Shhh! The Best EP You've Never Heard Of

Undoubtedly, many of you reading this are under the impression that after Crystal Bowersox's label, Jive records, went out of business she withdrew to a remote mountain top somewhere in the pacific northwest and is living off the land with her husband and child.

Well, you're actually right about that part, but unbeknownst to all but Mama's closest followers (aka the Village Idiots, of which I'm a proud member), she recently released an EP, Once Upon A Time, consisting of 5 original songs she recorded just before her Season 9 American Idol run.

Let me tell you, friends, if you love true roots music with no extraneous production shit, just a gorgeous, pristine voice, acoustic guitar and bass accompaniment, you'll thank me for letting you in on this little secret because her itty-bitty album is a small slice of nirvana. The writing is absolutely brilliant, and the material so brutally autobiographical and authentic, it's like a window into her soul and you truly feel you get to know Crystal, the real Crystal, the "naked" Crystal, through her music.

I absolutely adore such honesty.

Crystal is currently working on a new, full-length album that's scheduled for release whenever her yogi feels the time is right. Until such time, do yourself a big favor and check out Once Upon A Time, available now on iTunes for just $4.95.

While choosing a favorite tune amongst the five songs is almost impossible for me, allow me to provide you a sample of the one I find myself repeating the most. Check out "Get Me Out".

Daily Weigh-in

Kept the mojo for 2nd day in a row, but still a long way to go, ya know? [Alliteration humor, folks...keep up with me here] Dumped another lb, so now back down to 228 again after my bizarro upward blip that caused me to go apoplectic last Friday.

Here's the numbers:

Key:
SW = Starting Weight
CW = Current Weight
TWL = Total Weight Loss
DM = Daily Move (+/-)
TW = Target Weight
WLR = Weight Loss Remaining

Tuesday, 7/31/12:
SW: 238 lbs
CW: 228 lbs

TWL: -10 lbs

DM: -1 lbs

TW: 199 lbs
WLR: 29 lbs

Phillip Phillips: Exploding The Idol Bubble?

Watching Phillip Phillips' "Home" as the music of Olympic gymnastics last night, I began to wonder... is Phillip Phillips exploding the Idol bubble, and on his way to becoming Idol's first non-country music star since Chris Daughtry back in Season 5?

Well, it's still early (he hasn't even released his debut album yet), but based on the record breaking popularity of  "Home", and the strong sales of his Idol compilation albums and singles, the indicators are he has a great shot.

Now, I was a Phillip fan on the show. Thought he deserved to win, loved many of his song interpretations (Beggin', You Got It Bad), and his natural authenticity, but also felt some of his interpretations fell flat (Movin' Out, The Letter), and therefore had some mixed feelings.  He just didn't blow me away like my twitter girlfriend Haley Reinhart did the previous season in her run to 3rd place.

Then again, Haley's unbelievable powers of seduction could never be duplicated by some dude, so perhaps that comparison isn't entirely fair (though I'm sure some of you ladies reading this may disagree with me on that).

Anyhoo, the moment I knew Phillip was going to not only win the competition, but also become something much bigger than the typical Idol Bubble-Boy, was when he delivered his finessed, touching, sincere cover of "We've Got Tonight" on Top 3 night. After that, I knew he was the real deal and would become much more than just another "White Guy With Guitar" brick in the wall.

Of course, his best moments were still to come.

On finale performance night, after after two so-so numbers (Movin' Out and Stand By Me), Phillip delivered "Home" for the first time. With that twinkle in his eye and folksy beat he just slayed everyone who watched. When he delivered the final lyric of "Home" with such a sweet, awe-shucks charm I think EVERYONE immediately knew this was the greatest finale song since Kelly Clarkson back in Season 1 with "Moment Like This".

The next night was even bigger. When after being declared the winner he performed "Home" as the coronation, and before it ended put his guitar down and slowly walked off the stage into his mother's arms, it touched America right in the heart where all great songs lie. That's the moment it became clear P2 was about to blow the roof off the charts.

And blow the roof off the charts is exactly what he did. "Home" sold an incredible 278k downloads the 1st week it was released, more than any other coronation song in Idol history. It subsequently went Gold, and is now the Olympic gymnastics theme song.  This is no small feat, and the song has been so well received on the telecast it's already shot back up to the Top 6 on iTunes (and still rising as of this typing).

