In addition to such faces as Johnny Depp, Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Pattinson, People magazine recently named Idols and Adam Lambert two of the hottest guys to hit the music industry this year. And when it came down to explaining what makes them so sexy, they joked that it has a lot to do with confidence and hair.
"It's weird to me because I don't think of myself in that way," Lambert told MTV News on the Us Weekly Hot Hollywood red carpet Wednesday. "So when I hear stuff like that, it's very flattering and I just have to say thanks, I guess." Lambert was being honored at the event as Glam God of the Year.
The American Idol runner-up, however, had no problem explaining why his pal and fellow Idol, Allen, who Us named Victor of the Year at the event, has everyone labeling him a hottie. "He's confident in his own skin as well," he said, before Allen met up with him on the carpet and the two shared some good-natured laughs.
"It's the hair, man," Allen said about what makes Lambert so sexy, after shrugging off Lambert's compliments. "I think it's the hair, that's what all the ladies like, the hair."
"I think the ladies like other things about Kris," Lambert teased. "The hair is good. But there's more to it than that, from what I've gathered."
Kris Allen Red Guitar Lyrics: It may not be the best one It may not be like the rest of 'em But she makes it sound so sweet The melodies she makes it's saying
On her red guitar The color never fades away No matter where she has it placed And my life would change when I saw The face of her red guitar it's been through hell
Oh, the sound it makes It takes me to some higher place She doesn't have a clue Oh, that I love to listen to...
Her red guitar, yeah The color never fades away No matter where she has it placed And my life would change when I saw The face of her red guitar Of her red guitar
She plays a song only I can hear The same old song That she played last year And it may not have all the strings Oh, but she strums it beautifully
On her red guitar, yeah Her red guitar, yeah The color never fades away No matter where she has it placed And my life would change when I saw The face of her red guitar Of her red guitar, of her red guitar
しかも、ツイッターで、「クリスのアルバムを買おうか、同じ日に発売のゲームを買おうか」とつぶやいた一般人に「ゲーム!」とか答えてるし。 RT @AmberAbyss: I'm trying to decide whether to buy @KrisAllen's new album, or Left 4 Dead 2. A: left 4 dead 2.
Kris Allen is an "American Idol" of many firsts. He's the first married "Idol" winner. He's the first "short" dude (his words) who's taken home the grand prize. He's the first champ to leave the dreaded coronation song off his album. But he's the second "Idol" winner to have a sole writing credit on a track from his debut post-"Idol" CD.
Following in David Cook's footsteps, Kris included his self-penned "Red Guitar" on the album, and the track is already a legend among his fans. The autobiographical ditty was written for his wife long before he became a breakout star on the TV juggernaut. And for Kris, convincing his record label to let him write on his self-titled major-label debut ― in stores this very moment ― was a top priority. Lucky for him, the suits were onboard with the idea from the minute Seacrest handed him that silly "Idol" trophy. "[Writing] was the idea all along," Allen told MTV News. "I'm not a general pop artist, and I don't think that I would get away with that. Singing a whole bunch of other people's songs ― that's not who I am."
Turns out the Arkansas native isn't a natural born collaborator either. As a former indie troubadour, it took Kris a little time before he mustered up the confidence to work effectively with the A-list songwriting talent Jive Records and 19 Recordings hooked him up with. "[I finally had] a realization that [songwriters] want input, and they were there for me. And for me, it was gonna be on my album, so it had to be good, you know?" Kris confessed. It wasn't until the end of the American Idols Live! Tour, in September, that Allen felt he finally "manned up" about his songwriting sessions with others.
Kris eventually grew close to several of his cohorts and learned to appreciate their unique strengths. Of Lindy Robbins (who co-wrote a quarter of the CD), Kris said, "She was kinda like a mom almost. I feel like she could feel what I was thinking, so she would always hone it in. ... She's really sweet."
But it was fellow dude rockers Jon Foreman (from Switchfoot) and the Fray's Joe King who Allen said he learned the most from. "As an artist, I feel like I can relate to them. And obviously, Jon Foreman's lyrics are outta this world," Allen gushed. Foreman and King's efforts resulted in the inspiring anthem "Lifetime" and the jumpy, George Harrison-inspired "Alright With Me," respectively.
