David Cook’s ‘Light On’: Resistance is futile!
Well, based on Cook’s debut single*, “Light On,” a straight-up-the-middle midtempo rocker, the dude is poised to be part of a balanced, mainstream rock diet alongside artists like 3 Doors Down, Nickelback, and Staind. Cook’s got the genre’s appropriately earnest, slightly tormented delivery down pat, although if I’m being honest, my favorite part of the vocal actually arrives at the 2:50 mark, when he reins in the growl for a minute and shows off the beautiful tone that…ugh, never mind, I’m starting to sound like Paula. Anyhow, while this musical genre is admittedly not a staple of my iPod, it’s hard to deny the hook concocted by A-list co-writer Chris Cornell and Brian Howes. After two listens, the “Light On” chorus got caught in my head like butter in the crannies of an English muffin.
Brooke White coming home to say thanks
The viewing parties are over, the votes have been cast. The only thing left now is the launch of a recording career.
Brooke White, the Mesa-raised American Idol star who placed fifth on last season’s Fox TV hit, returns home to thank her friends, family and supporters with a free concert.
If everything goes as hoped, the 25-year-old White will dovetail her new-found stardom into a lifetime of fame and riches.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Kellie Pickler Will Promote New Album During National TV Appearances
Kellie Pickler will travel to New York City for appearances on Today and Live With Regis and Kelly to promote her self-titled, sophomore album that will be released Tuesday (Sept. 30). She performs Tuesday on Today and will perform her single, “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” during Wednesday’s (Oct. 1) appearance on Regis and Kelly. She’ll return to Today on Wednesday for an additional interview during the fourth-hour segment of the program. Pickler is also featured on the cover of the current issue of First magazine. After completing her media appearances in New York, she joins the Sugarland tour on Oct. 2 in Ames, Iowa.
Rock the Vote?
Let me rephrase that. Starring former American Idol Melinda Doolittle, Rock the Vote, â€the leading organization for youth and politics—(and I gotta warn ya the language gets just a little bit salty here, this being rock’n’roll we’re talking about here)—â€has announced plans for a three week road trip designed to fully maximize voter registration, education, and engagement efforts in key youth markets.â€
Whoa! Yeah! Crazy AIDS–infected raw baby monkey brain chewing space–alien devil–cock damnation! Rock AND roll! Those of us about to R.A.W.K salute thee, Lord Satan! Lock up your daugh … hang on? Melinda Doolittle? What? Were Necrocannibalistic Vomitorium booked up? Intestinal Discharge had other commitments? Bukkake Daydream were committed to a season at Caesar’s Palace or something?
Tracy Lawrence to Perform at 2008 Inspirational Country Music Awards
Power Source Music Group announces that Multi-award winning country artist, Tracy Lawrence, and Lyric Street’s country musician, Phil Stacey, will perform at the 14th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards show. The award show will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. CST at the Trinity Music City U.S. Auditorium which is located in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
‘American Idol’ finalist hops to big screen
LOS ANGELES - On a hot summer afternoon in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, “American Idol” finalist Katharine McPhee talks about her recent switch from singing to acting and boils down her role in “The House Bunny,” which opened Friday, to two words: preggie suit.
“That’s what they call it,” she says, laughing at the memory of playing Harmony, a very pregnant hippie throwback who totes around a tub of peanut butter and wears flower-child dresses.
On tonight
“Gone Country” finale at 8 on CMT. This show has been teaching country-music styles to actors (Lorenzo Lamas, Sean Young) and rock or pop singers (Jermaine Jackson, Sebastian Bach, Mikalah Gordon, Chris Kirkpatrick, Irene Cara). Tonight, contestants sing and a winner is named.
Reba & Kelly like peanut butter cups
As the comedienne who opened last night’s show pointed out, country queen Reba McEntire and alt-popster Kelly Clarkson are like the musical equivalent of chocolate peanut butter cups.
You wouldn’t necessarily think to put the two together, but once you do, you can’t deny their compatibility.
And while their concert sometimes struggled against the confines of its own gimmick, it also offered a great showcase for two of the best belters in the biz (not to mention exposing both to a new audience while satisfying the collective sweet tooth of 9,000 fans).
Reba McEntire & Kelly Clarkson
A little more than a year ago, Kelly Clarkson was gearing up for her first major arena tour of North America, including a Sept. 14 stop at Rexall Place.
Sadly, the original American Idol champ was forced to scrap her entire trek due to sluggish ticket sales and a commercial dud of a third album, My December, which led to a public spat between Clarkson and her record label, RCA.
“The fact is that touring is just too much, too soon,” the Grammy-winning pop star explained on her website.
Underwood not reaching potential
Among the many distressing thoughts circulating through Nashville these days, there is this worrisome fact: Shania Twain is 43 years old.
