Last night we were Ushered through two hours of Soul/R&B on American Idol Season 9.  The results were better than the week before but more mediocre than I expected.  We are now in the push to win and nobody took the reins of the American Idol Season 9.  Three guys won the night.  The top girls delivered their weakest performances of the season and Tim Urban, Katie Stevens and Aaron Kelly made their pitches for the bottom 3.

Michael Lynche, Casey James and Lee Dewyze stole the night.  Michael Lynche went sensitive with a neo-soul ballad while Casey James and Lee Dewyze updated two old school soul raves and rocked the stage.  Top girl Crystal Bowersox struggled through a bland performance and Siobhan Magnus fell apart after the judges criticized her bad performance.  Didi Benami sang well but was destroyed by the judges and the judges fawned all over the Andy Garcia’s comeback to mediocrity.

We will see Usher sing a tune from his new release tonight.  I think Tim Urban, Katie Stevens and Andy Garcia are in the bottom 3 and I think this is the week that Tim Urban goes back to Texas to wait for the tour.  But hey, Kate Goslin survived last night on Dancing With The Stars and Tim Urban is better than Kate.  Let’s see what America thinks.

Is the Cracken going to be on American Idol tonight or they just teasing us with a Clash of The Titans trailer? I guess Simon really does really look like the Cracken.  Siobhan Magnus looks pretty miserable.  Rueben Studdard starts the show with some smooth R&B.  Remember this guy?  He was on American Idol Season 2.  Yeah he won and went into the American Idol winner protection program.  Rueben Studdard is good form, but this song sounds like a medley.  Why isn’t this guy more popular?  Michael Lynche is loving this guy.

So let’s start to slowly build the American Idol Season 9 Top 10 bottom 3.   But first a Ford commercial and nothing to say about that.  Michael Lynche has attached a pink ponytail to his bald head.  Mama Garcia just told Andrew to be himself, even thought judges are calling him boring. Lee Dewyze, who had his best night of the year last night, and even though he is talking way too much he is safe.  Casey James also had a terrific night last night and he is safe as well.  Aaron Kelly underperformed “Ain’t No Sunshine” last night but he is safe.  It is down to Siobhan Magnus and Katie Stevens and Katie Stevens is in the bottom 3.  Why is Siobhan Magnus is crying and why are they so focused on her?  She is safe.

Next week the American Idol Season 9 Top 9 will perform from the Lennon/McCartney songbook.  But now we see Usher using an auto-tuner and I hate that device. The auto tuner and the offensive lyrics cause me to change the channel.  No Usher for me.

I am back for the commercial break.  Will Didi Benami or Andy Garcia join Katie Stevens and perennial Bottom 3 resident Tim Urban in tonight’s bottom 3?  Didi Benami, the judges’ favorite punching bag, is up first and she is in the Bottom 3.  The judges might use their save on her.  Michael Lynche is on the hot spot now and Ellen is talking about his subtlety and sensitivity.  After Mike lifts Ryan over his head, Ryan may rethink his misdirection shenanigans.  Crystal Bowersox is safe.  Tim Urban and Andy Garcia are the last two left to join to Bottom 3.  Nobody can understand why Tim Urban smiles all of the time.  He explains it is because he is so grateful for being on the stage.  Of course, Tim Urban is in the bottom 3 again.  Katie Stevens is sent to safety so we will lose another Christian performer tonight.

That Nationwide Insurance dude with the blue phone makes me laugh.

Diddy Dirty Money, who is that?  I thought dude was too busy selling jeans to record songs.  I didn’t like that very much.

Money time.  After America has voted Didi Benami has been voted off.  Oh no!  She needs to sing for her American Idol Season 9 life.  She sings “Rhianon”.  This is a captivating performance but I don’t know if it is enough to keep her on American Idol Season 9.  The judges do not save her.  I am disappointed we have lost Didi Benami.

Join us next week as American Idol Season 9, the season of the girls, continues with six guys and three girls.

It seems that posi-hardcore band Alcina will be calling it a day in the very near future. The following statement appeared on the band’s Myspace earlier today:

Here is what’s going on in the world of Alcina. I have taken down the two previous blogs, due to the fact that things are changing. On June 13th,2010 there will be two things happening on this day. The first thing is Rocketown will be having their final show at the building at 401 Sixth Ave. The second thing is Alcina will be no more, we are hanging up the towel. We have been a band for five years now, and it is are time to call it. Here is the thing though..Kyle, Keyser, Rj, and Cory will be continuing on as a different band and under a new name. For me, I will be not playing with them, I love those dudes to death, we are all good friends, there is no drama, and no I am not saying this because of the political correctness of its sound, I am saying because it is the truth. I spent the better of five years with these guys in a van going across the country. I can not ask for any better friends. My time is just now to focus on my life in general.

