"This....is American Idol!"

How is it possible that we are one week away from Ryan Seacrest's signature pronouncement? Unbelievably, the ninth season of "American Idol" begins on Tuesday, Jan. 12.

For you millions of "Idol" fans, there are some important dates to build your social schedule around, so read on.

Season 9 premieres with the Boston auditions on Jan. 12, 8 to 10 p.m., on Fox, of course. The Atlanta auditions are next on Jan. 13, from 8 to 9:15 p.m. (DVR users beware!)

Three additional weeks of auditions will air this way: Chicago auditions on Jan. 19, 8 to 9 p.m.; Orlando auditions on Jan. 20, 8 to 9 p.m.; Dallas auditions on Jan. 26, 8 to 9 p.m.; Los Angeles auditions on  Jan. 27, 9 to 10 p.m.; and Denver auditions on Feb. 2, 8 to 9 p.m. "The Road to Hollywood" auditions airs on Feb. 3, 9 to 10 p.m.

The “Hollywood Round” episodes will air Feb. 9, 8 to 9 p.m.; Feb. 10, 9  to 10 p.m.; and Feb. 16, 8 to 9 p.m.

The top 24 (12 males, 12 females) will be announced on Feb. 17, 9 to 10 p.m.

And then democracy (or its reality TV sister) takes over:

The top 12 female semifinalists will compete on Feb. 23, 8 to 10 p.m. The following night, Wednesday, from 8 to 10 p.m., the male semifinalists will perform. The first results show will air on Feb. 25, 8 to 9 p.m., when two male and two female contestants will be sent home.

The top 10 females will perform on March 2, 8 to 10 p.m. The top 10 males will compete on March 3, 8 to 10 p.m. On March 4, the results show will air, 8 to 9 p.m., sending two more females and two more males home.

The top 8 females compete on March 9, 8 to 9 p.m. The top 8 males compete on March 10, 9 to 10 p.m. The top 12 are announced on March 11, 8 to 9 p.m.

The top 12 take the stage on March 16, 8 to 10 p.m., on their quest to join the ranks of Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia, Carrie, Taylor, Jordin, David and Kris.

--Maria Elena Fernandez (follow me on Twitter @writerchica)

Photo: Atlanta auditioneers arrive to compete. / Credit: Fox
 

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My Conversation with season five runner-up Katharine McPhee (who releases her second album, "Unbroken," on Tuesday) is now up, but if you’re itching for another dose of McPheever, here are a few more tidbits that didn’t make the cut.

Your season of “Idol” had David Foster and Andrea Bocelli as mentors, both of whom you worked with after the show. Who do you think would make good mentors for season 9?
They should have Kelly Clarkson come back and be a mentor. She’s someone who has the success to back it up, and also the experience to understand what the contestants are going through. And I still think David Foster would be a great one to have back. He’s had such longevity in his career; I think it’s important to have that.

Do you keep in touch with Taylor Hicks?
I don’t, actually. Not because we don’t like each other, but we all had to change our numbers so many times and a lot of us lost touch. I keep in touch with Kellie Pickler and Chris Daughtry. I don’t know why I don’t keep in touch with Taylor. I like the guy.    

I read that you recently re-watched some of your “Idol” performances. What did you think, in retrospect?
I mean, you’re not gonna have a great week every week, but honestly, I was surprised how bad some of them were. Maybe in the moment people didn’t think they were bad, but looking back at how much I’ve grown… I could see where I was uncomfortable, where I was pushing, where it wasn’t about the simple storytelling of the song, it was about trying to perform, and that really doesn’t work. It’s not about selling the song, it’s about telling the story. I really wasn’t a developed singer and didn’t have much performing skills. When I’m on stage now, the simple act of breathing through the songs and being able to control my voice more [means] I’ve grown a lot, and “Idol” really worked that growth. Coming off of that show was a lot of growth, my first record was part of that growth, traveling around and doing gigs and little radio shows around the country—all that literally taught me how to be a recording artist.

