BurnThisMedia

John Lennon 10/9/40 - 12/8/80

2011-12-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

Every year as the anniversary of John Lennon's death approaches, I am drawn to revisit his music. I can go the rest of the year without listening to his voice, his lyrics. They're so much a part of me that I don't have to actually listen to experience them. I don't have to watch blood coursing through my body to know that it's there, sustaining life. So too Lennon's music is ever-present, imprinted on my psyche, my soul, my consciousness, my very being. I don't actually have to hear it to feel it.

In fact, when I listen to his songs, it's almost too much. If I care to be honest, I'm still affected by his death and find it easier to ignore it and how impactful Lennon was on my life. But as humans tend towards the ritualistic, I too find myself wanting to pay tribute to Lennon each year around this time. To share his songs, to show appreciation for what he gave us musically, and to acknowledge his importance to me, especially growing up in the cultural vacuum that was the San Fernando Valley in the late 60's-early 70's.

First up is Tomorrow Never Knows. Lennon said he took one of Ringo's famous malapropisms for the title, to take the edge off the heavy philosophical lyrics. It was unique for its time, a song played in just one chord, psychedelic and trippy.

Next is In My Life. Lennon could be deadly serious, sarcastic and cutting, so for him to write such a positive, upbeat song makes it that much more meaningful.

Lennon's voice is so ... haunting is the only word. He conveyed so much with his phrasing and his voice is a key element to the effect that A Day in the Life has. The way he sustains the notes, the soft vibrato, the gentleness of the vocal contrasting with the harsh lyrics...just breathtaking. This is a beautiful fan video made to mark what would have been John's 70th birthday last year.

I think Lennon's voice is so under-appreciated. This song, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away, is another example of his pouring so much emotion into his vocals. Right in the middle of the silly, funny movie "Help!" you find this song full of recrimination and hopelessness. The growl when he sings "Hey" still gets to me. This was the precursor to the similarly dejected Jealous Guy.

I"m including Nowhere Man primarily for the chorus. When he sings those six notes "nowhere man, please listen" his voice is just so pure and gentle. Every time I hear those notes, it's just such a sad, plaintive sound, it just tugs at my heart. How he managed to make something so simple sound so moving, is a mystery. I don't get why it works, and why more complicated melodies may not have the same effect. But it was interesting to see that Lennon came up with the song after struggling for some time to write another song for "Rubber Soul." As he told an interviewer, "I'd spent five hours that morning trying to write a song that was meaningful and good, and I finally gave up and lay down. Then 'Nowhere Man' came, words and music, the whole damn thing as I lay down." It's amazing how the creative process works.

Finally, Across the Universe. This song is so intoxicating. While not my favorite vocal, it has some of my favorite lyrics. In fact, in an interview Lennon discussed problems during the recording of the song, which shed a light on the tension between Lennon and McCartney that lead to the band's break up. He told another interviewer, though, that he was proud of the lyrics. "It's one of the best lyrics I've written. In fact, it could be the best."

I wrote this last year on what would have been John's 70th birthday. There were a couple songs mentioned then that I included now, but the focus was more on John's solo work and the impact he has made on many generations to come. The word genius is tossed around way too much, but if anyone deserves that label, it is Lennon: http://burnthismedia.blogspot.com/2010/10/imagine-john-lennon-at-70.html

I wrote two months later on the twentieth anniversary of John's death, the focus on John's last album. I think I'm making progress as I can listen to today's song with more joy than sadness: http://burnthismedia.blogspot.com/2010/12/john-lennon-10-9-40-12-8-80.html.

I'll try not to be glum today and focus on the music and the lyrics and the memories. So many good memories.

REM Splits -- This fan mourns/celebrates

2011-09-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

The initial reaction upon learning that REM split today was shock. That was to be expected; the Elisabeth Kubler-Ross stages of grief will tell you that denial is the first stage. But what is interesting was how quickly I moved to depression. The music of REM and the voice of Michael Stipe, has meant more to me than any other band and any other singer. And I grew up listening to the Beatles, just to give you some perspective. Losing them is like losing a family member, a limb, and all hope at the same time. I feel gutted.

No matter what I was feeling, I could immediately feel better if I put on an REM song. It was comforting, soothing, life-sustaining music. There are songs you like, songs you love. But, if you're lucky, there are also songs that fill you up with such joy and peace that you can make it through anything. I guess I'm explaining something of a religious experience, in the true monumentally restorative sense of the word. Listening to REM changed me on practically a molecular level.

From a musical standpoint, REM is deserving of all the praise that has come their way. What was unique about REM was how they blended so many musical influences to create a sound unlike anyone else before them. They took the idea of the wall of sound from Phil Spector and added the folky sound of Peter, Paul and Mary, with a nod to the guitar grinding rock of the 70s, and with lyrics straight out of a Kafka-bad dream. They were a layered, jangly, country/rock group, with sometimes pointed, often vague, but always mesmerizing lyrics. And as for the voice, Michael Stipe had a way to cut through to your soul.

It would seem disingenuous to say that words fail me, but they do. How can you describe colors to a blind person? How can you explain love? REM's music feeds me a greater sustenance than food. It heals, it soothes, it energizes, it sustains. Knowing that I will never get to experience it live again is like a knife in the heart...only I fear my heart has disappeared.

I'll finish, as you might expect, with a few songs. These are just the ones that I need to hear today and want to share. And as soon as I hear them, I feel better. Not "accepting," but better.

Here's to REM. Thank you for so many years, so much music.

Survivor 23 -- Still Able to Thrill

2011-09-15T19:15:00.001-07:00

You would think after 22 seasons, there wouldn't be much Survivor could do to spark any interest. It's predictable, formulaic. We can all do Jeff Probst's lines from memory. No camera angle or cut away surprises us. Been there, done that almost two dozen times. And yet, Survivor is populated with people and sometimes those people bring something so real to the game that it transcends the formula and becomes a real moment.

That's what happened last night at tribal council. And when the vote was revealed, I found myself cheering. As the hoary old quote goes, "Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in."

Survivor 23 moves to the picturesque beach of Samoa and brings us 16 new players (only half of whom are in search of their SAG card) and two "veterans." Tying into the theme of "redemption island" the two old timers each have something to prove. Coach aka The Dragon Slayer aka that creepy uncle you'd never let babysit your kids is coming back to show that he's learned from his mistakes and can be a social player. Ozzy, aka monkey boy aka Superman wants to prove he's more than just the most physically talented person to play the game and can play strategically. It's so cute when they try to pretend they're smart. Just be hot, Ozzy. It's what you're good at.

Example number one. Ozzy decides within about five minutes to ally himself with hipster poetess Semhar because she's cute, despite knowing nothing else about her. Actually example pre-number one, smashing something filled with paint on your only outfit -- not a smart idea. But Ozzy did look fine as he swam and climbed and did other physical stuff.

Coach actually stayed with his plan and seemed almost sane and pleasant during the first day on the island. Now, we know eventually he'll be talking to the birds or deciding the crabs are plotting against him and go all Commander Kurtz on us, but in the meantime, the calm, rational Coach is a nice change.

We meet a lesbian folk singer, wait, no, that's Russell Hantz's nephew. My mistake. But if kd lang and Melissa Ethridge had a child, wouldn't it look like Brandon Hantz? Anyway, he makes the best analogy in Survivor history, saying, of being Russell's nephew, "It's like being related to Hitler." Brandon's goal? "I came out here to change the course of the Hantz family's name." He could destroy all the food, set fire to camp and fill in Probst's dimples and still be considered the Good Hantz.

And early on we learn about John "call me by my last name" Cochran. He's a student, of the game of Survivor as well as that law school Elle Woods went to which I wasn't smart enough to get into but apparently half of my genes were, so that counts, right? Cochran wants to join the pantheon of the greats, the Donaldsons, the Penners, the other guys who didn't win Survivor but got the cool last name consolation prize. Not sure why getting Probst to consider you a bro is better than a million dollars, but perhaps when you go to Harvard Law School, you figure the latter will take care of itself.

Cochran has watched every minute of Survivor and I'd love to mock him for that, but so have I. And I used to bake a Survivor cake every Thursday night (back before it was switched to the god awful Wednesday slot), so top that Cochran! It has been Cochran's dream to be on the show and he's taking his thin, alabaster skin to the South Pacific to make this dream a reality. He brings little to his tribe. He's not physical, he didn't even help out in the puzzle part of the reward challenge. But he can name each of the preceding 22 survivors who have the distinction of being the first out their season and one thing he knows is that he does not want his name added to that list.

Leading up to the immunity challenge, I already knew what the outcome would be the second Semhar boldly volunteered to shoot the coconuts into the hanging basket. It's easy, she said. Little thing, big opening. I can do it. Oh, Semhar, do you not know that you should never tease the Survivor gods? Of course the minute you announced your throwing prowess, you would end up looking like Garo Yepremian trying to pass after that blocked punt. So Semhar fails, repeatedly, to put the little thing in the big opening and her team loses by a coconut. Mea culpa was not enough self-flagellation for some on her tribe and she's lucky she was allowed back to camp.

But something strange happened after the losing tribe headed back to camp. All eyes turned from "Throws like a girl" to "Has less muscle mass than a girl," and Cochran became the target. Some of this no doubt related back to Ozzy getting a warm and tingly feeling the first time Semhar batted her eyelashes his way, but next thing you know, all is forgiven and it looks like Semhar will be spared. As they all head to tribal council, Cochran is understandably concerned. This future lawyer needs to make the argument of his life. He needs to pull out whatever tricks he's learned and blind his fellow castmates with his logic and persuasion.

But he doesn't. Instead, in one of the most real moments in reality TV, this diehard fan opens himself up, showing all his naked vulnerability, and pleads for his life. He can show them, and us, the gawky teenager who fell in love with this game over a decade ago and has been cultivating and nurturing this crazy dream ever since, to don his own official tribal buff, to dip his own torch into the fire that represents his life in this game, and play Survivor. Tears welling, fear spreading, he begged them, please don't let my dream die here. Please give me one more chance, don't let this end so soon.

And the game that has been labeled the ultimate social game showed that its players had heart. Only Semhar voted to send him to redemption island, the rest of the tribe gave him one more chance to prove himself equal to the game he loves. I actually jumped up off the couch when Probst turned around the fifth Semhar vote. And the show that has seemed so predictable was still able to give me chills.

American Idol Season 10 Final Results -- And the Winner Is...

2011-05-26T18:39:00.000-07:00

Was there ever any question? It's hard to remember back to the Hollywood rounds when young, deep-voiced Scotty McCreery was going from group to group singing "Baby, lock them doors," over and over hoping to find someone who would take him in. I can barely recall when they were putting together their top 24 and there were two, young male country singers and it seemed a bit like an odd choice when they took Scotty over the other fellow. For weeks now, Scotty's coronation has been a mortal lock, as certain as Obama not getting invited over by the Netanyahu's for Seder.

So last night's show was not about the results so much as a way to encapsulate what has been an odd year under new management. New judges, new format, new record label, new-old producers...how did it all play out? Well, by not having rigid theme nights where singers were forced out of their comfort zones and into new genres, you were able to have consistently good, safe performances by the top two finishers. Had Scotty been forced to sing something jazzy or bluesy or Broadway, perhaps the limitations of his voice would have been highlighted. Conversely, maybe Lauren would have shone brighter (as she did with Candle in the Wind) when she wasn't staying on the safe path.

With label head and producer extraordinaire Jimmy Iovine running the show, it was less about the contestants showing us who they were and more about the show presenting us who they wanted them to be. In years past, it was interesting to see the development of artists (think of the metamorphoses of shy Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood during their triumphant runs). This year, we were instead privy to the behind the scenes machinations that produce the final product we see on the stage. The magic and discovery of an artist's growth was gone, instead we got to watch How to Make a Star 101.

The instructions to the judges to observe the 11th Commandment -- thou shalt not speak ill of any performance -- left us alternately mystified and frustrated. When every performance was "beautiful," when no errant note or poor vocal choice was ever criticized, the show moved from competition to coronation. We were brainwashed into believing this was the best season ever, the most talented group ever, the best top whatever ever. Jacob Lusk, who would be kicked out of show choir, and perhaps even an audition for La Cage Aux Folles or RuPaul's Drag Race, for being too over-the-top, was praised as the next Luther. Paul McDonald, whose only clear attributes are his shockingly white choppers and the fact that his poor choice of outfits momentarily detracted us from Lauren's similar sartorial missteps, was the new Rod Stewart. Casey Abrams, the band camp geek who was in way over his head, was treated like a musical genius for grunting and gesticulating wildly.

Last night's show was a mish mosh of musical genres from the virginal gospel stylings of Lusk (punctuated with incongruous groin grabs) with Kirk Franklin to the raunchy mock-sex/suicide of Lady Gaga. We had 85-year-old Tony Bennett more than hold his own against the super sex kitten Haley Rinehart, back to her seductively purring ways, and seemingly ageless Tom Jones showing more sex appeal than a group of singers decades younger. James Durbin asked us to give metal a chance and, while it's still not my favorite genre, his enthusiasm and raw talent was enough for me to wish for a hair band revival. Naima Adedapo showed more personality than the rest of the girl contestants put together, and Stefano Langone demonstrated an ability to command a stage beyond what I had seen before.

While the much-anticipated duet between Casey A. and Jack Black fizzled (and not just because of the lack of the eponymous Fat Bottomed Girls), the comedic highlight of the show was the duel pitting Casey and James over whose ouster was most shocking...a debate that came to a quick end when the dearly departed Pia Toscano checkmated the two of them.

Other take-aways from last night -- Beyonce is gorgeous, Marc Anthony and J. Lo can sure ignite a stage, the U2 Spiderman song was a snoozer, I prefer Carrie's voice to Lauren's but choose Scotty's over Tim's, and Steven Tyler can still rock. Oh, and Randy Jackson is one luck SOB since he contributes nothing and yet has had this cushy, steady gig for ten years now.

So the winner is Scotty McCreery, the cute kid from N. Carolina with the deep voice and occasionally goofy stage mannerisms. If anyone say they saw that coming from the first episode, I'd ask them for their lottery picks and the name of the next IPO I should get in on. I sure didn't see that one coming back in January. But, though originally unexpected, it's a satisfying win, much more so than the last two years, if not the most electric. Congrats to Scotty and to runner-up Lauren. I'm just sorry you're coming up in an age where your fellow teens rather steal music than pay for it. I hope there's still a music industry for you to work in five years from now. But if there isn't, at least you'll be young enough to do something else. Like finish high school.

Recap: NBC's The Voice, Battle Round #3

2011-05-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

Tell me that didn't just happen. I know that the rules of the recap are that I'm supposed to go in order of what occurs on the show, but I'm still in shock. Rebecca Loebe is out? Gone. History. Toast. Kaput. She was my #2 pick. Her mesmerizing take on Nirvana's "Come As You Are," was a revelation and she seemed poised to be the only singer in the competition likely to give Javier Colon a run for his money.

And she was beaten by the second coming of Kevin "Chicken Little" Corvais??? Someone who should be in the customer service area of Best Buy, backing up your old computer files?? Not on stage singing a Radiohead song HE'S NEVER HEARD BEFORE. One of the most iconic songs of this generation -- and he's unfamiliar with it????

Okay, let me regroup. So, welcome back to The Voice. It's time for Round Three, where the coaches cut their roster of acts till we end up with four from each who will head off for the live voting rounds. Who won't be making it is Rebecca Loebe, despite being served up a softball of an alternative music classic right in her wheelhouse. But, I digress.

First up is Christina Aguilera. She picks 16-year-old Raquel Castro to go up against middle aged (i.e., twenty-something) Julia Eason. They're going to sing Rihanna's "Only Girl in the World." In the auditions, Julia blows Raquel away -- she has a strong, powerful voice that grabs you. But on stage, Raquel comes alive. The fireplug with the Snooki poof just takes over and you don't even see there is anyone else there with her. Is she the greatest vocalist, the possessor of the best "voice?" Well, no. But she has that certain something that makes her instantly watchable and interesting and her voice is solid enough to back up the performance side. And with that the previously all-bald Team Christina has it's newest, follicly well-endowed, member.

