Today’s Idol headlines after the jump…
Review: Blake Lewis Does His Thing on Debut
Much of bubbly Blake Lewis’ screen time on “American Idol” was spent struggling to fit the roundedness of his motley mix-tape aesthetic into square songs from mature artists. With the harsh reality of that reality TV competition behind him, this “Idol” second place finisher is now liberated to enchant with his own “Audio Day Dream.”
And he does. Mostly…….
…..Surprisingly, the beatboxing that made Lewis stand out from the “Idol” crowd is simply splashed throughout the 14 songs and is only predominantly featured on one track, the unremarkable “Bshorty Grabs Mic!” Such a lack of spit might leave some Bshorty fans craving ma-ma-ma-ma-more.
Three snoozy ballads (”1000 Miles,” “End of the World” and “I Got U”) plague the second half of “Audio Day Dream,” a wake-up call that the vocally limited Lewis is no vocally gifted Justin Timberlake. Maybe the Blakester should’ve pulled a Britney, Madonna or Gwen and just conjured a full-fledged dance record instead?
Weak downtempo songs aside, “Audio Day Dream” is the most exhilarating effort from an “Idol” runner-up yet.
Disc debuts: ‘Audio Day Dream’ by Blake Lewis
….HOKEY FOCUS POCUS: What Mr. Lewis attempts – with assists from OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, rapper Lupe Fiasco, electronica pioneer BT and others – is to fuse his muses into a new genre. What comes out is a schizophrenic mess; he can’t decide if he’s the second coming of Justin Timberlake, Chris Martin, Thomas Dolby or Morris Day. The over-lush “How Many Words” sounds like the Smiths might have, had James Blunt fronted it; “Surrender” is just a buzzy redux of Keane via Adam Levine; “What’Cha Got 2 Lose?” is a sorry take on Cameo synth-funk (though the similar but far more inventive “She’s Makin’ Me Lose It” is the disc’s best track); “Without You” is as vocally listless a ballad as you’ll hear in 2007.
BOTTOM LINE: Like the disc’s intentional acronym, A.D.D., Mr. Lewis can’t concentrate on one idea enough to do justice to any.
New releases in stores this week:
BLAKE IN THE POCKET: Here’s a theory. If Blake Lewis could have concocted a beat-box rhythmed version of the cornball ballad “This Is My Now” that was his final test on “American Idol,” his constituency would have never left him. And Lewis would have wound up the winner last season, instead of Jordin Sparks. You better believe the guy’s not making the same mistake on his solo debut “Audio Daydream” (Arista, B). Snappy hip-hop beats and sampling thrills flavor every track - even on big ballads like “Without You” that could have done without. High points: the “Puttin’-On-the- Ritz”-inspired “Gots To Get Her,” Billy Joel-ish vamp “Hate 2 Love Her” and his stuff struttin’ “B Shorty Grabs Mic!”
CDs out this week
…Blake Lewis, “Audio Day Dream” (Arista)
This “American Idol” also-ran was known as “the beat-boxing guy” on that show’s sixth season, and here he attempts to define himself musically, to diminishing returns.
Over the top but still underwhelming
In his improbable run to the “American Idol” finals last year, Blake Lewis displayed a limited vocal range, an earnest likability, and progressive musical tendencies. On his debut, Lewis is engaging and diverse, but he also fails to excite or provoke. On the show, Lewis got by more on guile and style than to-die-for vocal chops, and his singing here is mostly underwhelming (thankfully he’s minimized his beatboxing, which translates well only in performance).
Surprisingly, this is a very conventional pop record, and though he nods to hip-hop, there are few real deep-groove tracks. Lewis deserves a refund from the usually inspired Lupe Fiasco for his limp work on “Know My Name,” while the heavily percussive white-boy funk of “Break Anotha” is more fizzle than sizzle - there’s just no song there…….
New CDs due for release on Dec. 4
• Blake Lewis, “Audio Daydream” (Arista). “American Idol” finalist tries to prove he can do more than beat-boxing.
