image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: Idol Stalker

Clearly, Jordin was excited last night about the release.  On Twitter (follow her @ TheRealJordin) she tweeted last night: “Eeeeeee new album out now!!!! (east coast) hit iTunes up now! Find it at a store! Yaaaaaay! Goodnight twittlets! <3”

Now, let’s get down to business.  If you’d like to listen to the full album, check out the listening party on AOL. 

1. Walking On Snow – I think this is a great opening track and I don’t know why but I see this being used in some teen drama on TV.  I just feel like I could blast this while I drive along the California coastline with my windows open.  Weird, I agree, but that’s what I think of!
2. Battlefield – I’m sure you’re all pretty familiar with her first single from the album.  I feel like this is a more spirited and feisty Jordin.  It’s like she has shed some of that juvenile “beginner” image and she’s making a name for herself as a young woman.
3. Don’t Let It Go To Your Head – this sounds like something else to me but I’m not going to get hung up on trying to figure it out.  The lyrics are a little more risqué than what she delivered on her first album (“just ‘cause I think of you in bed, don’t let it go to your head”).  I like it but it’s not my favorite track and I really dislike the bridge if I’m being honest.
4. S.O.S. (Let The Music Play) – Even before I looked at the title of this song I thought it was a little in the vein of Rihanna (who had a song called “S.O.S” but this reminds me more of “Disturbia”).  Of course, the chorus is sampled from Shannon’s 1983 hit “Let the Music Play.”  This is an okay summer track but it’s a little lightweight to me.  She delivers more “cutesy” vocals which is fine since she can’t belt out the lines of ever track but I’m not too fond of it.
5. It Takes More – I really liked this song a lot because the lyrics are good, the melody is interesting (even though it is a bit predictable) because of how it is delivered and paired with her quirky vocals.  There’s a little autotune going on here which is the au courant thing to do but it’s minimal so it’s very tolerable. 
6. Watch You Go – This is a very simple track.  It’s not great, it’s not bad but it’s also not very memorable.  It’s the kind of song that if it played, you might not remember if you’d heard it already as you make your way through the album.
7. No Parade – When this song starts (just the piano part), it felt like a continuation of “Watch You Go.”  This sounds like any generic pop song you might hear on the radio and the drum kit is reminiscent of the one on “Battlefield.”
8. Let It Rain – This song a little bit (a smidge) more of a rock edge it’s got pulsating barebones verses with just Jordin and sparse backups singing with minimal music (just an organ of some sort?) which contrasts greatly from the guitar-driven choruses.  I always think it’s risky to pretend to cry in a song since it could come off sounding cheesy (as it does in this song). 
9. Emergency (911) – Jordin tries her hand at being an obsessive and/or angry girlfriend who verges on being a stalker.  She thinks it’s an emergency because her boyfriend is late, she doesn’t want to dance alone and believes her desire to have him by her side is worthy of being called a 911.  Despite my tone, I’ve got to admit that I like this single.  It brought the album out of the doldrums from the last few tracks, if you ask me.
10. Was I The Only One – This was another breath of fresh air.  It almost sounds like it could be re-recorded as a country song.  It’s all strings, guitar and voice at first and I think it’s gorgeous!  I understand the need to build it up by adding drums but I think they could have added a less busy beat because it distracts from her singing and the beautiful strings.
11. Faith – Again this song reminds me of something else but I’m not going to drive myself crazy trying to figure it out.  This is another track that has a nicer melody and the music and vocals are understated.  The style of the backup vocals also reminded me a bit of early Mariah Carey in some ways.  Anyway, I like it even though it’s a little odd. 
12. The Cure – This song returns to the more predictable sound that is featured throughout the album although it does remind me “Better in Time” by Leona Lewis at times during the verses.  The one thing that is really nice is how sweet and gentle Jordin’s voice comes across during the chorus.

Bottom line – too many of the songs have the same chords and feel to them.  Yes, it’s a better effort than her first album and I do think this is a decent effort but I do worry that listeners may grow bored by the lack of distinct and/or strong melodies.  Some songs really do blend in to each other. 

image: Amazon

Post from: Idol Stalker

images: Boston Phoenix

Post from: Idol Stalker

Her actual performance was pretty great!  I loved what she was wearing and her voice has really matured since her time on the show!  Good for her!

