Album Review on CreativeDisc :
David Archuleta awalnya mungkin dikenal sebagai “The Prince of Ballad” dalam ajang American Idol Season 7 yang lalu, karena ia sering menyanyikan lagu-lagu slow. Dengan vokal yang matang dan kemampuan intrepetasi yang tinggi di usianya yang masih sangat muda, David membabat habis lagu-lagu ballad, dan mempesona jutaan orang yang berhasil membawanya menjadi runner-up tahun ini.
Tapi self-titled albumnya ini membuktikan kalau Archuleta bukan sekedar ballader, dan bisa menyanyikan jenis lagu apa saja dengan baik. Walaupun secara keseluruhan albumnya bernuansa pop, banyak lagu yang merupakan mix antara pop dan berbagai genre lainnya seperti R&B, Rock, Country, bahkan Reggae, dan mempunyai keunikan masing-masing yang membedakannya dengan lagu pop kebanyakan. Di sini Archuleta bekerja sama dengan penulis lagu ternama seperti Emanuel Kiriakou, Desmond Child, JC Chasez (NSync), dan juri baru American Idol, Kara DioGuardi.
Lagu pembuka, “Crush”, memang tidak salah dijadikan single pertama. Dengan melodi yang catchy dan lirik yang cute and innocent but not shallow or cheesy, lagu ini berhasil menggambarkan kebingungan remaja dengan perasaannya terhadap orang yang ia suka, “Is it real or just another crush?”, cocok dengan Archuleta sendiri yang masih seorang remaja 17 tahun. Biar terdengar teen-pop, tapi lagu ini menunjukkan range vokal yang luas dari Archuleta, mulai dari nada-nada rendah pada verses, sampai falsetto pada bagian chorus.
Kemampuan falsetto kembali terlihat pada lagu kedua, “Touch My Hand” (dan juga hampir di semua lagu). Lagu ini masih terasa pop dengan beat yang membuat kita mengangguk-anggukan kepala, tetapi ditambah balutan rock dengan hentakan dan dentingan piano pada bagian chorus yang memberikan nuansa Coldplay. Ini yang membuat “Touch My Hand” sangat unik dan enak didengar. Lagu enak lainnya adalah “Barriers”, yang memiliki sentuhan Reggae. Bagian chorus yang dashyat plus “permainan nada” khas Archuleta membuat lagu ini menjadi salah satu favorit saya, walaupun kadang-kadang efek “echo”-nya memang sedikit mengganggu.
Salah satu highlight selain 3 lagu tadi adalah, “A Little Too Not Over You” yang ditulis oleh Archuleta sendiri bersama composer lainnya. Dengan beat dan back sound “e.. e.. e..” ala Akon membuat verses-nya terasa R&B. Tetapi pada bagian chorus lagu ini menjadi pop-rock 6/8 ala “Breakaway”-nya Kelly Clarkson, yang kebetulan memiliki penulis yang sama, yaitu Matthew Gerrard. Lagu ini juga menunjukan range vokal Archuleta (terutama di bagian bridge) dan dengan lirik yang lebih dalam daripada Crush, ALTNOY sangat tepat dijadikan single kedua.
Lagu-lagu ballad dalam album ini adalah tracks yang terkuat, karena menonjolkan kelebihan yang dimiliki Archuleta, yaitu suaranya sendiri. “You Can” dan “To Be With You” menawarkan musik yang minimalis dan akustik, sehingga memberi kita kesempatan untuk mendengar suara emas Archuleta dengan jelas. “You Can” dengan gitar dan drum yang menghanyutkan, “To Be With You” dengan piano dan strings yang bisa menguras air mata. Apalagi lirik kedua lagu ini sangat romantis yang pastinya akan meluluhkan hati banyak cewek (dan cowok) di dunia.
