Love, Save the Empty

Currently Listening To: Erin McCarley - Sleepwalking

Taking a break from Adam Lambert's usual screeches, I decided to randomly download songs from TV series (90210, Grey's Anatomy and stuff) and I kinda sorta discovered Erin McCarley (well actually I discovered her a few months ago, it's just that I'm blogging about her NOW).



More of those indie singer-songwriter stuff usually featured in TV shows. I'm normally just so-so about this type of music, but Erin McCarley is one the better ones (just my humble opinion, I like Sara Bareilles too, the rest not so much).




1. Pony (It's OK)
2. Blue Suitcase
3. Sticky-Sweet
4. Lovesick Mistake
5. Love, Save the Empty
6. It's Not That Easy
7. Hello/Goodbye
8. Pitter-Pat
9. Sleep Walking
10. Bobble Head
11. Gotta Figure This Out

Personal Favourites: Pony (It's Ok), Lovesick Mistake, Pitter-Pat, Sleepwalking, Gotta Figure This Out.
Verdict: Loooooove this album! 9/10 ♥♥♥


Take a listen if you're into this kind of stuff. Very relaxing music, hopefully Kris Allen follows in her footsteps. No more No Boundaries! Oh and do check out Meiko and Lenka as well, if you like Erin's music. I think Lenka's getting some promotion now, thanks to The Show (I don't like this song though, and btw Lenka's teeth is so distracting...) Erin has better songs and a less annoying voice, and Meiko is a bit similar to Erin...but Meiko has been around longer.



Meiko's Boys With Girlfriends



Unbelievable...just a few months ago she was still unknown! But then again, the same applies to Adam Lambert and Kris Allen...

Anyway, enjoy.

Wake-Up Call

Currently Listening To: Miley Cyrus - The Climb

Well, it has been a week since American Idol ended but I guess you can say that I'm still recovering from uh...the lack of American Idol this week =/

There's nothing fun for me to look forward to anymore.
No more entertainment on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
No more weird/quirky/awesome people for me to make fun off/praise.

Back to my boring, uneventful life.

Sigh, can't do anything about it until next year.

...

Not that I should be doing anything other than studying for the finals anyway!

2 weeks.

That's all the time I have left for studying.
4 subjects...
2 of them not so bad...
The other 2 just bleh.
Seriously hope I won't fail the freaking thing or I'll have to go through it all over again!
Wish me luck? =(

It's A Mad World

Currently Listening To: Adam Lambert - Cryin' (sorry Aerosmith)

Adam.

Adam, Adam, Adam.

Lambert that is, not any other Adams.

Well there is one other Adam that I should mention...
RIP to Adam Cook, David Cook's brother.
I'm really truly sorry for your loss Cookie =(

But this post is all about Adam Lambert, the runner-up of American Idol Season 8.

Yes, I am that obsessed with Adam Lambert!

I really don't mind Kris winning, but to me Adam Lambert is the rightful winner.

...

All right I'm lying, this post is actually about the results show lol.
A very good finale, minus some awkward performances. And the somewhat awkward coronation.

So I woke up at 7.45am this morning.

Turned on the TV at exactly 8am.

And watched the results finale for the full 2 hours.

Now I can't remember all the performances, so I'll just talk about those that I do remember.

First up was David Cook and he sang a song from his album, 'Permanent', dedicated to his brother Adam, who passed away a few weeks ago due to brain cancer. That was a really emotional moment for Cookie...I could see that he was trying really hard not to cry and well, he made me wanna cry too actually.

*sniff*

Moving on...
Lil Rounds performed with Queen Latifah...and um, they were both terrible. Nothing else to say about that.

The Allison Iraheta and Cyndi Lauper duet was a snoozefest...

Kris Allen sang with Keith Urban, decent performance but mostly boring.

Megan Joy and Michael Sarver sang Steve Martin's (yes, that white haired actor from Cheaper By The Dozen) new song or something. It was really weird O.o

Danny Gokey sang Lionel Ritchie's Hello, and I couldn't help but compare it to Cook's version of that song...David Cook >>>>> Danny Gokey duh.