Post from: Idol Stalker

The new album, Heartbreak on Vinyl, is expected to be released by Tommy Boy Entertainment on October 6, 2009.  His new single “Sad Song” will make its debut on July 21, 2009.

Of the project, Blake said: “The music in the dance scene gets me out onto the dance floor to lose my inhibition.  The title is an ode to all the record stores that have been closing down due to my industry eating itself. These are the stores that brought inspiration to all of us music lovers and have led me to make the music I create today.”

I’m pretty excited about this news.  I love dance music and I think that he could do a good job.  He’s been working with producers Rodney Jerkins and Dave Aube who have had a lot of success creating music with Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and the Pussycat Dolls.

I can’t wait to hear “Sad Song.”  I could use some new music for my iPod-fuelled workouts!

image: Amazon

Post from: Idol Stalker

NBC Photo: Paul Drinkwater

If you don’t have the time to watch the shows and also don’t have a DVR, don’t worry!  MTV will be airing a marathon of the week’s episodes each Sunday, starting June 7, 2009.

Along with Sanjaya the following celebs have signed on: Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (MTV’s “The Hills”), NBA star and TV personality John Salley (”Best Damned Sports Show Period”), supermodel and TV star Janice Dickinson (”The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency”), actor Stephen Baldwin (”The Mole,” “Celebrity Apprentice”), professional wrestler and beauty queen Torrie Wilson and the wife of disgraced former Illinois Governor, Rob Blagojevich.

Will you be tuning in tonight?  Have you seen any of the other seasons?  I liked the one with Melissa Rivers and Stuttering John.

Post from: Idol Stalker

Fashion designer David Alexander styled the event which included a nice preview of his summer collection and then the guests were treated to performances by Chikezie and Grammy-nominated artists, Sara Bareilles and Colby O’Donis.  Other special guests included hosts Kris Jenner and Khloe Kardashian, Shari Belefonte, Vanessa Minnillo and DJ Chuck.

Post from: Idol Stalker

Of course, there were the finalists, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, along with the rest of the Top 13 and judges but the celebrities (and former contestants) came out in droves to see who would win the singing competition. 

It looks like season four winner, Carrie Underwood, hurt her knee somehow since she’s got her “owie” all covered up with four Hello Kitty bandaids. She still managed to look absolutely fabulous!

SEE MORE GREAT RED CARPET PICS AFTER THE JUMP!

Post from: Idol Stalker

If you like what you heard, you can get more of it when LaKisha’s album So Glad I’m Me becomes available on May 19, 2009.  You can pre-order a copy from Amazon.

Here’s the tracklisting:

1. Grateful
2. So Glad I’m Me
3. Beautiful Girl
4. Same Song
5. Let’s Go Celebrate
6. Ain’t Worth It
7. Nothing
8. Be Alright
9. You Give Good Love
10. Free
11. Memories (fade away)
12. Just As I Am

I haven’t heard the whole album yet but I’m looking forward to seeing what LaKisha has come up with.  She’s got a great voice!

image: Amazon

Post from: Idol Stalker

It’s an absolutely ridiculous show and, honestly, the celebrities are barely current or noteworthy.  It’s not like they secured Tom Hanks or Julia Roberts for it but I digress…

This season Sanjaya will join newlyweds, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (MTV’s "The Hills"), NBA star and TV personality John Salley ("Best Damned Sports Show Period"), supermodel and TV star Janice Dickinson ("The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency"), actor Stephen Baldwin ("The Mole,” “Celebrity Apprentice”) and professional wrestler and beauty queen Torrie Wilson. 

Embattled former Illinois Governor, Rob Blagojevich, has been invited to participate but, due to the charges pending against him, he may not be able to travel to Costa Rica where it is being filmed.

The action starts on June 1, 2009 with a two-hour premiere, running Monday through Thursdays until the finale on Wednesday, June 24 (8-9 p.m.).  If you miss it during the week, MTV will be airing a marathon of the week’s episodes each Sunday, starting June 7, 2009.

NBC Photo: Paul Drinkwater

Post from: Idol Stalker