_berg loves pizza_

Kris Allen pulls an upset on Idol

I wasn’t expecting this result, I don’t think anybody was. Your new American Idol winner is KRIS ALLEN! Here is the craptastic first single obligatorily forced upon the winner to release every year. Written by new judge Kara DioGuardi, Cathy Dennis and Mitch Allen, and produced by Eman, “No Boundaries” thankfully sounds better in the studio recording than when the song was performed (twice) last Tuesday night… which did no favor to either Adam or Kris during the 3-song showdown. That doesn’t stop it from being cheesy though… but what the hell, it’s tradition for 8 years running now.

Kris Allen – “No Boundaries“
(for those who want it)

In a way, I see the results as the best outcome for both contestants when you look at the big picture. Even though I like both, Adam would not have benefitted from having the American Idol title stuck to him forever if he wants to musically go into the Rock direction… I mean, look at David Cook. Granted that he has already sold more than a million copies of his debut album, he has no real big hit so far to his credit. (Chris) Daughtry on the other hand, who placed fourth in season 5, has been embraced by radio’s rock formats, along with having constant success too in the CHR/Pop charts. The question now is, what will Adam Lambert’s debut album sound like? I cannot predict. Even though he rocked on idol, I could also see him becoming the male Lady GaGa haha! We’ll see… hope we get something good.

Kris Allen (cue screaming fangirls), way to go! You went from being an underdog to becoming the winner! I am very impressed… a rightfully deserved victory. I look forward to what your music will sound like… show us what artistry is all about! Haha! Piece of advice – don’t let the idol machine turn your music into something generic… please! Good luck!

It was a good season. ‘Til next year…

P.S. The Bikini Girl vs. Kara DioGuardi showdown during the finale was hilarious! The Steve Martin – Michael Sarver – Megan Joy performance was weird but cute. Rod Stewart was awkward. The Adam Lambert & KISS collaboration was awesome. The Kris Allen & Keith Urban duet was very good. David Cook performing “Permanent” was moving.

Glee Club Anyone?

So tonight’s the last showdown for the season in American Idol… Kris Allen vs. Adam Lambert. Personally, I think Adam’s got this one in the bag even though I like them both. Allison I’m still in mourning over your 4th place exit… gawd! Good luck to the two finalists and may the best man win. Hopefully they give us a great show and PERFORM well and SAAAANG great! I don’t want no lopsided showdown.

Here’s something else I’m quite excited about. After American Idol tonight, Fox is previewing episode one of a new show they’re setting up for the fall season. “Glee” is what it’s called, a musical comedy tv series about a high school glee club. Doesn’t sound too promising, right? It’s straight out of High School Musical’s alley of cornball and puff. But watch the trailer below, it might change your mind. I think I might like this one… just the right amount of cliche, peppered with comedy, topped with a bit of cheese, and (I believe & hope) stuffed with entertainment value… an almost perfect feel-good combo. And lot’s of singin’! I’m already sold haha!

Glee is created by Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck). Don’t miss it!

A couple of songs from the pilot episode:

“Rehab”

“Don’t Stop Believin’”

Songs from each episode are available for download on iTunes after each episode airs.

Is It Getting Heavy?

Iron And Wine will today release a double CD/triple LP collection of songs ranging from out-of-print to never-before-released ones spanning the band’s earliest sessions which yielded the their debut (2002’s “The Creek Drank The Cradle”) through to songs recorded for 2007’s “The Shepherd’s Dog”. The double disc is broken into two sections. The first is an assortment of hushed home recordings, unedited and raw, and the second highlights moments captured in the studio with the help of other musicians, friends, and engineers. The collection is called “Around The Well”. Pick up a copy today!

Here is one of the songs that appear on disc one… a gut-wrenching cover of The Flaming Lips‘ “Waiting on a Superman”… a fan favorite on many of the band’s shows. I think many people out there these days will be able to see themselves in this song’s premise… I know I do. It’s melancholy… taps into that feeling most people have at some point of wanting to be rescued. Life does get heavy and I’m holding on best I can. Beautiful but sad song.

