David Cook's review-proof 'Light On' hits Web in time

David Cook's debut album is still months away, but his first single, "Light On," is out now and sure to be inescapable this holiday season, or at least until the next Daughtry song comes out. Cook's "Light On," in fact, is firmly in the Daughtry mode, albeit there's a little bit more stubble and gruffness in his voice.

It's full-on, cellphone-waving arena rock schmaltz, with husky, slow-moving guitars and a wallop of meaninglessly earnest vocals. Cook is undoubtedly straining his face red as he oh-so-desperately wails that the object of his affection "try to leave a light on when I’m gone / something I rely on to get home."

It begins with a slow-dance piano, but Cook soon obliterates it, over-singing as if he's bearing the weight of every bad love letter written in the past eight  years upon his back. Or like an "American Idol" winner trying to prove he's rock 'n' roll, if your first point of reference is Nickelback. But it's easily ignorable, and relatively inoffensively sensitive hard rock, and as Idolator predicted -- without even hearing it -- it'll be a soundtrack for shopping malls and drugstores all winter long. 

The song has a bevy of star power behind it, and hits iTunes this week, making the single eligible for Grammy voting, meaning it will get nominated. Some grungy, Soundgarden-like guitars are definitely present in the cut, and co-writing credits go to Soundgarden/Audioslave's Chris Cornell, who picks up right where Audioslave's "Revelations" left off. But the more telling credit goes to Brian Howes, who has written for Daughtry, Puddle of Mudd and Hinder, and Cook is aiming for somewhere in the middle of all of that.

Photo: Associated Press / Fox

Comments

[Rockergirl77]

I'm disappointed. David Cook has done nothing different than what he did week after week on American Idol - cover someone else's song. This song has Chris Cornell's stamp all over it... nothing new or original from Cook at all is in this song. If you listen closely, this song songs like a mix of Soundgarden's Black Hole Sun and Daughtry and Nickelback thrown in for good measure... Why not just title the song Cook sings Chris Cornell... Badly.

[Sandy Simmons]

Dude, I don't know what you were listening to but it's a killer tune. Maybe you should listen again.

[Nancy]

Are you still sulking that little David did not win?! I remember your snide comments back then,you still sound hostile! lol Seriously,I love his voice and I think he sounds great,sorry.

[Jen]

"...over-singing as if he's bearing the weight of every bad love letter written in the past eight years upon his back."

Yes, he does sing it with great emotion, but that's what makes the song so brilliant.

[Annie]

Boy are you grumpy tonight! It is a great song, lots of different sounds in Cook's voice, lots of nice layers of instruments. It is a different sound than Analog Heart, a little more on the pop side. Listen, in these grim times, I'm all for somebody who can sitr your soul (and your female body parts) like David Cook can.

[Tim]

I think you're being a little harsh -- could David Cook have produced anything that you would've liked? I doubt it -- he has the taint of American Idol on him, so whatever he produces will be panned by critics.

To be honest with you, I was thinking, "Hey, this actually doesn't suck." It's not legendary material, but it's not as bad as a lot of the crap on the radio these days. At least it has some melody. And at least it sounds like he's really trying not to suck, and not just capitalize on his notoriety.

[Galaxy]

I disagree. See you at the Grammy's.

[Scott]

Todd... I just hope you will give the whole album a fair listen. Not that I think you're being unfair here - I just think the song is a lot better than that. In fact I'm kind of embracing it. I suspect the other tracks on this album will be quite different... it will be a cohesive album but versatile and diverse. David will surely put more of his imprint on the other tracks written and co-written by him He needs a hit out of the gate and this will do it. I am happy about that. I'm a huge fan and will take David Cook any way I can get him. This is a much, much better way than Time of My Life.

[TL]

Yuck, this is not what I expected from David Cook at all. Totally sucky and generic. Whatever that wow factor was that he had on the show doesn't really translate into the real radio world for me. The main thing that was unique about him was how he switched up popular 80's tunes. For a song like this, there is nothing to hide behind and that just leaves average vocals and overproduced pseudo-rock. He should have stuck with something a bit more stripped down that could show off his vocals. American Idol is still a singing competition after all. Oh well, I'm sure Archie will conquer the pop world so the show won't lose all it's cred.

