So, who made it through to the American Idol finals?

Keep the roommates from eating those leftovers from home.

Spring handbags for under $50. Heaven.

John Mayer is taking Jen to the Oscars. Watch out Brangelina!

Rihanna still loves Chris Brown.

30 things to do with a naked man.

Pamela Anderson models camel toe at NY Fashion Week…

How to deal with the Sophomore Slump.

If I were Zahara Jolie-Pitt, I wouldn’t look so pissed to be shopping with mom.

Rachel Bilson is engaged?

The worst of fashion week.

Melinda Doolittle’s got a music video.

I’m not gonna lie: I was super excited for this week’s latest releases. Not because I love The Fray (though I do), and not because Country’s hottest star was out again (though he is), but because Melinda Doolittle was finally making her mark on the music industry.

Although, the other two weren’t too shabby either…

The Fray- The Fray

It’s been four long years since the Fray’s first release, How to Save a Life. But if you’re a fan of The Fray, then you would probably say their new self-titled album is worth the wait. The Fray is one of those bands with a distinct sound. Many of their songs may sound the same, with their slow starts and instrumental buildups, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you like them, of course. After one listen-through of The Fray’s new album, I was already getting the songs stuck in my head. They’re not extremely complex tracks, but they’re catchy and easy to pick up. It’s also the perfect CD for when you’re going through a break-up; even “Happiness” is enough to depress you: “Happiness damn near destroys you/breaks your faith to pieces on the floor.” OK, then. But that’s The Fray for you and, frankly, that’s why I like them.

Dierks Bentley- Feel That Fire

Even if you’re not a fan of country music, I’m pretty sure it’s hard to resist Dierks Bentley. First of all, he’s hot. And second of all, his songs are extremely fun; more of a pop-ish type of country with a bit of Southern rock thrown in. I was a bit nervous since I found Feel That Fire’s first single and title track to be super cheesy and typical country. But the rest of the album is actually much better than the single. One of the album’s highlights is “Beautiful World,” a duet with Patty Griffin. Also, “Pray” reminds me of the slower, reflective Bentley I’ve come to love: “Just because it didn’t last/Doesn’t mean that we were wrong/We both fell in love so fast/And now it’s gone.” To be honest, it would be extremely difficult for Dierks to beat his Long Trip Alone, on which every single track was music to my ears. So, while I enjoy Feel That Fire, I’d still choose his older stuff first.

Melinda Doolittle- Coming Back to You

I currently have American Idol fever, so when I heard Melinda Doolittle was coming out with her first album this week, I knew I had to listen. It was quite apparent what an amazing singer she was on the show two years ago, but I always thought she didn’t quite fit the Idol persona and, though she didn’t win, I figured she would still make it eventually. Melinda definitely does not disappoint with her first studio album, Coming Back to You and her Idol fans should be quite happy with the finished product. Each track on the album is a cover and, though I wish Melinda would sing her own music, the covers on her album aren’t obvious covers. In fact, I’ve never heard of most of them and the ones I have heard, I actually think I prefer Melinda’s versions. I was most pleasantly surprised by her cover of Faith Hill’s “If I’m Not in Love,” which she very much made her own while still staying true to Faith’s version. Thank God Melinda didn’t win American Idol because her contract never would have allowed her to make this album.

All images are from Amazon.com

Spencer and Heidi keep talking. Burn hole in my brain.

Tom and Katie are still married…and happy.

Rhode Island mandates domestic violence education in schools.

Sarah Palin damns us all to hell. See ya there!

Lakisha Jones (from American Idol) got married…and everyone is really excited.

Leo can’t be anything but sexy.

No more sexy time for Brad and Angelina.

God, we wish we worked at airport security right about now.

Women don’t let this recession get in our way of beauty!

Justin Bobby and LC? NO WAY!

Happy (sorta) Birthday, Miley Cyrus!

Do you experience drunk-o-vision?

Amy Winehouse’s nose says, “I QUIT!”

Ashley Simpson and Pete Wentz (fashion) emergency.

Did Joe Biden have a little work done? (We knew it!)

