Kris Allen: A track-by-track analysis of his self-titled debut album
My colleague Whitney Pastorek recently reviewed Kris Allen’s self-titled debut (out today) ‘†check out her thoughts, and her grade here ‘†but as EW’s resident Idoloonie, I couldn’t let today’s momentous release go by without a borderline crazy analysis of every track on the record. Yeah, I know, I already went overboard on lead single ‘Live Like We’re Dying’ (as a snippet, a full song, and a video), and I previously weighed in on 30-second leaks and/or live Miami performances of the American Idol season 8 champ’s remaining dozen tracks. But for those of you who’ve either declared Nov. 17 as Kris Allen Day or who don’t understand the meaning of an Idol off-season, the following deep dive is for you. Let’s get the party started, in chronological order, after the jump!’Live Like We’re Dying’ :
Adam Lambert shares style, savvy ‘For Your Entertainment’
“Being in L.A. around young Hollywood for the past eight years desensitized me to the whole machine, ” says the singer. “If this were brand new, I’d be overwhelmed. At 27, I’ve already done a lot of self-searching to learn who I am. Had this happened five years ago, I might not have handled it well. I didn’t have a strong sense of self.
“The timing worked out. I was getting bored with my life. Like, is this it? I was hungry for more. I got my wish!”
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
Glam, kitsch, rock: Adam Lambert is out to entertain
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Adam Lambert knows how to shock, how to sing and how it feels to “lose” TV’s top singing competition.
But what the “American Idol” runner-up is not so sure about is how fans will take to his debut album now that he’s performing original material rather than wowing viewers each week with his unusual take on established classics.
And, yes, now that he’s gone public about being gay.
Is Adam Lambert Not Gay Enough for the Gays?
Adam Lambert has the difficult task of becoming a megastar while being openly gay. How can he be butch enough for the mainstream but gay enough for his homo fans? He can’t, and the gays are fighting back already.
First there was his ladytastic shoot for Details and then we called Lambert out for trying to talk about female genitalia in gay magazine Out. Now Aaron Hicklin, the editor of Out, is backing up our stance. In his editor’s letter in the upcoming Out 100 issue, according to Towelroad, he writes:
An Open Letter to Adam Lambert- From the Gay Thought Police
Dear Adam,
After reading Aaron Hickler’s open letter, I felt compelled to summarize and add a few more of my own suggestions on how you might further prove your “gayness” to the “gay community” (the gay community, of course, being defined as a monolithic entity of one heart and one mind). It is my hope that said suggestions will allow you to eventually break the chains of a record company that has controlled so many of your decisions over the past several months.
I like you, Adam, I really do. That is why I freely offer these pearls of wisdom on how to celebrate, not dilute, the purity of your sexual identity.
Ryan Seacrest granted restraining order
LOS ANGELES ԠA judge has granted a civil restraining order against a man accused of stalking Ryan Seacrest.
The order issued Tuesday requires Chidi Benjamin Uzomah Jr. to stay 100 yards away from the radio and television personality. A criminal court judge granted a similar order against Uzomah earlier this month.
The 25-year-old remains in a Los Angeles jail, charged with felony stalking. He was arrested outside Seacrest’s workplace on Oct. 30, just weeks after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in Orange County, Calif. stemming from an incident with Seacrest’s bodyguard after an event.
Carrie Underwood Won’t Cohabitate with Mike Fisher
Things are going well for Carrie Underwood and hockey boyfriend Mike Fisher ‘ but not well enough for the two to shack up.
“No, call me old-fashioned. He’s there. I’m here, ” Underwood, 26, tells Ellen Degeneres in an interview to air on the TV host’s program Wednesday. “We’re both doing our thing and it’s good. The next guy I move in with will be my hubby. Whoever that is. I’m not saying it’s going to be him.”
But despite it all, the odds look good for the Ottawa Senator ‘ you could even say that this romance has got legs.
