"Scars" - Allison Iraheta
There's something about Allison Iraheta's voice that truly makes me believe that perfection is overrated. At only seventeen years old, Iraheta has already understood something that most people don't grasp in a lifetime: that authenticity is the most valuable thing a person - especially an artist - can possess.
Her voice is even more soulful now than it was during her hugely successful run on American Idol. Despite the fact that she made it almost all the way in the competition (Iraheta finished in fourth place), it always seemed as though Allison was there to serve a purpose. She was the token "rocker" of season 8 and armed with a gritty, raspy voice, eccentric style, and a head of flaming red hair, she was continually pigeonholed throughout the competition. Simon Cowell, the snarky, notoriously acerbic judge, made one of his typically astute observations when he told her time and time again that, while her vocal chops were impressive, her personality remained under wraps.
I never understood this assertion until now. I agree that Iraheta was misunderstood and inaccurately represented on Idol - but I also believe that all of that will change with the release of her first solo album.
The song "Scars" is a far cry from the lovestruck ballads penned by Iraheta's peers. It is equal parts melancholy and edgy, and her haunting vocals give the tune an entirely new dimension. The chorus "This is all that I've got/This is all that I'm not/All that I'll ever be/ I've got flaws, I've got faults/ Keep searching for your perfect heart, it doesn't matter who you are/We all have our scars" delivers a message of self-accepting, and when Allison sings it with heartbreaking honesty, I actually believe it.
Allison Iraheta has clearly found her place - both in the music industry and the world at large. She uses her flaws, her quirks, and her eccentricities to full advantage; she is bursting with raw talent and genuine passion. I only wish there had been an artist with her sensibilities when I was seventeen.
Allison's album, Just Like You dropped on December 1st.
Photo: Twistysdownload.com
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