[Holly]

Actually, I thought it was pretty good.

[mae]

song sucks for a first sinigle out of the gate

[Shereeda]

i think it's gonna be a hit.. it's very catchy..

[Gina]

I think this is a beautiful song that shows Cook's amazing range and raw power. I can't stop listening to it and I don't want to. Give me MORE!!!

[Mar]

I do not like it. It sounds so 80s with a synthesized-like sounding guitar. The synthesized guitar sounds like Def Leppard's Love Bites. The entire song sounds so processed rather than raw. Cook can do a lot better than this considering that we waited a long time for this single to come out. He is following the path of Bo Bice with the older sounding tunes which will not work. He is only targeting the old women who remembered the 80s with this song. Why are you changing your tune and style now? The band sounds so cheap, so unreal and so processed. Get a REAL band playing with Cook. Please do better Cook, I know you can. Make the right decisions, please.

[Tom]

Um, no. I don't like this song at all. Why so shouty David Cook? Calm it down a little bit and try singing. That's why we voted for you after all.

[Derek]

I'm a bit disappointed. I like David Cook but I don't like the song. think that what made Cook so good on American Idol is that he turned catchy pop songs into rock sounding songs. Hello may have been covered by Chris Cornwell but Hello was first and foremost a pop song by Lionel Richie. Light On is just a bad 80's hair metal song. It lacks an interesting hook and totally lacks originality -- originality being something else Cook showed on Idol. I'll probably still download it but the album better be a LOT better.

[Liv]

Todd, "meaninglessly" is not a word. (rolls eyes at poor writing skills of todays youth) That's the sort of expression a third grader would use.

[YankeeFan]

I couldn't disagree more with the review. I love the song. It's going to be a huge hit for David. I have been listening to it all day. It has a great hook. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album. Good job David! So proud of you!

[WWP]

LOL…I have to agree with the Mr. Grumpy-Crankypants comments! And yes, regular readers knew there wasn't a chance the blogger would like anything Cook did, which is fine, the blogger is entitled to hold his prejudices to close to his heart as anyone else is--we all do that.

I like both David Cook and David Archuleta. Each guy has a a different sound and since consumers ARE actually allowed to own more than one CD people are free to buy either, both, or neither.

I've heard both singles and like both for different reasons. Sometimes I want a harder edge and sometimes I'm feeling more mellow -- it's just that simple. This isn't a election for the leader of the free world, it's music. And I buy different music for the same reason I order different items off a menu, something suits my mood at a particular time.

As for what I was expecting from Cook, having actually listened to the songs he wrote on his earlier albums, both with his old group Axium and his solo album, I have to say that this single is much in line with the writing I've heard on those works. Therefore, this new song is much what I expected to hear (just with better production values!)

But I appreciate that Cook, like David Archuleta, will be struggling to find their way in a new environment and of course, neither will bat .1000 each time they step to the plate. But hey, at least they're trying -- that's where the artistry is -- it's in the trying.

[Indyfan]

I think this songs makes for a good transition between the coronation song and the type of song David was doing before Idol. I fully expect that the album will contain some purely Cook-written songs to go with the announced collaborations.

To Rockergirl77, the word cover cannot be correctly applied to this situation. This is simply a song written by someone else, as it was never released by any other singer, nor do I think it was even recorded by anyone before, including Cornell. Most people on the radio sing songs by someone else, but we are not always aware of it. The fact he did not write it should not be a slam on the song, in and of itself. He is, in fact, a gifted songwriter, which will be more apparent when he releases something of his own.

[kim]

The only critique Cook needs is the one that somebody's $.99 or $9.99 one that buys his CD's and you know. There are gonna be millions of them!

