Kris Allen – Kris Allen
2010-01-15 11:20
Sam Brighton
All you want to know is who is better: Kris or Adam, right? I'm not going to be the one to call that card.
There's no sense in comparing the final two contestants in
American Idol Season 8. You've already picked your favourite. However, this album does prove that Kris is talented enough to deserve the winner's crown.
The first comparison that does spring to mind is The Fray. Melancholic melodies under his beautifully pained voice make for great rainy day break-up music. "I Need To Know" displays Kris's voice at its sexiest, drawing out every syllable with tender notes. Gorgeous.
He's not always so brooding and romantic, though. "Alright With Me" veers into rockabilly territory with much success, and it suits his boy-next-door personality. However, he's much more interesting doing the deep, emotional stuff.
And then there's his re-imagining of
Kanye West's "Heartless", which he performed during the show. Wow. It's a great song to demonstrate his versatility. After hearing this, I just get the feeling that he's holding back on the rest of the album. He's better than this standard pop fodder.
The album is good. Kris Allen is good. Is he great? Hmm, we'll see....