My apologies…

My apologies for the lack of posts as of late. Been busy with school work and checking out new bands on MySpace. (Okay, that last one isn’t a very good excuse, but nonetheless…) Okay, brief rundown:

- Went back to the old layout. I just like it better. Love the NB boys, but it just didn’t look right.

- Chikezie leaves American Idol. A little bit of a shock, considering relatively weak-voiced contestants like Ramiele and Kristy Lee have stuck in there. Plus, I really will miss calling him Cheezit.

- David Cook does a stellar rendition of Chris Cornell’s remake of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. I’ve always loved Chris’s version of the song, and hearing David Cook sing it? Holy crapanoodle. My MP3 player is screaming at me to play a different song.

- The Artemis Fowl books are excellent! I just wrapped up The Opal Deception and I believe this has been the best series I’ve read since the Harry Potter books. Seriously. You just gotta love Mulch Diggums. He rocks.

- Currently reading “Me2″ by M. Christian. I…don’t really know what to think thus far. I did flip through the book a bit, reading tidbits here and there, and I did get a few unexpected sex-ed lessons. Hm. Keep an eye on The Bookshelf Reviews for my upcoming review on this book.

Now…next week’s American Idol theme: Dolly Parton songs. Oh, boy. I fear for the guys on this one. Cheezit would’ve probably done well with this theme, if given the chance (go figure). Kristy Lee will be all right. And someone will do “I Will Always Love You”. It’s inevitable. MyIDOL member wgm4 seems to have the ultimate list of choices for each contestant. Out of her list of songs, let’s see what would be the most suitable song (at least in my personal opinion). Give me some slack - I’m not that familiar with Dolly’s songs:

David Archuleta - “When I Get Where I’m Going”
This is a beautiful song, and though the higher notes kind of worry me, I think Archuleta’s youthful vocal could swing this song right in his favor.

Carly Smithson - “Raven Dove”
This slow one could really accentuate her beautiful vocals. Keeping it stripped with just a piano would be even better and it’d give Carly more room to belt it out.
Alternative: “Sweet Music Man”

Michael Johns - “House of the Rising Sun”
I had originally picked “Knocking on Heaven’s Door,” but the Animals’ version of this would be absolutely perfect for Michael. The vocals would be right, the music would be right, it’d just be right.
Alternative: “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”

Brooke White - “Me and Bobby McGee”
Brooke could possibly even pull off the Janis Joplin version of this. I would usually put a slower song with Brooke, but I can really see her singing this. It just seems to fit her.
Alternative: “Jolene”

Kristy Lee Cook - “Islands in the Stream”
This wouldn’t be too bad a choice for her. I’m sure there are better out there, but her natural country twang should keep her in the game right now.

David Cook - “Little Sparrow”
In this instance, you pray to run across a Dolly Parton song that Three Days Grace or Our Lady Peace remade in recent years. No such luck thus far, but given the options, I think an acoustic version of this song (with slight lyrical shifting) could help him survive the week. Fingers are crossed.

Ramiele Malubay - “Do You Think That Time Stands Still”
This song is just begging to be Idol-ized. Hopefully the slowness of the song could give Rami the chance to strengthen her voice and earn her keep in the top 10.

Syesha Mercado - “Almost in Love”
The bluesy feel of the song would make this a good song for Syesha. Slower, too, to give her more belting room.
Alternative: “I Will Always Love You” (if you must…)

Jason Castro - “Seven Bridges Road”
Wasn’t on the suggestion list, but Jason is a hard one to pick for. I always loved the Eagles’ live version of this song, so perhaps Jason’s softer tones, combined with some good backing acoustics, could work this one out.

This is gonna be one hell of a weird week.

Books, Idol, and Other Bloggers’ Adventures

Oh, it may look like I finished Duma Key really quickly, but I didn’t. For some reason, I just couldn’t get into it. I put it up on Paperback Swap instead for the 500-something other wishers to fight over. I’m evil like that.

