David Cook: Inside His New CD

Image credit: PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS CRAYMER

His coronation anthem, ''The Time of My Life,'' sold almost a million downloads. He also set a Billboard record by having 11 of his Idol performances debut in the Hot 100 at once. The question is whether Cook can still find the same love now that he's getting out from under the covers. If there's a hopeful precedent to cite, it's Idol also-ran Chris Daughtry, who saw four of his similarly riff-heavy tunes crack the Hot 100's top 20. Still, Daughtry was able to buy himself a little distance from the Idol franchise in ways Cook can't, first by (a) not winning, then by (b) scowling a lot. Cook does affect a glowering look on his album cover, but as viewers know, a warm, easy smile comes more naturally. ''I do take music seriously,'' he says. ''I don't think you can do this and not. I don't think I'm gonna be putting out a Weird Al record anytime soon. But I don't take myself all that seriously. I'm kind of a goober from the Midwest who hit the lottery.''

The night after the band's final rehearsal, Cook is doing a friends-and-family-only gig at the Viper Room, working out any last kinks before his appearance on Saturday Night Live. Backstage, the singer is telling his bandmates he's battling an unexpected case of anxiety. Guitarist Neal Tiemann, a holdover from Cook's pre-Idol band, the Midwest Kings, is surprised. ''You've done more nervous-making things than this,'' he says. No kidding. ''Yeah, in a sense...,'' Cook replies, unable to explain why he's so intimidated by the hundred or so friendly waiting souls. ''I think we're finally a band,'' he says. ''It's something I've been looking forward to for about a year now, just to have a moment where it felt like...well, like it felt a year ago.'' In other words, back when he was still playing clubs — pre-Simon, pre-Archuleta, pre-makeover, pre-king of the world.

There's a knock on the door, and Cook's girlfriend, season 2 Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell, makes an entrance. ''I told you not to let her in!'' Cook barks, affecting a preshow boys-club paranoia. Break-a-leg smooches are exchanged before Caldwell exits with these parting words: ''Be wonderful! Be fabulous!'' Then, realizing her mistake, she corrects herself. ''I mean, be hardcore!''

Out on stage, Cook isn't long into the mini-set before he mentions that the last time he played the Viper Room, an A&R guy told him he needed to find another line of work. A middle finger of vindication follows, along with a nice vocal raspberry. As the set progresses, he seems proudest after the thundering ''Bar Ba Sol.'' ''And you guys thought you were at an American Idol concert!'' he crows at the song's conclusion. Then he looks around a little sheepishly, as if remembering what bad form it might be to bite the hand that brought him here. ''I had to say it once,'' Cook murmurs with a smile, before moving on to a power ballad.

Flashback! David Cook on EW's Idolatry:

More David Cook and American Idol from EW:
American Idol Central

David Cook: The EW Review

David Cook: Extended Q&A

David Cook's Video Shoot: We Were There

David Cook's ''Light On'': Weigh In!

David Cook: Backstage After the American Idol finale