Meanwhile, Phillip is currently on the Idol tour, but is writing and recording music along the way and is expecting an album to drop in November. He says it'll have a "rock, jazz, funk vibe with some acoustic stuff, too." (Damn, if that doesn't sound a lot like Haley).

He's also said that "Home" is not going to count as the 1st single from his album. Although he thinks it's a great song, he wants his own material to be the 1st album single since "Home" is a bit different in style than the music he's making.

I personally respect that self assuredness; it's one of the things about Phillip that makes him different than the typical starry-eyed Idol winner. Unlike the others who were a bit lost in how to approach their careers post-Idol, he's a very precocious 21 year old who truly understands who he is as an artist and what music he wants to make. His insistence on staying true to himself and his music reminds me a lot of my twitter girlfriend Haley and my twitter mama Crystal, both of whom fought the good fight to make sure their record labels let them make the music they wanted to make.

The good news for Phillip is that unlike Haley or Crystal he already has a tremendous head start. While Haley basically launched from a  stand-still after waiting a year from her Idol run to release Listen Up!, and Crystal was hung out to dry by a lame-duck label when she released Farmer's Daughter, Phillip will be unleashing his album while the iron is hot, and with the full force of his label behind him.

Thus, I predict Phillip will indeed explode that Idol bubble and become the first non-country, platinum-selling superstar Idol has produced in 6 long years.

What say you?

Daily Weigh-in

Broke the diet this weekend and lost weight, so HA! System needed to be shocked, I guess. Back on it for the final push before our big, 10-day family road trip to Buffalo.

Key:
SW = Starting Weight
CW = Current Weight
TWL = Total Weight Loss
DM = Daily Move (+/-)
TW = Target Weight
WLR = Weight Loss Remaining

Monday, 7/30/12:
SW: 238 lbs
CW: 229 lbs

TWL: -9 lbs

DM: -1 lbs

TW: 199 lbs
WLR: 30 lbs

Why Won't Interscope Release Pia's Album?

If you know me at all, you understand that I'm a know-it-all with theories and opinions on virtually everything. Yes, they may often be inaccurate and ridiculous, but that's beside the point.

That said, I cannot begin to comprehend why the hell Interscope records won't release my twitter girlfriend Pia Toscano's album.

Therefore, let's walk back In Time (pun intended) together and see if we can somehow figure out WTF they could possibly be thinking, because I really can't stand being stumped like this.

Early on in Season 10 (2011) of American Idol, Pia was widely considered to be a lock for the finals. She had the whole package: Gorgeous looks, huge voice, girl-next-door charm, and she carried herself with the class and professionalism of a champion.

However, after a several weeks of crushing huge pop-ballads, the retarded judges started getting on her to show she could also be a dance-pop girl, not just a power vocalist. This ain't Pia, but she gave it her best shot dancing around to Tina Turner's Mountain High, River Deep during rock & roll week.

Result: Judges were critical that she didn't seem in her element dancing around the stage singing.

Next result: In a stunning development, she was eliminated in the Top 9.

Well, the uproar from fans and media alike was tremendous, and after seeing this tidal wave of attention Interscope records jumped to sign her in June, and quickly released her debut single This Time in July while she was still on the American Idol tour. She would go on to perform the song as part of her concert set.

The song did OK in sales, not a hit, not a bust, but, oddly enough, it never got released for adds to radio. It got some airplay from stations picking up the song on their own, but without an official release and push by the label the song was dead-in-the-water for airplay.

Also hurting her was that she was on tour with the Idols and could not do a radio promo tour to support the song. Therefore, when the tour ended in September she had no established relationships with radio stations to build on, and the song had already run its course.

Her expected fall album and 2nd single then got put off until January, and then put off again until "the spring", which then turned into put off indefinitely. Meanwhile, Pia co-wrote and recorded an entire album for Interscope, and co-wrote a song (Wrecking Ball) that was released as a single by Aubrey O'Day.

Yet, Pia still remains conspicuously shelved.

She's very active on twitter, and has roughly 207k followers (remarkable considering she's had no new music since her unpromoted, unreleased-for-adds single back in July '11). She also has had high visibility national anthem performances across the country, most notably as the "good luck charm" for the LA Kings in their Stanley Cup winning playoff run this past season.

