CD review: David Archuleta's 'No Matter How Far'

Ever before NBC aired "The Voice," Murray native David Archuleta had The Voice on another TV singing competition, and that is why he isn't going away quietly, even as he is in the midst of a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile. Archie's new album "No Matter How Far" features a mix of newly recorded material (before he left on his mission) and previously unreleased tracks, with the latter essentially meaning songs that his team didn't like enough to release the first time around. But that is what makes this album surprisingly rewarding — Archuelta's two non-Christmas albums tried to position him as a traditional dance-floor-destined pop star, rather than play to his strengths as an emerging songwriter and talented interpreter of adult-contemporary ballads. Archie's supposed left-overs showcase him at his best. Plus, two of the songs are co-written by Joy Williams of The Civil Wars, so if you want new music with her fingerprints on it, you better look here.

Grade: B