Salah satu lagu paling unik adalah “Your Eyes Don’t Lie”. Diawali dengan sound gitar khas cowboy/country, dan penggunaan suara siulan sebagai sound effect di sepanjang lagu memberikan kesan yang aneh pada awalnya. Tapi sekali lagi melodi dan beat yang asyik, ditambah vokal dan falsetto yang mantap membuat lagu ini sangat addictive. Sound-sound tadi pun lama-lama akan terasa natural dan justru menjadi esensial.
“Desperate” memberikan sisi lain dari Archuleta, karena lagu ini lebih terdengar slow-rock daripada pop, dan liriknya pun mungkin yang paling “dewasa” dalam albumnya. Sahutan “desperate…” pada backsound dan aransmennya membuat lagu ini terdengar dramatis, tapi musik synth pada chorus sedikit memberi kesan old-fashioned. Track lainnya seperti “My Hands”, “Running” dan “Don’t Let Go” tidak memiliki sesuatu yang spesial selain vokal Archuleta sendiri, tetapi tetap catchy dan enak didengar.
Album ini ditutup dengan “Angels”, track cover dari lagu hit Robbie Williams. Archuleta pernah membawakan lagu ini di American Idol dan penampilannya saat itu menjadi salah satu favorit fans. Versi album ini jauh lebih baik daripada versi American Idol karena vokalnya lebih matang dan emosinya lebih terasa, serta menunjukkan alasan mengapa Archuleta bisa menjadi salah satu favorit dalam ajang menyanyi tersebut.
Walupun tidak seluruhnya sempurna dan kadang-kadang ada bagian yang musiknya berlebihan, overall ini adalah debut album yang sangat solid. Selain semua lagu enak didengar, banyak lagu yang bisa menjadi hit single, dan yang terpenting tidak menyia-nyiakan kemampuan vokalnya. Album ini meyakinkan semua orang kalau Archuleta akan bisa bertahan di industri musik untuk waktu yang lama.
utk Track list “David Archuleta – Self Titled” click…
Track list :
1. “Crush” (Jess Cates, David Hodges, Emanuel Kiriakou) – 3:32
2. “Touch My Hand” (Steve Kipner, Steve McEwan, Wayne Wilkins) – 4:11
3. “Barriers” (Steve Kipner, Steve McEwan, Wayne Wilkins) – 4:21
4. “My Hands” (Zukhan Bey, James Fauntleroy, Emanuel Kiriakou) – 4:04
5. “A Little Too Not Over (David Archuleta, Mathew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil) – 3:18
6. “You Can” (Antonina Armato, Tim James) – 3:42
7. “Running” (James Fauntleroy, Konttinen Risto, Wayne Nugent, Steven Russell, Dapo Torimiro) – 3:35
8. “Desperate” (Andreas Carlsson, Desmond Child, Konstantin Rethwisch, Alexander Rethwisch) – 3:41
9. “To Be With You” (Kara DioGuardi, Emanuel Kiriakou) – 3:25
10. “Don’t Let Go” (David Archuleta, JC Chasez, Jimmy Harry) – 3:47
11. “Your Eyes Don’t Lie” (Antonina Armato, Tim James, Devrim Karaoglu) – 3:04
12. “Angels” (Guy Chambers, Robbie Williams) – 4:09
Review by Panji
Songs Preview :
Crush :
I hung up the phone tonight
Something happened for the first time deep inside
It was a rush, what a rush
‘Cause the possibility
That you would ever feel the same way about me
It’s just too much, just too much
Why do I keep running from the truth?
All I ever think about is you
You got me hypnotized, so mesmerized
And I’ve just got to know
Do you ever think when you’re all alone
All that we can be, where this thing can go?
Am I crazy or falling in love?
Is it real or just another crush?
Do you catch a breath when I look at you?
Are you holding back like the way I do?
‘Cause I’m trying and trying to walk away
But I know this crush ain’t goin’ away-ay-ay-ay-ayy
Goin’ away-ay-ay-ay-ayy
Has it ever crossed your mind
When we’re hanging, spending time girl, are we just friends?