So, as I look at this bizarre set of circumstances I'm stuck scratching my head and asking myself WTF is Interscope records thinking? Why are they letting her die on the vine when she has done everything right from the beginning and has a big fan base?

I can only think of one possible answer: Interscope records only wants to invest promotion in one of my beautiful Season 10 alumni girlfriends at a time. Since they're now promoting my Haley Reinhart and her album Listen Up!, they are holding off on my Pia until Haley's has run its course.

So, playing the timeline out, since Haley probably still has a 2nd single and fall tour coming, I would guess Pia will likely get her turn for a real single to drop in January, and an album release in March.

Wait, so does this mean I now actually have a theory to work with? Whew. It's just baseless speculation on my part, of course, but at least it's something! Besides, I've jumped to form opinions with a lot less to go on than this.

What say you?

Daily Weigh-in: Fuck This Shit!

After getting frustrated by the slowdown in my weight loss this week, yesterday I decided to go into diet overdrive. I had literally ZERO carbs, did an exercise walk in the sweltering South Florida heat, drank water all day, and stepped on the scale this morning to find out I gained 2.5 lbs.

Uh, hello? GAINED two pounds?!! What the fuck is this?

Look, I can fucking gain fucking weight eating and drinking whatever the fuck I want without any exercise at all.. I certainly don't need to go on the motherfucking diet from hell to break even or GAIN weight. What's the point?

Not sure what to do now. I'm not starting to get frustrated, I'm beyond frustrated. Out-of-my-skull, burn-down-an-orphanage frustrated.

So, you know what I'm thinking, right? I'm  thinking FUCK THIS SHIT! GIVE ME A CASE OF BEER, A BOTTLE OF SCOTCH, AND A  LARGE PIZZA WITH FRIES, ONION RINGS AND DONUTS!!

Or, maybe I'll go on the starving children in Ethiopia diet, and say fuck food altogether until my weight is off.

Oh, and before any of you skinny do-gooders even think about lecturing me with shit like "everything in moderation", or "you can't weigh yourself everyday", or "it's got to be a lifestyle change", or "it's a marathon, not a sprint", or "try transcendental meditation before and after every meal", just know I'm in advance telling you to fuck off.

With that said, anyone have any thoughts you'd like to share? 

New Music: Joss Stone's Soul Sessions Vol. 2

I'll give a full review of this album after the official July 31st US release, but suffice to say that Joss is the shit, and Soul Sessions Vol. 2 is really, really the shit.

She may be only 25, but Joss has been around the music biz for a decade now, and SS#2 harkens back to her original Soul Sessions debut LP from 2003. It's old-school, soulful blues without any annoying overproduction effects distracting from the great musicianship she's assembled, and that penetrating, soulful voice of hers just drips with authenticity.

I loved every minute of the full, deluxe album preview that's currently available on iTunes, and strongly recommend you head on over, take a free listen, and pre-order the Deluxe version now available in the US.

After all, it's the shit!

Daily Weigh-in

Fuck!

You know the routine by now... no carbs or booze until I crack 200 lbs. Weighed 238 lbs on Monday, 7/16/12 (all-time high), and as of this morning (Thursday, 7/26) I'm STILL 228 lbs, which means 10 lbs in 10 days, and AGAIN no change from yesterday. Getting into that old, hardened, concrete fat now, and it's really putting up a fight.

Today I'm going into super-mega-giant-over-the-top mode. I vow to anyone reading this that I WILL be 227 lbs or less by tomorrow morning.

Key:
SW = Starting Weight
CW = Current Weight
TWL = Total Weight Loss
DM = Daily Move (+/-)
TW = Target Weight
WLR = Weight Loss Remaining

Thursday, 7/26/12:
SW: 238 lbs
CW: 228 lbs

TWL: -10 lbs

DM: 0 lbs

TW: 199 lbs
WLR: 29 lbs

Daily Weigh-in

Yep, no carbs or booze until I crack 200lbs. Weighed 238lbs on Monday, 7/16/12 (alltime high), and as of this morning (Wednesday, 7/25) I'm 228lbs, which means 10lbs in 9 days, and no change from yesterday. Getting into that old, hardened, concrete fat now, and it's really putting up a fight.

C'mon, fat... GTFO!! I want my pizza and beer already!!!

