Day 1

It is December 31, 2010 11:25 pm...

New Year's resolutions really aren't my thing. I can't remember ever making one and if somewhere in the past I actually did make one I can promise you I didn't keep it. I tend to crumble under the weight of my own pressure. I tend to sense I'm going to fail and keep myself from trying at all. That's a horrible habit by the way.. if I was making resolutions a remedy for that might be at the top of the list. But I'm not... really, I'm not.

I've got goals and I've got plans, but in 2011 the name of the game is TRUST.

Trust that I don't need to have every answer.

Trust that God's timing is perfect in all situations.

Trust that fear and worry are the responses of lack of faith.

Trust the people God has placed in my life.

Trust that God has a will and a plan for my life.

Trust that it's better than my own.

So this is me trying something new, attempting to keep myself motivated and sharing my thoughts & struggles for the next 365 days... one day at a time.

See ya tomorrow :)

"The Duel?"

Last night was the final performance show of Season 8! Boy did it fly by...

Half of America thought Adam performed better (by half... I mean my sister-in-law) and the other half thought Kris performed better (by other half... I mean me)...

I guess we can both be right (except really... I'm right ;-p) Haha, no really that's the true beauty and nature of Idol... we each get to pick a favorite and support them till the end and beyond!

Kris and Adam have both said (many times... in many interviews) today, that the only person they were competing against last night was themselves! So BEST of luck to them both... I see bright (albeit weird for Adam) futures ahead of them.

Here's hoping America makes the RIGHT decision ;-)

Tomorrow I'll post my recap of the Grande Finale and my thoughts on the Season as a whole!

"Who's In It... To WIN It?"

Before Season 8's Final 2 take the stage I thought we'd take an in-depth look... we'll look at vocal ability and performance as well as media coverage, musical relevancy, iTunes "standings" and even what role the Judges' play. So... let's get to it :-)

THE SHOWMAN vs. THE MUSICIAN

VOCAL ABILITY (Adam)
Of course, Adam Lambert is going to take this category. Adam has an unmatched range and technical knowledge... that allows him to reach (and obtain) notes I've never even heard! There may be an unpleasant-ness to his voice, but that's not the question at hand. Kris doesn't have the range to compete with Adam, but what he lacks with the notes he more than makes up for with connection and phrasing... but we're getting ahead of ourselves!

PERFORMANCE (Kris)
This category is the most "up to interpretation", but you reading my blog... so you must want my interpretation... I'm giving the performance edge to Kris Allen! Mainly because it is Kris' performance level that got him into this Finale (and Adam's voice that got him here) It's his ability to take a song and make it feel completely new and completely his, that caught my eye and kept it throughout this competition. Adam is great on stage, but he comes across as seasoned and rehearsed while Kris feels more genuine and organic! He didn't rely on stage lighting or his clothes to make a statement... he let his talent stand for it self... or maybe I just have a thing for musicians?!? ha. Kris has shown his skill on both the electric and acoustic guitar as well as the piano... in the short history of instruments on Idol that is an unmatched talent. But has also shown his ability to performance alone... providing some of his best performances!

JOURNEY/PROGRESSION

Adam gets the "consistent front runner" edit while Kris gets painted as the "unworthy underdog, who's fought tooth and nail to get here"... Season 6 & 7 the underdog pulled it out. Will this year render the same results?

MEDIA (Adam)

This year has focused more on the anti-contestant from a media aspect! The media seem to clamp hard on the "Go in Gokey" theory instead of picking a horse in the race! But if any contestant has been the focus of both positive and negative media coverage... it's got to be Adam! Kris has been championed by Entertainment Weekly, but in a collection with both Allison and Adam... or in opposition to Danny. Kris never really got his own spotlight except on nights where his performance was seen as "the best of the night". I don't believe media has played as big a role this year as they did last year.

iTUNES (Adam)
iTunes is by far the clearest way to predictable a contestants merit outside the Idol World... and it still has it draw backs. Just as in last years results the 2 contestants with the highest iTunes purchase rate are our Final 2. Adam is tearing up the tunes charts with Kris a distant second! Although I believe after last week, Kris may have closed that gap a tad bit! Of course, this doesn't exactly translate to sales (if you take into account the magnitude Idol holds while the seasons is airing versus during it's off seasons), but it's a pretty good indicator.

RELEVANCY
Kris and Adam both fit very well into a niche of Today's Top 40. While Adam could fill the void of a male Lady Gaga... marketing him as a Fall Out Boy/ Green Day/ My Chemical Romance type artist is probably a safer bet, allowing him a pop/punk/rock/emo edge that fits very well in mainstream music. Kris could definitely bring the folk/indie rock back to the forefront of today's music! Artist like John Mayer and Jason Mraz sell-out venues, but don't get as much radio play as their R&B counterparts.... I think Kris could really meld those two vibes together (haha.. I just used the word VIBE) and be something "new-again" in today's music.

