IdolHeadEd.com - Kristy Lee Cook hits the music shelves and get ready for a shock

IdolHeadEd writes
I can’t think of any contestant in Idol history that got so much undeserved bitterness thrown at them as Kristy Lee. Well, in her debut CD Kristy and her fans get the last laugh.

When Carrie won Idol season 4, I was a bit concerned that she would do that well initially. Not because she couldn’t sing but each time she got on the Idol stage, with very few exceptions, she never really was convincing as a possible superstar. That all went away with her first real radio single and her debut CD. I still feel she hasn’t mastered live performance but there is no doubt she is the Queen of Country. There once was a time she would be humbled to be mentioned in the same breath with Martina McBride, Faith Hill, or even Gretchen Wilson. Now they are humbled to be mentioned with her.

You might ask if I am going to predict the same for Kristy. Not exactly. Since Kristy finished 7^th not 1^st, and was not nearly as well adored as Carrie on the show, the Idol machine will not push her quite like they did Carrie. But I do have that feeling she is about to shock many. Her first single "15 Minutes of Shame" is my favorite first single of all Idol contenders to date. It has everything except for the most important thing; promotion. Our two main Country radio stations here in Atlanta have yet to play it. Or I will say I haven’t heard it. Whereas I can turn to any of the local top 40 stations and get inundated with David Archuleta’s “Crush” or David Cook’s “Time of My Life”. Not that I'm complaining about the latter. But there is no doubt who they are spending more money and time promoting as they should. But just a little push for Kristy will go a long way. I guarantee it.

As you read my review of Kristy’s new CD “Why Wait” you might keep in mind that Carly Smithson was by far my favorite of the ’08 season along with David Cook. Although I did like Kristy Lee as well she just was not in the aforementioned two’s league on the show.

Here are my thoughts on “Why Wait”

I will not review “15 Minutes..” since I already have But it is an A+++

“I Think Too Much” This song about over thinking what to do in a male /female relationship is spot on. Everyone does it and everyone can relate. This should be her next single. Great song and the more I hear it the more I love it. Kristy’s powerful (This adjective will be used a lot in describing every song on this CD) voice delivers all the punch it needs. One of the lyrics says it all: “Is this dress too Churchy?”, “Is this lipstick too white trash?” “Sometimes I wish I could tell my brain to just shut up. Because I know the more I think, I think I think too much”. Great song delivered greatly. Grade A++

“Why Wait” This very energetic tune is a worthy title track. Kristy’s very distinct and very powerful voice is able overshadow the multitude of music without the shoutyness some singers would have to employ to be heard. This is one of the tunes I think could be radio fodder. It jumps right out of the box at you and Kristy handles this like a seasoned pro. Grade A

“Hoping to Find” Under normal circumstances the beginning of this song wouldn’t warrant the listening to the rest of the song but about 30 seconds in, the chorus drives in and it is great. There is a part in the middle where there is nothing but Kristy’s voice and the beat of a drum and it showcases this really incredible gift she has. So pure and so identifiable. It makes me wonder how different the Kristy and the show would have been had she not been sick the first week. Grade A-

“Like My Mother Does” This touching ballad will be a hit with mothers and daughters. Very good melody and I can see many mothers tearing up on this one. Kristy shows her ability to sing the low soft notes as well as her power notes……in the same song. Another excellent tune excellently done. Grade A

“God Bless the USA” As good as but different than the original. If someone asked me to choose which one I would buy if I could only buy one…this would be it. Grade A+

“Not Tonight” This CD filler song actually turns in to a very listenable tune with Kristy’s powerful voice. Not the best on the CD but I could get used to it. The best thing about this one is Kristy’s work here. Grade B

“Homesick” This song reminds me of something Rascal Flatts would sing. And as is the case throughout this CD Kristy nails it. Another great piece. This would be a good music video tune. Grade B+

“Baby Believe” The only real ballad on this CD and she gives me chills singing it. See, just like Jennifer Lopez. Kristy is able to project some real passion like we never got to hear or see on Idol. Listening to this it’s hard to believe this is the same Kristy 30,000,000 watched this season. She is so believable. At 4:20 this song would need to be shortened for radio but I love it just the same. Grade A

“Plant the Seed” This is a beautiful story painted with that amazing voice of Kristy Lee Cook. I find myself stunned. She can make any song sound great. This could make the radio. Very inspirational piece as is Kristy. Beautiful! Grade A

“Cowgirls” This Kerry Harvick (Never heard of her but she’s good) cover is better than the original. The arrangement and the absolute power of Kristy’s voice pushes this song to its limits. Kristy sang this at the concert and I liked it then but love it now. It took a while but I found Kerry’s version on Rhapsody. While she sounds just fine, she does not punch the song like Kristy. It will be very interesting to see if Kristy can take this one to heights Kerry never reached with it. If it were based solely on the tracks themselves Kristy would win. This song can only be bought with the whole CD. It can not be purchased as a single. Grade A+

I feel Kristy never really got her due on the show. Being sick the first two weeks shot her confidence in the heart. And even though Carly got shot down in her first attempt in the top 24 by Simon, he built her up all through the Hollywood auditions. Even giving Carly a bad review he still said she was the best female singer in the bunch. No such compliment came even zip code close to Kristy. In fact he said he thought she might get to the top 10…..maybe. I also know Kristy read the blogs and was really hurt by a lot of them. Unfortunately she never read the Idolhead or it may have helped her confidence a bit.

This CD is the platinum lining and crown jewel of Kristy’s arduous Idol adventure. It is a triumph she and the Idol big wigs should be very proud of. It is radically different than either Carrie or Kellie’s CD. It is more Country than Carrie’s with better songs than Kellie’s. “Why Wait” has its own distinct personality and that is a very good thing. Even though Arista may not be doing a full press with Kristy Lee, they gave her a great album and the real Kristy Lee is here for all to hear. Every song on this CD is good much like Carrie’s “Some Hearts”. And while it will be difficult to surpass or even match Carrie’s success (That only happens once in a blue moon) I have every confidence that if enough folks get a chance to hear this CD it will be easily the 2^nd most successful Country CD in Idol history. I want to go to this concert.

Overall grade on this CD is an A+. As good as Carrie’s was this one is just as good for Kristy. There is no reason this should not be a very successful CD. In the age of downloads she should get millions. I expect to see Kristy gracing the stage of the Grand Ol Opry in the coming months and will be a staple on CMT. I can’t wait to see her first video. As much as I praised Carrie’s CD at its release I am actually more excited about Kristy’s. It is energy from start to finish.

This CD not only vindicates Kristy but those who had some really high hopes for her on Idol. A writer once postulated that the scariest place to be on the Idol was standing next to Kristy in the bottom 2. No more. It is the place most would love to be. Kristy and her fans could not be more proud of this effort. And I challenge all you Kristy haters to give this CD a shot even if you hate Country. You too will be in for a shock.

On a side note sorry about the site being down for almost a month. I am going to be moving the site to another host before Season 8. I’m paying too much for too little. I know you foller me. And we are giving Your New Tunes annual memberships for only $10 until Friday in order to get some feedback from consumers. Even if you don’t buy a membership, all the music on the site is great so go listen to some original music and I might suggest checking out our newest find Janelle. Click the banner at the top of this article. We have had about 550 artists and songwriters upload and only 25 have made our cut so far. If you know someone who would like to get paid and exposure for free let them know about the Your New Tunes.com.

Is it Season 8 yet?

Idolhead Ed