I held my breath through the results and I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!!! Melinda goes home! We should take cell phones away from teenage girls EVERYWHERE cause it’s obviously their fault that we have one more week of that bad clothes wearing (again last night, again—what is that?), beat-boxing yuck. I’m pissed. Can you tell?

I mean, I said it—I worried that Ms. Doolittle didn’t appeal to the mass audience—she’s just in a whole different ball game then everyone else up there. But it’s so obvious that she is amazing. Maybe lacking a personality. But a phenomenal singer. I’m pissed. Onto the rest of the show…

Ok, sure. I imagine running into one of the American Idols on the street might be kinda cool. I don’t know that I would recognize many of them, but I could pick a few out of a crowd. But who are these people that they showed in the clips last night? There were people weeping, and screaming, and freaking out over people who—as Idol legacy has proven—might not be that huge of stars. Kelly, and Carrie have done fine for themselves. But whatever happened to Ruben Studdard after he released that first album? Pretty sure crickets are audibly chirping in the silence of his career.

I was really struck by the girl weeping in the Melinda segment—“she’s really *sniffle sniffle* helped me through some *sniffle sniffle* hard times.” What? She’s literally only been around for eleven weeks. So that’s fourteen songs she’s sang, and changed your life with? Ok… I guess there are fourteen song albums that have changed my life, but seriously? I’m perplexed.

Elliott Yamin was surprisingly good. His stylist has done well for him and managed to hide that massive nose he’s got there. The song wasn’t bad, and though I don’t know that many white boys can pull off the R&B sound as well as Justin Timberlake, I’m willing to keep my fingers crossed for him. Apparently his album has been out for a minute—anyone heard it? Again with the Idol curse… hmmm. Maybe being on the show is not such a good career move.

I wanted to write here that Adam Levine was luscious and to die for good looking, but what the hell is up with that hair cut he’s rocking? What do you even call that thing? And he is lanky! I had no idea. I was hoping that his striking features would make me forget he had slept with LaLohan, but alas, he is ruined for me. The song was typical Maroon 5—catchy, poppy, fun. For some reason the sound always seems off to me when the real famous people perform. But maybe it’s me.

Next week is the big finale show—I swear if Blake wins I will NOT watch next year. And I mean it this time. I’m almost tempted to forget the last show this season, but then you guys would miss my witty banter afterwards.

Can I begin by saying that I was slightly worried that last night was the first night the contestants had two songs to sing. I didn’t know there were eight good Bee Gees songs to choose from.

But, because most of the performances sucked, I ended up being really impressed by the songwriting. I had no idea that some of those tunes were written by Barry Gibb. And he was wonderful with the contestants—complementary of their talents, helpful in his advice. Good on you, Bee Gee.

But I can’t pretend anymore. Worst. Idol. Ever. This season officially blows. Maybe others decided that earlier on, but I really have been hoping that these Idols-to-be would kick it up a notch, and prove to America that they’re worthy to be there. But really… they’re not.

I’ve been saying forever that I’m over Blake. His performance was tired, and out of pitch. The beat boxing? Just stop with it. And thank you to the judges for finally hating it, and not calling it innovative. It’s a singing contest, and to be quite frank, you can’t sing that well. Out.

Lakisha was my favorite early on—from her audition, to her first performance of And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going—she seemed like the one to beat. But she has been so non-descript ever since. How do you screw up a high energy song like Stayin’Alive? Well, you did. And the other song was just boring. No stage presence. Nothing. Out.

Jordin’s first song—To Love Somebody—was beautiful. I know they say it every week, but I can’t believe how young she is. She is so in control of her voice, well spoken, and adorable. But she failed to impress in her second appearance, and it’s about that time where we don’t question song choice, or pitch—it should be about who out does the others in stage presence. And I’m not sure that she accomplished it last night.

It was cute that Melinda refused to sing about going home—I respect her superstitions and determination. Cause she shouldn’t be the one to go home. But the judges were right in saying that they expect more from her at this point. Watching the rest of the contestants, and then watching her is normally like seeing two separate shows—one of someone who shouldn’t even need to compete, and the other of relatively mediocre talent. Her last song was better than the first, but I hope she does even more next week.

So my plea to the American Idols next week is—step up! Or just give Melinda the crown, and stop putting us through this already. I bet Simon is just livid off screen….