For that reason, Music City is certainly hoping that 25-year-old Carrie Underwood will evolve into the kind of young superstar who can carry the business for another decade. There’s reason for optimism: two multiplatinum albums including the fastest selling debut disc in country history, a mini avalanche of awards and the obvious talent and visibility that go with being the most successful “American Idol†winner ever.
At 18, ‘Idol’ Sparks already a music veteran
It’s easy to understand why so many fans are surprised that Jordin Sparks is just 18 years old.
“People can’t believe that I’m this young,†Sparks said. “They think I have to be way older.â€
That’s not surprising considering her vaunted resume. At 10, Sparks discovered she had an enviable set of pipes, and she worked on school plays and participated in talent competitions. The daughter of former New York Giant Phillippi Sparks was Coca Cola’s Rising Star in 2002 and made her recording debut in 2003 with the EP “For Now.†Sparks won a plus-size model search, and then there was “American Idol.â€
Dancing with the Stars: Warren Sapp Going Solo
This is no big surprise to people who followed the NFL, but Warren Sapp can be all about Warren Sapp sometimes.
That’s what they’re finding out on the set of Dancing with the Stars. You’d think he’d just be glad to have the opportunity to find a crossover audience, like Jason Taylor did last year.
Nope. Warren thinks he’s the new Fred Astaire. See for yourself. He’s not.
‘Dancing With the Stars’: Maks explains it all
Late last night, Dancing With the Stars pro and former EW.com intern “Maksim… Chmerkovskiy!” called in to break down his first week back on the show. Note how I successfully fight back the urge to sarcastically correct him when he says it must be fun working here. As if.
Don’t miss the triumphant return of my Fringe vs. Sequins tally at the end!
Analysis: Dancing With The Stars - Personality Marketing In Disguise?
I am not what you would call a fan of reality television. In fact, I have previously said that I can literally feel myself getting dumber every moment that I am around a reality TV show that happens to be on. So you can imagine my chagrin at being forced to watch part of Dancing with the Stars last night because one of my wife’s favourite actors was on (no, not Kim Kardashian - but you can’t blame me for using her bio shot among all the participants).
‘America’s Got Talent’ recap: Who’s going to win it all?
So, your season-long America’s Got Talent recapper Jaya Saxena has left us — left the country, in fact. I don’t think it’s because of this show — or the notion that the people competing in it have more talent than any other undiscovered entertainer in our proud nation (shudder) — but I can’t say for sure. In any case, they asked me if I wanted to step into Jaya’s shoes for the final couple of weeks, and I said what the hell. Full disclosure: I was not a faithful America’s Got Talent viewer this season. I do, however, like singing, dancing, and violin rock-outs as much as the next person. Plus, this is the show with Hasselhoff, and I am flesh and blood after all — love the Hoff. Let’s do this.
Heehee. That Slezak line just tickles me so much.
Very, very interesting article about Carrie.
It perfectly coincides with what has always been my perception of/problem with her.
She has the deadest eyes when singing, and that creates a disconnect with her awesome voice.
I’m not sure if she’s just a guarded performer, an inexperienced performer, or if it’s a combination of the two.
Bottom line, she’s perfect on CD. But, I certainly wouldn’t pay money to see her perform. There’s not enough of an edge.
The problem with Carrie is that she is not a natural entertainer. Therefore her lack of charisma is a real hindrance. She also seems to be a bit shallow. When you add lack of charisma and shallowness you get the disconnect. She is extremely pretty, and she has a big voice so that has carried her….how much further, I don’t know. How much more can she progress? Some stuff you just can’t learn.
From Michael Slezak’s review:
“Which isn’t to say the track is perfect. The lyrics, about a guy who’s hitting the road and leaving a loved one behind, feel more like a logjam of carefully focus-grouped words than anything deeply meaningful. The bridge is bombastic almost to the breaking point (of Cook’s vocal).”
So, a mixed review from him, which agrees with my observations- he compares it to 3 Doors Down and Nickelback, thinks the lyrics are clumsy, and really only likes the vocal in the quiet part. The hook does it’s job and has gotten the song stuck in his head, but it sure doesn’t sound like he’s in love with it. My experience is that I get sick of songs like that pretty quickly. He basically says he’ll only buy the album if Always Be My Baby is on it. He’s very good with the back-handed compliments.
Reality Stars React to Clay´s Confession
GwendolynD and abbysee, I totally agree with both of you about Carrie. I liked her audition but after that, I was done. Remember when she was all emotional when Anthony was leaving the show? She needs to let loose like that a little more and humanize herself.
I saw a few episodes of Gone Country and I really liked Mikalah. She didn’t seem to have it “turned on” like she does during AI.
GwendolynD –
ITA. I was GOING to buy Carrie’s first CD, especially since this was back when I listened to country almost exclusively. However, I never did buy it. I too snorted a bit the first time I heard Jesus Take the Wheel (someone else said s/he thought it was a joke!). But her VOICE is incredible. Someone finally gave me the CD. I listened to it about 3 times…boring. And not very believable.