New Album Releases 12/04/07: Christmas Rapping With Ghostface Killah; Eazy E & NWA; 2-Pac; Scarface; Too $hort; Wyclef Jean, Plus David Bowie; Blake Lewis
….Audio Day Dream, the debut album from last year’s American Idol runner-up Blake Lewis, is also in stores. This only makes me wonder that much more about when we will see something from Sanjaya….
Blake Lewis’ debut a hip transplant
Is it possible? Has “American Idol” finally spawned a singer whose debut CD you could almost call hip?
Blake Lewis, this year’s first runner-up (also known as “that guy who does the annoying human beat-box trick”), has actually come up with an album, “Audio Day Dream,” that works perfectly as pop, but which also has a sense of - gasp! - edge…..
…. The singer has made sure to retain the clean-scrubbed character demanded by “Idol.” You could still take this voice home to mother.
At the same time, Lewis has hit on the most distinctive sound ever to come from an “Idol” star. As a result, not only has he bested the new CD by the singer who beat him out this year (Jordin Sparks), he also came up with the best album by any “Idol” alum yet.
No limits for ‘Idol’ singer Blake Lewis on new CD
Blake Lewis’ “Audio Daydream (A.D.D.).” is the most adventurous disc from an “American Idol” contestant yet — not that efforts by Chris Daughtry or Jordin Sparks were exactly boundary-pushers, but the distinction is important nonetheless.
Lewis, the sixth-season “Idol” runner-up, runs amok on his debut CD, which at its best is a punchy pastiche of electronica, R&B, funk and pop. Lewis has artistic vision– two words lacking in, say, Kellie Pickler’s vocabulary — and it’s clear he used “Idol” as a springboard to take that vision to the masses.
His handlers, including executive producer Clive Davis, didn’t try to rein him in on “A.D.D.,” but they did give him just enough rope to hang himself. At 16 tracks, “Audio Daydream” is overlong by at least four songs, and too many sensitive-dude ballads leave him sounding like a third-rate Savage Garden………
Carson has a rare detractor in Newton
….American Idol runnerup Blake Lewis sounds like he might have what it takes to make the Daily News list. This is what he told MSNBC when he was asked if he would date any of the older women who have been pursuing him. “I got a little bit of that, some cougars definitely … I love older women so it would be fantastic,” he said. Reminds me of the adage about staying silent and appearing stupid rather than opening your mouth and removing all doubt….
TINA: ALEC PLAYS LORNE
AMERICAN Idol” judge Paula Abdul left be hind some bad blood with “30 Rock” star Tina Fey, following a “disastrous” turn as a guest host on “Saturday Night Live” in 2005.
“A year later I saw her on a flight,” Fey tells the latest edition of Playboy. “We both looked at each other like, ‘Do I know that girl?’ And then we both had the same moment of recognition, and she was like ‘uuuggh.’ I saw it register on her face that she had had a terrible time with us……..
Inner Tube: ‘Hottest Reality’ show to sizzle with 25 stars
So who’s the hottest star on reality TV?
How about Traci Bingham (”The Surreal Life”) or Trishelle Cannatella (”The Real World”)?
We’ll find out Saturday at 10 p.m. when the Fox Reality Channel airs “The Top 25 Hottest Reality Stars.”
The network has selected 25 women from the reality ranks, including Katharine McPhee (”American Idol”), Tiffany Pollard (”I Love New York”), Julianne Hough (”Dancing With the Stars”), and Paris Hilton (”The Simple Life”), among others……….
Arresting Footage: “Idol” Pukes at Police Station!
TMZ has obtained surveillance video of Jessica Sierra at the police station following her arrest on Dec 1 — and it’s not a pretty sight! In the damning footage, Sierra is seen exhibiting erratic behavior; yelling at officers, walking around barefoot, and then capping her performance by vomiting on a cell floor.
