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David Cook (by David Cook, Rock)

common sense media says

Idol winner delivers with powerful, family-safe CD.

parents & educators say
See all 14 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that American Idol winner David Cook delivers family-safe songs dealing with relationships, loneliness, and life on the road via well-written, personal poetry. And while Cook may rock an unshaven look, he's no rebel. There is nothing inappropriate for tweens and teens on this album.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on David Cook

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about the strong emotions brought up on songs like "Life on the Moon" ("Here in this crowd I'm feeling all alone / turn me around and point me back to home"). Do you ever feel lonely even when there are other people all around you? Is the trade-off for fame necessarily a life of isolation?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Produced by Grammy-winning Rob Cavallo, who's also worked with Green Day and Kid Rock, and featuring nine of the artist's original songs, DAVID COOK showcases the Idol star's talents to great appeal. This collection addresses the themes of love, loss, and loneliness with heartfelt -- but harmless -- lyrics and rhythms.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Powerful rock-anthem musicianship supports Cook's husky, polished vocals. One highlight, "Lie," explores the bittersweet expectation of a lover's departure with charming poetry and understated guitar drifting over a powerful rhythm section ("You're hiding regret in your smile / there's a story in your eyes I've seen coming for a while / hang on to the past tense tonight"). Literary metaphors? Impressive.

With song-writing cred, guitar-playing ability, and solid vocals, David Cook is an artist with staying power.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: November 18, 2008
Label: RCA
Genre: Rock
This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 
 

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Review David Cook

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What parents & educators say

7

Most useful reviews by all members

Music4Life
teen, 14 years old
10
 
David Cook is awesome.
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PrettyGirl08
kid, 10 years old
8
 
PERFECT FOR ALL AGES
LOV IT DAVID IS THE BEST SINGER AND SONG WRITER
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swtpeaami
parent of 15 and 17 year old
7
 
David Cook is an amazing singer and song writer, I love his voice and how he sings from his soul. He is a role model to young boys. Everyone in this house loves his music and songs!
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (9)
follia
adult
4
 
My grandsons and I have had some wonderful David Cook discussions
I love David Cook's music on many levels. One thing that sets him apart from many musicians today is the emotional intelligence of his lyrics. The themes he writes/sings about are deep and universal. They provide a wonderful starting place to talk to even pretty young children about relationships, determination, loss, devotion, honor, self discovery.
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Little Miss ...
kid, 12 years old
9
 
Wonderful!
I really enjoy David Cook's CDs. I rooted for him on American Idol, and I still love his music now!!!!! He is a good role model for tweens in the way that he does his own thing and is a real person without the big ego our stars today have. His music is deep and his music is rockin'. The perfect combo!
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Katy0
teen, 17 years old
10
 
Pretty Good 3 and 1/2 stars
Not too different from most of the "American Idols", but he does have a good voice.
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Hilly
teen, 15 years old
8
 
Good Music, But...
I think he was a tiny bit better on Idol.
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pokemonfanaic
kid, 13 years old
10
 
I think my brain exploded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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TeamEdward
kid, 12 years old
7
 
Great!
David Cook is a great, legit rockstar. His songs are written beautifully and most of them have positive or bright messages. This is ON for kids!
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)
missytaterhead
teen, 14 years old
2
 
INSANELY AWESOME
I ??LOVE?? David Cook and all of his songs. He is a role model and should be appreciated by everything and everyone.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (6)
latinalovesrock
parent of and 6 , 14 , 15 year old
8
 
We finally rock together as a family!
I usually agree with my tween daughters taste in music (Disney, JBrothers, Miley, etc.) but now we all seem to sing along and rock hard thanks to David Cook. Even my 4 yr-old toddler loves David Cook and tries to sing all his songs. We speak Spanish at home but all the music we love and listen to are in English. My girls (13 and 11) say they are even learning the meaning of new words and are starting to appreciate the poetry of David Cook's lyrics. This record is non-stop fun, and believe it or not, my kids' favorites are very opposite songs: Bar-ba-sol and Permanent. Thanks, David Cook. We are all fans for life!
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Christianmom2
adult
7
 
Gets Better and Better
This is a great album, and very kid-friendly. Several songs sound great on first listen, and several others grow on you. The album includes tracks ranging from the tear-inducing Permanent, to the riff-rocker Bar-ba-sol, to the lovely Lies. Declaration, which he performed on SNL with his unnamed band, is a wonderful up-tempo song. David co-wrote 12 of the songs, and his band includes 2 men he has known and performed with for 6 years. It is very hard to pick favorites. Try to get the physical version, which includes the hidden track Kiss on the Neck, at the 12:00 mark on the Daily Anthem track after about 8 minutes of silence. It is very much a rock song.
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Squirmbob
teen, 17 years old
10
 
A role model, and not to mention freaking amazing.
David is one of the best American Idols (if not the best), and all of his songs make me sing along. David is an alcoholic, but he does a great job never letting the kiddies know that, and his life is an inspirational story that should be told. However, when you go to a concert, he feels totally comfortable throwing out four letter words like tennis balls.
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ilovegir23
teen, 15 years old
2
 
AWESOME!!
David Cook is my all time favorite singer!
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