Now, take that Miranda Lambert girl! WOW. There is an interesting, sharp young lady. She’s got some personality and stage presence. Love her! Bought both her CDs with my own money after seeing her on Nashville Star, where she came in THIRD in S1. Go figger. (Sorry, got somewhat OT there.)
Preview of Pickler’s new album: http://www.hearsomethingcountry.com/bna/kelliepickler/kelliepickler/
This was the exact same sense I got from Slezak’s review, too. It took me a couple of reads to realize that it was actually a positive review. It’s almost as it he is trying to convince himself that he loves the song. It was sort of confusing.
Resistance is futile, indeed. I have been assimilated into Cookdom. I give I give! Stop! Don’t! Stop…don’t…stop…don’t stop. Fer shure. I, for one, do NOT expect ANY covers on Cook’s new album. Maybe he’ll do a whole album of covers someday. That would be cool. However, I don’t have a set list in my head and am keeping an open mind (with butter), since, to date, I have not been very good at guessing what Cook will do next.
Hum hum hum “…try to leave a LIGHT on when I’m GONE, even in the daylight SHINE OOONN…” oh sorry did I write that out loud? Caught in my head, like buttuh….
Thanks Grrr!
“He compares it to 3 Doors Down and Nickelback. . .He’s very good with the back-handed compliments.”
Oh dear, Slezak compared Cook to 2 bands that are household names and have gone platinum over 10 times a piece in the US.
edit: Please disagree with your fellow posters respectfully. My guidelines
I wasn’t a Carrie fan at all when she was on AI, but I did buy her first cd because I like to show support for the Idols on their first cds. Thats when I became a fan, I love that first cd. My oldest daughter became a fan when she heard Before He Cheats on a pop radio station. I read an interview of Carrie’s in which she said she was socially awkward. Thats she basically shy and doesn’t know what to say to people when shes at parties, etc. She also said she feels like she needs to keep some of herself for herself. I wonder if her father maybe is like that since her mother seems very outgoing.
Kellie P album comes out Tuesday and I can’t wait. I loved her first album also as well as Buckys. I dont understand Buckys slow sales since its such a good album. I wonder if maybe the songs focus are a bit mature for the country music listeners in Buckys age group. For me, a lot of Buckys album is nostalgic about the years growing up. I connect with those lyrics having lived those times, the younger crowd wouldnt get it.
I am happy for Brooke and look forward to her new album.
As usual, Sleezak is spot on. After a third listen to ‘Light On’, I’m totally in love with it. The chorus is a total earworm, too.
Heres a little bit of a surprise Kelly Clarkson performed “Stuff Like That There” in concert last night. Here the audio if you want to listen: http://www.zshare.net/audio/19481533b9517da7/
Thanks! That was one of my favorites when she was on the show.
WOO HOO! A station in a nearby local market just played LO. Now I will have to turn over to that station and see if I can catch it again later.
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Excuse me if you already have this posted MJ, but did anyone read the LA Times Music Review of DC and Jennifer Houston. He said they both have “big empty voices.”
Cook, he said, can do better!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/soundboard/2008/09/jennifer-hudson.html
That’s a very thoughtful review in the LA times. I like the comments about Daughtry a lot. And I think it nails some of the problems with LO.
Here’s the Toyota ad that will feature one of Elliott’s songs.
http://toyota.jp/vitz/tvcf/index.html
A little weird to hear him singing about Cleveland in a TV ad that will appear in Japan though.
I thought that was a perceptive comment, too, and I guess it’s one of the things that bothers me about LO - David has his fans excited because he’s been talking about writing his best material ever, and really opening up as a songwriter and writing an autobiographical Cd then we get . . . a Chris Cornell song that has nothing to do with David’s experience. Oh well, it could very well be the one song that David didn’t write or co-write. It’s still not a bad song, and it’s definitely an earworm. Most people aren’t going to analyze it - they’ll buy it if it gets stuck in their head.
I think thats probably a good point, people were waiting something totally different, a different sound and a different set of lyrics… and they didn´t get what they wanted…the fact that Chris Cornell is writing the song is making noise on his own so I guess it´s good publicity…
RE: Brooke White
———————
If everything goes as hoped, the 25-year-old White will dovetail her new-found stardom into a lifetime of fame and riches.
——————–
Who is planning to sign her ? Even Kristy Lee Cook has a label, where’s Brooke’s ?
I confess I’m not crazy over Cookie’s Light On and have listened to it in full maybe only four times since it came out. Why then do I find myself humming that dang line, “Try to leave a light on when I’m gone…” all day? Ugh.
That was my first reaction, too. lol
jpfan: thanks for the elliot clip! I love that guy!
Re Brooke, I wish her all the best. She has a lovely way with her music and I think she can find a niche in the business with or without a record label.