American Idle

Allison Iraheta’s new album, Just Like You, is coming out in just a few weeks (December 1 to be exact) but if this single, “Don’t Waste The Pretty” is part (which it is, BTW) then we’re all in for some great music.

The buzz on Iraheta is that they’re comparing her to a female Daughtry. Considering Daughtry goes by one name and has arguably been the most successful crossover artist from any Idol season, that’s high praise.

I would even go one step further and say that Iraheta reminds one of Janis Joplin and Debbie Harry. Dang.

The other scary part about this performance that you can see below is that Iraheta is even trying, really. This is an acoustic performance, but if you can sing, you can SANG.

She can sang, folks. No doubt about that. The control is unreal, it’s audible, which isn’t always the case with these shows, and it’s at a radio station.

Without further adieu, Iraheta killing it at Hot 99.5 studios in Maryland, and coming soon to an arena near you.

Adam Lambert has already generated his fair share of controversy this year, and he has decided to end 2009 with a bang!

First off, he has now released his old album, entitled “Take One,” which is a recording of his early work.

The track list includes the following songs:

1. First Light
2. Climb
3. December
4. Fields
5. Did you need it
6. More Than
7. Wonderful
8. Castleman
9. Hour Glass
10. Light Falls
11. Bonus Tracks-Remixes: Want, Spotlight, & On With the Show

Ah, there’s “Want” and “On With The Show.” Hmmm, weren’t these the recordings that had Idol producers in a tizzy? Why, yes they were! LOL

Funny they came out now, with his new album “For Your Entertainment” not doing as well as some had hoped. Putting out “Take One” may be a ploy to get more record sales for Lambert, who knows?

But wait, there’s more. Lambert also announced his new band mates, which usually means there’s a tour coming up. And the list is pretty formidable. First, he snagged Yellowcard’s drummer, not an easy task, as well as a female keyboardist named Lisa (she’s in the nattily clad duds there).

All I can say is look forward to some very interesting music coming to a place near you.

Buy “Take One” Here

Danny Gokey is known for being a devout Christian, and that’s what makes him so appealing to many.

He performed at the Dream Center today in Los Angeles, which is a worship center that is also home to Sophia’s Heart Foundation, began after his late wife Sophia passed away.

You know, after listening to this song a few more times, it’s beginning to grow on me, and others as well.

 I may have been a bit premature judging it after a few listens. I’m human after all, LOL. Anyway, Gokey’s song sounds a bit like a young Bruce Springsteen, and I know that the industry sees Gokey as a balladeer.

Whether or not country music will be his calling card is unknown, but I do think he’s on to something. Hopefully, things go better for him than other balladeers.

Listen to his song below:

Allison Iraheta may have finished in third place on season eight of American Idol, but it’s possible she may have the most commercial success.

With her new album Just Like You, it looks like Iraheta, er, Idol, has put together a solid lineup of songs that are commercial enough for continued success in the industry.

Whether you like it or not–and from the sounds of things, you’d rather steal her music–Allison has commercial appeal. Take a gander at her track list and you’ll see why: 

1. Friday I’ll Be Over You
2. Robot Love
3. Just Like You
4. Don’t Waste the Pretty
5. Scars
6. Pieces
7. D is for Dangerous
8. Holiday
9. Still Breathing
10. Trouble Is
11. One One Else
12. Beat Me Up
13. You Don’t Know Me

I think No. 13 sums up Allison, and this album, succinctly. She almost comes off to me like a Daughtry type, and so it’s no irony that Daughtry actually co-wrote a bonus track for her (”I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing”).

She may just have the kind of success he did, because she got out of the gates fast, just like him.

Pre-order Allison’s new album here:

It’s not the usual path that most Idols take, but for Allen, it might be the way he’s connecting to his fans.

Instead of trying to play to larger audiences, the Idol 8 winner is hoping his concerts at smaller venues, usually with acoustic setups, will pay off in the end.

I have news for him, though. This has been tried before, and it failed. Taylor Hicks won Idol and instead of going with a commercial feel, he went to the clubs he played once before.

Before Hicks knew it, he not only didn’t have a career, he had to go to Broadway to carve out any kind of occupation to speak of.

And that’s what is awaiting Allen and other Idol 8 contestants, if they don’t heed the warnings and get better representation.

Here’s Allen playing a more intimate setting, the “Live At The Vineyard” concert in Napa Valley, California. Don’t say we didn’t warn ya, Kris. Anyway, here’s his signature song, “Heartless,” as well as “Gangster’s Paradise.” Could it be his choice of song, as the judges say?