I can't remember any other performances, seriously.

Kara outsang bikini girl, if that counts!!

And then we have the best performances of the night/morning...

Adam Lambert + KISS and Adam Lambert + Kris Allen + QUEEN

Naturally Adam Lambert stole the show, no offense to Kiss nor Queen. Or Kris.
Adam was just freaking amazing, and noone can ever deny that!

I guess that's the reason why the whole atmosphere was kinda muted when Kris was announced as the winner.

Cos Adam Lambert stole the show, and then for him to end up in second place?
It just didn't seem right, even to Kris.
Poor Kris was like, "Oh Adam deserves it more..." and for a moment there I thought he was gonna give up the title!

But anyway, I think Kris should be grateful and happy about his win cos I know Adam will be happy for him =)

An average season overall, but the most fascinating Top 2 ever.
With the most fascinating contestant in eight seasons - Adam Lambert.

EDIT: I just listened to the studio versions of No Boundaries, by both Kris and Adam. Sounds a lot better recorded than live.
You know I really thought that I would prefer Kris' version but I actually like Adam's better O.o
Don't get me wrong, it's still a pretty crappy song.
Can't say I'll ever buy Kris Allen's albums...

And the Winner of American Idol 2009 is....

Currently Listening To: Adam Lambert & Allison Iraheta - Slow Ride








Do not read this if you're planning to watch the repeat, and if you don't want any spoilers.







The winner of American Idol Season 8 is...







KRIS ALLEN

I say, congratulations Kris!
Way to prove that underdogs rule!

With that being said...
Although I predicted Kris winning and actually got that right...
(I thought Archie was gonna win last year but he didn't!)
Somehow I still think that Adam deserves to win more.
Simply because he's the better singer, better performer, had better performances, and also he was consistent throughout the whole show.

Another person who deserves the title more than Kris would be Allison. Most underrated contestant this season, in my opinion. Sad fact but what the heck.

Adam and Allison will find success out of idol, I think.
Kris...well, I fear he might end up like Taylor Hicks =/
I was right again, it is a repeat of Season 5!

Anyway, forget all that.
Congrats again, Kris and all the best to you Adam!
However Kris, I'm horrified that you'll have to release that ghastly No Boundaries as your first single.
Like seriously.
First time I heard it, I hated it - and Adam was singing!
The second time...while most would say that Kris sang it better than Adam, I beg to differ. I thought it was just a terrible as Adam's. It only sounded more pleasant because Kris wasn't screaming. To claim that Kris sang it better would be an insult to him!
And the third time around...let me put it this way. The results show was awesome, until Kris was crowned and he had to sing No Boundaries AGAIN.

I guess this should be my - last - official post on American Idol.
Till next year then!
Edit: Scratch that, I'll probably dedicate my next post to Adam and the results show.

It's a Wonderful World

Currently Listening To: Rihanna ft The Dream - Hatin' On The Club

Wow.

What a finale.

If you ask me...I think that was one of the more insipid final performances ever from the final 2.

Heck, even Jordin Sparks vs Blake Lewis was more exciting (and trust me, I can’t remember anything from that finale)

Yes of course I’m talking about American Idol!

It’s down to Adam Lambert and Kris Allen and what can I say...I have no idea who’s gonna win.

They’re both equally good in their own way, and well. They look really comfortable with each other too. I don’t think either of them would mind if the other person wins tomorrow.

(FYI yes I’ll be watching the results finale at 8am in the morning.)

About the performances today...well let’s have a look at what they sang.

First Round – Contestant’s Choice
Adam re-sang: Mad World from Top 8 - Year They Were Born
Kris re-sang: Ain’t No Sunshine from Top 9 - Popular iTunes Downloads

I’m a fan of Adam’s, but I’ll have to say that this round goes to Kris Allen.
Both re-sang their best and most memorable performances to date, and they didn’t do anything different to the songs. Both songs sounded exactly the same as their first time, Ain't No Sunshine even more so than Mad World. BUT Kris was more solid somehow, while Adam was a bit wishy-washy. Don’t get me wrong, I love both performances of Mad World but Ain’t No Sunshine sounded better to me. So yeah, Kris Allen for Round 1.

