So, there have been a serious drought in updates lately, right? Right. My only reason is this: The music world has been kind of boring me lately! Sorry, but there you have it.
I’d made a pact with myself that I wouldn’t post another entry until something (or someone) came along that made me glad I had a music blog in the first place.
Thank you Carly Smithson. Thank you We Are the Fallen. Carly wasn’t only one of my all-time favorite Idols ever, she was one of the best singers and biggest talents the show ever saw. Yet they never even registered that fact. This girl, with vocals that take your breath away was subjected to ridiculous treatment when she was on Idol. She had to stand there and take fashion advice from Simon. Fashion advice! She’s in good company, though – Jennifer Hudson also was treated to Simon Cowell fashion advice while on the show. Like Jennifer, I think Carly’s going to be okay.
Lovely Carly and former members of Evanescence have come together to create We Are the Fallen and have snapped me out of my Music Blog doldrums. They’ve released a remastered version of their debut single, ‘Bury Me Alive.’ This outstanding video was conceived by director Kyle Newman and his actress wife Jamie King (who stars in the video).
Using the stages of a burial as a metaphor, the Bury Me Alive video tells the story of a relationship ending after being sold-out or disillusioned.
We Are the Fallen will release their debut, ‘Tear the World Down,’ May 11 in America via Universal Republic. The band will hit the road with HIM later this month for 28 dates. That tour kicks off March 26 in Philadelphia.
One of my favorite contestants from last season’s American Idol (and, frankly, one of my favorite AI contestants ever), Carly Smithson, recently spoke to the LA Times. Below are excerpts from the interview. I know that precious few American Idols actually break through and hit it big in the music industry, but I think Carly could be an exception. IF she hooks up with the right people and IF they let her stay true to who she is – not who they think she should be or who they think the record buying, song downloading public wants.
We’ve all watched as “fallen idols” weren’t allowed to take off because they weren’t allowed to be who they really were. Two of my other all-time favorites, Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis come to mind. Though both have certainly had success, I know they would have had more if they’d been allowed to just be themselves. I particularly hate the way Constantine got cast as kind of a comedy – with the “look” and all. The guy has an amazing voice! The same’s most definitely true about Bo. People play on the radio every day who aren’t any better than these guys. The same can be said about other idols, such as Ace Young, Fantasia, Carly Smithson, and Michael Johns.
So much has to do with aligning yourself with the right people. Hopefully, Carly will do just that. If she stays true to her style (it drove me crazy watching the poor girl trying to fit Simon’s idea of what she should look like) and her type of music, I have really high hopes for her.
She told teh LA Times that during the American Idol’s tour she was treated like a queen, but that she felt abandoned when the tour ended. “I was standing on the curb at Burbank airport and the city felt so huge and overwhelming, like it was going to swallow me up. But I said to myself, ‘I’m not going to let it destroy me. I need to make a plan to move forward. I need to map out week by week what I have to accomplish.’”
She went on to say, “When you’re in ‘American Idol’ you are in a fishbowl, but as soon as you get out of the whole process, you’re still in a fishbowl, but it’s just a bigger bowl,” the singer said. “It’s kind of bizarre that you start this process of making your record and being an artist when you’re already famous… This time it’s like I’m famous, and I have nothing to show for it. It’s weird like that.”
Carly has signed on with Arthur Spivak, a veteran entertainment manager. “I don’t feel that I solidified with the music choices exactly, who I wanted to be music-wise… So when I came back to L.A., I wanted to let them hear that this was my sound, that this is who I am,” she said. “From here on, I’m diving in. I’m making hopefully the greatest thing that I will ever make… I understand that when you come off of ‘Idol’ there’s that window of opportunity that you have to grab a hold of, but at the end of the day it’s very important to take your time and make something that you’re so proud of.”
American Idol gives individuals an opportunity that they’d probably never get otherwise. It can help get your foot in the door (the way it helped get Jennifer Hudson’s lovely feet on multiple red carpets) – but it’s up to the artist to (as Miss Hudson did) fight for what they want. I’m hoping Carly has the fight in her. I’m betting on her.
Here’s a video of Michael Johns (one of the most talented Idols ever) singing a song from his upcoming album.
Can you believe just how talented the contestants last season were? Michael Johns, David Cook, Carly Smithson… If they’re cds and publicity are handled well (more about Kelly Clarkson in a minute – *cough cough*) these three will be the superstars they deserve to be.
I can’t wait to see and hear what each comes up with.
Last night, one of the three best singers in the competition was sent home while far less talented people stayed. I was kind of worried that (after Simon and Randy worked their mojo) he’d be in the bottom 3, but I had no idea he’d be sent packing. His performance was SOOOO much better than everyone else’s – except for Jason Castro.
They kind of set him up for failure, though, by not only having him go first – but also by Randy and Simon ridiculously attacking him. Randy was nastier than I’ve ever seen him. The theme was to pick a song that inspires you, and yet both of them criticized him for song selection!!! DUH – he chose the song that inspires him…what was he supposed to do, lie about it and sing another song.
Besides, he totally nailed the song – perfect as always.
Riddle me this, Batman – why in the blazes (as if I didn’t know) does The Chosen One never have to go first? He won’t have to until the contestants are so few that it won’t come into play. It’s a trick the show uses to further their little chosen ones and it’s so obvious it makes my head hurt.
With or without the title, Michael Johns will be a success – just like Jennifer Hudson and Chris Daughtry. He has the makings of a PERFECT lead singer, if there’s a band anywhere interested in the type of success Daughtry has had.