Next round pits two members of Team Blake -- Dia Frampton vs. Serabee. They are given "You Can't Hurry Love," by The Supremes. Dia is a soft, gentle folk singer, Serabee is a gospel belter who never met a note she didn't want to pummel into submission. During rehearsals, Blake Shelton stresses to Serabee that she needs to exercise some restraint when she's singing. "Keep all the tricks down," he says, then tells us that he hopes she listened to what he said.

Well, guess what, Blake? Just like you will discover after you and Miranda have your first child, you can give all the good advice you want, but people still have to make their own mistakes. And Serabee makes a big fat one right on national television doing exactly what Blake told her not to do -- she oversang possibly worse than she had in rehearsal. But Blake showed that he may indeed make a great parent, telling her, in effect, just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Dia has some weird vocal quirk that makes it sound like she's a Transylvanian vampire devouring every note (she sounded a little like Graham Parker -- not known for his vocal prowess as she glug-glugged through her part), but at least she didn't defy her coach. And so Serabee, and her ironic hat, were kicked to the curb. By the way, kudos to Cee Lo for the most apt description of the duel: "that was...bizarre."

Okay. It's time. Third pairing...the lustrous Rebecca Loebe against the anemic Devon Barley. When their coach Adam Levine tells them the song he's chosen is "Creep" by Radiohead, Rebecca gasps knowingly. She loves this song (who doesn't...oh wait, I can name someone). Devon looks confused. But, in his defense, when Adam tells him he's going to have to get in touch with his inner creep, Devon quickly responds, "Done" and I'm liking him a little bit.

In rehearsal, Rebecca nails the beginning of the song while Devon doesn't even know the melody. It looks like it'll be a romp. Like any MLB team against the Dodgers this year (ouch). But Devon learns the song and gets in touch with the lyrics and what they mean to him. Then it's time for the duel. Devon starts, instead of Rebecca, and he sounds good -- a little menacing and, yes, creepy. Rebecca sounds a little off. She's going for pretty, not weird, but it doesn't sound quite right. When she comes in "I want a perfect body, I want a perfect soul," she is basically squawking off key, as if she's going through puberty right then and there. Her voice completely falls apart and she never puts it back together. A Chernobyl-like meltdown. Adam looked shocked; I don't think he expected that to happen. Based on the performance he had no choice. And with that, Devon moves on and Rebecca heads back to her car.

Okay, with that out of the way, we can move on to the last duel of the night, Kelsey Rey vs. Tori and Taylor Thompson, from Cee Lo Green's team taking on Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten." All three girls are cute and can sing. Do the sisters have an advantage? Duh. Two cute girls are better than one. They actually sang pretty well (as if that mattered, I'm so naive!!) as Kelsey seemed to have some a mini-breakdown of her own (not of Rebecca-esque proportions), her voice turning strangely raspy and weaker than in her audition. She tried her hardest, but the sisters were an impenetrable force of nature and she was ultimately powerless to overcome their adorableness.

Next week is the final battle round and then we the people get to exercise our right to vote. See you back here then.

American Idol Season 10, Finale -- Who's in it to win it?

2011-05-25T04:43:00.000-07:00

The short answer is...neither of them. I cannot recall such a lackluster finale. And it wasn't just the lack of ethereal spotlights, gospel choirs and the other accoutrements of years past that the producers would use to send not so subtle signals that this is our winner. It was also the lack of any fire in the belly of either performer tonight. This is what going through the motions looks like.

But a moment to pause to contemplate the absence of blatant staging manipulation: If the producers don't know who they're rooting for, and don't care enough to make sure you know who you're supposed to vote for, you know we're in trouble.

We have two competitors who are solid, capable, reliable, and consistent. None of those adjectives are what comes to mind when you think of a great singer. Instead, those are the descriptors of the kind of insurance agent you would want to sign with. And therein lies the problem with tonight's show.

I was chided in the chat room for using the word somnambulistic to describe one of tonight's performances, but I think the scolding was more for the affectation than accuracy in my choice of words. Because there was no question that the word for tonight was sleepy.

It occurred to me that when I think back on Season 10, I will remember Casey Abrams' borderline psychotic performances and Paul McDonald beyond the border silly ones, James Durbin's over-the-top staging and Haley Rinehart's quasi-burlesque act, but not one performance of either of the final two will be recalled. So it was really no surprise that the final competition pitting the two would leave no trace.

The first song was a reprise of the contestant's favorite performance from the competition. Scotty chose "Gone" by Montgomery Gentry. I haven't checked back to my earlier post, but I was told that I liked this in the earlier rounds. Perhaps, but tonight his vocals were far outmatched by his excellent baseball swing at the end of the song. When your arm movements are the most interesting part of a performance, perhaps there is something wrong. The song started so monotone and unremarkably you had to check the DVR description -- yep, this is the finale! It picked up by the end, but before the applause faded I would have been hardpressed to remember the performance.

Lauren did the Carrie Underwood song "Flat on the Floor" and it was only more interesting than Scotty's performance because we had been told ahead of time that Lauren had blown out a vocal chord during rehearsal. So it was inevitable that we would listen a little more carefully, and care a little more, about her performance wondering if she'd make it or not. But in the end it was what we've come to expect from her, good, a little breathless, but good. She sounded best singing the song's title, where she carried some power along with a lovely tone, but the rest of the vocals were too muted. After she sang I wondered, with all the medicine they gave her so she could perform, if she wins, will she have an asterisk by her name?

The next songs were chosen by the contestant's own idol. Scotty's, chosen by George Strait, was "Check Yes or No." I didn't like the weird looks into the camera that Scotty does, but I really liked his vocal on this song. It sounded a little different from what he has done on ever other single song since the beginning of time and for that I was grateful. But what's with the wide stance; did someone steal his horse right out from under him?

Lauren's second song was selected for her by former AI winner Carrie Underwood. It was Pam Tillis' "Maybe it was Memphis." Oh, if only Carrie had picked her dress as well. That was beyond unfortunate. Even on the most shoestring budget, no Little Miss pageant contestant would be caught dead in that outfit - it was tutu, too too much. But, Lauren at least sang like she cared if she won and tried to put some passion in her vocals. Her voice has so much potential -- just beautiful. If she weren't just a child, she'd really know what to do with it and she could blow us all away. Right now, it's just raw talent that needs to be worked with.

The last song was the potential single for whoever wins this season. Jimmy Iovine picked a song called, I kid you not, "I love you this big." Unless you're three, that is an unfortunate line to deliver, let alone sing on a stage before millions. Silly, insipid, ridiculous are some of the words that come to mind to describe the song title. None of this is Scotty's fault and I give him props for doing his best -- including risking mocking humiliation from his baseball friends -- to act out the lyrics. But if he wins, I'll be glad I don't listen to country radio so I won't have to hear this treacle. His voice though, as always, was good, fine, right on.

Lauren's last song was "Like My Mother Does" and it was a much better song than the one Scotty was assigned. It actually had a chorus, and told a story. Lauren sang beautifully, as always, and didn't let her emotion in singing to her doppelganger take away from her performance. There were some quasi-creepy Gypsy allusions hanging over the song, but Lauren showed herself to be the better singer, the one more able to put her heart and soul into her vocals and to connect emotionally with the audience. Too bad it won't be enough.

And there you have it. Two kids who probably still sleep with their retainers in, who will toast their victory with a milkshake, are our final two contestants of Season 10. They deserved to be there by virtue of their innate talent and poise, yet the very things that make them so attractive to a record label are what makes them not the best choices for an interesting finale. They are predictably good, but predictable is not the main ingredient for an exciting TV show. But on the results show, we get the train wreck contestants returning and while I might cringe at their vocals...at least I won't be bored.

Prediction? You don't have to be Nostradamus to know that Scotty will win. Even that guy who incorrectly predicted the Rapture realizes he has the tween vote locked up. I just don't see the middle-aged mom block, who had been supporting him, jump ship just because Lauren sang about her mom. But I'll admit that I texted quite a few votes for Little Miss Sunshine and am hoping for an upset.

American Idol Season 10 -- Top 3 Compete

2011-05-19T09:16:00.000-07:00

DISCLAIMER: I have a cold. I've had it all week and apparently it not only dulls my senses of smell and taste but does something nasty to my sense of humor. So I apologize in advance for the more straight-forward recap.

Considering this is arguably the most important episode before next week, the opening actually seemed muted. I thought there would be a Chris Harrison worthy intro about the most emotional rose ceremony ever or something to focus on this being the TOP 3, just one spot short of the finale, etc. Instead, we got some abbreviated video of the Idols during their hometown visits followed by an E! Celebrity Bio on former Destiny's Child singer Beyonce. About an hour later, the show started.

Three singers doing three songs somehow equals two hours worth of show. So get comfy. To aid us tonight, there will be three separate counts: the number of times Steven says "beautiful," the number of times Randy says someone is "in it to win it," and how often Randy name drops or pats himself on the back. Predictions??

The winner of the only American Idol contestant to never get the pimp spot contest is one Scotty McCreery. Either the producers don't adore him as much as we think they do, or his numbers are so astronomically higher than anyone else in this contest that they have to force him to go first just to make it fair. The first song, which Scotty picked for himself, is not, surprisingly by Josh Turner. Nor is it sung in an octave deep enough to get a seismograph to register. Instead, it's the song "Amazed" by Lone Star.

The mentor for this round, Beyonce, has a clear favorite. She is totally smitten with Scotty whose charm and innocence have beguiled her and she bestows on him the title "cutie pie." Did the frontrunner really need any more adulation? Are the producers secretly splicing one second images of confetti to reinforce that Scotty is our winner? But then Beyonce gives Scotty some questionable advice, telling him to try and sing in his higher range. Danger, Will Robinson! Whatever happened to "if it ain't broke, don't fix it?" I thought he sounded strained when he went for the glory notes, but it was another unexciting but solid vocal. I am wondering if by the finals, someone will figure out how to rig up Scotty's cross so it lights up and flashes.

Lauren Alaina picks "Wild One" by Faith Hill for her first song, and it occurs to me that this is the first time in ten years that I had never before heard the songs picked by the first two singers. This really isn't my genre. Lauren has more makeup on than a "Toddlers and Tiaras" contestant and her outfit is a crime in every state above the Mason-Dixon line. Dolly Parton would tell her to tone it down. But when she sings, she has the most beautiful tone, I forget all about the visual assault.

There were some problems with this performance, mostly involving the fact that she apparently just got off the treadmill before she started singing. She was breathless, not in that sultry way, but in that, I'm being chased by a mountain lion way. Probably nerves, but it's something she needs to work on. Because anyone who can do what she can with the little tear in her voice and her control on the big notes should not sabotage themselves by panting like an Iditarod dog at the end of a race.

Haley Reinhart decides to dance with the one that brung ya' and continues to take daring chances with her song selections. This time, ignoring the fact that the resident rocker was just sent packing, she goes all Led Zepplin on us with "What Is and What Should Never Be." In the most pimp-worthy move since Chris Medina had his fiance at his audition, Haley brings her aging rocker dad on stage to whack the old axe. Perhaps this was all part of some settlement with American Idol attorneys for the show's mistreatment of Haley over the past three months. But, it smacked of the most egregious favoritism in the show's history.

Haley, if you pardon the pun, rocked the vocals and even earned additional points for falling with style and getting back up with grace. She did not miss a beat. Very impressive. But unless they're going to bring Scotty's grandma on stage with a tambourine for his next number, I'm crying foul. Nevertheless, round one goes to Haley.

Round two has the contestants singing producer/mentor/person they hope to work for Jimmy Iovine picking their song. He gives Scotty "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" by Thompson Square. Hey, I'm two for two. Haven't heard of the song or the artist this time. It's a silly, jokey song that I think is completely wrong for Scotty which is why I'm here writing a blog and Jimmy is there masterminding the careers of Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas. I get it.

Jimmy says he picked the song because it reminds him of Tom Petty. I don't see how he heard any rock at all in that country song. For me, it reminded me more of Richard Petty. But who am I to argue with the guy who's worked with John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen?

So the plus is, Scotty isn't leaning on a piano (which, I agree with the chat room is redundant) and he isn't finding new awkward ways to hold a microphone, but instead he takes on this weird macho persona which is greatly at odds with the Howdy and the Doody aspects of his Alfred E. Newman face. He's a 17-year-old red head -- I'd suggest taking all romantic songs off the table for at least a decade. Again, his vocals are fine. I don't know that he's reinventing the wheel or doing anything that other country singers haven't on the show before. But he's consistently good.

Jimmy picks "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry for Lauren and I wonder if maybe she's his favorite. It's a beautiful song and she, if you pardon the expression, kills it. I love her voice. It's strong, clear, passionate. She has by far the best recording voice, even if she did hit one bummer note after a little mental glitch during the song. Staging is not her strong suit, and she manages to look awkward just sitting, but she has a natural gift and if nurtured she will be giving Taylor Swift a challenger as country music's darling.

I must now apologize to Haley. What they gave her in the first round, by letting her daddy play with her (wow, that sounds wrong), Jimmy took away by making her try and sing Stevie Nicks. Even Stevie can't do Stevie anymore. Rhiannon is one of those seminal songs that everyone has imprinted on their brains and no amount of wind machines, beautiful dresses and favorable lighting can erase the original in our minds. Haley had one nice, sweet run of notes, but other than that it was a forgettable performance. Round two to Lauren.

The last round has the judges' choices (if we're all suspending belief for a moment that the producers had nothing to do with the selections). Scotty is saddled with the Kenny Rogers workhorse "She Believes in Me," a song that should have been put out of its misery years ago. The only thing worse than seeing that hirsute, bloated guy sing this song is watching cherubic, virginal Scotty sing it. Just...no. Yeah, the vocals are good, no complaints, but there is no emotional connection and it all seemed phony and forced to me.

Speaking of phony and forced....So Jennifer Lopez tears up at the end of this song. C'mon, JLo, don't even try. You're just not that good an actress. You're lucky the "I'm just so sweet" bit has been bought by the AI viewers. Don't push it. But, getting back to the vocals, Scotty sounded better in the upper register than he has before...so good job.

So we see them touching up Lauren's makeup before her next song. Somewhere Tammy Faye is saying...too much! The judges give Lauren a beautiful song, Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance."
This is unfair. I'm not sure anyone wouldn't give me goosebumps singing this song. I did find Lauren's pageant dress a bit distracting and I hope that her next reality show appearance is on "What Not to Wear."

After Lauren doesn't win this season of American Idol maybe she can go on the "I Was Robbed" tour with Adam Lambert and Crystal Bowersox. She has the best voice in the competition, but her lack of confidence has been a problem for her since she got to Hollywood. Seeing the video of that ballsy girl during the audition, who was orchestrating her moment and directing Steven, makes you wonder where that girl went and why she always seems so skeered on stage.

The last performance goes to Haley Reinhart and she's given the anthem "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morrisette. I always found it funny how Alanis went from Debbie Gibson teeny bopper to Amy Winehouse manic depressive in such a short period of time. But it was a good career move. It is also amusing how the lyrical alterations made for the PG TV audience strips the power from this song.

Someone forgot to put the stripper pole up for Haley. Oh well, she does a fine dance without it. Her vocals are weak when they're supposed to be soft, but she nails the loud, angry parts. Haley lacks subtlety when she sings which was why those few notes during the last song were such a nice change of pace. She should work on developing that part of her voice. Otherwise, she's just a good, solid rocker chick going into a music business that does not support the genre. She has a lot of potential, but of the three I'd say she's least ready to make an album tomorrow.

Now for the moment you've all been waiting for. The final count. There were four "beautifuls" from Steven Tyler, just 2 name dropping pats on the back by Randy Jackson, but a whopping four "in it to win it" comments -- for just three contestants. Masterfully played Randy.

So with some 90 million votes being counted, and I only managed to log in a dozen for Lauren, I have no predictions. My gut tells me that Haley will make it to the end, but I can't bring myself to say that Lauren is going home.

