'Idol' Cook gets by with a little help

David Cook releases his first album tomorrow. (JASON DECROW/ASSOCIATED PRESS)

When it comes to first albums from winners of "American Idol," the problem is usually too many cooks. This time around it's not enough Cook. Or more precisely, not enough of 2008 victor David Cook's own personality.

Cook was this year's designated "rocker" on the Fox talent contest. But his eponymous debut, out tomorrow, never really goes far enough in any particular direction to stake a claim for individuality. Indeed, it's hard to distinguish Cook's sound from that of his own idols, like Our Lady Peace and Better Than Ezra.

The 25-year-old, who wrote or co-wrote most of the material with a few of those heroes, does dabble in aggro-riffage on the swaggering "Bar-ba-Sol" and even injects a little country sensibility into "A Daily AntheM." But most of the record occupies that post-grunge middle ground encapsulated by first single "Light On" - co-authored by Chris Cornell - that sounds good one song at a time on the radio but loses its flavor over the course of an entire disc. (Evidence of Cook's interest in more contemporary and progressive heavy rockers like Muse is scant.)

There's reason for hope, however, in the handful of strong songs that display sharp pop instincts.

The most striking are those that Cook wrote with Norwegian songwriting-production duo Espen Lind and Amund Bjorklund, a.k.a. Espionage. The pair has lent a hand to some of the tastiest soul pop confections of recent days, including Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable," Chris Brown's "With You," and "Just for the Record," the best song on 2007 "Idol" Jordin Sparks's album.

Cook and savvy producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) wisely incorporate the duo's ear-catching melodies into the three tracks that ring most authentic vocally and lyrically.

The rolling and tumbling "Come Back to Me" is an earnest if-you-love-something-set-it-free anthem. On "Life on the Moon" Cook does something difficult - examine his own "Idol" whirlwind with poise and thoughtfulness. "The life that I knew is through and I'm going to need you more than ever," he sings on the chorus, perhaps to a friend, perhaps to his own sense of sanity. The vocal is emotive without being forced, and the pointed, metal-edged guitars feel natural.

The same can be said of the heartbreaker "Lie," in which the singer tries to postpone an inevitable breakup with a mix of dread and optimism but not an ounce of bitterness, as acoustic guitars play in wistful waltz-time.

Cook gave his best performances on "Idol" doing this type of thing, roughing up such pop and soul gems as Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Lionel Richie's "Hello." The most successful rockers - from U2 to Aerosmith - know that combination is a surefire recipe for success.

Sarah Rodman can be reached at srodman@globe.com.