It’s such a weird relationship I have with American Idol. They drive me crazy sometimes, but I love the show to distraction. I just wish that the viewers would catch on to the tricks and actually vote for the BEST singers for crying out loud. NOT the one(s) the show/judges prop – the ones who are actually the best in the competition.
This season should have come down to Jason Castro, Carly Smithson, Michael Johns, and David Cook. What an amazing final four that would have been – certainly the best the show has EVER produced. But, nooooo, we’re going to be short changed. Again.
Why do they set themselves up to have the weakest top 4 every season?
Ack.
After the jump, below, is Michael John’s Performance. It was perfection.
Click the link below for a little American Idol fun. People.com has taken some of this season’s contestants and shown a few famous people that could have gone into the equation in making them.
They’re really dead on! – Especially the one with my gal Carly Smtihson. Also, keep your eyes out for a “Hobbit Rocker.”
What was Simon smoking last night?!?!? First of all, David A. wasn’t quite as great as Simon made him out to be. He’s obviously Simon’s chosen one this year – for some reason – and he’s not even trying to hide it. He bashed practically everyone BUT The Chosen One. He was somewhat nice to Syesha, but he realizes she isn’t really much of a threat.
As for the real threats – Carly Smithson, David Cook, Jason Castro, and Michael Johns – he didn’t hold back. Granted, Jason and Michael’s performances weren’t their strongest, but Carly and David C were the best of the night! I’ve gone back and re-watched Carly, like, 6 times. She’s flawless and amazing.
Simon wasn’t only WRONG in his critique of her, he was a total ass. It wouldn’t kill him to treat these people with more respect – after all, if it weren’t for American Idol contestants like them, he’d be just another grouch.
A few more thoughts:
Kristy needs to go.
Amanda showed more personality and like-ability after her critical comments than she ever did after her positive ones. They should have ripped her apart long ago. I actually really liked her!
Poor Brooke White didn’t deserve the harsh comments either. She was a breath of fresh air and I thought her performance was great. Her voice was flawless and I liked the dancing!
Jason Castro – He’s one of my favorites, but wtf was with the outfit?!?! Another wardrobe mishap – Ramiele. Wow. Her performance was kind of odd, too. But I’ve got nothing but love for both of them, anyway.
Chickezie! His song started out amazing – I was getting all set in my chair thinking he was about to have a Marvin Gaye moment….then WHAM out of nowhere, the guitars start twanging and we go from Marvin Gaye to Hee Haw. Not a smooth or appreciated transition. Hopefully he’ll get to stay another week to redeem himself.
If there’s any justice left (and last week proved that there isn’t a heckuva lot) – Kristy Lee will get to go home to her horses, dogs, and whatever other furry darlings she has. Sweet girl, but she’s out of her league. So much so that it’s getting uncomfortable to witness.
I predict that the bottom three will be Chickezie, Syesha, and Kristy Lee, but that the right one won’t be sent back home.
The Sanjaya/Taylor curse lives on. To be fair, Kristy Lee’s worth 500 Sanjayas and 562,957,849,384 Taylors. I did the calculations and you simply can’t argue with the numbers.
Click HERE for another great pic of Carly Smithson.
My own personal thoughts on last night’s American Idol performances….
THE BAD: Syesha – I was totally disappointed. I love her look (beautiful) and her voice (amazing), but she never connected with the song.
Kristy Lee - OMG, what was the girl thinking? She looked great, but she overdid just about everything. Couldn’t someone, somewhere along the way, have told her, “No, honey. No.”
Amanda – Hated every single second. I also hate that she seems so uninterested in the whole competition. It’s sad that someone like Danny (who was loving every second and would have loved to stay in the competition longer) is out and Amanda’s still around. She doesn’t seem to care if she goes further or goes home. I also hate how ungrateful she comes across. She never says “Thank you” to the judges for any of their (needless) compliments.
THE GOOD:
Brooke – I thought it was her best performance, actually. I’m blown away by anyone who can sing and play an instrument at the same time. She’s such a sweet, lovable girl with such a pure heart. I really like her, but as a Pat Benetar fan I’m just having trouble forgetting what she did to her song last week. The judges loved it, but I nearly choked on my green tea….and choking on green tea isn’t a pretty thing.
Michael Johns – It seems strange putting Michael here, because he’s actually one of my favorites – but if I’m being honest, he wasn’t one of the night’s best. In fact, I’ve already forgotten what he sang! I expected better from one of the strongest contestants.
THE BEST:
Ramiele – The judges blew it – her performance was one of the best. The girl’s vocals are completely flawless. The song was beautiful and she performed it beautifully. They keep saying it’s a singing competition, but when someone gets up there and sings their little butt off, they glaze over. She has one of the strongest, most mesmerizing voices I’ve ever heard. Love her!
Jason Castro – I’d never heard of the song, but I agree with Paula – he sings from the heart and I loved it. He’s one of my favorites and I love his voice.
Carly – Amazing! She was just incredible. I think she, Ramiele, Jason, and David Cook were the best of the night.
David Cook – Incredible performance! His powerful vocals remind me a lot of one of my ALL TIME favorite idols, Chirs Daughtry. Simon was dead on in his comments.
THE SHOCKER: David Archuleta – I really felt badly for him. It’s tough for someone so young to have to learn and try to connect to an older song so fast. Others, who not only already knew but already frequently performed the songs, had a clear advantage. He forgot the lyrics in at least one spot, but if you go back and listen to the vocals – his voice is great. I just think he really hurt himself last night. His fans will, of course, still vote and still love him, but he might lose a little of the media and judge’s confidence.
He needs a big rebound next week – fortunately for him, he has it in him and I think he’ll blow everyone away.
