Rand Rambles

So, I know it’s a bit early to pass a verdict on her but I think Ellen is gonna do pretty well as a judge. Less nonsense than Paula, some nonsense but less.

Here are my favorites so far:

• Andrew Garcia – One of my favorites since the beginning. Choosing Paula’s song: Genius.
• Janell Wheeler – Good voice, not much to say. Forgot her already.
• Lilly Scott - She has a cool tone and gray hair(I know it is dyed) hopefully she won’t be this season’s Taylor Hicks.
• Michael Lynche - Didn’t like him in the audition rounds but his voice sounded very good tonight.
• Casey James - I like the way he plays the guitar, cool combination with his voice.
• Didi Benami – This girl sounded like a pro. Liked it a lot.
• Crystal Bowersox – There’s something cool about her, good voice. Don’t mean to be mean but girl needs some dental work.

Did you watch? Who were your favorites?

News Flash: Contrary to what you may think by the buzz, the winner of American Idol Season 8 was not Adam Lambert. Since the end of Season 8, Adam Lambert has been everywhere, I believe that this is not only because of his flamboyant, flashy style but also because of strong marketing. Kris Allen, the actual winner, has been given the short end of the stick, you just need to read a few headlines or see some of the marketing for their albums, it’s pretty clear. Adam was one of my favorites this season but it’s kinda sad when you see that Kris has been given so little attention, poor management and a very scatter minded marketing. On the other hand we have Allison Iraheta, which a few days after the season ended secured a recording contract, going over the actual third place winner, whose name shall not be mentioned… kidding, his name is Danny Gokey, and I am not a big fan of his. On the other hand, I am waiting for an album from Megan Joy, I love her.

So, with all that said, I am going to do a quick review of their albums which were released in the past three weeks.

Kris Allen: Kris Allen

My first thought when listening to Kris’ album was that it sounded pretty solid. It has some catchy tunes but sounds a bit under-produced, it feels like it needed a bit of cleaning and that they were in a  rush to finish it on time. Some of the songs are very radio friendly which can be good for Kris in the long run. Maybe they kept it sounding a bit raw to give it a ’singer-songwriter’ feel, whatever that means. I think they should’ve tried harder to take him in the ‘John Mayer-Jack Johnson-Jason Mraz’ direction. Something that I did like about the album is that some songs resemble The Script, the first single, Live Like We Are Dying, was actually released by them first in Europe. Hopefully he will do well in the long run, his first week sales where the lowest of all idol winners, and I am sure there were some less deserving; Taylor Hicks anyone?
Favorite Songs: Alright With Me, Written All Over My Face, Heartless
First Week Sales: 80,000
iTunes Link

Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment

I was really looking forward to this album, as I said before I was a big fan of Adam during Idol and his performances. I believe he did what David Cook did, he took normal songs and put a whole new spin on them and people went crazy. Another reason why I was looking forward to this album was the people working on it, it appears that they found some of the hottest writers and collaborators for it. Contrary to Kris’ album, Adam’s feels a bit over-produced which at times makes Adam’s vocals take the backseat, it’s like they tried a little too hard in the mixing stages. Having said that I really like this album, you will hear some Muse on it, some Lady GaGa, some Mad World and even some Mika. It is different than other Idol albums in that it doesn’t fit the mold, it’s just like Adam, very out there and very extravagant. Some times I want to give it a break and stop listening to it, but I keep coming back. Very solid and I kinda love it.
Favorite Songs: Sleepwalker, Fever, Sure Fire Winners, Music Again
First Week Sales: 198,000
iTunes Link

Allison Iraheta: Just Like You

Well, well, well… this one surprised me. I used to like Allison while on Idol, not a huge fan, but though she had potential. This album is great, the vocals alone can give Adam and Kris a run for their money, in the sense that it doesn’t feel like she’s trying too hard and that the songs showcase her pipes. While Adam sounds a tad over-produced in some songs and Kris may sound  under-produced, Allison is right smack in the middle(and I hate saying ‘right smack). Her vocals sound powerful and clear, and can challenge most female singers out there. It has in my opinion one of the best vocals from any album coming from an Idol contestant. Reminds me of Kelly Clarkson at her best. Hopefully people will catch on and start talking about her and buying her album, it will be sad seeing such a talented girl being dropped from the label. Again, I am surprised that I’m being so emphatical on her, but it IS that good. She can sure beat the crap vocally out of Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and the likes.
Favorite Songs: Scars, Holiday, Trouble Is, Robot Love
First Week Sales: Estimated 35,000
iTunes Link

There is something about the 80’s cartoon about  female glam-rockers ‘Jem and the Holograms’ that kept coming to my mind whenver I thought of Adam Lambert…

And the cover of Adam’s new album establishes and solidifies my statement…

And there you have it… this cover has had everyone talking for a few days now. Since his days on Idol I’m a fan of Adam and can clearly see why he did this, he’s a very talented and creative artist who likes to make people talk and push the envelope as far as it can go. Good for him, we need more artists that are not afraid to do that.

What do you think?

• Adam will perform his new single at the American Music Awards, he states that it will be nothing like “Time for Miracles”.
• He says that his single will be out “any day now” and will be very “glammy”.
• A title for the album has not been chosen but they have already chosen the picture for the cover.
• Adam says that the album will have a “Glam Rock” feel and will take the listener on a journey.
• Adam will not be touring with Lady GaGa as previously rumored. He states that no offer has been made… yet. Come on GaGa people, make it happen.

When do you think his single will be out? What would you call his album?

Who knew? A close friend sent me a message early last evening telling me that Ellen Degeneres has been selected as a replacement for Paula Abdul as the fourth judge on American Idol, to which I answered: Liar. Then he confirmed it with the direct link to the tweet from @FoxBroadcasting.

After checking that and going to Ellen’s website and confirm it I was very happy for the selection. I apologized for calling my friend a liar, he gave me a little bit of drama, Ha!

So, why do I like this selection so much? Here is my opinion…

• Ellen, like myself, has been following Idol since it started. And for what I’ve seen in her show, the day after Idol airs, she always has a valid opinion. In some occasions she agrees with Simon, in some she bashes him with a bit of love, which will make for a great dynamic.
• Ellen is not in the music industry, but knows music from a consumer’s perspective, which is something that Idol has been lacking. I really believe she can be the voice of the people as a judge on Idol.
• Ellen is funny, not “loopy, I’m drugged” funny, she has built a career on being funny and this could be great for a show that in the past seasons has started to show some wear.
• Ellen is nice. Let’s get real, how many of Paula’s comments were a direct result of her long career in the music business, which by the way was revived by Idol? Not many, so I don’t see why people are fighting because of Ellen’s lack of experience. I’m pretty sure she won’t be saying to the contestants… You look beautiful, your hair looks great and other crappy comments.
• Ellen is powerful. Come on, she is a star on her own right. She has one of the most famous talk shows out there, she is a spoke model for a cosmetic line that after using her went to 1st place in sales, she has won several Emmy’s and let’s not forget Idol IS a TV Show.
• Ellen is gay. American Idol is a pretty gay show, and it became a lot gay-er last season with Adam Lambert. I am pretty sure that a big chunk of Idol’s demographics is gay, and that will grow even more now.
• Ellen is coherent, to be a comedian you need to have a sharp mind and Ellen has one. I have to say, even though I enjoyed some of Paula’s train-wrecks I usually fast forwarded through them on my DVR.

So, what is your opinion? Good? Bad? OK? Who would you have chosen instead?