David Archuleta Albums (2)
'Christmas from the Heart'
Release Date 10/13/2009
Tracks 13
Label Jive
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
In a sense, David Archuleta should have skipped his awkward contemporary pop album and jumped right into Christmas from the Heart: he was born to slickly sing sentimental standards, which is all he does here. Apart from one song sung in Spanish and "Ava Maria," in Latin, there are no surprises here either in song selection or execution, but Archuleta is comfortable in such a familiar setting, singing in a friendly, eager-to-please fashion that will win him no new fans but will surely please all the old ones, especially those who loved him on American Idol and wondered why there were so many drum loops on his 2008 debut. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
American Idol seventh season runner-up David Archuleta was the same age as Jordin Sparks, the season six winner, but he always seemed much, much older -- a creature from a different era, a time where Up with People peacefully merged with the sound and sensibility of the pre-Nirvana '90s. Modernity seemed foreign to Archuleta, which wouldn't prevent his success in American Idol, a show that lives in a permanent oldies fantasia where it's still rebellious to sing the Allman Brothers some 35 years after their breakthrough. While rebellion is anathema to Archuleta, there's no doubt that the kid is sweet, something that shone through on the show, and he manages to sidestep saccharine pitfalls through much of his eponymous debut -- delivered six months after AmIdol season seven drew to a close. The producers keep him away from anything rhythmic through most of David Archuleta, with only the overly busy rhythm tracks distinguishing this as a 2008 release. Archuleta does sing well -- maybe not with a sense of storytelling, but as a highly coached performer who can hit the marks with accuracy. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
