Impressions on David Cook’s “Light On”
// September 26th, 2008 // Entertainment, Music
Okay, I caught word today that Idol winner David Cook’s first single is hitting the air. While not generally an Idol fan, I am a big Cook fan. More to the point, I am a big Axium fan, from back in the day before Cook went off on his own and ultimately decided to show up everyone on season 7.
Cook is like my one (very minor) claim to fame (aside from when I went to a Star Trek convention as a kid and saw William Shatner on stage). Back when SuperSatellite was still a site for music and stuff, we worked to help promote local bands and concerts. This brought me in touch with Cook a couple times, and we even did a big giveaway when Axium released “The Story Thus Far.” I think that was a great example of what Cook is capable of, and what I’m hoping we hear from him in the future. He’s a nice guy that really knows how to put together some awesome songs.
On to “Light On.” It’s not a bad song. My only worry is that it is terribly overproduced. I’m not sure if I’ve heard a song in recent memory that sounded like it was trying to be so much all at once. I heard a little Chris Cornell hook in there, you’ve got the quiet piano backed vocals, Cook opens up his voice in the first 25 seconds, the chorus is mainstream, the bridge reeks of everything Nickelback, and so it goes. It sounds almost exactly how I would expect an Idol produced single for him to sound, and I just really hope the whole album isn’t that way. That’s not to say it’s a bad song; it’s not. I just think the record people tried way too hard.
Here’s my take on Cook. Like many solo artists, it just doesn’t really work as well. Few (male) artists can work without a band and be better. Raine Maida did a good job of it, and I don’t have many complaints about Jeff Martin (except that he still sounds pretty much like The Tea Party), but generally speaking when guys go solo, bad things happen. See Chris Cornell, Billy Corgan, Gavin Rossdale, Travis Meeks, John Popper, Scott Strapp, Jonathan Davis, all four members of KISS, and so it goes on. The thing is, people are just more creative with a band. There’s something more organic and collective about music being created by a group of guys with a vision rather than one person being fed lyrics by a writer, or in the case of some of the guys above, thinking they are good enough to do it all on their own.
With Axium, Cook put out what is arguably some of my favorite music. I still listen to the albums regularly. When he went solo with “Analog Heart,” it was good, but it just lost a little something. Cook’s voice is an amazing instrument all on it’s own, and I think him singing and on guitar, with a bassist and drummer – just three guys – as a solid unit would be bulletproof. American Idol has this idea that artists need to be solo to be successful, and I don’t think that’s true. Cook needs to put a band together, and get writing their own stuff and get back to what he’s really good at. The faster that happens, the faster you’re gonna see something unlike anything he did on American Idol.
I’m still looking forward to this album, and I have faith that he’s a sharp enough fellow to not let AI producers run the ship blindly, so I think we’ve got much more to hear from him.
23 Responses to “Impressions on David Cook’s “Light On””
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Thank you for the honesty from someone who, like me, is a big David Cook/Axium fan. I feel exactly the same way about the song and I hope David reads this review. I am really looking forward to the album. Unfortunately, instead of looking forward to it because of this song, I am looking forward to in in spite of this song.
I really enjoyed your review! I think you are spot-on. There’s nothing wrong with the single persay…it’s just that in contrast to Cook’s earlier work, it doesn’t seem to ‘fit’. I know there will be a few songs on the album that he had more say over, and I very much look forward to hearing those. In the meantime, I can’t seem to get the chorus of THIS one out of my head. So that can’t be a bad thing!
Thanks guys. I still think the album is going to be good. And really, I think this is the kind of song that could really benefit from some acoustic treatment. Less is more.
Wow, you’re so right. I’ve been thinking that exact word: “overproduced” since the moment I heard it. It’s like the producer (Caballo) doesn’t understand yet how GOOD Cook is — Caballo is pulling all the tricks he would need to make someone else sound better than they are — NOT necessary here! LESS is MORE! I think we’ll all see this when Light On goes on tour (with DC’s band) and within a month doesn’t sound anything like this at all — more DC, less Caballo.
I’ve been saying from the moment I heard the song that it would be great acoustic. I think it’s a good song, and will serve it’s purpose of getting David radio play and such. But I do agree, it is overproduced. I have faith that the album, as a whole, will be great.
Great article and spot on. You said exactly how I feel about the song and about the going solo aspect of music. The song itself is not bad, it’s a perfectly good song with a hooks and all, very overproduced and it’s just not what I would listen to a full album of. I would tire of it quickly.
Respectfully, I disagree. I loved his Axium work, I loved his Analog Heart, and I think this just proves that David is showing another twist as he turns many Idol fans into David cook fans. His voice is powerful, sensitive, and sensual all at the same time. The song has a big feel to it, like an epic rock song.
I agree. Cook’s vocals are fantastic but the song is overproduced. However, it will probably still get countless rotations on my iPOD because the tune is catchy, the song sticks in your head…and well, let’s be honest………David Cook is singing it. I’m optimistic that Cook will have more control over the rest of the songs on his album, especially since he wrote or co-wrote most of them. I’m also hoping that he throws in a few songs with an accoustic vibe, so that his voice is showcased more.