Carrie Underwood Offers a Special “Temporary Home”
The CMT New Music Video Evaluation Team met to screen one new video. It’s Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home, ” shot live and in HD during her concert before an audience for the CMT show Invitation Only. The show will be telecast on Dec. 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
David Cook interview for Tabernacle show November 23
David Cook, winner of Season 7, has been touring almost nonstop since the end of his ‘American Idol’ run.
He knows he has to strike while the ‘Idol’ iron is hot before forging his own true post-‘ Idol’ career. Touring is the ticket in this day and age. And Cook, who has honed his stage skills for years before he came on the show, is having no trouble selling tickets for venues such as the 2, 500-capacity Tabernacle November 23.
Cook wasn’t originally planning to come to Atlanta for this current Declaration tour, which was set to end over the summer. But with sales going so well, he extended the tour into December.
David Cook rocks campus
In the smoke-filled Reynolds Performance Hall, fans of all ages poured through the doors, in anticipation for a rock concert Feb. 25. In a sea of David Cook T-shirts, audience members waited anxiously to watch the 2007 “American Idol” winner take the stage and mesmerize the crowd with his insane pop/rock chops.
The Student Activities Board was able to schedule Cook and opening act Ryan Star, to perform at UCA as part of Cook’s Declaration Tour to colleges across the United States.
Cook, the 25-year-old 2008 “American Idol” winner from Blue Springs, Mo., said he chose to do a college tour because young people are a huge part of a young artist’s success.
Jordin Sparks Gives ‘Thumbs Up’ to National Pledge Against Texting and Driving
NORTHBROOK, Ill., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Nineteen-year-old singing sensation Jordin Sparks and her mom, Jodi Sparks, today publicly pledged not to text and drive by leaving their mark – in this case, their thumbprints, on a pledge banner making its way around the country this holiday season. The move kicks off a 30-city tour, “X the TXT: Thumbs Up to the Safest Holiday Ever, ” sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company during which teens and their families will be asked to add their thumbprints to the banner as a public pledge not to text and drive. Teens who sign the pledge will receive thumb bands they can wear as a reminder and symbol of their pledge.
REVIEW: Daughtry’s arena-rock triumph
WILKES-BARRE TWP. ԠThe start of the work week sucks, and Monday nights are never welcome in this busy town. However, there was a bright shining light inside the Wachovia Arena, bouncing off the head of Chris Daughtry.
The smooth-headed vessel of modern rock lit up the stage alongside his self-titled band for the NEPA leg of the ‘Leave This Town 2009 Tour’ at the arena, supported by heavy hitters Cavo and their alterna-rock Canadian counterparts, Theory Of A Deadman. Daughtry delivered a 17-song set comprised of tracks from the band’s latest album ‘Leave This Town’ and all the hits you know and your mother loves from the 2006 debut ‘Daughtry.’
Bucky Covington Celebrates a Bloody Birthday
I’ve always liked a man with a good sense of humor, and if Bucky Covington’s engaging personality is any indication of what to expect from his upcoming album, I’m Alright, due out next spring, it’s surely a must-hear. Since he and his twin brother recently turned “32 years good, ” as he likes to call it, I asked him how they celebrated their birthday. He informed me that the two sat around a campfire at his new 80-acre farm and came up with the great idea of riding dirt bikes. “So, safety first, we took flashlights and duct-taped them to the front fenders, ” he laughed. Unfortunately, that wasn’t quite enough light because Bucky crashed and hurt his left knee. Thinking on his feet, so to speak, he grabbed his nearest resource. “So I duct taped a ShamWow to my knee. It worked great, but by the time I got home, I was a pint low, ” he laughed. “ShamWow!”
