Showing posts with label Kris Allen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kris Allen. Show all posts
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Adam Lambert, Alison Iraheta and Kris Allen: Elle magazine shoot and interviews
ELLE Magazine's Joe Zee styles American Idol's Alison Iraheta, Kris Allen, and Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert works at getting beyond 'the kiss'
It was David Bowie who first cannily reasoned that if you look and act enough like a rock star, you might actually become a rock star.
The same thinking paid off in spades for last season's American Idol runner-up, Adam Lambert. He might have lost the final vote to Kris Allen, but his attitude, his charisma and his gift for playing rock 'n' roll dress-up – not to mention a supple voice that can really wrap itself around the high notes – marked him as one of the few true, born entertainers ever to grace the series. He arrived a star. He just needed a venue.
Granted, Lambert's cockiness has since cost him a few fans on the "family values" side of things. Two days shy of the release of his debut album last November, the neo-glam extravaganza For Your Entertainment, he earned the ire of puritanical TV viewers and conservative pundits when he kissed a male keyboardist and shoved a male dancer's face into his crotch during a live performance of the title track on the American Music Awards. One of the most ridiculously overblown epidemics of gay panic this side of Brüno erupted, and America still hasn't completely gotten over it.
"The TV networks have been punishing me for it. They wouldn't let me do any live TV. They still haven't," says Lambert, 27 (until Friday), reclining beneath a painting of Marilyn Monroe in a trendy Ossington Ave. boite. "I'm not bothered by it anymore. It is what it is and I do think it'll blow over. Time heals and people are fickle and all that. But it's even made some other networks nervous about other projects, ones I shouldn't talk about for `political' reasons.
"It's too bad. Especially because, I feel, the media has a responsibility to progress society. It would be really nice if the media tried to open their minds and desensitize certain parts of the U.S. to certain things. I see straight people kissing all the time, so why is two men kissing obscene?"
Lambert – in town this week for a Monday MuchMusic appearance and some interviews before he heads to the Grammy Awards Sunday night as a fashion correspondent for Entertainment Tonight – has earned innumerable cool points by refusing to apologize ever since. Still, there's been some speculation that For Your Entertainment has stalled about 40,000 copies shy of gold status in the States because of lingering homophobia.
For his part, Lambert is just incensed that 1,500 angry letters to the FCC in a nation of 300 million can have such repercussions. Team Lambert, for instance, is still trying to figure out what scale of tour it should mount this year, if any.
Ideally, of course, he'd love to go big and theatrical, with "costumes and video and lighting and explosions: the whole thing."
What he'd prefer not to do in the meantime is become a crusader for gay rights in pop music. "On the one hand, I think it's cool because there isn't a lot of visibility for a young, gay, male musician. But ... I do resent slightly the fact that when I'm presented in the media, it's `openly gay singer and American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert.' ... My occupation is not `openly gay guy.' I'm a singer. My sexuality should be a sidebar, if anything."
The same thinking paid off in spades for last season's American Idol runner-up, Adam Lambert. He might have lost the final vote to Kris Allen, but his attitude, his charisma and his gift for playing rock 'n' roll dress-up – not to mention a supple voice that can really wrap itself around the high notes – marked him as one of the few true, born entertainers ever to grace the series. He arrived a star. He just needed a venue.
Granted, Lambert's cockiness has since cost him a few fans on the "family values" side of things. Two days shy of the release of his debut album last November, the neo-glam extravaganza For Your Entertainment, he earned the ire of puritanical TV viewers and conservative pundits when he kissed a male keyboardist and shoved a male dancer's face into his crotch during a live performance of the title track on the American Music Awards. One of the most ridiculously overblown epidemics of gay panic this side of Brüno erupted, and America still hasn't completely gotten over it.
"The TV networks have been punishing me for it. They wouldn't let me do any live TV. They still haven't," says Lambert, 27 (until Friday), reclining beneath a painting of Marilyn Monroe in a trendy Ossington Ave. boite. "I'm not bothered by it anymore. It is what it is and I do think it'll blow over. Time heals and people are fickle and all that. But it's even made some other networks nervous about other projects, ones I shouldn't talk about for `political' reasons.
"It's too bad. Especially because, I feel, the media has a responsibility to progress society. It would be really nice if the media tried to open their minds and desensitize certain parts of the U.S. to certain things. I see straight people kissing all the time, so why is two men kissing obscene?"
Lambert – in town this week for a Monday MuchMusic appearance and some interviews before he heads to the Grammy Awards Sunday night as a fashion correspondent for Entertainment Tonight – has earned innumerable cool points by refusing to apologize ever since. Still, there's been some speculation that For Your Entertainment has stalled about 40,000 copies shy of gold status in the States because of lingering homophobia.
For his part, Lambert is just incensed that 1,500 angry letters to the FCC in a nation of 300 million can have such repercussions. Team Lambert, for instance, is still trying to figure out what scale of tour it should mount this year, if any.
Ideally, of course, he'd love to go big and theatrical, with "costumes and video and lighting and explosions: the whole thing."
What he'd prefer not to do in the meantime is become a crusader for gay rights in pop music. "On the one hand, I think it's cool because there isn't a lot of visibility for a young, gay, male musician. But ... I do resent slightly the fact that when I'm presented in the media, it's `openly gay singer and American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert.' ... My occupation is not `openly gay guy.' I'm a singer. My sexuality should be a sidebar, if anything."
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
RECAP: Adam Lambert Mentors Top 9 in Vegas/Idols Thank Adam for Advice/Fear of Controversy = Elvis has Left the Building!
All the hype, and fear of controversy, leading up to the American Idol Season 9 'Elvis Week' broadcast with guest-mentor Adam Lambertwas absolutely unfounded, and the could-have-been exciting performances practically all fell flat.
It seems that everyone tried to find excitement and controversy where there was none. Just a whole lotta mountains outta molehills!
As an example, this past weekend's trip to Las Vegas by The American Idol Season Top 9 "did not escape the notice of the Las Vegas press!
Las Vegas Review-Journal, gossip columnist, Norm Clarke, reported on the contestants in Vegas over the weekend. Friday night, the Idols took in the production of Cirque de Soleil’s new show, Viva Elvis and were mentored on their song choices by Adam Lambert on Saturday. It’s Elvis Week on Idol, and the Season 8 alum gave advice to the new kids from the point of view of someone who has “been there and done that”. Those mentoring session were taped, and aired prior to the Idols’ performances on Tuesday’s show.
Clarke was present during the mentoring session, keeping fans informed of the proceedings through breathless tweets. But he hinted there was controversy afoot, that frankly, didn’t pan out. Promising a report on some “odd behavior” by a Season 9 Idol, it turned out to be Crystal Bowersox’s desire to sit alone during dinner Friday night at the Aria Hotel buffet. Behavior that Clarke claims “raised some eyebrows.” Shocking!
Crystal responded to Clarke’s report, in a tweet, “Big news!! “Crystal Bowersox sits alone!” We are surrounded by each other 24/7. I think I can sit alone for 15 minutes if I want to.” Ha.
Clarke even kept tabs on another Season 8 Idol, winner Kris Allen, who was also in Vegas, participating in a radio event across town called Pet-a-poolaza (listen to music! bring your pet!). Clarke teased that he would have more tweets on a “snippy” remark Kris made at Adam’s expense. Fan war ahead? Uh. Not quite. The “jab” as Clarke characterized it, involved Kris telling an audience member, self-deprecatingly, that her sad-looking dog “must be an Adam fan.”
The big “get” Clarke is chasing down now, is a photo of a “make-up laden” Adam at the Muse concert at the Mandalay Bay events center. Adam wearing makeup? Hold the presses! Will the controversy never end! Ha ha.
The Top 9 Idols went back to Los Angeles to shoot this week’s Ford video, per their latest series of tweets. A few of the kids made a point of thanking Adam for the swell advice:
“Katie Stevens: Ford shoot today!! Yayyyy I’m so excited for this week! Adam was incredible! I love you all!!”
“Casey James: It was great meeting Adam Lambert! He is really nice. It was awesome to talk with someone that has been in this situation. He had great advise as well. Thank you Adam.”
“Aaron Kelly: ford shoot today for the music video :) yesterday (with Adam) was alot of fun”
“Tim Urban: It was so cool meeting Adam Lambert! He’s such a great guy! He was a really cool mentor for this week!”
UPDATE: Also greatly exaggerated? Adam Lambert’s accommodations in Vegas last night. According to Fred Bronson of @IdolsNow, “Report that ADAM LAMBERT had “super-suite” at Aria not true; he stayed in a regular room while there to mentor Season 9 finalists.”
2nd Update: OMG Adam wasn’t at the Muse concert last night! Hilarious! Adam is back in LA and tweeted, “so embarrasing re MUSE: I had such a migrane by the end of the day that I had to skip concert & go to bed early! Was so bummed. Someday…” I guess that “make-up laden” Adam who was at the concert was a phantom…"
Then, we have the show itself. As EW.com put it, "Guest mentor Adam Lambert delivers some solid advice, but most of the remaining nine contestants fail to hail The King.
Adam Lambert and Elvis Presley certainly wouldn't seem out of place in the pantheon of great flavor combinations. Like chocolate and peanut butter, mushrooms and bacon, lobster and (mmm) butter before them, there's a tangy, cosmic harmony in the two singers' high-haired, hip-swiveling, big-voiced, glitter-bomb styles. Unfortunately for tonight's episode of American Idol, nine other ingredients got added to the Adam-Elvis batter, and not all of 'em proved pleasing to the palate.
Oh, sure, I'd get back in line for another helping of Lee DeWyze's ''A Little Less Conversation'' or Crystal Bowersox's ''Saved,'' but the bulk of the Top 9 (Version 2.0) performances sat like day-old, soggy corn flakes in the bottom of a cereal bowl. A teenage boy raised a white flag before he'd sung a single bar of ''Blue Suede Shoes,'' his disdain for the evening's Ye Olde Songboook barely concealed. A pretty teenager doing her best Pinocchio impression — she really is human, dammit! — awkwardly bopped her head in a weak display of ''swagger.'' And after pretending to pick his nose for the camera (what better way to show America you've got ''personality''?), a young father exhaustedly dragged his mic stand around the stage like Tony Dovolani pulling Kate Gosselin through a paso doble.
No, this was not a great night of musical entertainment. Just don't blame the inexplicably polarizing Mr. Lambert, an impish (and deliciously coiffed) presence who sagely noted that the nine remaining finalists needed to ''wake up a little bit,'' then succinctly summed up the particular performance problems each of the season 9 combatants was experiencing.
