David Cook has promised to make a rock record that’s true to himself, and the American Idol winner has confirmed that the studio maestro tasked with helping him realize that goal is Rob Cavallo. The producer has already lent his talents to high profile projects from My Chemical Romance, Kid Rock, and, most extensively, Green Day, including their Grammy Award-winning album American Idiot, and Cook is confident that Cavallo is the right person for his upcoming release. “I think he’s a great producer with the kind of sound that I want,” Cook tells EW.com. “And in talking to him, he’s just a good guy. Like the song selection I had on the show, Rob just fit.”
The two are currently squeezing in studio time whenever the Idol summer tour allows, and Cook still plans to release the album in mid-November. As previously reported, Cook has had writing sessions with Our Lady Peace’s Raine Maida and Collective Soul’s Ed Roland, but there’s one person who isn’t involved with the album: industry vet Clive Davis, the man who executive produced several Idols’ debuts, but whose role at SonyBMG, where he’s currently Chief Creative Officer of SonyBMG Worldwide, has shifted. “I never heard his name brought up,” Cook said.
That may free up Cook to make his own decision about whether to include his Idol finale single, “The Time of My Life,” on the album. (Being forced to include a generally-sappy but familiar song on a decidedly rock debut had been a bone of contention for one previous winner, Taylor Hicks, who reportedly resisted having “Do I Make You Proud” on his album.) Cook hasn’t yet made the call about the single. “It’s not like there’s any resistance to [the song],” he says. “My goal is to make a cohesive record, and I don’t want any song to stick out like a sore thumb. But in every meeting that I’ve had with 19 [Management] and RCA [Records], they’ve been very supportive of what I want to do with my record.”
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Thank you so much for the new tidbits of information! I can hardly wait to hear new music from David Cook. I’m practically addicted to his previous solo indie album Analog Heart, its amazing to think he got that made on his own. Also, knowing that only makes me more impatient to hear what he can do with actual backing.
Rob Cavallo sounds like the perfect man for the job, and I’m very very happy to hear he’s onboard. Any chance to hear anything about the album from him? I’m very curious to know how he got into the process with DC.
Also – I don’t expect TOML to be on the album, and that’s a very good thing. One thing David has said over and over is that he wants to make a cohesive record. Can’t see anything David does mashing with “magic rainbow”. LOL
Archie fan here! I am highly anticipating Mr. Cook’s album–can’t wait! =)
Cook + Cavallo is a match made in heaven. Color me amazed that 19E appears to be making the right moves with their enormously promising winner. I think this record could really be both artistically credible AND commercially viable. This is definitely becoming one of the more highly-anticipated albums releases of the Fall.
I’ve never been one to follow American Idol, but from what I’ve seen David Cook has a really strong rock voice and seems to be much more talented a musician than most of the people on that show. I have high-hopes that Rob Cavallo will help him craft an interesting major-label debut. I suspect I will be buying this come November.
Fantastic news. Maybe the most talented winner they’ve ever had and a wonderful producer!
Can not be more excited about Cavallo working on the album!
Wish they had more time though..
I haven’t been so exited about American Idol like I am this year. David Cook ROCKS…. I am so exited about the wonderful producer he is working with. This is going to be The Best I can’t wait to hear all of what he sings.
GothChick Of Idaho
First of all, I’m happy for David Cook and know he will put out a respectable and solid album. Secondly, since there is no space to leave comment about the “Nigel leaving Idol” article, I will leave my comment here….yippee! Season 7 was a disgrace with all the plants and habitual lying. I felt vindicated to see David Cook (non-plant) win. Nigel, I hope the door kicked you in the ass on the way out.
Since Clive “Crypt Keeper” Davis does not have his cold claws on David Cook, I predict Cookie’s album will be a hit. That is really cool about songwriting with Ed Roland!!
I have watched AI since season 1. In seven seasons,never have I been so anticipating the winner’s album as I am right now. Mr. Cook is a remarkably gifted singer, musician and songwriter. Rob Cavallo is the perfect fit. November can’t come soon enough for me. I will be waiting with baited breath. Best of luck to David Cook. He deserves nothing but the best.
So happy for Cookie that he’s working with people he admires. I’ve been going back through his Axium albums and Analog Heart the past few days and all I have to say is – David Cook is one phenomenal song writer. When you put that talent with his smokin’ VOICE – wow… can’t wait! And I’d like to 2nd everything Marie said about Nigel “The Manipulator” Lithgoe. I’ve always thought AI succeeded in spite of Nigel, and because of those few super talented gems like David Cook that came into our living rooms through Idol. Less of the judges + younger mentors = Idol at #1 for another 7 years.