Second Round – Simon Fuller’s Choice

Adam: A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke
Kris: What's Going On by Marvin Gaye

I have no idea if Simon Fuller was trying to screw Kris up but the song he chose for the poor guy was just terribly boring. Kris did what he could with the song but it wasn’t good. Very lacklustre. It’s a great song and yet Kris wasn’t great. Now Adam on the other hand – he rocked that song choice, no doubt about it! Wasn’t really his style either but he at least conquered the song, unlike Kris. Round 2 for Adam Lambert

Third Round – Winner’s Song

Song:No Boundaries

...
I only have one thing to say about this song...
I can’t stand it!
IMHO, both Adam and Kris did terribly, with Adam screaming his way through it and Kris being horribly off-key. I mean, Adam sounded like Danny Gokey on one of his bad days!
I can't even decide who sang it better, because the song's just too awful.

Written by the amazingly obnoxious Kara DioGuardi, the song was so terrible Cowell couldn’t even comment on it. He couldn’t, and neither can I now. In fact, I'm getting a headache just thinking about it.

I can’t remember Jordin’s song, but at least I didn’t hate it. I do remember Blake being terrible, but then again it was totally out of his league.

This song?

If Adam’s wonderful voice can’t save it and Kris’ pleasant vocals can’t do it any justice...then it’s doomed. I don’t want either one of them to release it as a single. It’s like a death sentence. I don’t know about anyone else, but I really hate No Boundaries. Thanks a lot Kara!

Question: Magic Rainbows or Mountains and Hurricanes? I say, the freaking rainbow, as whimsical as that may sound.

EDIT: Bwahahaha them fans at idolforums.com agress with me!!! Kara, you stink, period.

At times like this, I miss Katharine McPhee and Elliot Yamin...both brilliant vocalists, and yet they lost to Taylor Hicks. And also Melinda Doolittle from Jordin’s season.

Carrie Underwood was the best tonight and she won like what, four seasons ago? And I don't even like Carrie!

Final Verdict?

Either of them can take the crown.

Like I’ve said before, they’re both good in their own way and honestly speaking? I want Adam to win, really I do, but Kris winning won’t be a bad thing either. If anything, he’ll be the next Jason Mraz (and I’m still waiting for Jason Castro from season 7 to release something).

~.~

Extra stuff for other AI/Adam fans!

Click Here!

Have a look at this video. You know, if I had watched that video without any sound...I would have never guessed that chubby blonde was Adam Lambert way back in 2000. He looks totally different! The only thing similar is that incredible voice of his. Amazing what nine years can do to a person...

Moving on from American Idol...

Check out this video!


More about her.

She's from Malaysia! She got discovered on Youtube, and now she’s signed on to Jack Johnson’s record label or something.

A Malaysian! For once...I’ll have to say MALAYSIA BOLEH - minus sarcasm -!

*beams like a proud parent*

She sounds like a cross between Norah Jones and Meiko.
Whaddya guys think?

♥ Kradam Finale ♥

Currently Listening To: Kate Ryan - Ella Elle L'a

FINALLY the moment I've been waiting for...

Danny Gokey's gone!

That means, Adam and Kris will be belting it out for the title next week.

Results - 8am, next Thursday.

I'm so waking up at 8am for American Idol next week. And my mum's joining me!

(Becky dear, I guess we're both happy! Your mum too!)

Once again, I have nothing against Danny. He's just not as good as Adam (vocally) and Kris (creativity). Still, all the best to Danny post-idol.

Now, a question for Idol fans - Adam or Kris for the win?
My money's on Adam, but I have funny feeling that Kris might just steal the show next week.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Definitely my favourite final two out of 8 seasons.
...yep, over Cookie and Archie.

