Idol Stalker - Watching American Idol

Kelly Clarkson “All I Ever Wanted” Out Today - Review

Posted: 10 Mar 2009 12:24 AM PDT

Kelly Clarkson's new album "All I Ever Wanted" will be released today but you can listen to it over on AOL for a limited time. I know a lot of us have already heard most or all of the songs but I like doing album reviews so why not? Before I even begin, this album is about as commercially pop as anything is ever going to get which is a good and a bad thing. It's sad because Kelly clearly wanted to break away (no pun intended) and have an edgier sound and existence but her fans weren't ready to make that leap with her so, here she is, trying to make amends by releasing an album that sounds like the Kelly Clarkson we all voted for on American Idol. The saving grace is that most of the songs are actually pretty good. Here's a breakdown of my impressions.

1. "My Life Would Suck Without You" is the first release from the album and it's not too vocally challenging but we already know what Kelly can do so it's okay. It's easy to sing along to which is always a good idea when you're launching a mini-comeback.

2. "I Do Not Hook Up" is uhhh… I guess the above comments could also work for this song although I find the chorus melody and structure on this song a little more interesting than "My Life Would Suck Without You." It was co-written by Katy Perry ("I Kissed a Girl" "Hot and Cold") and Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi.

3. "Cry" is the first ballad on the album. There are a couple surprises in the chords but there is something about it that reminds me of Creed's "With Arms Wide Open." At least she gets to stretch her vocals a little bit.

4. "Don’t Let Me Stop You" reminds me of something so much and I just cannot put my fingers on it (maybe Third Eye Blind's "Jumper?"). Help me out please! Anyway, the lyrics are a little clunky at times to sing.

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5. "All I Ever Wanted" has a slightly different feel than the songs before it. It's got fewer bells and whistles so, at times, it might seem a little bare but that's what I like about it. The lead and background vocals take center stage which is a night change from the beat driven pop music on the earlier tracks.

6. "Already Gone" is a slower/mid-tempo song where Kelly almost seems to channel Canadian singer, Sarah McLachlan, at times. I actually really like this song.

7. "If I Can’t Have You" brings us back to the modern pop era with a beat that sounds like it would make Rihanna and Britney Spears proud. I can see this song doing okay as a remix in clubs but I don't particularly like it.

8. "Save You" offers a little tenderness and warmth and, after that last song, I was really grateful. I really liked how little music was used in the beginning of the song and I actually wish they had kept it more like that since the heavy drums that came in later almost felt like an intrusion. Still, the vocals are pretty, the lyrics are nice and I felt a connection between Kelly and the song which was nice. You may not believe me, but I had forgotten that OneRepublic frontman, Ryan Tedder, had worked on the album and, when I heard this song, I thought "wow, this reminds me of "Apologize." A quick trip to Wikipedia reminded me that he co-wrote and produced the song (and several others).

9. "Whyyawannabringmedown" is annoying to me. I didn't even finish listening to it. Sorry if you love it. I did not. It reminded me of the White Stripes, who I adore, but it didn't come close to being of their quality.

10. "Long Shot" has one of the most predictable chord progressions on the album but I actually liked it more as the song continued to play. It's not musical genius but it's a decent single. Katy Perry also co-wrote this song.

11. "Impossible" has some really cute piano work on it which I like in a modern song because I think it balances out the heavy drums, keyboards and guitar. I didn't hate the song but I didn't exactly love it.

12. "Ready" is a fun little song and I don't know why but it makes me think of taking a walk in the middle of fall with the leaves all around me. Kelly takes some liberties with the tone of her voice and I think it works. She sounds a little quirkier than she normally does and, like I said, the end result is fun.

13. "I Want You" confused me. I didn't know what to think. It felt like it wanted to be modern while still sounding like something from the 50s or 60s and I just didn't like it. It's very basic and simplistic but maybe that was the objective?

14. "If No One Will Listen" is another ballad and I thought it was pretty good. Kelly allows herself to have more vibrato than she normally does (maybe because this is the only song on the album that she produced herself?) and I'm not sure I liked how it sounded but the song, itself, was nice. The lyrics were probably pretty meaningful to her after her experience this past couple years so I hope producing the track was therapeutic.

That sums up my little review. If you're looking for the reinvention of Kelly Clarkson, you'll be disappointed but fans will probably more than happy with the pop-infused tunes.

image: Amazon.com

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American Idol Top 13 to Perform Michael Jackson, Two Will Go Home

Posted: 09 Mar 2009 11:28 PM PDT

Tonight, the Top 13 contestants on the eight season of American Idol will take to the stage and compete singing songs written by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Will it be a disaster? Not if they pick the right songs and let's hope they do since two contestants will be going home this week!Who are you hoping will be safe this week? Is there anyone that you'd like to see go home? I want to hear all about your favorites at this point in the season. Right now, I really like Michael Sarver, Anoop Desai and Lil Rounds but I could grow to love some others (like Jorge, Allison and Danny). At this stage in the competition, I've really seen forerunners fall apart while dark horses emerge and win it all (like David Cook last year).