As for her alleged drug use, you’ll never guess what she told a local Florida news station just a matter of weeks ago…….
Police: Idol Sierra Offered Cop Sexual Favors
Former American Idol contestant Jessica Sierra offered a police officer sexual favors in exchange for her release Saturday morning after she was arrested, according to a police report.
Tampa police charged Sierra, 22, with disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest without violence following an incident at the Full Moon Saloon in Ybor City shortly after 2 a.m.
According to the police report, Sierra, who was listed on the report as a self-employed singer, began physically fighting with a friend who was trying to calm her down, struck an arresting officer in the face and ranted racial slurs and profanities at the officers……..
PBS Holiday Programming 2007-2008
….CHRISTMAS AT BELMONT (2007)
Monday, December 24, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET
“American Idol” finalist Melinda Doolittle hosts a program featuring a Christmas repertoire ranging from traditional carols to classical masterworks to lighthearted secular songs, in Nashville’s new Schermerhorn Symphony Center….
People & Places: Former “American Idol” finalist Nick Pedro grateful for opportunities
At a young age, former “American Idol” finalist Nick Pedro, 26, found his niche in life — singing and drawing.
“It’s funny. I really started young. Growing up, I didn’t want to play with any toys. I just wanted my pencils and paper. And I would sing while I did that, too, as early as I can remember,” said Pedro, a 1999 graduate of Taunton High School and recipient of a bachelor of fine arts degree from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston.
Pedro, who enjoyed singing karaoke with friends, said he entered and won a karaoke contest while on a Royal Caribbean cruise with his family a year before he tried out for “American Idol” for the first time.
“I got my paper crown and my plastic trophy. It was the first time I sang in front of a lot of people,” said Pedro, who never had any formal music lessons. “The next year, ‘American Idol’ came to Gillette Stadium, and everyone told me to go.”…….
…..Pedro’s latest project is a new television pilot “Beyond the Track” about the racehorse industry and the lives of race horses…..
UMBC Camerata enchants audience with challenging pieces
….At the performance’s end, Smith thanked the audience and off-handedly remarked that the UMBC Camerata was invited to sing for the President (yeah, that guy) this Christmas, alongside Rascal Flatts and Taylor Hicks. Without becoming too editorial (but I can’t help myself), I think I have a pretty good idea about who will be the classiest act in that room (hint: their approval rating is going up, and they don’t sing faux-country)….
Christmas CD roundup
HOLIDAY MUSIC: Sounds of the season are plentiful
…Kimberley Locke, Christmas (Curb) – Former American Idol finalist goes the exclusively iTunes route on her first holiday outing and third studio CD overall. Included is the beautiful ballad “Mary Did You Know?” ….
Stars Today… Legends Tomorrow?
….Fifteen years after riding the wave of fame and success of the early ’90s, Natalie and Whitney, Luther and Prince, and Nirvana and Guns N’ Roses have taken their rightful place among the recording industry elite. And what’s more, these amazingly talented singers, songwriters, and musicians are still adored and revered by today’s music listeners. Even young, up and coming singers test their own skills by trying their darnedest to imitate and duplicate the masterful works of outstanding old school performers. Don’t believe me? Think about how many times you’ve heard American Idol contestants attempt to cover brilliant tunes from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s!
Idol producers are smart enough to keep popular drivel like Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” and Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack” off the performance list. Instead, they challenge contestants to demonstrate their vocal ability by singing timeless modern classics, like Natalie Cole’s “This Will Be,” Whitney Houston’s “Saving All My Love for You,” Luther Vandross’ “Superstar,” or even Mariah Carey’s “Hero” (from back in the day when she actually used to sing, not scream, and showed no signs of being allergic to cotton blend).
It’ll probably come as no surprise to you that I’m less than impressed with today’s current crop of so-called “best” performers. While I don’t know their music inside and out like classic tunes from past generations, I know enough to know that I’m not missing much. The annoying bits and untalented pieces of songs that I have heard in passing from top-selling hip-hop, R&B, and pop artists have done more than enough to confirm my way of thinking, leading me to wonder this: Will any of the hot stars of today shine long enough to even be considered legends tomorrow?
Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Fergie, Daughtry, Chris Brown, and Rhianna were just a few of the performers and winners at this year’s AMAs. And while all of these artists certainly topped the charts in 2007, do you think either music industry professionals or the public in general will still be singing their praises 15 years down the line when the year 2022 rolls around? Do any of these artists possess any real depth or show flashes of genius in their work? Have they proven themselves sufficiently unique and special enough to influence the next generation? Is their body of work and contribution to music history so incredibly dynamic and unforgettable that one day they can reasonably expect to be elevated to legendary status? Call me crazy, but I definitely don’t think so….
Dome Jovial about show
….Sobolik said dome officials unsuccessfully tried to book Bon Jovi for years. Cue the “Wanted Dead or Alive” jokes.
Negotiations for including Fargo in this tour began a few months back, he said. Ticket prices, which Sobolik said are not yet set, were a key sticking point.
Sobolik said the dome tried to keep the cost as low as possible because area concert-goers tend to be averse to high prices. He said the tickets will be less than the national average for the tour, with the highest seats going in the $80 range.
The opening band has not been confirmed, but Sobolik said it would probably be Daughtry, the chart-topping group fronted by former “American Idol” contestant Chris Daughtry….
20 Under 25: The Top-Earning Young Superstars
….Singers Avril Lavigne ($12 million) and Carrie Underwood ($7 million) made the cut on the heels of their mega-successful album releases. Lavigne scored a massive international hit with “Girlfriend,” the first single off her album The Best Damn Thing, which she recorded in eight different languages. And though Underwood, the fourth season winner of American Idol, debuted Some Hearts back in 2005, the album demonstrated serious staying power on both the country and pop charts….
Celebrities “Go All The Way For A Stray” in New Calendar
Little Pet Project, a company that uses sexy, sometimes nude images of women with their pets to raise awareness for homeless and abused animals, announced the release of their 2008 pictorial calendar. The calendar features celebrities such as Playboy model Debbi Davids, American Idol® contestant Melissa McGhee and Heather Clem, wife of Sirius® Shock Jock Bubba The Love Sponge® Clem.
“The calendar is the product of months of studio and location shooting with celebrities, models, students and even homemakers,” states co-founder Lisa Presnail. “These women are passionate about animals and are eager to, as our theme line says, Go All The Way For A Stray to help raise awareness of the problem.”….
Related Posts
Heh. Perfect. And I’m not talkin’ ’bout Blake.
Can you give us a Top Ten Reasons why it’s a secret? :)
Amen. I’m not talking idol either.
HDD Final in - WOW! at Josh Grobin’s #1 (2nd or 3rd week in a row?)”Noel” 530,066!!
Jordin finishes at #18 with 48,260
http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/sales/salescht.cgi
Everyone’s Searching for Britney Spears
….Among the formerly popular terms to drop off this year’s list were American Idol, Pamela Anderson, Jessica Simpson, Chris Brown and Shakira.
EOnline
That album cover is enough to lose sales. Who in the world chose it? It looks like a cross between Star Trek and Mardi Gras gay ball.
I walked right into that..oh well…still think some writers are funny who write magazines..
When gussop about me make sure the name Bret is associated with it..
wow for Groban
Blake’s album cover kind of reminds me of the Trapper-Keeper I had in the fourth grade…the one with all the Lisa Frank unicorn stickers on it.
I believe what Blake meant was Taylor did not want to CHANGE his sound or his style or his musical personality in order to conform to some executive’s version of success as an artist.
At least that’s the impression I get from the context of his remark. Blake just did not articulate it well enough.
I didn’t see that anywhere in Blake’s quote at all.
I don’t pay a lot of attention to Blake, but when I do, I’m not particularly impressed at what I hear. Honestly, he sometimes strikes me as the male Kat McPhee. But again, I only catch a snippet here and there.
