Blogging the Idols - Top 11/Top 9

Yeah, so I'm just now catching up with my DVR and watching the last TWO weeks of Idol. Clearly I already know who was evicted, but I felt like I should watch so I could be fully in the know. I'll try to be better this week, but depending on how the Stanley Cup Playoffs are scheduled...well, we'll see...

Alright, here we go...

Top 11 - The Elton John Week

First of all, don't even get me started about how someone got saved the week before...do not approve of that at all! I feel like this: if you're going to let America vote, then let the vote stand. If you want to actually judge, then judge. Stupid.

Second of all, what the HECK is up with Ryan's hair? Goodness.

I'd heard from so many people how bad this week was that I'm honestly not looking forward to it - probably why I'm just now getting to it 10 days later. I anticipate lots of fast forwarding since I'm a HUGE Elton fan and can't imagine anyone being in the vicinity of worthy...

Scotty - Country Comfort: I really just shouldn't listen to anything this kid does because I just can't stand his voice. Please go to Country Idol...wherever that is. This just continues to bother me. Do I even need to say it? Fast. Forward.

Naima - I'm Still Standing: Oh dear. No. No. No. Reggae? Really? No. Done. Definitely not sad that she got kicked off after this one. Buh bye.

Paul - Rocket Man: When I watch Paul in his little interview things I actually like him, but when he sings? I just can't get there. And what was that jacket? Goodness. I just don't like his voice but compared to the other two he's the best so far. Still, I can't listen to the whole thing. I just can't do it.

Pia - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me: Ahhh...someone I can actually listen to. She looks great and she sounds great. And I'm not fast forwarding. You go Pia.

Stefano - Tiny Dancer: I can't explain it but I just don't like it. It seems uber cheesy...like I'm watching a Vegas lounge act...and wow, I sound like Simon. I miss Simon...sorry, got distracted. Yeah, I just don't like this.

Lauren - Candle in the Wind: She just wants to be Carrie Underwood, and I don't like it. Again, why isn't this one on Country Idol? Oh dear...this is not good. I can't do it. F.F.

James - Saturday Night's Alright: I'm liking him more and more. He's not the best singer, but he's definitely got stage presence and is totally having fun. My favorite of the night so far.

Thia - Daniel: I'm sorry, but how did she get kicked off? This is a good performance! America is stupid.

Casey - Your Song: First of all, did we really need to see him getting the hair/beard trimmed? I'm already bothered and he hasn't stepped on stage. But it definitely looks better. Too bad it didn't really help the performance. He can sing, but this just seems cheesy too. Elton is not cheesy so why are all of these peeps dripping in it? Meh.

Jacob - Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word: Okay, I think I'm over Jacob. It's just too much. I'm with that producer guy...over-dramatizing is killing him. There's no question he can sing, but the performances just don't seem sincere to me. Maybe I'm cranky. I sorta feel like I'm channeling Simon this morning. Note to Jacob: go back and watch Ruben in season two. That is all.

Haley - Benny and the Jets: Ummm...what is THIS? Only Michelle Pfeiffer can sing from a piano and get away with it. This is one of my least favorite Elton songs to start with and her version isn't helping the cause. Although she was still better than some I still don't like it and I'm kicking it to the curb.

My favorite: James. Definitely. Pia a close second.

My least favorite: Ummm...everyone else? If I had to pick, I'd pick Naima. Yuck.

Top 9 - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Week

Jacob - Man in the Mirror: I have to admire him for changing the song to do what's more honest for him, but really? "It'll be because everybody in America wasn't ready to look at themselves in the mirror." Goodness. But, he sounds and looks good. I actually feel like this performance is sincere. Much better than the prior week. MUCH.

Haley - Piece of My Heart: I'm in pain from this. It doesn't help that I can't stand Janis Joplin, so maybe she was good, but I do not like it and I do not want it.

Casey - Have You Ever Seen the Rain: Ugh. Really? Pretentious much? Wow. I seriously feel so bothered and irritated watching this. Maybe someone needs to feed me because nothing is exciting me right now. Fast Forwarded.

Lauren - Natural Woman: WHAT is she wearing? I feel like she's Diana Degarmo revisited this week. Again, she can sing, I just don't particularly like it. I think I've been watching this show too long. This is just very meh for me.

James - While My Guitar Gently Weeps: It doesn't help that I do not like this song at all, but he's okay. I think. I don't know. I feel bored.

Scotty - That's Alright Mama: "It's not gonna be the country Scotty." Really? Pretty sure he can't sing anything else. Nope. This is country. But Elvis had a bit of country in him, so I guess it matches. I still don't like it.

Pia - River Deep, Mountain High: Okay, how exactly was she kicked off? I reiterate my comment from the week before. America is STUPID. Because this is really good. So far my favorite of the night.