[Sara]

wow bitter much...i loved the song just what i wanted from the "winner"

[ACookFan]

I love Cook. But ... I'm not impressed with this song. Cook's vocals and ability to bring something fresh and edgy to tired older pop and rock songs was what I loved about him. Think Eleanor Rigby, Always be my Baby, Hello. But this, this is just an over processed 80's ballad with no originality. I could hear Aerosmith singing this, Van Halen ...etc. I expected something different. I know he's got to make it commercial, but ironically what I loved the most about him was how he wasn't commercial. He was gritty with amazing vocals that didn't tend towards the processed sound. Maybe, it was just over produced?

[sw]

david did justice to these lirics.cook has his own unique sound. they are going to compare him to daughtry but they still have a different sound. this song is great.this blogger hates the guts out of cook i dont think you really versed on cretiquing music.leave it to the professionals.what do you mean by over singing.for the record i dont take you serious. .

[docmom]

Who cares what the critics say? They never pay for of their music. In fact, why does "The Times" pay them? I'll be paying for Cook's first album and so will many others.

[Lucinda]

yeah, im not a cook fan at all, but even I had higher expectations. the song doesnt seem to have anything catchy about it. ive listened to it and now... i cant even remember how it goes =/

im an archie fan personally, and i LOVED crush =) and cook is a nice guy so i wish him well, but i dont think hes off to a very good start =/

but hey, good luck to both archie and cook, and god bless =)

[lisad]

I love David Cook,and while I do like the song. I prefer hearing him sing stripped with just his guitar and his microphone. If you go back to Youtube and listen to him sing on Ford Day. Its just him and the mic and his guitar and he does have nice range and the sad fact is all that loud track music drowns out his voice. But I will still buy the album and be behind him no matter what. WE still need to give him constructive criticism. He is looking for that from his fans that are as articulate as he is. I still wish him tons of luck. He is a nice person. -Lisa

[Ellen]

I love Cook and all, but this song was utter crap. You were being too kind in your review, Todd. But then again, I'm not a fan of Daughtry. At ALL. Cook's Analog Heart album was better (some of it reminded me of Foo Fighters stuff) and before people jump on my back and say "ITS A PROGRESSION, HES TRYING TO CHANGE KTHX." I don't think he's staying true to himself with this. Oh well. Hopefully the actual album will be better.

[me]

The song is really great! Everyone is comparing him to Daughtry but he's better, not to say Daughtry isn't good but David's voice is AMAZING! You can't say he's trying to be like Daughtry when they are simply similar in the type of music they like and record.

[Emily Ekins]

I LOVE THIS SONG! If it's going to be playing in shopping malls let me know where they are, and I'll shop there.

Great job David!

[Ashley]

IDC what anyone says. I love this song. I think his voice is beautiful and the lyrics are great. I will admit that I expected to hear something different for him to debut with but oh well. Can't wait to hear the album. He is a wonderful artist and people need to see that. Stop criticizing

[Denim]

As much as I like Cook, i was extremely disappointed, this is like a clone of Daughtry,Soundgarden and Nickelback in a very bad way, it was so generic, like some rock ballad type, the lyrics were gloomy and sad like meant to be sung in a funeral, it's not catchy at all, I love his performances in idol especially billy jean and always be my baby, but this is just average. I wouldn't even bother buying this... 2/5

[Melissa]

I really wanted to like this single, but I just can't. David's uniqueness does not translate in the song. There is nothing separating this release from run of the mill Daughtry or Nickelback release - who he should be trying to separate himself from with a quickness. Aside from writing the song, there is way too much of Chris Cornell's vibe in it - the music sounds too much like Soundgarden, and if you close your eyes and listen closely, it sounds like Cornell is singing. If I wanted a Chris Cornell record, I would buy one from Chris Cornell. I didn't expect to hear David lose so much of what makes him special...his fans from the show will buy it in droves... I'm not so sure he will have such an easy sell to the public at large... I'm lowering my previous expectations for the album, and hope there is more authentic and substantive David Cook material in it.