Now, I’m actually into a book I’m finding enthralling and interesting - Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer. I managed to get the whole series, sans The Lost Colony, at Wal-Mart for twenty bucks, so I was pretty happy to nab those. Besides, how can you not like a fairy-hunting, business-savvy, megalomaniacal twelve-year-old? That’s the stuff good stories are made of.

Anyway, another topic: American Idol. I found out that this upcoming week’s theme is songs from the year of the contestant’s birth. Now, this definitely gives a much more expansive variety than the incessant Beatles themes have. You gotta think, the years vary from 1978 (Michael Johns) to 1990 (David Archuleta). There’s over a decade’s worth of songs. This’ll definitely be interesting. Now, based on Idol Mania’s listing of top songs per birth year, here are my picks for the top 10 singers:

1978 - Michael Johns: “Kiss You All Over” by Exile
1982 - David Cook: “Hurts So Good” by John Mellencamp
- NOTE: I would kill to hear David sing “Abracadabra” by The Steve Miller Band just so I can hear him say “I wanna reach out and grab ya.” That would be a priceless moment.
1983 - Brooke White: “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler
1983 - Carly Smithson: “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” by Eurythmics
1984 - Kristy Lee Cook: “Owner of a Lonely Heart” by Yes
- NOTE: I believe “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)” by Phil Collins would also work, but it’s been done so much on the show, I wanted a little more variety.
1985 - Chikezie: “Dancing on the Ceiling” by Lionel Richie
- NOTE: It wasn’t a top song that year, according to Idol Mania, but I think Cheezit could do really well with it, seeing as it was released in late ‘85.
1987 - Jason Castro: “Don’t Mean Nothing” by Richard Marx
- NOTE: Another not on Idol Mania’s list, but Castro could definitely do Richard Marx.
1987 - Ramiele Malubay: “C’est La Vie” by Robbie Nevil
1987 - Syesha Mercado: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
- NOTE: I wouldn’t have chosen this one for her because it’s been done so much on the show, but it seemed appropriate for her voice.
1990 - David Archuleta: “Another Day in Paradise” by Phil Collins
- NOTE: Archuleta was hard to choose for, but in the end, the slower, melodic song won over a significantly stripped “Blaze of Glory” by Jon Bon Jovi.

We’ll see how it plays out next week. I’m sure I’ll be extremely surprised with the contestants’ choices, but that at least gives myself and others a basic idea of what different varieties of music we’ll be hearing.

Back to the blog front, my buddy, author Mel Odom, just wrapped up the legal thriller Notorious by Michelle Martinez (not to be confused with Tori Spelling’s upcoming memoir, sTORI Telling), and from his review on Bookhound, it sounds pretty juicy. Darque Reviews’ Kimberly Swan just finished the first book in Cheryl L. Brooks’ Cat Star Chronicles series, Slave, with a rather hunky man chest on the front cover. It sounds like it falls under the sci-fi mattress-stuffer category to me. Katie wrapped up Jonathan Barnes’ The Somnambulist a week ago, a book I’ve had on my wish list for a long, long time. Wendy has read a slew of dark goodies lately and is now prepping her first-ever blog contest! Can’t wait for it, Wendy! Scoop just picked up Elijah by Jacquelyn Frank, and as told in the post’s comments, my hormonal self mixed the post up with a mention of Elijah Wood. I can only imagine if she was referring to a “Cook”book. Lastly but not leastly, Ron talks about National Get Caught Reading Month. A whole month of books and reading - you gotta love that.

And the contestant leaving tonight is…

*SPOILERS AHEAD* 

 

Some by-the-minute blogging again for the American Idol results. I still can’t believe they manage to fill an hour to cast off one person. Oh, poor kids and those damn medleys. I always feel sorry for them when they do those things. Knock the show down to a half hour, allow the contestants to save their voices, and get this done quicker. I’m sure there are very few who would argue with me on that.

David C. looks pretty good in that mid-sleeve though, I have to say. No one looked enthused to be there, though, especially Amanda. Actually, she looked a bit frightened. Maybe that shirt was cutting off her air circulation.