NBC's The Voice -- Episode 4: The Battle Continues, Rd. 2

2011-05-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

Tonight was the second round of battles pitting two of the coach's team members against each other to see who would make it to the live voting rounds where the very discerning American voters will of course make the correct choice and not, for example, vote out the really talented kid with the big heart in favor of the boring, copycat country singer. Wait, sorry, wrong show.

First up is the big, lovable teddy bear, Nakia, against the owner of the world's greatest Afro, Tye Austin. I think the last time that much hair has been on one stage must have been the Poison/Warrant/Quiet Riot reunion tour. They're singing Nee Yo's "Closer" and it seems more in Tye's wheelhouse. He has such smooth, silky vocals and a perfect recording voice. I could listen to him sing all night. But he is up against a force of nature in Nakia. He has the power, the emotion, the showmanship to really sell the song. You can't take your eyes off of him on stage. I would have gone with Tye, being the vocal purist that I am. But Cee Lo takes "Kia" an interesting nickname for someone who would appear to outweigh his namesake car.

The next duel is actually a threesome, but much less sexy than it sounds. It's the so cute you want to puke couple of Josh and Nicole Johnson who inexplicably go by the stage name Elenowen. The folk-pop duo look like they could be third cousins of Kings of Leon and I want to take up a collection to buy Josh a full sweater or jacket so he can get rid of that gnarly vest. They're going up against bald, rocker Jared Blake who I did not remember from the audition rounds. Apparently, he did "Good Girls Gone Bad" and everyone passed, so he got a second chance with "Not Ready to Make Nice." That time, Blake Shelton took him.

Now the folk-pop duet and the rocker dude are going to battle it out on..."Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Really? Strange song choice. Jared started out all gruff and edgy, and then Elenowen came in and they were hardly a presence on the stage, just two lovebirds singing to themselves, somewhat unaware that they needed to engage the audience. It was weird, Gertrude Stein-esque ("no there there'). I wonder if they knew this wasn't a rehearsal. I think Blake may have wanted to go with them -- they're cute and marketable. But Jared brought it and there was no way to ignore that he went after the song like it owed him money. So he's the next member of Team Blake.

Poor Angela Wolff. She is cute as a button (although she should probably consider visiting a cosmetologist who can tame those formidable eyebrows before they take over her face), has a terrific figure and has a really nice voice. She is as the saying goes, the complete package. Just one teensy problem. She's up against someone who may have the best voice to ever grace a reality TV singing competition in Javier Colon. This guy gave me chills and while my memory of some of the other auditions may be a bit shaky, I will never forget the first time I heard him sing.

Their coach Adam Levine picks "Stand By Me" for them to sing. I wonder if he thought of giving Angela a blindfold and a cigarette before she went before the firing squad. As I expected, Angela is terrific. She has nice stage presence and a lovely voice and is simply adorable. So I'll be sad to see her go, but when Javier opens his mouth, well, let me quote Blake here: "Javierrrrr." He is what makes the music industry so confounding. There are no guarantees. You can have a great, really remarkably pure and soulful, voice and yet never make it. Javier can sing rings around everyone else, but here he stands on the silly boxing-ring stage singing for another chance at stardom.

But sing he does and even though it's just a snippet of what he can do, there is no question he has the quality this show claims to be about...the voice. And his is as sweet and crystal clear as any I've heard.

The last battle of the night is from Christina Aguilera's team. She has bald, ballsy, blaster Beverly McClellan going up against some guy who looks like he sells insurance, Justin Grennan. How cute, their last name's rhyme. Last week the final battle was Vicci and Niki. I'm sensing a theme.

They're assigned a song that looks tailor-made for the rocker chick, The Who's "Baba O'Riley," also known by the name of "Teenage Wasteland" and the theme from "CSI:NY." Considering Justin has been living under a rock for the past twenty years and was totally unfamiliar with this overplayed song, he did a terrific job. But in proving that heart and desire are sometimes more important than technical skill, Beverly just worked harder and wanted it more and so she fought off his strong opening vocals. By the end, she was in complete control of the song and the performance and Justin had faded into the background. Welcome to the live shows Beverly.

Some of these singers already have songs and albums out there, so no need to wait till the end of the show if you want to buy some of their music:

NBC's The Voice -- Episode 3: Let the Battle Begin!

2011-05-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

We're back with the third episode in the latest entry in the crowded field of vocal competition reality TV shows. Are there really that many great, undiscovered singers out there? Well, apparently, because of the 32 contestants vying for 16 spots in the voting rounds, there are quite a few good voices out there. If Randy Jackson were judging this show, he'd utter nary a "pitchy." Which makes tonight's show particularly difficult.

This is the first round of battles, where two of the coach's picks have to go head-to-head, singing the same song on the same stage, with the coach picking the one who will go on. Christina Aguilera is up first and she puts her two ample divas up against each other -- Terralyn Ramsey and Frenchie Davis. They take on Beyonce's call to action, "Single Ladies," and in rehearsal both sound amazing.

Christina is aided by Sia, who gives Frenchie a newsflash -- she has a tendency to go sharp. First Frenchie heard of this, and, frankly, first for me too. But she's taking the advice knowing that this is her last second chance...unless it's not too late to try out for the X Factor. Meanwhile, Terralyn is trying to play mind games by holding back during rehearsal -- as if Frenchie couldn't tell that the powerhouse was not putting out her A-game.

Well, maybe Terralyn shouldn't have held back, because when she lets it all out its a bit of a screechy mess. Frenchie shows command of the stage and her vocal and she's the first to move on.

Blake Shelton is up next and he puts country boy Patrick Thomas against pop singer Tyler Robinson, giving them the Elvis song "Burning Love" to compete with. Blake brings out the heavy guns, no less than Reba McIntire, to help him prepare his singers. Blake gives Tyler some great advice: just because you can do a lot of runs doesn't mean you should. He also gives some a more questionable suggestion -- telling the very young, very innocent Patrick that one of the two needs to convince Blake that they are in fact a hunk, a hunk, a, burnin' love. Patrick can barely reach a simmer, so I'm worried for him.

But Patrick has a really sweet, clear voice and takes immediate control of the song. Tyler looks more like Elvis Costello than Presley. He takes the advice and doesn't oversing, but does a really nice thing with some of the notes. Blake applauds him for his vocal restraint and seems genuinely struggling with the decision. I would have given the round to Tyler, but, perhaps not surprisingly, the country boy is the choice.

The third battle of the night pits two of Adam Levine's team, Tim Mahoney and Casey Weston, singing the Don Henley/Stevie Nicks duet "Leather and Lace." Casey sounds like she's been sucking helium since birth when she talks, but all that goes away when she sings. Tim may not have the best voice for this song as his natural voice is a little high to provide the masculine contrast, the leather, to Casey's lace. He makes Don Henley sound butch.

One wonders whether this battle round is really a thinly disguised "face" round. The premise of the show was that it didn't matter what a singer looked like, it was all about "the voice." But with the judges facing the stage, knowing that in just a few weeks the future of their contestants will rest on the shoulders of a visually impacted, somewhat shallow America, how much does stage presence and look now factor into the decision? In other words, without a dynamite vocal, Tim would appear to be on shaky ground.

Casey does an almost perfect Stevie Nicks' impersonation, complete with the raspy, purry vibrato. Tim's voice is really good, but not blow-my-mind memorable. And he did a lot of teeth baring that was not real attractive, while Casey just standing there was too adorable. I think this was the easiest choice and Adam selected Casey.

Last up were Vicci Martinez and Niki Dawson from Cee Lo Green's team singing Pink's "F**kin' Perfect." I'd like to ask that they agree on one spelling of "icki" and stick with it. This is really confusing! Vicci had killed it in the audition round, Niki's was not shown so we don't really know what to expect from her. Niki says, modestly, it should be a great battle since we're both such great singers. Cee Lo's helper Monica notices Niki's, um, confidence. So the question is, can she back it up?

Well, yes. They both do. Adam did not hyperbolize when he said this was the best duet of the night. Vicci has a really unique sound, all rough edges, and she is quite the dynamo on stage. Niki has the most beautiful, sparkling voice. Crystal clear and powerful. They sing like their lives, and not just a shot on a TV show, are on the line and one wonders if Cee Lo is regretting his decision to put them up against one another.

I think it's ultimately the power of her physical presence that has him pick Vicci over Niki. Niki -- next time you audition, do something about those bangs. Your voice was an A+, but the hair was tragic and despite the name of this show, there's more to a successful singing career than just having a great voice.

All Hail Boston Rob, Winner of Survivor: Redemption Island

2011-05-16T09:58:00.000-07:00

I did not blog Survivor: Redemption Island this year, expecting it to be as mind-numbingly boring as last season's Survivor: Nicaragua which was won by...anyone? Exactly. But I watched every episode because that is what I have done since a certain overweight gay guy sat up a tree and told us all that we might as well write the million dollar check for him right then and there (sadly, not suggesting that the producers deduct the taxes first). I'm glad I did, because I found this season, though lacking in surprises, to be one of the most satisfying and enjoyable ever.

There were two twists for this twenty-second season of Survivor. One, was the return of two of the most notorious past players, the pathologically evil-yet-entertaining Russell Hantz and the bad boy-turned- endearing "Boston" Rob Mariano. The second was the creation of Redemption Island, a place where voted-off castaways would be given a second chance to get back in the game.

I loved the first twist because I recognize that first and foremost, Survivor is a television show and its first requirement is to entertain. And like them or not, Russell and Rob are two of the most dynamic contestants to ever play the game. The success of any season of Survivor is about 90% casting, 5% Probst dimples and 5% location. When, like last season, there is a lackluster cast, no amount of "wanna know what you're playing for" or "Survivors, ready?!" will save it. So, the producers were smart to ensure that there were two remembered, as well as memorable, cast members.

Bringing back two players did not guarantee that they would be around long to carry the show, as they each came with huge targets on their backs. And, indeed, Russell was so hated by his tribe that they did the unthinkable -- throwing a challenge just so that they could vote him off. It turned out to be a $1 million mistake for one of the former Zapatera tribe because they had the momentum, the numbers and the edge going into that challenge. There is no question that had they not thrown that challenge, it would have been one of their own (if not all from that tribe) sitting in the finals and not riding the jury bench.

But Rob somehow used his voodoo magic, Boston charm or Survivor mind control to convince his fellow castmates to keep him around. Though he was clearly the biggest threat, though he was the obvious choice to get rid of early, his team instead clung to him like a life raft in the middle of the ocean (rather than the 2 ton anchor he actually was...to continue the metaphor). Rob made them believe they needed his construction skills to build their shelter. He had them thinking that, despite them losing challenge after challenge, they shouldn't risk becoming a weak team by voting him out. He somehow manipulated everyone of them to being a key player on Team Rob.

A great example of just how intellectually overmatched his fellow castmates were, at the finale Jeff asked Natalie why she and the other girls didn't try and vote out Rob when they had the chance. She, as did Ashley, admitted that she knew Rob had the secret Immunity Idol and so thought it would do no good to try and vote him out. It is Countering the Immunity Idol 101 that when someone has it, you do whatever you can to force them to play it. But instead they let him have the benefit of the idol without having to use it until the very last opportunity. Crazy.

The Redemption Island twist was infuriating. After "the tribe has spoken" there's a catch?? No, I'm a purist. Out means out. But this year...and it appears next season as well, sadly...you had a chance to get back into the game by outlasting the other kicked-off survivors in a series of duels. It gave us the story arc of Matt the Christian true believer whom God appeared to be carrying all the way to the end. Matt won ten duels, was brought back in the game only to be voted out again, and seemed poised to make another miraculous comeback, all thanks to God, which would have given the premed student and the almighty quite a story to tell their friends. But, instead, Matt fell short and all that time on the island seemed in retrospect a cruel joke.

A few observations. David said during the jury questioning what the rest of us were thinking--no one played a better game than Boston Rob and no one since Richard Hatch has worked harder or more cleverly to come out on top. Steve and Grant are whiny jerks -- the NFL should be embarrassed. Phillip did not have to apologize to anyone. He was interesting and real and was treated horribly by most of the opposing tribe (save for the hirsute hillbilly who redeemed himself with his Phil vote). Cyclops needs to apologize to Natalie and Natalie's mother for her nasty comments during the jury segment. The girl is 19, away from home, playing a game for $1 million with people much older than her. She made it to the end, which 15 others couldn't say. Julie, go take your bitterness against the cute girl, oh, and your stealing Phillip's trunks, and show us just how classy you really are. I'm sure your girls are really proud.

It would be easy to discount Rob's masterful play this season as "fourth-time's-the-charm." But as anyone who watches Survivor knows, it does not get easier the more times you play, your vulnerability actually grows exponentially each time. It is a testament to his brilliant social game that Rob overcame being the most obvious choice for an early boot to control almost every breath that his tribe took for 39 days. I have not seen such blind obedience to a male authority figure since Jim Jones. May not be the most flattering analogy, but it is the most apt.

I'd strongly urge Natalie and the rest of the Omatepe tribe to steer clear of Koolaid for a while.

American Idol Season 10, Top 4 Results Show -- James Durbin Out??

2011-05-15T17:57:00.000-07:00

What in the Daughtry just happened?

I go out of town just once during the entire run of American Idol Season 10 and what do I miss? Oh, just the most interesting, electrifying and, yes, talented contestant of the remaining four is sent packing. No, not for a triumphant hometown parade as one of the Top 3 finalists. Packing as in he's back to doing his own laundry. What in the what??

In a typical post mortem, you look at every organ, every bodily system to see what failed. Every so often, the medical examiner will determine that there is no clear cause of death and that might seem like the case here. James Durbin was well-liked by fans, adored by the judges, treated well by the mentors and producers, had a great backstory and, oh, yeah, he could sing. But dead he is, at least as far as American Idol is concerned, and so I will explain as best as I can my theory behind his sudden seemingly unexpected demise.

Geller, M.E.

Patient: Durbin, James

Cause of AI Death: Premature coronation combined with excessive, undeserved praise. Secondary factors, judges' backlash and inconsistent later performances.

James was a 22 year old white male without a guitar, typically not someone who would survive to the end of American Idol. Thought he can play, for some unknown reason he did not wield the axe often enough to remind the voters that he fit the criteria for an AI winner. Indeed, for the past three years, only a WGWG has made it to the end of the show. His failure to remind viewers that he filled that stereotype was not helpful, but was not a major cause of his demise.

James started out strong, with some surprisingly vibrant, touching, and emotional performances. But in the last two weeks, he showes signs of strain. His vocals, especially on the 30 Seconds to Mars song during top 5 week, were shaky, off-key, and erratic. He bounced back to some extent during his next song, but was overcome with unexpectedly strong emotions which detracted from the vocals. In the previous few months, he almost never showed any tendency towards being "pitchy" or being anything but in full command of a strong, pure voice.

Some have noted his reliance on screaming and going for the big notes, but that had not shown any signs of injuring him in the past. They were usually intermittent and had not lasting negative effects -- save for infuriating the Glambert obsessives who declared that there shall be no screamer but Adam and sent their negative mojo to work on James.

No, James appeared robust and able to make it to the end of the competition where he was expected to falter Adam Lambert-style when faced with the overpowering force of a cross-wearing, gramma-loving, God-and-country-singing, Southern-living, country-twanger. So what killed James Durbin?

The last two weeks, he was overcome with sure-thingitis. He believed he was invincible, a lock to make it to the end. So he stopped worrying about this vocals, stopped taking care that his performances please the audience first (and not just himself). He went from obscure songs to overdone ones and ignored the fact that each week you have to give the home audience -- and not just your diehard fans -- a reason to support you. His overconfidence mixed with inconsistent vocals and damaging song choices proved a fatal combination in the end.

While I would not suggest opening a criminal investigation into this matter, I would add that James' demise was not without some questionable circumstances. Fans of a certain Madam have been supporting Haley Reinhart quite heavily these past few weeks and have been opposed to James taking the place of their dear Adam as the most successful American Idol shrieker. I wonder whether and to what extent their dislike of James contributed to his early exit.