Ken Warwick & Co. must accept some culpability, though, for saddling the Idol hopefuls with the treacherous Elvis theme; for every timeless classic (i.e. ''Can't Help Falling in Love'') there's a precious museum relic (i.e. ''Lawdy Miss Clawdy,'' Casey? Srsly?) that not even a team of Timbaland's and Linda Perry's could make current. And consider that in addition to Elvis Night, the additional four weeks of season 9 finals have found Idol reaching back — way back — to tackle The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and a list of R&B tracks mostly older than Aaron Kelly and Katie Stevens combined. Don't adjust your AM dial, folks! The steady stream of Golden Oldies is not an accident at all!
Which is not to say that Lee DeWyze's ''A Little Less Conversation'' wouldn't fit right in at modern radio. I loved the way his acoustic guitar was front-and-center in the arrangement without turning it into coffeehouse piffle. There was something bracing and randy in Lee's gruff delivery — his inner caveman dispensing with the niceties and demanding physical satisfaction — but Kara was right that the Chicago rocker should've infused a little more playful flirtation into his performance. Even a hint of a smile (which Adam suggested) or a raised eyebrow would've helped drive home the song's sexual undertones, and made it more accessible in the process. Simon's ridiculous retort — ''what do you want, kittens?'' — was yet another ''throw-the-critique-out-with-the-Kara-taunting'' moment that proved neither entertaining, nor helpful to Lee's artistic development. Dude may be reluctant to play the heartthrob role, but if he wants to lay claim to a title held by David Cook and Kris Allen, then it's time to lose the soul patch (along with a button or two) and understand that there's a difference between telling the audience ''I'm enjoying this; I'm smiling'' and actually making us believe it.
Oh, and while I have to give mad props to Lee for hitting every single note in ''Conversation,'' I've got to point out the badly botched lyrics in the first verse (since zero out of four judges managed to make note of it). ''A little more spark a little less a little less blah, a little more somethin' a one more time'' does not equal ''A little more bite and a little less bark, a little less fight and a little more spark.'' That is all.
I'd contend the judges also whiffed a bit when it came to The Mighty Crystal Bowersox and her rollicking rendition of the Gospel-tinged ''Saved.'' Randy's babblespeak about sounding like a ''broken record'' and Kara's rote ''another solid performance from Crystal'' made it seem like the season 9 front-runner's standard-operating excellence is something we should all take for granted, like involuntary breathing, or ponies, or bite-sized candies on your coworker's desk. (Thanks, Annie Barrett!)
Okay, I've complained in prior weeks that the judges' unadulterated hype could cause a Bowesox Backlash. So perhaps I should zip my hyper-critical pie-hole and applaud the decision to make Crystal (and her fierce rockstar pants) open the show tonight, instead of holding her for the end and having the other eight contestants come off like a series of varied, and not always welcome, opening acts. But before I put on my Team Bowersox pajamas and head off to sleepytime, let me just point out that Crystal's ''Saved'' was actually an improvement on Elvis' sped-up (and somewhat hokier) version. Let's just hope her choice of a slightly obscure Presley number doesn't find our dreadlocked mama needing to be ''saved'' herself on Wednesday night — and not having anyone to do it.
(I know, I know...that's not gonna happen. But then again, Daughtry's unexpected fourth-place finish occurred during Elvis Week back in Season 5)
Gah. Actually, let's not go down that road. The Idol deities (or at least the suits at Fox) aren't going to let Crystal get sent packin' before Andrew Garcia, the man voted Most Likely to Participate in Wednesday's Double Elimination. I mean, dude prepped the audience for his number by pretending to foist a finger up his own nose, then proceeded to deliver ''Hound Dog'' with all the swagger of a rheumatic canine sporting a plastic head cone. Kara was right: Andrew hid behind his mic tonight — perhaps trying to hide the fact that his alleged song-arranging skills had only managed to yield a sluggish, lounge-y ambiance that, frankly, called for a white polyester pantsuit and an even higher pompadour. Ellen, suddenly playing the role of an irrelevant season 3 guest judge, uttered the words ''I thought you pulled it off,'' and proved why she's been an Oscar host, but not an Oscar recipient. Adam's rehearsal quip — ''it's boring'' — was vastly more succinct, not to mention honest.
So who's most likely to go home with the man who's ''doing it for my son''? Probably not Michael Lynche, since eliminating two dads in one night would lead to a widespread outcry of ''What about the children?!?!'' (Sorry, just had a flashback to Adam Lambert on CBS' Early Show.)
And anyhow, the guy who responded to last week's Judges' Save with a combination of pouting and preening performed solidly enough on ''In the Ghetto'' (suggested by Siobhan!) tonight to buy himself a ticket to next week's Idol Gives Back extravaganza. (Perhaps that's when Idol will taketh away what it gave him last Wednesday?) Sitting at the edge of the stage, guitar in hand, Big Mike stripped down the arrangement and amped up the drama of Elvis' tale of a child's hardscrabble urban life, throwing in plenty of echo, a nice falsetto bit in the final verse and an impressive run at the end to add a little R&B twist to the acoustic-and-piano arrangement. Not a note was missed, and Mr. Lambert responded by giving what I believe was his only standing O of the night. I just wish Big Mike had been able to contain that smug smile after the judges finished heaping praise on his rendition. Because while Randy is right, Idol is a singing competition, it's also about finding a talented artist you won't mind spending your money on.
(Let me pause here for a second to send a special thanks to Idol executive producer Ken Warwick. Earlier this week, in a brief telephone conversation, I implored him to pull the plug on the studio Swaybots. And while he couldn't promise to totally nix those synchronized ghouls, he did promise me that he'd make sure his director aimed the camera upwards, to make sure those side-to-side arms didn't impede our view of the performances. And aside from a few wide-angle glimpses tonight, the Swaybots went 0-for-9 on the evening. Which is something worth celebrating — perhaps with a nice glass of champs, darlings!)
Speaking of robotic movement, let's talk about Katie Stevens. (Badum-bum!) (Sorry, sometimes it's just too easy.) Adam wanted to see her channel her frustration with the judges directly into her performance of ''Baby What Do You Want Me to Do,'' but perhaps because she was weighed down with 27 lbs. of gold accessories, everything about the performance felt labored and inauthentic. Admittedly, Katie's vocals were mostly in tune for the second week running, but there's no emotional gravitas behind the music. It's almost as if, as she's singing, you can picture Katie in her basement on a Thursday night stenciling ''Vote 4 Katie 4 Idol'' messages onto hot-pink slabs of posterboard. Maybe that's what Randy meant when he said she was ''letting all the vibes out.'' (Eloquent!)
Katie's low-impact performance puts her at risk to join Andrew for elimination this week, but I'm putting my money on Aaron Kelly, who explained that his song, ''Blue Suede Shoes,'' was probably the wrong choice ''in every possible way.'' It didn't matter where Aaron was standing — on the steps! behind the judges! at center stage! — nothing seemed to revive the kid's defeated energy as he pantomimed his way through emotions like ''anger'' and ''standoffishness.'' I'd be lying if I said the bluesy midsection breakdown wasn't an improvement on the first half of the performance, but I still think Ellen's ''A for effort'' nonsense should have no place outside a grade-school classroom.
Amidst all the drudgery, it was nice of Idol to bring back that 19-year-old summer camp counselor with the dreamy hair and the sing-speak phrasing to perform another ballad for our entertainment. When he got to the end of ''Can't Help Falling in Love,'' all the 14-year-old girls were swooning on the inside and declaring it the best campfire ever.
All right, maybe I'm being a little dismissive of Tim Urban, who stayed in tune (it's becoming a trend at this point!), played his guitar nicely, and seemed vaguely aware he was performing an actual love song tonight. (''I do know what the words are about!'' he insisted in his interview package, before presumably calling ''Mambo No. 5'' one of the world's greatest lovesongs.) All in all, it was low-key and competent, and might've been more interesting if Tim had listened to Adam's advice and finished in his head voice. But at this point in season 9, ''Can't Help Falling in Love'' is definitely going to be enough to propel Tim to a seventh-place finish, and might be enough to reach the top 5! But whether you love or loathe the wide-eyed Texan, he deserved more respect that to have a distraction from Ryan, who spent the performance breaking into a waltz with season 8's 10th-place finisher, Michael Sarver [UPDATE: It was actually one of Lee DeWyze's friends] and also referred to him as ''Turban.'' As a consolation prize, Simon trotted out his now threadbare ''zero to hero'' critique, while Kara offered damning praise: ''My favorite Tim performance ever.''
The judges were far less effusive about Siobhan Magnus, who is now being painted with the ''confusing'' brush, while simultaneously being asked by the judges to deliver the Siobhan Shriek without delivering the Siobhan Shriek. As for me, well, I had mixed feelings tonight about The Glassblower's ''Suspicious Minds.'' There were some lovely, impassioned moments (especially when Siobhan broke it down on the bridge), but I get the sense that her voice is like a wild mustang: It's lovely and powerful and doesn't want to be corralled, but it's also uncontrollable and a little dangerous and not always terribly elegant. The white business suit with rhinestone lightning bolts on the front and Frederick's of Hollywood day-wear cutouts on the back did little to enhance Siohan's star power, and while it seemed incredibly naïve that Siobhan thinks musical artists don't need to have a consistent vision of what kind of music they want to make, I did love watching her earnestly disagree with Simon, and watching him earnestly want to explode with fury.
And finally, we had Casey James, standing in the dreaded Swaybot pit and grooving out to the bluesy but dated ''Lawdy Miss Clawdy.'' (Didn't Casey learn from Matt Giraud and Kris Allen that no one benefits from feeding the zombies?) Adam made an excellent suggestion to build some dynamics — perhaps a beginning, middle, and end — to a song I have to admit I hadn't heard before tonight, but the performance drifted by like a passing cloud, and only the backup singer with the reddish hair on the step behind Casey was able to capture and keep my attention during the performance. Which is not a good sign for a budding solo artist who needs to always be cautious not to let his bluesy vibrato transform into a full-fledged bleat.