Tags: michael jackson week, top 13

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Ruben Studdards Talks to Sister 2 Sister About New Album

Posted: 09 Mar 2009 11:04 PM PDT

Sister 2 Sister magazine publisher, Jamie Foster Brown, caught up with American Idol season 2 winner, Ruben Studdard, and took the opportunity to ask him about his new album, as well as clear up some rumors.

He talked about his upcoming album (due out the day before Mother's Day) on which he had the chance to work with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis who, in case you aren't familiar with them, have an incredible track record in the industry. I'm really looking forward to hearing what they came up with! When Jamie asked what fans can expect from the album, Ruben said: "It's just a lot of great, classic songs. I got a chance to do a record with some guys that I looked up to in my adolescence, and that's Boyz II Men. Yeah, I did a song with them, a Bryan Adams record, "Heaven." I did a song with Kenny G, "Careless Whispers." It's just a lot of great music. Terry kept saying that he wanted us to pick songs that people can really see the Ruben that they voted for [in] and not somebody that let people pick the songs. They just wanted to hear I could really, really sing.

Ruben also explained why his album The Return, released in October 2006, was pulled from the shelves: "Man, the record company (J Records) designed my cover, my inserts… You know Louis Vuitton? They kind of got upset about it. Yeah, that's what happened. Me, I got sued. Britney Spears, DaBrat, Alicia Keys—we all got sued for using their logo as a part of our product."

In the end, J Records' "parent company, Sony BMG, was sued for trademark infringement by LVMH. All of the label's music that featured Louis Vuitton's toile monogram and multi-colored logo had to be removed from stores, and the label had to pay LVMH 100,000 euros."

Fortunately, the album is being repackaged so fans will be able to get it along with the new one that is coming out this spring.

Ruben also tells Sister 2 Sister about how he ended up changing labels, the current status of his relationship with his godfather who has been missing since he stole money from the Idol champ and more. Pick up the March issue to read it all – it's on newsstands now!

If you need a little more Ruben in the meantime, here's a cute video of Ruben explaining how he wanted to propose to his wife, Zuri, and how he eventually did it, after his first two plans were ruined.

image and quotes used with permission

Tags: interview, sister 2 sister magazine

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Megan Joy Corkrey is Just “Megan Joy” Now

Posted: 09 Mar 2009 03:36 PM PDT

I've been through a divorce so I know what the woman means… American Idol season 8 finalist, Megan Joy Corkrey, has decided that she no longer wants to be called by her ex-husband's name and will simply be called "Megan Joy" on the show from now on.

Tags: Megan Joy Corkrey

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Jorge Nunez Talks to Latina.com About American Idol

Posted: 09 Mar 2009 12:45 PM PDT

No matter how you look at it, Jorge Nunez, has a lot to be thankful for at the americanidolseason8top13party34-thumb moment. The American Idol finalist from the eighth season has made the Top 13 and even received well-wishes from Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony who said the contestant brought them to tears.

In an interview with Latina.com, the native of Puerto Rico he responded to the shout out from the famous couple and said "That's the best thing that has happened to me throughout this whole journey. They're so famous here, so imagine how big they are in Puerto Rico. I'm like, 'Oh my god, they know who I am!' It’s a great feeling." That would definitely be my reaction too!

He also talks about how it feels to make the Top 13 ("it's been amazing"), choosing the song "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," whether he is always so emotional and more. It's a very interesting interview so check it out at Latina.com!

Tags: jorge nunez

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Lea Marie Golde Releasing Debut Album April 21, 2009 - Review

Posted: 09 Mar 2009 12:32 PM PDT

Lea Marie Golde auditioned for the current season of American Idol. Not ringing a bell? The cute redhead tried out in Phoenix and declared herself Kara DioGuardi's "biggest fan." She had a binder full of songs she had written but she ended up being turned away.

The experience did not deter the teenage songwriter as she is about to release her debut, self-titled album on April 21, 2009. I was sent a copy of the album by Miles High Productions which can be described as a "nice collection of tween pop songs safe for the entire family." Well, I must admit that it is refreshing to have some clean songs coming from a young singer. Here's the tracklisting:

"World of Wonders"
"Slowly Sinking In"
"My Knight in Shining Armor"
"The Player"
"Memories"
"Am I The Only One"
"You All Along"
"Alex"
"Your Brother's Girl"
"Falling Out"
"Love Is"

Lea's songs "World of Wonders" and "Your Brother's Girl" were declared the "#1 Pop Demo of 2007" by Music Connection Magazine and I can see how her music, particularly those songs along with "Memories" might appeal to the tween audience. There are a lot of videos on her YouTube channel but I decided to add the one for "The Player" here. Let me know what you think!

For more information about Lea, check out her MySpace profile, official website and IMDB page. You can also listen to some of her music on Pandora Radio or on her YouTube channel.

images used with permission

Tags: album review, lea marie, lea marie golde

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