Is there more, is there more?
See it’s a chance we’ve gotta take
‘Cause I believe that we can make this into something that will last
Last forever, forever
Do you ever think when you’re all alone
All that we can be, where this thing can go?
Am I crazy or falling in love?
Is it real or just another crush?
Do you catch a breath when I look at you?
Are you holding back like the way I do?
‘Cause I’m trying and trying to walk away
But I know this crush ain’t goin’ away-ay-ay-ay-ayy
Goin’ away-ay-ay-ay-ayy
Why do I keep running from the truth?
All I ever think about is you
You got me hypnotized, so mesmerized
And I’ve just got to know
Do you ever think when you’re all alone
All that we can be, where this thing can go?
Am I crazy or falling in love?
Is it real or just another crush?
Do you catch a breath when I look at you?
Are you holding back like the way I do?
‘Cause I’m trying and trying to walk away
But I know this crush ain’t goin’ away-ay-ay-ay-ayy
This crush ain’t goin’ away-ay-ay-ay-ayy
Goin’ away-ay-ay-ay-ayy
Goin’ away-ay-ay-ay-ayy
Goin’ away-ay-ay-ay-ayy
Touch My Hand :
Saw you from the distance
Saw you from the stage
Something bout the look in your eyes
Something bout your beautiful face
In a sea people
There is only you
I never knew what this song was about
But suddenly now I do
Tryin to reach out to you touch my hand
Reach out as far as you can
Only me, only you and the band
Tryin to reach out to you touch my hand
[Chorus]
Can’t let the music stop
Can’t let this feeling end
Cause if I do it will all be over
I’ll never see you again
Can’t let the music stop
Until I touch your hand
Cause if I do it will all be over
I’ll never get the chance again
I’ll never get the chance again
I see the sparkle of a million flashlights
a wonderwall of stars
But the one that’sshining out so bright
is the one right where you are
Tryin to reach out to you touch my hand
Reach out as far as you can
Only me, only you and the band
Tryin to reach out to you touch my hand
[Chorus]
Can’t let the music stop
Can’t let this feeling end
Cause if I do it will all be over
I’ll never see you again
Can’t let the music stop
Until I touch your hand
Cause if I do it will all be over
I’ll never get the chance again
I’ll never get the chance again
Saw you from a distance
saw you from the stage
somethin bout the look in your eyes
somethin bout your beautiful face
[Chorus]
Can’t let the music stop
Can’t let this feeling end
Cause if I do it will all be over
I’ll never see you again
Can’t let the music stop
Until I touch your hand
Cause if I do it will all be over
I’ll never get the chance again
I’ll never get the chance again
Tryin to reach out to you touch my hand
Reach out as far as you can
Only me, only you and the band
Tryin to reach out to you touch my hand
Barriers :
Well I don’t know how to say this right
And the world’s got me choking
I keep hitting this wall
It’s never gonna fall
And we’re still broken
This mountain we’ve been trying to climb
It’s never ending
Just can’t do nothing, gotta do something
Cause if we’d opened up our eyes,
We’re just pretending
Well there’s a time for giving up
Didn’t wanna have to say it
All we do is build the walls
And now there’s too many barriers
Here we are, now you’re here
It’s our last final goodnight
Just because it feels so good
No use pretending we’re alright
Too many locks, too many crimes,
Too many tears, too many lies
Too many barriers,
Just too many barriers
Now we’ve been draging this whole thing out
But I can’t wait any longer
Our love’s burning down, creeping in the dawn
We’re not getting any stronger
I hear you saying that we’re doing OK, but baby I don’t think so
Just can’t do nothing, gotta do something
Cause if I don’t get into my car, I won’t go very far
Well there’s a time for giving up
Didn’t wanna have to say it
All we do is build the walls
And now there’s too many barriers