Support my blog! Buy Allen’s new album below:

Well, it’s about time we heard from Anoop Desai, and now we have, as a matter of fact, as Anoop performed in his hometown of Chapel Hill, N.C. for his homeboys and homegirls.

The nice thing, about his new song, “L.U.V.R.,” is that it’s produced by someone other than an Idol clone who seemingly would put out the same stuff already heard from Adam, Kris, and Allison.

This song, however, is actually better than the stuff I’ve heard from the Top 3. Is that possible? Yeah, if a singer has a competent staff with which to work with.

While it’s too early to speculate if Anoop Dogg is going with this approach, it is great to hear that he hasn’t given up his roots of R & B enitrely, although I’d put money on Idol trying to make his music more poppy in the long run.

Nevertheless, listen with glee to this offering below:

It’s catchy, but if it gets on his first album it could seriously have some staying power on the radio.

Danny Gokey has a new single out, called “It’s Only,” and if this is his first offering, I’m extremely worried about his future, post-Idol.

This song is so cheesy, it makes Velveeta taste like sandpaper. Not only that, it’s corny as all get out.

Look, I understand it’s a Christian tune, and I usually like Gokey’s singing (his Michael Jackson cover, for example, was excellent) but this tune itself is emotionless. At least with other singers you get an idea of what is happening.

With this song, it sounds like about 100 other songs. There is nothing new, and nothing even remotely special about this song. In fact, there is a Michael Bolton vibe to this song that is indescribable.

Is that a good thing? I think not.

Well, folks, the track list for the highly anticipated and new Adam Lambert album has finally been released. What a trippy album cover!

1 Music Again 3:16 – Rob Cavallo, Justin Hawkins of the Darkness
2 For Your Entertainment 3:35 – Claude Kelly/Dr. Luke
3 Whataya Want from Me 3:47 – Pink, Max Martin
4 Strut 3:29 – Adam Lambert, Kara DioGuardi
5 Soaked 4:33 – Muse
6 Sure Fire Winners 3:32 – Rob Cavallo
7 A Loaded Smile 4:04 – Adam Lambert, Linda Perry
8 If I Had You 3:48
9 Fever 3:26 – Lady Gaga
10 Sleepwalker 4:25 – Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsay, Ryan Tedder
11 Aftermath 4:26
12 Broken Open 5:03
13 Time for Miracles Bonus Track 4:43 – Writers: Alain Johannes & Natasha Shneider; Producer: Rob Cavallo

As expected, Rob Cavallo was a large part in the songwriting process, as was Lady Gaga.

Why, even Pink and Idol’s own Kara DioGuardi get in on the fun, adding their wisdom and pen to several songs on “For Your Entertainment.”

What Lambert fans will find with this album is that it’s not a rocker joint; it’s actually more dance-y tunes, and things you might find in a club as opposed to a sold-out arena.

That’s the type of thing Lambert was known for before he became famous–and infamous–with his success on Idol.

So, in a way, it’s more of the same with a bit of the new thrown in for good measure.

And, don’t run out to buy the 2012 soundtrack, because his new single “Time For Miracles” is the last track on the album.

Also, his first official single off the album, “For Your Entertainment” is available on iTunes today. If Today.com had a way in which I could sell the download, I would. But there isn’t a way, so find it on iTunes. This album link below might be it; I’m not sure. Anyway, enjoy!

Adam Lambert opened up what should be an interesting month, American Idol-wise, as his new single from the 2012 soundtrack “Time For Miracles” was released to the general public today.

Of course, Sony had their way about everything and so nobody gets to see any real snippet of the video, unless you know how (Hint: MySpace).

But what we do have for you is a preview of the song below. It’s not the greatest in terms of quality, but for now, it will have to do.

You can catch 2012 in theatres starting today, and Lambert's new album, "Time For Entertainment" is coming in early 2010.

So, the question remains: despite losing Idol to Kris Allen, will Lambert be the next breakout star from the Idol alumni? I'd bet yes.

Here’s the video preview. Sounds a little rockerish, a tad Aerosmith, and somewhat Lambert. Not a bad start, if you ask me.

American Idol 8 winner Kris Allen may not have the musical chops of say, an Adam Lambert or an Allison Iraheta, but he’s doing–as Randy Jackson would say–his thing.

Below he performed at the q102 radio Bosom Ball to help benefit breast cancer in Cincinnati, Ohio, and this was his latest single, “Live Like We’re Dying,” which he performed during his sound check.

It’s a rollicking tune for sure, but where is the audience? Are things as bad for Allen as they might seem?

Is Kris Allen the next Taylor Hicks, destined to play shopping malls to screaming teenagers? Things could be worse, but that’s where I see Allen playing in the not-too-distant future if he can’t write anything better than this (and this single is actually written by The Script).