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Kris Allen
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Kris Allen Image
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the first major label album for the winner of the eighth season of American Idol.

Top Track

Live Like We're Dying
Sometimes we fall down, can't get back up We're hiding behind skin that's too tough How come we don't say I love you enough? 'Til it's to late, it's... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Despite scoring writing credits on an impressive nine of these 13 tracks, Allen gets himself stylistically lost somewhere between Fly White Guy Avenue ('Can't Stay Away') and Bleeding Heart Boulevard ('The Truth'), while rarely visiting original territory.
  2. AllMusic
    60
    Unhip it may be by design, but at least Kris Allen delivers the goods: it’s tuneful and likeable, melodic enough to merit a close listen.
  3. Boston Globe
    60
    It’s a polite mix of soft rock with hints of boundary jumping that, unfortunately, never truly come. There’s really nothing wrong with the set; it’s sweetly executed and produced.
  4. Rolling Stone
    40
    The likability that helped Allen win last season is so carefully low-key here that it's nearly lost.
  5. Sputnikmusic
    40
    Sure, there are a handful of half-decent cuts included here, but even they have limited lasting value. Meanwhile, the filler (arguably half the LP) is mind-numbingly boring.
  6. Slant Magazine
    40
    The surprising and effective acoustic arrangement of West's song demonstrated that Allen has some genuine interpretive skill, but the studio version here layers on a heavy-handed drum machine that sounds like Phil Collins's "In the Air Tonight" and pulls focus from Allen's performance. It's just one of the miscalculations that makes Kris Allen yet another lackluster, characterless Idol debut.
  7. Los Angeles Times
    37
    Most of the material, though, tends toward a flavorless pop-rock sound that doesn't even do much to flatter Allen's appealingly rumpled vocals.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 7 out of 19
  1. joey2500
    Nov 25, 2009
    10
    A diverse, flavourful, and original collection of songs. I would expect nothing less from the most interesting artist to ever come out of A diverse, flavourful, and original collection of songs. I would expect nothing less from the most interesting artist to ever come out of American Idol.… Expand
  2. JamesD.
    Nov 23, 2009
    10
    Exceptional post-Idol album--quite possibly one of or THE pinnacle(s) of any Idol alum's first attempt while on tour. The songs are Exceptional post-Idol album--quite possibly one of or THE pinnacle(s) of any Idol alum's first attempt while on tour. The songs are melodic, catchy, enjoyable...and they LACK cheese! It's...well, a time for miracles. Mwahahah. Kris Allen was a worthy winner. But not only that, he's shown such growth from his first, indie album, "Brand New Shoes". I'm not sure why the critics are so hard on him, because he doesn't deserve it whatsoever. (Probably slanted and biased. I also think the calculations are askew.) Check out songs like: "Can't Stay Away", "Before We Come Undone", "Written All Over My Face", "The Truth", "Alright With Me", and of course, "Live Like We're Dying". Any of those are enjoyable singles, but several others are quality choices as well. Enjoy!… Expand
  4. JK
    Dec 7, 2009
    10
    I love this album! The songs are all really catchy, and there isn't a single track that I don't like. I especially like Before We I love this album! The songs are all really catchy, and there isn't a single track that I don't like. I especially like Before We Come Undone, Let it Rain, and Red Guitar. I think Kris did a great job on this album. Looking forward to seeing him in concert once he goes on tour!… Expand
  5. LM
    Nov 29, 2009
    5
    I like Kris Allen but he just swimming in bland music on this album. Acoustic Heartless would have been better than the poppy version on this album.
  6. LarC
    Dec 7, 2009
    4
    Overproduced!!! This album is not Kris's style at all. He shines with simple acoustic accompaniment. Anything else upstages him.
  7. MasonG
    Nov 21, 2009
    2
    Subway platform lite-rock. But sorta nice subway platform lite-rock. Alas. Kinda sad. What is it about some of these male 'Idols'? Subway platform lite-rock. But sorta nice subway platform lite-rock. Alas. Kinda sad. What is it about some of these male 'Idols'? Reuben ??? Bo ?? Taylor ??… Expand
  8. JerB
    Dec 2, 2009
    0
    Honestly it's trash, I try so hard to like it, but I just can't.

See all 19 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Most Discussed Album of 2009