Stefano - When a Man Loves a Woman: Too big of a song for this kid. Sorry, but I'm seriously done with him. He can sing, but it's just too cheese for me.

Paul - Folsom Prison Blues: Okay, this might be my favorite performance of his. I don't think he was the best of the night, but I don't feel as annoyed as I usually do. It's like he finally found the right song.

My favorite: Pia. No question. Seriously, how is she no longer a contestant? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

My least favorite: Haley and Casey. YUCK. Please go away.

I feel like I want to go back and watch the early seasons of Idol and see if I'm as annoyed as I am now because I don't remember being as annoyed by the contestants as I have in the last few seasons. And so far, no one has just jumped out as my favorite like in other years (hello, Ruben? Chris Daughtry? David Cook? Kelly?). Maybe that's why I'm so bothered this season...no one is jumping out to me as my favorite so I'm not as invested. I don't know. Maybe I just miss Simon. Maybe I'm too old. Maybe I need a snack. Anyway...next week we're down to eight, so we'll see how it goes.

Until then...happy singing!

Blogging the Idols - Top 11

So one of my friends questioned today how I could make a fair assessment of a performance without watching the whole thing. My answer? I never claimed my critiques were fair.

So, if you were also wondering that, well, now you know. It's not about fair. It's about what I like and don't like. This is why I'm not actually a judge on the show. Sure, they asked me to be one, but I knew I'd throw things from my seat, so I politely declined.

My friend and I are in disagreement on this year's idols so far, but we both agree we'd like to vote Seacrest off the island. Where is THAT option for us?

Anyway...let's get on with it, shall we?

Number one: Casey - I Heard it Through the Grapevine

Oh dear. Casey's eyes are freaking me out, as is his hair. In fact, his whole performance is sorta freaking me out. I still like his voice, but not a fan of this. Yep. Fast forward.

Number two: Thia - Heat Wave

Ooo, liking it. And the outfit is cute. Eek. A little pitchy at the high end, but not horrid. Her ooo's were a little weird, but overall I liked it.

Number three: Jacob - You're All I Need to Get By

Okay, the background singers were a little weak to start with. I feel bored. I still like his voice too, but this isn't doing it for me. Uh huh. Fast forward.

Number four: Lauren - You Keep Me Hanging On

Okay, she was mumbling so much in the little video that I was already annoyed to start with. Enunciate sister! Do not like her dress. Yikes. Oh no. I'm not a fan of the faux flirting with the judges. She sounds better than she has in other weeks. Funny, the women seem to be more interesting to me this week than the men. Is that just me?

Number five: Stefano - Hello

Wait, he'd never heard the song? Huh? I'm leery. Oh. Oh my. No. Can't do it. It's not good. And a little scary. Fast forward...and go find Lionel Richie albums.

• Side note: Do we really need to see and have conversations with the celebs in the audience? Time waster.

Number six: Haley - You've Really Got a Hold on Me

Oh. Oh wow. Where do I even start? Right. I start by fast forwarding. That was just...well...it wasn't good...

Number seven: Scotty - For Once In My Life

Again. He can sing, but I just don't like the country. And to country-fy Stevie Wonder? That hurt me. I couldn't listen to all of it. Sorry.

Number eight: Pia - All In Love Is Fair

I don't really have a lot to say about her. It's actually really good. She's clearly very comfortable in this genre, and there's no doubt she can sing. My favorite so far.

Number nine: Paul - The Tracks of My Tears

Well, that says it all doesn't it? "I can't sing it like Smokey." Not that anyone else could either of course. Okay, I just don't like his voice. That's the bottom line. And this is just bad. And now it's gone.

Number ten: Naima - Dancing in the Street

I don't like the outfit, but she sounds good. Yeah. She's rockin' it. The dancing was a little over the top, but I think she was definitely the best so far. And wait, I think my friend and I may actually agree! What?!

Number eleven: James - Livin' for the City

Ah, one of my favorite Stevie songs...let's see how it goes. Okay, he sounds great. Uh oh, I think my friend and I might agree again. It's a toss up as to whether or not he or Naima were my favorite. I really liked this.

Favorite: It was close, but I gotta go with James. Naima was a close second and then Pia.

Least Favorite: Tie between Haley and Stefano. Yikes and ouch.

So, in just a few hours we'll see who goes...got this in just under the wire...next week, Top Ten!

Blogging the Idols - Top 12

I was on vacation last week and wasn't able to watch the Idol until tonight. So while I already know who was evicted (see ya Karen), I'm still going to blog this for you...or maybe just for me. Whatever...here we go...

Number one: Naima - What's Love Got to Do With It?

I'm sorry, but if you don't have Tina's legs, then you shouldn't even try to sing Tina's song. I don't get this girl. What is with the outfit? Yuck. And yeah...she really can't sing. Had to fast forward.

