David Archuleta's 'The Other Side of Down'

Hey, Archie's acting his age! On "The Other Side of Down" (19 / Jive), David Archuleta sounds like a 19-year-old, concerned about finding himself, struggling and, occasionally, having a good time.

The playful bits are the best - especially the dance-leaning single "Something 'Bout Love," co-written with the great S*A*M and Sluggo, and the bouncy "Elevator" and "Parachutes and Airplanes."

He gets bogged down in too much midtempo earnestness at the end, especially the wide-eyed "Complain" and "Things Are Gonna Get Better."

But Archuleta, who co-wrote 10 of the 12 songs, at least sounds like himself now.

David Archuleta

"The Other Side of Down"

GRADE

B-

BOTTOM LINE

Archie takes control of his career