Key:
SW = Starting Weight
CW = Current Weight
TWL = Total Weight Loss
DM = Daily Move (+/-)
TW = Target Weight
WLR = Weight Loss Remaining

Wednesday, 7/25/12:
SW: 238 lbs
CW: 228 lbs

TWL: -10 lbs

DM: 0 lbs

TW: 199 lbs
WLR: 29 lbs

What Should Haley Reinhart's Next Single Be?

My twitter girlfriend Haley Reinhart is about to release the 2nd single off of her sexy debut album, Listen Up!  Her 1st single, "Free", was released back in March and has now run its course. While I happen to be a big fan of the song's crashing symbols and sexy vocals, it was obvious from the beginning that "Free" wasn't going to be a great fit for radio. Over 4 min long, no dance beat and no distinctive pop-hook made it a real challenge getting it spun on the radio. It wasn't a bust, but it wasn't a hit, either.

Thus, this next release needs to really kick some fucking ass, and Team Haley's given every indication that it will be Oh My! (Featuring BoB). I think it's a pretty good song for radio. A more uptempo beat, sexually charged lyrics, orgasmic moaning, a strong hook with a rap interlude, and lots of production effects while keeping the Motown roots that are so prevalent throughout her album.

Conversely, the horns almost drown out Haley's voice, and BoB gives a very family-friendly, milquetoast rap that true hip-hop fans will likely scoff at as lame. Also, the song is very difficult to perform live without the horns and BoB, so Haley would probably not be able to promote it on TV or to live audiences. Without her pretty face, hot bod and sultry voice doing live promo she's going to have to rely on BoB's big name and a big push from the label to help her secure radio play.

Hmmm...

Which brings us now to Interscope. I still think they believe in her, as does 19 management, but they'll need to see some return on investment soon to continue promoting that belief. Since sales to date have been tepid, and her music style unorthodox, they probably view her as somewhat of a risk; albeit a talented one with great looks, sex appeal, intelligence, and work ethic all factoring into her big potential upside.

It also seems Interscope is still a bit confused on how and to whom they should be marketing and promoting her (i.e. the foolish gimmick of following 50k Bieber & One D twitter fans who simply aren't her demographic). BoB obviously softens their risk and simplifies the marketing confusion by bringing a real hit-making body of work to the table. He also has a big, established fan base to draw from, and would make radio PD's feel more comfortable adding Haley to their rotation.

However, BoB is really not Haley's music style beyond this cameo, and his fans are probably not the type who will buy her albums or become part of her long term fan base. It also opens the door for her to catch some flack for just adding him as a hired gun to pad her sales stats.

Thus, it's still sort of a mixed bag...every pro has a con and every con has a pro for Oh My!

In the end, whatever helps Haley make it big I'm in favor of. If the experts think the pros of BoB outway the cons than I'm all for it. Personally, though, I'd rather see this happen later in her career when she has become an established superstar with Taylor Swift cachet, than now when she's still a relative unknown outside of the Idol bubble.

Which brings us to my top choice for Haley's next single. From the opening day of snippet release I've been mesmerized by "Spiderweb", and am 100% convinced that it has all the elements to be an absolute monster hit. Produced by David Hodges, it's wildly seductive, rocking, mysterious and intense; everything Haley herself wants to be as an artist. The track also happens to feature her father Harry playing guitar, not a mercenary rapper getting edited in to help sell records.

The challenge here is it's on the Deluxe version of the album only, and it's unlikely Interscope would invest in a bonus track as a single. I think that's a mistake if they're thinking this way, because in addition to all the downloads it would sell, all those people who bought the Standard CD would go out and buy the Deluxe CD to get their hands on the song.

What say you??

 

Daily Weigh-in

Yep, no carbs or booze until I crack 200lbs. Weighed 238lbs on Monday, 7/16/12 (alltime high), and as of this morning I'm 228lbs, which means 10lbs in 8 days, and down 1lb from yesterday. Getting into that old, hardened, concrete fat now, and it's really putting up a fight. It will lose because I want my booze.

Key:
SW = Starting Weight
CW = Current Weight
TWL = Total Weight Loss
DM = Daily Move (+/-)
TW = Target Weight
WLR = Weight Loss Remaining

Tuesday, 7/24/12:
SW: 238 lbs
CW: 228 lbs

TWL: -10 lbs

DM: -1 lbs

TW: 199 lbs
WLR: 29 lbs

Fuckers Who Should Fry

A lot of filth in the news today. Glad to see Penn State was brutally punished by the NCAA for their complicity in serial child rape. Still, wish it had been more. Wish the football program was also given the Death Penalty to go along with the sanctions. Oh, and speaking of the death penalty, allow me to bust out my soap box and let it fly on some additional pieces of shit who need to die...and not just in terms of football, but for real.