“I saw this, people that cannot perform, they’re just standing there singing. The camera’s zooming in and out and stuff. I’m like, ‘Cool, the cameras are doing their job,’ ” Lewis told The Associated Press. “What’s the artist doing? What’s this dude who’s been singing karaoke his whole life doing on this television show? So I turned it off immediately. I was disgusted. And I never watched it since.”
Blake, sometimes it’s best to keep quiet.
Cnn.com
I do love the Josh Groban Noel, but THANKS for the info about Clay’s Walmart Xmas CD from last year. My Walmart got like 4 copies. His “Mary Did You Know?” is the best version EVAH, and I bet “Grown Up Xmas List” and “All is Well” are killer too. Michael W Smith ain’t a good singer, but the man can certainly crank out the good material! I’m heading to iTunes tonight to get Clay’s and KLo’s - and I’ll go through this site, MJ!
NOLA, thanks for pretty much confirming my suspicions with that :)
Nahhh. Taylor just wanted a higher paying, higher profile valet parking gig. You know. Mercedes and Porsches instead of Suburbans with mis-matched panels and those ‘78 Ford Pickups with all the beer cans in the back.
Thank you. :)
Warmer. :)
That’s a pretty common drop for albums these days (about 59%). So, that is a good sign. If she can stabilize above 20K for a number of months, she’ll do okay. If those numbers hold, she`s just under 170K for two weeks.
What is truly amazing is that he just keeps going up. He`s sold about 1.5 million albums so far. If he keeps selling at this rate, he`s going to pip HSM2 at the post and become the best selling album of 2007. Alicia`s in the running as well and let`s not forget the Eagles who are chug-chugging along with another 310K this week.
Carrie is doing pretty steady business with 91,722 so it looks like she has another powerhouse on the go.
It`s nice to have some good music sales news to talk about.
Just goes to show that Taylor has no business sense. How is he going to supplement his income without all those beer cans to return. Maybe he doesn`t want to be a success after all.
The power of OPRAH! She skeers me…
US Magazine
Top 10 Reasons why Blake’s Shipment Numbers are Classified Muy Secreto (in Bolivia, Sovershenno Sekretno in Russia and Cosmic Top Secret by NATO):
1. The numbers are SO high, it would make Carrie cry.
2. The numbers are SO low, it would make Simon cry.
3. Clive is a shy guy. He would never think to release the numbers or criticize one of his artists.
4. Taylor’s new job is manually counting CD’s shipped and he’s still not finished. Take your shoes off Taylor! You can count twice as fast (sheesh, that guy doesn’t want to succeed at anything).
5. So that the Blake Insiders have some inside information.
6. The Crack Marketing Team strikes again!
7. Shipment sizes are reported by the 10Ks. Shipments smaller than 10K cannot be reported.
8. Arista just realized it is December 4th (where does the time go?) and are just starting to think about shipping today.
9. Blake’s fans are all hip. No albums were shipped, they will all be downloaded from iTunes.
10. Those were CDs they shipped? The shipping department thought those were My Little Pony accessories.
Yikes, Bobbi! Sounds more and more like he does interviews *** style! Honesty is so refreshing - to heck with tact!
Kirsten!!!! Thank you! Love it! Good grief - why can’t Letterman’s writers be as funny with ‘their’ top ten reasons!
Kirsten that list was brilliant. I still can’t stop laughing:)
Agreed…and I’m talkin’ ’bout Blake, Idol, and the whole caboodle.
IMHO, at this point in their respective careers, most of the Idols need to keep their lips sealed and not run their mouths. Some call it being refreshingly honest, when it’s actually the height of stupidity and a lack of PR savvy. (But screwing up is often the best way to learn your lesson.)
Idols should be very careful about what they say to both the press and the fans, as a single statement can take on an ugly life of its own. Plus, if you start talking crap about other Idols, or other established artists (Britney Spears excluded, heh), your desirability will start to plummet unless you have the musical talent and credibility to back up your words - or the talent to make working with you tolerable - and very few Idol alums can presently claim either.
