American Idol 8 – Top 36 – Group 2 – Top 3 [review]

Anyone else feels that having four judges is so… packed? It’s so claustrophobic over at the judges’ table. I used to like Kara, but now I see her as a useless extra to the panel. I cringe every time she gives a comment, its like she’s trying too hard to fit in. Kara, go back to producing music please. Leave the judging to the real judges.

So, group 2 is over! What a frustrating an interesting pile up of contestants. I mean, it’s so obvious that the producers want a select few to make it through that they had to compile almost all the best singers in one group to battle it out for what, 3 spots? Insanity! I really hate the new format. You cut 9 people off and let 3 people through. How fair is that? I really miss the old format where the lowest 2 contestants get eliminated and the rest can breathe for another week. Besides, it’s the only way you can watch each performer grow and monitor his or her progression. Duh.

And the highest male getter was…

Matt Giraud!

… I wish. Matt was my pre-show and current favourite to win it. He’s an awesome singer and performer no doubt, no one can deny that. But it came down to bad song choice. *facepalm* I didn’t think his rendition of Viva La Vida was that bad to be honest. However harsh the judges were, they still know that deep down, Matt is the one to beat. His Hollywood week performance, “Georgia” was hands down the best performance that day. I hope the judges has the brains to put him through to the WildCard round, and hopefully Matt will have the brains too to  choose the right song and blow Kara out of her seat and hopefully so far away that she’ll never return.

Obviously, the highest male getter was Adam Lambert. Duh. He’s like, the second most pimped contestant after Danny Gokey. Though I really think that Adam deserved this spot, he worked, or rather, sang hard (and high) to get into the top 12. I have nothing personal against Adam, but it was weird watching him perform with all the self touching and drag-ness. Nevertheless, congrats Adam, you deserved it! Those high notes are impossible. It’s interesting to see how well he’ll do in the future.

Allison Iraheta got the spot for the top female in the bunch. It was well deserved too, her performance of Alone was original and full of passion and confidence. I like Allison, she’s incredibly unique. Although the Kelly Clarkson comment is inevitable, sadly. She does resemble Kelly, if you look hard enough… Whatever. Allison rocks. Literally.

And the person who was lucky enough to sail through was… Kris Allen. I’m starting to think that America casted their votes based on looks, rather than vocals. Hehe. If you asked me about Kris Allen before this group performed, I’ll tell you I have no idea. If you asked me what song he performed after the show, I’ll tell you I have no idea. Weird, how is it that this forgettable guy got a spot in the top 12? Hmmm. Kris refreshed my memory with his encore performance of Man In The Mirror (which I thought he’d be dead with, cause Michael Jackson songs are always a no-no). But, if you ask me who Kris Allen is now, I’d definitely tell you he’s the guy who deserved the top 12 spot.

So who should’ve went through as well? MATT GIRAUD. He needs the WildCard round to save him now, and I’m pretty confident he’ll get another chance. Mishavonna Henson. She’s a cute one. I really really like her. Megan Cockrey. I’d love to see how far she can go with her soul, Brooke White-ish vibe.

Speaking of Brooke White, she was stunning tonight. Loved her new single.

There’s number 4, 5 and 6 of your top 12! Happy with the results?  What do you think? Leave your comments!

*still pissed with the producers* Get them, Normund.

[Pics from Yahoo!]

-MDOC-’s Wordle!

Wordle has became somewhat of an overnight sensation during the past  few months. It’s basically a creative website that puts together a jumble of words from your blog, your website or any rubbish that you type in and creates them into a piece of art. It’s really colourful and fun.

Here’s the Wordle for - MDOC - !

Bigger version here. Glad Wordle decided to feature Cook in the spotlight.

American Idol Season 8 – Top 36 – Group 1 – Top 3 [review]

I’m a bit slow on the AI8 updates, been really busy lately. So, as everyone saw on the Wednesday results show (or Thursday if you live ahead of the US time zone), the top 3 from Group 1 are: Alexis Grace, Danny Gokey and Michael Sarver. Duh. How obvious.

First rounds of votings are always the most crucial, since first impression often burn into someone’s mind forever. So even if you improve ever so slightly in the next few weeks but did horribly on the first week, you’d still be categorized in the ‘bad’ title.

So, Alexis Grace emerged as the top female out of the females present in Group 1. Hallelujah. Alexis was amazing. She was soulful, confident and most importantly, sexy. I really hate the ‘Kelly Clarkson’ title dubbed by Simon almost every season, its getting old, but it’s good that Simon sees something in her that reminds him of his favourite winner ever. But, being called the dark horse, that is something. David Cook was given the dark horse title last year, and he won over original frontrunner David Archuleta. Simon always speaks the truth.