What did you think of tonight's show? Were you as turned off by Ryan's performance tonight as I was? (The Brian Dunkleman joke was at once startlingly unfunny and stunningly cruel; while the Adam Lambert tongue quip, delivered right next to Adam's mother was just deeply uncomfortable. Oh, and instead of discussing the Big Mike/Simon/Sumo-wrestler compilation poster, let's just skip ahead to tonight's scorecard:
Crystal Bowersox: A-
Lee DeWyze: A-
Michael Lynche: B+
Siobhan Magnus: B
Casey James: B-
Tim Urban: B-
Katie Stevens: C+
Aaron Kelly: C-
Andrew Garcia: D"
So, for all the hype, I give the show an overall grade of "C-". And to the feared controversy?? Adam Lambert was a perfect gentleman, and humble at that. Ryan, who tried to goad Adam into saying something controversial with his tacky 'tongue' innuendo, then proceeded to emcee the show with a drunken-sounding slur, and a bad waltz, helped to turn the negative camera lens off Adam and onto himself.
*Special thanks to MJ's Blog and EW.com for article contribution
It seems that everyone tried to find excitement and controversy where there was none. Just a whole lotta mountains outta molehills!
As an example, this past weekend's trip to Las Vegas by The American Idol Season Top 9 "did not escape the notice of the Las Vegas press!
Las Vegas Review-Journal, gossip columnist, Norm Clarke, reported on the contestants in Vegas over the weekend. Friday night, the Idols took in the production of Cirque de Soleil’s new show, Viva Elvis and were mentored on their song choices by Adam Lambert on Saturday. It’s Elvis Week on Idol, and the Season 8 alum gave advice to the new kids from the point of view of someone who has “been there and done that”. Those mentoring session were taped, and aired prior to the Idols’ performances on Tuesday’s show.
Clarke was present during the mentoring session, keeping fans informed of the proceedings through breathless tweets. But he hinted there was controversy afoot, that frankly, didn’t pan out. Promising a report on some “odd behavior” by a Season 9 Idol, it turned out to be Crystal Bowersox’s desire to sit alone during dinner Friday night at the Aria Hotel buffet. Behavior that Clarke claims “raised some eyebrows.” Shocking!
Crystal responded to Clarke’s report, in a tweet, “Big news!! “Crystal Bowersox sits alone!” We are surrounded by each other 24/7. I think I can sit alone for 15 minutes if I want to.” Ha.
Clarke even kept tabs on another Season 8 Idol, winner Kris Allen, who was also in Vegas, participating in a radio event across town called Pet-a-poolaza (listen to music! bring your pet!). Clarke teased that he would have more tweets on a “snippy” remark Kris made at Adam’s expense. Fan war ahead? Uh. Not quite. The “jab” as Clarke characterized it, involved Kris telling an audience member, self-deprecatingly, that her sad-looking dog “must be an Adam fan.”
The big “get” Clarke is chasing down now, is a photo of a “make-up laden” Adam at the Muse concert at the Mandalay Bay events center. Adam wearing makeup? Hold the presses! Will the controversy never end! Ha ha.
The Top 9 Idols went back to Los Angeles to shoot this week’s Ford video, per their latest series of tweets. A few of the kids made a point of thanking Adam for the swell advice:
“Katie Stevens: Ford shoot today!! Yayyyy I’m so excited for this week! Adam was incredible! I love you all!!”
“Casey James: It was great meeting Adam Lambert! He is really nice. It was awesome to talk with someone that has been in this situation. He had great advise as well. Thank you Adam.”
“Aaron Kelly: ford shoot today for the music video :) yesterday (with Adam) was alot of fun”
“Tim Urban: It was so cool meeting Adam Lambert! He’s such a great guy! He was a really cool mentor for this week!”
UPDATE: Also greatly exaggerated? Adam Lambert’s accommodations in Vegas last night. According to Fred Bronson of @IdolsNow, “Report that ADAM LAMBERT had “super-suite” at Aria not true; he stayed in a regular room while there to mentor Season 9 finalists.”
2nd Update: OMG Adam wasn’t at the Muse concert last night! Hilarious! Adam is back in LA and tweeted, “so embarrasing re MUSE: I had such a migrane by the end of the day that I had to skip concert & go to bed early! Was so bummed. Someday…” I guess that “make-up laden” Adam who was at the concert was a phantom…"
Then, we have the show itself. As EW.com put it, "Guest mentor Adam Lambert delivers some solid advice, but most of the remaining nine contestants fail to hail The King.
Adam Lambert and Elvis Presley certainly wouldn't seem out of place in the pantheon of great flavor combinations. Like chocolate and peanut butter, mushrooms and bacon, lobster and (mmm) butter before them, there's a tangy, cosmic harmony in the two singers' high-haired, hip-swiveling, big-voiced, glitter-bomb styles. Unfortunately for tonight's episode of American Idol, nine other ingredients got added to the Adam-Elvis batter, and not all of 'em proved pleasing to the palate.
Oh, sure, I'd get back in line for another helping of Lee DeWyze's ''A Little Less Conversation'' or Crystal Bowersox's ''Saved,'' but the bulk of the Top 9 (Version 2.0) performances sat like day-old, soggy corn flakes in the bottom of a cereal bowl. A teenage boy raised a white flag before he'd sung a single bar of ''Blue Suede Shoes,'' his disdain for the evening's Ye Olde Songboook barely concealed. A pretty teenager doing her best Pinocchio impression — she really is human, dammit! — awkwardly bopped her head in a weak display of ''swagger.'' And after pretending to pick his nose for the camera (what better way to show America you've got ''personality''?), a young father exhaustedly dragged his mic stand around the stage like Tony Dovolani pulling Kate Gosselin through a paso doble.
No, this was not a great night of musical entertainment. Just don't blame the inexplicably polarizing Mr. Lambert, an impish (and deliciously coiffed) presence who sagely noted that the nine remaining finalists needed to ''wake up a little bit,'' then succinctly summed up the particular performance problems each of the season 9 combatants was experiencing.
Ken Warwick & Co. must accept some culpability, though, for saddling the Idol hopefuls with the treacherous Elvis theme; for every timeless classic (i.e. ''Can't Help Falling in Love'') there's a precious museum relic (i.e. ''Lawdy Miss Clawdy,'' Casey? Srsly?) that not even a team of Timbaland's and Linda Perry's could make current. And consider that in addition to Elvis Night, the additional four weeks of season 9 finals have found Idol reaching back — way back — to tackle The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and a list of R&B tracks mostly older than Aaron Kelly and Katie Stevens combined. Don't adjust your AM dial, folks! The steady stream of Golden Oldies is not an accident at all!
Which is not to say that Lee DeWyze's ''A Little Less Conversation'' wouldn't fit right in at modern radio. I loved the way his acoustic guitar was front-and-center in the arrangement without turning it into coffeehouse piffle. There was something bracing and randy in Lee's gruff delivery — his inner caveman dispensing with the niceties and demanding physical satisfaction — but Kara was right that the Chicago rocker should've infused a little more playful flirtation into his performance. Even a hint of a smile (which Adam suggested) or a raised eyebrow would've helped drive home the song's sexual undertones, and made it more accessible in the process. Simon's ridiculous retort — ''what do you want, kittens?'' — was yet another ''throw-the-critique-out-with-the-Kara-taunting'' moment that proved neither entertaining, nor helpful to Lee's artistic development. Dude may be reluctant to play the heartthrob role, but if he wants to lay claim to a title held by David Cook and Kris Allen, then it's time to lose the soul patch (along with a button or two) and understand that there's a difference between telling the audience ''I'm enjoying this; I'm smiling'' and actually making us believe it.
Oh, and while I have to give mad props to Lee for hitting every single note in ''Conversation,'' I've got to point out the badly botched lyrics in the first verse (since zero out of four judges managed to make note of it). ''A little more spark a little less a little less blah, a little more somethin' a one more time'' does not equal ''A little more bite and a little less bark, a little less fight and a little more spark.'' That is all.
I'd contend the judges also whiffed a bit when it came to The Mighty Crystal Bowersox and her rollicking rendition of the Gospel-tinged ''Saved.'' Randy's babblespeak about sounding like a ''broken record'' and Kara's rote ''another solid performance from Crystal'' made it seem like the season 9 front-runner's standard-operating excellence is something we should all take for granted, like involuntary breathing, or ponies, or bite-sized candies on your coworker's desk. (Thanks, Annie Barrett!)
Okay, I've complained in prior weeks that the judges' unadulterated hype could cause a Bowesox Backlash. So perhaps I should zip my hyper-critical pie-hole and applaud the decision to make Crystal (and her fierce rockstar pants) open the show tonight, instead of holding her for the end and having the other eight contestants come off like a series of varied, and not always welcome, opening acts. But before I put on my Team Bowersox pajamas and head off to sleepytime, let me just point out that Crystal's ''Saved'' was actually an improvement on Elvis' sped-up (and somewhat hokier) version. Let's just hope her choice of a slightly obscure Presley number doesn't find our dreadlocked mama needing to be ''saved'' herself on Wednesday night — and not having anyone to do it.
(I know, I know...that's not gonna happen. But then again, Daughtry's unexpected fourth-place finish occurred during Elvis Week back in Season 5)
Gah. Actually, let's not go down that road. The Idol deities (or at least the suits at Fox) aren't going to let Crystal get sent packin' before Andrew Garcia, the man voted Most Likely to Participate in Wednesday's Double Elimination. I mean, dude prepped the audience for his number by pretending to foist a finger up his own nose, then proceeded to deliver ''Hound Dog'' with all the swagger of a rheumatic canine sporting a plastic head cone. Kara was right: Andrew hid behind his mic tonight — perhaps trying to hide the fact that his alleged song-arranging skills had only managed to yield a sluggish, lounge-y ambiance that, frankly, called for a white polyester pantsuit and an even higher pompadour. Ellen, suddenly playing the role of an irrelevant season 3 guest judge, uttered the words ''I thought you pulled it off,'' and proved why she's been an Oscar host, but not an Oscar recipient. Adam's rehearsal quip — ''it's boring'' — was vastly more succinct, not to mention honest.
So who's most likely to go home with the man who's ''doing it for my son''? Probably not Michael Lynche, since eliminating two dads in one night would lead to a widespread outcry of ''What about the children?!?!'' (Sorry, just had a flashback to Adam Lambert on CBS' Early Show.)
And anyhow, the guy who responded to last week's Judges' Save with a combination of pouting and preening performed solidly enough on ''In the Ghetto'' (suggested by Siobhan!) tonight to buy himself a ticket to next week's Idol Gives Back extravaganza. (Perhaps that's when Idol will taketh away what it gave him last Wednesday?) Sitting at the edge of the stage, guitar in hand, Big Mike stripped down the arrangement and amped up the drama of Elvis' tale of a child's hardscrabble urban life, throwing in plenty of echo, a nice falsetto bit in the final verse and an impressive run at the end to add a little R&B twist to the acoustic-and-piano arrangement. Not a note was missed, and Mr. Lambert responded by giving what I believe was his only standing O of the night. I just wish Big Mike had been able to contain that smug smile after the judges finished heaping praise on his rendition. Because while Randy is right, Idol is a singing competition, it's also about finding a talented artist you won't mind spending your money on.
