar - I'm not sure why the Idol labels never let their artists write a lot on their debuts. This happened with David and its happened again with Kris, the one song on the album solely written by them is by far one of the strongest tracks if not the strongest. This is the most real, wonderful track on the album and the one that sounds most like Kris. The other ones are good but they're more like compromise between Kris' sound and what is popular and what will sell. This one is the most reminiscent of what is on Brand New Shoes and what I imagined and wanted a Kris album to sound like. This one most sounds likes a musical gem I would love to discover and treasure having on my iPod. I love this one so much. 11/10

8. Is It Over - Okay wow, even more so than BIB this one sounds so much like my favourite indie artist. If I didn't know what I was listening to when it started off I might have mistaken it for one of Josh's songs. I don't mean this in a bad, he's not original way either, I mean it in the best of ways. It just has a very raw, wonderful sound to it. I love the sound of Kris' voice on this track. I only wish the backing music was more intense on this track, its kind of mellow and I know that's kind of his vibe but I really like this track could have been really amazing with a louder, more intense musical score. Not my favourite but I like, it could be a grower. 7/10

9. Let It Rain - I like parts of this song and I don't like other parts. Its a very mixed bag for me. I think it has some great moments but its not a good enough song overall for me. It has potential almost but doesn't quite go where it could. Everything about it is really mixed, some good lyrics, some good vocal parts from Kris, some good sounds. I dunno, maybe I need to listen to it more. I'm just not sold on this one. 5/10 leaning toward 6/10

10. Alright With Me - I immediately loved this track on first listen. I can't put my finger on exactly what it is but I just adore this song. It has a very different sound than the rest of the album but it still fits, at least for me. This is the track I could most get into and sing a long with. I just love everything about the sound of this track, love the start, love the choruses, love the guitar, love the vocals. At this point I already know this will be my most heavily played track from the album. 10/10

11. Lifetime - This one almost sounds like it could be a Country track. I really love the chorus and I love the way he sings "it takes a lifetime." Its a solid effort, not a favourite but its good. 7.9/10

12. I Need To Know - I think Kris' voice sounds amazing and beautiful on this track. The desperation on BIB is even more present and lends itself even better to this track. I kind of feel like it doesn't have enough lyrics but even the constant repetition of I need to know works on this song to a degree. I think the piano is lovely too, it provides a nice contrast from the heavy use of guitars on the album as a whole. It ends the album beautifully which is partly why I hate that Heartless is after it. 9.8/10

13. Heartless - I don't like that this is on here and I don't like this version. I prefer the studio version from Idol and I don't think it was a necessity to throw this on as the last track. I would have preferred to have the album begin and end with Kris' real tracks. I hate how Kris' voice sounds on it, especially the beginning, it really sounds like he's screeching in a lot of parts and straining. Its weird. This track just annoys me, I'm not including its ranking in the album's overall average. 5/10

Overall I actually didn't expect this album to be this good. I really enjoy it and will buy it. Score: 79%, the low score for WAOMF and CSA bring this down a bit so I'd up it to an 85%.

Just to note I'd like to say how happy I am to see that this Idol album has no tracks co-written by Kara on it. Perhaps that's why it so good. Thank god they didn't throw NoBo on there, it just wouldn't fit in and would ruin it.

I noticed that too. It should be a relief to you though, imagine if our reviews had been exactly the same, you might have to start rethinking your views on my beloved Hayley. :P

Or you change your views on James... he is closer to Kris' category than faux-rocker Hayley is. :)

I like James though, if I changed my views on him I wouldn't like him.