JUDGING/ FAVORITISM (Adam)
It's clear Adam has been the preferred winner since about Top 10 and the Judges have beat that script into the ground. Simon has attempted to reign him in a time or two, but more often than not Adam has been seen as daring, the best, true greatness up on the stage... whether the praise is deserved is up to debate - whether he's favored is not! On the other hand Kris has delivered some truly stand-out performances, but at most receives a "personal best" comment for the Judges. While Kris has received very fair critiques throughout the seasons... it seems he's never given his proper dues... when it comes to arrangement and performance skills. Plus Kris has performed 7 out of 11 times in the first half of the show compared to Adam's 2 out of 11.... favoritism? I think so!

Interesting tidbits...
- This is the first season where both finalist have both been in the bottom 3!
- Alphabetically speaking... the lower lettered contestant always prevails ( Kelly v. Justin, Ruben v. Clay, Fantasia v. Diana, Carrie v. Bo, Taylor v. Katharine, Jordin v. Blake, Cook v. Archuleta....) weird huh?
- Only twice in Idol history has the first performer on finale night won... David Cook being the latest prime spot victor.

Well it looks like the scale is tipped in Adam direction...

While I truly believe the "Preordained" will without a doubt take the competition, the hopeless romantic in me still holds out hope for a Kris Allen MIRACLE! Both deserve their spot in this Finale and I couldn't imagine anyone else standing there in the end. It's gonna come down to who performs from the heart and gives it their all!

Fingers crossed that the Judges fight fair!

Simon Fullers' choice... who knows?
Reprisals... 'Mad World' and 'Ain't No Sunshine'
Coronation Song... Kara penned 'No Boundaries'

Here's to a competition between gentlmen...

"Three Amigos?"

More like 2 Amigos and the TOOL they're forced to hang-out with... if you get my drift... if not... Gokey is a tool (better?)

We're ranking tonights performance in order of WORST to BEST (add a little suspense and all that jazz)... so let's get to it!

6. DANNY - "Dance Little Sister" by Terrence Trent Darby: Danny went straight back to screaming at us to get his point across! There was no feeling.. no finesse to his vocal. Paula's song choice painted Danny into a very dated box... I really wasn't digging the early 90's Miami club vibe this song invoked!

5. ADAM - "One" by U2: This one made me long for Bono... and never in my life have I ever longed for Bono. The arrangement was way too theatrical and was almost completely melody-less! Quite a miss-step for Mr. Lambert.

4. DANNY - "You Are So Beautiful"by Joe Cocker: While I enjoyed this more than his first performance Danny had some major breath control issues going on (flash backs to Archie! AHHH!) This arrangement lent towards a "gospel rivival" feel that suits Danny, but not really Top 40 music!

3. KRIS - "Apologize" by One Republic: I absolutely L-O-V-E (LOVE) Kris at the piano and pray he brings it out during the Idol tour, but I'll have to agree with Simon this was a 'competent' vocal, but his musicanship (is that even a word?) bumps him up at least on my scale! I enjoyed the few liberties he took with the phrasing, but would have loved to see more!

2. ADAM - "Cryin" by Aerosmith: I actually really liked this vocal... until the background singer came in and the tounge came out! It showed the kind of music Adam could get away with making... even though Aerosmith isn't exactly topping the charts right now!

1. KRIS - "Heartless" by Kanye West: This was the closest to an "In A Dream" moment Idol's had since BO! Was it a perfect vocal... probably not, but it was so REAL and GENUINE and HEARFELT! I honestly believe neither Adam & especially Danny have the "artisty" to pull off an acoustic moment like this! Kris threw down everything he had on that stage and I LOVED IT! I'm so proud of him for taking a stand, taking a chance, and not compromising himself for the Idol stage! This just might have been the most unique moment Idol saw this year...

So who stays and who goes? Kris had a pretty stellar night on the Idol stage and really fought for his spot in the finals, Adam has consistently provided entertainment all season and Danny is a tool.... you do the math!

I really think Kris might have done enough last night to join Adam in the finale! :-) But I will try my best not to get my hopes up to high... in case America is blind, deaf and dumb...

Hopefully my 3600 (that's insane huh? the joys on unlimited texting) make a difference!!

Fingers crossed kids... fingers crossed!

"Welcome to the Boy's Club"

For the first time in the Idol history we have an all male Top 3 (three white dudes to be exact!) Are you shocked? You probably shouldn't be...

