Josh Gracin hit stores today and I'm happy to announce that my copy is playing in my work computer as we speak. I've just opened it and don't have any comments as of yet, other than to say the debut single rocks my world and my pants, but to all my American Idol buddies who now how very much I enjoy Mr. Gracin ...

WOO HOO!

... more to follow ...

Copy? Only One? I figured you would buy two or three. One to keep in pristine mint condition, one to play and one for the jacket and nocturnal pleasure eek!

Let me know how it is because I'm buying this cd.

You caught me, MDB. I did in fact buy three copies for all the reasons outlined above. I thought I could save face, but you know me too well!

I was listening to it when my stupid officemate came back from a meeting ... I've only heard the first songs. The second track - which I believe is or will be the next single - is called "Wheels" and I really like it. All of the songs so far are very country in terms of arrangement and lyric, but as long as you don't mind that, I think it's gonna be a pretty good cd.

More updates as events warrant ...

Who he Josh Gracin? :confused:

He was the fourth-place finalist on the second season of American Idol. And he's a cutie!

Josh Gracin Official Website

He's kinda fetching. But someone kill his hair stylist, toot sweet!

What's his music like?

Very country ... kinda Garth Brooks-esque. I think there are some sample songs on the website linked above.

I like his hair!

I bought Josh's CD but haven't listened to it yet. I'm not a country music fan (in fact, I think Wynonna Judd and Emmylou Harris are as far as I've ever gone in liking country) but I guess I bought it more just to support him than anything else. He is definitely a hottie -- but even more than that -- he seems like a nice guy too.

On a down note, I just read that William Hung has a second CD coming out in September. Disgusting. Hasn't that 15 minutes been used up already?

It's hard to believe that William Hung's CD has now sold almost as many copies as Justin Guarini's.

USA Today doesn't care much for Josh's new CD:

USA Today review

USA Today is the newspaper I live and die by...but they can go eat a corn-filled turd. How dare they say something bad about my and G4G's Joshy-poo? I'm buying the cd tonight! Bobby's comin' for ya', Josh!

While I don't agree with USA Today's harsh reaction, I will admit that the songs are very much country songs that could be sung by any country artist. It's not surprising ... they're all written by outside writers. It's not like Josh penned them himself. But that's where my agreement ends, because despite the album's generic country feel, the songs themselves are really, really good. I think he's going to have quite a few country hits off this album. Granted, I'm biased and have been from the moment I heard him sing "I'll Be" for those AI judges, but I think the cd's fantastic.

My favorite songs are "Endless Helpless Hoping" - an uptempo countrified lament on loving someone who wants to be just a friend - and "No One To Share The Blame" - a big ballad about how someone he broke up with has moved on. It really showcases his voice and I love, love, love it. I'm listening to it right now, in fact. You found a way to finally get on with your life, trade the lows for the highs you deserve ... I'm all alone with things I can't change and no one to share the blame for your pain or the costs of your crying. That's good stuff. It HAS to be a single.

Other highlights include the debut single, "I Want To Live," which has a nifty little fiddle outro now. "Brass Bed" - where he implores the object of affection not to go out into the cold but stay the night in a big brass bed with him. Gee ... okay! There are a couple of really fun, county ho-down type songs - "Nothin' To Lose" and "Turn It Up." And the song they mentioned in the USA Today review about the marine's son, "The Other Little Soldier," is kind of cliche and manipulative ... but I may have gotten a little misty listening to it.

So, to sum up, screw USA Today ... Josh Gracin's first cd is damn fine! (Not unlike Mr. Gracin himself.)

Does Josh at least do a cover of Mojo Nixon and Jello Biafra's "Plastic Jesus"? That's my favorite country song ever!

lol.

Can't say that he does, although I agree, that's a great song!

The Josh Gracin CD is a complete brick, just as I predicted it would be long ago. It's tanked even worse than Justin Guarini's and I seriously doubt he'll be getting a second release, so for those of you who like him, savor it while you can.

It just hit the stores yesterday. Lighten up or take some Ex-Lax. Man!



[ June 16, 2004, 07:15 AM: Message edited by: Allen ]

Well if that does happen, at least Gracin doesn't look like Sideshow Bob and might have a chance at a modeling career...

Sorry, forgot to mention that in my line of work, I have access to unofficial first-day sales reports. The first-day sales reports for this CD are the WORST of any of the post-"Idol" solo releases so far, with the exception of that RJ Helton contemporary gospel album, which did not make a blip. So, unless there's some Huge $7.99 CD sale at WalMart and there is some huge influx of Gracin fans that bombard the stores and buy it over the weekend, this scenario is highly unlikely. But, you'll be able to see the charts for this week's sales as early as next Wednesday or Thursday.

But that Beastie Boys record is EXPLODING!

I definitely want the Beastie Boys CD. I heard some of it. It totally rocks!