The movie “The House Bunny,” in which you played Harmony, starred the brilliant Anna Faris as a Playboy Playmate. Would you ever consider posing for the magazine?
I don’t think that will never happen. Unless I, like, lose my mind at some point. I already made the mistake of being in Stuff, a magazine that doesn’t even exist anymore. I was pressured into that. I didn’t really want to, and I was assured that it was going to be tasteful. And you know what? I’ve come to the realization that with those magazines, if they’re wrapped in plastic, they’re probably never going to be tasteful.

[Note: for demonstration's sake, the cover in question...]

Now that you’re signed to Verve, which has such a long list of accomplished artists, who of your label-mates are you proud to be affiliated with?
Jamie Cullum. I’ve seen him live and I think he’s incredible. He’s huge in the UK, but not a lot of people here know who he is. And Herbie Hancock is another one. He won album of the year at the 2008 Grammys and he’s just a total musician. Then there’s Ledisi—she’s such a powerful R&B artist who I love. It’s such a diverse record label, it’s hard to choose!

-- Shirley Halperin

Photo: August 2007 cover of Stuff Magazine

That’s right, yours truly braved the crowds, the drunk drivers, the C-list celebrities and the annoying L.A. chill to bring you a first hand report from Adam Lambert’s New Year’s Eve show deep in the heart of the Paramount Pictures Studio Lot… And, not to be cruel in a Ryan Seacrest “after the break” kind of way, but you can read all about it in Saturday’s paper! 

Now now, I shan't deprive you of your Glambert fix entirely. I'll have you know that Adam looked dashing in his silver suit which had just the faintest New Year's sparkle for that festive vibe, that he kissed Pamela Anderson at midnight (no tongue, as far I could tell), took several swigs of a flask he had stashed in his jacket and told the crowd, "You all better be wasted right now!" Oh yeah, it was that kind of night. Here are some choice bits from my brief convo with the man of the hour and a full set list.

Idol Tracker: Would you say you’ve been “laying low” these last few weeks?
Adam: I have. I’ve been hibernating and eating a lot of food—comfort, holiday food.

New Year’s resolutions and regrets…
My resolution would be just to keep being positive and looking forward and there are no regrets.

What was your M.O. for this evening and the performance?
Rock out! End of the decade, let’s party!

-- Shirley Halperin

Set list, New Year’s Eve Gridlock

Music Again
If I Had You
Whataya Want From Me
Strut
Surefire Winners
Soaked
For Your Entertainment
Sleepwalker
Fever
Down the Rabbit Hole
Encore: Whole Lotta Love

Follow @IdolTracker on Twitter

[Update: my review of the show is now posted, and check out some awesome photos from last night here]

Looking to usher in 2010 with an Idol? For the diehards among us, New Year’s Eve brings a handful of options both on TV and live in the flesh, if you’re up for a trek (Temecula, anyone?). Whether it’s an "American Idol" winner, finalist, or host that you seek, we’ve got your Thursday night line-up…

Ryan Seacrest hosts and Daughtry performs at “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2010” (ABC, 10 p.m.)

Network execs canceled Adam Lambert’s appearance back when the American Music Awards brouhaha hit a fever pitch, but the show must go on. "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest beams live from New York’s Times Square for the fourth time, while Fergie will MC party segments from the brand new Aria at City Center in Las Vegas. On the bill: performances by Jennifer Lopez, Black Eyed Peas, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Keri Hilson, Colbie Caillat, Orianthi, Robin Thicke and "Idol" alum, Daughtry with four songs on tap. Last year, season five’s Kellie Pickler was Ryan’s special correspondent.  This year, the gig goes to Melissa Rycroft, of "The Bachelor" fame.

Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta perform on “Billboard’s New Year’s Eve Live” (Fox, 11 p.m.)

Season eight victor Kris Allen and finalist Allison Iraheta will take the stage live from the Las Vegas strip, where each will perform two songs from their debut albums. It’ll be a first for Kris, who revealed on a conference call last week that he’s never been to Sin City. As for Allison, she may not be old enough to play any casino games, but that doesn’t diminish her excitement. “It’s pretty much the experience of a lifetime for both of us,” she said. Carmen Electra hosts the Fox special, which will also feature a performance by Sean Kingston.

