SINGLE: LIVE LIKE WE'RE DYING (19/Jive Records)
"American Idol" winner Kris Allen has wisely chosen to scrap his Kara DioGuardi-penned coronation song, "No Boundaries," in favor of this impressive new single about seizing the day. "Live Like We're Dying" originally was intended for Irish band the Script, but Allen improves on the unreleased version with a nuanced vocal and a nimble, rhythmic delivery. The tongue-twister verses work in spite of themselves, and even when Allen does his best Bob Dylan impression on the bridge, he emerges safely on the other side. It seems Allen is still emboldened by the risks he took on "Idol," and those who voted for the singer-songwriter in May should be feeling the same after hearing the first track from his November 17 debut.
It's #29 on iTunes!!