So with all of this said, we will be planning a last tour of sorts in June. Basically, we want to say all of our goodbyes to the cities and people who mean a lot to us, who might not be able to make it out to the last show. So be sure to check out the last couple shows that we are doing around Nashville and other surrounding cities, more will be posted later.

-Wes/Alcina

Below is the first music video from harpist Timbre with her song “Bringing Meaning To Winter”. The “video” is actually more like a cool little movie, with some really good cinematography. for those not very familiar with Timbre‘s work, she would have been the harpist on mewithoutYou‘s song “Sweater Poorly Knit”….check her out and enjoy the video

Now that the American Idol Season 9 tour is set, the next goal for American Idol hopefuls is victory.  It will interesting to see if some of the front runners (see our American Idol Season 9 Power Rankings) will take some chances tonight.  Siobhan Magnus and Crystal Bowersox said last week that they were going to try something new.  Will Michael Lynche bust out some Dirty South rap R&B on R&B/Soul night?

We are covering Christian music artists performing on American Idol Season 9.  Michael Lynche, Didi Benami and Tim Urban are in the top 10 and we will see them on tour this summer.  Michael Lynche is a contender to win it all, so he needs to start taking the type of risks that will launch him to victory.  Didi Benami is a viable darkhorse who needs a few breakthrough performances to make it into the final mix. Tim Urban needs a solid performance every week to stay in the competition after two weeks in the bottom 3.

Usher will mentor all 10 American Idol Season 9 top 10 through R&B/Soul hits of the last 60 years.  Last week’s performances were a disaster.  Let’s hope this week will the Idol’s fare better.

We get a little raw backstage footage that show how imaginary all of this glitz really is and then to the intros.  Why is Simon always pawing Kara?  Tonight is when we start the final push.  I wonder who will take the big risk and pull it off tonight?

Usher, the #1 R&B of the decade, has sold 45 million records and has 5 Grammys.  Wow, I love soul music and I don’t even listen to Usher. That girl by Usher sure does look like Charlize Theron.

We start with Siobhan Magnus and she is a fan of Usher.  She is performing “Through The Fire” by Chaka Kahn.  The start is a little clumsy.  This is one of my least favorite Chaka Kahn songs.  She has completely lost the pitch and started to screech.  Well, Siobhan clings to the big note as she has for the past four weeks.  This was really bad singing.  Almost as bad as Paige last week.  Randy refuses to criticize her.  Ellen says she was lost.  Kara says she was nervous.  Now Kara is making excuses for her.  Simon says it sounded like she was singing while she was of breath.  He says she was all over the place.  Siobhan is offended at Simon’s critcism.  Siobhan says it was the hardest song she has performed so far.  I guess we have seen the limits of Siobhan’s talent.  Siobhan looks like she is about to cry and the judges spend the next few minutes propping her up.  Why are some performers summarily destroyed but others are coddled?

Time for some Casey James.  He is singing Sam and Dave’s “Hold On, I’m Comin”.  Usher calls Casey a rock star.  This ong has never been performed on American Idol.  Casey is giving a big bluesy guitar opening.  This song is perfect Casey James singing style and his voice.  I wish he would have moved away from the guitar and given us a little more movement.   Casey is showing off his rock star persona.  This was a good night for Casey James. Randy says perfect song choice and hot performance.  Ellen says it was too safe.  Kara is imploring him to show off more of his range. Simon says it was Casey’s strongest performance of the season.  He loved the arrangement.  I agree with Simon.

I like the post performance backstage interviews.

Michael Lynche is singing  neo-soul “I Am Ready for Love” by India.Arie. Usher is coaching Michael on projecting his performance.  I wish Michael had done something more spectacular.   He is sitting on a stool behind the judges.  That may be a mistake.  As he has every week, he is singing the song perfectly.  This is a beautiful vocal performance but it does not deliver much firepower.  Randy loved it big time.   Ellen says that was beautiful.  Kara is about to cry again.  She says he mastered the intention of the song.  Simon says he can now take Michael seriously as an artist, that he demonstrated what it is to be “original”.  Simon says he believed the performance.  Great job Michael Lynche.

Didi Benami is singing The Temptations’ “What Becomes of The Brokenhearted” and breaks down during her mentoring session.  Can she keep it together during her performance?  I love her off kilter jazz phrasing. She is selling this song and singing her heart out.  It was okay I guess. Randy hated it. Ellen is booing herself and that is bad. She says it was too dramatic.  Kara says it was overdone, says she has lost her way. Simon says it was like swimming in jelly, too over the top.  At least Didi does not throw a fit.  Ryan is digging into Didi’s private life and she refuses to take the bait.  An uncomfortable moment.