Adam Lambert headlines the 4th Annual Gridlock New Year’s Eve Bash (Paramount Studios, 9 p.m.)

Adam Lambert’s New Year’s consolation prize is sure to be a sassy affair. Hosted by Pamela Anderson and held at the landmark Paramount Pictures Studio, over 5,000 revelers are expected to pack into “Times Square West” for a party that spans six square blocks, four stages and ten different DJs. Adam goes on at midnight accompanied by a massive fireworks display. While his 40-minute performance (full band, sans dancers) with a production tag of $50,000 will not be televised or streamed, fret not, local Glambert lovers: tickets (starting at $150) are still available at www.GridlockLA.com

David Cook performs live at the Showroom Theater (Pechanga Resort, 10:30 p.m.)

For the second of a two-night bow, season seven winner David Cook is the main attraction at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in nearby Temecula. Concert tickets are surprisingly affordable (starting at $75), and if you’re looking for a New Year’s splurge, a deluxe show and room package will run you $559. Considering he’s already hard at work on his sophomore album, this may be the last chance fans have to see Cookie for a while.

Matt Giraud plays halftime at the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz game (Ford Center, Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.)

Season eight’s resident piano man has his work cut out for him this New Year’s as he takes on the national anthem and the halftime show for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s showdown with the Utah Jazz. It’s a hike from the Southland, but true devotees might appreciate the post-game opportunity to meet Matt in person—all for the low price of admission: $26.

[Update: a reader points out that season five's Bucky Covington will headline the 93.1 The Wolf's New Year's Eve Howlin' Party at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, NC. Check out Bucky's official site for information on tickets and packages. And season seven's Syesha Mercado, who stars in the stage production of "Dreamgirls," won't have a night off, either. She's scheduled for the third of eight shows at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA.]  

-- Shirley Halperin

Photo: Allison Iraheta. Credit: Fox Broadcasting Co. / LeAnn Mueller

What would American Idol be without its resident snark-meister, Simon Cowell? We may learn sooner rather than later if this report claiming his imminent departure is true. According to the story, which quotes Cowell's older brother Tony, the 50-year-old Cowell, who earns an estimated $36 million per season, is bored with his role as judge and may call Idol quits after 2010 to concentrate on bringing his enormously successful UK show, X Factor, to the United States. (Cowell is also a judge on Britain's Got Talent, the show that made Susan Boyle a household name.) It's been widely rumored that X Factor would also end up at the Fox network so as not to directly compete with Idol. A Fox spokesperson and Cowell's representative had no comment on the report.

The two returning Idol judges are only committed through season nine—Randy Jackson extended his Idol contract by three years in 2006, Kara Dioguardi signed on for another year in August 2009—while newcomer Ellen Degeneres inked a five-year deal in September 2009, which could mean significant changes to the panel if either decides that television should take a backseat to careers in the music industry.

And speaking of the music biz, Cowell may be opting to concentrate on deeper involvement developing his own signed artists. After all, Susan Boyle, BGT's runner-up, is on her fourth straight week at the top of the U.S. album charts. His previous talent discovery, Leona Lewis, also had a successful stint on the American charts with her album, Spirit.

Still, one has to wonder, with America's Got Talent, The Sing-Off and potentially X Factor, how many singing-talent competition shows do American audiences need? And would an Cowell-less Idol be worth watching? What do you think, Idol fans? We want to know!

