American Idolatry
Ahh, my first post in days and it’s on a completely embarrassing (albeit entertaining) topic. I have something huge and amazing in the works later today though, so sit tight.
The fruits of the last season of American Idol are finally hitting the record stores with pretty predictable results this December. You KNOW you’ve been waiting for it, if only to find that perfect Christmas gift for your mom (mmmmm, I plead the fifth).
Gravel voiced rocker Chris Daughtry recently stopped by the Rolling Stone studios, and laid down this live version of his new single It’s Not Over. If you’re curious. I’ll admit I liked Chris but it still sounds like he’s having a bit of a hernia when he sings, doesn’t he?
Season winner Taylor Hicks has streams of two of his new songs available now over on the Gray Charles blog (or on his verrrry slickly-designed MySpace page).
I have to say, these songs are not what I anticipated leading towards a redeeming album. I knew when he won that he actually DID have true passion for the music, combined with some musical chops, and –if he aligned with the right folks– could have made a solid retro soul album. But of course, the AI producers (oh, they of the “Do I Make You Proud”-variety songs) got their claws into him and he’s made something that makes me wonder if he is, indeed, walking on sunshine.
Stream three songs from Taylor Hicks, if you’re curious:
The Runaround (my mom danced when I played this for her, it was awesome)
Dream Myself Awake
The Right Place
And the hot(t) Katherine McPhee also has an album coming out in December. Far as I can tell she’s basing her ability to sell records on the glossiness of her lips. She can also sing, but that AI first single “My Destiny” is so bad that it makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit. AI is completely incapable of producing a seriously good, quality album. It’s all over-produced slick pop drivel. I guess that’s kind of necessarily what you get from this type of show, which has been a musical joke from the beginning. I just started watching the really bad auditions and got hooked, like a poor little fish wriggling on the line.
PS – Speaking of Idols, was this really, truly necessary? The snarl cannot redeem you Billy.
Name: Heather Browne
I liked Chris, the beat of his song is nice. Who’s playing the guitar? It’s a good song though he sounds horse.
I don’t like Taylor’s songs. It’s not my kind of music but like yours my mother or grandmother might dance to them.
I’m waiting for Kat’s. She leaves me breathless when she sings. Apart of looks she does have a voice…
Anonymous — November 26, 2006 @ 10:14 am
Oh Billy,Billy where did it all go wrong? I still don’t think Bing Crosby/David Bowie’s “Little Drummer Boy” will ever be topped.
Matt — November 26, 2006 @ 12:01 pm
billy idol is starting to look like willem dafoe.
c — November 26, 2006 @ 2:07 pm
I also feel like Billy Idol, though claiming to just want a White Christmas, also maybe wants to be very, very dirty with somebody. Ewww, his expressions are just so creepy. This is not a seduction song, Billy!
Kristy — November 26, 2006 @ 2:52 pm
I kept waiting for “White Christmas” to slip right into “White Wedding” at some point. You know he wanted to.
Dainon — November 26, 2006 @ 4:24 pm
Heather,
Thanks for covering Taylor. I would venture to say that the “sound” of the CD was not generated by the AI Producers but rather a combination of Taylor and his producer Matt Serlitic (Matchbox 20, Santana).
Taylor fought very hard to get his stamp on this CD. While there is always give and take with an American Idol project I think that he succeeded.
My thoughts, go see Taylor live (or just watch TV in the next few weeks). As a live performer Taylor can really rock it.
- Gray
Gray Charles — November 28, 2006 @ 7:17 am
Hey – What about Denver’s own Ace Young? The kid can sing and he’s working on an album right now, sooooo….
Anonymous — November 30, 2006 @ 6:39 pm
Ah, yes, I forgot about the PYT Ace, he of the falsetto fills and the really really ridiculous good-lookingness.
heather — November 30, 2006 @ 6:47 pm