Kimberley Locke & Michael Johns to Perform at Benefit
American Idol Season 2 finalist Kimberley Locke and Season 7 finalist Michael Johns will perform at the ‘Holiday of Hope’ benefit to raise money for disadvantaged children across the country on Saturday, November 28. The event will take place in Los Angeles and guests are invited to support One Heartland, an organization committed to improving the lives of children impacted by HIV/AIDS, by attending a private pre-reception with ticket prices starting at $50 or through sponsorship of one of the 30, 000 lights on the 35-foot high Holiday Tree. The pre-reception includes a private performance and meet-and-greet with Kimberley and Michael among other musical guests. Tickets for the entire family are on sale now at www.oneheartland.org or by calling 1-800-724-HOPE (4673).
BroadwaySpace.com’s 30 under 30
LEA MICHELE
Age: 23 (8/29/1986)
What She’s Done: We live for this girl! Lea first hit the Broadway stage in ’95 as Young Cosette in Les Miserables and went on to Ragtime and Fiddler on the Roof. She’s probably best known for creating the role of Wendla in the hit musical Spring Awakening.
DIANA DEGARMO
Age: 22 (6/16/1987)
What She’s Done: Diana shot to fame winning second place in the 2004 season of TV’s ”American Idol.” She made an impressive Broadway debut as Penny in Hairspray, and later went on to star in the national tour of BKLYN The Musical. How much do we love her???
Maxim Lists Country Music’s 18 Hottest Women
In this special section on Maxim.com, they list who they consider to be the 18 hottest women of country music. And it’s pretty much the usual suspects, like Julianne Hough, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler, Jennifer Nettles, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Gretchen Wilson and the girls from Little Big Town. But it’s the little remarks and photo captions that are worth checking out.
Carrie Underwood and Kristy Lee Cook on this list too
Dreamgirls Extends NYC Run at the Apollo Through December 12
The revival of Dreamgirls, which is kicking off its national tour with a run at the Apollo Theatre, has added seven additional New York City performances, and will now close on December 12.
Featuring music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, the musical tells the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, and their rocky road to superstardom. The revival is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom and features Moya Angela as Effie White, Syesha Mercado as Deena Jones, Adrienne Warren as Lorrell Robinson, Margaret Hoffman as Michelle Morris, Chaz Lamar Shepherd as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Chester Gregory as James “Thunder” Early, Trevon Davis as C.C. White, and Milton Craig Nealy as Marty Madison.
Watch Boston’s Holiday Tree Lighting!
BOSTON — WCVB-TV Channel 5’s Chronicle again rings in the holiday season with Boston’s Holiday Lights tree lighting ceremony, a live yuletide spectacular on the Boston Common.
The program, airing live on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., will be hosted by Chronicle’s Mary Richardson and Anthony Everett.
The celebration will feature R&B singing sensation Brian McKnight, ‘American Idol’ Season 6 third-place finalist Melinda Doolittle, Scottish singer Maureen McMullan, the Boston Arts Academy Dance Troupe, the Masquerade cabaret troupe, and Magic 106.7’s Nancy Quill and Mike Addams.
Katharine McPhee To Perform And Meet Fans At Macy’s Herald Square
Anthony Jones – Celebrity News Service Contributor
New York, NY (CNS) – Singer/actress Katharine McPhee is giving her fans the chance of a “Lifetime, ” which is also one of the singles McPhee may be performing from her new album at Macy’s Herald Square in New York on Thursday, November 19th. She’ll also meet and sign copies of her new single for fans.
McPhee will sign copies of her new single, “Had It All, ” which will be available to purchase only at Macy’s that day. The song is currently climbing up the charts and was featured on the latest “Now 32” compilation.
Dorothy Savage: An Early Music “Christmas Gift” Preview From One Of The Most Exciting New Artists Of 2010!
Dorothy Savage is reaching radio this month with an early preview EP, featuring three classic Christmas favorites and a bonus preview track of her first radio single, As Long As It Takes, set to launch in January. The single is pulled from Dorothy’s debut album, Glorious Mess, which will street on February 9th.