Okay, here we go.

1. Brooke White is…safe.
2. Carly Smithson is…in the bottom three. (My Dad is choking on his beer right now.)
3. David Archuleta is…safe.
4. Michael Johns is…safe. And a break for some ranting.

Carly’s just a little shocking clencher. No worries - she’ll be sent back to the comfy couch. And we’re back…oh, Ford music video crap. Another ‘feel-sorry-for-the-contestants’ moment.

5. David Cook is…come on, come on…safe! Yeah, buddy. I’m happy.
6. Kristy Lee Cook is…in the bottom three. Expected.
7. Jason Castro is…safe, even with that rather boring performance.
8. Ramiele Malubay is…safe. Another break.

I’m thinking Kristy is going. Not sure who will fill the remaining spot in the bottom three, but I’m thinking Kristy’s a goner. I could be very wrong, though…and Ryan’s back with call-in questions. Another time-consuming activity - this should be a hoot. Question about Simon’s wardrobe expenditure (or lack thereof), inquiry about a Paula/Simon kiss sequel (okay, Simon just wants some action), Ramiele question about her latest iPod download (R. Kelly), a Michael question about his experience on Idol…oh, no. More questions, please. Pretty please. Not the Pickle. Oh, man…performance of “Red High Heels” by Kelly Pickler. Commercial now, Ryan? Yessir.

Oh, man…that song is stuck in my head now. Anyway, some ‘Idol Gives Back’ footage…awww, little baby Elliott. That’s so sweet! Okay, more results:

9. Syesha Mercado is…safe.
10. Amanda Overmyer is…in the bottom three, meaning Cheezit is safe.

Resulting in the bottom three of: Amanda Overmyer, Carly Smithson, and Kristy Lee Cook.

I expected Amanda to be there, even though I think the rock vote just might keep her in for at least the tour. Very hormonal bottom three tonight. Someone’s going to be crying. Okay…Carly Smithson is safe. And the decision for tonight is…Amanda Overmyer has been eliminated. Kristy Lee Cook is, for reasons unknown to myself and many others, safe. Okay, that kind of sucked. I liked Amanda. How can you not like a rock ‘n’ roll nurse? Damn Beatles songs.

2008 Gigs Precursor to New Nickelback Album?

You can’t possibly tell me these guys are touring on All the Right Reasons again? Let’s hope their newly released show dates for the later half of 2008 are pre-album dates, or perhaps even experimental album material dates. I mean, I love Nickelback with the best of ‘em, but they have really exhausted and stretched this album thin. Of course, I don’t think even that would stop me from hitting a date if they came around to the Lone Star State again…but nonetheless, I hope the ‘Back will allow their great album to rest for a while.

Now, I haven’t heard any news about an upcoming release from the Canucks - quite the contrary, they’ve been putting it off due to “contract negotiations” with record label Roadrunner, according to the New York Post. Apparently, the boys are “looking to use its multi-platinum success as leverage for a new deal [with Roadrunner]“, with outside interest from SonyBMG, Universal Music and EMI if they wish to leave the label. [See the original article with full details here.] In support, music website Pause and Play, who reportedly listed Nickelback’s upcoming release for the time period of “late 2007/early 2008″ has since switched it to TBA.

Yet, tour dates have popped up for Europe, the UK ones available for purchase through Live Nation. Now get this - lead singer Chad Kroeger, in the April 2008 issue of Playboy magazine, speaks of the company and a reported nine-figure offer by them to the band. Seeing as September dates in UK are being offered through the company, it may be indicative of the band becoming a couple million dollars richer. (In the same interview, Kroeger also speaks of a rather “flexible” party trick he once did for a case of beer, but I won’t touch on that.)

Here is the current listing of tour dates for the band for 2008 (thanks to the Nickelback Forum):

Germany:
September 8: Köln - Kölnarena - Mo.
September 9: Stuttgart - Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle - Di.