[clarena]

it was just ok.. i did not think it was great though,,, i expected more...

[Cfan]

ACookFan, to be compared to Daughtry would be an honour to David Cook, but he doesn´t even deserve it... he pale tremendously near Daughtry!
He sounds like a generic Chris Cornell (he was considered original in AI by covering Cornell´s version of B. Jean, but his rendition was exactly this: Cornell´s cover!)!
It´s not enough to hire Brian Howes, who has written for Daughtry, because Howes is not capable to provide the indispensable element: Daughtry´s VOCALS!!!

[heather]

Do you think David really had any choice on what his first single would be, blame that on the record company. David Cook is a song writer, he has a solo album filled with original songs. I know he co-wrote most of the stuff on the "new" record, I wish his first release would have been one of those tracks.

[brittany]

one question for you.
WHO PEED IN YOUR CHEERIO'S???

[Pat W.]

"Light On" is so defintely "David Cook". It was better than I expected, though David Cook has never disappointed me. If you listen to the song more than once, you will discover that it has killer lyrics, it "smolders" simply because it has David's emotions, AND it rocks.

If you overanalyze, you underappreciate.

[nodc]

Is it a soundgarden song? For me, he sounds like a generic Chris Cornell! He was considered ‘original’ on AI by covering Cornell´s version of B. Jean, but it was exactly this: Cornell´s cover!!! He is a very, very pale version of a rocker!

[kelly]

listen to David Cook's new song..its hot..

http://www.iheartmusic.com/cc-common/ondemand/music.html?apid=4827

[ronda]

AWESOME! More than what I hoped for! Keep it up D.C.

[Jolene]

I think "Light On" is a beautiful song, sung beautifully. David has many layers to his voice, and so far, I love all of them! Can hardly wait for his album!!! : )

[Jolene]

I think "Light On" is a beautiful song, sung beautifully. David has many layers to his voice, and so far, I love all of them! Can hardly wait for his album!!! : )

[LA Woman]

I liked it. It's stuck in my head. That's something, right?

[LA Woman]

I liked it. It's stuck in my head. That's something, right?

[LA Woman]

I liked it. It's stuck in my head. That's something, right?

[rosie]

I don't like his new single!! but he is a good singer, hopefully his album will be better

[New York Minute]

Form those of you who do not like the new song... who cares ! There are enough of us who think it is awesome....

[New York Minute]

For those of you who love David's new song... I'm with you. Awesome! lyrics, music and what a voice....!

[eyna]

Cookie is truly an artist! If you people would just dig into the lyrics you would truly see how deep a person DC is. Most of the other rockers you mentioned, I'm afraid, don't have much of a meaningful song I can relate to, they're shallow. I'm not criticizing other rockers but like some of Cook's idols - Lady of Peace & Collective Soul, he delivers songs with substance.

[Janet]

My Todd, arn't we jaded?
The rich texture of David Cook's vocals in "Light On" earnestly convey the lyrical plea for love in this touching song.
And bring on the stubble and gruffness...I love it!

[jerry]

I agree that this song is second rate. So was Time of My Life. But look what kind of business that did. (I can't imagine that David Archuleta could have done any better than that) It's all in the image. Have you seen the album cover? You can see it on EW. Again, I don't think that's the way to go. Looks like he's even trying to copy someone elses appearance, with his eyeliner and rough looks. Hey but I'm just a man, so I can't judge weather or not this cover turns the ladies on or off.

[Suzanne Brombacher]

I am so weary of elitist (usually male) rock reviewers and other haters who don't understand David Cook or his music and accuse him of being a sellout, rock poser, or simply a schmaltzy pop singer who doesn't have a clue about what real rock music is--or insist that he can't ever be a real musician because he happened to win American Idol.

This review made my blood boil, and I'll explain why.