Allen was already close to one songwriter, his hometown pal and current bandmate Cale Mills, who helped pen the soulful "Is It Over" along with Kris and industry heavyweight Mike Elizondo. In fact, the rocker was so thrilled with the results, he even dropped "From the Ashes" ― a track19/Jive hyped to journalists over the summer in an early album preview ― to make room for his buddy's tune. "It's not that I didn't like ['From the Ashes']. For me, I liked 'Is It Over' [more], and it was either/or," Allen said. Fans who pre-ordered the album on iTunes will get to hear the driving "From the Ashes" anyway. (ここはパート4で言及してたような)
Kris' songwriting identity also got in the way of accepting some of the non-Allen compositions included on the final track list. He was thrilled with the Script's two offerings, the lead single "Live Like We're Dying" and the bouncy "Written All Over My Face," but "The Truth," written by Toby Gad and Train's Pat Monahan, was a grower for Allen. "I thought it was really good, [but] for me, it was just stubbornness and wanting to write everything." Ditching the "jaunty piano" featured on the demo he first heard helped him warm up to the track too. (ここも、他の映像でしゃべってるような)
In the end, Kris is thrilled with the result and is eager for everyone to hear it, even if the perfectionist wished he had a little more time to tweak a few things. If given the chance to put in a few more weeks of work, Kris knows exactly how he'd spend the time.
"Write more songs, dude. ... Yeah, I would keep writing," Allen said with a smile.
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
An "American Idol" winner's debut is always a big deal, and Kris Allen's just-released disc was no different. While Allen had a lot of writing freedom on his self-titled major-label debut, not all his ideas made the cut.
Fans were especially swayed by the singer's acoustic performances on "Idol," and some were disappointed that the album didn't feature more unplugged songs.
"I think it was something that we wanted on there, but [it just] didn't happen. Album number two. Don't worry," Allen promised MTV News.
Allen Nation should stay calm, because fans might see those songs sooner than they'd think. "Maybe I'll make a little EP, iTunes thing," he suggested. "It'll be sick."
Speaking of missing acoustic songs, Allen his cut collaboration with singer/songwriter Mat Kearney, "Top of the World." "It had like a dance beat to it ... but not in a bad way," Allen said. "I thought it was great. I think the song's awesome. You'll hear the song sometime."
Aside from Kearney, the "Idol" alum worked with Kevin Rudolf on the track "Better Than That," which also didn't make the album. Allen described Rudolf as a "super cool guy" and talked about how he forged a connection with the songwriter. "It was kind of funny, man, because he worked a lot with Lifehouse on their new album," Allen said. "Lifehouse and Kevin Rudolf, they actually wrote a song for me. But it just didn't end up on the album." Will the track ever see the day of light? "I don't know," he said.
Allen also revealed that the album was originally titled Translate Your Soul, and he was happy to go with a self-titled disc instead.
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
One of the standout moments during Kris Allen's run toward the "American Idol" season-eight crown was his soulful version of Kanye West's "Heartless," which earned him raves from both the "Idol" judges and his fervent fanbase.
Of course, immediately following that performance, "Idol" released a studio version of the song on iTunes ... a syrupy, soft jazzy thing that, well, earned Allen anything but raves.
So, when it came time to record songs for his self-titled debut album ― which hit stores Tuesday (November 17) ― Allen knew he wanted to take another stab at the song. Working with producer Salaam Remi, he crafted a new, sleeker version of "Heartless," one that recalls the ethereal, slightly ominous soundscapes of Phil Collins' 1981 hit "In the Air Tonight" (for real).
It was a risk, but early results seem to indicate that the duo knocked it out of the park with the new version. It's been singled out by both critics and fans as a high point of Allen's debut disc. So naturally, Allen must be thrilled, right?