I totaly agree with all that you have said! I love his new single!! Awsome!! I can’t wait for the CD to come out to see what all he has done with it!! So Excited!! It is good t know that he is writing most of the songs. Him with his creative mind OMG it is gonna be great!! David Rocks!! LIGHT ON!!
I thought Cook was putting a band together. He said someting about bringing his friend Neal in and that he likes the idea of touring with a group of bandmates. I thought this was on his blog. Maybe it was an article I read. I have faith his record will be awesome.
I recently saw this information as well. From what I’ve gathered, Neal has agreed to play guitar for him full time, which can only end well. For those not familiar, Neal Tiemann was with MWK (Midwest Kings), an excellent band that David worked with a few years ago in Tulsa. Additionally, he’s collaborating with Ed Roland of Collective Soul, Zac Maloy of The Nixons (great band, look them up if you haven’t. He’s also put out some damn good solo stuff), Jason Wade of Lifehouse, and Raine Maida of my favorite band, Our Lady Peace.
Not only Neal. Andy Skib (also of MWK fame) is going to tour with him as well! Have the faith – this is going to be an awesome David Cook ROCK BAND record and tour not an overproduced Rob Cavallo solo David Cook record and tour!
Great review. Best part of the song is at the 2:50 mark when you actually hear him sing. I’m really looking forward to Nov 18th.
I agree with the overproduced comment – you said exactly what I was thinking. I had a thought (hope?) – was there maybe some contractual thing where he had to release the Chris Cornell-written song first, because he used his version of Billy Jean during the tour? I don’t know how these things work – I’m just looking for a reason why he would release this particular song first, which I believe is really not indicative of Cook’s style and talent. I do have to say I like the song, though, just a little surprised by it.
This song is not great. I think everyone agrees with you, but likely he will get better. Let’s give him a chance. Thanks for your review, as always you are right on.
David needs to go with his gut and not with the record producers ideas. This song is way overproduced and a complete waste of his time.
When I first heard the song, I thought its ok, but I’m not in love with it. But I found myself singing it for the rest of the day. So I went back and listened again…and again…and again. In fact I’m still listening to it now. I think this is a song that grows on you. And I think it will be a big hit.
David’s voice should be in front–and it is at 2:50–not as an accompaniment to the instruments. Maybe he will correct that in the future.
Mostly agree with the article and comments. The song is way too “packaged” and David looks pretty packaged in the single photo. (Note to David: PLEASE lose the guyliner, and get the scruffy look back. My teenage daughter thinks you look like a girl with a beard, and that can’t be good!) However, this has Top 40 hit written all over it, so it’s probably a good thing for the Idol powers that be. I disagree that Axium was his best. I LOVE Analog Heart for it’s lyrical interest and maturity it shows. With a little polish Analog Heart would be a great album!
David Cook did not fail. He was given some bad advise. I am also disappointed but have hopes for the album. David, listen and do not continue to let them do this to you.
I would be more open to what Cook has to offer if his approach, not only to his win on AI but on tour and with his career were not that of pure ARROGANCE. He is a similar voice among millions that carry his “genre”. He is not unique. He masks those with true greatness. He should stay at local bars. Be open minded. Don’t give your damned hearts and minds to this “thing” your producing.
I had to listen to it a couple times, myself. I do hear that eighties rock thing some have mentioned, but…so what? The song was written by/for Cornell, wasn’t it? It’s serviceable. Probably do what he needs it to do: get him on the radio. I, too, love his ‘pure’ voice more than an over-produced arrangement–it’s why that coronation song did as well as it did; the vocals were all David Cook.
David Cook on AI was jabbing every which way (to use that over-worked boxing analogy), doing whatever he needed to WIN. And he won. Now I’m excited to watch the artist emerge. I personally like the look he had for Be My Baby, but I’m not going to spaz because he wants to wear guy-liner, or some excited marketing director thinks this is the way to go for Album One. Not a big deal.
I’m waiting for the music written (or co-written) by David—full of all that passion and verve we picked up on over the airwaves, that he has displayed in earlier work. It’s there. But, as winner, he has many contractual constraints on how and what he puts out at first. I’m giving him just a wee small break right now.
David–understand this: You didn’t win by 12 million votes for no reason. Your talent is amazing, and you have a whole legion of fans out here eagerly awaiting your return. Whether you think ‘that AI David’ was the real David Cook, or not, it’s the one we fell in love with–the one we voted our fingers off for, some for the first time ever! We see the genius in you. We see a bright future. We are selfishly wanting just a hint of that butterfly we watched unfold on national TV. Do your thing, but remember that the whole world has left a Light On for you. We’re waiting. Good luck, kid. Tear ‘em up.
Omg i love love love your song light on. Me and my friends Madi and Brianna are doing a talent show in linden we go to water loowi love your song so mush.