LOVE THIS BAND

The Orkids! Not The Orchids. Not the Orkid. THE ORKIDS. Be sure to get it right when you go buy all their songs on iTunes, which you should.

This band hails from Athens, GA. I have to say, the band was one of the few truly amazing things I discovered there. The band is made up of all awesome people, too, which really helps. The producer, guitarist, lead male vocal Adam is just ridiculously talented at everything musical. I mean everything. I'm convinced there's nothing this guy can't do. And lead vocalist Sandra just has so much raw talent it's disgusting (in a good way). Not to mention she's gorgeous. And Josh on keys feels the music in everything he does, and it only makes for magic on stage. I can say that because I've had long conversations with him on the subject of music.

Their Paper Dolls EP was released last year, and the video for their breakout hit "Paper Dolls" has been out on youtube for a while now. If you haven't seen it, you should.

But now my fave song off their EP also has a video!!! And it's super fun. So now, get ready to enjoy the video for "What Is It With Me?"

American Idol Wildcards

I am about to become a terrible cliche by posting this, but I fully accept responsibility for that. I do hereby state I am of reasonably sound mind as I make the choice to make an American Idol commentary post. (gasp!)

I just think Lauren Turner should have been in the Top 10, but I didn't vote, and realize I can't whine by proxy because I made the classic mistake of thinking she'd be a shoe in. But she BROUGHT IT when she sang "Seven Day Fool" and I was really looking forward to seeing more from her. I assumed the rest of America would feel the same. I was wrong. Whatever.

But WTF were the judges thinking giving Ashthon and Kendra a second chance over her? Lauren was WAY more interesting, and WAY more talented, and WAAAAY more fun to watch and listen to. I am super duper bummed I won't get to hear more sassy singing from her.

Also, I am especially bothered by the fact that Ashthon strikes me as being disingenuous. She comes off as a diva who pretends to have humility and compassion for her fellow competitors, but is very transparently out for herself and herself alone. Granted it's a competition so there's certainly nothing surprising or necessarily "wrong" about that. But I just don't like the fact she came off as fakely sweet. If she's a diva, she should own it. Stop pretending she gives a shit if anyone else in the competition succeeds. From her shameless flirtation with Ryan, to her finger pointed "you and me, brotha, we right here" type exchange with Randy... she just strikes me as being one of those pretty girls who knows she's pretty and assumes she's untouchably perfect because of it. Her voice is mediocre at best. She needs to be taken down a few pegs.

I will balance my critique of Ashthon by saying she DEFINITELY had stage presence and confidence and I have to give her props for that. She's got what it takes to be an Idol... except for having the best voice in the room. Then again, that hasn't stopped former Idols from making it to the top...

But nevertheless... BOOOOO to Ashthon making it over Lauren.

And YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY for Naima making it in. She's a sweetie.

Overall I like the lack of evil snarkiness and incoherent blather that used to be present on Idol with Simon & Paula (respectively) judging. So I say good riddance to them. Steven Tyler is way more interesting to watch, and Jennifer is way more relevant, hot, and sweet. I dig it.

Aight... no more Idol posts, ever.