(Let me pause here for a second to send a special thanks to Idol executive producer Ken Warwick. Earlier this week, in a brief telephone conversation, I implored him to pull the plug on the studio Swaybots. And while he couldn't promise to totally nix those synchronized ghouls, he did promise me that he'd make sure his director aimed the camera upwards, to make sure those side-to-side arms didn't impede our view of the performances. And aside from a few wide-angle glimpses tonight, the Swaybots went 0-for-9 on the evening. Which is something worth celebrating — perhaps with a nice glass of champs, darlings!)
Speaking of robotic movement, let's talk about Katie Stevens. (Badum-bum!) (Sorry, sometimes it's just too easy.) Adam wanted to see her channel her frustration with the judges directly into her performance of ''Baby What Do You Want Me to Do,'' but perhaps because she was weighed down with 27 lbs. of gold accessories, everything about the performance felt labored and inauthentic. Admittedly, Katie's vocals were mostly in tune for the second week running, but there's no emotional gravitas behind the music. It's almost as if, as she's singing, you can picture Katie in her basement on a Thursday night stenciling ''Vote 4 Katie 4 Idol'' messages onto hot-pink slabs of posterboard. Maybe that's what Randy meant when he said she was ''letting all the vibes out.'' (Eloquent!)
Katie's low-impact performance puts her at risk to join Andrew for elimination this week, but I'm putting my money on Aaron Kelly, who explained that his song, ''Blue Suede Shoes,'' was probably the wrong choice ''in every possible way.'' It didn't matter where Aaron was standing — on the steps! behind the judges! at center stage! — nothing seemed to revive the kid's defeated energy as he pantomimed his way through emotions like ''anger'' and ''standoffishness.'' I'd be lying if I said the bluesy midsection breakdown wasn't an improvement on the first half of the performance, but I still think Ellen's ''A for effort'' nonsense should have no place outside a grade-school classroom.
Amidst all the drudgery, it was nice of Idol to bring back that 19-year-old summer camp counselor with the dreamy hair and the sing-speak phrasing to perform another ballad for our entertainment. When he got to the end of ''Can't Help Falling in Love,'' all the 14-year-old girls were swooning on the inside and declaring it the best campfire ever.
All right, maybe I'm being a little dismissive of Tim Urban, who stayed in tune (it's becoming a trend at this point!), played his guitar nicely, and seemed vaguely aware he was performing an actual love song tonight. (''I do know what the words are about!'' he insisted in his interview package, before presumably calling ''Mambo No. 5'' one of the world's greatest lovesongs.) All in all, it was low-key and competent, and might've been more interesting if Tim had listened to Adam's advice and finished in his head voice. But at this point in season 9, ''Can't Help Falling in Love'' is definitely going to be enough to propel Tim to a seventh-place finish, and might be enough to reach the top 5! But whether you love or loathe the wide-eyed Texan, he deserved more respect that to have a distraction from Ryan, who spent the performance breaking into a waltz with season 8's 10th-place finisher, Michael Sarver [UPDATE: It was actually one of Lee DeWyze's friends] and also referred to him as ''Turban.'' As a consolation prize, Simon trotted out his now threadbare ''zero to hero'' critique, while Kara offered damning praise: ''My favorite Tim performance ever.''
The judges were far less effusive about Siobhan Magnus, who is now being painted with the ''confusing'' brush, while simultaneously being asked by the judges to deliver the Siobhan Shriek without delivering the Siobhan Shriek. As for me, well, I had mixed feelings tonight about The Glassblower's ''Suspicious Minds.'' There were some lovely, impassioned moments (especially when Siobhan broke it down on the bridge), but I get the sense that her voice is like a wild mustang: It's lovely and powerful and doesn't want to be corralled, but it's also uncontrollable and a little dangerous and not always terribly elegant. The white business suit with rhinestone lightning bolts on the front and Frederick's of Hollywood day-wear cutouts on the back did little to enhance Siohan's star power, and while it seemed incredibly naïve that Siobhan thinks musical artists don't need to have a consistent vision of what kind of music they want to make, I did love watching her earnestly disagree with Simon, and watching him earnestly want to explode with fury.
And finally, we had Casey James, standing in the dreaded Swaybot pit and grooving out to the bluesy but dated ''Lawdy Miss Clawdy.'' (Didn't Casey learn from Matt Giraud and Kris Allen that no one benefits from feeding the zombies?) Adam made an excellent suggestion to build some dynamics — perhaps a beginning, middle, and end — to a song I have to admit I hadn't heard before tonight, but the performance drifted by like a passing cloud, and only the backup singer with the reddish hair on the step behind Casey was able to capture and keep my attention during the performance. Which is not a good sign for a budding solo artist who needs to always be cautious not to let his bluesy vibrato transform into a full-fledged bleat.
What did you think of tonight's show? Were you as turned off by Ryan's performance tonight as I was? (The Brian Dunkleman joke was at once startlingly unfunny and stunningly cruel; while the Adam Lambert tongue quip, delivered right next to Adam's mother was just deeply uncomfortable. Oh, and instead of discussing the Big Mike/Simon/Sumo-wrestler compilation poster, let's just skip ahead to tonight's scorecard:
Crystal Bowersox: A-
Lee DeWyze: A-
Michael Lynche: B+
Siobhan Magnus: B
Casey James: B-
Tim Urban: B-
Katie Stevens: C+
Aaron Kelly: C-
Andrew Garcia: D"
So, for all the hype, I give the show an overall grade of "C-". And to the feared controversy?? Adam Lambert was a perfect gentleman, and humble at that. Ryan, who tried to goad Adam into saying something controversial with his tacky 'tongue' innuendo, then proceeded to emcee the show with a drunken-sounding slur, and a bad waltz, helped to turn the negative camera lens off Adam and onto himself.
*Special thanks to MJ's Blog and EW.com for article contribution
Friday, January 8, 2010
Randy Jackson says no Adam Lambert or Kris Allen clones on next American Idol
There won't be anyone quite like Adam Lambert on the next season of "American Idol."
Easygoing "Idol" judge Randy Jackson told reporters during a Friday teleconference that he expected to see clones of the over-the-top eighth season runner-up or even croony champion Kris Allen show up to audition for the Fox talent competition's ninth season, which premieres Tuesday (8 p.m. EST), but there were none to be found this time around.
"Usually, whoever comes in first or second, that next season of auditions, you have a lot of those kinds of people," he said. "It's almost like a signal to everyone at home that was like them that now it's time to try out for 'American Idol.' It didn't happen like that this time. We got a very interesting, unique cast that's only unique to this season nine."
Jackson, who serves on the judging panel with Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and newcomer Ellen DeGeneres, said audition cities Dallas and Atlanta offered singers with the most starpower while Orlando, Fla., was "really strange" in terms of finding talent. He also said he was on the lookout for female crooners because the past two winners have been male.
"I think there's some really talented girls that showed up this time," he said.
Easygoing "Idol" judge Randy Jackson told reporters during a Friday teleconference that he expected to see clones of the over-the-top eighth season runner-up or even croony champion Kris Allen show up to audition for the Fox talent competition's ninth season, which premieres Tuesday (8 p.m. EST), but there were none to be found this time around.
"Usually, whoever comes in first or second, that next season of auditions, you have a lot of those kinds of people," he said. "It's almost like a signal to everyone at home that was like them that now it's time to try out for 'American Idol.' It didn't happen like that this time. We got a very interesting, unique cast that's only unique to this season nine."
Jackson, who serves on the judging panel with Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and newcomer Ellen DeGeneres, said audition cities Dallas and Atlanta offered singers with the most starpower while Orlando, Fla., was "really strange" in terms of finding talent. He also said he was on the lookout for female crooners because the past two winners have been male.
"I think there's some really talented girls that showed up this time," he said.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
People's Choice Awards Tonight!: Will Twilight and Adam Lambert Win?
If you're the tuxedo-and-tie kind of movie fan, then the Oscars are for you. If you prefer a more laid-back evening of back-patting, then perhaps you're more into the Golden Globes. But, this time of year, if you're a true populist, there's only one awards show to turn to: the People's Choice Awards.
On Wednesday night (January 6), the biggest stars in movies, TV and music come together for one big, unpredictable, random party to celebrate each other and the fans who voted for them. We'll be there to bring you all the breaking news, natch — but to help get you in the mood, take a look at some of the potential story lines we'll be monitoring:
Old School or New School?
Categories like Favorite Movie Actor and Favorite Movie Actress have the names of classic stars who have been thrilling us for several decades (Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Drew Barrymore) squaring off against relative newbies (Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Robert Pattinson). Is the RPattz phenomenon big enough to take down Depp? Will Twilighters get Kristen Stewart some of the recognition that critic-driven telecasts have overlooked? Or will someone like Jennifer Aniston or Sandra Bullock remind the kids that they've still got a long way to go?
Awkward Encounter?
If only because of their shared first name, it's hard to imagine a recent celebrity couple more adorable than Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift. Now, just a few weeks after their breakup, the two find themselves RSVP'd to the same event. Will Taylor and Taylor make evasive maneuvers or flaunt a continued friendship or something in-between? If both set their feet on the red carpet at the same time, you can bet all eyes will be on them.
Spinning the Strongest Web
Forget about bank-account digits and rankings on magazine power lists. These days, the most prestigious numbers for a celebrity are how many followers they have online. In a category you definitely won't find at the Oscars, Favorite Web Celeb pits viral-clip king Andy Samberg vs. "Funny or Die" founder Will Ferrell and Twitter powerhouses Ashton Kutcher and Diddy. For good measure, also included in the competition is Miley Cyrus, whose dominance of all things social media came to a screeching halt recently when she surprised fans by deciding to unplug from Twitter.
'Idol' Chatter
Adam Lambert lost to Kris Allen in May on "American Idol." Since then, some think Lambert's career has been soaring higher, proving that he should have finished first. Now, could the guyliner-wearing rocker get a second opinion? In the Favorite Breakout Music Artist category, Lambert and Allen will square off, alongside such potential spoilers as Demi Lovato and Lady Gaga. The ultimate "Idol" opinion, however, could be expressed by another alumnus from a Simon Cowell-fueled talent contest: Susan Boyle. Will the people prefer their Cinderella story from the U.K. or the U.S.?
