Music Review >> Jack and White – ‘Gemini’ EP

In the vein of old school 1970s duo of Buckingham/Nicks and the more modern pairing of She and Him come the pairing of Brooke White and Jack Matranga as Jack and White.

Initially coming together to work on a song for White’s follow-up album to 2009’s High Hopes and Heartbreak, the pair found themselves hitting it off creatively from the start.

“When I sat down with Brooke, it was clear from the beginning that all we cared about was creating awesome music and nothing else,” Matranga said in a press release.

“Songwriting can be labor at times, but we were creating so quickly, because we didn’t need to force anything.”

Their co-write turned into six distinctive songs that make up their new release, Gemini.

The EP kicks off with the title track, “Gemini.” What I appreciate about this song is that it’s pretty contemporary in comparison to the rest of the album. It’s a little bit different from what White’s fans are used to hearing from her and to be perfectly honest, that makes listening to Gemini exciting.

“Telephone Games” is a definite standout on the EP. The way White utilizes her voice while in her upper register really elevates the overall emotion to the song. The harmonies between White and Matranga on this track are simply fantastic. The contrast between their voices in higher and lower register create something special when combined.

Another standout track is “Smoke and Mirrors.” I like this track so much, because it has a bit of an attitude to it. There’s an assertiveness to how the notes are hit in the chorus, which really drives home the overall message of the song of knowing when somebody is not what they’re claiming to be.

Continue reading Music Review >> Jack and White – ‘Gemini’ EP

VIDEO: Kris Allen Performs New Song, “You Got A Way”

Kris Allen joined Lifehouse for a show in Detroit tonight, and performed a brand new song called, “You Got A Way”!

Check out the performance below!

I really like it! (You’re shocked, right?)

What do y’all think of Kris’s new song?

Tim Halperin Announces Release Date For Full-Length Album, Rise and Fall

Last Friday, singer-songwriter, Tim Halperin made an announcement via Tumblr that was very much relevant to my interests. He let everyone know that his debut full-length album entitled, Rise and Fall is set to be released on September 27! Holla!

Here’s the track listing:

1. All You’ve Got

2. Pretty Girls

3. The Last Song

4. She Sets Me Free

5. Bullet

6. Crash Course to Hollywood

7. I Gotta Know

8. Where I’m Going

9. I Wanna Fall In Love

10. Memories On The Ground

11. New York

12. I Believe (iTunes Exclusive)

13. American Fame (iTunes Exclusive)

The Last Song – Music Video (iTunes Exclusive)

He also made mention of a Fall tour, so I’m going to mention a couple cities he should stop in, like San Francisco and San Jose. :)

You can keep up-to-date with the latest Tim Halperin news at his official website, Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr!

MUSIC VIDEO: Pia Toscano – “This Time”

American Idol season 10 contestant, Pia Toscano has released the music video for her current single, “This Time,” which she has been singing all summer long during the American Idols Live! tour.

Check out the video below!

The video is visually stunning. I really wish they had figured out a way to put a band behind her when she’s singing into a microphone in the middle of the street. Or just eliminate the microphone altogether. 

Overall, I think it’s a pretty decent debut video from the singer. Me thinks Pia has a bright future ahead of her!

You can currently download the music video for “This Time” for FREE from iTunes!

Music Review >> Scotty McCreery – ‘American Idol Season 10’

American Idol season 10 winner, Scotty McCreery was handedly the most consistent singer this past season, which made his studio tracks a treat to listen to. And for someone who doesn’t entirely care for country music, I cannot deny this kid’s seemingly effortless talent.

McCreery’s run on Idol was indeed ballad heavy, but luckily his uptempo  numbers were sprinkled throughout this Idol compilation.

On the show, I felt like the country singer proved he could be a contemporary artist when he backed off the ballads, and rocked out on Montgomery Gentry’s “Gone.” Hands down, this is my favorite of McCreery’s studio tracks. He sounds like a well-seasoned singer, not a 17-year-old kid that is just in the beginning stages of his music career.