For the record, I want to make it clear that I appreciate and enjoy obscure indie music and hard, unique, or noncommercial rock. I include among my vast collection of music such obscure and nontraditional acts as Ween, Tori Amos, Juliana Hatfield, Fiona Apple, L-7, Sonic Youth, Brian Eno, The Clash, Roxy Music, King Crimson, Marcy Playground, Black Lab, Catherine Wheel, late 70s CBGB mainstays such as The Shirts, Television, and early Talking Heads, and local bands Mars Volta and The Clerk.

But just because I can appreciate the uniqueness of these artists in no way means that I think there is something wrong with a song that's commercially produced, played on commercial radio, and is liked by most people who hear it. Many music snobs put down anything that's popular or commercial as "bad" or the artist as having "sold out." Cook is not selling out, he never said he didn't want to be successful or make a commercially accessable record, and there's no reason he can't be successful and preserve his artistic integrity at the same time--and I think he has succeeded, or will succeed soon enough. .

I agree with others that he does sound like Daughtry (though his voice is more powerful and raw), at least in the style of this song, and I can even understand to a point the endless Nickelback comparisons. There is nothing wrong with Daughtry or Nickelback, and in fact I am a fan of Daughtry, but Cook's voice is unique and packs far more emotion than Daughtry's ever did, or ever can. I would never mistake David's voice for anyone else's.

It should be remembered that Cook has to cooperate with TPTB at 19 Entertainment/American Idol, and take their suggestions, as that's part of the contract he's agreed to, but at this point I don't think he has any real problem with doing their bidding--to a point, if that makes him a better musician and singer. He knows he's still learning, and I even suspect that in his maturity he's come to prefer a more pop-rock sound for himself rather than the hard and angsty rock he was more into performing as a teenager with Axium. He's older now, and making a well-constructed and beautiful rock song or power ballad--commercial or not--is more important to him now than making a raw and edgy hard rock record with a minimal budget that would only appeal to a limited audience and never garner him the record sales a more polished, pop-rock or anthemic sound will do.

I have little patience with elitist music critics who put down a well-constructed and great record just because it's popular or accessible to the masses. What on earth is wrong with a song being liked by many people? I never really understood that way of thinking. I mean, weren't the Beatles, the Stones, The Who, Elvis Presley, Springsteen, Pearl Jam, U2, Green Day and REM all great--and weren't they also all commercial and popular as hell?

Conversely, were I to put out a record tomorrow, it would definitely not be popular or accessible, because it would, well, suck! But let's just say I did this. No doubt, some idiot indie rock music critic preoccupied with "integrity" over commercialism might even give me rave reviews for my "originality" and "raw edge," which boils down to simple incompetence on my part, not artistic integrity.

And what is wrong with schmaltz?
That's just a pretentious and condescending way of criticizing emotion or passion in a song, and if music can't elicit strong emotion or passion, then why do we even bother to listen to it at all? One of the most celebrated classical musicians of all time, Beethoven, was anything if not schmaltzy and even pompous, but his bombastic and emotional compositions are still respected and revered enough to be taught in college classes and have doctoral dissertations and scholarly articles written about them. Oh, and during his time Beethoven was definitely very "commercial" and appealing to the masses. The same could be said for Mozart's compositions.

Sure there's a lot of crap on Top 40, I have no argument with that--and a lot of it is prepackaged crap sung by talentless posers and wannabes, and people who's parents happen to have connections to the right A&R executives in the industry--but that does not mean that everything played on such stations is bad or lacks artistic merit.

I do think "Light On" is a sort of transition song between the more pop "Time of My Life" and the singles he will be putting out later, which will probably rock a little harder, while remaining accessable and listenable to the dreaded "masses." Putting out a hard rock song so early in his post-Idol career could be the kiss of death for a man many listeners have come to associate with a softer pop-rock sound. Best to ease them gradually into the type of music Cook really wants to do, rather than hit them over the head with it too soon.

[Mel]

I agree with the person below who said that Cook is basically catering to one demographic (maybe not entirely, but for the most part) i.e. the cougar granny fans with his 1980s song and lyrics. The lyrics, while sweet, are a bit old-fashioned. I'm 24 and I hope that his cd is mostly directed to what my age group listens to. The grannies won't be his fans forever. He needs a younger fan base.

