SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta

Where to BEGIN.

I love David Archuleta’s new album, BEGIN. I love it! I really love it! Oh, did I say that already? Well, I love it a lot — every hook, line and hemidemisemiquaver.

More later.

First, I need a favor. Please permit me to segue onto my soapbox with a related pet peeve and a true confession: I have a problem with criticism. I have a problem both in receiving criticism and watching others unload it at will. Chalk it up to flaws in my psychological makeup, or something as simple as being oversensitive, but the issue remains.

I especially have a problem with the hackneyed criticism hurled at professional artists — actors, musicians, painters, and the like — earnest folks whose years of hard work reflect something quite personal, and who lay themselves bare to share it.

In my perfect world, there is a positive, organic approach to all art. You like it? Say so. Go there; embrace it, enjoy it, and support it. Hate it? Don’t do any of those things. The result is a natural “separation” that allows the cream to rise to the top without souring the milk.

Alas, my perfect world is still in the development stages; we are not ready. There will always be a need for qualified critics as long as our culture continues to confuse artistic merit with money.

My real issue may rest with the proliferation of self-proclaimed art critics who present their subjective opinions as gospel truth. In academia, art criticism is considered to be a discipline, expertise learned and earned. On the Internet (and in a few other places), criticism seems to be everyone’s right, much of it without the slightest regard for any discipline at all.

Where else does this happen? Not even with my lowly job. Outside of competitions organized for the exact purpose of ranking participants, I see no such critiques in any other profession. Just imagine if all careers were subject to the kind of narrow-vision nitpicking suffered by artists:

• It was another embarrassing CPA moment for Jones & Jones. The report was accurate, as expected, but there were rumors the presentation folder had a tiny water stain on the corner. Unprofessional, if true. In the end, the client was displeased with his financial analysis. This was not the fault of the accountant of course, but it made for a bad showing all around.  -2 1/2 stars

• The ballgame was mediocre at best, and Smith was unimpressive with his slide into first base. He appeared to be safe, but his style was way off. What a disappointment for fans! Smith continued to make matters worse when he carried a disgruntled look on his face throughout the inning. The unsightly display of grass stains on his uniform did not help either. Grade C-

• Girly Apparel’s big sale is a big flop. Overproduced displays make it difficult to chat with friends in the aisles. Closeout goods disappear quickly, and clerks are unfriendly to customers who cut in line to pay for them. Opening day was marred by one woman who was escorted out after yelling, “Your dress department sucks!” This sale is a dud for shoppers. Don’t waste your time.

Like I said, “flaws in my psychological makeup.” End of rant. Back to BEGIN.

Having lived in an anti-pop culture cave for a couple of decades, I did not know some of the songs on the album. However, I think this was ultimately to my advantage, as I was not hung up on the familiarity of the original vocals and/or original song production. I took the music just as it came, the way David sang it, the way I heard it. For good or bad, comments mentioning “not the same” had no bearing for me. They’re all David’s songs now.

My favorite? To be honest, it varies. The only thing close to an indicator is the number of plays on my iTunes playlist, with the top three in this order: Broken, Somewhere Only We Know, and Beautiful. The other songs have counts so close, there is no clear favorite. The real winner on that iTunes page is the repeat button.

Beautiful

Beautiful is… well, beautiful. I have never been a fan of melisma, and I usually ascribed its overuse to singers in search of a melody. That was before David of course. He uses the technique with artistic restraint, and his timing is perfect here. On a side note, we might want to think about a fundraiser to insure the immortalization of the Baby Growl.

Somewhere Only We Know

“I’m getting old and I need something to rely on.” I have been relying on this song for days now, easily one of my favorites. I am drawn in by David’s gorgeous vocals as he emos his way into the chorus—plaintive but persuasive. His voice travels over the driving rhythm like he knows exactly what he needs. Wow.

Everybody Hurts

Universal truth in this song. Listen to how it begins with despair and ends with hope. It triumphs with that unique cry in David’s voice, because he cries for all of us. When he drops to his lower register to sing, “Hang on,” the message is personal; and if you happen to need added emphasis: “NO, NO, NO, you’re not alone!”

