Adam Lambert came in second to him on the eighth season of American Idol and now Kris Allen is giving the world his second studio album, Thank You Camellia, just a week after Lambert released his own. Allen has writing credits on all eleven songs featured on the new project, including the album's lead single, “The Vision of Love”. The songs may not be what is currently playing on Top 40 radio, but the vocals and songwriting should not be overlooked or ignored. I may not be happy that Allen bested Lambert in one of the biggest AI upsets, but the artist does deserve a place in this industry.
The album starts off with “Better With You,” a song describing that life is always good as long as the one you love is by your side. If Allen and his management team were smart they would quickly release this feel good, relationship-inspired track as a single. The production is scaled back and the listener gets to experience Allen's soothing vocals It's a real treat.
“The Vision of Love” was chosen as the project's lead single back in March, but I do not know why. The song is indeed cute and uplifting, but it is nothing groundbreaking and will not garner the artist anymore fans. Allen's vocals are great throughout, I just find the whole thing a bit too generic and it just never peaked my interest enough. The music video is a highlight though.
The beginning of “My Weakness” is light and airy, it gives off a summertime feel, and is pretty darn catchy, but unfortunately the chorus is a bit of a letdown. I am torn between completely loving the track or disregarding it altogether. It is nothing amazing, but it is a short, simple song of love and how you can do nothing, but fall for “the one”.
Love is clearly the inspiration, once again, for “Out Alive”, a song that sees Allen calling out to God for help. Love does not necessarily mean the bond between a man and a woman, but the love one would have for everything around them as well. The song does shine bright, the chorus takes the entire thing to a whole new level, turning it into something I was not expecting.
A highlight for the album is “Monster”, a track that seems to show the rarely seen darker side of Allen's sweet persona. This may be the reason I love the song so much. The artist's calm vocals are spread out on lyrics that do not seem calculated as they did on his debut. The beat is catchy, not too overwhelming. Everything comes together perfectly to produce a truly great song.
Written for his 2009 debut, but not making the final cut, “Blindfolded” sounds right coming out in 2012. Allen sings that he has a love so strong that even though he was blindfolded or if his memory was erased, he would still find the person who has his heart. The track should sound dated, but it does not. It fits in perfectly with the rest of the album and has one killer chorus.
“Teach Me How Love Goes” carries more of an acoustic, raw sound than any of the others tracks featured on the effort. The song does not rely on heavy production or electronic beats, but solely on the artist's pleasant vocals. The simple construction allows the song to come off as a heartfelt plea of love. I was so drawn to the song that it was over when I thought it just started.
A slight funk/soul inspired sound radiates from “Rooftops”, a song that shows the artist screaming for his one and only. Glad to see the artist happy and in love, but after seven track with the same message, it starts to get old. This track seems to be written for middle school sweethearts and not for the adult audience Allen is trying to target. I would look past it entirely.
Instead of expressing his deepest love for the girl of his dreams, Allen realizes everything would be better if he just gave up and left her on “Leave You Alone”. The song has to be one of the most touching on the album. He does not know any other way to make it right so he is going to do what makes her happy, even if that means leaving. Vocals and lyrics are top notch.
Allen and his duet partner, Meiko, may sound cute and affectionate on “Loves Me Not”, but the lyrics tell a whole different story. “Why do you pick me up/to watch me fall” sums up the battle between the two lovers in this light, sweet-sounding cut. The artists' vocals do complement each other well and the material is near perfect. A great way to show the other side of love.
The album closes on “You Got a Way”. Allen really does let his vocals shine on the closing ballad. It's the softest and slowest the album gets and I think it was a smart choice to leave the song engraved in the listener's mind. After going through a day's dose of emotion, the track seems to be perfect to lay in bed at night to think of everything. Closes the story on a good note.
Thank You Camellia is packed with uplifting, sweet, innocent songs of love targeting an adult audience and not necessarily Top 40 lovers. Kris Allen proves his win on American Idol was warranted with a voice that could melt the hearts of millions. While the effort is not as daring or adventurous as his competitor Adam Lambert's recent sophomore release, one will notice Allen is sticking to the type of music he loves to create. Every song tells a story, and even though the project hit dry spots along the way, the album came full circle and will surely please many fans and intrigue newcomers. The album receives an 82%.
Tracks to Hear: "Better With You", "Monster", and "Blindfolded"
Tracks to Hear: "Better With You", "Monster", and "Blindfolded"
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