Blake Lewis Set to Release Dance Pop Album, Preview “Sad Song” July 21

I think he’ll do good in the dance scene; it is where he’s most comfortable. I really enjoyed his dance collaborations with Darude.

I hope Blake’s album is successful. I really didn’t like the first one; it wasn’t “Blake.” Synth, dance, etc. is the way for him to go.

Not only was he one of the first radical song re-arrangers, wasn’t he the first to make it to the finals without a big showy voice? He’s the prototype for Cook and Kris.

If there was ever a time for him to have a hit, its now. Dance pop is in. I wish him luck, because I think he was always a little underrated. His douchey comments detracted attention from his talent.

IMO it makes more sense for him to do synth/dance. I this he’s really talented and hope this album does really well.

I also agree with MJ that he doesn’t seem to get much credit for how he changed Idol. Many people recognize that Daughtry changed Idol, but I think the importance of Blake — he really showed that you can go beyond great covers on Idol and really make the songs your own. He paved the way for Cook and Kris.

I liked Blake the most in season 6. I was disappointed with his first album, but am curious to hear his new one.

I think this is the genre where Blake is the happiest and he will do well. I’ll be buying his album when it’s released.

I agree that Blake doesn’t get enough credit for his contribution to the Idol path. I actually think he was the biggest game changer through the whole series, even more so than Bice, Daughtry and Cook.

I think this will suit Blake more as well. He didn’t really fit the pop star mold and his vibe had this “underground” feel, which I am glad he brought to the Idol stage and look forward to previewing what his new album might be like.

I do agree Blake didn’t get enough credit as well. Not sure I would call him the biggest game changer of Idol. But only because his season didn’t allow any musical instruments. If only the rules were different then.

I can’t really stand Blake’s personality but he, not Cook, pioneered the idea of changing the arrangements to suit your personal style. Bo and Daughtry both cracked the door open but Blake is the one who swung it open wide. While I prefer Cook as an artist overall, I respect Blake’s musicianship much more because he wasn’t borrowing arrangements he pretty much created them from scratch.

I didn’t really care fo Blake’s voice on idol but I do think he’s a talented arranger. I’ll give his second cd a listen…. sounds intersting!

well, the first few seasons you weren’t allowed to do anything though. esp since there wasn’t a live band til season 4 (?) that you could try and do anything with. To me, though I’m not a super huge fan or anything, the shift started with Bo Bice because he brought out a lot of rockers and other styles, not just pop/r&b.

Also, I only remember 2 songs that Blake changed up? I also remember Chris Sligh trying to change something up and that turned out horrible. yeah, it’s possible that I just didn’t like season 6 so the only thing I’m able to credit that season for was Sanjaya.

He was my favorite in season 6, why does my favorites never win? (Daughtry, Blake, Castro, Adam)…I hope this time he does well.

Haha Lux I like your taste! All four were my favs during their seasons too.

I like Blake. I liked the first, but expect that this will be even better, and he will be more successful with it I am sure.

Not only was he one of the first radical song re-arrangers, wasn’t he the first to make it to the finals without a big showy voice? He’s the prototype for Cook and Kris.

Heh, heh, I’d argue that Cook has a big showy voice, but YMMV. It was the combination of the big showy rock voice and the unusual arrangements that got my attention early on.

I actually think he was the biggest game changer through the whole series, even more so than Bice, Daughtry and Cook.

I liked Blake, but he never wowed me like Bice, Daughtry or Cook. And I hate Blake’s album, the cover art for which is among the cheesiest I’ve ever seen in any decade. (I shouldn’t say I hated it because I’ve never been able to get through more than a handful of songs in one sitting.) But he definitely had tremendous impact on the direction that the show is now going in. I really hope, douchiness notwithstanding, that the new album does well.

Great taste indeed riaspark! lol ;p

I like Blake’s voice fine. I think he’s uber talented in his musicianship. I just don’t like the music he makes. It really has nothing to do with anything I’ve ever found appealing. I don’t dance and I don’t like dance music. I do know that I’m probably in the minority, however, and I wish him well.

I’d also argue that Cook has a big showy voice too. Music of the Night, anybody?

No, sillies. LOL. Of course Cook has a big showy voice… that part of the comment was directed more at Kris, who is a more subtle singer, IMO. I was just saying that not only did Blake pave the way for rearranger Cook, he also paved the way for non-belter Kris. Sorry, I should have worded that better.

OK, tinawina, you’re forgiven :wub_tb: I do find it refreshing that people can vote for a musician regardless if they have a range that’s faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound…that type of voice exhausts me if that’s all that it is.

Blake really was an Idol pioneer, agree with MJ. Adam, as I recall, referenced Blake’s rearranging of songs to suit himself as an influence. Blake was one of my favorites and his “You Give Love a Bad Name” was the hippest and coolest performance ever on Idol (at least before Adam came along). Blake also has a pleasant tone to his voice, though I knew he wasn’t likely to beat Jordin Sparks whose voice, though not my preference, was clearly stronger. Although Blake was my favorite in AI6 (except for Melinda who killed it every week, one of the best singers ever in the history of the show, imo, and who really should have won) I had no problem with Jordin beating Blake on the strength of her vocal abilities, since Melinda didn’t make it further, BUT to me, the best singer with the best vocal and performance abilities should win the Idol competition–I know that doesn’t always happen, though. Congratulations to Blake, that he was given another chance at an album.

Blake was my fave back in S6 and I was disappointed that his first album didn’t turn out so well. Here’s to hoping for better things from the second one!

Blake was also my favorite in Season 6 (KK, I think we have similar tastes!). I still turn up his “You Give Love A Bad Name” every time it comes around on my ipod. Good luck, Blake.

I think Blake was an American Idol game changer. AI wasn’t ready for it, but that was then. I like his voice just fine and Tommy Boy is probably a better label for him than Arista was. I’m looking forward to his new album. Hope he gets to go on tour to support it this time around.

Here’s to hoping for better things from the second one!

The upside is, it couldn’t possibly be worse than the first

I agree with MJ about Blake’s creativity. As for song rearrangers, yes, Bo…but Taylor did rearrangements the next season as well–”Trouble” and “Try A Little Tenderness”‘s end in particular. There’s definitely a progression and Blake blew it wide open for contestants.

Also agree David Cook-Music of the Night–showy. One of my DC favs from season 7.

They definitely don’t give Blake enough credit.. I bet ya that if the producers allowed instruments such as his guitar and loop petals he would have had a better shot at winning.. Being a Seattlite.. I have gone to every show of his and they are by far the most entertaining concerts I have ever gone to.. I can’t wait for his next one and his CD.. Blake, David Cook, and Kris have been my all-time faves.. funny to see the connections haha

Blake who? Sorry couldn’t resist. I liked him on that season just because everyone else was so awful. But the beat boxing has got to go.

I think American Idol has always had problems with properly nurturing the most creative artists on the show: Bo, Taylor, and Blake being the primary examples. Blake is probably the most original arranger the show has seen thus far. Good luck to him with his new venture.

Eh, Blake gives his bitchy sad pathetic self enough credit as it is just like Constantine does. Two pathetic losers so full of themselves and that Idol could’ve done without as far as I’m concerned. So it sounds like he’s in for another flop of an album just like Adam will be going into the passe electronic dancey crappy club music. Good luck!