Angel

Ethereal. Loving. Peaceful. For the chorus, David’s voice arrives as if on “gossamer wings” (thank you, Cole Porter), and we are instantly soothed. Immerse yourself. An angelic rendition of heavenly comfort.

Don’t Give Up

Abject misery: “No one wants you when you lose.” But it doesn’t have to be that way. Libbie Linton’s voice is both a complement and a contrast to the vocal textures we hear from David. I like the repeated and haunting plea of “don’t give up,” especially at the end when David joins in. This song has really grown on me and is oddly calming in spite of the painful lyrics.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

David Archuleta really knows how to grow a song, doesn’t he? Choose a tender start, nourish it with plenty of soul and sunshine, and then hear it blossom. Spectacular! The first time I heard this song, I almost did a swoon dive off my chair! Don’t you let it happen; you might miss the David/David duet. And then there is this: “I will comfort youuuoooo…” You just did, David, you just did.

Broken

TOfan’s insightful review of this original song includes the word “stunning,” which describes exactly what comes to my mind each time I listen. David pulls out all the stops vocally, and does it brilliantly. We already know of his incredible capacity for compassion, especially toward children. That he can marry that attribute to the beautiful melody he has created is simply remarkable.

True Colors

I love the easy-breezy vocal approach David takes in this song, combined with the nearly-jazzy feel used to deliver the message and keep it moving. Like a true friend, David is there to cheer you up, give you encouragement, and then to convince you to simply be yourself, no apologies necessary. He loves you just the way you are; and if that doesn’t get your day going, have another listen.

Pride (in the name of love)

Whenever I get to this track, it always happens: I get a big grin on my face. I can’t help it. David is rocking it out, and I am rocking with him. We’re like a new band—Old Lady and the artist formerly known as Ballad Boy. Edgy stuff! David sings in the name of love, so it fits right in. How much fun will this be at a concert? How far would you drive to hear the “Memphis sky” notes in person? See ya there!

Be Still My Soul

I am very familiar with this old Christian hymn. After the original German text was translated to English, it was eventually paired with Jean Sibelius’ melody from “Finlandia,” and then sung in many churches. I have heard numerous versions, everything from instrumental (Jenny Oaks Baker) to acapella (Vocal Point), to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Each version is different; all are beautiful. The hymn is a favorite of LDS congregations; and I think that must be where David Archuleta came to love it. His version is as beautiful as any I have heard—reverent, reflective, and unmistakably personal.

♥ ♥ ♥ The highlight of the entire album is in its status as an extraordinary gift from David Archuleta to his fans. I am overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness, his generosity and his never-failing kindness to all of us.

2014 never seemed so far away, but “good things [really do] come to those who wait.” We will be here.

~Archugeezer

 I’m feeling overwhelmed at the moment. After the buildup of excitement for BEGIN., then staying up late last night to download it and listen to it, I got zero sleep because some of the lyrics and melodies kept running through my head.

What also kept running through my head was David’s last BTS vlog, telling us that he hoped this album would help us all understand why he made the decision to go on a mission… then he mentioned that again in the special OS note up above.

The fact that he even cared that we understood really touched me. Who does that? It’s his life, he doesn’t owe anyone any explanations, least of all us. And yet he wants us to “get” it, to feel where he’s coming from? Wow.

So even though I planned on simply basking in that voice when I listened to BEGIN. for the first time, I couldn’t help but listen with his plea for understanding in mind.

And as beautifully as David sings every single note on BEGIN., the overwhelming feeling I get from these songs is pain … the pain of going through some very tough times … and how to make sense of the world as you navigate through those struggles. Are these his struggles? Others’ lives he wants to help heal? Both? Neither?

I also get a feeling of hope, however. That we’re not alone in this. That we can get through it … with love. Love for yourself, one another, your Creator, humankind, and for music itself ….