- Shirley Halperin

Photo: Randy Jackson, Kara Dioguardi, guest judge Avril Lavigne and Simon Cowell. Credit: Ray Mickshaw / FOX

Thanks to a co-hosting gig on the TV Guide Network’s weekly "Idol Wrap" show and a stint on MTV’s latest P. Diddy vehicle "Starmaker," Season 2 finalist Kimberly Caldwell has remained on the "American Idol" radar long past her seventh-place finish in 2003. It shouldn’t be any wonder, really. She’s bubbly, beautiful, and personally speaking, I’ve rather enjoyed our little televised gab fests over the years. Now the 27-year-old blond belter is getting ready to roll out her debut album, "Without Regret," and has opted to leave TV behind so she can focus on a music career. “This is pretty much what I’ve prepared for my whole life,” says Caldwell, speaking exclusively to Idol Tracker. “I’m so glad I took a few years to figure out who I really was as an artist and then put out this album without any regrets.”

Hence the title. But the sentiment, Caldwell insists, goes way beyond career choices. “It’s really all about empowerment,” she says. “And being human. I was able to just lay it out there, let go and really open up. In the studio, I would turn off all the lights, light a candle, close my eyes and just sing my heart out. I’m really proud of these songs.”

Caldwell wrote four of the album’s 11 tracks, and with titles like “Going Going Gone,” the single “Mess of You,” “Say Love,” and “Heart Like Mine,” in which she laments, “It’s not OK treating me this way / I’d rather let you break my heart than live with your mistakes / Because you’ll never break another heart like mine / Too late,” it’s easy to go to that place and wonder if a certain "Idol" winner is the person she’s hypothetically singing about. Or at least, I went there. “I swear to you, it’s really not about one person,” says Caldwell, who famously dated Season 7’s David Cook just after his crowning. “I took experiences not only from relationships I’ve had with guys but also friends that have let me down, my father, things like that. I didn’t want any of it to be vacant or come off fake. I wanted it to be as authentic as possible.”

Indeed, judging from an early listen to "Without Regret," Caldwell delves into deep emotional territory, with a guitar-driven grit and rock 'n' roll fury that’s a clear reminder of why she made it to "Idol’s" Top 12 in the first place. She credits several people for finding her true sound: longtime mentor and award-winning songwriter Diane Warren, producer Marshall Altman (Matt Nathanson, Kate Voegele), and Melissa Etheridge. “She is, like, my idol,” Caldwell declares with a reminder that her own performance of Etheridge’s “Come to My Window” was the "Idol" moment she’s “best known” for. “She called me when I was on the show and said she liked my rendition and was proud of me, so I covered another one of her songs, ‘You Can Sleep While I Drive,’ and dedicated it to her on my album. I was just kind of paying it forward. I wanted her to know that she inspired and pushed me to keep going.”

In fact, Caldwell is so hell-bent on getting a copy of "Without Regret" into Etheridge’s hands that she’s starting to sound like a stalker. “I don’t know if I’m going to have to stand outside of her house and wave my arms up and down, but I’ve gotta get her my CD for sure,” she says with a laugh. “I love her so much and it’s been a dream of mine to do a duet with her … or just be where she is.”

She’s speaking professionally, of course, since these days, Caldwell mostly has radio, press and touring on the brain. (Dare I say it: From a music compatibility standpoint, Caldwell would be a great opener for Cook!) And if her album art is any indication, she’s prepared for the promo onslaught physically too. “I’m just being healthy and am so focused right now,” she says. “I’m working out as much as possible, I’m in the best shape of my life and am finally emotionally, mentally and physically prepared to be an artist.”

But even with the single headed to radio in February (you can hear a snippet of “Mess of You” on her myspace page) and the album scheduled for release in April on Vanguard Records (the label run by Lawrence Welk’s grandson) via Capitol/EMI, Caldwell is still pinching herself. “Over the years, a lot of music opportunities came up and nothing ever panned out,” she says. “It’s amazing that I’ve now got the best of two worlds: I’m on one of the great independent labels and lucky enough to be a major-label artist. I’m freaking out because it’s finally all happening.”

-- Shirley Halperin

Photo credit: Vanguard/Capitol Music Group

Wow. Was it really almost a year ago that we were first introduced to the phenomenon known as Adam Lambert? When Kara Dioguardi was still finding her groove as the fourth judge? When Paula Abdul still had a job?! It seems like only yesterday I was writing about Ruben Studdard’s big upset over Clay Aiken, Taylor Hicks’ phenomenal run, David Cook’s winning campaign and Jennifer Hudson’s film debut. How time flies between American Idol seasons, or does it just stand still when the show is on? Either way, it’s here to stay, and I’m here to cover it for you.