Speaking of Groban, I should pick up his CD. I need a new Christmas album, and I may as well complete my JG collection, lol.
And would someone tell Taylor to wash my car after he parks it? And no, I don’t care that it’s going to rain this weekend either…
Oh yeah, Kirsten is my hero. :)
ETA:
Oooohh, you’re right. It does. I actually had one of those too, except it had purple Orcas on it.
Kirsten - billiant as always. You definitely trump Letterman’s top 10 writers! :)
Well, he doesn’t do windows, you know. :)
I really, really liked your post.
Eh…well, he isn’t getting a tip from me then.
And thank you. :)
That call to arms from the Blaker Girls just made me groan. *shakes head*
Nice lists today, Kirsten!
True. Those statements can be twisted and turned in all kinds of ways. I think if I was in that position, I’d just comment on myself and leave it at that…
Thanks for the laugh, Kirsten. Oh how I love your Taylor top ten lists.
I can’t believe people are still talking about Taylor up in here! Whats he been up to lately anyway? Still dating that androgynous news reporter? Still making stupid faces and dancing like in asshole? God please tell me yes.
As for Blake’s new effort, I still haven’t gotten around to listening to it yet. I heard a few samples and I’m not impressed. “Break Anotha” is pretty good. I’m more looking forward to a Chris Rich CD if that ever happens.
Parking cars.
Afan - Where in the world have you been?
Afan! Missed ya! Where the heck have you been? Roundhead co-wrote “Whatcha Got 2 Lose” with Blake. If you are interested in him, check it out.
Hey PJ!
I listened to the clips of the Groban Christmas album on Itunes and I’m not getting why it is selling like gangbusters. I didn’t care for the arrangements of the songs at all.
My fave Christmas album is Mariah Carey’s though- so maybe it’s just the male voice thing.
Although I really like Michael Bubles’ Christmas album so who knows?
That album cover is screaming out to be photochopped…
Sorry if it has been posted..
That’s really rude to say.
He’s FAKING dating an androgynous news reporter.
:)
Hehe, maybe soon that will be YOUR album Sarah?
^^^ LMAO
Kirsten, I hope you never, ever go on strike. ;)
I love Kirsten’s lists, not to mention all the chart goodness she posts. I agree, she’s awesome. And, she’s actually funny.
I agree that it’s probably in the best interests of an Idol’s new career not to be so candid. Fans expect an Idol to be humble, and non-fans are just put off even more.
But it makes for some good soundbites. And pages and pages of internet comments…
hahaha
I revel in Kirsten’s universal awesomeness and hilarity…but I have a very quirky sense of humor. You’d be surprised at what I find funny. ;)
True, but I was thinking a bit beyond what the fans think of such comments and how it impacts the Idols in the real world. Unfounded arrogance is a personal pet peeve of mine, so I may very well be projecting…but if the Idols take digs at other Idols or other artists before proving themselves as musicians and as viable in the music industry, they will turn themselves into a laughing stock. This only serves to hurt themselves in the long run. It’s shortsighted and downright stupid, imho. Really, who wants to collaborate with someone who is a joke or doesn’t know when to keep his/her mouth shut? Only those who have proved themselves can talk smack and get away with it.
Again, very true. After all, the antics and asinine comments of people like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears keep rags like Perez and TMZ in business. The Idols can do the same in their own small way - and I will admit that watching all hell break loose (relatively speaking) can be amusing. It’s that quirky humor of mine, I suppose, lol…
I have a feeling the “real world” isn’t paying nearly as much attention, or nitpicking, as much as the fans–or non-fans do.
And that’s my point about soundbites. It gives the people who choose to dwell on such things (the fans and non-fans) fresh material.
Unless an Idol does something monumentally stupid (see Sierra, Jessica)they probably won’t end up on Perez or TMZ.