DAVID COOK – This Loud Morning (Deluxe Version) [2011] HQ *Exclusive*

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DAVID COOK won American Idol seventh season in 2008 and released his first solo album on a major label the same year. Two and a half years after, Cook continued making his way back onto the music scene with his sophomore effort, “This Loud Morning”. As requested, here’s “This Loud Morning (Deluxe Version)” including extra tracks.
Cook’s music could be commercial, sometimes radio-ready and a bit modern, but in its essence is firmly based into classic rock roots. Additionally, he’s a complete musician; good songwriter, guitar player and a solid singer.
”This Loud Morning” is a beautiful album, a breath of fresh air when originally released, and still today. No auto tuning, crappy lyrics or non-sense melodies on this one. David did not follow the cookie-cutter mold so popular these days but his heart and passion. For that reason alone, we have the utmost admiration and respect for David Cook.
Musically the songs have that modern rock ‘inflexion’, but well done. Regarding his voice, Cook reminds me of Harry Hess from Harem Scarem. It’s not odd that I mention this band, as several of the tracks on “This Loud Morning” sounds like the ’90s / early 2000’s Harem Scarem. L.A. session legend Tim Pierce play guitars on several tracks.

Mainly vocalist, David is a tenor, but possessor of a stunning instrument that is actually rather rare in rock/pop music. The man has a very large voice with a great deal of ring and resonance, that can be pushed to dramatic climaxes more easily than the usual light leggiero voices or warm, bright lyric tenors.
Cook trips lightly from a beautiful and more certain lower register into that dark and velvety, firm middle voice upwards to the full-throated tenor glory notes, and at times into a gorgeous falsetto, all seamlessly.

“This Loud Morning” is a commercial Rock&Pop multi-layered endeavor replete with beautiful details, from lush orchestration, vocal and instrumental countermelodies and musical tie-ins, majestically produced by Matt Serletic. It must be listened to several times before any fair judgment can be made.
The musicians are highly skilled including Serletic himself who leaves no stone unturned in his production. David’s band-mates are first rate, including the L.A. session legend Tim Pierce on guitars, the precise bass player Monty Anderson and the ever energetic young drummer Kyle Peek, among a long list of performers.
Cook also co-wrote all the songs with a selection of composers, between them the accustomed Marti Frederiksen, responsible of many ’80s hits and soundtracks.

Sticking with the same rock influences present on his previous record, the album includes some really good anthemic and big rock tunes with bridges that swell massively, and driving guitars infusing catchy melodies. Of course there’s also some radio-ready tracks that aren’t exactly my cup of tea, but considering this is mainstream CD, it’s triumph that a rock based disc hit the charts.
This isn’t a collection of singles thrown together and packaged perfectly to fit in the pop-laden industry. Even in his softest-poppy moments, David’s voice stays strong and true, which is such a nice change from the auto-tuned artists shoved down the public’s throat on a daily basis.

A mainstay on the Tulsa music scene before winning the seventh season of ‘Idol’, Cook rose to national fame on a reality TV show, but in many ways, the singer/songwriter/guitarist can be regarded as a throwback.
Not only he released a bona fide album in the digital-garbage-pop era, he also continues to favor the ‘real rock’ firmly rooted in the classic pattern.
Set aside prejudices and give it a try.

01 – Circadian
02 – Right Here, With You
03 – We Believe
04 – Fade Into Me
05 – Hard To Believe
06 – Take Me As I Am
07 – Time Marches On
08 – The Last Goodbye
09 – Paper Heart
10 – 4 Letter Word
11 – Goodbye To The Girl
12 – Rapid Eye Movement
13 – This Is Not The Last Time
14 – Let Me Fall For You
15 – Don’t You (Forget About Me) [Simple Minds cover]

Vocals, Guitar: David Cook
Guitars: Neal Tieman, Tim Pierce, Joel Shearer
Bass: Monty Anderson, Chris Chaney
Keyboards: Andy Skib, Matt Serletic
Drums: Kyle Peek, Dorian Crozier

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www.davidcookofficial.com