Favorite Movie
The past year has had a lot of problems, from H1N1 to the economy, but how did people choose to escape? We'll learn the answer soon as Favorite Movie awards one of the night's most desirable prizes to either a youth-empowering fantasy ("Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"), a romance ("The Proposal"), a lighthearted comedy ("The Hangover"), or two vastly different cult-heavy franchises ("Star Trek" and "Twilight"). The people are speaking, and the message seems to be loud and clear: Give us vampires, Vulcans, boy wizards or Mike Tyson cameos, but get us out of here!
On Wednesday night (January 6), the biggest stars in movies, TV and music come together for one big, unpredictable, random party to celebrate each other and the fans who voted for them. We'll be there to bring you all the breaking news, natch — but to help get you in the mood, take a look at some of the potential story lines we'll be monitoring:
Old School or New School?
Categories like Favorite Movie Actor and Favorite Movie Actress have the names of classic stars who have been thrilling us for several decades (Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Drew Barrymore) squaring off against relative newbies (Kristen Stewart, Ryan Reynolds, Robert Pattinson). Is the RPattz phenomenon big enough to take down Depp? Will Twilighters get Kristen Stewart some of the recognition that critic-driven telecasts have overlooked? Or will someone like Jennifer Aniston or Sandra Bullock remind the kids that they've still got a long way to go?
Awkward Encounter?
If only because of their shared first name, it's hard to imagine a recent celebrity couple more adorable than Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift. Now, just a few weeks after their breakup, the two find themselves RSVP'd to the same event. Will Taylor and Taylor make evasive maneuvers or flaunt a continued friendship or something in-between? If both set their feet on the red carpet at the same time, you can bet all eyes will be on them.
Spinning the Strongest Web
Forget about bank-account digits and rankings on magazine power lists. These days, the most prestigious numbers for a celebrity are how many followers they have online. In a category you definitely won't find at the Oscars, Favorite Web Celeb pits viral-clip king Andy Samberg vs. "Funny or Die" founder Will Ferrell and Twitter powerhouses Ashton Kutcher and Diddy. For good measure, also included in the competition is Miley Cyrus, whose dominance of all things social media came to a screeching halt recently when she surprised fans by deciding to unplug from Twitter.
'Idol' Chatter
Adam Lambert lost to Kris Allen in May on "American Idol." Since then, some think Lambert's career has been soaring higher, proving that he should have finished first. Now, could the guyliner-wearing rocker get a second opinion? In the Favorite Breakout Music Artist category, Lambert and Allen will square off, alongside such potential spoilers as Demi Lovato and Lady Gaga. The ultimate "Idol" opinion, however, could be expressed by another alumnus from a Simon Cowell-fueled talent contest: Susan Boyle. Will the people prefer their Cinderella story from the U.K. or the U.S.?
Favorite Movie
The past year has had a lot of problems, from H1N1 to the economy, but how did people choose to escape? We'll learn the answer soon as Favorite Movie awards one of the night's most desirable prizes to either a youth-empowering fantasy ("Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"), a romance ("The Proposal"), a lighthearted comedy ("The Hangover"), or two vastly different cult-heavy franchises ("Star Trek" and "Twilight"). The people are speaking, and the message seems to be loud and clear: Give us vampires, Vulcans, boy wizards or Mike Tyson cameos, but get us out of here!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Billboard CD reviews: Adam Lambert and Kris Allen
ARTIST: ADAM LAMBERT
ALBUM: FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT (19/RCA Records)
It doesn't rewrite (in hot-pink glitter ink) the entire rule book on what a pop record can be. But Adam Lambert's debut album, "For Your Entertainment," is still the most audacious, confident debut yet from a former "American Idol" contestant. And that's not even the best thing about the release, which includes writing and production contributions from a sizable portion of the top 40 A-list. Lambert's vocals were a thing of scenery-chewing wonder on "Idol," and here he successfully showcases the full range of his remarkable instrument, from skyscraping glam-rock sneer ("Music Again") to lush future-soul croon ("Broken Open"). Even when the material doesn't rise to the occasion -- as in the aptly titled "Sleepwalker," penned by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic -- Lambert's singing gives the music a tactile sensuality. Not surprisingly, considering the expectations surrounding the album and its hasty mode of manufacture, "For Your Entertainment" can feel scattered and shallower than it should. Even so, it practically vibrates with pleasure.
ARTIST: KRIS ALLEN
ALBUM: KRIS ALLEN (19/Jive Records)
In a way, the media buzz surrounding Adam Lambert could be a blessing for Kris Allen. Unlike most "American Idol" winners, he's a perpetual underdog who mustn't live up to hype so much as defy reserved expectations. Allen does this with ease on his self-titled debut, continuing in the guitar-driven pop direction he established in the spring while sounding supremely confident. It's a wonder why the song "The Truth" wasn't chosen as the Arkansas singer-songwriter's first single, since it has the kind of anthemic thrust he'll need to please fans while recruiting new ones. The track "Before We Come Undone" boasts one of the album's catchiest hooks, while a Salaam Remi-produced version of his much-praised cover of Kanye West's "Heartless" throbs with a hip-hop backbeat. Allen doesn't straddle genres and octaves like "AI" runner-up Lambert, but he did co-write the majority of his album -- a rarity for an "Idol" -- and he overdelivers on the promise he showed on TV.
Source: Billboard CD reviews
ALBUM: FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT (19/RCA Records)
ARTIST: KRIS ALLEN
ALBUM: KRIS ALLEN (19/Jive Records)
Source: Billboard CD reviews
Monday, December 28, 2009
Toronto Star's 10 most important works of the decade: No. 4, American Idol
We asked our critics and our readers to vote for the 10 most important works of the decade. We count down to No. 1 as we approach Dec. 31.
I asked Kris Allen, the 2009 American Idol, why people like the show so much.
"I think the beauty about American Idol is that it takes people that they can relate to, that maybe acts like a friend of theirs, or has the same job or something like that, and makes them into rock stars or country stars or pop stars," said the 24-year-old from Conway, Ark.
The man's bang on. The rags-to-riches story, after all, is a persistent cultural cliché. But instead of commoners rising to royalty, we have a farm girl from Oklahoma becoming a country mega-star (Carrie Underwood), or the girl from a small Texas town who used to sing in bars and now sells millions of pop records (Kelly Clarkson), or the Arkansas church music director who got to play on the same New York stage The Beatles once rocked (Allen).
You don't even have to win the reality singing competition to become famous: think Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, rocker Chris Daughtry, Broadway lead Constantine Maroulis or glam pop-rock sensation Adam Lambert.
Idol contestants come in all shapes, sizes, races, sexual orientations, ages (from 16 to 30), abilities (contestant Scott MacIntyre was blind); they're from small towns and big cities; they're a little bit country or a little bit rock 'n' roll, and everything in between.
Of course, the same could be said of plenty of U.S. reality shows that don't pull anywhere near Idol's viewership.
Its ratings are down, as are most network TV shows', but Idol still beats the competition every Tuesday and Wednesday that it airs. Just under 29 million watched Allen win over Lambert on the May finale.
But Idol's not just about numbers. It has become part of the zeitgeist since it debuted in June 2002 as a spinoff of the British show Pop Idol.
Idol's genius, in an era in which we simultaneously adulate and denigrate our celebrities, lies in combining the mythology of the American dream with a healthy dose of schadenfreude.
It starts with the audition shows, when just enough delusional, tone-deaf applicants are mixed in with the true talents to give the viewers something to laugh at.
As some are knocked down, others get built up.
By the time contestants have made it through the pressure cooker of Hollywood Week, when a couple of hundred wannabes are cut to 36 semi-finalists or less, viewers are finding their favourites: the people they'll cheer on and vote for.
And therein lies one of Idol's main attractions: viewers' ability not only to watch stars being born but to take an active part in the transition.
Throw renditions of hit songs into the mix, and the interplay between contestants, judges and host Ryan Seacrest, and you've got a hit.
Challenges lie ahead, however. The show has already lost popular judge Paula Abdul although replacement Ellen DeGeneres should maintain viewers' interest.
But will it survive the reputed departure of the most popular judge, bitingly honest Brit Simon Cowell?
I asked Kris Allen, the 2009 American Idol, why people like the show so much.
"I think the beauty about American Idol is that it takes people that they can relate to, that maybe acts like a friend of theirs, or has the same job or something like that, and makes them into rock stars or country stars or pop stars," said the 24-year-old from Conway, Ark.
The man's bang on. The rags-to-riches story, after all, is a persistent cultural cliché. But instead of commoners rising to royalty, we have a farm girl from Oklahoma becoming a country mega-star (Carrie Underwood), or the girl from a small Texas town who used to sing in bars and now sells millions of pop records (Kelly Clarkson), or the Arkansas church music director who got to play on the same New York stage The Beatles once rocked (Allen).
You don't even have to win the reality singing competition to become famous: think Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, rocker Chris Daughtry, Broadway lead Constantine Maroulis or glam pop-rock sensation Adam Lambert.
Idol contestants come in all shapes, sizes, races, sexual orientations, ages (from 16 to 30), abilities (contestant Scott MacIntyre was blind); they're from small towns and big cities; they're a little bit country or a little bit rock 'n' roll, and everything in between.
Of course, the same could be said of plenty of U.S. reality shows that don't pull anywhere near Idol's viewership.
Its ratings are down, as are most network TV shows', but Idol still beats the competition every Tuesday and Wednesday that it airs. Just under 29 million watched Allen win over Lambert on the May finale.
But Idol's not just about numbers. It has become part of the zeitgeist since it debuted in June 2002 as a spinoff of the British show Pop Idol.
Idol's genius, in an era in which we simultaneously adulate and denigrate our celebrities, lies in combining the mythology of the American dream with a healthy dose of schadenfreude.
It starts with the audition shows, when just enough delusional, tone-deaf applicants are mixed in with the true talents to give the viewers something to laugh at.
As some are knocked down, others get built up.
By the time contestants have made it through the pressure cooker of Hollywood Week, when a couple of hundred wannabes are cut to 36 semi-finalists or less, viewers are finding their favourites: the people they'll cheer on and vote for.
And therein lies one of Idol's main attractions: viewers' ability not only to watch stars being born but to take an active part in the transition.
Throw renditions of hit songs into the mix, and the interplay between contestants, judges and host Ryan Seacrest, and you've got a hit.
Challenges lie ahead, however. The show has already lost popular judge Paula Abdul although replacement Ellen DeGeneres should maintain viewers' interest.
But will it survive the reputed departure of the most popular judge, bitingly honest Brit Simon Cowell?