And it looks like Kris and Adam are now best friends for life or something.
They're THAT close! (I can't help but wonder if Adam harbours any romantic feelings for Krissy =P)


What the hell are they doing? Comparing nailpolish??
Poor Danny looks completely left out.

Btw, Kara's expression when Ryan announced that Adam's in the final two over Danny?
Absolute bullshit.
I mean, the other judges were surprised too (and I was shaking so hard, my mum thought I'd gone crazy) but at least they had the decency to look, well, pleased. Seriously. I want Kara off the TV screen even more than Danny.

~.~

Moving on from AI, some random pics.
I was suppose to post pics of my laptop some weeks ago, but somehow I forgot.
Here they are now though:


And also something else...



Woohoo my mum bought us a new flat-screen LCD TV!
(Note my MUM, not DAD. I believe my dad threw a fit when my mum bought that. He hates the idea of spending money lol.)

Nearing the End...

Currently Listening To: Ayumi Hamasaki - Secret

Another American Idol update.
So we're down to the final three...
If I'm not wrong this is the first all male showdown in American Idol history.

Let's have a look at the Top 3 contestants again (Yes, I'm doing this cos I'm bored lol).

Adam Lambert



To be perfectly honest with you, I wasn't that impressed with Adam at the beginning of the whole competition. Like seriously. Thought he was overhyped. But you know what, Adam (unlike another contestant) actually lived up to that hype! Now I'm a huge, raving fan of dear Adam Lambert and I really hope he makes the Top 2 (amidst growing fears of an undeserving/shocking elimination and Kris Allen's amazing rendition of Kanye West's Heartless).

So how well did Adam performed on this crucial night?
Well...I don't know. I thought it was okay, but not great.
David Cook was a lot more impressive when he was at this stage.
And you know what this year they only get to sing two songs, one chosen by the judges and the other one by themselves (another stupid 'improvement' from the American Idol idiots).

Kris Allen



Initially, I wrote him off as a pretty boy with a mediocre voice.
Well, that remains the same I guess - he's still a pretty boy with a mediocre voice but boy is he a genius in re-arranging songs or what? I suppose the term 'Dark Horse' really describes him (Allison, too) and I really won't mind if he wins Idol, even though Adam deserves it a lot more.

I do like Kris a lot, but throughout the competition he was rather inconsistent. Unlike Adam, who pretty much rocked every single week (or maybe I'm just biased =P).
I loved his renditions of Ain't No Sunshine and She Works Hard For The Money, but other than that? Not that impressive.

Lastly, we have...

Danny Gokey



I can't believe I used to like this guy! I'm a little disgusted...no offense to Danny, but he's just not good enough to be in the Top 3. This feels like Season 5 all over again. He IS the Taylor Hicks of this season, and that's not a good sign.
Allison = Chris Daughtry, Kris = Elliot Yamin, Adam = Katharine McPhee?? I HOPE NOT!

Danny's performances were always mediocre, and for the past two weeks he just sucks ass. Why is he in the Top 3?? I really don't get his appeal anymore. In fact, I think he's even less appealing than Taylor, performance-wise! At least Taylor sounded great in the last few weeks of Season 5. Danny? Just urgh. It really is time to put the GO in GOkey. As in go home Gokey!

A quick recap of this week's performances:

Round 1 - Judges Choice
Adam (U2's One, chosen by Simon Cowell)
Kris (Apologize, Kara and Randy's choice)
Danny (I have no idea what he sang, but Paula chose it)

Round 1 to Adam Lambert. Loved the song, loved the way he sang it. Good job Cowell! Great choice.
Poor Kris got thrown under the bus again. First they picked that song for him, and then they criticized him to no end. What the hell?
And Danny...well, like I said before - he sucks ass, end of story.

