Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Allison Iraheta
“Just Like You”

1. Friday I’ll Be Over U
2. Robot Love
3. Just Like You
4. Don’t Waste the Pretty
5. Scars
6. Pieces
7. D Is for Dangerous
8. Holiday
9. Still Breathing
10. Trouble Is
11. No One Else
12. Beat Me Up
13. You Don’t Know Me

Hmm. Maybe Allison Iraheta should have titled her debut album: “Cute little red-headed rocker from Idol.”

I mean, two former Idol contestants I interviewed recently professed their admiration for her, but weren’t quite sure of her name.

Then I tried to buy her album at an area department store Tuesday morning, before the shelves were stocked. I asked for the Allison Iraheta CD.

The clerk looked at me, sorta baffled. “I don’t know what that is,” she confessed.

Well, let’s face it, Allison hasn’t gotten nearly as much publicity as Idol winner Kris Allen or AMA rascal Adam Lambert.

And her album’s hitting stores when they’re filled with new albums from much bigger names in the music industry.

So let’s keep our fingers crossed for 17-year-old Allison. Because the vocal chops she used to finish fourth on season eight of Idol come through on what’s a pretty solid pop-rock album.

Her first single, “Friday I’ll Be Over U,” is every bit as catchy as the first single from either of the season eight Idol finalists, even if the video looks like it’s aimed directly for the pre-teen set.

“Don’t Waste the Pretty” is an incredibly addictive pop tune. Rocker Allison rears her head on “Holiday.” And her raspy, plaintive vocal on “Scars” makes it my favorite track on the album.

Not that the album doesn’t have a few missteps. “D Is for Dangerous?” Are you kidding me? An alphabet song? “No One Else,” co-written by Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, sounds like a rip-off of an old pop tune, “Simply the Best” (think Tina Turner).

And some music executive somewhere should be getting his or her head examined for letting a teen include a song like the celebratory “Beat Me Up” on her debut album.

I assume we’re not supposed to take those lyrics literally. But, come on, really now. In the wake of the Rhianna incident? Especially for a song that’s nothing special.

I’ll be rooting for “Just Like You” to do well enough to ensure a second major-label album from flame-haired Allison.

After all, she was one of the most consistent performers on season eight of Idol. Her “Slow Ride” duet with Adam was one of the season’s brightest moments.

And she can sing circles around another 17-year-old by the name of Miley.

That should be worth something.

Grade: B-

Other reviews:
Entertainment Weekly: Gives Allison an A-
Rolling Stone: Gives Allison 2.5 stars out of 5
Los Angeles Times: Gives Allison 2 stars out of 4