Like many loyal Idol Trackers, I was sad to read Richard Rushfield’s farewell post in July. There’s no doubt he is among the most voracious Idol followers I’ve ever met, and also a skilled reporter and talented writer -- a winning combination. I can only strive to provide the same level of attentiveness that Richard dedicated to our favorite singing show, but I’m sure as heck going to try. Over the years, I’ve covered Idol for a number of outlets -- among them: Us Weekly, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly and Teen People -- where I did my best to report on all the angles. You should expect the same here.

It’ll trickle out kind of slowly in the coming weeks as the holidays get the best of us, but follow IdolTracker on Twitter for the latest updates and come back often in the new year. For now, in the interest of getting to know each other, I present:

10 Idol-related facts about me…

10. One of my music business mentors was Billboard Magazine's late, great editor-in-chief Timothy White. His former assistant? Kara Dioguardi.

9. True story: I inadvertently played matchmaker in introducing Constantine Maroulis' brother to his (now) wife.

8. Despite having missed a couple of deadlines on last year's weekly critics ranking the Buzzmeter, my prediction record was near perfect on Season 8. Here's hoping for a repeat performance.

7. I once had an embarrassing moment with Ellen Degeneres backstage at a Rob Thomas concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl. She may remember it, she may not. Here’s hoping it's the latter.

6. I occasionally like to make fun of David Archuleta, but it is without malice, I assure you. I think the little bugger is adorable.

5. One time at an Idol finale party, I got mistaken for Randy Jackson's wife -- by Janice Dickinson! That's how dedicated I am to covering this beat: I'll literally attach myself to a judge. 

4. I have a soft spot for Season 3’s Jon Peter Lewis. Then again, who doesn’t?

3. My favorite Idol of all time is David Cook. As a proponent of all things rock, he personifies the kind of Idol winner I can really get down with. Plus, he's cute and not 12 years old. (Take that, Archie!)

2. Two summers ago, I spent eight days on the road in England and Ireland with the Foo Fighters. It was my Almost Famous dream come true. That has nothing to do with Idol, I just like sharing it whenever there's an available forum.

1. I've never met an Idol I didn’t like. Well, maybe there have been one or two, but I’ll keep you guys wondering ...

- Shirley Halperin

The new "American Idol" hopefuls will meet judge Ellen DeGeneres for the first time during Hollywood Week.

Normally filmed in November, the challenging auditions week in which 200 contestants vie for 24 or 36 semifinalist slots (producers haven't yet revealed the number), will take place next month and will include DeGeneres on the panel with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

Read more on our sister Showtracker blog.

-- Maria Elena Fernandez (follow me on Twitter @writerchica)

Photo: Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres will be a judge on "American Idol." Credit: Associated Press

Adam Lambert appeared on "The Early Show" today on CBS to address his sexually charged performance at the American Music Awards on Sunday night and to perform two songs from his first album, "For Your Entertainment." 

Calling his being a gay male "a double whammy" and the reason fueling the uproar, Lambert said he got caught up in the moment and never stopped to think children could be watching since his performance began just before 11 p.m. His only regret, he said, is, "I would sing it a little bit better. The adrenaline took such a hold of me that I went back and reviewed it, it wasn't my best vocal performance. It wasn't perfect."

You can watch the entire interview in the video. For more coverage and to see his two performances, go to our sister Show Tracker blog.

-- Maria Elena Fernandez

Video: CBS

Pop music and resident Adam Lambert devotee Ann Powers gets her first taste of his debut album, "For Your Entertainment."

But does she like the goods? Some thoughts:

"For Your Entertainment" is a polished affair, but stylistically, it shows Lambert running loose like a kid in a Comme des Garçons store. With the Hollywood pop A-list at his disposal, he chose to go for it all: The only names missing from his list of collaborators are those firmly in the R&B camp (wouldn't it be great if he worked with fellow drama club type Ne-Yo?) The results on "FYE" are inevitably mixed but never a bummer; Lambert's deft enough to avoid getting stuck in any one of the tropes he explores.