Round 2 - Their Own Personal Selection
Adam (Aerosmith's Cryin)
Kris (Kanye West's Heartless)
Danny (I can't remember what he sang! Something by Joe Cocker lol)

Kris Allen ♥♥ wins this round, hands down! The best performance I've heard in weeks, I think. His acoustic version of Heartless kicks ass! And thanks to that, the judges couldn't give him a single criticism at all. HAH. In your face, stupid judges.
I didn't like Cryin that much, and that overly ambitious background singer who tried to outsing Adam (O_______O) didn't help either. I can only say this...David Cook >>>>> Adam Lambert =(

To end this extremely long blog post - Danny Gokey's the cat with nine lives, not Matt Giraud. He survived every single week thanks to his consistent mediocre-ness (is there another word for mediocre? I'm so tired of typing that word again and again). And the best part of it all? The judges praise him every week, no matter how much he stinks, no matter how much he screeches, and no matter how much Adam and Kris shines.
Go figure.

Some Updates

Ah I was suppose to update my blog days ago but I got really lazy so...
...here's a slightly outdated update for American Idol:












Allison Iraheta was eliminated from AI on Thursday =(
It's really sad actually, cos she definitely deserves to be in the competition more than Danny Gokey.
Come on America, it's time for him to go home.
Adam and Kris for the Top 2!

Other than that, I watched X-Men Origins: Wolverine on Thursday.


Pretty good movie I'd say.
Wolverine's one of my favourite characters, so obviously I don't mind a whole movie about him lol.
Also love the fact that Gambit was in this movie, cos he's my favourite character among the guys and had zero screen time in the first three movies =(
Apparently they're working on a Gambit movie too, so I'm looking forward to that!

And who knew that Will.i.am from Black Eyed Peas could act? He was actually good in the movie, and so was Ryan Reynolds (as Wade Wilson aka Deadpool).

If I'm not wrong there'll be a movie for Deadpool too, so I was thinking...why not a whole TV series about the origins of the X-Men? Instead of a bunch of X-Men movies...I mean, Halle Berry's talking about a movie for Storm. Sooner or later, all the other cast members will be demanding for a movie...now we can't have too many X-Men movies, can we?

Friday the 13th LOL - The Top 4 Performs

American Idol is now down to the Top 4.
And what do we have this week?
ROCK.
Oh yeah, the best theme ever!

So anyway, this week -
One person more or less stole the show.
And I won't even bother ranking them this week.
Cos it's unnecessary.

Needless to say, my dear ADAM totally stole the show tonight!
His solo performance was awesome; he sang Led Zeppelin and he rocked it!

Allison's solo performance was pretty good too, not her best in my opinion but still good.
Didn't like the judges' comments...they were being cold and cruel to her, and she deserves a lot more than that!

After Allison's performance, Danny and Kris sang a duet...together. And honestly speaking...that was one strange duet. Both of them lacked chemistry.

And I didn't really notice this during the actual performance, but I was reading the forums and people were saying Danny was sabotaging Kris on purpose by...well. Upstaging him. Sort of like, tried to stand out by making Kris feel small? Yeah, that.

That's not very nice, Danny. I used to be all for Danny, but ever since the past few weeks...I just don't fancy him much anymore. He's too boring, and he comes off as rather cocky; case in point, the duet.

Danny's solo was awful, to say the least. He sang Aerosmith's Dream On and he tried to SCREECH at the end of the song. There are only two words for that...massive FAIL. Well actually the rest of the song wasn't that bad but that screech ruined it all!

...and yet, the judges gave him somewhat positive comments. Simon was the only one with a negative comment for the SCREECH (he's so trying to imitate Adam, stupid Danny) - he compared it to a scream from a horror show LOLOL.

Kris didn't sing that well either...not a bad performance, but rock isn't his thing at all. It looks like either him or Danny will be going home tomorrow night...sigh, I feel bad for Kris. I hope he makes it to the Top 3 (so you won't kill me Becky dear =P)

The show ended with Adam and Allison's duet and...THEY ROCKED!
Like seriously, totally rocked. And they were like all over each other when their performance ended. (I kept thinking "WTF she's ten years younger than you Adam!" LOL.)


Results tomorrow, people. I can't help but wonder who's going home...