Ireland:
September 12: Belfast’s Odyssey Arena
September 13: Dublin’s RDS Simmonscourt

United Kingdom:
September 15: Manchester Evening News Arena
September 16: Sheffield Arena
September 18: Birmingham NEC
September 19: London 02 Arena

All gigs are reportedly with the support of fellow rock band Staind.

Music website MCD.ie may have put all circulating rumors to rest, however, with two simple sentences:

Be sure to catch the band at one of the following shows as it’ll be your last chance to see them play before they close ranks and return home to Canada. There they will begin work on album number six, which is pencilled for release in 2009 through Roadrunner Records.

What? You didn’t see this coming? And Other Random Musings

Come on, David Cook. You did good last week with “Eleanor Rigby” - you can do it again. And maybe this will FINALLY be the last week of Beatles! I understand they brought around the American revolution of pop/rock, and without them we wouldn’t have our modern-day rock bands and so on and so forth…but there’s really only so much anyone can sing Beatles before they start sounding pretty bad. And before the audience will be driven nuts.

Yes, I’m trying this blog thing again. Last attempts to resurrect my interest in blogging have failed, mainly because of my restricting blog concepts. Now, I’m just going to wing it. No topics, just random crap. 

Oh, Brooke, not a good night. I dislike “Here Comes the Sun” anyway. But what exactly is a “wet” performance, Simon?

As you can see, I’m watching American Idol right now. It’s so addictive. I’ve watched it since season one, and have voted in most of them. Haven’t voted this season, though, even though I’m head-over-heels for David Cook. I’ll just let things play out. My exempted presence from the voting may come in David’s favor. Seeing as I seemed to be the jinx on Ace Young in season five (damn 1,500 votes for seventh place) and costed Daughtry his should’ve-been number one spot, I figure I’ll let this one go. Oh, wait…David’s on.

Two minutes later…

YES!! Holy crap, that was a hot performance. I was so scared he’d finally slip with the Beatles, but damn if I was wrong. And Simon can bite me on this one - David rocked, period. That was is going on my MP3 player. …okay, that’s it. I’m voting. Got to wait an hour, but I’m voting. I am a little afraid he’ll be in the bottom three, but…that was the best performance thus far. Someone will have some of their ass chewed if he does end up there tomorrow, I can tell you that. 

Anyway, another topic while I wait for Carly Smithson’s performance. I am currently reading Duma Key by Stephen King, and so far, it’s a pretty good book. Very different and somewhat odd, but in a very interesting and cryptic way. Mind you, I’m only around fifty pages into it, but still.

Carly’s got a good voice, but an ugly shirt. It looks so out of place with her tattoos. I don’t think the song is right for her, though. Not after her Heart renditions. And holy crap, her husband has a lot of tattoos.

Anyway, I am to register at my new college either tomorrow or sometime next week. Whenever my previous college transcripts come in. I didn’t declare at my last college, but I’m thinking Computer Science at this college. Closest thing that could be effective in a career in music production, I figure.

Oh, Jason, not a good one…not crazy about “Mee-chelle”. He just doesn’t seem enthusiastic or happy about any of it. Like Randy said, he didn’t seem “connected with it”. But do you blame him? What can you really do with two weeks of Beatles? I don’t blame him for this one. A second week of this is ridiculous…just like Simon said.

I’m starting to like this blog-by-the-minute sort of routine. It makes it fun and random. But with commercials on, I have not much to say. Oh, never mind. Commercial over.

Not a bad one, Syesha. I’m not a huge fan of hers, but that’s a good one. And what did Jacuzzi do? That was…odd. Interesting, and memorable (a key element needed in this competition), but odd. Oh, Ramiele, not a good one, not at all. She drove my Dad from the room, and it’s hard to do that with that comfy recliner. Yikes.

I don’t really know what to expect from tomorrow night’s results. I’m thinking either Kristy or Jason might get the boot. And I like Jason, I really do…but not a good one tonight. A toss-up.

And I voted. Only three times. Don’t want to jinx it. I like David a lot. He’s my wallpaper and everything - I don’t want my votes to be bad juju or anything.