The top male was of course, obviously, Danny Gokey. DUH. Anyone who doesn’t realize this ever since Hollywood week is wrong in the head. Danny has been pimped by the producers every single week. Some (most) fall for his charm, looks, voice and his sad story. Others dislike his charm, looks and sad story. Unfortunately, I fall into the latter category. Danny seems rather… fake, over the top and overly confident. That’s just my opinion, of course I have no idea how he’s like. I don’t like the vibe I’m getting from him. Of course, with all the hype generating around Danny, my opinion doesn’t really matter. Danny will be in the finals. DUH. It’s David Archuleta all over again (but at least I liked David).

Now the third lucky contestant with the third high number of votes was Michael Sarver. I think I can say this: everyone fell in love with Michael ever since he was shown in his auditions. Even Simon can’t deny his charm. In fact, I think its his charm alone that brought him into the top 12. For sure. I don’t have much to say about Michael, but if he sings consistently and ooze his charm every week, there is no doubt he’ll advance easily.

So who did I think should’ve been in the the top 12 as well? Ricky Braddy. Ricky reminded me a lot of Elliott Yamin with his rendition of A Song To You. It was soothing. Unfortunately, Elliott > Ricky by a mile, so. Brent Keith. Brent’s chances were badly hurt by lack of screentime, I though he did project who he was as an artist, so he should’ve advance as well. Tatiana Del Toro. YES. TATIANA. I love Tatiana. She was awesome, even better than most of the contestants!! I think Tatiana deserves another chance. Plus, she makes good TV. I hope she makes it past the Wildcard round.

So who sucked? REAL BAD? Stevie Wright. Casey Carlson. Stephen Fowler. Urgh I cant stand Fowler. He is sooooo annoyingly abysmal. He sucks, in other words. At least Stevie and Casey tried.

Support Alexis!
Go Tatiana!

What do you think? Leave comments!

[Pics from Yahoo!]

David Cook’s Second Single – Come Back To Me/Bar-Ba-Sol

David Cook has kept us waiting for a looooong time. Finally, the decision has been made! Come Back To Me will serve as the second single off his post-Idol, self-titled debut album.

Honestly, I’m disappointed, but not surprised at all. Come Back To Me has been one of the front-running candidates to be the second single, other than Declaration, Lie and Life On The Moon. Frankly, I think that Declaration, the first track of the album, would do wonders as the second single (it should’ve been released as first single!!). It has single potential written all over it. Besides, Cook has been performing the song in almost every one of his live shows.

Lie might even do well too, it’s one of the most popular songs on the album. Although it isn’t very upbeat and catchy, the slow rhythm and the beautiful lyrics might catch the hearts of many. Life On The Moon is one of those songs which will do great in mainstream music. Even Bar-ba-sol, one of the most talked about track on the album, might even generate success on the rock charts.

I don’t hate Come Back To Me, in fact, I love it, but it just isn’t right as a single. Of all the amazing songs on the amazing album, they HAD to choose the only TWO songs (other than TOML) that are NOT written by David Cook himself, to be released as singles. Its madness I tell you. No David = No success. Correct?

CBTM sounds similar to Light On, and I think it’s safe to say that the first single was kind of a flop, albeit reaching gold status, while the Magic Rainbow, The Time Of My Life is still enjoying huge success. Maybe we need more cheesy lyrics…?

That being said, the label should just release ALL his songs as singles. Everyone would be happy then. Hehe. I hope I’m proven wrong. Time will tell.

UPDATE!! Bar-Ba-Sol will be released alongside Come Back To Me! That made me a lot happier. This dual release will promise more success. BBS will be impacting the rock charts while CBTM will stay on mainstream music.

Support COME BACK TO ME!!
Support BAR-BA-SOL!!

What do you think? Leave comments!

David Cook Vlogs: Declaration Tour

Not much this time, but David Cook makes sure that he’s still alive by posting another vlog.

Cook talks about his upcoming tour: The Declaration Tour (hopefully, hinting that “Declaration” will be the second single) and continues to thank his fans for the overwhelming support towards the tour. Yay!

Other Cook news (this is rather late), his debut self titled album is now platinum! Double yay! Double platinum, here we come!

Meanwhile, Matt Giraud has became my current fav on American Idol 8. Best part of it, he’s rumoured to be in the top 36! Goodbye to Emily Wynne-Hughes, who left during the brutal group rounds.

Go Cook!
Go Matt Giraud!

What do you think? Leave comments!