Footnote: I should add that I was and still am a fan of James, but even I wrote less-than-stellar reviews of his last two weeks of performances. I did not for a second believe he was vulnerable as I couldn't, and, frankly, still can't figure out who it is who is voting for Haley. But I was disappointed with what I thought were subpar performances. So while his exit was shocking at the time, in retrospect all the signs were there.

But, really, who is voting for Haley?

American Idol Season 10, Top 4 Compete

2011-05-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

This is the most important week ever. Well, since the week where we thought we were picking the Top 10 who would make it on the American Idol Live Tour. And, of course, there's next week when we'll narrow it down to the final two. Oh, and the week after that where we crown a winner and Lee DeWyze no longer has to crumble under the weight of that title. But whoever lasts this week will finally get to meet the deputy mayor of their town and get a newly created key to the city that was hastily glued together for the occasion.

Big, right?

We get two songs from each contestant -- no duets like last year at this time -- the first an inspirational song (please, Jeebus, no "You'll Never Walk Alone" or "My Heart Will Go On"), the second, one from the catalog of some old guys who wrote songs before I was born. I did say old.

Tonight's show had drama (Haley talking back to the judges), comedy (Scotty worrying that hanging with Gaga was going to condemn him to Hell), tragedy (Haley's hair, Lauren's outfits) and horror (Casey Abrams and Paul McDonald back on my TV screen).

First up tonight is James Durbin. James is the most recent unfortunate beneficiary of the tabloid attack dogs who decided yesterday to put a salacious, and misleading, headline on their rag. Did he know and did the pressure get to him? Well, he certainly didn't look like he was stressing as he dragged out the most overplayed song of this and the last century, "Don't Stop Believing." James did not let last week's vocal stumble shake his confidence and he was all cocky bravado and rock star moves as he took on the Journey classic. He approached the song a la Paul McDonald, like we were popped into the middle of his concert (Cmon, James."Anyone know this song?" Really? There's cheesy and then there's taking a mozzarella stick, dipping it in Velvetta, then plunging it into a simmering fondue pot of Gruyere.)

At least his vocals were solid and he has enough youthful enthusiasm and unbridled joy at performing to almost make up for the silliness. James doesn't need the shtick and I hope someone tells him that soon. He actually has the best natural voice in the competition and the more stripped down it is, the better it sounds. Anyone can scream, yell, shout, screech. If that's all it took to make a good record, you'd lock your singer up in a room of wasps. The power is in the sublety and there was nothing subtle about this performance.

James was followed by Haley Reinhart who has defied all expectations by making the final four. I hate the judges' critique that a contestant doesn't know what kind of an artist they want to be, but it almost fits here. Haley annoyed me when she was the growling sex kitten, yet the last few weeks I've found myself strangely impressed by her confident vocals. But tonight, to quote my least favorite AI judge, she took two steps back. Her take on the Michael Jackson weeper "Earth Song" was strained and weak.

She had no breath to speak of and the only time you could hear her was when she was screaming tunelessly at the end. She sounded like that nasty old codger in the neighborhood always yelling at the kids to get off the lawn. That wasn't a vocal, it was an aural assault. But when two of the judges pointed that out, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson, Miss Reinhart got all "oh no you didn't" and copped enough attitude that I wanted to send her to her room.

He didn't sing the opening from Mighty Mouse ("Here I Come to Save the Day"), but Scotty McCreery might as well have, because his emotional, tender take on the Alan Jackson 9/11 tearjerker, "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning") brought the show back on track. He picked the perfect song (it had God AND Jesus in the lyrics -- score), was playing his guitar (so no awkward poses with the mic) and his voice was as pitch perfect as ever. How he managed to get the Navy SEALS to take out Osama bin Laden to make this song even more timely is impressive! The only question lingering after this performance is how long before he is the next country music superstar.

Last up for the first round was the effervescent Lauren Alaina. I'll admit it, I have a soft spot for this girl. She's adorable, talented and totally unaware she possesses the first two traits. She gave Scotty a little competition for the Bible-belt vote with "Anyway" by Martina McBride. While I appreciate that Scotty is the real deal, I can't see myself ever buying one of his albums. While I don't break out in hives when he sings, it could be because I take a Claritin ahead of time, just to be safe. But Lauren is more current country than Scotty and I think she has great crossover potential. She's a little bit Dolly, but also a little bit Carrie.

After the break its time for Lady Gaga to mentor the Idols. She dresses conservatively for her. No pants, natch. But at least she's not wearing food. And none of her body parts appear more altered than normals. If she goes outside, the black under the eyes will make it easier for her to catch a pop up, so it's nice to see she comes prepared.

Haley is up first this round and she's singing the rather intense Lieber and Stoller song "I (Who Have Nothing)". She sounds amazing in rehearsal and the suggestions Gaga gives her (make it more dramatic...imagine that suggestion from the lady who goes on stage covered in blood!) are right on. Haley does a great job on the show, though her voice was a tad too shaky and thus lacked the punch it could have had. And she missed the last note by about a mile. But the judges, feeling guilty or worrying that Haley may be armed this time, lavish her with praise. I'm sure that won't confuse the young lady at all.

So what happened when Scotty met Gaga? The queen of the monsters told seventeen-year-old Scotty McCreery to pretend his microphone is his girlfriend and "Put your mouth on that microphone or that... is going to leave you." She also suggested sticking his tongue down the girlfriend's throat. Well, that certainly wasn't awkward at all! He later kisses his cross and says, lord, this is not my doing. I'm sure God already got the memo on Gaga, kid. No worries. Scotty took a hokey song and had some fun, but it paled by comparison to his first song and seemed like a wasted opportunity. But Scotty is golden, so he can afford a silly number like "Young Blood".

Lauren is getting down and dirty with the song "Trouble." It didn't suit her. I'm no prude, but I don't like seeing sweet, seventeen-year-old girls romp around the stage telling us how evil they are. Lauren didn't even feel comfortable with the lyrics. Good lesson for her...trust your instincts! Betty White exudes more naughty sexiness than Lauren. It's just not who she is. I'm starting to wonder whose idea Lieber and Stoller night was because we have one overwrought song and two silly ones -- not really the body of work you want to pin your entire future on.

The last performance of the night was James doing "Love Potion Number 9." So Gaga was digging James' vocals, but not so much his lack of sexiness. So, while his eyes are closed, she goes around behind him and plants a hand on each hip and starts showing him how it's done, Elvis style. Well, that was less awkward than her moment with Scotty!

I'm not used to James being off key, but I had plenty of opportunities to experience that in the first minute of the song. But I love the way he finished up the song, holding the audience in his hand and toying with us like we were his little plaything. The guy can control a stage.

I'd say Scotty and James are locks to make it to the final three and it's between the girls. I worry that Lauren splits her votes with Scotty and that Haley fans would not likely be fans of anyone else still in the running. But her feisty verbal altercation with Randy does not always sit well with the audience. Conversely, after watching Haley batted around by the judges like Lenny playing with a puppy, the audience may actually come to her defense. We'll see. I'm still betting on a Haley ouster tonight.

Who do you think is going home...and not to homecoming?

American Idol Season 10, Top 5 Compete

2011-05-05T01:15:00.000-07:00

With just three weeks left in the competition there are many unanswered questions. No, not who will win. No one cares and it doesn't matter. I'm talking about the really important ones. Like, how many more times will judge Steven Tyler call a contestant's performance beautiful? How many more times will we be able to hear Randy Jackson name drop someone in the music industry or tell us that someone is in it to win it? Will we ever see Jennifer Lopez actually write on the piece of paper she always seems to refer to during her critiques?

The theme for tonight is very wide open -- one current song, one older song. So song choice should not be a factor as basically everything outside of the eighties and nineties is fair game. Sadly this means, no "So Emotional" and no "I Believe I can Fly" -- both which would have been right up Jacob Lusk's alley.

Tonight's mentor is Sheryl Crow and, I have to say, she sounded better singing along with the contestants than I've heard her before. Wasn't much of a fan, but maybe I should give her another listen. Or maybe this shows just how average the contestants are that we've been building up in our minds the past couple of months?

James Durbin is hitting lead-off with "Closer to the Edge" by 30 Seconds to Mars. He was excited about singing with Sheryl and it seemed the feeling was more than mutual as she said, "I got to sing with James. I can officially retire now." I thought it was because he was so good, which he has been in every other performance since we first met him in San Francisco. But tonight was an utter and complete vocal disaster. Even in rehearsal he was way off -- sharp, flat, and missing notes in new and inventive ways.

Jimmy Iovine knows nothing about dramatic irony a la Mark Burnett, or he never would have sent James off with the assurance that "I don't think anything can get between him and greatness tonight." Nothing except your jinxing him!!! Dude. You're on a reality show. You say something like that, James had no option but to fall flat (and sharp) on his face. I happen to love this song and I thought it would be perfect for James. But literally from the first note you could tell it was time to brace yourself for a really hard landing. His voice was weak and all over the place, like a drunk kitten on a trampoline. When he got to the chorus, he was exhausted from running around the crowd and it showed in his weak and painfully bad vocals.

But what did the judges say after this  mix of the Titanic meets the Hindenburg? Steven said "beautiful," JLo said "we're feeling it, grab it, take it" (whatever that means) and Randy just had to let us know how cool he is that he's heard of 30 Seconds to Mars and knows who their lead singer is (possibly the hottest man on the planet...discuss). Wow Randy, you're just so in the know! Oh, and did you know the James is in it to win it?

I checked with my 30 Seconds to Mars expert and this is what she said, "I listened to 6 seconds. My ears are bleeding.  He should be sent to prison for this.  I think what he did is illegal in at least 35 states." So there you go! Personally, I'm wondering if those pills that Kate Winslet took in "Eternal Sunshine" to help her forget are available because I don't want to ever think back on that performance.

Next up is new Vote for the Worst favorite Jacob Lusk. Now that Osama bin Laden has been killed, perhaps we can use our special forces to try and locate who is voting for this guy. How come every time he speaks I think of that "Hercules, Hercules" moment from the Nutty Professor, as if done by Kermit the Frog? He's singing "No Air" by Jordin Sparks/Chris Brown. Of course, Miss Judy/Liza takes the Jordin part, in all his screechy, pitchy awfulness.

The only other time I've heard sounds like that was on the Discovery Channel and I don't recall if they were coyotes or bobcats, but they were in a vicious fight and on the losing end.  JLo is happy he picked this song and she loves the direction he's going in on his way to the top 3, uh, 2, uh, the finale. Oops. Meanwhile Randy disagrees and thinks it's probably not the best choice for a solo artist to sing a duet. Especially if you're going to sound awful in either voice.  He's not feeling Jacob as a pop artist and invokes Luther Vandross' name like a mystical incantation to ward off evil singing. Steven says Jacob needs to find a niche and doesn't seem to worry at all that it's near the end of the competition and the judges are still arguing about what kind of a singer Jacob will be. I know...unsigned.

But wait, the debate is not over, now Jacob weighs in. He goes combative and shows that unpleasant side that told us all to go look at ourselves in the mirror and he's arguing that he could sing the Carpenters and be current. The Carpenters? Just how out of touch is he?

Lauren Alaina comes along on her white horse to come save the show. She sings like her life depends on it (which after the tepid responses from the judges recently, it might) and wows with a Carrie Underwood song, "Flat on the Floor." Finally, the Lauren from Hollywood week is back. She had energy and enthusiam and confidence. It was fantastic.

Randy thinks she's in it...then he stops. Well, he's right. Even Jacob, until he's booted tomorrow (spoiler alert) is in it. I think he was going to complete the expression until he got a sign from the producers that they're no longer backing Lauren so he should hold off on too much praise. And you barely see the strings being pulled. Steven uses niche in a sentence again, but this time in a positive way showing just how versatile he is as a judge and a linguist. JLo loved her and told her all she needs to do is be perfect like that every week. No pressure.

Scotty McCreery was up next with Montgomery Gentry’s “Gone." In rehearsal everything seems great and on stage it is. Now, I'm pretending I like country music for the purposes of this recap. I'll imagine that I like twangy, drawly, good-ol'-boy songs with a fairly simple melody that don't require too much of the singer. Scotty comes alive tonight. He is all over the stage, as if filling the vacuum left by both Paul McDonald and Casey Abrams. Listening to the performance was quite different than actually seeing it with all the distracting facial expressions and mugging for the audience. Yes it was cheesy, but it fit the song and fit his age. He is too young to stand still awkwardly holding a mic and I prefer him hamming it up.

The judges heap praise on him, Steven stammering something about dancing with the devil which, of course, is a good thing in his book (the book, 101 Things to Do With the Devil) and he invokes the "beautiful" word that we've missed hearing for every single review. JLo says she lost it, whatever it was and Randy says Scotty's in it ... wait for it... to win it.

Last up is Haley Reinhart and she is singing an unreleased Lady Gaga song, "You and I." Because Jimmy has pull. He's Italian and can get things done, capisce? But is doing a song only people who've gone to Gaga's concerts (which is roughly a third of the population, but still) have heard risky? Did the risk pay off? Depends on who you ask. At first, I thought she was doing a Jason Mraz song, which might explain the "unreleased" part. Haley tries her best, she puts a nice bluesy spin on the pop diva's song. But the pitchy gremlin who's been wrecking havoc tonight bops her on the head and she veers off at times.

There's no question Haley can sing, but the song really didn't do her any favors. JLo agrees with me! Should I worry?? More importantly, should Haley worry that JLo just said she didn't come out like James and Scotty did?? Oh no, Randy agrees too. And he apparently doesn't think Haley is in it...for any reason. Steven says she's just one perfect song away from being the American Idol. Wow, that's going to make song selection very relaxing if she's here next week.

Then it's time for the singers to hop into the Way Back Machine and sing something from before CDs, illegal downloading, and Autotune -- all things that have conspired to kill music (admit it, your old LPs sound infinitely better than your new CDs).

James Durbin sings Harry Nilsson's "Without You" and he was an emotional wreck singing the song during rehearsal and it carried over to his teary, shaky performance that took away from the vocals. I appreciate the sincerity and feeling, but oh how I wish Simon were here just to suggest that falling apart on stage is a bit self-indulgent. But, don't get me wrong, I'm still a James fan and there were a few really sweet notes that he hit in this song that reminded me why. Everyone's entitled to an off night. but it's a little risky to have it when you're singing first and there are only five contestants left.

Seriously, before tonight did you know there was a band named Nazareth? Me either. They did that song that we had heard before, "Love Hurts," which is monotonous and whiny. But not when Sheryl sang it! So guess what we're going to get from Jacob? Well, the whiny came first, followed by the shrieky, but the monotonous was close behind. When he goes for those low notes, I just want to help remove the phelgm that's choking the notes. As the song goes on, Jacob becomes possessed. to the point that by the last note he just starts randomly making sounds until finishing off calling in the neighborhood dogs.

Not having to better her first performance was Lauren Alaina who decided to do the Simon Cowell Memorial Favorite Song of All Time, "Unchained Melody." Maybe it should be called, Untuned Melody. Get it? Since she was off key at the beginning. She eventually pulled it together and it was fine, I even enjoyed her falsetto, but I wasn't digging the growly finish. I swear, Casey Abrams casts one hell of a shadow, we have people running around on stage and others growling, I just need teeth gritting menace. Oh wait, Hannibal Lecter is in the audience. Score!

Scotty sings "Always on my Mind" and I'm reminded that Willie Nelson is an amazing singer who is so unconventional, so wrong, he's right. This is not the right song for Scotty. Possibly it's a mistake for someone who could call Justin Bieber "Pops" to sing a song with that much intensity, longing and passion. Putting aside that he couldn't sell the message, he also went off key in places and when he wasn't flat, he was boring. Even grandma couldn't come up with anything good to say when, after prompting from Ryan Seacrest, all she said was, "He's my Scotty." Very cagey grandma.