The Christian performer triumvirate ends with Tim Urban singing Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love” .  Tim is discussing Tim’s nickname of “Teflon Tim”.   Usher did a really great job mentoring Tim to make a connection.  Let’s see if it worked.  The singing starts a little shakey. He gets stronger through the performance but I just don’t think he has the vocals to keep up with American Idol Season 9.  Randy says it had no vibe or swagger. Ellen did not like it but I don’t know what she was saying.  Kara says she took the soul out of the song.  Tim is laughing during the criticism and Simon thinks Tim is laughing at the judges.  Simon hated the song performance.

Andy Garcia will try to break his bad streak with Chris Brown’s “Forever”.  Usher stopped Andy and made him stop thinking about it so much.  Usher is a good mentor.  This song is perfect for Andy Garcia.  Randy has called out several of the performers about “flat” performances and this is a little flat for me.  This was just okay for me.  Randy loved it, saying “Andrew is back!”  Ellen says it was a break through. Kara is happy with Andrew’s leap in the right direction.  Simon says it was miles better than the past few weeks.  He rightly coaches Andrew to show a little more personality.   Mama Garcia is giving Simon a piece of her mind for calling her son boring.

Let’s see if Katie Stevens can get back the mojo she had at the auditions.  I think she has a crush on Usher but she is one cool young lady.  She is singing Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools”, that is brave.  Katie has a great low end for this song but she can’t reach the heights of the original.  Overall this is a good, not great singing performance with clumsy stage presence. Randy says it was one of the best vocals of the night and then went on to criticize the performance. Kara says this is where she belongs but they want her younger and more commercial. Simon is mocking the judges for comparing her to Christina Aguilera.  Simon and Kara are arguing about what type of music she should sing.  Poor girl.

Michael Lynche has been the first to greet all of the contestants when they come back stage, before and after he performed.

Lee Dewyze is explaining how to create a moment on American Idol.  Lee has picked a golden obscurity “Treat Her Like A Lady” by the Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose. Another great song choice, this is perfect for his style.  Lee is throwing it down with a rip roaring, stomping performances.  Interesting pacing and dynamics packaging.  The band is big but Lee’s vocals are bigger.  That was awesome! Randy says unbelievable, the bomb and Ellen adds “there you go”.  Kara says amazing.  Simon says that tonight is the night that Lee Dewyze‘s life changes forever.

Crystal Bowersox has some big shoes to fill after Lee Dewyze’s performance so she slips in some 7 inch stilettos to take on the challenge.  Crystal will sing Gladys Knight‘s “Midnight Train to Georgia” behind the piano.  So Crystal Bowersox is a soul singer too. I did not like the arrangement but the singing was ferocious.  Randy says it was another great performance.  Ellen says it was wonderful idea and Kara loved it.  Simon says the vocals were great at times but she was a bit mechanical.

Aaron Kelly closes the show singing the great Bill Wither‘s “Ain’t No Sunshine”.  Usher’s great coaching is to make the “I know” string personal.  This is a different side of Aaron tonight.  He does not seem so mechanical. When it is time for the song to lift and soar his performance lays a little flat.  That was just okay.  Just alright for Randy and Ellen was balnd about it.  Kara just liked it.  Simon called it a cupcake compared to some of the main course performances tonight.

Michael Lynche, Lee Dewyze and Casey James ruled the show tonight.  Join us tomorrow night to hear what America thinks.

In news that can only mean amazing things in the future, raw rock band band Showbread have left Tooth & Nail Records to join up with ministry label Come&Live!. The following statement appeared on Showbread‘s website yesterday:

Showbread has been a band for twelve years. We have played upwards of 2,000 shows, traveled to numerous countries, met thousands of people and experienced more than any of us can cram into our memories. During that time our goal as a band has remained constant: Use Showbread to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ with every available resource, specifically using our uninhibited God-given creativity. This has included the utilization of our music as an instrument to preach as well as worship, reaching out to make personal connections with our fans, friends and other bands, and to work to dispel misconceptions about following Jesus in a young culture that has often been misled. Tremendously flawed as we may be, Showbread has remained steadfast in our vision that we exist as a band for one purpose only: to proclaim the name of Jesus.