Here we are, now you’re here
It’s our last final goodnight
Just because it feels so good
No use pretending we’re alright
Too many locks, too many crimes,
Too many tears, too many lies
Too many barriers,
Just too many barriers
That we keep running into
Been trying, but we just can’t break through
I know I’m gonna keep wishing that was with you
But we just gotta stop
Here we are, now you’re here
It’s our last final goodnight
Just because it feels so good
No use pretending we’re alright
Too many locks, too many crimes,
Too many tears, too many lies
Too many barriers,
Just too many barriers
My Hands :
Accidentally, on purpose
I dropped my watch behind the tire
Threw my alarm clock inside the fireplace – Yeah
And I put the parental control on
On the news and the weather channel – Uh
I’m outside in my robe
I’m looking for you – Oh
If everything’d stop
I’d listen for your heart
To lead me right to you, yeah
I tried every way I can
But it’s harder to hold on
to your hands and the hands of time
I need a hand, girl, I’m trying to hold on
Losing strength in these hands of mine
I need you here
I’m trying to hold on
Standing here, open hands and I
Know I can’t do this alone
Hold on, oh hold on
Lemme hold on (to my hands)
Hold on to my hands (don’t let go of my hands)
Don’t let go
I don’t think this is working
Freezing so hard my hands are hurting
Ought to let go in the first place
And I put the phone on the front lawn
Everything that shows time is gone
I’m outside in this cold
[ Find more Lyrics at www.mp3lyrics.org/YPLz ]
Still looking for you
If everything’d stop
I’d listen for your heart
To lead me right to you, yeah
I tried every way I can
But it’s harder to hold on
to your hands and the hands of time
I need a hand girl, I’m trying to hold on
Losing strength in these hands of
mine, I need you here
I’m trying to hold on
Standing here open hands and I
Know I can’t do this alone
Hold on, oh hold on
Lemme hold on (to my hands)
Hold on to my hands (don’t let go of my hands)
Don’t ever let me go
If everything’d stop
I’d listen for your heart
To lead me right to you, yeah
I tried every way I can
But it’s harder to hold on
to your hands and the hands of time
I need a hand girl, I’m trying to hold on
Losing strength in these hands of
mine, I need you here
I’m trying to hold on
Standing here open hands and I
Know I can’t do this alone
Hold on, hold on
Lemme hold on (to my hands)
Can you hold on to my hands
(don’t let go of my hands)
Don’t let go
Can you hold on to my hands
A Little Too Not Over You :
It never crossed my mind at all
That’s what I tell myself
What we had has come and gone
You’re better off with someone else
It is for the best
I know it is
But I see you
Sometimes I try to hide
What I feel inside
And I turn around
You’re with him now
I just can’t figure it out
Tell me why
You’re so hard to forget
Don’t remind me
I’m not over it
Tell me why
I can’t seem to face the truth
I’m just a little too not over you
Memories suppose to fade
What’s wrong with my heart
Shake it off let it go
Didn’t think it would be this hard
Should be strong, moving on
But I see you
Sometimes I try to hide
What I feel inside
And I turn around
You’re with him now
I just can’t figure it out
Tell me why
You’re so hard to forget
Don’t remind me
I’m not over it
Tell me why
I can’t seem to face the truth
I’m just a little too not over you
Maybe I regret
Everything I said
No way to take it all back
Yeah
Now I’m on my own
How I let you go
I’ll never understand
I’ll never understand
Yeah, ohhh.
Tell me why
You’re so hard to forget
Don’t remind me
I’m not over it
Tell me why
I can’t seem to face the truth
I’m just a little too not over you
Tell me why
You’re so hard to forget
Don’t remind me
I’m not over it
Tell me why
I can’t seem to face the truth
And I really don’t know what to do
I’m just a little too not over you
Not over you, ooh.
