Top 10 Albums of 2011

From debuts to come backs to re-leases, 2011 was full of hot albums from pop, rock, American Idols and even soap opera stars. Here are my Top 10 album picks of the year.

10. Scotty McCreery - Clear As Day
The latest American Idol winner Scotty McCreery released his debut album Clear As Day last month, selling 197,000 copies in it's first week. The country singer became the second American Idol winner to reach #1 on the Billboard 200 with a debut album, and if you've heard it, you know why. With hit songs like "I Love You This Big" and "The Trouble with Girls," Scotty shows off his stunning voice in these sweet, country songs.

9. Port Chuck - Port Chuck
General Hospital based band Port Chuck released their self-titled, debut album this past April, featuring pop and rock covers. Between the fast-paced "No One Like You" and Scott Reeves' slow "Hallelujah," which was featured on the soap, this album showcases the guys' unique voices, as well as their personalities.

8. David Cook - This Loud Morning
After a lot of waiting and anticipation, David Cook released his sophomore album this past June, titled This Loud Morning. This time around, Cook has a more mature and distinct sound with songs like rock single "The Last Goodbye" and the soft "Fade Into Me." Better than his debut, this new album does not disappoint.

7. Enation - My Ancient Rebellion
General Hospital star Jonathan Jackson and his Indie rock band Enation released their latest album My Ancient Rebellion a few months ago, on the same day they were honored by About.Me.com and featured on a billboard in New York City. With songs like their single "The Rushing Wind" and "Tears of Hope," this album is soulful and artistic, just like Enation.

6. Kelly Clarkson - Stronger
Kelly Clarkson came back stronger than ever on her newest album, featuring powerful anthems like her single "Mr. Know It All" and the title track "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)," as well as soft ballads like "Breaking Your Own Heart" and "Standing In Front of You." This is one of the best and strongest albums of 2011.

5. Hot Chelle Rae - Whatever
I never thought twice about Hot Chelle Rae until I saw them live in concert. Boy bands in the rock genre have never really been my thing, until now. Hot Chelle Rae released their debut album Whatever last month, and prove that their more than just a rock 'n roll boy band. Between their upbeat, hit singles "Tonight Tonight" and "I Like It Like That," to showing a sensitive side in songs like "Keep You With Me" and the beautiful ballad "Why Don't You Love Me?" with Demi Lovato, these guys show their uniqueness and creativity in every song.

4. Big Time Rush - Elevate
Big Time Rush's sophomore album Elevate is bigger and better than their first, featuring all new pop and rock songs, eight of which were co-written by the guys themselves. The guys show off their fun side in songs like their single "Music Sounds Better With U" and "Time of Our Life," and a sensitive side in songs like "Invisible" and "Cover Girl." Though the guys are mostly known for their pop rock sound, Kendall, James, Carlos and Logan also show off the balladeer in them in songs like "You Are Not Alone" and "All Over Again." This album is fun and sweet, just like the guys!

3. Jack and White - Gemini
The Brooke White and Jack Matranga collaboration took off with the release of their first EP Gemini. The 6-song EP features their single "Double Trouble," as well as other cheery and upbeat songs, perfect for this one-of-a-kind duo.

2. David Archuleta - The Other Side of Down: Asian Tour Edition
After making the decision to leave his record label this past year, David Archuleta re-released his sophomore album The Other Side of Down in Asia, just in time for his summer tour there. The Asian Tour Edition features four brand new songs from David, along with his hit song "Zero Gravity." David shows a more mature sound on songs like ballad "Everything And More" and the longing, pop song "Wait." This re-release became #1 on CDWow.com, and though he plans to take a two-year break to serve an LDS mission next year, I know there's still a bright future for David in the music industry.

1. Demi Lovato - Unbroken
Demi Lovato made the biggest come back this year after spending months in rehab. Demi came back stronger than ever, musically and personally. Her third studio album Unbroken became #1 on iTunes within hours of it's release. With the hit single "Skyscraper," along with ballads like "Lightweight" and "Give Your Heat A Break" to upbeat songs like the title track "Unbroken" and "Hold Up," this album shows the best of Demi, and I know things are just going to get better from here.

There's my Top 10 albums of the year. Happy New Year!

Happy 29th Birthday, David Cook!

Wishing a big, happy birthday to David Cook! Hope you have a loud morning and a quiet night!

Ryan Star and Steve Van Zandt join David Cook on stage in NYC

During David Cook's concert at the Irving Plaza in NYC on Friday, Cook was joined on stage by Ryan Star and E Street Band's Steve Van Zandt. The guys performed Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll" and The Beatles' "Eight Days A Week." Watch the performances below:


Credit to jsalow2

Cook hasn't been the only David at the Irving Plaza this month, when fellow Season 7 competitor David Archuleta held his My Kind of Christmas concert there last week. You can read my review of Archie's show HERE.