Joe Paterno already got his death penalty, and good riddance to that fucking lowlife piece of shit. Now, about his old friend Jerry Sandusky... strap the child rapist in the fucking chair and turn on the juice full power. He doesn't deserve air, medical care or food.

On to James Holmes. I don't give two fucks whether or not he's insane, had a difficult childhood, or was helplessly tempted by the internet and easy firearm accessibility (as so many bleeding heart media types will try and tell us). He needs to die, and not painlessly, either. The fact that he has decades to live even if he is convicted of the Death Penalty really pisses me off.

Anyway, happy Monday, everyone!

Daily Weigh-in

Yep, no carbs or booze until I crack 200lbs. Weighed 238lbs on Monday, 7/16/12 (alltime high), and as of this morning I'm 229lbs, which means 9lbs in 7 days. Unfortunately, that means I just broke even over the weekend. This is not acceptable. I am now going into crazed, psycho weight-loss mode.

Key:
SW = Starting Weight
CW = Current Weight
TWL = Total Weight Loss
DM = Daily Move (+/-)
TW = Target Weight
WLR = Weight Loss Remaining

Monday, 7/23/12:
SW: 238 lbs
CW: 229 lbs

TWL: -9 lbs

DM: 0 lbs

TW: 199 lbs
WLR: 30 lbs

Daily Weigh-in

Yep, no carbs or booze until I crack 200lbs. Weighed 238lbs on Monday, 7/16/12 (alltime high), and as of this morning I'm 229lbs, which means 9lbs in 4 days. I know this pace can't keep up, but I sure as hell hope it does. No booze or carbs is fucking murder!

Key:
SW = Starting Weight
CW = Current Weight
TWL = Total Weight Loss
DM = Daily Move (+/-)
TW = Target Weight
WLR = Weight Loss Remaining

Friday, 7/20/12:
SW: 238 lbs
CW: 229 lbs

TWL: -9 lbs

DM: -1 lbs

TW: 199 lbs
WLR: 30 lbs

Album Review: Melody Gardot, The Absence

If you're a fan of bossa nova jazz continue reading. If not, don't bother because this exquisite album of soft, nuanced vocals with delicate, acoustic instrumentation is going to be completely lost upon you.

Still here? Cool.

I've always been a huge fan of João and Astrud Gilberto's 1962 smash hit "The Girl From Ipanema", so when I took a listen of this album I was absolutely captivated. Melody's soft guitar plucking is accompanied throughout by cello and a gentle drum finessed just so with brush sticks. The duet "Se Voce Ama" especially harkens to the Gilbertos.

In addition to the bossa nova sound, there are also elements of purring, romantic French folk and even some hints of African tribal music. It's an album that's timeless, international, and gorgeous. If you are looking for a romantic evening with your lover than nothing could possibly set the mood better than this sensual compilation.

If I had one criticism it would be the album can drag after awhile, and a little up tempo would have been nice. The slow, soft songs are wonderful, but at times needs a shot of caffeine to pick up the pace.

That said, it's a very impressive work of art, and I definitely recommend you go collect it. Plenty of others have, as it debuted at #1 on the jazz charts, and still remains in the iTunes Jazz Top 10 a month after release.

Kenny Poo gives "The Absence" 4 of 5 stars.

Daily Weigh-in

Yep, no carbs or booze until I crack 200lbs. Weighed in at 238lbs on Monday, 7/16/12 (alltime high), and as of this morning I'm 230lbs, which means 8lbs in 3 days. I know this pace can't keep up, but I sure as hell hope it does. No booze or carbs is fucking murder!

Key:
SW = Starting Weight
CW = Current Weight
TWL = Total Weight Loss
DM = Daily Move (+/-)
TW = Target Weight
WLR = Weight Loss Remaining

Thursday, 7/19/12:
SW: 238 lbs
CW: 230 lbs

TWL: -8 lbs

DM: -1 lbs

TW: 199 lbs
WLR: 31lbs

Welcome!

This is my first post. Like it? Damn right you do!!