On many tracks, Lambert stretches himself by putting on the style of his more seasoned collaborators. He's pleading and soulful on the Pink co-write, sneering on the song Rivers Cuomo tossed his way, moody when it comes to parsing Muse and appropriately silly on the neo-glam crusher penned for him by Justin Hawkins, formerly of the English band the Darkness. Versatility is Lambert's strategy here, one he might consider changing in the future -- when the material's second-rate, it sinks him a bit. 

Read the full review here.

-- Denise Martin

Photo credit: Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times

From "Hairspray" to pig's blood: "American Idol" runner-up Diana DeGarmo is heading to Broadway once more, this time for "Carrie."

DeGarmo, who last starred as Tracy Turnblad's best friend Penny in "Hairspray," has been cast in the industry reading of "Carrie," a star-studded presentation that producers Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum ("Rent," "Avenue Q," "West Side Story") are hoping will help them revive it as a theatrical production.

Based on the Stephen King novel, the 1976 horror film starring Sissy Spacek as a telekinetic outcast, was previously staged as a musical in 1988. The production became one of the biggest flops in Broadway history, running for only five performances and losing $8 million. 

DeGarmo will join other cast members Sutton Foster, Marin Mazzie, Jennifer Damiano, Matt Doyle and John Arthur Greene.

The titular role has not yet been cast.

-- Denise Martin

Photo: Diana DeGarmo. Credit: Getty Images

Taylor Swift may have just swept the CMAs but country's other lil darlin', Carrie Underwood, also has reason to cheer.

Underwood's third album, "Play On", claims the top spot on this week's Billboard 200. It's the second album from the "American Idol" winner to go No. 1 in the last two years.

More than 318,000 copies of the disc were sold, making it the year's biggest seller from a female artist.

Underwood's previous album, 2007's "Carnival Ride", sold 527,000 copies in its debut week. 

-- Denise Martin

Ryan Seacrest today announced that he'd be bringing last season's "American Idol" top 3 -- Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Allison Iraheta -- to the town that most wants them.

Head over to RyanSeacrest.com to "demand" a special concert from the trio. The town (or city!) that receives the most votes wins. Attending the performance will be FREE.

-- Denise Martin

Anyone who kept up with the last season of "American Idol" via the Los Angeles Times knows that pop music critic Ann Powers is, well, a rather big Adam Lambert fan.

Months after the competition was called, and Lambert was declared the runner-up, Powers finally got to hang with the glam rocker while he geared up for the release of his debut album, "For Your Entertainment." Their conversation spanned his image, influences, and the primal screaming he could trademark as his own.

Here's an excerpt (after the jump):

At long last: The premiere of the music video for Kris Allen's "Live Like We're Dying," the first single for his self-titled debut album, out Nov. 17.

Allen tells PopEater.com that the video was shot overnight in the Los Angeles desert. "The idea behind it is ... I plug in the clock and it starts counting down to zero and there's performance stuff in there. I'm playing the guitar and playing the piano and singing too. In the end when it hits zero, it's kind of like the song, it's like we only have so much time so we gotta do what we want to do."

What do you think? Sound off below.

-- Denise Martin

Danny Gokey premiered his first single, “It’s Only,” on Milwaukee 106.1 FM on Friday morning. According to MJ's Big Blog, the song is written by Dave and Charles from Lady Antebellum and produced by Carrie Underwood producer Mark Bright.

Listen to the entire song in the clip above (no video, just sound) and let us know what you think below. Just in time for the holidays? Or sentimental dreck?

— Denise Martin

Well, sort of. "American Idol" executive producer Simon Fuller has signed on to executive produce "Bel Ami," an erotically charged period drama starring Robert Pattinson and Nicole Kidman.

The film, an adaptation of French author Guy De Maupassant’s novel, revolves around a young man's rise to the top of Parisian society in the 1890s via the beds of the city's most glamorous and influential women.

