David Cook Says New Album Was Therapy for Brother's Death, Explains Why 'Idol' Doesn't Need Simon Cowell

With a guitar, distortion pedal and a hint of swagger, season 7 'American Idol' champ David Cook helped change the paradigm of the popular Fox series. Like Chris Daughtry and Bo Bice before him, Cook introduced rock-star elements -- playing guitar onstage, using distortion pedals -- to the 'Idol' stage that delighted viewers and ultimately paved the way for people like Adam Lambert and this season's James Durbin.

Since his self-titled platinum debut and Declaration world tour, the singer is enjoying the fruits of taking a risk on 'American Idol,' but not without having a tough road to the top. Cook recently sat down with AOL Music to talk about the good times and the bad -- namely his late brother Adam, who succumbed to cancer in 2009. Since Adam's death, Cook has re-evaluated his experiences and channeled the resulting feelings into 'This Loud Morning,' the singer's sophomore album that showcases a more sensitive side while staying true to his rock roots.

You Played 'Idol' again recently; how was it returning to the stage where it all started?

Going back on the 'Idol' stage was interesting. I'll usually get a small wave of anxiety as the music starts, and about 10 to 20 seconds in, I can find my pocket and feel comfortable. I love going back. To be able to see everybody behind the scenes that you built these relationships with -- and in this case, I met the new judges and the new contestants -- it was a really fun time.

What do you think the show is missing without Simon Cowell?

I don't think they're missing anything without Simon. I think what Steven [Tyler] and J. Lo have brought to the table has really given the show a shot in the arm ... I love more than anything [that] the show seems to have recommitted itself to really allowing the audience to invest in the contestants, which is paramount to these kids coming onto the show and having success afterwards.

Do you think you were treated like that back when you were on 'Idol'?

I think we did have a different experience; But I think that every season has a different experience. I cherish the relationships I had on 'Idol.' It's all about every season building their own thing.

You recorded Simple Minds' 'Don't You (Forget About Me),' the farewell song for this season's departing 'Idol' contestants. Did you choose the song?

No, I didn't. Actually Simon Fuller ['American Idol' producer] suggested the song. Gave me a crack at it. I was a little nervous for that song actually; it's an iconic song. Every time I hear the original I always think of Judd Nelson [Bender in the John Hughes cult classic 'Breakfast Club'] on the football field with his fist in the air. So to try to kind of put my own spin on it; the last thing I wanted to do was bastardize the song. [I was] just trying to make it fun and trying to find the right vibe for it ... I'm sure the contestants that are getting sent home probably hate the damn song. But it's found its niche within the show this year, which is great to see.

Do you like '80s music?

I do! On our last tour we covered a lot of '80s songs. [Cutting Crew's] 'Died in Your Arms Tonight,' and [Johnny Hates Jazz's] 'Shattered Dreams.' I think a lot of songs that came out of the '80s had a really strong sense of melody and a really cool back beat. So they are fun to play.

What was the writing process like for 'This Loud Morning'?

The writing process on this record was long -- as it needed to be. I think as we were going on the tour for the first record we had things happen both good and bad. In an effort to really stay on the road and keep the show a priority, I really shelved all those things. Whether it be the great things like the experience of playing for 115,000 people in Manila, Philippines, or the downside like my brother passed away while we were on the road in May of '09. So as I got off the road and started writing, those things kind of resurfaced and I was forced to deal with them, and I think as a result the writing process became a little bit more therapeutic than it ever had been for me before. I think as a result this record is very much an emotionally honest record where I think there's some open-wound moments.

What's the driving inspiration behind the album?

I just wanted to make a record that really showed that a happy ending isn't always as happy as you think it might be. And I'm certainly extremely blessed to be able to do what I do with my life. I love my career and I love the people that are associated with it. But it's not always easy, and I just kind of wanted to paint a realistic viewpoint of a happy ending.

You're from Missouri; does your Midwestern heritage give you a different outlook on life than other people you meet in the music industry?

I think for me, I've always been such a homebody and I just adhere to a bit of a slower lifestyle than maybe what's considered customary in this industry. So it's always funny to me; like I remember being on the road and I'd read these articles. I would see two articles side-by-side, and one would be like "David Cook is a success story coming from 'Idol,' he sold 1.3 or 1.4 million records," and then the next article would say the same numbers but I would be perceived as the "quiet 'Idol' winner." I kind of embrace that. I love that; I love being the quiet success story.

Every time I drive to Kansas City, Mo. I see your sign on the side of Interstate 70.

Oh yeah? Have you seen it tagged yet?

cheng_id99, Photobucket

No -- it's clean!

Oh good! That's good. My folks will call me every couple of months and say, ''Somebody tagged your sign and they're replacing it." I always get a laugh out of it.

Do you think the Midwest has informed your songwriting?

Yeah, I grew up on a mix of country and rock, and so I think it's impossible to say that it didn't really influence where my songwriting goes. I've always tried to adhere to finding a really strong sense of melody that you commonly find in a country theme; but I also like turning guitars up and being loud as hell.

You've shown a sensitive side since graduating from your hard-rock image on 'Idol.' What's changed for you that contributed to that?

As we move forward and hopefully put out a lot of different records, I'd like to paint different sides of myself. I guess maybe it's my attempt to fight this common urge to put things in a box and just define it completely; so I think with the first record I really tried to use songs as an avenue to paint pictures for people. With this record I definitely tried to expand the scope and have more up-tempo songs like our first single, 'Last Goodbye,' and also songs that are maybe a little bit more laid-back and more piano-driven -- songs like 'Goodbye to the Girl,' just trying different instrumentation. As we move forward I think the goal is to show as much musicianship as possible and to really show the limits of my musicianship.

What's your best advice for the current crop of 'Idol' hopefuls?

You know, I actually talked to them about it last night. Sleep as much as you possibly can. You know, three years into this I'm still fighting for a nap half the time. So I think past that, who knows how long? The length of the ride for these people is individualized to each person, so I think you make sure that you're processing and embracing everything around you because who knows how long it'll last?

How do you unwind after a big show or day or promo and interviews?

A good meal and as much sleep as possible is usually a pretty good remedy for me.

Do you have any surprising hobbies that might have been your life had you not gone on 'Idol' or gotten a record deal?

I studied graphic design in college and I still love doing that as much as I can, probably much to [my label's] chagrin. I tried to be very involved in the visual aspects of this record, so I was heavily involved in the cover concept and design on this album. So I'd probably be doing that if the 'Idol' thing didn't pan out.

You played baseball as well. I heard you once pitched to [the St. Louis Cardinals'] Albert Pujols.

Yeah, I did. I hung a curve-ball that he obliterated. It's funny, you know, fast forward and we're playing before the home-run derby at the all-star game in St. Louis couple years ago, and I got within 20 ft. from him, and because he was a home-town guy, the press was just swarming him, and I was just like, "I'll just leave him alone." But I'm sure he's hit enough home runs since then that he's probably forgotten all about that hung curve-ball.

Watch David Cook play our Sessions studio.