We've had the Judges pimping the guys before the season even starts in every interview imaginable! Add in the fact that chicks (and gay dudes) make up like 98.2% of the Idol voting block and a Top 36 format where the 3rd vote-getter's gender is chosen by said voting block. So we get a Top 13 with 8 males and 5 females (two of which the judges picked). Females which included Jasmine, Megan and "allusive pitch" Lil... yep, they should have conceded week 1!

Before we dive into a Top 3 analysis... a look back at the first ever TOP 13!

13. Jasmine Murray: Modeling, acting? maybe? she'd get swallowed up in the music industry
12. Jorge Nunez: Endearing sure, but he was a throw back to Idol's of Old... the Puerto Rican Clay Aiken
11. Alexis Grace: "Dirtied" herself right out of a spot on the tour... I blame Kara (this should have been Megan's spot)
10. Michael Sarver: Road the "Dad" coat tails into a spot on the tour... good for him
9. Megan Joy Corkery: HOT vote + talentless = "package artist"
8. Scott MacIntyre: dude was blind... how could he not make at least 8th!
7. Lil Rounds: Never lived up to her OWN hype... she was the queen of 2nd rate karaoke
6. Anoop Desai: Noop Dawg never found his footing after Beat It, but he's still got a special place in my heart! Check out his studio recording
5. Matt Giraud: Stupid hat, stupid scarves.... couldn't get it together on the stage, but he's also got some great studio recording
4. Allison Iraheta: Talent chick, really grew through-out the season... I'm interested to see if in a land of Pinks and Kellys how much play she'll get...

So that brings us to Adam, Danny & Kris!

ADAM LAMBERT
I will be genuinely surprised if anyone other than Adam wins this season of American Idol.
Strength: incredible range, interpretation and overall stage presence
Weakness: believability and "production"
Best Live Performance: Mad World or Tracks of My Tears
Best Studio Performance: Mad World (the only one I listen to regularly)
Worst Live Performance: Ring of Fire
Worst Studio Performance: Play That Funky Music or Born to Be Wild
Adam had amazing technically skill... he sings notes that I didn't existed and he owns the stage every moment he's on it! But my draw back with Adam (besides the creepy tongue thing) has always been the believability of it all. I always feel like I'm watching "Adam: The Musical" ... whether it's the glamed out theatrics or the tender balladeer; the moments don't feel real or organic! It's the lights or the entrance or the outfits, it all seems so over produced! He's got to let all that go and get real if people outside the Idoldome are going to embraced his music. Needless to say if Lady Gaga stays as popular as she is right now... Adam's definitely got a place on the Top 40 scene.

With that said the real fight is going to be for this year's runner-up. Danny or Kris? Kris or Danny? They have similar backgrounds, vocal styling and ideals, but honestly couldn't be more different than night and day...

DANNY GOKEY
Riled up Allison fans could push Gokey into a 3rd place finish or maybe that's just wishful thinking!
Strength: vocal power and intensity to carry a song
Weakness: pitch issues and song interpretation
Best Live Performance: Come Rain or Come Shine
Best Studio Performance: Come Rain or Come Shine & What Hurts the Most
Worst Live Performance: Dream On (by a comfortable mile) then Jesus Take the Wheel
Worst Studio Performance: Dream On (even with auto tune!!)
Danny has a voice that really soars on the big notes, but gets lost in the tender moments. When he hits the stride of a song the intensity of his vocal pulls it through and tends to make you forget the pitch issues. While the power of his voice makes him seem emotional connected, I think Danny lacks the skills to justly interpret a song through the beginning, middle and end. It again makes the performance seem like an ACT... an emotional ploy to get votes. Where as, Adam relies on a theatrical background to pull from to make his "act" more believable, Danny doesn't have the luxury and comes off a bit out of his depth. Plus there seems to be this smug, arrogance masked as self-deprecating humor with Danny that has always turned me off (and apparently the writers over at Entertainment Weekly!) Now where is Danny gonna fit in today's music is the real question... is Michael McDonald still making records? I actually see him as Contemporary Christian artist before I'd ever hear him having a hit on Top 40 radio.

