Artist: David Archuleta

Title: The Other Side of Down

Label: Jive

In the 2000 movie High Fidelity, a perpetually down-on-his-luck record store owner named Rob (played by John Cusack) posed the following cosmic question: Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?

Well, whatever came first, the music or the misery, American Idol alum David Archuleta definitely seems to understand Rob's plight on his third album, The Other Side of Down.While anyone expecting a plodding downer of an album filled with songs in decidedly minor keys may be disappointed by how Archuleta sings the blues, fans of Archuleta's previous work will be delighted by his growth, both musically and lyrically.

Recently admitting to MTV.com that "everyone has those rough patches, so I don't want to ignore them and act like everything's hunky dory," Archuletta sings about life's rougher moments with the conviction of someone who's been there and explores with new quality—hip-hop, dance and R&B—in the process.

While there's not a bad track in the bunch, a rarity in our singles-driven marketplace, there are still a few standouts including "Elevator," a catchy piece on the somewhat-awkward process of growing up and "Things Are Going to Get Better" where Archuletta's stellar pipes get an even bigger lift with a stellar backing choir.

Getting a little introspective, "Who Am I" explores the question that everyone has asked him/herself at some point in time, while "Look Around," one of the album's most club-friendly tracks, invites listeners to see the beauty in the simple things.

Despite all the venting, however, Archuletta never seems to lose sight of the fact that he's got plenty to be thankful for, and songs like "Complain," "Good Place" and "My Kind of Perfect" not only acknowledge this, but offer an engaging sense of optimism in the process, the perfect antidote for life's more challenging moments.

**This Review first Published October 19, 2010