Love David Cook and his huge talent, but not his song, The Time of My Life, and wish he’d shave his face and comb his hair back away from his face.
David Cook is the best Idol AI ever produced. I can’t wait for the Record. He is a truly gifted musician who brought music and happiness back into my life. Working with Rob Cavallo is very exciting and hopefully they are a perfect match and will create a rock masterpiece.
Hay!! When’s his first album comming out?
I’m a big fan of David Cook and the way He sings he sounds like a combination of Bryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, or Duran Duran of a new generation. I got all his songs from American idol performances and never get tired of listening to it. I wish I could get a copy of his Analog heart album that he wrote. I’m so excited for his upcoming new CD especially that He collaborated with a group of famous musician that he admires. I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be smashing hit again the way people surprisingly and smashingly voted him to be the American Idol. Everything is gonna come up roses for Cookie and He deserves all these blessings because of his good hard work and his attitude towards life. Congratulations my idol.
all i can say is i rily2 lyk ur song alwys be my baby…………8 reminds 4 of sum1 actualy!!!!!!!!!!
all i can say is i rily2 lyk ur song alwys be my baby…………8 reminds 4 of sum1 actualy!!!!!!!!!!
all i can say is i rily2 lyk ur song alwys be my baby…………8 reminds 4 of sum1 actualy!!!!!!!!!!
helow!!! I’m a fan of this talented yet humble dude… and all I can say is that this guy will be the the greatest American Idol winner!
dan Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 11:59 PM EST
“I’m a big fan of David Cook and the way He sings he sounds like a combination of Bryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, or Duran Duran of a new generation.”
Really? I read w/interest until you threw DD in there… DC appears to be trying to establish rocker cred. all the guyliner, bling and shades of DURAN DURAN in his music will leave many scratching their heads…
I am highly anticipating this album. It is a shame, though, that 19/AI seems determined to give him the Hicks treatment. He is so talented and seems so marketable, too. But they wanted the kid to win and they’ll get the kid to win one way or another, I suppose. That would be why Archuleta has an album single released to pop radio while Cook is saddled with Magic Rainbows with no word on an album single. Damn, AI, obvious much?
hmmmmm…..sounds interesting….i’m starting to save money for his debut album and concert here in the Philippines…..Thank you David Cook….You grant our wish….Hahahaha…..We’re waiting for you here in Philippines, wait, someone is calling, my ring tone is “Always Be My Baby,” it was recorded last April 16, 2008, 6:45pm here in the Philippines…That’s Mariah Carey Week….hahaha
I’m pleasantly surprised that they will let him do a Rock album. Of course, I wonder how much that will last.
How much competition is there for Rock music right now for airplay? There only seem to be a handful of Rock bands on the radio right now, so this may be a great time for him to do well in a field with a little less competition.
I also bought several of the studio songs that he performed on American Idol and enjoy listening to them with the family. My favorites were Eleanor Rigby, I’m Alive (great message), Little Sparrow, and Music of the Night.
I agree that he needs to be careful of his voice (seen in his performance on AI of the Aerosmith song, “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”). I wonder if he is still dating the former AI contestant/TV Guide host. I hope he is doing well and look forward to hearing his album.
Remember guys. And this is not knocking Archuleta, but it’s not as easy to make a Rock album as it is to make a Pop album. I’m sure David Archuleta has a myriad of writers and producers at his disposal. So of course he can quickly come out with a Stargate produced song. Cook fans be patient. Daughtry came out way later and his CD sold like crazy. It will happen for Cook too (if his music is good).
wow… David Cook recording with Cavallo? I can’t wait!!! it’ll be a great album… I think.
and I’ll buy his album…
anyway, I’m David Archuleta big fan but I like David Cook too!
Peace… ^_^
Yes! Cavallo’s incredible. This is great news.
I am also super excited about this news! I just heard Cook perform at the AI Concert, and he was amazing! Great voice, powerful, commmanding stage presence, great sense of humor — he is the full package, and he deserves so much success to match his great talent! I can’t wait to buy his album!
Can’t wait to hear what he does with his first CD. I think he will be the most successful AI winner yet!
Love you, man! can’t wait!
brilliant musician! can’t wait for his Album!
this album will make david cook the number 1 selling artist in the world few months from now.
WHY?
because david cook showing up in the music scene is a breath of fresh air that the whole industry has been lacking for over a decade.