Haley's wrapping it up with The Animals' "House of the Rising Sun." It's a great song and there isn't a snowball's chance in Sacramento in the summer that any judge will ever say wrong song choice. She starts a capella and the concept was eerie and cool, but Haley's high notes are not working for me. If I had one of those rating dials I'd have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by now, turn to the right for the lower notes, which are a mixture of honey and whiskey, smooth and a little dangerous. When she sings the middle part of the song, she nails it. But then it's back down to the left with the dial for the high, piercing notes. Haley has a great voice, but she needs to learn its strengths as well as its limitations. But it was an electrifying performance on a night that was up for grabs and I can see Haley as the new front runner.

No bottom/top this week... Jacob is going. James has a huge fan base and has been so great up till tonight's stumble, so he's not going anywhere despite his unfortunate first performance. For the record, I checked the iTunes version and it sounded pretty good.

That's all folks!

NBC's The Voice -- Episode 2

2011-05-04T01:03:00.000-07:00

The first episode of this new entry into the reality TV talent show genre was unexpectedly great. The four coaches showed a lot of personality and the talent was seriously stellar. Only the personality-less Carson Daly (making one wish for a Dunkleman comeback) cast a shadow over an otherwise bright debut. Could tonight's second episode of The Voice measure up?

Well, yes and no. The judges were still adorable in their bickering. But the quality of the talent did not reach the levels of the first week...in fact, there was not one contestant chosen by all four coaches. Meanwhile, Carson apparently took some lessons from the Chris Harrison-Ryan Seacrest handbook and learned how to deliver the "shocking rose ceremony/results" type intro with just enough faux intensity and concern.

So first up is Melinda Doolittle, a background vocalist who wants to step out of the shadows and... what? Oh, nevermind. It's Cherie Oakley, a background vocalist who wants to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight. She decides to lasso her aspirations to a Miranda Lambert song, even though the only country music coach up there just happens to be ... let's delicately say intimately familiar with the original artist.

I think she does a good job with Gunpowder & Lead. I'm not jumping up and down (which I would only do metaphorically since otherwise it would look really weird), but I think she had a decent enough voice and a good stage presence. Not surprising, since he doesn't want to sleep on the couch after this episode airs, Blake Shelton passes. But Christina hits her buzzer at the last moment, just as Cherie is ratcheting up the histrionic, over-the-top flourishes to near Aguilera-like proportions. Once again, Cee Lo was sad to see he passed on a cutie.

The next guy, a Kevin Corvais doppelganger -- did this show want so many American Idol comparisons?-- says it's either be a singer or go to med school. When asked where the med school idea came from Devon Barley says his dad, Dr. Barley. Oh, that's sweet, his dad is a doctor, maybe a heart specialist or a brain surgeon, maybe an ENT. Wait, what was that? He's a chiropractor? Yeah, I can see why his son would want to try singing instead.

So Devon sings the catchy "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz and he has a smaller obstacle to overcome since, as far as we know, no one is currently involved with Mraz. Devon has a nice throaty, breathy quality when he sings that could be cool. But when he goes for the big notes, he can't back them up. The guy needs to eat his Wheaties...bulk up a little. Barry Bonds, you're a buff guy, what would you suggest? What's that stuff that makes your head grow? Don't worry, there's no steroid testing in music -- primarily because only Henry Rollins would be under suspicion.

Still, two people buzz in for him, Adam Levine and Cee Lo Green, and though there's not as much hard core campaigning as last week, Adam does give him enough love to make the choice easy.

The next one up is Joshua Scott Hand. He thinks he's hysterical because he speaks slowly, in an exaggerated fashion, and uses obvious physical gestures to try and sell what he thinks are jokes. At first I have no idea what he's singing...until he gets to the chorus and I can finally make out it's Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi." Not a good sign. There's putting your own twist on a song and there's singing so poorly that the song is unrecognizable. He falls into the latter category and is gone.

Raquel Castro is 16 years old, but when she talks she sounds even younger. She nervous about singing in front of her idol, Xtina, but she's a tough Jersey girl so she's going to soldier on. She sings "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis and the nervousness is apparent at first...she can barely catch her breath. She's hardly singing at first, but by the time she gets to the chorus (which, for the record, is really monotonous and annoying) she gets stronger. She starts belting her little heart out, going after notes whether or not they fit the song or are in her range, but it works and Christina turns around.

Emily Valentine from Hollywood is next. We don't get to see her at first, so we can play along with the judges. But we're given a few hints by her saying that people who judge her by her appearance end up surprised, so we know something's up. She sings Pink’s “Sober" and it's one of those great songs that would make almost anyone sound good. So when she does some runs at the end of the first verse that are so off key it acutually makes me wince, I think she's not going to make it. But, with the lesson of this show (and American Idol, I'm looking at you Lee DeWyze) being "tone" is more important than "pitch," two of the four judges choose her. Welcome to the Autotune age!

When we see her she's very blond, a slightly less attractive Gwen Stefani, but cute. And covered in tattoos. There's a little battle for her, even with Christina pointing out the obvious problems with staying on or anywhere near key, and Cee Lo and Blake Shelton vie for her affection. Blake uses the argument that he likes her more since he buzzed in first, but like every other overly enthusiastic suitor, he is rejected for the guy who seemed less desperate, who needed a little more convincing. So she goes with Cee Lo.

We are quickly informed that Cee Lo also gets Niki Dawson, who sang Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, while Blake was the only one who picked Sara Oromchi who sings (well, from what little I can hear), John Lennon's "Imagine." Either these two girls don't get to voting rounds, or The Voice is also copying the idea of producers' manipulation from American Idol.

Tim Mahoney is one of those contestants that the show will remind us repeatedly "is what this show is all about," meaning he's at the age where he probably needs reading glasses, he's not super attractive and has been trying in vain for longer than most of the viewers have been alive to make it in the music business. It's a sad, but not at all uncommon story. And it begs the question, how long do you keep chasing your dream?

He sings “Bring it on Home to Me," originally sung by Sam Cooke. His voice is passable, and I fear he's going to be disappointed, then Adam buzzes in, rather quickly. Adam makes a face when he turns around as if what he is seeing isn't what he was expecting. That's the premise of the show, dude. No one else buzzes in, which was not surprising as there was nothing unique or memorable about the performance (except for how unattractive his hat was...that may stay with me for a while). Funny thing. Turns out, Adam thought Tim was a chick. That's why he hit his buzzer so fast....that was a cool sound to be coming out of a girl. Not so much a guy who was born before the Watergate scandal.

But the two of them will be a match made in heaven since both of them sing like girls but have penises, which Adam was nice enough to point out for all of us, not unlike Boy George and Cher. So after some more discussion about male genitalia, they finally figure out there's not much to talk about as Tim has no choice to make. He's on Team Levine. Good luck with that one, Adam.

Julia Eason sings Duffy's song "Mercy" and I realize that I used to think it was an Amy Winehouse song. Anyone else? Julie is really cute and she has an okay voice, but it sounds so much better because of the song. I'm thinking in the future they should have the contestants sing their ABC's or Happy Birthday or The Star Spangled Banner or something else that no one sounds good singing. Cee Lo and Xtina both love her...and I'm not getting it.

The next contestant to make the Miranda Lambert faux pas is Angela Wolff. She sings the future Mrs. Shelton's “The House That Built Me" and unless she was able to make a blind person see or Christina's roots come in blond, she was not making it out of the audition alive.

Next is Tyler Robinson from Folsom, California. Blake Shelton humorously claims to have never heard of the city that's home to the famous prison that even more famous Johnny Cash sang about famously. So, Tyler is gay and out on national TV but not out to his dad. Maybe his dad is a Luddite and he'll never know. Or maybe he's watching Dancing With the Stars and has something to tell his son, too.

Tyler commits a bigger crime than wearing that really unattractive jacket -- he sings Train's "Hey Soul Sister." In the chat room tonight it was agreed that there is no such thing as a good version of that song (and I tried to pimp Street Corner Symphony's version to no avail). Blake has a momentary seizure which causes his hand to involuntarily attack big round red things and suddenly this not really talented guy without much talent is on his team. Thank goodness for cuts!

Next up is a big hairy teddy bear from Austin, Texas named Nakia who is also gay and also ballsy...he sings Cee Lo's "Forget You." This apparently isn't the poison that a Miranda Lambert song is and Cee Lo and Blake both want him. I'm not surprised. While he may not have the best voice I've ever heard, he has presence and personality in abundance. He's a showman with a good enough voice. Blake makes an unfortunate joke trying to dissuade from going with Cee Lo, saying that he dresses like a peacock. Not exactly something will turn off a gay guy. I'm just sayin'. Not at all surprisingly, the immensely entertaining Nakia goes with Cee Lo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAXuP7p6RHE

We quickly learn of two other selections -- a girl named Serabee who sang “Son of a Preacher Man" and was picked by Blake and the stereotyped "goth-rocker" chick Casey Desmond who performed Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way." Was it just me, or did Adam's, "you're mine, awesome" to Casey not seem all that enthusiastic? Was it the flaming read hair, the unfortunately heavy handed blush or the neon green eyeshadow that discouraged him? Justin Grennan sang Train's "Drops of Jupiter" and was picked by Christina as her team's first male member. That's right, I said it.

There was a quick medley of people who didn't make it, complete with some tears from Christina.

Dia Frampton is nervous as she's about to sing Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly." She sings about two lines and Blake hits his buzzer. Apparently he's really excited to hear a girl not singing a Miranda song. Dia's voice is quirky, but not in a cool way. I don't know if it's just nerves, but she's all over the place. She starts doing various vocal flourishes that make is sound like she's gagging or choking. She has a weird vibrato and an odd falsetto...so of course, she gets two coaches' votes! But they're rewarded because she's cute as a button. She has to pick between Cee Lo (who may need to stop off at the Human Resources office to pick up the sexual harrassment pamphlet) and the spoken-for Blake and she wisely chooses Blake.

Curtis Grimes wears a cowboy cat and is singing "Hillbilly Bone" by...uh oh...Blake Shelton. Will he be as overly protective of his own music, as he is Miranda's? Curtis says, "If Blake doesn't push the button for me, I'm going to run up there and push it for him." Foreshadowing, party of one? Well, I don't know the original, but this is really sleepy. He's singing all the notes just fine and he has a nice country twang, but there is no electricity at all in his performance. It's just blaht. Cee Lo gives his a mercy push...and Blake doesn't touch his.

Blake explains what was missing from the performance -- cockiness. That makes sense. So while agreeing that Curtis can sing well, he didn't think he had the intensity for the song. I actually agree with him, I think the Curtis-Cee Lo pairing may be brilliant. Curtis has the voice, he just needs the swagger and maybe Cee Lo can help him find that.

The last to audition are the Thompson Twins...well, actually, they're sisters Tori and Taylor Thompson and close in age, but not twins. Close enough. They sing the Sugarland hit "Stuck Like Glue" and do a terrific job, especially on their harmonies. And they're cute, and one is brunette and one is blonde, and they're confident on stage. Watching the coaches as they slowly figure out it's two singers, not one, is priceless. But it looks like our pig farming sisters are heading back to the farm until Cee Lo comes to the rescue! After they all turn around, suddenly everyone is all positive. I don't know what their hesitation was. I think Cee Lo will have fun with this group.

So that's the last competitor so goodbye, we'll see you next week. What? Oh, not everyone has a full roster. Whaaaaat? In fact, Adam only has six contestants he needs two more! So they decide to give some of the contestants they passed on a second chance to make a more tuneful first impression. For some, that means a second rejection which means that any effort to come up with a non-hurtful excuse for their failure is now out the window. You didn't pick the wrong song, were too nervous, were too similar in style to someone else, you sucked. Ouch. Althought Sonia Rao takes it very well. Kudos to her parents for raising her with enough confidence that the Entertainment Industry BS doesn't get her down!!

But not experiencing this double blow is Lily Elise who had made Christina cry earlier. She starts out singing lower than I would think was possible, unless she borrowed Tim's penis and does a decent job with Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You" and they're both all excited that Christina "got her back."

Jared Blake singins "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks and I love his voice. Great raspy, Hootie-ish sound. Blake pickes him and is genuinely happy, saying "I got my guy."

Adam is the last to fill his team and unless a hermaphrodite is auditioning, will he find anyone he relates to? Casey Weston sings "Stupid Boy" by Keith Urban and she reminds me a little of Crystal Bowersox, barefoot, folk-rocker who will turn country when her first album sells okay but doesn't exaclty excite mainstream radio. She's the second to last member of Team Levine.

Angela Wolff will not be singing another Miranda Lambert song, this time she takes on "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele because we haven't heard enough covers of that song recently. Adam picks her up before she even goes for the glory notes. She is so excited and so isCee Lo because she's another "pretty girl" and even if she's not on his team, at least he gets to see her around the set. Rawr.

So the auditions are over after just two episodes, now it's time for the battle rounds. If only they were preceded by the host elimination round. I'd watch that on pay-per-view.

American Idol Season 10 -- Looking Back at the Top 5

2011-04-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

With just five left in the competition, I thought it might be interesting to see how I evaluated each during their first Top 24 performance. So here's the review of what I had to say about them, with my review of Casey Abrams thrown in for good measure.

Now, one of the two moments we've all been waiting for. The Adam Lambert wannabe with an unending supply of bandanas is up. James Durbin is rocking out to "You Got Another Thing Coming' by Judas Priest. But, wait, this doesn't blow. Maybe because I knew the high notes were coming, but I liked his voice in the rest of the song and the rock star vocal posturing actually didn't bother me. Two thumbs up! He's a natural rocker -- just stay away from the show tunes, dude, and you may go very far!

Haley Reinhart sings "Fallin” by Alicia Keys. Hasn't this song suffered enough? Who doesn't think they can sing it better than the original, only to find out that they end up...wait for it -- fallin'--short? Well, to be fair, Haley doesn't fall, but neither does she soar. It's okay, it would be a nice, safe performance were it not for the fact that only five girls will go through. She apparently studied under the Scotty McCreery School of facial expressions and she mugs a bit too much to the camera. Her voice is almost there, but just...doesn't make it all the way.

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I don't like country music. But I love me some Scotty McCreery. And so do apparently the screaming teens in the audience who have been relatively quiet until now. I think it's called “Letters from Home” and Randy says it's by John Michael Montgomery, but this is all a foreign area to me. But whatever it is and wherever it comes from, it's good and so is Scotty. He's cute; he sings well, even the high notes. He's ready to record, right now.

I did not see this one coming. I've been a fan of Lauren Alania from day one, but never would have put her name in the same sentence as one of the queens of country, Reba McIntyre. And yet there they are together as Lauren chose “Turn on the Radio ” as her Top 24 song. Lauren can sing anything. She sounded great -- like an old pro and now someone who should be getting fitted for a retainer. She looks like the missing third Judd sister and sounds just as good (as Wynonna, not Ashley -- who knows her country singers).

Jacob Lusk is the judges' favorite. They make sure to remind us of this before he sings. He has sung better than anyone ever had ever in the history of singing and the rest of us are not even worthy of hearing his dulcet tones. He has been bombastic and over-the-top, pushing his voice louder, higher, farther each time he takes the stage? So what will he do for a change? He takes on another overwrought singer's song, "A House is Not a Home." A song that cries out for delicacy and restraint. Well, keep crying, because you're going to get none of that. Just more GLEE-rific how many runs can I do? He has compulsion to do more than is necessary to sing a song. And with the judges telling him they want more and more, that's what we're going to get. This is not current, this is not anything that you will hear on the radio, and this is not the future of music. It's campy and dramatic, but it's not going to bring the music business back from the brink.

Now it is the guy who will cure cancer with just his voice...at least according to the judges. Casey Abrams is only slightly more in love with himself than the judges are. I will run out of ways to say smug before this competition is over. He's 99% attitude, 1% singing. I don't know what show he thinks he's trying out for, but if their goal down the line is to find a current recording artist, this ain't the guy. It would be a standout performance at your local High School talent show, even if it's mostly smoke and mirrors. He looks like what he's doing should be amazing, and somehow he makes you believe it. But not me, I'm impervious to his voodoo powers! The growling, the talking, it's unique and interesting -- but not the sound of a future recording star. And it's way too calculated and cute for me to buy it.