Sorry, but Gracin is not my bag. Kinda cute, but not for me.

Josh is in Manhattan this week. If I weren't so busy at work, I'd consider taking some vacay days and stalking him!

From JoshGracin.com:

Just an update for those who care (Gaby et al):

Looks like Gracin's CD will debut somewhere around #25-30 on the Billboard pop charts with around 40,000 units sold in week one. The exact numbers will be available on Wednesday. But in the order of Idol-contestant solo debuts, that'll place his CD right above the infamous William Hung's debut at #39 (Clay (#1), Ruben (#1), Kelly (#1), Kimberley Locke (#16), Justin Guarini (#20), Tamyra Gray (#23)) as the lowest debut of an "Idol" contestant (barring the RJ Helton gospel CD, which did not even chart). And we all now what happened to Justin Guarini and his record deal, don't we?

But in all fairness, Gracin will get another album. His single is not doing too terribly on the country singles chart, it's somewhere around #16 right now. He's not an expensive proposition for a country label like Lyric Street. The CD will probably top off in about 120,000-150,000, which is not enough to get you kept on a major label in today's market, but probably enough to keep you around on a country label owned by a major for a second shot.

[ June 21, 2004, 04:37 PM: Message edited by: YellaDawg ]

Personally I think it's great if Josh's cd debuts in the Top 30. Everyone knew he would be Country so that limits his audience right off the bat. His video is charting on CMT (#12) & GAC (#16, down from #7) and his single is in the top 20 on the Country charts. Not too shabby in my opinion. I don't think many people (besides G4G, of course! expected Josh to have a recording career, and look, now he has a Top 30 album. I say congratulations to the man.

As for Rj, you all know how I feel about RJ's cd. I think it's one of the best out of any idol... it's certainly the most personal and sung with the most conviction out of any of the idol cd's. Too bad it's on a small label. I am glad I took a chance on this one.

I also bought Canadian Idol finalist Audrey DeMontigny's cd. I really like this one a lot. Very easy listening and it's one of those cd's you could play in the background and make people say "Who's this singing?" She's a beautiful girl with a sultry voice. Too bad most Americans won't hear it since the majority of the album is sung in French.

Thanks for the chart information, YD. I don't believe popularity reflects quality so the numbers actually mean very little to me, other than it's nice to see that Josh's album sold enough copies to be in the top 30 and that his single is doing well. I didn't expect Josh would top the pop charts with a country album, so says here he did pretty well.

As far as the comparisons to all the other Idol albums, well, with the exception of Kelly Clarkson, each Idol has had one single that really registered any kind of impact. Regardless of where the albums debuted, I've heard little from each Idol afterwards. Rumor is that Ruben released a follow-up single to "Sorry 2004," but I haven't heard it. (Some say I have, but it's practically the same song over again and I don't realize it.) Clay's "Invisible" was a big hit, but other singles have had limited airplay. K-Lo's "Eighth World Wonder" has come and gone. So, it seems to me that Josh is certainly in most of the Idol's company. I also think country music lends itself to a longer shelf life - country acts aren't as disposable, it seems - and I think there are several songs on his disc that will be played on country radio. So it remains to be seen how well he'll do. Whether he ends up with a string of country No.1's or loses his record deal, I will be a fan of his for the duration and am proud of all he's accomplished so far.

The fact of the matter is that every contestant from any AI season wasn't famous for a reason - none of them have the presence of a real pop star like Christina Aguilera or Justin Timberlake, much less a pop genius like Madonna. The more the original AI product is diluted with follow-up Idols, the harder it will be for any of them to stand out and have long-term success. As Idol keeps pumping people out there - including those who didn't win - the public is bound to develop ennui for all of them. The overmarketing will bite all of them in the ass ... NKOTB syndrome, although with more than one act. AI producers don't care ... they've got a cash cow and are going to milk it dry.

From AOL News:

No. 11?! SWEET! Thanks for that information, Just4Kxx. Congrats to Josh :cool:

A couple more tidbits about Josh's album:

It is the best selling debut album from a male country artist in soundscan history. And it's also the #1 selling album this week in the AOL Music Store (ALL GENRES).

Pretty friggin' cool!

I haven't been able to find it in the stores near me here- the shelves have been sold out, so I haven't had a listen at the CD.

I think being in Michigan has actually hurt my chances to purchase the album- hopefully the well doesn't run dry and I can get the album soon.

Chart update:

In only its 2nd week, Josh Gracin's CD plunges from #11 all the way down to #51.

It's officially a BRICK.

But at least it's still in the Top 100. I still say that's not bad for someone who nobody (except G4G) thought would have a hit single or cd.

And out of pure curiosity, why the obsession over Josh Gracin, Yella? Why are you obsessed with tearing the man's cd down?