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Adam Lambert to Reunite With Allison Iraheta and Kris Allen in NYC
Adam Lambert will be hitting New York City's stage with his fellow "American Idol" alum, Allison Iraheta and Kris Allen. The revelation was made as Ryan Seacrest's "Ryan, Rock My Town" contest unveiled the Big Apple as the city with the most demand for the reunion concert.
NYC came up first, beating Allen's hometown Little Rock. The city that never sleeps took the lead of the online voting in mid-November with over 7,000 demands. The details on when and where the concert will be held are yet to be disclosed, but are promised to be announced soon by Ryan Seacrest.
This free gig will be the first reunion concert for Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta and post 2009 Idol Summer Tour, which was wrapped on September 15 at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH. All three singers have all come out with their own debut album. Adam released "For Your Entertainment" on November 23, Allison debuted "Just Like You" on December 1, and Kris put out "Kris Allen" on November 17.
NYC came up first, beating Allen's hometown Little Rock. The city that never sleeps took the lead of the online voting in mid-November with over 7,000 demands. The details on when and where the concert will be held are yet to be disclosed, but are promised to be announced soon by Ryan Seacrest.
This free gig will be the first reunion concert for Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta and post 2009 Idol Summer Tour, which was wrapped on September 15 at Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH. All three singers have all come out with their own debut album. Adam released "For Your Entertainment" on November 23, Allison debuted "Just Like You" on December 1, and Kris put out "Kris Allen" on November 17.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and David Cook sing "Little Lies"
Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and David Cook sing Fleetwood Mac's "Little Lies", Live in Central Park on Good Morning America - August 7th, 2009.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Adam Lambert talks about his New Album “For Your Entertainment,” Working with Lady Gaga, and His Appeal to Women
Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood might want to watch their backs. Adam Lambert, the Season 8 “American Idol” runner-up, is poised to become one of the reality show’s biggest break-out stars. The glamtastic rocker released “Time for Miracles,” the closing credits song for this Friday’s disaster porn epic “2012.” And his first solo album, “For Your Entertainment,” drops Nov. 23, one day after he’s scheduled to perform at the American Music Awards. Lambert talked to Speakeasy about his music, his fans and why he’s so appealing to women.
The Wall Street Journal: On your Twitter feed, you said Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video “melted my brain.”
Adam Lambert: Oh my god, I love it. It’s so out there. She’s so brave in her artistic freedom; she’s an inspiration.
WSJ: She actually contributed a song — “Fever” — to your new album.
AL: Yeah, I really wanted to work with her; she’s just one of my favorites right now. She had an old demo — I think she said she got signed with that demo to her first label deal — and then she never produced it and got it done. I think that it’s a really catchy melody; the lyrics are really fun and silly. Overall, I really enjoyed the process of recording with her. She was on the other side of that glass, just egging me on. She was constantly like, ‘Go crazier! Go higher! Go louder!”
WSJ: If and when you make a music video for “Fever,” would she cameo?
AL: I’d love it. Of course I’d ask her. We’ll see if she’d actually want to do it. She has a lot on her plate right now.
WSJ: You seem so at ease with fame. What do you attribute that to?
AL: I think it helps that that I’ve lived in L.A. for the last eight years and I’m a little older. I’m 27, seen a lot of s—, met a lot of people. I’ve certainly been on the sidelines of paparazzi barrages, like, I’ve been out at a club with various reality show acquaintances and they get that kind of attention. So I’ve been near it, which helps me not to be thrown off by it. My M.O. is just do what you do and don’t feel like you have to make apologies for it. I’m sure there will come a point when I have to apologize for something, but not yet.
WSJ: A lot of big stars go out of their way to hide the fact that they’re gay, but you’re happily out and women still throw thongs at you — what do you think you’re doing differently?
AL: I think it’s a testament to just owning yourself, owning your stuff, and just being comfortable in your skin. It took me some time to get to that point and the timing of “Idol” was appropriate because [that's] when I realized, you know what? I love myself and I am a good person.
WSJ: What do you think your appeal to women is?
AL: I’m not sure — to be honest, that’s one of the more surprising elements about this whole thing. I’m like, really? I honestly don’t know — maybe it’s because, whatever the sexuality thing, I’m a friendly person, and maybe there’s a safety thing involved, in that I’m not threatening.
WSJ: How much say did you have in creating your album cover?
AL: That was pretty much my call. When we got to the point of doing the photo shoot, I just wanted to go super androgynous glam, kind of campy and outlandish. I love imagery like that — that’s why I love the Lady Gaga video. It’s just funny, because the second a guy starts doing things out of the box, people get all freaked out. But women do it all the time, so it’s an interesting double standard.
WSJ: Bowie seems to have been an obvious inspiration.
AL: Yup, Bowie, Jagger, Boy George, Prince, and Michael Jackson — all those guys who would put make up on and look glamorous. Some of the Michael Jackson covers are amazing, like “Dangerous,” where it’s just his eyes and the entire thing is just super frosted and touched up and perfect. And pictures of Bowie back in the day, like the “Hunky Dory” cover where he’s just pretty and in soft focus. I love that look and think it’s cool that not a lot of guy are doing it, so that’s how I’m going to style myself. It’s part of my persona and has been consistently. That’s why I find it so funny that people were surprised by the cover. I mean, didn’t you see me onstage with KISS and the glitter boots and the rhinestones around my eyes [on "Idol"]?
WSJ: Still, do you ever feel trapped in any way by the glam image?
AL: No, I don’t feel trapped. I’m the one who put on those clothes; it’s my own making. I feel like when I want to, I can change it up like I did on the show. I try not to get trapped in any one musical or visual style at all. I mean, that’s part of what I was really trying to do on “Idol” — change it up week to week, like variety tray. A veggie platter, if you will.
WSJ: Were you upset when tracks of your album were leaked online earlier this month?
AL: To be honest, yeah. I would have rather it not been, but that’s how you sell a CD on the internet. It’s hard, because people jump to conclusions based on 30 seconds, and I don’t know how fair that is. It is what it is.
WSJ: Which song pushed you the furthest vocally?
AL: “Sure Fire Winners” is pretty vocally acrobatic. It’s crazy — but they all kind of go crazy. Artistically, I think the Linda Perry song was a departure for me because it was a little out of my obvious comfort zone — vocally, it sits in this falsetto space, and lyrically, if you really listen to it, it’s complicated. The lyrics contradict themselves, which was done on purpose — Linda and I really talked about it.
There are two different interpretations: one is that it’s about two members of a relationship, and what’s going on in their heads when they’re with each other. One partner is loving every moment and in bliss, while the other person is feeling empty and not satistfied. The other way to look at it is that it’s about one person, going back and forth about a relationship in their head. Like one day, we feel like we love this person to death, the next, what the hell. It’s emotionally complicated, which makes it special.
WSJ: Speaking of “Sure Fire Winners,” it sounds like an homage to “We are the Champions.” Is it?
AL: It wasn’t intentional, and I didn’t write that song. But yeah, that’s totally the vibe. I don’t know if the writers did that on purpose or not. But it is like a “we rock” kind of anthem.
WSJ: How closely do you follow the forums on your site and read what people tweet at you?
AL: I breeze through Twitter — I look at the mentions, the pictures, the videos. But I try not to get too wrapped up in message boards because it’s crazy. When the fans are supportive, that’s super positive. On the flip side, when message boards are filled with negativity, I find it sad that people have nothing better to do than hate on others online. It’s not a good vibe.
WSJ: Have you heard Kris Allen’s album?
AL: I haven’t heard his album, but love his single. I’ll be one of the first to get a copy, I’m sure.
WSJ: Are you going to return to “American Idol” to perform during the new season?
AL: If they want me to perform, I’d love to.
WSJ: Would you have liked to see Ellen DeGeneres as a judge?
AL: No, I wouldn’t change my experience at all. I love Paula and think she’s amazing. She was one of the first believers [in me], if you know what I mean. She really had my back. As for Simon, he really has nothing to do with me at this point. I mean, he’s a judge. He is also a producer, but he’s not the automatic “Idol” producer. He’s producing Leona Lewis, but that’s his project. Going back to the Internet thing, it amused me how people can be so misinformed. When I read certain things, I just want to tell them, you have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s an endless source of entertainment for me.
The Wall Street Journal: On your Twitter feed, you said Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video “melted my brain.”
Adam Lambert: Oh my god, I love it. It’s so out there. She’s so brave in her artistic freedom; she’s an inspiration.
WSJ: She actually contributed a song — “Fever” — to your new album.
AL: Yeah, I really wanted to work with her; she’s just one of my favorites right now. She had an old demo — I think she said she got signed with that demo to her first label deal — and then she never produced it and got it done. I think that it’s a really catchy melody; the lyrics are really fun and silly. Overall, I really enjoyed the process of recording with her. She was on the other side of that glass, just egging me on. She was constantly like, ‘Go crazier! Go higher! Go louder!”
WSJ: If and when you make a music video for “Fever,” would she cameo?
AL: I’d love it. Of course I’d ask her. We’ll see if she’d actually want to do it. She has a lot on her plate right now.
WSJ: You seem so at ease with fame. What do you attribute that to?
AL: I think it helps that that I’ve lived in L.A. for the last eight years and I’m a little older. I’m 27, seen a lot of s—, met a lot of people. I’ve certainly been on the sidelines of paparazzi barrages, like, I’ve been out at a club with various reality show acquaintances and they get that kind of attention. So I’ve been near it, which helps me not to be thrown off by it. My M.O. is just do what you do and don’t feel like you have to make apologies for it. I’m sure there will come a point when I have to apologize for something, but not yet.
WSJ: A lot of big stars go out of their way to hide the fact that they’re gay, but you’re happily out and women still throw thongs at you — what do you think you’re doing differently?
AL: I think it’s a testament to just owning yourself, owning your stuff, and just being comfortable in your skin. It took me some time to get to that point and the timing of “Idol” was appropriate because [that's] when I realized, you know what? I love myself and I am a good person.
WSJ: What do you think your appeal to women is?
AL: I’m not sure — to be honest, that’s one of the more surprising elements about this whole thing. I’m like, really? I honestly don’t know — maybe it’s because, whatever the sexuality thing, I’m a friendly person, and maybe there’s a safety thing involved, in that I’m not threatening.
WSJ: How much say did you have in creating your album cover?
AL: That was pretty much my call. When we got to the point of doing the photo shoot, I just wanted to go super androgynous glam, kind of campy and outlandish. I love imagery like that — that’s why I love the Lady Gaga video. It’s just funny, because the second a guy starts doing things out of the box, people get all freaked out. But women do it all the time, so it’s an interesting double standard.