Well, except for being shocked that Lauren was singing country, I'd say that I was pretty accurate and consistent. I have grown to like Haley more, James too, but I didn't really pan either of their Top 24 performances. If anything, I'd say early frontrunners Scotty and Lauren have receded ever so slightly. But why, how Jacob is still around is a mystery to me.

American Idol Season 10 Top 6 Week -- Results Show

2011-04-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

Before I begin recapping tonight's show, let's look back at last night and see what we learned. Randy Jackson does not know the meaning of "to turn the other cheek" and thinks New Orleans is a state. He was unable to find any good name-dropping opportunities during Carole King Week ... which should make it a staple of future seasons if this show lasts beyond Season 10. Steven can actually say something besides "that was beautiful" but whatever else he adds is even less helpful and nearly impossible to decipher. And JLo is a guy magnet, even for guys of questionable heterosexuality.

Ryan reminds us that this is an elimination night which means "a lot of fans are going to be disappointed with tonight's results." Spoiler alert -- not this blogger!

The top six did a medley of Carole King's songs and, for those of you hearty souls who want to brave the AI Live Summer Tour, let's hope none of these songs are performed. In fact, I'd say that this group, because of its noted diversity of styles, is possibly the least able to harmonize of any prior collection of Idol contestants. Every time two of them gets together, it's painful. But, when a greater multiple tries to sing together, it's a mad dash by the home audience to the mute button.

Who sounded the worst? I'd say the honor has to go to Jacob Lusk. As bad as he is singing alone, when you hear his Kermit under water voice contrasting with the clear sounds of Lauren or James, it's disorienting. But no one came away unscathed and the producers may want to consider scrapping medleys for the duration. Or maybe use it as a product placement opportunity, a graphic of a bottle of Pepto Bismol would work just fine.

Although tonight their awful group singing was actually surpassed by how poorly each of them can do an English accent. Is it really that hard? Dear readers: In honor of tonight's final Michael Scott episode of The Office let's say together: "that's what she said."

Before we get into the results, last season's robbed second-place finisher, Crystal Bowersox, comes back to the Idol stage to sing "Riding with the Radio." Well someone has sure gone country! What happened to our midwest hippie chick?   So instead of Lillith Fair, she's off to CMA Fest. She had one guy playing the mouth organ, another on steel guitar, and of the many choices on her very good debut album she (??) picked the most countrified one. She still has a great voice, is a passionate performer, and a solid songwriter. But I'm sorry to see her go down south.

For this week's twist, we have Jimmy Iovine weigh in about each of the remaining contestants before we hear their fate. Jimmy was a little tough on Haley Reinhart...first he said she has one of the best voices in the competition, but he claims that Haley doesn't know who she is...Haley was not buying it and apparently used some epithet to express her disagreement. Well, that should bode well for their future working arrangement.   We'll find out as Haley is safe and will be back next week.

Scotty McCreery is more accepting of Jimmy's suggestion that some of the subtlety he showed last night in his soft, tender rendition of You've Got a Friend may not result in sufficient votes. But, ultimately (meaning after unnecessary drama, because there was no way Scotty was going anywhere!), Scotty was told he was safe.

Jimmy has a lot of faith in Lauren Alaina and it is not misplaced as the very young, very good singer is eventually told she is safe. Then Jimmy gives the quote of the night. Nay, the quote of the season. In discussing Casey Abrams' growling/grunting vocals, Jimmy says "Casey has got to realize that the family dog does not vote on this show." He predicts that Casey is safe (a psychic, he's not). Ryan asks Casey about the grunting (finally!) and he explains that heh as a theory about it, that he has "this passion for music that I have to get out."   I suppose this means he's confirming our suspicion ... he's possessed.  As we all know, he eventually gets the bad news. But not yet.

James Durbin is clearly the new frontrunner. Jimmy loved him, the judges love him, and, according to Jimmy, if he picks the right songs "he can win this thing." He is sent to safety, joining Haley. Jimmy thinks Jacob Lusk's sartorial misstep last night could lead him out the door. His prediction is that Jacob's foot is precariously placed on a banana peel the exact color of that ugly shirt he wore last night. But, though it comes down to Jacob and Casey, who Jimmy had early predicted would be safe, it is Jacob who is off to Top 5 status.

And with that the second Vote for the Worst pick is eliminated. Casey Abrams is no more. He does one more self-indulgent, grunt-filled performance and is once again treated like the second coming. But, at least it turns out that the voting public didn't fall for it.

Now, I'm sure many of you are expecting me to dance on Casey Abrams' AI grave, something akin to how I reacted to the elimination of Court Jester Paul McDonald. But those two guys are very different. Paul is a 27-year-old grown up with an extensive body of work behind him who took to the Idol stage like the comedy relief between acts at the Apollo. He should have been followed on stage by someone wielding a broom -- it was ridiculous, from his neon outfits to his barely croaked-out vocals.

Casey is just 19, an only child of much older parents, raised among the NPR listening, tree hugging, jazz music loving people of Idyllwild, California. Of course, he's going to bring out a stand up bass and try scatting, I'm sure it makes his parents beam with pride. My problem with Casey Abrams has always been with the judges who have created a monster, showering him with undeserved adulation and never giving him any realistic critiques. They saved him when they should have listened to America and instead, like a drunk's enabler offering DUI bail money, continued to tell him that every off-putting thing he did was magical. The grunting, the lumbering menacingly around the stage, the crazed serial killer looks, the enraged teeth baring all while talk-shouting through songs...not once did they suggest those were not great artistic choices.

Is Casey Abrams this talented musician he's been touted to be? Perhaps. But what he turned into on the show was a psychotic Jack Black ramping up the creepiness factor in his performances week after week. And why not? He was getting praise and attention for it. So I will say that I wish him well. I hope he can go back to focusing on what it is about music that he loves and not what it is about being in the limelight that he craves.

Poll: Which 'Idol' performance do you prefer?

2011-04-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

Poll: Which 'Idol' performance do you prefer?

American Idol Season 10, Top 6 Perform -- Songs of Carole King

2011-04-27T22:02:00.000-07:00

So it wasn't a train wreck and two of the contestants actually had something approximating a "moment" which only goes to show you just how good a songwriter Carole King is. We actually had nine total performances tonight as there were three duets along with the six solo numbers (no, I didn't have to use my fingers to do the math...I have a calculator).

We begin with Jacob who found himself in the bottom two last week and needs to do something big this week to stave off elimination. Jimmy Iovine tells him that the judges want him to soar and go off. If any of that involves him leaving the stage and not returning, then sign me up! He's singing a song I'm not familiar with, "Oh No, Not My Baby." He started out well -- for all of one line. Then it all completely fell apart. The vocals were rough and all over the place, almost bad enough to distract from one of the more unfortunate wardrobe decisions this side of Paul McDonald -- Bill Nye the Science Guy meets Pee Wee Herman (thank you to the chat room for the PWH suggestion).

When Jacob wasn't emulating Paul's dud duds, he decided to channel Casey Abrams and start scatting...because, when I think of what the show needs, the first thing that comes to mind is -- more scatting! He bounced around on stage like an apoplectic toddler who needs to go RIGHT NOW. I couldn't tell if it was an American Idol performance, or an outtake from the latest Tyler Perry movie -- Medea's Big Happy Karaoke. Of course, the judges were hard pressed to say anything negative, though a little truth started slipping out as they mentioned some wonky notes.

Next up was Lauren Alaina and she chose "Where You Lead," which was the theme song to the Gilmore Girls, one of my favorite TV shows. Except for the last year which I will never buy on DVD and have to pretend never happened. How they could continue the show without its creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, is beyond me. She was the heart and soul of that show and without it, it lost its way. Not that I liked her decision to give Luke a daughter in season six; I really hated that story line. But the last year was even worse, and how it ended, with Rory moving away to become the next Christiane Amanapour and Lorelai and Luke not officially together, was awful. Is this a digression or a whole new post? Back to American Idol.

Lauren is still struggling with her confidence, but will a surprise visit from role model and occasional salvia smoker Miley Cyrus help her believe in herself? I'd say yes. Because while I wasn't blown away by her vocals, Lauren did seem more at ease and more in control on the stage. But her voice took a weird Dolly Parton quiver and was weaker than in past weeks. The song really started off strangely, she seemed off beat and somewhat unconcerned with the melody.

There was a lot of screeching thanks to the background singers and more wayward notes, till the last "I'm gonna follow where you lead" which was really nice and ended with the cutest little laugh. At the end of the song, she sat down next to some random boy from the audience. Ryan brought him back up on stage to get to the bottom of the story and found out that he was three years older than our 16-year-old contestant. That was awkward. I'm concerned may move what he's thinking from a misdemeanor to a felony, but Ryan scooted him off stage before the authorities had to be called. Meanwhile, I have no idea what the judges told her. The vocals were not perfect but she brought it, she had swagger but her voice broke. I'm not sure they know if they want to promote her or not.

The first duet of the evening were the little lovebirds, Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams, singing "I Feel the Earth Move." This is probably the only opportunity Haley will ever have to say that to Casey. Haley pulled out the growl and the jazzy vibe she's been working recently, Casey comes in and throws her off since he's incapable of singing. He talks through his part of the song, while making random scary faces when he's supposed to be sexy. In fairness, that's probably as close as he can get. I think finally, now that the judges can hear the difference between Haley's singing and Casey's talking, they'll tell him he has to stop faking it...but no such luck. They love everything about him including that performance which would have been gonged back in the day.

Steven, forgetting this is a competition, then discusses the not-so-secret nature of their relationship, asking Casey how much in love with Haley he is. That wasn't uncomfortable at all! For the record, I get partial credit in predicting Casey would sing this song, writing last week: "When I suggested what I thought what Casey Abrams, our band camp nerd cum ladies' man, might take on, I thought it would be I Feel the Earth Move as it seemed to have more than its share of growling opportunities." Well, with all the feral sounds coming off the stage, I think I can say, Nailed it!

But I knew with complete certainty what Scotty McCreery would pick, writing "I will bet the farm that Scotty will sing You've Got a Friend." When I mentioned this to my husband tonight, he asked in the future I not risk something we don't actually own. But I knew this was a mortal lock. What I didn't know was what a fine job Scotty would do with the song. The mentors, Jimmy and Babyface, convinced him to de-twang himself just for this week. And it worked like a charm. It was restrained yet moving. It gave me and at least one other member of the chat room chills (and it was 80 degrees here in LA, so that wasn't an easy feat).

At first, I just listened a la The Voice, without looking. I didn't want to be distracted by Scotty's inability to carry a mic one-handed or his skeevy looks into the camera. But you know what? Someone taught that boy how to hold the microphone and introduced him to all sorts of fun things his other hand can do rather than provide counterbalance. And he even cut down on the smarmy grins and held cocking. But most importantly, he brought lovely tones -- in a higher than usual register -- and knocked it out of the ballpark.

Let me take a moment to correct Randy Jackson. The phrase "to turn the other cheek" does not mean to change things up. It means to not meet violence with violence. I'm a heathen and I know that. But three separate times Randy used the expression as if it meant to do a 180 or switch things up and it was really annoying. Someone take him aside before the next show and fix that.

While James Durbin has sung ballads before, it still seems always newsworthy (at least to Ryan) when James takes it slow. Maybe if Ryan spent more time paying attention to the performances, and not so much on makeup retouches, he'd realize that. Anyhow...James takes on "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow." At first, I don't get his choice. It's outdated and corny. But I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Before he sings, however, James pimps Scotty -- and is even more adorable for it. He seems oblivious to the fact that this is a competition...or he's the wiliest person ever to compete.

James decides to go this week with just his guitar and is going to sing without bells, whistles or pyrotechnics. And it's a brilliant move, because he has by far the best voice in the competition and he needs to let people hear it in its purest, unadulterated form. He starts out with a nearly a cappella rendition and his voice is exquisite. Then the band comes in and we're transported to the 50s, yet it's not hokey or old fashioned. Okay, I'm a fan. He sings the hell out of the song. He does soft, he does loud, he croons, he screams, he even channels Axl Rose at one point, yet can turn on a dime (while keeping his cheek in the same place) from one vocal trick to the next. Jennifer correctly points out that James has been consistently excellent and nailed it again tonight. When Randy goes nuts and declares him the winner, I can forgive his exuberance.

For the third time, the producers put Lauren and Scotty together for a duet. They're about the same age and they both sing country, so how did they ever come up with that pairing. Did it strike anyone else that Lauren likes Scotty but that her feeling is not reciprocated? Will that upset his little girl fans, or give them hope that he's saving himself for them? The two twangers take a song that is risky choice, "Up on the Roof." The song is all one long buildup to the big payoff at the end. But since neither of them go for the glory note, it's pretty monotonous, all set up and with no happy ending.

Vote for the Worst pick Casey Abrams is up next with "Hi-De-Ho," a song most famously done by Blood, Sweat and Tears. Unlike James who takes an old song and makes it relevant, Casey takes a less old song and makes it sound ancient. I cannot think of someone more out of touch with popular music than Casey Abrams. Is every station on his car radio set to Swing music? I am more than ever convinced that Casey has no interest in the music industry and his goal in going on American Idol and his planning behind every performance has been to further an acting career. He wants to be Jack Black, not Jack White (see what I did there, one is an actor, the other a singer, but they have the same first names and their last names are opposites. Okay, not impressed? You know I just got lucky? That's fair).

So this would explain why Casey doesn't sing so much as talk through most of his songs. It explains the menacing stage stalking. The creepy facial expressions and camera stares. The growls and grunts placed where notes should be. The intentional, planned nature of his every move and utterance on stage. It is one long audition not to cut a record -- under no circumstance could he record an album anyone but his parents would buy -- but to get on stage as a performer. I'm sorry, I almost did a spit take when JLo said to him "You're such a great vocalist." I think she accidentally shuffled the yellow notes she invariably refers to during her critiques.

The last solo of the night has Haley singing "Beautiful." I had originally written that I'd like her or Lauren to sing the song, then decided it would better fit Lauren. I still stand by that. This is a really emotionally challenging song and if you don't believe it or can't convey it, it saps the song of what makes it special. Part of the fault lies in the arrangement, it's too bouncy, too 50s. She also takes too many liberties with the melody which really doesn't need her help. I've really enjoyed Haley the past two weeks and thought she did fine in her duet, but this didn't work for me.

The cameraman came very close to getting the show a parental advisory and needs to be careful taping her when she's wearing a super short dress. Steven says he saw God, I think it might have been some Victoria Secret instead. Randy correctly mentions that this wasn't a great performance and gets shouted down by JLo. Please, Randy is so rarely right, don't interrupt when one of those magical moments comes along.

Doing the math, there were two people left who had yet to duet...James and Jacob. Well, this should be good...it's in the name of the song after all. So they do "I'm into Something Good," and, call me insane, but I didn't hate it. Jacob was actually dressed normally for a change, James looked cute in his outfit and they seemed to have a blast. Usually, I find the old standby "we had fun" the ultimate cop out, but when you're two guys, with completely different styles, singing a duet, that's about all you can hope for. They had fun, and so did I.

My favorites: James and Scotty
My bottom three: Casey, Jacob and Haley
Predicted bottom three: same (though I wouldn't be shocked to see Laurent there instead of Haley)
Going home: Jacob, I bet the... chair in the bonus room

What say you?

The Voice -- Not Exactly Discovering New Talent

2011-04-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

The days of a complete unknown stumbling on our TV and wowing us with heretofore undiscovered talent is over. Thanks to YouTube, a simple search of the contestants on the new reality TV talent show The Voice shows that these people have been singing for a very long time, toiling on the fringes while never quite hitting it big. But what we lose in the "newness" factor we gain in having a veritable treasure trove of past performances to evaluate.

My favorite from last night was Javier Colon. Javier has performed with Darius Rucker (formerly of Hootie and the Blowfish, now esconced in Nashville as a newly minted country performer).

