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.

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:

American Idols Live! visited the Boardwalk of Atlantic City this weekend, and from the sounds of it the crowd wasn’t as crazy as other audiences.

Nonetheless, the Idols put their all into the show, especially Adam Lambert, who sang five songs and busted out “Starlight.”

Blake Lewis was in the audience as well, giving the Idols some encouragement. I mean, it wasn’t the crowd’s fault; apparently security told the crowd to sit down at some point during the show.

Also, Boardwalk Hall is usually reserved for acts like the old Miss America Pageant and other old-ass acts. WTF were the Idols doing there?

Shouldn’t they have been playing somewhere larger? Some questions should probably be asked and will be asked after that show. Dear God, what were the producers thinking sending the Idols there?

Anyway, the tour rolls on and I’m cure it will be better at the next stop.

Get tour tickets while they last below.

Anoop Desai headed home to North Carolina last night, playing to a packed house in Charlotte.

He looked dapper and seemed deeply moved that he was performing back at home and that the fans were deeply into his performance.

There have been some really good shows that have come from singers going back to their hometowns; this one was also part of that elite group.

Anoop Desai - “Always On My Mind”

We also have a good video of Michael Sarver, the oil roughneck we haven’t heard from much on the tour, largely because the big three of Adam, Kris and Allison get all the kudos.

So here is Sarver singing his song in Charlotte last night.

Michael Sarver - “In Love With A Girl”

The American Idol Live! Tour continued its seemingly non-stop sojourn through the lower 48 last night, stopping off in Salt Lake City, home of David Archuleta.

Whether or not the Idols decided to take David’s dad’s advice and get a massage? That’s for them to know.

Anyway, mothers across Utah probably did their darndest to hide their children away from Adam Lambert, who came into Salt Lake City with the rest of the Top 10 from season eight like a firestorm.

Here’s a song he did with Allison Iraheta below.

Adam and Allison - Slow Ride

But the best song was saved for last, as the old song goes. Of course we’re talking about Adam’s best song, the Led Zeppelin classic.

So, did Adam corrupt the Zion children? Only time will tell. Actually, I think having Adam on a mainstream stage is a good thing but I’m sure others will disagree.

One thing I do know is that Adam can sing the phone book. Evidence is below.

Adam Lambert - Whole Lotta Love

The Bay Area was the next stop on the American Idols Live! tour this past weekend, with Oakland being the first stop of two.

Oakland is of course the home to MC Hammer and to Keyshia Cole, so the town knows how to get down.

And Danny Gokey certainly can get down himself, as he shows in the Michael Jackson cover of “PYT (Pretty Young Thing)”

I think this is Danny’s best song on the tour and he should try to put a version of this on his album, even though there have been reports he’s doing a country album.

Danny Gokey - “PYT (Pretty Young Thing)”

Other than Gokey’s solid performance, there were scattered reports of anti-gay protesters bum-rushing the show outside. But it turned out that there were only 3 to 5 people protesting.

The American Idols Live! Tour has some interesting news of late. Things are kinda dead in Idol land at the moment (for once!) and my apologies for not getting anything up yesterday.

My son is in the hospital with jaundice and has been under bilirubin lights for over a week.

The only real Idols making news at the moment are the Top 10 on tour.

Kris Allen has had his “No Boundaries” song bounced from his set list for the tour for the foreseeable future and it has been replaced by The Killers’ “All These Things That I’ve Done.”

The song change surprised me, but the song itself is a good one for Kris, and since he’s so versatile the change should actually help him rather than hurt him.

I know some peeps will be bummed by the change, but I really do think it’s for the best.

Kris Allen - “All These Things That I’ve Done”

Also, we have some photos from the Sacramento show above, so enjoy.

The American Idols Live! Tour 09′ continued rolling along last night, with a performance at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash. Watch some videos from the concert below.

Kris Allen - “Hey Jude”

The Allen video is quite shaky, but we appreciate the video nonetheless and it beats having to pay $200 for a ticket, doesn’t it?

And then the pyrotechnics went off like crazy for Adam Lambert, who came out dressed to kill like usual amid a sea of flashing lights.

Adam Lambert - “Whole Lotta Love”

And Scott MacIntyre may be destined for singing theme songs for sitcoms, but he’ll have a great time doing it, as evidenced from his performance of “10,000 Miles”

Scott MacIntyre - “10,000 Miles”

Well, that’s it from Tacoma. Much more if you go to eum442’s YouTube channel. Many thanks to eum442 for the video!

The top 10 from American Idol season 8 kicked off the annual ritual of performing as a group around the country.

This year it was in Portland, Oregon at the Rose Garden. Some of the songs they played included:

• Michael Sarver: “I’m in Love with a Girl” by Gavin Degraw, “Closer” by Neyo
• Megan Joy: “Put Your Records On” by Corrine Baily Rae and “Tears Dry on Their Own” by Amy Winehouse
• Scott MacIntyre: “Bend and Break” by Keane and “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton
• Lil Rounds: “Be Without You” by Mary J Blige, “No One” by Alicia Keys, “Single Ladies” by Beyonce
• Anoop Desai:”Always on My Mind” by Willie Nelson, “Mad” by Ne-Yo, “My Prerogative” by Bobby Brown
• Matt Giraud: “Hard to Handle” by the Black Crowes “Georgia” “I Found You” by the Fray
• Group Medley: Megan and Lil sing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” Matt and Scott on duel pianos for “Tell Her About It” by Billy Joel, Michael sings “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley,  Anoop begins singing Madcon’s “Beggin”, but it’s in the style of the original 1967 4 Seasons version–Matt, Scott and Michael join in. Lil sings the Madcon rap, and Megan joins her.
• Allison Iraheta: “So What” by Pink “Cry Baby” by Janis Joplin, “Barracuda” by Heart
• Danny Gokey: “P.Y.T.” by Michael Jackson, “Maria Maria” by Santana, “What Hurts the Most” by Rascal Flatts, “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts.
• Adam Lambert: “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zepplin “Starlight” by Muse “Mad World” by Tears for Fears/Gary Jules “Slow Ride” by Foghat w/ Allison, Bowie Medley: “Life on Mars”, “Fame”, “Let’s Dance”
• Kris Allen: “Heartless” by Kanye West, “No Boundaries”, “Bright Lights” by Matchbox 20,  “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers  and “Hey Jude” by The Beatles (the Idols join Kris for the “na nas”)
• “Don’t Stop Believing” The Top 10 - Encore

Also, watch an interview with Anoop and Kris prior to the concert in Portland.

The Idols got together this past week for a rehearsal and it was the first time that the public has been allowed to hear them before they embark on their Idols Live! tour in early July.

I’ve gotta say…I’m impressed with their harmonies! This is some of the best stuff we’ve had the pleasure of hearing from any of the Idols tour groups, now or ever. “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey is a phenomenal song and the Idols handled it with aplomb.

Season 8 was definitely special and ground breaking and I think at a time where so much change happened in this country in such a short period of time, it was nice to have this diversion.

Couple that with the sudden news of Michael Jackson’s passing, most of which the American public is still coming to grips with, and season 9 will have to be extra special to top this group.

So get out and see these season 8 performers, because they can bring the noise!