Blast from the past: David Cook's debut album

Having just released his sophomore album not too long ago, it's hard to believe it's already been three years since American Idol winner David Cook released his debut album. David Cook was released on November 18, 2008, just a week after runner-up David Archuleta released his debut album. Cook's album made #3 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on Billboard Top Rock Albums. Not only on the album were hit singles "Light On" and "Come Back To Me"," but American Idol winner's single "Time of My Life," one of the most popular winner's singles, as well as all new original songs by the rocker. Between the upbeat songs like "Declaration" and "Life on the Moon," the inspirational tracks like "Heroes" and "Mr. Sensitive" and the soft but edgy "Permanent" ballad, Cook shows off his strong, endearing voice with meaningful lyrics in these captivating songs. Three years later and though he's found his sound and has changed things up with his music, this album  is what showcases everything you loved about Cook back in 2008.

James Durbin performs "Screaming," co-written by David Cook

James Durbin recently performed for CBS Radio where he sang "Screaming," the song off of his debut album Memories of A Beautiful Disaster, that was co-written by Season 7 American Idol winner David Cook. The album will be available on November 21. Check out James performing the song below!

David Cook leaves 19 Entertainment for Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment!

The Hollywood Reporter has just reported that American Idol winner David Cook has signed onto Simon Fuller's label XIX Entertainment. Cook's contract with 19 Entertainment ended this past May, but Cook has made the decision not to resign with them.

Cook joins other Idols Scotty McCreery, Carrie Underwood and Lauren Alaina on XIX Entertainment.

You can also go HERE to check out videos from Cook's performance at the Ronald McDonald House Make A Difference event this past week with fellow Idol David Archuleta.

David Cook and David Archuleta perform at Ronald McDonald House charity event!

The Davids of AI7 reunited last night, and also with Constantine Maroulis, at the Ronald McDonald House in New York for the Make A Difference charity event for children battling cancer. Taking a night off from Cook's fall tour and Archie's rehearsal or his upcoming Christmas tour, the Davids performed songs and met with the children. David Archuleta performed "Crush," "A Thousand Miles," and "Angels" while David Cook performed "Come Back To Me," "The Last Goodbye," "Hero," "Light On," and his newest single "Fade Into Me," even after saying that David A. was so good, he quits! David A. also tweeted this cute pic of him with, well who else than Ronald McDonald! LOL!

Watch these videos of Archie performing "Angels" and "Crush: and Cook performing "The Last Goodbye" and a great, acoustic version of "Hero" from the event!







Credit to rmeyer9970

David Cook covers Led Zeppelin!

Last night at his show in Grand Prairie, TX, David Cook surprised his fans with yet another cover, this time covering Led Zeppelin's famous "Rock And Roll." Cook proves in this cover that he really is a rock star as he sings this song loud and proud in that strong, endearing voice. Watch Cook perform the song below:


Credit to Suenee88

David Cook's new music video "Fade Into Me"

Check out David Cook's new music video for "Fade Into Me, his second single off of This Loud Morning. And read my review of "Fade Into Me" HERE.

I really enjoyed how half of the video was filmed as just Cook and the other half was concert footage from a stop on his fall tour. The cloudiness as Cook walks around town just adds to the actual enjoyable gloominess to the song, and the behind-the-scenes concert footage give you that exciting concert feel.

David Cook puts on a creepy concert!

David Cook performed in Austin, TX last night and in honor of Halloween, dressed for the occasion! Covered in fake blood and scary face makeup, Cook performed his set of the concert for his fall tour with Gavin DeGraw.



The song "Circadian" off of Cook's sophomore album This Loud Morning starts off with a creepy melody that is perfect for Halloween! Check out Cook performing the song below:


Credit to CougarsLoveCook

David Cook co-wrote "Screaming" on James Durbin's new album

According to a press release, David Cook co-wrote the song "Screaming", which will be featured on American Idol Season 10 contestant James Durbin's new album Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster. "Screaming was also co-written by James, along with Ryan Star, Kulchinsky, Gregg Wattenberg and Bobby Alt. Read the paragraph from the press release below:

"'Screaming,' co-written by James and 'Idol' Season 8 winner David Cook, tackles a very topical issue and that's the epidemic of bullying that's rampant among the youth of the nation and something Durbin himself experienced. "There are a lot of songs that look at and deal with being bullied and singled out, and that's definitely one. We went at it with a 'Revenge of the Nerds' feel, but it's about how there is light at the end of the tunnel." Again, 'Screaming' could join 'Higher Than Heaven' and 'Outcast' as the rock
anthems for the plugged in generation."

James' new album will be out on November 21st, which seems to have become a popular day in music, as Daughtry and Big Time Rush are also dropping albums that day!

American Idol Fun Fact

In it's first week, American Idol winner Scotty McCreery's debut album Clear As Day made #1 on the Billboard 200, while runner-up Lauren Alaina's Wildflower made #5.

Fun fact: an American Idol winner and runner-up haven't charted at the top 5 of the Billboard 200 with their debut albums since 2008, when Season 7 winner David Cook's self-titled debut made #3 and runner-up David Archuleta's debut album made #2. Cool!

Source: Billboard

David Cook kicks off his fall tour! New song cover and a slight wardrobe malfunction!

