Idol Stalker - Watching American Idol

Kelly Clarkson “All I Ever Wanted” Tour Dates
Brooke White “High Hopes and Heartbreak” Album Review
Jordin Sparks “Battlefield” Out Today – Album Review

Kelly Clarkson “All I Ever Wanted” Tour Dates

Posted: 21 Jul 2009 03:27 PM PDT

Kelly Clarkson is hitting the road again! This time the very first American Idol is embarking on her "All I Ever Wanted" tour starting on October 2, 2009 in Connecticut. Sales for the first few shows go on sale on August 15, 2009 so I'll update you on that closer to that date. Opening acts will include The Veronicas (Take Me on the Floor) and Parachute (She Is Love ).

Here are the dates (nothing near me!!!):

October 2: Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino, Uncasville, CT
October 4: Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, ME
October 6: Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY
October 9: Borgata Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, NJ
October 10: Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA
October 13: Agganis Arena at Boston University, Boston, MA
October 15: Casino Rama Entertainment Centre, Orillia, ON
October 17: Covelli Centre, Youngstown, OH
October 19: Eastern Kentucky Expo Center, Pikeville, KY
October 21: Knoxville Civic Coliseum, Knoxville, TN
October 23: Milwaukee Theatre, Milwaukee, WI
October 25: Fox Theatre, Detroit, MI
October 27: Rosemont Theatre, Chicago, IL
October 29: Pershing Center, Lincoln, NE
October 31: Family Arena, St. Charles, MO

November 2: Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX
November 4: United Spirit Arena, Lubbock, TX
November 6: The Joint, Las Vegas, NV
November 7: Arizona State Fair, Phoenix, AZ
November 18: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, Victoria, BC
November 20: Saddledome, Calgary, AB
November 22: Prospera Place, Kelowna, BC
November 24: WaMu Theater, Seattle, WA
November 28: Reno Events Center, Reno, NV
November 29: Event Center at San Jose University, San Jose, CA

December 1: Save Mart Center at Fresno State, Fresno, CA
December 3: Pan American Center, Las Cruces, NM
December 5: Ford Park Arena, Beaumont, TX
December 7: American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
December 10: Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, GA
December 11: Pensacola Civic Center, Pensacola, FL
December 13: Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena, Hollywood, FL

image: Amazon

Post from: Idol Stalker

Brooke White “High Hopes and Heartbreak” Album Review

Posted: 21 Jul 2009 03:21 PM PDT

Brooke White's album High Hopes and Heartbreak came out today and I have to say that I wasn't sure what to expect. I really didn't like the cover art (it barely looks like her!) but I was pleasantly surprised by the actual music.

The album is titled accurately because there are tracks that sound so full of hope ("Phoenix") while others seem borne of heartbreak ("Out of the Ashes").

It's mellow and might remind you of the folksy music of the late 60s and 70s but with the modern folk feel of a record created in 2009. Brooke is really talented and she knows how to showcase her strengths while masking her limitations.

I feel like she has delivered an extremely honest and pure album in a time when so many are turning to electronica and autotune. Brooke seems confident enough in her vocals that she's willing to make them the focus of her music rather than just an accessory. She doesn't get lost in layers – they compliment her – and I can't say how much I appreciate that. It's just a real "feel good" album.

By the way, if you recognize her track "Use Somebody" don't think you're going crazy. Yes, it is a Kings of Leon single that she has covered for her album. I think it really works with her voice!

image: Amazon

Post from: Idol Stalker

Jordin Sparks “Battlefield” Out Today – Album Review

Posted: 21 Jul 2009 11:46 AM PDT

Get your armor – Jordin Sparks' new album Battlefield is now available so I hope all you fans pick up a copy! You can also grab the Deluxe CD/DVD

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.

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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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).
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.
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.
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.
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