David Cook - David Cook

For David Cook, the 2008 winner of the behemoth reality talent contest, that meant he has finally found an enthusiastic audience for his generic, Daughtry-baiting rawk music. While his look is very blue-collar Springsteen, his scrubbed vocals and endless wall of guitar power is a bit more middle class than he lets on. This is a lonely journey Cook finds himself on, and the introspection on every song doesn't quite gel with the, well, bigness of the songs.

There's something distinctly American about David Cook. From the self-assured vocal delivery, to the turned-up-to-11 guitars that permeate the entire album. It feels like being rock and rolled into submission. It's like emo without the eyeliner or attitude, just in-your-face and desperate to share it's pain and disillusionment with you.

And chances are you'll be won over in the end. What Cook lacks in imagination, he makes up for with good 'ol American spunk – there's the grand statement of intent ("Declaration"), the big choruses ("Life on the Moon"), the brash attempt at sarcasm ("Mr Sensitive") and melodies that will stick like glue.

He might have just the one mode – loud – and he'll probably never appeal to audiences who didn’t vote to make him a star, like Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson have, but he'll do for now.