Unabashedly, another one of my favorite tracks off of McCreery’s collection of music from Idol is his take on Elvis’ “That’s All Right.” This song really allowed the singer to show a more personable and youthful side to himself. Plus, it’s really fun to sing-a-long to.

On the flipside, my favorite ballads include “Can I Trust You With My Heart,” “Always On My Mind,” and McCreery’s debut single, “I Love You This Big.”

Continue reading Music Review >> Scotty McCreery – ‘American Idol Season 10’

Music Video >> Scotty McCreery – “I Love You This Big”

CMT just posted up American Idol season 10 winner, Scotty McCreery’s music video for his current single, “I Love You This Big”!

Check out the video below!

Aw, I kind of love it! :)

Scotty shot the video before heading out on the American Idols Live! tour in Los Angeles earlier this summer. The video was directed by Shane Drake.

The music video for “I Love You This Big” is available for download at iTunes now!

Source

MUSIC VIDEO: Lauren Alaina – “Like My Mother Does”

The debut music video from American Idol season 10 contestant, Lauren Alaina, is here!

Check out the music video for “Like My Mother Does” below!

Vodpod videos no longer available.

The video was directed by Shaun Silva, and was shot in Southern California earlier this summer.

This video is a great debut for the country singer! And I have to admit that this song has really grown on me! (I’m a sap, okay? LOL!)

What do y’all think about Lauren Alaina’s music video for “Like My Mother Does”?

Source: CMT

MUSIC VIDEO PREVIEW: Pia Toscano – “This Time”

Earlier today Interscope Records released a short music video teaser for American Idol season 10 contestant, Pia Toscano’s single “This Time.”

Check out the video below!

Pia’s music video for “This Time” will debut in full next Tuesday, August 9!

Update: Watch the full video for “This Time” HERE!

VIDEO: Adam Lambert Debuts “Outlaws of Love”

Adam Lambert performed a brand new song for fans at the Le Festival Ste-Agathe en Feux in Quebec this past weekend. The song is entitled “Outlaws of Love.”

Lambert commented on Twitter that the song is not his first single off his upcoming sophomore album. Watch his performance of “Outlaws of Love” below!

What do you think of Lambert’s new track?

Video Source

Backstage with ‘American Idol’s’ Stefano Langone

Before the Top 11 contestants from the tenth season of American Idol took the stage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose on July 13, I had the opportunity to sit down for a one-on-one interview with Washington native, Stefano Langone.

Langone and I talked about the current tour, his post-tour plans, and his advice for the American Idol season 11 hopefuls.

How has the tour been going so far?

The tour’s been going great. We’re getting some great reviews. Just trying to establish myself as one of the top-notch performers. Everything’s been working out.

So you tried out for Idol initially in San Francisco, and now you’re performing tonight in the Bay Area, how does it feel to kind of come full circle?

All of my family’s from the Bay Area. I’m really, really pumped to perform tonight. There’s going to be a lot of Langones in the house.

Stefano Langone live in Oakland, CA - credit: Karen DatangelWhat has been the most fulfilling part of the tour so far for you?

Just getting to see the crowd’s reaction, and getting to see the fans after the show. My goal really is to make a name for myself, and really show people who they voted for and just making more fans, you know? Creating a buzz and making sure I establish what I want to do after the show. Unfortunately I didn’t get to pick the songs that I wanted to do, and I didn’t get to perform in the way I wanted to, but I’m taking what I’ve got and I’m making the best of it. I’m going out there and giving great performances and that’s number one.

Having to perform the same set every night on tour, how do you stay amped for each show?

It’s the crowd. The crowd keeps you hyped up; you can always count on that. You can’t get sucked into the, “Ugh, I’m doing this again.” You can’t get sucked into it; you’ve got to realize what you’re doing it for and why you’re here. It’s about the music and about your performances.

Continue reading Backstage with ‘American Idol’s’ Stefano Langone