KRIS ALLEN
*This will be a little biased because I absolutely adore Kris Allen and think he deserves a spot in the finally more than just about any other person in the competition!!
Strength: musician, humility, song interpretation & connection
Weakness: subtle range, seen as less flashy and boring
Best Live Performance: She Works Hard for the Money, Falling Slowly, Ain't No Sunshine... I could go on...
Best Studio Performance: Falling Slowly... it heart-breakingly beautiful
Worst Live Performance: All She Wants to Do is Dance (but I love the studio version)
Worst Studio Performance: She Works Hard for the Money (the strings took all the originality out)
Beside Allison strumming the guitar once, Kris is the only contestant in the Top 4 to play an instrument this season (a stark contrast to Season 7). Add in the fact that we barely saw the kid during the auditions and Hollywood, a placement in the toughest semi finals group and not to mention performing in the top half of the show 6 out of 9 times this season... I'd have to say Kris Allen is the hardest working man in Idol-land! He may not have the vocal range of Adam or the showmanship of Danny, but what he lack in those areas Kris makes up for with an amazing ability to really feel and inhabit the songs he chooses. His phrasing is so uniquely "Kris Allen"(haha, now I sound like Paula!) that it always adds an interesting layer to his performance. While Kris very rarely gets his dues for song arrangements, he has continually stayed humble and appreciative... even in the face of Simon's mocking! The biggest criticism of Kris is his "boring, laid-back" performance style... and next to a performer like Adam that could be seen as a weakness. But it's working out pretty well for John Mayer... to each his own I guess. I could definitely see Kris in the Matt Nathanson, John Mayer, Jason Mraz vein of music and doing just fine!

Danny & Adam definitely have the Judges support behind them and I'm already preparing myself for poor Kris to get pummeled with sandbags tonight...but all I can do is vote thousands of times and remember my track record...
I have "correctly" supported
- two winners (David Cook and Carrie)
- four runners-up (Justin G., Clay, Diana and Kat)
- of course there was the Season 6 miss-step with Chris Rich... I blame the green eyes...

3rd place just doesn't do it for me... so I implore you America... make the right choice!
A vote for Kris Allen is a vote for puppies.. and rainbows... and all things sweet and simple!

Until tomorrow....

"Sophmore Slump?"

I know I kindof disappeared for a while, but I'm back ready to blog about... all things Idol, of course!

Jordin Sparks sophmore album should be out sometime this summer, but here is a glimpse of her first single off the project "Battlefield"...

http://blogs.nypost.com/popwrap/archives/2009/05/jordin_sparks_battlefield.html

Now maybe this is a rough cut or something, but I just don't get the praise! Is it possible that I've finally hit the "out of touch with the kids" point in my life?

Is this the future of POP music? Lady Gaga & Lord Glambert? Rappers with Vocoders and over-production out-weighing actual vocals? I sure hope not... the kids deserve better than that... truly!

Oh well, that's the end of my rant on today's music!

Check back later for an indepth look at the American Idol's Top 3!

"Disco is Alive and Well..."

Or at least the appearance of Disco! In honor of last nights fast paced, no pre-performance clips show we're getting right down to business... in reverse order of KICKAWESOMENESS (tm Kris)

Who Should Go: Lil, Matt or Anoop... anyone else and it'll be a travesty!
Who Will Go: Lil and Anoop

7. Lil has been a joke this entire competition! She took on "I'm Every Woman" in complete karaoke fashion and deserves to be the first person booted tomorrow night!

6. Matt went the cheesy route with "Stayin' Alive"... it started out okay, but when he tries to wow us with his falsetto the performance falls to pieces! The cruel ironist in me would love for that to be Matt's swan song!

5. Anoop has an awesome voicel, but sucks at picking songs! "Dim All the Lights"? Seriously Dawg? I found the arrangement slightly weird, then he went and botched the last note and then Simon completely canned him... Noop Dawg is not long for this competition!

4. Danny's "September" was like the opening act from a church revival (he did mash Kirk Franklin's version in there a bit.. maybe that's what I'm feelin'), the vocal were rough in the front, but he always hits his stride with the big notes!
"Kara's an idiot" #1- thinks Danny has perfect pitch (I'd give that award to Anoop & Adam ONLY)

3./2. Adam and Allison get the same critique this week.... awesome vocals, not digging the arrangement. Allison's take on "Hot Stuff" kinda felt a little icky (technical term!!) and complete age-inappropriate! I want to see her go young and fun! Adam's arrangement was kinda safe and boring. I want to stop seeing Emo Screecher Adam one week and Tender Ballad Adam the next... I want to see a Grey Adam.. not just Black & White.
"Kara's an idiot" #2- "Saturday Night Live?"

1. Kris (not just cuz he's my favorite)... the kid is awesome! Best vocals? nope... but BEST arrangement and performance of the night by a comfortable mile! It was cool, smooth and current! I can't wait for the studio version! He doesn't compromise for a quick vote, he knows who he is and isn't afraid to be himself!

It was actually a pretty entertaining show! If any of the "Top 3" go home because the used the stupid save on Crappy Matt.... I will be very angry!!!