Javier has sung the National Anthem on Monday Night Football

And he has toured with Joss Stone:

Javier has his own YouTube channel, so you can check out more of his videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/JaviersUtube

While Javier has been rubbing elbows with mainstream artists and recording professionally, Rebecca Loebe has been doing the acoustic indie girl singer routine. Grab your guitar and go from one coffee shop to another singing your original folk-infused songs. Talk a lot between songs and reference NPR and caffeine.

Rebecca (whose last name is pronounced Low-Bee) has videos dating back about four years, too many with annoying chatter in the background. So here are a couple where you can actually hear her.

You can read up more about Rebecca on her website: http://rebeccaloebe.com/

Unlike Javier and Rebecca, country singer Jeff Jenkins was a little less sure about what to do to get heard. He did not have the vision to sell his music on his own, going by the limited number, and poor quality of his videos. He definitely needs the packaging help the show can offer, but his voice is undeniably great.

Especially if you're into that country sound:

NBC's The Voice -- Premiere Episode

2011-04-27T00:15:00.000-07:00

I've been excited about this new singing competition reality show since I first heard that Mark Burnett was behind it. I'm sure by now you know the premise: The Voice has four "coaches" who each try and discover the next great singer, after first selecting them based only on how well they sing. If more than one judge selected a singer, the singer then gets to choose who he or she wants to work with. Meaning within a three minute period, they go from "Oh, please, God, Allah, Buddha, Whoever, let someone push the button," to "What exactly can you do for me, country boy?"

The coaches know a little something about having a successful recording career -- they are Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine (of Maroon 5) and Blake Shelton. Of course, they came up the old fashioned way which makes you wonder why we need reality TV talent shows, but we need them so I have something to write about besides the economy, the attack on Internet gambling, and REM's latest video. Oh, and that other subject I've written about once or twice.

It begins with a blind audition -- the judges have their backs to the singers and unless they've rigged up some reflective device or placed spies in the audience to flash them signs, they have no idea if the contestant is hot or not. Of course, the singers were already preselected by the producers, so one would imagine that no one likely to scare small children has been allowed to sneak through. So no Iggy Pop appearances any time soon. Seriously, can we chip in to buy that guy a shirt. Hanes sells tees at 3 for $10.

It seems that the show is not taking the AI approach of shock and ugh, so no memorably horrible auditions. The first singer of the night is Tarralyn Ramsay singing "Breathe." She is an example of what the show is about -- someone overcoming their outward packaging and being judged just on how well they sing. Except, I wasn't all that wowed by her voice anymore than her unfortunate outfit. She seemed out of breath, but it could have been nerves. Fine, both Christina and Cee Lo mention that it was really clear that she started out nervous. So, what are you saying, I only stated the obvious? I'm not some musical savant? On second listen I can see that there may be something to her voice Well, both of them want her and Tarralyn has to choose and she goes with Christina.

Patrick Thomas says, looking at me now, you wouldn't know that I was bullied, but back in elementary school I was a complete nerd. Well, someone sure found their confidence! Then he mentions he wasn't athletic as a kid. What are you trying to tell us, Patrick? Spit it out. So he's wearing a cowboy hat and he comes from Nashville and he is singing "Live Like You Were Dying," by Tim McGraw. I wonder where he's going to end up. The suspense is killing me. Cee Lo may have been the first to hit his button, but Blake convinces him that he has people and connections and knows the secret country music handshake, so Patrick goes with him.

Bald rocker.... not Daughtry...Jared something comes up next and he's singing the Cobra Starship song Good Girls Go Bad which, since my daughter is a fan, I've heard some three dozen times give or take a hundred and he doesn't do as good a job as those cute guys so, while judge's hands hover tantalizingly close to the button, he is the first reject of the night. In fact, I couldn't even find a video of his performance, so here's the original, featuring the fetching Leighton Meester.

The next contestant who makes it is Vicci Martinez who decides to tackle Adele's "Rolling in the Deep." Let me first take a moment to acknowledge what a terrific job Haley Reinhart did last week with this song, because I found Vicci's performance just average. But the song is so mesmerizing and the original so indelible, I think you get brownie points for just reminding us of it. She may have a lisp, she definitely has some trouble corralling the wayward notes that escape her raspy throat. So while I thought Vicci should, first, change the spelling of her name to any of the commonly acceptable versions and, two, be kicked to the curb, Cee Lo and Christina both saved her from elimination hearing something that was apparently not obvious enough for me to notice. She squats, calls Christina a goddess, then choose Cee Lo as her mentor.

A commercial for The Hangover 2. How hot it Bradley Cooper? Discuss.

We're back and a really pretty girl sings an Alicia Keys song passably, but not memorably enough to be chosen, and the rest of us try not to feel a touch of Schadenfreude. Sonia, it's called rejection. It's what you'd hear more of if you wore a burka. Meanwhile, when Cee Lo sees that he missed out on a hot one, he does a big time Oh, #$&! and tries to force his button to stay lit. I don't like the song enough to go dig up a video, so on to the next song!

The next singer is actually a married duet named Josh and Nicole so of course their professional name is "Elenowen." They're singing one of the most cloying songs ever, "Falling Slowly," and I'm not sure what they could possibly do with this treacly mess to make me not start dry heaving. As they start singing, Nicole has a nice tone to her voice and the judges seem to be digging it and then Josh joins in and they become apoplectic. See, no one told them a duo could be auditioning and they thought she'd undergone gender reassignment in the middle of the song -- which would have been impressive. Blake slaps the button because he wants to see what's going on and eventually Cee Lo wants them too. The too cute folk rock couple question the judges and they - y'all - like what they - y'all- hear from - y'all - Blake and so they go country.

Wow this show is sure reminding me of American Idol. I mean this next contestant looks just like that girl who was kicked off of AI for having done porn. What was her name? OMG, it's Frenchie Davis! She's baaaack. Having been on Broadway, having been on more places than she'd like to remember I'm sure over these past few years, she wants another go at reality tv stardom. She sings "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry and, luckily for her, one of the judges liked it as well. Christina picks her and Frenchie gets her second chance at stardom.

It's another gorgeous girl having to be judged just on her voice. But, Kelsey Rey, who takes on Estelle's "American Boy," can sing! She actually seems touched that she's being appreciated for her talent, not for her looks, and call me a sap, but I buy it. I like the tone of her voice and her ease on stage. She gets yeses from Adam (his first pick -- maybe he did have a mole in the audience), Christina and Cee Lo. I guessed she'd pick Cee Lo and she does -- so she's pretty, talented and smart. Does she remind anyone else of that brainy actress who was on the Wonder Years and later went to Harvard?

As if god wants to test just how comfortable I've become with country music (because it is all about me, right?), Patrick wasn't the only country crooner on the show. Oh, no, he was Eminem compared with the next guy, the twangy, cherubic Jeff Jenkins who sings "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts. He's from Texas and his mom just died, so if this was AI he'd be getting votes by the boatload. My heartstrings, which are a bit frayed right now, are being tugged all over the place so even I overcome my initial reaction to stab myself in the head and decide to listen to the whole song. Yes, it sounds like twangy, twangy, drawl, yee haw, y'all, but in a good way. All four judges want to work with him. He's so country I need subtitles to understand what he's saying, so of course he picks...Adam!!

The next singer is Rebecca Loebe and she has the cojones to take on a reworked version of Nirvana's "Come As You Are." I am spellbound. I'm not swayed by the "homeless" storyline, she has enough money for mascara and eyeliner. But, her singing? I could listen to her all night. It may be the best single audition I've ever heard. I want to take my savings and buy her off the show right now. She doesn't need anything but a microphone. I can not express in mere words how she moved me. Hey, Adam, stop looking over my shoulder! I said "reworked" first. Sheesh. Anyhow, everyone loves her as they should and she makes what I think is a good choice, going with Adam.

Because no one could follow that, they put up someone who has zero chance, 56-year-old Joanne Rizzo. Now, the trick with this show is that the judges can't see her, so they have no idea how old she is -- until she starts singing a song written before any of them were born!!! She does a mediocre, at best, version of "I Say A Little Prayer" originally sung by the gifted singer turned crazed Celebrity Apprentice player, Dionne Warwick, and to no one's surprise, no one picks her.

Xenia Martinez sings "Break Even" by The Script. She's really young but has a remarkably mature voice. What the heck is going on here? So this is where all the talent that didn't try out for AI ended up. She has an amazing rasp that is not off-putting in a Paul McDonald way, but serves the song. Talking about her performance today, I agree with my daughter who said Xenia didn't quite connect with the song (she added that she thought the girl was going to nod off during the song). I agree with that assessment. There was a sleepy quality to her performance and, considering this was her one shot, you would have thought there would be more passion. But, Blake and Cee Lo both hear something special and they fight for her, complimenting her tone and vibrato. Blake makes a very funny comment about Cee Lo's ever-changing appearance and how it could be unsettling for someone so young, but I doubt that entered into her decision to ultimately choose Blake.

The next singer is a self-described big goofy nerd conveniently named Tje Austin (also his hometown) who sings "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars. They have us listen to him as the judges are, without seeing him first, so you know something is up. Yep, the pop crooner with the white Mormon parents is sporting one of the most impressive Afros I've seen since the early 70s. Oh, that's not the surprise? Oh, yeah, he's African American. Cee Lo and Adam race to be first to push their buttons, but I'm not quite as wowed by his vocals. Christina and Blake held back -- Christina immediately regretting her decision when she sees how cute Tje is. Ultimately, he chooses Cee Lo. I'm on the fence with Tje. He's got the look, but his voice was a little thin in places. We'll see.

As unexpected as Rebecca singing Nirvana, was the next contestant, Javier Colon, taking on Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time." I'm a sucker for this song and so I don't know if he was as good as I thought. Yeah, I'm listening again, what he does with those notes is illegal in 11 states. Okay, so now I have a new favorite? While AI has left me cold, already two singers have me enthralled. If you've come here to read me skewering untalented wannabes, you're a day early. What an impressive vocal performance. Javier may not know how to dress, but what his voice can do is magical. Oooh, nice question to Christina...what took you so long to ring in. I like that. Good answer, but not good enough. Javier joins team Adam. Adam may have been slow to pick contestants, but he somehow managed to get (in my never to be humble opinion) the cream of the crop.

Last of the night is our second bald female contestant, Beverly McClellan,
who does her best Janis Joplin impersonation on "Piece of My Heart." It was too copycat for me and I wasn't digging it at all. Too many random "wooo's," I didn't get it. This was from the trying too hard school of rock and roll, which masks average singing with desperation. She has spunk and heart and all that, but I do not see her going far in the competition. Poor Christina ends up with her to go along with the follically challenged Frenchie.

So at the end of Day 1, I'd say Adam has the strongest group with Rebecca, Javier and Jeff, and Christina has the weakest.

Predictions for Carole King Week on American Idol

2011-04-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

I can't remember the last time I was this excited and apprehensive about a theme week on American Idol. I am of a certain age where Carole King has been almost a constant musical companion. Whether it was wearing out the grooves in Tapestry, or hearing her voice introduce seven seasons of the Gilmore Girls, I've seldom been separated from her music. Now this talented musical genius is allowing the top six contestants on American Idol to tackle some of her creations.

UPDATE: The more I listen to Tapestry, the more I can see Jacob Lusk taking on Way Over Yonder. So many opportunities for sustained notes, extremes of emoting, and bringing that gospel feel back to the Idol stage. They'd have to bring out the Lee DeWyze spotlight and backing choir of heavenly angels, about four or five violins, and perhaps install a lift on stage to elevate Jacob as the song goes on so he's literally nudging God by the end of the song. Shouldn't be a problem.

UPDATE: I can't believe I ignored Home Again in my first draft. Thanks to the anonymous comment suggesting it as good for either of our country crooners Scotty and Lauren. I'm a little concerned with giving such a lyrically weighty song to kids who probably still sleep with retainers on, but it's also a good test to see if they can sell a powerful message, not just sing words and notes.

I would caution them about singing a song that opens, "Sometimes I wonder if I'm ever going to make it home again." It's always dicey choosing a song that is unintentionally asking for you to be voted off. I supposed that there are two ways the audience can take the lyrics -- I want to go home, but only as a member of the Top 3 or I'm tired of LA, send me back to the sane people. So if either of them do pick this song, let's hope the audience is going for the first interpretation.

Since someone already sang Natural Woman, I have to find another Diva-esque song for Jacob Lusk to manhandle. One possibility is Up on the Roof. The song is, after all, just one long build-up to the last glory note.

Another possible choice for Jacob is Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? which has been covered by the likes of Cher, Elton John, Patti LaBelle and Smokey Robinson, among others, which seems to put it firmly in his comfort zone. Fun fact from Wiki: At Carole King's home, in West Orange, her doorbell rang the eight bar hook of the song.

Seriously, if anyone tries So Far Away, I'll cut a bitch. No, really. This is the most achingly beautiful song. One more song about moving along the highway....

On the other hand, I'd love to see Lauren Alaina sing this -- Beautiful. I think it's a great anthem for people of any age about having a positive attitude, but also good message message for young girls today with the pressures they face. It is such a hopeful, optimistic song and, though you probably can't tell from this blog, I'm actually someone with a fairly sunny disposition. Really. Just don't tick me off.

But maybe a better choice for Haley Reinhart would be It's Too Late. It has a little jazzy, bluesy feel that she could have fun with. She could even bring back the Haley purr.

When I suggested what I thought what Casey Abrams, our band camp nerd cum ladies' man, might take on, I thought it would be I Feel the Earth Move as it seemed to have more than its share of growling opportunities.

How I could have missed the more obvious choice, Jazzman, is beyond me! But one of my Twitter friends reminded me of this, one of the few Carole King songs that I don't like. Which, of course, would make it a perfect choice for one of the remaining contestants whose antics I don't like.

I will bet the farm that Scotty will sing You've Got a Friend. It's been covered by a bunch of country artists, it's sweet and will make the tweens all giddy thinking that future president George Bush will be there to brighten their darkest night.

So what song for our resident rocker, James Durbin? I wouldn't put it past him to slow it way down again, like he did with Maybe I'm Amazed and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. I could actually seem him try and tackle the untouchable So Far Away. But an interesting choice for him might be Child of Mine which he can dedicate to his young son. It's a lesser-known song, but might be something he can really connect with.

John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats had an interesting interpretation of the otherwise perky, sing-songy Carole King ditty, One Fine Day. As I was watching his menacing, stalkerish take on the song, I finally realized that this is what Casey Abrams has been doing all along. Channeling the Mountain Goats!! John Darnielle can't sing, and he make strange faces and odd sounds. Yet many -- including me I must confess -- consider him a genius. It's all becoming clear to me now. Only an indie wannabe music geek would even know about TMGs! So watch this and tell me if you see a little Casey in there:

So what have we all learned here today? Carole King is more talented than the rest of us and we should all just jump off a bridge. Wait, that's not it. Instead, let's just appreciate how ridiculously gifted she is and marvel on how her songs hold up almost half a century since they were written. Yeah, let's do that.

American Idol Season 10, Top 7 Perform

2011-04-20T23:25:00.000-07:00

The theme for tonight was songs from the 21st century -- apparently an effort to get the contestants to consider for a moment being at all relevant to the music industry today. You have one who thinks he's Al Jolson (get it, the Jazz singer? Too obscure?), another who looks like he's ready to appear on the Gene Autry show, and third who should be wearing a mink stole, sipping a martini while singing about the man that got away (and, here'a hint, it's neither of the girls). Now, finally, we will get an idea what kind of a record they would be putting out when the show is over (assuming the record industry can hold on that long).

But first, they (whoever they are that aren't us because we wouldn't have done that) decided to bring back the first six fallen idols, Paul, Pia, Naima, Thia and those other two girls.  Somehow they missed the point that we didn't like them enough to vote for them in the first place and decided that we just had to see them again, including the ones whose names we can't remember. So they go with the Pink song "So What?" and it was actually an inspired song. They were all, "yeah, you kicked us off the show, but we don't care," even though you know they're devastated and if they had any money -- which they don't and now won't thanks to you America -- they'd be on a therapist's couch at least two days a week wondering why the voters hate them. Naima strutted her stuff and Pia sang beautifully and Thia was adorable and the other two were there too.