You Can :
Take me where I’ve never been
Help me on my feet again
Show me that good things come to those who wait
Tell me I’m not on my own
Tell me I won’t be alone
Tell me what I’m feeling isn’t some mistake
Cause if anyone can make me fall in love,
You can,
Set me from myself, you can,
And it’s you, and no one else
If I could wish upon tomorrow,
Tonight would never end
If you asked me, I would follow
But for now I’d just pretend
Cause if anyone can make me fall in love,
You can
Baby when you look at me, tell me what do you see
Are these the eyes of some one new?
Cause everything that brought me here
Well now it all seems so clear
Baby you’re the one that I’ve been dreaming of
If anyone can make me fall in love,
You can,
Set me from myself, you can,
And it’s you, and no one else
If I could wish upon tomorrow,
Tonight would never end
If you asked me, I would follow
But for now I’ll just pretend
Cause if anyone can make me fall in love
Only you can take me,
Sailin’ in your deepest eyes
Bring me to my knees and make me cry
And no one’s ever done this
Everything was just a lie
And I know, yes I know
This is where it all begins
So tell me it’ll never end
I can’t fool myself, it’s you and no else
If I could wish upon tomorrow,
Tonight would never end
If you ask me, I would follow
But for now I’ll just pretend
If anyone can make me fall in love,
You can
Running :
Mafia…
Words keep
Fallin’ out of my pocket
Running late
Missed the train
Everything is dropping
Holding on, to my heart, in a rush I
Almost forgot it
I must admit it, I’m tired
But I’m coming to you
Don’t know how far I’ve got
But I don’t care, I’m not gonna
Stop runnin’
‘Cause without you
I’ve got nothin’
I know you’re somewhere runnin’ straight to me
Don’t stop runnin’
Don’t stop
Keep on runnin’
Don’t stop
Keep on runnin’…
Let’s keep
Giving out
Breaking down
I’m falling
Head keeps telling me, this can’t be worth all of this
Holding on to my heart, feel the rush
I’m ready to run forever
I’m holding it together
‘Cause I’m coming to you
I don’t know how far I’ve got but I don’t care
I’m not gonna
Stop runnin’
‘Cause without you
I’ve got nothin’
I know you’re somewhere runnin’ straight to me
Don’t stop runnin’
Don’t stop
I got my good shoes
I got my winning, girl, I’m focused
And I’m ’bout to navigate straight to you
And nothing’s gonna stop me, girl
To keep me from comin’
‘Cause I got to have every part of you forever
I’m runnin’, runnin’
Keep runnin’, runnin’
Keep runnin’
Keep runnin’
Stop runnin’
‘Cause without you
I’ve got nothing
I know you’re somewhere running straight to me
Don’t stop runnin’
Don’t stop runnin’
‘Cause without you
I’ve got nothin’
I know you’re somewhere runnin’ straight to me
Don’t stop runnin’
Don’t stop running
Desperate :
Desperate, desperate…
You’re reaching out, and no one hears you cry
You’re freaking out again, cause all your fears remind you
And all the dream has come undone
You feel so small, then lost that you’re the only one
You wanna scream, cause you’re desperate
[Chorus]
You want somebody, just anybody
To lay their hands on your soul tonight
You want a reason to keep believing
That someday you’re gonna see the light
You’re in the dark, there’s no one left to call
Your sleep’s your only friend
But even sleep can’t hide you
From all those tears and all the pain
And all the days you wasted pushing them away
It’s your life, it’s time to face it
[Chorus]
You want somebody, just anybody
To lay their hands on your soul tonight
You want a reason to keep believing
That someday you’re gonna see the light
Cause you’re desperate, desperate
Desperate, desperate
Cause you’re desperate, desperate
Now
You know that things has got to change
You can’t go back, you’ll find your way
And day by day, you start to come alive
You want somebody, just anybody
To bring some peace to your soul tonight
You want a reason to keep believing
That someday you’re gonna see the light
You want somebody, just anybody
To lay their hands on your soul tonight
You want a reason to keep believing
That someday you’re gonna see the light
To Be With You :
I’ve been alone so many nights now,
And I’ve been waitin’ for the stars to fall.
