American Idolatry

Ahh, my first post in days and it's on a completely embarrassing (albeit entertaining) topic. I have something huge and amazing in the works later today though, so sit tight.

The fruits of the last season of American Idol are finally hitting the record stores with pretty predictable results this December. You KNOW you've been waiting for it, if only to find that perfect Christmas gift for your mom (mmmmm, I plead the fifth).

Gravel voiced rocker Chris Daughtry recently stopped by the Rolling Stone studios, and laid down this live version of his new single It's Not Over. If you're curious. I'll admit I liked Chris but it still sounds like he's having a bit of a hernia when he sings, doesn't he?

Season winner Taylor Hicks has streams of two of his new songs available now over on the Gray Charles blog (or on his verrrry slickly-designed MySpace page).

I have to say, these songs are not what I anticipated leading towards a redeeming album. I knew when he won that he actually DID have true passion for the music, combined with some musical chops, and --if he aligned with the right folks-- could have made a solid retro soul album. But of course, the AI producers (oh, they of the "Do I Make You Proud"-variety songs) got their claws into him and he's made something that makes me wonder if he is, indeed, walking on sunshine.

Stream three songs from Taylor Hicks, if you're curious:
The Runaround (my mom danced when I played this for her, it was awesome)
Dream Myself Awake
The Right Place


And the hot(t) Katherine McPhee also has an album coming out in December. Far as I can tell she's basing her ability to sell records on the glossiness of her lips. She can also sing, but that AI first single "My Destiny" is so bad that it makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit. AI is completely incapable of producing a seriously good, quality album. It's all over-produced slick pop drivel. I guess that's kind of necessarily what you get from this type of show, which has been a musical joke from the beginning. I just started watching the really bad auditions and got hooked, like a poor little fish wriggling on the line.


PS - Speaking of Idols, was this really, truly necessary? The snarl cannot redeem you Billy.