The recently departed Paul comes out on stage and once again I'm temporarily blinded by his awful sartorial choice for the night. He opens his mouth and, though I find it impossible to accept, it appears that Paul's voice has actually gotten worse since he left the show. Whatever was plaguing his vocal chords has called in for backup and has now taken his entire voice hostage. He faintly squeaks and croaks and creaks out something not at all resembling notes to the song and even the most fervent Paul supporter has a WTF moment. He talks through the rest of the song while the five more talented vocalists around him, who he outlasted, wonder if they should add a third session with their therapist.

Finally, it's over and we start out with the front runner so far this year, seventeen-year-old Scotty McCreery. Before he sings, the other contestants have an opportunity to talk about Scotty and they each choose to mention something I've never noticed before. Apparently, he holds the mic oddly. Hmm, completely missed that.   OMG, people, if everyone sees it, why has no one been able to stop him?! Would you let him smoke cigarettes? Take drugs? Drink and drive? Vote Democrat? Of course not! So please, let this be the night he breaks that horrible habit!

Tasked with making it current, Scotty picks the song Swingin' by Lee Ann Rimes, which sounds like it was first recorded before I was born. He actually starts off sounding great and I'm once again surprised how good his voice is when he's not digging deep for those subterranean notes. But then he starts two fisting the mic and tilting his head and making goofy faces at the camera.  It's the same performance on a loop week after week, with the added touch this week of making a recent song sound fifty years old.

The judges, who normally wouldn't say anything bad about Osama bin Laden (you're really rockin' that beard, dawg) decide to go after Scotty this week for playing it safe. Fair criticism, but unfair when you pick and choose when to be honest. And I wonder why the fix might be in for poor Scotty?

The next one up is James Durbin and his fellow contestants kid him about being a rock star and wearing too many scarves oddly positioned around his body. James decides to tackle Uprising by Muse and I immediately recoil. Yes, I know, Muse is great, blah blah, epic, sure, visionary, whatever, but that song drives me up a wall. The singer has zero breath control so he gasps and wheezes and loudly inhales all through the song and I keep expecting an oxygen mask to fall from overhead whenever I hear that song. But I digress.

James has a vision for the song and from his outfit to the drum line accompaniment it's brilliant. He sounds amazing, nailing the passion of the lyrics and the intensity of the music. He takes it up to dizzying heights then brings it back down and always stays on pitch and in the zone. He made me forget all about the original and really see the beauty of this song. This is something I would actually download. The judges rave and I can't argue (which puts me in a weird position!). But I did find it odd that they seemed to be reading their comments and also that they were so sure this was the best performance of the night -- psychic or scripted?

Haley Reinhart next gets ribbed by her fellow contestants and it appears that she and Stefano have some issues that definitely deserve further investigation. They both seem like nice enough kids, yet they apparently have a teensy problem getting along. I think I see a RomCom in their future -- she first hooks up with the goofy side kick (Jonah Hill), while loathing the flirtatious Lothario (Jake Gyllenhahl) then realizes in the last reel that she was in love with the hotter guy all along (shocking ending!!). Speaking of Jonah, where was Casey's comments on Haley? Curiously absent. Hmmmm.

Going with Adele's Rolling in the Deep was a risky choice and so was wearing the table cloth from Daisy Duke's Italian restaurant, but I thought Haley sounded great. Someone else listening along with me thought it was unfortunate that she was going through puberty while singing the song, but I enjoyed the yodel. This unnamed someone thought I might have been swayed by the original and so wowed by the song and Adele's voice that I didn't realize it was being butchered on stage like some poor animal that I don't want to think about because once you cook it and add a nice sauce it's really tasty.

Anyway, I loved Haley tonight and I'm sticking by my decision.

Next up was Jacob Lusk and I was shocked that the word his fellow contestants used to describe him was Diva. Was it the bombastic oversinging, the arrogant attitude or the feather boas that first tipped them off? Having nearly derailed his AI choo choo with his hubristic attack on America two weeks ago, Jacob decided to pull out the stops to beg for votes. He chose a Luther Vandross song (one point for Luther being dead), on Luther's birthday (2 points), called Dancing with My Father, (3 points for tear-jerker song), after mentioning his own father died when he was a child (4 points). Wait, there's more! He then dedicates the song to anyone with a father. Well, that's pretty much every voter. Brilliant.

He sang the song fairly straight forward and didn't do too many runs or his usual, unnecessary excesses of vocal gymnastics. He didn't try to swallow the audience and he didn't make facial expressions like some smallish parts of him were being squeezed in a vise. I still don't like the tone of his voice, he always sounds like he's underwater, but I didn't want to throw anything at the TV either, so for him that amounts to a good performance.

Jacob was followed by Casey Abrams who chose a Maroon 5 song, Harder to Breathe, that I was unfamiliar with. I hear I've been riding Casey Abrams all year. If so, he doesn't seem the worse for wear and I don't seem to be any farther along. He's just as arrogant and self-satisfied as he was the first time we saw him and I'm still at my computer having to write about another performance of his. He decided to switch it up tonight, bringing out a guitar as a prop (the only time I saw him playing it, he was fingering it like a bass) and cut down on his usual array of grimaces, grunts and growls (which sounds like a really unpleasant law firm). But when he sings straight, it only highlights the fact that he has at best an average voice and, at worse, one that he can't stop from drifting off-course repeatedly. If he didn't do the bit -- the teeth gritting, the random guttural sounds, the mugging, the Sammy-eque mannerisms, the scatting -- he'd just be some dude with an ordinary voice and an oversized instrument.

Begin rant: As the song continued, manic Casey came out and he started moving menacingly towards the judges. He finished his song literally right in Jennifer Lopez's face. As he sang, looking right at her, she turned her head uncomfortably away from him, averting her gaze from Casey and looking (for help?) at Steven Tyler. When Casey finished, he kissed her on the cheek. I was aghast and it took at least an hour for me to calm down. This is not shtick and this is not a bit. I was truly upset. I am sick and tired of men objectifying women, of thinking women are their property, and they can do whatever they want whenever they want. I didn't think it was cute, I thought it was a horrible message to send to both sexes.

Sorry for the digression, but it reminded me of when actor Adrian Brody kissed Halley Berry during the Academy Awards and that offended me greatly and still does. Women are not men's toys and they don't get to do with us what they want because they want to. When I complained, I was told "she didn't object" and "it's not like he tongued her." So apparently, a little inappropriate physical contact is a-okay? End rant.

Stefano Toscane picks the perfect song, going with Ne-Yo's Closer. In his pre-performance package the other contestants mention that Stefano is a flirt and he does try to make out with the camera when he sings, which you might think would get him some votes as he's not bad looking. But, it all comes off more like a hunk of Velveeta than, well, think of some romantic cheese. Fondue? Okay, let's go with that. A nicely melted Gruyere. Stefano has zero sex appeal, but ranks pretty high on the ick meter.

This is my complaint every week with Stefano, he has it all but just can't seem to put it together in one cohesive package. It's frustrating. He's got a great voice, but doesn't seem to have a clue what to do with it. I'm tired of repeating this. The sound is there, the tone, the notes. But something just doesn't quite click. They've been working with him for weeks now and they're just not making any progress. Let's bring out Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli, cuz it's Time to Say Goodbye.

Last up is Lauren Alaina who sang Sara Evans' Born to Fly. I've loved this girl from the first time we saw her. I thought she had such a strong voice and was so confident. But that girl is less and less the girl I see on the screen. She's just almost there, but not quite. Every week, she starts out a song really strong, you know she's just going to nail it, and then she just lets it hang there. Where's that breakout performance that she is so obviously capable of?

I'm waiting for that one note, that one moment, where she just grabs me by the throat or touches my heart or makes me feel something. Instead, I sit dispassionately and think, well, that was nice. She sounded really good. And then I realize that words like nice and good are not the words that describe someone whose record you can't wait to buy or whose concert you're dying to go to.

Then it occurred to me why Casey Abrams and Paul McDonald have such fervent followers. You can't describe them as nice or good. Whatever you think of them, and I think you all know pretty well my opinion of both, you're not going to damn them with faint praise. You'll either excoriate them as a plague, a scourge on humanity, as I've been known hyperbolically to do, or you'll praise them as unique and electrifying and breaking the mold. There's no safe, boring, middle ground. And that's where, I fear, Scotty, Lauren and Stefano fell tonight. Fine, good, okay, nice.

My Top Three of the night: James, Haley and ... crickets?? Make that top two, unless I can say Pia.
My Bottom Three: Stefano, Casey and Jacob
Predicted Bottom Three: Stefano, Scotty (gasp!) and Lauren
The boot? Stefano

Non-Review of Atlas Shrugged, the Movie -- Part 1

2011-04-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

I approached the release of the first theatrical stab at tackling the behemoth Atlas Shrugged with a mix of trepidation and elation. The elation was less muted than it should have been. I knew there was no way the movie could ever do justice to the book and that I would be disappointed on a scale ranging from "how dare they, what an abomination" to "that didn't suck quite as much as I expected." Yet there was something magical about the promise of seeing the characters who had been part of my life for decades brought to life. The notion of see them and hearing the words I've memorized up on the screen filled me with excitement well beyond a child on Christmas morning.

Even now, some three days after seeing the movie, I cannot accurately assessed it. Was it great film making? The short answer is "No." I'm not sure it would have earned a "C" in a high school movie making class. The dialogue was stilted, the acting inconsistent, the narrative impossible for the uninitiated to follow. It was a lot of people talking interspersed with beautiful, scenic shots of Colorado, and what appeared to be an extended commercial for Lionel trains. And yet...it literally brought me to tears. There was the sweet and loyal Eddie Willers, the insidious Jim Taggart, the heroic Dagny right there in front of me. It felt like I was home.

I think the analogy must be going to a concert forty years after a band's prime. They don't look or sound like you had wanted, probably any unsigned band playing in a garage that night would have had a better set, but it is still magical just being there and sharing the experience with them. Maybe it's a nod to nostalgia or maybe it remind you of yourself at a younger age maybe it's some other association. But experiencing it, whatever the actual quality of the experience, was enough.

Watching Atlas Shrugged, especially in a theatre surrounded (mostly) by other true believers, made me feel a sense of community and kinship that I usually don't feel. Living in Los Angeles, it's not likely that I'll bump into another Objectivist in my day-to-day life. But as soon as the movie started, I was there, with my people, speaking the same language, understanding the same inside jokes. We knew what "looters" mean, we knew why they were showing us news clips of "pirate" Ragnar Danneskjold, we remembered what they'd find in Francisco D'Anconia's mine, we understood the significance of the Reardon Metal bracelet, we knew the answer to "Who is John Galt?"

This movie was made for the fans of the book to enjoy seeing and hearing what they've had in their minds and hearts for years. It was a chance to have a shared experience, like a giant, silent book club just for those of us in the know. The fillmmakers did nothing to make the characters or story accessible or understandable to the newbies; those who wandered in having never read the book might have as well have been watching a foreign film without subtitles.

Atlas Shrugged the film is a subpar movie made from the greatest book ever written. It was a job of herculean proportion to bring the depth, breadth and scope of the book to the screen. It is a love story, a cautionary tale, a philosophical treatise, a blueprint for salvation, and a how-to book on living a full, valuable life. It deals with beliefs and thoughts and values and words, it answers what it means to be human, it addresses the very basic issues of good and evil, right and wrong. It needed 1,000 plus pages to accomplish its goal of changing the world. How do you compress that into a movie?

Yet, I'm glad someone tried and I encourage others to take a go at it as well. Because it is heavier than a toddler, the book may not be read by as many people as it should be. Having its story packaged in a way to reach more people is a good idea and perhaps some day we'll have a cinematic vision of Ayn Rand's theory that does it and her justice. But this version of Atlas Shrugged wasn't it.

Highlights from Coachella 2011 (part 2)

2011-04-18T18:20:00.000-07:00

I can't say I've reviewed every minute of the footage, so it's possible I've missed some great stuff. But here's what I found that I wanted to share with you all.

First up is Jack's Mannequin, hailing from the OC (home also to one of my favorite, underrated bands Offspring as wells as Social Distortion and No Doubt). I've seen their name around for years, yet never actually listened to any of their music before (hey, I've been busy). But, I like what I'm hearing from Coachella. There's a little U2 sound in there, the nicely layered alt-rock with pop sensibilities that I like.

The next song (which could have benefitted from the mic being on during the whole song -- opening acts get no respect) is more urgent, propulsive, and infectious a little reminiscent of ...The Academy is and Head Automatica. I dare you not to start bopping along by the end.

Broken Social Scene had me with the first note of the guitar. Boy, I'm easy. And they don't even have to be a good looking band (no offense)! I hope they're doing well since there are so many of them on stage -- that's a lot of mouths to feed. I read that they're from Canada, so if you meet them, speak slowly. The lead singer actually has a really nice voice -- even if I'm not sure if he just said that everyone wants to "eff" the cars. Well, if they do and make it sound so good, I'm all for it:

So I didn't realize I was familiar with Two Door Cinema Club until I heard this song (even with having Shazam on my iPhone I forget to catch the names of bands when I hear their songs on the radio). They're Irish, which I suppose explains the Ginger on lead vocals, and the slight accent when he sings. I'm torn about this band. Love the song, love the music, beat, melody, instrumentation, but, not really into the lead singer's voice.

The next song starts like they're going into a Foo Fighters' tune (which I'd totally be behind), but then it goes off in its own great direction. I'm going to have to consider focusing less on the vocals (except for Jimmy Sommervile, I'm not a fan of guys singing that high) and more on the music which is definitely solid.

If you 'd like to try any of their MP3 downloads, check them out here:

Highlights from Coachella 2011 (so far)

2011-04-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

I've always wanted to go to Coachella, but the thought of driving so far just to stand out in 90+ degree weather for hours on end has kept it fairly low on my bucket list. Now that I can enjoy the music in the comfort of my overly air-conditioned house, it's moved further down, just above doing the Coney Island polar bear plunge (can you tell I have an issue with temperature extremes?).

So instead I put together my own mini concert of what I was tempted to shlep a great distance to see, but thankfully didn't have to.

First up is the cool guys from New York, Interpol. Having lost founding member Carlos Denger, there was a bit of a question mark surrounding the band's future. But the dour dudes most often compared with Joy Division for their dyspectic punk musings, still manage to connect. I thought they looked and sounded in fine form this weekend:

I don't know why Kings of Leon is such a polarizing band-- or perhaps it's only in my family where they are considered overrated and passe by some. I'm still a huge fan and would have loved to see this live, if I'd had a private temperature-controlled cabana with free running daiquiris.

While it may be inconsistent of me, and I've always thought consistency was the hobgoblin of little minds anyway, I like Flogging Molly even thought they utilize fiddles, banjos and accordions in their music. They do it with style.

Wow, I apparently can't get enough of the fiddle, because there's one prominently displayed in the Arcade Fire's set. If you're familiar with Arcade Fire, you probably know they were the upset winners of the Grammy for album of the year. I'm not sure I'd want to sit through an entire concert of theirs -- it might be a little too ponderous after a while -- but in small doses it's hard to argue with their talent.

For those of you who are fans of Casey James, you'll probably recognize the first song, "I Got Mine" by the Black Keys. The next was their breakout hit "Tighten Up."

I don't know what's more trippy, the music or the fan's video, but here's some Chemical Brothers (a few days early, probably better suited for 4/20).

Based on a recommendation, I checked out another of the acts performing this weekend at Coachella, the LA-based Warpaint. I hadn't heard of them before and a quick Wiki said they had formed in 2004, had a few alterations to their line up, and are currently an all-female, experiemental band. The first song I listened to was "Elephant," an atmostpheric and hypnotic song. Next was "Bees," and it's similary sexy, layered and moody. Check it out.