Number two: Paul - I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues

I'm sorry, but I just don't like his voice. What is that style exactly? I'm trying to get it, I really am, but I'm failing. And now I'm fast forwarding. Sorry Paul.

Number three: Thia - Colors of the Wind

OMG, she was born in 1995??? I'm gonna try to get past that. Her cause wasn't helped by how much I hate this song...and normally I'm a HUGE Vanessa Williams fan, but this song is from a bad movie and it's all tainted. However...she can sing. Yes. I'm a fan of her performance. You go young one. You go.

Number four: James - I'll Be There For You

It's hard for me to hear (or see) anyone else sing a Bon Jovi song, because no one will ever be good enough. James was okay, but mostly he just made me wanna go find the video of the original song so I could see Jon singing. Not a huge fan of this, but better than Naima and Paul. Not sure that's saying a whole lot though. 

Number five: Haley - I'm Your Baby Tonight

Oh dear. No. Just no. She is too young to be singing this. Do.Not.Like. Fast forwarded. Unless you're Whitney Houston, you shouldn't be singing a Whitney Houston song. That is all.

Number six: Stefano - If You Don't Know Me By Now

Pretty sure this was done by someone else before Simply Red but I can't remember who. Always liked it. Okay. I'm liking this. Yeah. He can sing. Oh, was it Billy and the Beaters that it did it before? I realize I could look it up but I'm just counting on one of you knowing. He's definitely the best of the night so far. No question about that. Oh, Harry Melvin and the Blue Notes...thanks Randy...

• Side note one: What is up with J Lo's giant hair?
• Side note two: The men are like 100 times better than the women.
• Side note three: I just don't need to know everyone's back story. If we got rid of those, this show could be an hour instead of two. Just saying.

Number seven: Pia - Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

Oh dear...another Whitney song? I'm scared. Oh no. No no no. First of all, that outfit? Ouch. Second of all, see my prior comment about Whitney songs. Are you Whitney? Okay then. Third of all, she still just bugs me. Fast forwarding.

Number eight: Scotty - Can I Trust You With My Heart?

Oy. 1993? These peeps are making me feel old. I think he can sing, but I just can't do the country music. I just don't like it. Nope. Can't do it. Had to fast forward. Sorry Scotty.

Number nine: Karen - Love Will Lead You Back

OMG. What is she wearing??? I'm kind of scared of it; like that bun could take me out and those earrings could be used as handcuffs. I'm totally distracted by the outfit. Her singing's rather meh, but not as bad as some others. From what I've seen so far, she's not the one I would have voted off. I'm still gonna fast forward because I don't need to hear any more to know it's not gonna get any better.

Number ten: Casey - Smells Like Teen Spirit

Ugh. I seriously hate this song. I'm scared. Okay, kinda love that he's playing the bass. And he's actually not bad. Not nearly as annoying as Cobain. In fact, I can actually understand the words. Still hate the song, but he's not bad at all. In fact, he's pretty stinkin' good. Not my favorite, but probably the second best so far in my mind.

Number eleven: Lauren - I'm The Only One

1994? Goodness. I seriously love this song, and I'm scared that she's about to ruin it for me. And I was right. I can't listen. At all. Oy.

Number twelve: Jacob - Alone

Never liked this song. Never liked Heart. Jacob's almost making it bearable, but honestly, not really liking his voice on it. But it may just be that the song is tainted. Nonetheless, it's getting fast forwarded.

My favorite: Stefano, followed closely by Casey. 

My least favorite: Again. A toss up, but I don't think Karen was the worst. I would say Haley, then Lauren, then Naima. 

Guess we'll see what happens next...what did you guys think?

Blogging the Idols - Top 13

I haven't watched this season's Idol until now. I just couldn't do all that pre stuff again. I do think the talent overall is better than last year when I had to stop watching completely. I can still only watch it via DVR though. I'd have to kill myself if I couldn't fast forward through the performances I don't like or the Ryan Seacrest chatter. Anyway...thought I'd blog my thoughts this year, so here we go...what did you think?

One: Lauren
Country. No. Not a fan. And she was pitchy. Had to fast forward.

Two: Casey
YES. A thousand kinds of yes, and I do NOT like Joe Cocker, so the fact that I still loved the performance says a lot.

Three: Ashton
Oh. Where do I start? No. Under pitch the first few phrases. Had to fast forward.

Four: Paul
Okay. I can get behind Paul. Not a fan of Ryan Adams, but I sorta dug it. A little pitchy, but really enjoyed the performance.

Five: Pia
Do you think she knows Celine Dion wasn't the first person to sing that song? She was pretty good. Didn't dig that train thing on her dress though. And something about her just bugged. But the singing part was okay.

