Hot New Summer Music

Mandy Moore: Wild Hope

Release Date: June 19, 2007

It has often been said that "the third time is the charm" in Moore's case it may be the fourth or possible fifth time that works for her music career. With the release of her fourth studio album, [she released her first album twice; with two different titles 'So Real' and ' I wanna be with You'], 'Wild Hope' could in fact be the album that really showcases Moore's vocal talent. Appropriately titled, 'Wild Hope' is sure to offer Mandy Moore in a different light than previous albums. The young Hollywood starlet is almost famous for her failed projects more so than her successful ones. Movies such as the flop 'Because I said So' and albums such as 'Coverage' and her self-titled second release all had mediocre success. Now, 'Wild Hope' hopes to shuffle Moore into a more adult contemporary direction alongside the likes of dare I say it, Norah Jones, Fiona Apple, and Jewel. If her first single 'Extraordinary' is any indication for what's in store on the rest of her album, then 'Wild Hope' should prove to be a very lyrically engaging album. 'Extraordinary is getting a lot of air play in radio stations and the music video is in heavy rotation on V-h1 and MTV. In the chorus Moore muses, /now I am ready, now I am ready to be Extraordinary/ and I for one, believe her. Way to go Hilary Fay!

Kelly Clarkson: My December

Release Date: June 26, 2007

We got our first taste of Miss Clarkson when she captured the American Idol title back in 2002. Fast Forward five years later and she is a mega-star, pop icon, well maybe that's a stretch, but she has legions of adoring fans who will attest to her musical genius. Now, Clarkson is about to release her third studio album entitled 'My December' one in which she is hoping will have the same success as her triple platinum sophomore set 'Breakaway' did. Although she should have titled 'My December' as 'My Hope', because I predict this album will not live up to the status or success of its' predecessor.

Clarkson took a lead role in a lot of the writing and producing on this album. With that in mind and if the first single 'Never Again' is a hint of what's to come, then I have my doubts. Although the 'Never Again' is a good song, it's raw and somewhat edgy; it lacks the authentic maturity that artist such as Christina Aguilera and Pink have been able to invoke into their songs both lyrically and musically. 'Never Again' sounds like the B-side of 'Since you Been Gone' it's inflated pop/ wanna be rock. With lyrics like, / I hope the ring he gave you turns your finger green/ I am left to assume that Clarkson is still a fan of school yard taunts and not quite ready to join the ranks of some of her contemporaries. The true pain and anger left over from failed relationships are not effectively showcased in this song; listen to Aguilera's 'Fighter' and you will know what a I've been done wrong song should sound like. Maybe 'My December' will prove to be some of Clarkson's best work; but with a title like the aforementioned, I find it truly hard to get excited about an album with 'December' in the title being released in June, although I am sure it is a metaphor for something, possibly buying shoes or eating ice cream.

American Idol and the Winner is……

Tonight was the first installment in the two-part Idol finale. Was it a knockout drag out fight to the finish? Hardly, in fact it was a lukewarm show, much like the rest of this seasons shows-post Sanjaya’s exist. Not to digress too much, but I did not particularly like Mr. Malakar, but he did add some much needed spice to this season’s idol. Now, back to the point of this blog; who will win; who will our next American idol be? Honestly, of course you expect nothing less from me, right? To digress one more time, saying “honestly” is like saying “hopefully” both are over used nonsense adverbs. Check out Strunk and White’s Elements of Style, you’ll catch my drift. Back to idol, well once again much like this season’s idol, distractions are not easily avoided sense the show can’t keep my attention very successfully; why should this blog be different?

I really can’t say with any certainty whom will win this year’s idol; it is a toss up. Both Jordin and Blake have a lot of things working in their favor. First, Blake may not have the vocal ability of his competitor, but he has got the performance in the bag. He knows how to effectively work the crowd. On the other hand, Jordin has that great showstopper voice that Idol loves. She is a younger Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia, or Carrie Underwood. So who will take the prize? Let’s face it; Idol needs a real winner in the pop scene after Taylor Hicks. Runners-up Katherine McPhee, Chris Daughtry, and Elliot Yamin are all making more of an impression on the pop music scene than Taylor. Reuben Studdard comes to mind when I think of Hicks. Now, with that in mind, I’ll try to pick the winner. If Idol wants another clone of former successful female pop singers, then Jordin is your winner. Yet, if they want something a little different, something not so typical, then I believe Blake is the man. Although his beat boxing is played out, Blake is the “it” man, in terms of image and style. He is a cross between what is really hot in pop music right now, blue-eyed-pop/soul artist. Blake is somewhere between Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, Robin Thicke, Usher, and Neyo rolled all into one. Idol needs a male artist that can nail a hit album unlike the two predecessors, Studdard and Hicks. Blake has the superficial teenage bopper image to do it. But, on that same note, so does Jordin; the difference is that Idol has produced female singers like Jordin; Blake would be in a class to himself.

Finally, I have always wondered what it would be like to hear Brittany Spears and Christina Aguilera sing the same song, tonight on the overly cheesy original song; I found out. Jordin did a wonderful job; Blake..umm not so good, but in his defense the song is so much more suited for a young vibrant female such as Sparks. Again, who will win? JORDIN, her vocal ability will seal the deal. Blake will be successful without Idol, and if he’s smart; he wants it that way.