For a large part of Showbread’s “career” we have existed as a part of the musical industry. The more our band excelled, the more we realized the challenge of pursuing our calling as a ministry while navigating the professional waters of the industry. We have experienced many ups and downs: wonderful record sales, poor record sales, sold out concerts, and concerts with only seven audience members. Through it all we have always fought to embrace our trials as well as our blessings and trust that as long as God has ordained our art and ministry He will certainly continue to use it as a tool to do His work. We acknowledged and accepted that Jesus would provide for our needs whether we were “successful” within the industry or not. This mentality creates a paradox within the “business” of music. It can be difficult to convince record labels, managers, radio stations, etc. to believe in and support your artistic vision when your ultimatum as a band is not making money or selling records, but rather doing the will of Christ even if it means changing only a single heart with a single record.

Add to this complicated formula Showbread’s notoriously unpredictable and obstinate artistic vision. Throughout our band’s timeline we have consistently refused to honor any musical rules or expectations and in doing so we’ve often frustrated those we work with on a professional level as well as fans of our music. We decided early on to consider only God’s call on our music and the creative freedom He grants us to accomplish His goals, using the gifts He so generously gives. Once again, it often presents an interesting situation when you explain to someone whose job is to sell your album that you honestly don’t care if anyone buys it, as long as you have honored your artistic/evangelistic calling.

God has provided an amazing opportunity for Showbread with Come&Live! Through a community of like-minded individuals striving to equip ministry oriented bands to live out the great commission, encourage and develop musicianaries and work to enable them to offer their music as a free gift. At this point in our lives as Showbread, we have decided to withdraw from many elements of the industry that have been a part of our band for years, sign with Come&Live! and trust God to provide ways for us to offer our music and our performances as free gifts in order to expand the scope of our ministry. By offering our music as a gift with no charge and embracing Christ’s call to give generously we will open our ministry to anyone and everyone who will take any note of it, not just those willing to pay for it. It is our hope to make Showbread more like the work of missionaries than the work of a professional rock and roll band.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME, THE LISTENER? Showbread will be releasing its next album in a variety of formats including a completely free high quality download through comeandlive.com. We are also pursuing methods to make our performances free as well, which may be an experimental process that takes a while to perfect.

HOW CAN I HELP? To begin with, prayer is greatly appreciated during this transitional period as we begin a challenging new method of operation. Please add Showbread to your list of daily prayer points and remember our specific needs and us when you talk to God. Check our list of needs often to be able to pray for specifics or contribute to a specific need. After prayer and petition, donate as you feel led to one of our funds or to our overall ministry. Pray about supporting Showbread and Come&Live! Monthly or on an ongoing basis through a partial tithe. Please share our story with like-minded friends and family who might not follow the band as musical fans, but support our mission.

Below is the latest music video from pop trio Everlife with their song “What’s Beautiful”. While I feel the video is pretty typical, the song itself deals with the complex issue of what true beauty is in society, which is a deepness not ussually touched on in the Pop scene. Props to the girls for making such a positive song

Love Reality
Charmaine
in:ciite Records
Electro-Pop
Buy NOW:
Amazon MP3[+digital booklet]
iTunes

Realis
A Hope For Home
Facedown Records
Post-Hardcore/Metalcore
Buy NOW:
Amazon
iTunes

When Will We Surrender
Hundredth
Mediaskare
Hardcore
Buy NOW:
Amazon
iTunes

Lions & Liars
Sho Baraka
Reach Records
Hip-Hop
Buy NOW:
Amazon
iTunes(Bonus Track Version)

Somewhere Down The Road
Amy Grant
Sparrow Records
Contemporary
Buy NOW:
Amazon
iTunes

Addditions EP
Paper Route
Motown Records
Remixes
Buy NOW:
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The Chase
Manafest
BEC Recordings
Rapcore
Buy NOW:
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iTunes

No Ordinary Love
Rawsrvnt
Soul Deep Records
Rap
Buy NOW:
Amazon
iTunes

for more new releases, please check out our ALBUM RELEASE DATES page to stay up to date on all the new music coming out

Below is the latest music video from experimental rock band Paper Route with their song “Gutter”. The video is pretty great, but kind of hard to describe. Think of that Smashing Pumpkins video for “Tonight” but not as creepy…I dont know, that isnt right either….just watch the video!