Six: James
Ummm...did.not.like. Hard because I LOVE that song and hearing someone else sing it is tough. He was okay, but just not really a fan. Fast forwarded.

Seven: Haley
LeAnn Rimes is your idol? I feel old. Still country. And still do.not.like. Fast forwarded.

Seriously, when did this become Country Idol? Isn't there a different show for that??? I blame Carrie Underwood for this. Bothered.

Eight: Jacob
Is it bad that I know he worked at Burke Williams based on the fact he mentioned Hunter's Retreat? A little concerned that R Kelly's his idol, but that is one of my favorite songs and he definitely did it justice. I DO believe I can fly.

Nine: Thia
One of my favorite songs. But not the way she sang it. She can sing, but I did not like this at all. Fast forwarded.

Ten: Stefano
Another one of my favorite songs. Not a fan of his version. Techno? Just say no. Don't really think it was right for his voice. Not a fan. Fast forwarded.

Eleven: Karen
Selena. J Lo. Hmmm... Love this song too. But wow. This wasn't good. Kinda boring actually. And something about her bugged too.

Twelve: Scotty
Oh dear. More country. I kinda want to cry. It's clear the kid can sing, but my ears can't handle it. Sorry, but had to fast forward.

Thirteen: Naima
Rhianna's your idol? Really? Hmmm... Oh dear. I kinda want to punch this performance in the face. Bad.

My favorite: Jacob, hands down.

My least favorite: Wow. That's a toss up. Naima and Ashton, but the country stuff just makes me cringe so I really can't judge.

Until next week...

Would your life suck without me?

Okay. No need to answer that. I just love that there's a song on the radio called "My Life Would Suck Without You". I mean, how great is that? It's what we want to say, and not some flowery romanticized sentiment. It's real life. Real.

I've always loved Kelly Clarkson because she's so real. As the first American Idol, she has obviously had more time than anyone else to become a star, and she's done it...without going crazy and going down the road of Britney or other silly pop stars. She's pop - pure and simple. She's what AI was always intended to be. Many will argue that Carrie Underwood is the most successful Idol, but I disagree. She is COUNTRY. American Idol was supposed to be a pop show. She should NOT have won. But I'm not bitter...

So Kelly's latest album dropped this week...yes, I said album and I said dropped. That's how I roll. The first single (referenced above) is pure, unadulterated pop, and I LOVE IT!!! The album is great, and I highly recommend it. Her last album was, well, an "experiment". I just recently downloaded it, and it's certainly not awful, but it is fairly useless compared to the new one and the one prior to it.

I've read a couple of semi-snotty reviews of her new album...commercialized, remake of her last popular album...blah-blah-blah. And? So? Why is it bad to be commercialized and revisit the formulas that work for you? Obviously there are people who like it, so what's the big deal? I've never understood this. Why must everything be new and on the edge and whatever? Her experiment clearly didn't work well, so she stepped back and said, okay, I'm going back to my bread and butter of pop. Good for her I say! I know I've been listening to the album pretty much non-stop since I downloaded it Tuesday night...and there are not many artists I do that with.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure my life would suck without you...so thanks for taking some time to read this silly little anti-blog. Hope you enjoyed!

Games people play and the music they listen to

The past few weeks have been a blur. My calendar was full of events. Games and concerts, outings with friends. Where does the time go? Since we last spoke, I've been to two more concerts and several sporting events. I've also procured tickets to a variety of other concerts. Oh yes, I'm a junkie. So, let's get it to it, shall we?

Matchbox Twenty (that's lead singer Rob Thomas in the photo). This was my first time seeing them in concert and they did not disappoint...neither did Alanis Morissette who opened for them. Great show and great seats!

Bon Jovi. This was my third time seeing them, and with the exception of their misguided tour of the country scene, they just rock! And I just really don't think it's legal to look as good as Jon Bon Jovi looks. Goodness. I wish I would have been closer so my pictures would have been worth sharing. Yum. It was great to see their opener too...Daughtry. He was a fave on American Idol a few years back, and I think it was great he didn't win that show, because his music is great...and he didn't have to record anything cheezy like the winners always do.

Sharks. Sun Devils. More Sharks. That's been my March and April and will hopefully continue into May with the Sharks...provided we make it deep into the playoffs. They'll start this week...against the hated Calgary Flames. I've got tickets for one game per round, and have vowed to put a teal streak in my hair should we make it to the final round. My Sun Devils didn't fare too well this weekend at Stanford, winning only 1 of 3. But the sun was good, and my tan is much improved.

Tomorrow, the Giants. Their season has not started well, and we don't expect much from them this year. But it's baseball, and skipping work to go to the home opener is always a good idea.

Coming soon...Mamma Mia, Alicia Keys and George Michael.

Anyway, better go to bed and rest up for the big day. We'll chat again soon...