Actually picked up the CD and it is pretty good. I like a lot of the middle tracks a lot and he holds his own with a great ballad voice. Brass Bed is a really good song. You definately have to like country, but I think it just needs more country radio play to catch on.

Ooh, JC! Someone I can talk about the album with!

"Brass Bed" is one of my favorites as well. I agree that the middle of the album is the strongest section. "No One To Share The Blame" is my favorite track, followed by "Endless Helpless Hoping." The only song I really could take or leave is "Peace of Mind." It's just okay.

I think "The Other Little Soldier" has the potential to be a huge country hit and should be Josh's second single, especially given his album's surprising first-week success.

I have given the album a quick run through and enjoy Wheels quite a bit as well. Brass Bed is one of my favorites and it suits his voice and his persona well.

I am not a huge country fan, but I am a fan of Josh Gracin. I really enjoy his straight forward and honest portrayal of who he is.

I knew I hung around you for a reason, kick!

Why Gaga, you know you can talk to me about anything.

I still don't have Josh's cd. Tower wanted $18.99 for it. I haven't ordered it online because I am having major home computer problems. I pretty much lost EVERYTHING on the pc. Hopefully, I can restore some of the items. Kick, that's why you haven't heard from me.

I heard tracks from Josh's cd and I will eventually purchase it. I was surprised that I couldn't find the cd at Wal-Mart.

On another note, I just purchased Nashville Star winner Brad Cotter's cd.

I noticed your silence on the Josh front, MDB. I was surprised, knowing your love of all things Idol, but didn't wanna push it.

I didn't realize you were having such problems ... I'm sure once your computer is up and running, you'll be able to find the Josh cd for around $10.

I think you'll like the cd

Well, I have to confess that although I didn't think that Josh was the best talent (I still think K-Lo was the best female and Clay was the best male vocal talents) of AI2- I wanted him to win. I wanted to root for him because there was no bias from the judges in critiquing of him, unlike the eventual winner.... who had some very mediocre performances that Randy and Paula googled over and even Simon lacked critique- his A House is Not a Home was terrible and paled to Tamyra Gray- yet Simon could only muster that it was "goodish".

I'm still bitter about Jennifer Hudson, though... I hope that Elton John and Barry Manilow go with their comments and do some work with her.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id...45&type=product

Best Buy has on sale for $11.99. Hope link works--if not, cut and paste.

http://www.billboard.com/bb/charts/bb200.jsp?start=51

Down to #71

Josh has a couple of nominations for the CMT Music Awards for his video "I Want to Live".

Vote For Josh!

See Josh's music videos!

His second single, "Nothin' To Lose", is up to No. 3 on the country charts this week. Go Josh!

A friend told me that Simon said on AI lately (I haven't watched this season) that he was glad to finally see a decent country singer on their stage. I think that's pretty irresponsible commentary, given that Josh's cd is the best selling debut by a male solo country artist ever and both his singles have now been Top Ten country hits. In fact, "Nothin' To Lose" has even broken into the Top 50 of the regular Billboard 100.

I'm so proud.

WTF does Simon know about country music?

Wasn't his comment about country music themed week in AI2 "I know nothing about this music to know whether or not that was even good" after Josh Gracin's performance...

Harrumph!! hehehe

"Nothin' To Lose" has moved up one spot to No.2 on the Billboard Top 100 Country Chart. It's also one spot outside the Hot 100 top forty at No. 41!

Funny thing about the country chart is that he's stuck behind the band he listed as his inspriation during his time on American Idol - Rascal Flatts.

Nothin To Lose - The Video is currently #3 on GAC and #13 on CMT.

Having good sales doesn't necessarily mean a singer is good -- exhibit A: Ashlee Simpson. wink

Josh sings his songs warts and all, thank you. He's no Ashlee Simpson.

WHAT. ARE. YOU. SAYING.??? :mad: What are we going to do with this guy, G4G? wink

i like him. count me in, gaga!

Hurray! Welcome to the fold, Andre!

As for Joe or anyone ... music is a matter of opinion. I don't know that Joe was or was not saying Josh can't sing, but he wouldn't be the first or the last. I've gotten past the point where I'll argue with people about music. There are more important things in the world, like how the Braves stomp the Phillies every year.

[ March 03, 2005, 09:48 AM: Message edited by: Gaga4Gaby ]

or how the braves stomp the mets, nah, you wouldn't say that, would ya, gaga?

marine, wholesome family man, great voice and way cute! he seems very likeable.

I've never heard him sing, and since I'm not a country music fan I may not ever hear him sing. I just felt it needed to be said that top-selling artists aren't always talented.

And in general the American Idol people, in my opinion, aren't overly talented...or at least worthy of "idol" status. If people like their music that's fine with me. Just don't try to convince me that they have amazing vocal skills. I tend to think that truly talented singers wouldn't have needed that show in order to be discovered.

Of course, they can't possibly be any worse than Ashlee Simpson.