Iron and Wine – “Waiting for a Superman“

I asked you a question
I didn’t need you to reply
Is it getting heavy?
But then I realized
Is it getting heavy?
Well I thought it was already as heavy as can be

Is it overwhelming
To use a crane to crush a fly?
It’s a good time for Superman
To lift the sun into the sky
‘Cause it’s getting heavy
Well I thought it was already as heavy as can be

Tell everybody waiting for Superman
That they should try to hold on best they can
He hasn’t dropped them, forgot them, or anything
It’s just too heavy for Superman to lift

Is it getting heavy?
Well I thought it was already as heavy as can be

Tell everybody waiting for Superman
That they should try to hold on best they can
He hasn’t dropped them, forgot them, or anything
It’s just too heavy for Superman to lift

Very Thin Ice!

Have you guys seen this? It’s the news auto-tuned by The Gregory Brothers. For those who don’t know what auto-tune is, listen to any T-Pain song. In my world, an auto-tuned song may also be referred to as “T-Pained” haha. Check out these videos… they’re very entertaining! So far there are three installments. My favorite is #2 because of Katie Couric’s and “partner’s” performance. “Oh Snap! How fast?” lol.

download the song [here]
Here is the latest one released last May 15th… i like the girl member of the group hehe.

check out www.thegregorybrothers.com which has links to each member’s individual page… they actually are real musicians!

I Feel Like Takin’ Off!

I just got home from partying… went to two (or three) clubs and danced danced danced. Met some new friends, relived the head-buzzing nights from my vacation last April.

It was five weeks ago that I went to Boracay with a friend to escape the harsh reality of our household situation, which is currently getting worse. Let me just leave it at that so that this won’t turn into yet another emo post. It was a Holy week for the rest of our country but the week I had wasn’t that holy. Three days of soaking in the pristine Boracay waters, strolling on its powdery white sands, hurting my foot with attempts at skimboarding, bathing in the summer heat to sun-kissed goodness… then… three nights of drinking and partying… capped by Marlboro Red Night on black saturday which featured world-renowned DJ’s Pete Tong and Todd Terry in the mix and an unforgettable 11-song setlist from (surprise!) Santogold!!! Yes she was in Boracay, OMG!

It was all so unreal for me because I didn’t expect for the lineup to be that *known* (i use the term lightly here coz most people didn’t know them haha). I mean, we scored free invites via a new friend (thanks Kev!) and the party was ‘invite only’. Was I lucky or what?! Anyway, I originally created this playlist as a summer kick-off mix some weeks ago… but now its almost the end of summer (here where I’m from) haha! So I replaced some of the songs with some less-dancey ones (yup, it was originally a full-on dance clubby playlist) and ended up with this I-don’t-know-what-to-call-this-half-baked-summer-inspired-mix-of-sorts… but its kinda upbeat! Its a combination of new and slightly older songs. (stream via mixpod below or right-click on the links at the bottom and save each file to listen)

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

1. Mr. Hudson feat. Kanye West – “Supernova” +
2. Craig David – “Just My Imagination”
3. Snow Patrol – “If There’s A Rocket Tie Me To It” (Marcus Schossow Remix)
4. Jessica Jarrell – “Armageddon”
5. Kevin Rudolf feat. Kid Cudi – “Welcome To The World”
6. Amerie – “Why R U?”
7. Young Love – “The Picture”
8. Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester – “Good Girls Go Bad”
9. Santogold – “L.E.S. Artistes” **
10. Wale feat. Lady Gaga – “Chillin’”
11. Kid Cudi – “Day N Nite” (Krookers Remix)
12. David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland – “When Love Takes Over” (Original Radio Edit) *
13. Family Force 5 – “How In The World”
14. MGMT – “Kids”
15. Lady GaGa – “Lovegame”
—bonus guilty pleasure tracks—
16. Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Wow” (DJ will.i.am Megamix)
17. Cassie feat. Akon – “Let’s Get Crazy”
18. Paradiso Girls feat. Eve & Lil Jon – “Patron Tequila”
19. Plies feat. Ashanti – “Want It, Need It”

+I’m surprised, Mr.Hudson is white and kinda older than I expected hehe.
**Santogold and her backup singers were so amazing!
*Pete Tong played the extended version of this as his last song during the Marlboro Red event and the crowd went nuts even if they didn’t know the song (I did, though). Must’ve been the piano parts that sound like Coldplay’s “Clocks” haha.

Glad to be back after 48 years of absence. and I just wanna say “Hurrah!” for the Kris/Adam finale on idol! It would have been perfect if it were Adam & Allison but this is the next best thing. Sorry to all the Danny Gokey fans. =p

Marlboro Red Pix taken by Stylesamurai and Don