I keep holdin’ out for what I don’t know
To be with you, just to be with you.
So here I am staring at the moon tonight,
Wondering how you look in this light.
Maybe you’re somewhere thinkin’ about me too.
To be with you, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do.
And I can’t imagine two worlds spinnin’ apart
Come together eventually..
And when we finally meet, I’ll know it’s right.
I’ll be at the end of my restless road.
But this journey, it was worth the fight.
To be with you, just to be…
Holding you for the very first time, never letting go.
What I wouldn’t give to feel that way…
Ooohh…
Oh, to be with you…
Oh, and I can’t imagine two worlds spinnin’ apart
Come together eventually.
And when you’re standin’ here in front of me,
That’s when I know that God does exist.
‘Cause He will have answered every single prayer.
To be with you, just to be with you, yeah.
You….
Don’t Let Go :
I know that look in your eyes,
I don’t wanna say good night
Do anything to change your mind
Try to make you see the light
You turn your back and still I say
Anything to make you stay
Put up walls make our love break,
Try to hide your love away
I’m standing here, you’re giving me nothing
Try to feel your heart beat through the door
[Chorus]
Hold on, hold on
It’s what I’m doing
So strong, so strong
What I’m feeling it’s
Too much, too much
Oooh…
Don’t let go, don’t let go
There’s something that you’re going through
Wish that I could fix for you
You don’t have to be alone,
I don’t wanna let you go
I’m standing here, you’re giving me nothing
Try to hear your heart break through the door
Call it love, call it what you want to
It’s the only thing that matters any more
[Chorus]
Some days are cold, but together
One day will both change the weather
And it gets better
Your Eyes Don’t Lie :
I saw you yesterday,
It’s been a while
You tried but failed
At holdin’ back your smile right then
It’s not over yet, I knew, for you
(You see)
I couldn’t sleep
I thought of nothin’ else
I needed help
Everyone was tellin’ me
You were movin’ on with someone else
But what we had was so special
People can be jealous, oh
I had to see it for myself
I can see it in your eyes
You feel the same about us as I
There is no way the truth can be disguised
You’re still in love with me
You were never really out of love with me
Your eyes don’t lie
I know I hurt ya,
I know you are hurtin’ still (mmm, yeah)
But I’ll make it up to you
Yeah, baby, I will
‘Cause what we had was so special
You know we can’t give it up
Now that I’ma lookin’ at you I can see
I can see it in your eyes (your eyes)
You feel the same about us as I
There is no way (there is no way)
The truth can be disguised
You’re still in love with me
You were never really out of love with me
Your eyes don’t lie
And they never will, girl
Oh, now that I know
We were apart but your heart never let go
So thank you for showin’ me with one look
What used to be, and still is, a possibility
I can see it in your eyes
You feel the same about us as I
There is no way the truth can be disguised
You’re still in love with me
You were never really out of love with me
Your eyes don’t lie
Your eyes don’t lie
Angels :
I sit and wait
Does an angel, contemplate my fate?
And do they know
The places where we’ll go, when we’re gray and old
Cause I’ve been told
That salvation lets their wings unfold
So when I’m lying in my bed
Thoughts running through my head
And I feel the love is dead
I’m loving Angels instead
And through it all
She offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I’m right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won’t break me
When I come to call
She won’t forsake me
I’m loving Angels instead
When I’m feeling weak
And my pain walks down a one way street
I look above
And I know I’ll always be blessed with love
And as the feeling grows
She breathes flesh to my bones
And I feel the love is dead
I’m loving Angels instead
And through it all
She offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I’m right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
I know that life won’t break me
When I come to call
She won’t forsake me
I’m loving Angels instead
Oh
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Oh
Yeah yeah yeah
And through it all
She offers me protection
A lot of love and affection
Whether I’m right or wrong
And down the waterfall
Wherever it may take me
Iknow that life won’t break me
When I come to call
She won’t forsake me
I’m loving Angels instead
Videography :