Well, no, actually. On Monday, when Allen stopped by the MTV newsroom to talk about his new album, we asked him about the lengthy process of making his post-"Idol" debut, an intricate game of give and take, of negotiations and compromise. The question, naturally, was: What was his biggest defeat during the whole process?
His answer? "Um ... 'Heartless,' " Allen said. "It's not that I didn't want to put it on there. [It's just that] the version was a little bit different for me."
And Allen didn't stop there, saying that the whole "In the Air Tonight" vibe was definitely Remi's idea, and that, in his opinion, the album version of "Heartless" is a far different thing from the one he first debuted during his "Idol" days. And that's not necessarily a good thing, according to the singer.
"That was definitely the producer's feel for it. He wanted that in there," Allen said about the Collins influence. "It was different for me, because it was a different song."
And while he might not be crazy about the new version of "Heartless," Allen realizes his fans think otherwise. So, ultimately, he's willing to let this one go ... you can't win 'em all, it would seem. And really, even when Allen loses, he's still winning.
"My brother likes [the song], so that's good," he smiled.
Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.
troubadour トルバドゥール muster 召集 hook ホック man up muster cohort 群 hone 砥石 anthem 聖歌 stubbornness 頑固さ tweak ひねり
The people have spoken--and they love Kris Allen. The American Idol winner was nominated for Favorite Breakout Artist and he took time out of his busy schedule to talk to Hollyscoop about his upcoming album, adapting to life in LA, and being a People's Choice nominee.
Here are some highlights from our exclusive one on one interview:
Hollyscoop: You won American Idol and now you’re getting all the nominations, do you feel good? Kris Allen: “Ya, Its cool man, I have been nominated for stuff before and this one is definitely a huge deal. People Choice is a big deal so, I heard my sitting down and talking to someone, and I was like oh cool.”
HS: So along with that you have a new album coming out next week. KA: "Yes, I have the album coming out next Tuesday, November 17. I'm really excited about it. There are 12 songs on there. Nine of them are co-written or written by me. I got one song in there that I had written couple of years ago. I had an awesome time writing the stuff and some really good stuff that I’m proud of.”
HS: Fans have been waiting for a while so what could they expect from it? KA: “I think that, the things I pay attention to, I wanted it to be songs that listening back to that I would like and sound like the stuff that I like listening to and so I try to pay attention to that which is you know focus on lyrics and like meaning, melodies and all that stuff.”
HS: The first single is out already, is that your favorite track on the album? KA “I wouldn't say that’s my favorite track.”
HS: Do you have a favorite track? KA “I do have a favorite track, it’s this song I wrote a couple years ago, its called Red Guitar.”
HS: And what is that about? What is the low down on that? KA : "It is about a guitar.”
HS: So how has your life changed since American Idol, winning the competition, how has it been different for you? KA: “It's just different. I live in LA now you know? I never thought that would happen growing up I never imagined myself living in LA, so this is cool and I get to get nominated for the People’s Choice Awards, I get to these TV shows, its just my life has completely changed."
HS: You seem very normal and humble KA: “Thanks a lot, I try not to be too jaded.”
HS: What was your first job? KA: “My first job ever I worked at TCBY, yogurt.
HS: So you know how to make yogurt at home now?” KA: "I don’t know if I know how to make it, I know how to pull the lever down.”
HS: When you go to Pinkberry now your like I know how that works! KA: “I do go to Pinkberry, right.”
HS: What are you doing for Thanksgiving? Are you going back home? KA: "Yeah, I am going back home to spend some time with family for a couple days.”
HS: So what are you thankful for this year? KA: "I’m thankful that I get to make music and make albums and stuff like that. That’s the thing that I would say I'm the most thankful for. “
HS: What are you going to do for the New Years Eve and for the holidays? KA: "I’m going to go home for Christmas, I don’t know what I’m going to do for New Years! Maybe hangout with some friends. I have always talked about going to New York, so we’ll see what happens."
HS: Is everything good with you and your wife, Hollywood’s treating you guys well? KA: “Yeah, Absolutely.”
HS: How do you try to keep a normal life in this town? KA: “It is hard but we're pretty grounded people, so we got some friends out here so we just hang out.”