WSJ: Bowie seems to have been an obvious inspiration.
AL: Yup, Bowie, Jagger, Boy George, Prince, and Michael Jackson — all those guys who would put make up on and look glamorous. Some of the Michael Jackson covers are amazing, like “Dangerous,” where it’s just his eyes and the entire thing is just super frosted and touched up and perfect. And pictures of Bowie back in the day, like the “Hunky Dory” cover where he’s just pretty and in soft focus. I love that look and think it’s cool that not a lot of guy are doing it, so that’s how I’m going to style myself. It’s part of my persona and has been consistently. That’s why I find it so funny that people were surprised by the cover. I mean, didn’t you see me onstage with KISS and the glitter boots and the rhinestones around my eyes [on "Idol"]?
WSJ: Still, do you ever feel trapped in any way by the glam image?
AL: No, I don’t feel trapped. I’m the one who put on those clothes; it’s my own making. I feel like when I want to, I can change it up like I did on the show. I try not to get trapped in any one musical or visual style at all. I mean, that’s part of what I was really trying to do on “Idol” — change it up week to week, like variety tray. A veggie platter, if you will.
WSJ: Were you upset when tracks of your album were leaked online earlier this month?
AL: To be honest, yeah. I would have rather it not been, but that’s how you sell a CD on the internet. It’s hard, because people jump to conclusions based on 30 seconds, and I don’t know how fair that is. It is what it is.
WSJ: Which song pushed you the furthest vocally?
AL: “Sure Fire Winners” is pretty vocally acrobatic. It’s crazy — but they all kind of go crazy. Artistically, I think the Linda Perry song was a departure for me because it was a little out of my obvious comfort zone — vocally, it sits in this falsetto space, and lyrically, if you really listen to it, it’s complicated. The lyrics contradict themselves, which was done on purpose — Linda and I really talked about it.
There are two different interpretations: one is that it’s about two members of a relationship, and what’s going on in their heads when they’re with each other. One partner is loving every moment and in bliss, while the other person is feeling empty and not satistfied. The other way to look at it is that it’s about one person, going back and forth about a relationship in their head. Like one day, we feel like we love this person to death, the next, what the hell. It’s emotionally complicated, which makes it special.
WSJ: Speaking of “Sure Fire Winners,” it sounds like an homage to “We are the Champions.” Is it?
AL: It wasn’t intentional, and I didn’t write that song. But yeah, that’s totally the vibe. I don’t know if the writers did that on purpose or not. But it is like a “we rock” kind of anthem.
WSJ: How closely do you follow the forums on your site and read what people tweet at you?
AL: I breeze through Twitter — I look at the mentions, the pictures, the videos. But I try not to get too wrapped up in message boards because it’s crazy. When the fans are supportive, that’s super positive. On the flip side, when message boards are filled with negativity, I find it sad that people have nothing better to do than hate on others online. It’s not a good vibe.
WSJ: Have you heard Kris Allen’s album?
AL: I haven’t heard his album, but love his single. I’ll be one of the first to get a copy, I’m sure.
WSJ: Are you going to return to “American Idol” to perform during the new season?
AL: If they want me to perform, I’d love to.
WSJ: Would you have liked to see Ellen DeGeneres as a judge?
AL: No, I wouldn’t change my experience at all. I love Paula and think she’s amazing. She was one of the first believers [in me], if you know what I mean. She really had my back. As for Simon, he really has nothing to do with me at this point. I mean, he’s a judge. He is also a producer, but he’s not the automatic “Idol” producer. He’s producing Leona Lewis, but that’s his project. Going back to the Internet thing, it amused me how people can be so misinformed. When I read certain things, I just want to tell them, you have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s an endless source of entertainment for me.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Bring Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta to YOUR Town!
Does your city always get skipped during major concert tours!? Here's your chance to bring a one of a kind lineup directly to your city or town!
Ryan has American Idol’s Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta ready to perform live for the city with the most DEMANDS.
To submit your vote for Adam, Kris and Allison to come to your town, click on the Banner! Don't forget to send all your friends and family to the Adam Lambert Blog to vote - the town or city with the most votes wins the free concert! One vote per person.
Ryan has American Idol’s Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta ready to perform live for the city with the most DEMANDS.
To submit your vote for Adam, Kris and Allison to come to your town, click on the Banner! Don't forget to send all your friends and family to the Adam Lambert Blog to vote - the town or city with the most votes wins the free concert! One vote per person.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta Illustrate Personal Styles In Elle
Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert all certainly have very distinct senses of style. So when the trio of "American Idol" stars teamed up for an Elle magazine photo shoot, they each got to express their individual sense of fashion. And, yes, that means that Lambert was wearing eyeliner and spiky platforms.
Lambert appears in the spread all dolled up in a glam suit posing with a microphone. "Accessories were the big thing for Adam," Elle creative director (and "The City" regular) Joe Zee says in his A to Zee column in the December issue.
"He's got a classic uniform of nonconformity," Zee continued about Lambert's look. "But I wanted the finishing touches to make his look a look. Think dangerous: chainmail scarf, link-chain gloves, spiked boots."
Just to illustrate the contrast of the singers' styles, Zee dressed Allen in Lambert-style wings and platforms — a look the "Idol" winner clearly can't pull off. But in the real spread, Allen embraces his "soulful quality" in a tie, vest and skinny black pants, holding an acoustic guitar. "He's like a young Chris Isaak who can sing in a stadium and make every person feel like it's a one-on-one performance," Zee wrote.
As for the only lady in the group, Zee wanted to keep Iraheta's personal aesthetic alive and make sure her rocker spirit was captured in the photos, dressing her in a figure-hugging one-sleeve dress and leopard-print ankle boots. "I'm very inspired by girl rockers," Zee explained, "especially a young Courtney Love and Grace Slick, and mixed kick-ass sexy with the toughness of her attitude and the music."
Lambert appears in the spread all dolled up in a glam suit posing with a microphone. "Accessories were the big thing for Adam," Elle creative director (and "The City" regular) Joe Zee says in his A to Zee column in the December issue.
"He's got a classic uniform of nonconformity," Zee continued about Lambert's look. "But I wanted the finishing touches to make his look a look. Think dangerous: chainmail scarf, link-chain gloves, spiked boots."
Just to illustrate the contrast of the singers' styles, Zee dressed Allen in Lambert-style wings and platforms — a look the "Idol" winner clearly can't pull off. But in the real spread, Allen embraces his "soulful quality" in a tie, vest and skinny black pants, holding an acoustic guitar. "He's like a young Chris Isaak who can sing in a stadium and make every person feel like it's a one-on-one performance," Zee wrote.
As for the only lady in the group, Zee wanted to keep Iraheta's personal aesthetic alive and make sure her rocker spirit was captured in the photos, dressing her in a figure-hugging one-sleeve dress and leopard-print ankle boots. "I'm very inspired by girl rockers," Zee explained, "especially a young Courtney Love and Grace Slick, and mixed kick-ass sexy with the toughness of her attitude and the music."
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Adam Lambert: Dating? No. Clubbing? Yes!
Adam Lambert and his boyfriend, Drake LaBry, may have recently called it quits, but that doesn't mean the singer is on the market.
"I'm so busy with all this stuff and with the record that I'm really just focused on the music right now," Lambert told us last night at TV Guide magazine's Hot List Party at the SLS Hotel.
Not that he doesn't enjoy having a good time. Lambert was spotted after the TV Guide bash hanging at Hollywood's Bardot nightclub. In addition to chatting with Samantha Ronson, I'm told he appeared quite cozy with "a blond model-like guy in his thirties."
OK, now we can talk about the music...
As I told you earlier today, Lambert's American Idol cohort Kris Allen insists there's no rivalry between the two. Lambert feels the same way.
"If anybody watched the show, they'll know that we're like apples and oranges," Lambert said. "That's part of the reason we got along so well. It felt like we were comrades in this competition and this experience. And I feel like we still are."
Lambert's CD, For Your Entertainment, is due out on Nov. 23, just days after Allen's self-titled debut.
Lambert still has to complete the video for his first single, "Time For Miracles," from the movie 2012. "It's going to be pretty sexy," he said. "Get ready."
Just how sexy?
"I'll be dressed," Lambert said, "but there will probably be some people that are pretty sexy—yeah!"
"I'm so busy with all this stuff and with the record that I'm really just focused on the music right now," Lambert told us last night at TV Guide magazine's Hot List Party at the SLS Hotel.
Not that he doesn't enjoy having a good time. Lambert was spotted after the TV Guide bash hanging at Hollywood's Bardot nightclub. In addition to chatting with Samantha Ronson, I'm told he appeared quite cozy with "a blond model-like guy in his thirties."
OK, now we can talk about the music...
As I told you earlier today, Lambert's American Idol cohort Kris Allen insists there's no rivalry between the two. Lambert feels the same way.
"If anybody watched the show, they'll know that we're like apples and oranges," Lambert said. "That's part of the reason we got along so well. It felt like we were comrades in this competition and this experience. And I feel like we still are."
Lambert's CD, For Your Entertainment, is due out on Nov. 23, just days after Allen's self-titled debut.
Lambert still has to complete the video for his first single, "Time For Miracles," from the movie 2012. "It's going to be pretty sexy," he said. "Get ready."
Just how sexy?
"I'll be dressed," Lambert said, "but there will probably be some people that are pretty sexy—yeah!"
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Adam Lambert's "For Your Entertainment": Complete Track and Collaborators Listing
American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert released his first single on Friday -- and now the entire track list has hit the internet.
The track listing from Lambert's debut album "For Your Entertainment."
1. "Music Again" - Rob Cavallo, Justin Hawkins of the Darkness
2. "For Your Entertainment" - Claude Kelly/Dr. Luke
3. "Whataya Want from Me" - Pink, Max Martin
4. "Strut" - Adam Lambert, Kara DioGuardi
5. "Soaked" - Muse
6. "Sure Fire Winners" - Rob Cavallo
7. "A Loaded Smile" - Adam Lambert, Linda Perry
8. "If I Had You"
9. "Fever"
10. "Sleepwalker" - Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsay, Ryan Tedder
11. "Aftermath"
12. "Broken Open"
13. "Time for Miracles" (Bonus Track) - Rob Cavallo
The releases of Kris Allen, Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta's first albums are all due within 2 weeks of each other!
Pre-order the full "For Your Entertainment" Album Now! Just click the link on the right side of the Blog.