Stage directors Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod will direct from a script by Rachel Bennette.

-- Denise Martin

Photo: Robert Pattinson. Credit: Associated Press

If there's a slam-dunk aspect to Carrie Underwood's third album, it's that she's handed her "American Idol" benefactors a theme song for the next episode of "Idol Gives Back." That song is "Change," an exercise in social responsibility that challenges the listener to stay open to the possibility that a small gesture can make a big difference.

Underwood puts that idea across convincingly -- it's one that also would do wonders for her music. Unfortunately, there are no small gestures here. As on 2007's "Carnival Ride," Underwood and producer Mark Bright lunge for one climactic crescendo after another at the expense of vocal nuance, lyric subtlety and even aural clarity, thanks to the excessive sonic compression again applied to most tracks. 

Of course, the same formula has helped her sell more albums than any other "Idol" alum, but "Play On" exhibits a distressing lack of dimension for a singer with Underwood's obvious abilities.

Read the full review on the L.A. Times' music blog Pop & Hiss.

-- Denise Martin

Photo: Carrie Underwood. Credit: Associated Press

Adam Lambert's debut album, "For Your Entertainment," doesn't come out until Nov. 23, but thanks to an early posting on RollingStone.com, you can get a sneak peek at the track listing right now.

Pink and pop hit-maker Max Martin joined forced on a number called "Whataya Want From Me," Kara DioGuardi co-wrote the track "Strut," and OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder worked with Aimee Mayo and Chris Lindsay on "Sleepwalker." Though it's not listed here, RollingStone.com also reveals that the much-talked-about Lady Gaga-penned song is in fact No. 9 "Fever."

"Time for Miracles," released as the official single from the coming film "2012," will turn up here as a bonus track.

Here's the list, with titles, lengths and writing credits:

1. “Music Again”; 3:16; Rob Cavallo, Justin Hawkins of the Darkness.
2. “For Your Entertainment”; 3:35; Claude Kelly/Dr. Luke.
3. “Whataya Want From Me”; 3:47; Pink, Max Martin.
4. “Strut”; 3:29; Adam Lambert, Kara DioGuardi.
5. “Soaked”; 4:33; Muse.
6. “Sure Fire Winners”; 3:32; Rob Cavallo.
7. “A Loaded Smile”; 4:04; Adam Lambert, Linda Perry.
8. “If I Had You”; 3:48.
9. “Fever”; 3:26.
10. “Sleepwalker”; 4:25; Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsay, Ryan Tedder.
11. “Aftermath”; 4:26.
12. “Broken Open”; 5:03.
13. “Time for Miracles” (bonus track); 4:43; Rob Cavallo.

-- Denise Martin

Photos: Lady Gaga, Ryan Tedder and Pink. Credit: All from Getty Images

L.A. Times' pop music critic Ann Powers weighs in on Adam Lambert's "For Your Entertainment":

With a toy whip in his hand and a glittery gleam in his eye, Glambert croons familiar phrases about making it hot, getting rough and staying in control. Scandinavian hitmaker Dr. Luke wrote and produced the track, and it has that compressed, noisy rock 'n' roll circus sound he's created for others, including Britney, Pink and that other neo-vaudevillian troublemaker, Katy Perry.

Some Glamthusiasts may bemoan the restraint (and processing) applied to the song's vocal, but Lambert is making another move in this song, one likely to become a signature. He sings with an arched eyebrow, executing a come-on that wryly takes the pffft out of itself.

As on his blockbuster-movie power ballad "Time for Miracles," Lambert practices some pop restraint at first, only really letting go at the song's three-minute mark. "Let me entertain you 'til you scream," he wails, his voice fully entering the androgynous zone. It's a game that's led from the dance floor to the bedroom: seduction as a wicked parlor trick fully enjoyed by the master and his victim, the light fantasy of dominance and submission that's a metaphor for what happens between performer and fan.

Read the rest of her review on the music blog Pop & Hiss.

Photo credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times