Tennessee metalcore outfit As Hell Retreats has become the latest addition of the Strike First Records family. The following statement appeared on the Strike First Records Myspace late last week:

Our newest family member comes to us from Hendersonville, TN. As Hell Retreats have been propelling themselves forward since forming in 2005 by setting motivational goals, and step by step they are realizing the benefits of their hard work. They have self released five-song demos each year for the past 4 years, and 2010 will be the year they see the release of their first full length album. The new project promises to be a polished culmination of their past work, showcasing their death metal roots laced with thrash and hardcore.
Look for their debut full length Revival to be released from Strike First Records on May 25, 2010.

below is the album artwork from that upcoming release

For all of the talk about the judges, Paula leaving, who is replacing Paula, Ellen Degeneres, Simon is leaving, oh no, this show rises and falls on the contestants.  So far American Idol Season 9 is sinking under the weight of a disappointing group of contestants.  Are we tired of American Idol?  Were American Idol Seasons 6, 7 and 8 just so good that American Idol Season 9 pales in comparison? Did the judges, with Simon’s focus on his next thing, Paula’s departure, the distraction of finding Paula’s replacement and all of the guest judges cause the judge group to just miss on the selections?  I don’t know.

We are down to the Top 10 and this is the group we will buy tickets to see on the American Idol Season 9 Tour.  Some contestants could rise up from here and raise the bar, maybe, hopefully.

We are covering Christian music artists on American Idol Season 9 and three will tour.  Michael Lynche, Didi Benami and Tim Urban have made it to the Top 10.  Michael Lynche is emerging as one of the favorites, Didi Benami shows signs of being a solid artist but is still finding her balance and Tim Urban is hanging on after surviving the Bottom 3 each of the last two weeks.

American Idol Season 9 Top 10 Power Rankings

1. Crystal Bowersox has risen above the American Idol Season 9 crowd and proven herself to be the most complete and developed artist of the group.  She is a terrific singer who is completely confident in herself as an artist.  She has consistently chosen the perfect song for herself.  Her gospel rendition of “Long As I Can See The Light” was one of the two highlights of the season.  Does it seem that she is uncomfortably out of place on American Idol?
2. Michael Lynche has demonstrated a wide range of soul styles from neo-soul to contemporary R&B to straight-up gut wrenching soul.  The judges have overlooked Michael somewhat because he seems to be playing the game of selecting “American Idol” songs and giving them interesting, if safe, arrangements.  His performance of “A Woman’s Work” was not only the season highlight for me but the highlight of the past three seasons. I know that his music is as challenging and dangerous and unique as anything Crystal Bowersox or Siobhan Magnus has thrown at the judges.  Let’s see if, now that Michael Lynche is in the Top 10 and probably has a few weeks to take a risk, he is willing to shake things up with some of his “Dirty South R&B”.
3. Siobhan Magnus is this year’s bombastic judges favorite.  Every week she seems to try to be as loud and as outrageous on stage as she can be and the judges fawn over her like teenage girls in the presence of Joe Jonas. I really don’t get it.  In any of the other seasons I would rank in her in the bottom half, but if you guys have seen the show you understand.
4. Didi Benami has moved away from “American Idol steroetype” of the “sensitive singer/songwriter who cries a lot” over the past few weeks.  She has performed “Paint It Black” and “You’re No Good” like she was thinking about someone who did her wrong.  It has worked for me but not the judges.  Didi Benami needs a really great moment when she uses her sensitive interpretive skills to quietly rip a song open and bring the judges to their knees.  I think she has it in her.
5. Casey James has had several weeks of delivering workable, if forgettable, rocking performances of rock n’ roll and country songs.  I can’t remember any of the performances.
6. Lee Dewyze
7. Katie Stevens does not belong on American Idol Season 9. Not because she is not a great singer.  I think she is great.  Like Crystal Bowersox, American Idol pop music is not her deal.  The judges keep telling her to be more contemporary.  That is not who she is. Katie Stevens is an old soul.  We will see her singing interesting jazz and blues in New York and Paris cabarets for years to come.  I can’t wait.
8. Tim Urban is the one the judges love to hate.  He managed to turn a substitute slot in the  Top 24 into a Top 10 place on the American Idol Season 9 tour, but the judges hate him.  I liked his reggae take on “Under My Thumb”.  Tim Urban does need to demonstrate more vocal skills and a more comfortable presence on stage.
9. Andy Garcia is one of my two biggest disappointments of the year.  I thought he was going to be the one to bring smart, edgy interpretations to out of genre songs and wow us very week.  So far, he has forced all of his song selections into a bland mid tempo soft rock style.
10. Aaron Kelly does not do it for me.  His has delivered one overwought, bombastic vocal performance after another.  The judges love him and I am sure we will see him on the Country Music Awards for decades.  That is why I don’t watch the CMA’s.

After two American Idol Seasons dominated by guys we thought girls might rule American Idol Season 9.  We have six guys in the American Idols Season 9 Tour.

Join us Tuesday night as we live blog the 10 American Idol finalists performing Soul/R&B songs under the mentoring of Usher.