The track listing from Lambert's debut album "For Your Entertainment."
1. "Music Again" - Rob Cavallo, Justin Hawkins of the Darkness
2. "For Your Entertainment" - Claude Kelly/Dr. Luke
3. "Whataya Want from Me" - Pink, Max Martin
4. "Strut" - Adam Lambert, Kara DioGuardi
5. "Soaked" - Muse
6. "Sure Fire Winners" - Rob Cavallo
7. "A Loaded Smile" - Adam Lambert, Linda Perry
8. "If I Had You"
9. "Fever"
10. "Sleepwalker" - Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsay, Ryan Tedder
11. "Aftermath"
12. "Broken Open"
13. "Time for Miracles" (Bonus Track) - Rob Cavallo
The releases of Kris Allen, Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta's first albums are all due within 2 weeks of each other!
Pre-order the full "For Your Entertainment" Album Now! Just click the link on the right side of the Blog.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Susan Boyle vie for Peoples Choice Award
American Idol’s Adam Lambert, Kris Allen, Daughtry and Carrie Underwood, plus Britain’s Got Talent’s Susan Boyle are all eligible for a 2010 People’s Choice Award. The first round of voting for is now open for fans of their favorite music stars, many of whom got their big break on a reality TV show. There are currently 12 nominees in each category. After the list is whittled down to five, fans will once again have the opportunity to vote for their favorites. The People’s Choice Awards will be held at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on January 6, 2010.
So, how many of the People’s Choice initial nominees actually got their big break from a reality TV show? You’d be surprised! In the “Favorite Breakout Artist” category, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Susan Boyle are all up for a potential People’s Choice Award. “Favorite Country Artist” includes Carrie Underwood. This talented country/pop artist is also included in the “Favorite Female Artist” category. Kelly Clarkson’s name shows up as a “Favorite Pop Artist” and Jennifer Hudson falls under the “Favorite R&B Artist.” Finally Chris Daughtry is included as “Favorite Rock Band.”
Just in case you’re not counting, eight alumni from reality TV shows American Idol and Britain’s Got Talent are represented. That’s a pretty good validation that reality TV produces quality stars.
So, how many of the People’s Choice initial nominees actually got their big break from a reality TV show? You’d be surprised! In the “Favorite Breakout Artist” category, Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Susan Boyle are all up for a potential People’s Choice Award. “Favorite Country Artist” includes Carrie Underwood. This talented country/pop artist is also included in the “Favorite Female Artist” category. Kelly Clarkson’s name shows up as a “Favorite Pop Artist” and Jennifer Hudson falls under the “Favorite R&B Artist.” Finally Chris Daughtry is included as “Favorite Rock Band.”
Just in case you’re not counting, eight alumni from reality TV shows American Idol and Britain’s Got Talent are represented. That’s a pretty good validation that reality TV produces quality stars.
Friday, October 23, 2009
American Idol: Adam Lambert's "For Your Entertainment" releasing one day earlier
Adam Lambert fans around the world now have a new reason to rejoice: they will be receiving their beloved "American Idol" runner-up's debut album one day earlier than expected. The upcoming album, which will reportedly be entitled "For Your Entertainment," will now release on November 23. Why the move? It's likely that the studio bigwigs decided it would be a safer bet to not release on the exact same day as Susan Boyle (even if both of them seem to have fairly large fan bases).
There is still not a lot known about the upcoming album, outside of the fact that it will have a "futuristic" sound and feature elements of glam rock, techno, and a few other genres. Lambert's album will be the second one released by this past season's crop of "American Idol" alumni; Kris Allen will release his debut album on November 17 while Allison Iraheta's collection drops on December 1. All three currently have some music floating around on the internet, with Lambert's "Time For Miracles" leaking online on Monday.
There is still not a lot known about the upcoming album, outside of the fact that it will have a "futuristic" sound and feature elements of glam rock, techno, and a few other genres. Lambert's album will be the second one released by this past season's crop of "American Idol" alumni; Kris Allen will release his debut album on November 17 while Allison Iraheta's collection drops on December 1. All three currently have some music floating around on the internet, with Lambert's "Time For Miracles" leaking online on Monday.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta Album Titles Revealed!
The Idoloonies have done it again! Just a week after Kris Allen fans uncovered his album cover art on the Barnes & Noble Web site, a group of die-hard Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta fans found album titles for each of their forthcoming releases posted on Amazon.com.
A rep for 19 Entertainment confirmed to MTV News that Adam Lambert's major label debut is called For Your Entertainment and Allison Iraheta's release is named Just Like You.
Both album names appear to play into each artist's "Idol" persona — Lambert, the ultimate showman and Iraheta, the irresistibly relatable teenage girl. No word yet as to whether their albums will feature songs with those titles.
Iraheta's first single, "Friday I'll Be Over U," leaked online last week and is hitting radio soon. Meanwhile, Lambert told MTV News he was waiting to finish recording before he selected his first single, which should happen sometime this week. In addition, a song he recorded for the movie "2012," called "Time for Miracles," leaked this past weekend, but it is not an album single.
Recently, several Lambert song titles have been confirmed. Producer Rob Cavallo name-checked "Suburban Decay," "Music Again" and "Winners" in an interview with Yahoo! Music, while the current issue of Entertainment Weekly also cites "What Do You Want From Me" (a leftover from Pink's "Funhouse" album, co-written by Max Martin and Pink) and "Loaded Smile," by Adam and Linda Perry. (Rolling Stone reported on a Kara DioGuardi/ Lambert collaboration, "Strut," weeks ago.)
Michael Slezak at EW.com confirmed two Iraheta song titles, separate from her Max Martin-penned single. Fans can expect the Kevin Rudolf-produced "Beat Me Up" and the Iraheta/David Hodges collaboration "You Don't Know Me," which Allison cited as her one of her favorites.
Lambert's For Your Entertainment will drop November 23 and Iraheta's Just Like You will land December 1. Season 8's "Idol" champ, Kris Allen, releases his major-label debut first, on November 17, while Danny Gokey, the only other "Idol" contestant with a record deal, will come out with an album of country-influenced tunes in 2010.
Both album names appear to play into each artist's "Idol" persona — Lambert, the ultimate showman and Iraheta, the irresistibly relatable teenage girl. No word yet as to whether their albums will feature songs with those titles.
Iraheta's first single, "Friday I'll Be Over U," leaked online last week and is hitting radio soon. Meanwhile, Lambert told MTV News he was waiting to finish recording before he selected his first single, which should happen sometime this week. In addition, a song he recorded for the movie "2012," called "Time for Miracles," leaked this past weekend, but it is not an album single.
Recently, several Lambert song titles have been confirmed. Producer Rob Cavallo name-checked "Suburban Decay," "Music Again" and "Winners" in an interview with Yahoo! Music, while the current issue of Entertainment Weekly also cites "What Do You Want From Me" (a leftover from Pink's "Funhouse" album, co-written by Max Martin and Pink) and "Loaded Smile," by Adam and Linda Perry. (Rolling Stone reported on a Kara DioGuardi/ Lambert collaboration, "Strut," weeks ago.)
Michael Slezak at EW.com confirmed two Iraheta song titles, separate from her Max Martin-penned single. Fans can expect the Kevin Rudolf-produced "Beat Me Up" and the Iraheta/David Hodges collaboration "You Don't Know Me," which Allison cited as her one of her favorites.
Lambert's For Your Entertainment will drop November 23 and Iraheta's Just Like You will land December 1. Season 8's "Idol" champ, Kris Allen, releases his major-label debut first, on November 17, while Danny Gokey, the only other "Idol" contestant with a record deal, will come out with an album of country-influenced tunes in 2010.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Allison Iraheta Previews Debuts Single "Friday I'll Be Over You"
While Kris Allen and Adam Lambert share the month of November (their debuts albums will be released on November 17 and 24, respectively), Allison Iraheta has December all to herself.
Fans of the popular American Idol singer should circle December 1 on their calendar, as Iraheta comes out with her first CD that day.
In a new interview, the rocker dishes on her debut single, "Friday I'll Be Over U," which you can listen to below.
On creating the song: I worked with Max Martin, and he pulled it out of his magic box. He came up with an awesome song and sent I to me and we cut it and it was just amazing. He definitely knows how to put himself in other people's shoes.
On her goal for the song: Pretty much show who I really am as an artist, and what I really want to continue doing for the rest of my life, which is this. Just really do awesome music for the rest of my life.
On her dream collaboration: I keep saying this, and I'm always going to say it until it happens... working with Pink, my friend. That would be amazing. Her music altogether inspires me. I look up to her.
Fans of the popular American Idol singer should circle December 1 on their calendar, as Iraheta comes out with her first CD that day.
In a new interview, the rocker dishes on her debut single, "Friday I'll Be Over U," which you can listen to below.
On creating the song: I worked with Max Martin, and he pulled it out of his magic box. He came up with an awesome song and sent I to me and we cut it and it was just amazing. He definitely knows how to put himself in other people's shoes.
On her goal for the song: Pretty much show who I really am as an artist, and what I really want to continue doing for the rest of my life, which is this. Just really do awesome music for the rest of my life.
On her dream collaboration: I keep saying this, and I'm always going to say it until it happens... working with Pink, my friend. That would be amazing. Her music altogether inspires me. I look up to her.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Pre-order Adam Lambert's new CD now!
Sometimes coming in second isn't so bad after all.
Season 8 "American Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert won't release his debut album until November 24th, but pre-sales of the CD have already jumped to No. 2 on the Amazon.com sales list.
What's even more impressive is that Lambert's record label, RCA, never announced that the disc could be pre-ordered, which means that the boom in sales is due to word of mouth.
Not too shabby for a guy who lost to his former roommate Kris Allen in the finals of "American Idol." Not that Lambert holds a grudge.
In a Rolling Stone interview, Lambert referred to Allen as "the one guy that I found attractive in the whole group on the show ... totally my type – except that he has a wife."
On the album, which is behind only Barbra Steisand's heavily-hyped new jazz CD, Lambert collaborates with Lady Gaga's producer RedOne, Grammy nominated producer and songwriter Max Martin, and One Republic's Ryan Tedder.
Lambert's impressive sales figures follow a trend of "Idol" also-rans topping the charts with their albums. Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken and Chris Daughtry all failed to grab "Idol's" top prize, but saw their debut CDs soar to the top of Amazon's sales list.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Matt Giraud and Kris Allen perform on the street
Matt Giraud sings while Kris Allen plays guitar as they perform on the street for fans before a show on The American Idols Live Tour.
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