I know, I know, I’m probably reading too much into it. But these passages about pain jumped out at me:

Beautiful

“Everyday is so wonderful … and suddenly, it’s hard to breathe
Now and then I get insecure… from all the pain… feel so ashamed”

There, David sings “I” but then switches to “We” in the next verse, “We are beautiful” (even though the original uses “I”) …

David, David, David, YOU, YOU, YOU are beautiful and someday you will sing the “I” in that song and really mean it! Not in an inflated-ego way (because I really don’t think that’s even in your DNA) but in an “I am a child of God therefore I am beautiful” way. Embrace your beauty inside and out, David. We sure do. 🙂

My guess as to why this song’s on the album? David’s mentioned in interviews that he learned how to sing runs from Christina Aguilera’s songs… repeating them over and over until they came naturally. I picture David singing this in his room. To his dog. And maybe it helped him feel a little better about the world. Or maybe it’s because his dog loved it.

Somewhere Only We Know

“I’m getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
… this could be the end of everything,
so why don’t we go somewhere only we know”

Doesn’t mention pain specifically here, but he’s tired. He needs somewhere to BEGIN. … We can all relate to this, I think. Go for it, David! (Love this track, btw, probably my favourite after Broken.)

Everybody Hurts

Title says it all, doesn’t it?

And when his voice drops low on “well, hang on” I just about dropped to the floor. Especially love the background “Hold On”s … I want a track of that on a loop to help me get through tough days. (I’m serious.)

Don’t Give Up

“I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail
No fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I’ve changed my face, I’ve changed my name
But no one wants you when you lose”

Lots of pain in this one. “No one wants you when you lose”? Ouch. I do love the two voices… I just wished we’d heard them together more. Hearing them separately made it seem as though hers was a “still small voice” telling David “Don’t Give Up.”

Angel

“So tired of the straight line … and everywhere you turn
there’s vultures and thieves at your back.”

*cough*Jive*cough* … Seriously though, I can’t help but wonder if David knew the original meaning of Sarah’s song (about a heroin addict)… doesn’t really matter because it ultimately tells you that when you’re at your darkest point, may you find comfort in the “arms of the angel.” Beautiful.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Hmm, he moved the “when pain is all around” verse to the beginning. Coincidence? I think not.

At the end, “All your dreams are on their way” I felt the hopefulness rising in his voice… “I will ease your mind.” Oh, the sobbing.

Broken

“Do you see what I see? 
Do you feel what I feel?
It doesn’t matter until we see broken lives heal”

Even after hearing everything else, this is still my favourite track. Everything I gushed about in my last post still stands. It feels so him. Stunning.

True Colours

Besides Broken, I think this song, SOWT, EH and Pride are my favourite tracks on the album. Here, I really felt he was singing his way out of a dark place and trying to help others do the same.

He repeats:

“If this world makes you crazy … and you’ve taken all you can bear
You call me up because you know I’ll be there”

… his “Don’t need to be afraid” felt like it was meant for both him and for us… to help us all stay true to who we are.

Pride

Really need to hear this live. He. Will. Kill. It.

I know U2 originally wrote this as a tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., but I think it’s also an anthem for all those who take action on behalf of others “in the name of love” – selfless love, in its purest form. No need to guess why David included this one.

Be Still My Soul

Every time David sings BSMS, it’s new and different to me. But one constant is the way this particular verse hits me every time:

“Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.”

There’s something so powerful that wells up from him here that you can’t help but feel love and hope and comfort. It’s no wonder he ended with this.

Yes, David’s voice is more incredible than ever on this album and “Broken” is just, well, spectacular, what blindsides me most about BEGIN. is that it exists at all. That, instead of spending those last weeks with family and friends he won’t see for two years, he was recording all this. For us. For us.

And what BEGIN. says to me is that despite the pain and struggle, there is always hope. We’re not alone. There are times when you need to listen to your heart and  regroup, keep the faith, and hopefully come back stronger than ever.

(Sorry about the rambling, btw, I’ll blame it on being sleep deprived! 🙂 )

How about you guys? Did these songs help you better understand David’s decision?