[samantha]

Well let's not get carried away with this single. It is nothing special. To predict a grammy already is plain stupid. He will have to get way behind Nickelback, Lifehouse, Daughtry and various other bands that are much more established and successful. To even compare him to those bands is an insult to these established bands. The song is average. Will it sell? Yes, bought by many desperate women who still fantasize of being with this guy. Personally I don't see the attraction.

Well at least we won't have to hear about the rainbows song anymore. Just another new rocker added to the list of much better rockers. I hope the rest of his song are better. Sorry I won't be standing in line or even wasting .99 to download.

[Tammy]

Light on sucks! Too shouty. David Cook is not a songwriter. He did not write this song by the way. Was a bartender and part of many bands that failed since 15 years old. He offers nothing special. And what is up with the guyliner and the nasty look on the cover. Is that what they think turns women on? Yikes! Not me. Will not be on my list of downloads. Sorry! Better artists out there than Cook. Will not waste my money on Cook. Needless to say he is too self centered already. All he won was a reality show. Grammy award? Not welcome to the David Cook fantasy land.

[Keith]

Is it Daughtry 's new song? Light On???

[Tom]

Cook is overated and his new single is nothing special. I noticed one commenta above is that we do not understand David Cook???? why do we need to? I am not here to date him or marry him, unlike how some women dream of. I just want to know if his singing is worth buying. Nothing special with this guy. Just another new singer, added to the list, with nothing special to offer. Not for me. I will leave the downloading to the women who put him on the pedestal. Just because he won a reality show, you can't force me to purchase or understand him. I already have my collection of great artists old and newer. Just another guy trying to make it here. NOT FOR ME!

[Monique]

Let me make one point-

Remember Kelly Clarkson? First, you have to do the kind of stuff they want before you release your own stuff. David needs to do what is expected of him, what sells before he can do something like " My December" or he could bomb just like Kelly. Kelly made the mistake of thinking she was someone like Lindsey Buckingham, with a large enough fan base to stay "true" to what she feels compelled to write about and sing. David Cook needs to chart a few big hits first before he can be "original." The music industry is a business ...
Give the guy a chance. The single actually isn't that bad at all. It really has a kind of "haunting" appeal...I think it will catch on quick...

[Twilighter]

I agree with you the SONG WAS AWFUL sorry !

[Heather]

I wasn't blown away when I first heard the song, but it has really grown on me. My only problem with it is that is just seems too produced. But then, we're used to seeing Cookie on the AI stage with no vocal effects or in the various acoustic performances he's done since AI or Analog Heart, which he did by himself. It's a new sound -- and not bad, just different.

On a slightly unrelated note, I don't agree with Monique about Kelly Clarkson. I can't wait for her next album. I didn't like a few of the songs from My December, and it was definitely darker than what she did previously, but honestly, she's still a great artist with a lot left to give us. Don't give up on her for one album that was unfortunately buried by her label.

[nancy]

Well, I agree with you and to the person that said are you still pouting about Little David not winning...he did win I guess. Since you brought David A. into this here ya go with some stats.....He is all over the place now. His Crush debuted at #2 and he has sold way over 600,000 downloads of his song in only 8 weeks. Also, he is still at #15 and Cook is where....#44 and his song has been out a week. I could say a lot more, but I won't.

[justin]

Hey Todd (and other slashers), I am wondering what your taste of music is? And why you feel the urge to write a comment here? My guess is that you would name stuff that nobody else knows, because then nobody can criticize your taste. Or you are afraid to be mainstream, afraid to admit emotions? Is this low self-esteem, which you are trying to cover up with sarcasm and unfairly criticizing people (in this case artists and songs, without even knowing them)? So my conclusion is to take these kinds of comments for what they reveal about the author and not (in this case) David Cook and his new song. Which I like - but it might be one of those songs that I get fed up with quickly after it has been played on the radio too often...