Last night David Cook kicked off his fall tour with Gavin DeGraw in Penn State! Cook performed some old songs and new songs off of his latest album This Loud Morning, as well as a new cover of Billy Joel's "Moving Out"!


Credit to justicelvr

Cook also had a slight wardrobe malfunction when his leather pants ripped all the way up his leg! Cook was able to cover the rip with his guitar, saying, "“It’s the first show and my pants rip up to my butt.. All I can think about right now is ‘Dicklaration.'”, joking about his song "Declaration". Cook was able to fix up his pants with duct tape, stating, "Duct tape fixes everything!” LOL! Video below:


Credit to justicelvr

Later on in the night, Cook performed his newest single "Fade Into Me":

Credit to justicelvr

Quite a kick-off to the tour! You can catch David Cook and Gavin DeGraw all month on their fall tour, go HERE to see if they're coming to a city near you!

Song Review: David Cook - Fade Into Me

"Fade Into Me" is David Cook's next single off of his sophomore album This Loud Morning. A different sound compared to his first single "The Last Goodbye", "Fade Into Me" is more of a rock ballad, starting out slow and getting powerful as the song goes on. I have to admit, I'm always a sucker for Cook's soft voice and this balladeer side of him.

With a beautiful melody, meaningful lyrics and Cook's usual strong, defining sound, this song is the perfect second single and is sure to be a hit on tour. You can catch Cook along with Gavin DeGraw all month long on their fall tour.

David Cook and Gavin DeGraw tour dates!

David Cook and Gavin DeGraw will be hitting the road together this fall on a co-headlining month long tour starting October 9th through November 9th. Check out the dates below to see if they're coming to a city near you!

OCT 9 State College, PA Penn State
OCT 10 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
OCT 11 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
OCT 13 Tulsa, OK Cain's Ballroom
OCT 15 Denver, CO Odgen Theatre
OCT 17 Boise, ID Knitting Factory
OCT 18 Seattle, WA Showbox Sodo
OCT 20 Santa Rosa, CA Wells Fargo Center For The Arts
OCT 21 Reno, NV Silver Legacy Resort Casino
OCT 23 Phoenix, AZ Arizona State Fair
OCT 24 San Diego, CA Humphrey's
OCT 26 Pomona, CA The Fox Theatre
OCT 29 Houston, TX Arena Theatre
OCT 30 Austin, TX ACL Live
NOV 01 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
NOV 02 Memphis, TN Minglewood Hall
NOV 04 Winston-Salem, NC Wake Forest University
NOV 05 York, PA Penn State York
NOV 06 Cleveland, OH Palace Theatre at Playhouse Square Center
NOV 07 Cincinnati, OH The Taft Theatre
NOV 09 Greenville, SC Peace Center

More info on David Cook's official site! Though I must say, what about New England??

David Cook sings National Anthem at 9/11 remembrance ceremony

David Cook performed the National Anthem at a 9/11 remembrance ceremony for the Kansas City Chiefs home opener.


Credit to angelangiekc

David Cook & Gavin DeGraw are hitting the road together!

David Cook just announced on twitter that he will be co-headlining a tour with Gavin DeGraw! The two are similar in ways, it should be interesting seeing what the two have up their sleeves!

Album Review: David Cook - This Loud Morning

David Cook first made his way onto the music scene on the seventh season of American Idol, and later taking home the crown. His debut album made #3 on the Billboard 200 back in 2008, and almost three years later, Cook is back with a brand new album. This Loud Morning was released on June 28th and is everything that Cook represents: rock, soul and progression.

Cook's debut album had songs that went all over the place, all different sounds and styles, but this time around Cook knows his sound and his style for sure with the great, soft rock tracks like "Circadian" and "The Last Goodbye". Cook also shows his sensitive side with the songs "Goodbye to the Girl" and "Paper Heart".



Cook seems to have made a lot of progress with this album compared to his last. As great as his last album was, you can really see the work that was put into this record, each song fitting perfectly together in this album , along with Cook's rough, endearing voice. This is everything a sophomore album should be.

Concert Review: David Cook - This Loud Morning radio tour

Just weeks before This Loud Morning was released, I was able to go see David Cook in action at a radio stop he did to promote the new album. It'd been years since I had seen him live and though I wasn't sure what to expect, I wasn't too surprised to find out that he hasn't changed a bit. Still the same sweet rocker he was during his Idol days, except now with a lot more experience and obviously excited for the release of his sophomore album.

Cook walked out cooler than ever as he sat in front of the small group of fans who were lucky enough to get tickets to this event at The Grill on the Hill golf course in Massachusetts. Intimate, yet fun as Cook performed an acoustic set against a beautiful river and the sun setting in the background. Cook sang some old favorites like "Come Back To Me" and "Light On", as well as his new single "The Last Goodbye", which has become one of my favorite songs by him, and a cover of The cars' song "Drive."




In between songs Cook would go into his famous banters, apologizing to golfers for being loud and talking about his new album. As cute as he is in between songs, once he starts hitting those notes, it's mesmerizing. Cook has a uniqueness and endearing tone to his voice like no other rocker I've heard. He can go from rough to emotional to both all in one song, and that's the greatest part about watching him live.