For Savage’s first full-on studio album, Glorious Mess, listeners can look forward to the audio benefits of the enlistment of some of Nashville best creative talent.
Producer Marty Magehee (of 4HIM) assembled the overall heart of the project in studio over the past year. Chris Omartian (Rubyz, Atomic Blonde) will also have a two song contributing production credit on the release. Contributing songwriters include Chris Sligh (American Idol) and Dan Muckala (Backstreet Boys), as well as Jill Philips and Cindy Morgan.
video: Glee Cast: What We Were Like in High School!
They may play glee club misfits, but the cast of Fox’s Glee says they weren’t exactly like their characters in high school.
“[My character] Quinn is a lot more fun, ” Dianna Agron, 23, tells Usmagazine.com in an exclusive video interview. (Watch a clip above.)
Susan Boyle: I was beaten every day, reveals Britain’s Got Talent star
Tormented singer Susan Boyle has revealed for the first time how she was beaten and bullied as a child.
The Britain’s Got Talent star says she was lashed with a belt every day by brutal teachers and cruelly taunted by other kids.
She said: ‘You’re looking at someone who would get the belt every day. ‘Will you Shut up, Susan!’ ‘ whack!’
The singing sensation spoke out about her traumatic upbringing in her first interview since finishing her debut album, I Dreamed A Dream.
Julianne Hough Not Returning to Dancing with the Stars
Sorry, Julianne Hough fans, you’ll have to endure another season of Dancing with the Stars without your favorite pro dancer in the ballroom. Hough, whose break from the show started with the current season, says she won’t be back for season 9.
‘No I’m not [coming back] next season, ‘ Hough, 21, told Ryan Seacrest at the New Moon premiere Monday night in Los Angeles.
And as for whether she might come back the following season, Hough dodged the question. ‘We’re going go cross that bridge when we come to it, ‘ she said.
“So You Think You Can Dance”: Walking in tall cotton
It’s boring me, a little bit, how “So You Think You Can Dance” is keeping the same order of dancers each week, so for fun I am going to discuss the dances in the order I found most compelling (for reasons both good and bad).
Even though I think most viewers probably liked Travis Wall’s dance the best, I was most impressed by Legacy Perez and Kathryn McCormick’s Paso Doble. First, it was a good idea for Legacy to dance without his shirt on, but he wasn’t the only dancer in the pair to work with this costume (or lack thereof). Kathryn was definitely fiery tonight, including, as Adam Shankman pointed out, the way she flung her flowing white dress down when she hit the ground. This couple is climbing up the ranks for me each week, and I also got a kick out of Legacy admitting to his practicing in the mirror. It was clear they both felt confident and excited about the dance, and the feeling was contagious.
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ recap: Getting Better
At the beginning of last night’s episode, Cat promised us a nail-biting performance show. It would be exciting! Breath-taking! Filled with intrigue! Will some of our dancers redeem themselves for poor performances last week? Will some the mighty contestants fall in the race to the top 12? Will the growth on Mary’s shoulder officially swallow her whole?
Too bad the latter didn’t happen ‘†the two-hour show could have used some excitement. That’s not to say the episode didn’t boast its fair share of stellar performances. But I can’t help but feel that season 6 is still coming up short. Yes, our dancers are strong, and they have performed some strong numbers. But are they inspired? I have yet to experience a moment this fall in which I was so in love with the dancing on screen that I simply couldn’t turn away, even if my cat bounded up to me with a pint of Chubby Hubby wrapped in her paws. By this point in season 4, for example, we had already seen such lovely numbers as Chesie and Mark’s ”Bleeding Love, ” or Kherington and Twitch’s ”Dreaming With a Broken Heart.” (And that season’s week 4 boasted two dances from each couple.) Add to all that the fact that our judges practically whipped out copies of The Gettysburg Address to fill time last night, and things just can’t help but seem just a bit disappointing. Season 6 has been good. But I really need it to be great.
