Former Reality Show Contestants

Entertainment weekly gave him D+. The review said he basically didn't know if he was pop, rock , soul or what. A mishmash. They are usually pretty fair. I like their music reviewers. To be fair they gave Mandisa a B last week , so they are not anti idiol.

I think the Billboard review is fair; the EW review is too harsh. I agree that the songs are kind of a mishmash, but many of them are still pretty good songs. That's Constantine for you. The editorial write-up by Amazon was pretty complimentary.

My experience with EW, with Clay as well as Constantine, is that there are certain Idols they are inclined to be open-minded about and certain Idols they despise out of hand. At any rate, one review or another does not really "prove" that an album is good or bad - it is just somebody's opinion. So far reviews for Constantine's album have been.... polarized. Imagine that.

I think it's an album you will like if you like that kind of album.

I am wondering if I should buy it now or wait until Greekfest.

I am basing their reviews on the music that I buy, rock or alternative. the reviews are usually spot on for those and in line with Rolling Stone. Frankly I own no pop cds. With one exception, Clay's Christmas cd.

Ah, just found another review.

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While others signed deals and put out records after the tour, this New York City boy returned to the Broadway stage. Then he followed in the footsteps of pop singer Billy Martine and portrays a singer - a role that was created especially for him based on his real life - on the popular daytime drama "The Bold and the Beautiful".

It has been two years since one of American Idol's first rockers stunned the audience and fans of the show with his energetic and electric personality and performances. But the wait is over and Constantine Maroulis has released his solo debut album on his own label Sixth Place Records - the position he finished on American Idol.

Fans who are familiar with Maroulis and his band Pray for the Soul of Betty will find that the self-titled album "Constantine" is much different from the hard driving rock sounds of the band. While "Constantine" contains its share of rock songs among the 12 tracks; the album also includes some beautiful melodies. The big surprise is not in the song choices themselves but in the whole album; Maroulis recorded the album just as he performs the songs in a live show. In other words in an age when the engineer often works harder than the artist Constantine includes no electronic manipulations to the songs. Frequently music is predictable in its flow and patterns, but Constantine, who studied at the Boston Conservatory, often does not follow those typical patterns which also produces some pleasant surprises for the listener.

Constantine Maroulis, who says that his hero is a cousin who died on 9-11, sites his biggest obstacle in life as finding and keeping work. It would seem that is a problem Constantine will not need to worry over for quite some time to come - if at all.

One thread that I am consistently seeing in these reviews is that Constantine's album is not musically cohesive. I think that is true. For the EW reviewer, that was unpardonable; others forgive it, and still others think it is actually a good thing. Back to the whole idea of it being the kind of thing you like if you like that kind of thing.

Thanks for bringing the info ladies.

Honestly Aerwin, right after AI2, when Clay was the biggest thing going, EW put him on the cover with a really great write up. The mag sold like hot cakes. Then the tide turned and EW has been brutal to him! Brutal. He cannot say, do, or sing anything right. They are not high on my list let me tell you. In fact I have never bought another one of their mags and I won't go to their on-line site and give them hits. They are too cool and he just is not cool enough for them. They weren't kind to Kelly C last time out or Constantine. I still believe they are not for people who get their start on AI. They don't believe "real artist" do that show and AIers don't pay their dues. You happen to like lots of cool bands and I bet EW does too.

Being all over the map on a CD works for people with really eclectic taste in music. Some people will want the whole CD to be a style they like. I know I would not spend money on a CD if half the songs were a genre I didn't care for. So it was a risky choice. But Con has always said he likes a lot of styles of music so this CD is just a reflection of his eclectic tastes.

I subscribe to EW. I love their book , movie and music reviews. I have found plenty of new authors and interesting books from their suggestions. And to be perfectly frank? I wouldn't buy GB's cd if it rated an A++++++++++++. Just no.

I do think thay gave Kelly's last cd a good review if I am not mistaken.

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And to be perfectly frank? I wouldn't buy GB's cd if it rated an A++++++++++++. Just no.

Me neither Aerwin. And it goes way beyond me not liking the man. His voice just isn't something I want to listen to very often. When I initially got interested in him on AI, I realized I was enamored with the whole package; the visual, the voice, the performance, the personality etc.

Since then, many of the parts of the "package" I previously enjoyed about him have changed or I no longer have a taste for anymore.

There is so much great musical talent out there, why should I waste my hard earned money on mediocrity when I can enjoy someone like this?

http://www.paolonutini.com/media/

Constantine on a FOX interview and performance of "Everybody Loves".

Honestly, this was a very sweet and enjoyable interview and he sounded great singing EL. This was one of his better moments!

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=3972877&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.2.1

Interesting..............I don't know.........at least he didn't give the silly 'puppy dog' look!!!

A Con review.

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By ERIN CARLSON, Associated Press Writer
Mon Aug 6, 5:21 PM ET



Constantine Maroulis, "Constantine" (Sixth Place Records): The fourth season of "American Idol" had two standouts: country singer Carrie Underwood, who went on to win a Grammy and sell millions of CDs, and rocker Bo Bice, who has faded into oblivion. Then there was Constantine Maroulis — remember him?


Mom and Paula Abdul were fans. Maroulis, who would stare dreamily into the "Idol" cameras, had the girls phoning in votes on the strength of his smoldering looks and raspy tenor. He later parlayed his 15 minutes into stints on the CBS soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful" and on Broadway in "The Wedding Singer."

Broadway is where he clearly belongs.

His self-titled debut disc — an odd and unbalanced mix of 12 pop-rock songs — showcases his impressive pipes, which are pitch-perfect for, say, the male lead in "Rent."

Maroulis sounds like the lead singer of the roots-rock band Train on "Everybody Loves," featuring a bland chorus of na na na na's and an earnest wish that "everybody love someone tonight."

He does a dead-on impression of the Strokes in the angsty track "I Thought It Was Something," an obvious homage to the New York City garage band. He flirts with a Latin groove on "Girl Like You." He takes a rock-lite approach when informing an ex-girlfriend that he's taking back his "Favorite T-Shirt" — and his Prince record, too.

The final track, "Midnight Radio," is unintentionally hilarious. Maroulis gives shout-outs to Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Yoko Ono and himself — yes, himself — as he extols all "the strange rock 'n' rollers" and "the misfits and the losers."

Somehow, Maroulis manages to get away with such dreck thanks to his appealing voice. As a solo artist, though, he needs to find a style all his own.

CHECK THIS OUT: "Heaven Help the Lonely." This catchy tune — great for driving, btw — has Maroulis "looking for adventure" in the arms of a love interest. Abdul would dig it.

Wow! I've been gone for a bit and y'all have been quite chatty!

I'd say something about the CD, the reviews, etc., but Luca pretty much said it all for me, probably better than I could.

I am surprised that some reviewers treated it like a real album and reviewed it as fairly as they could.

It's actually on Target end isles and in the Target sales ads. I heard it was in the Best Buy ads too, so the stores are treating it like a real album also.

FC, that is interesting. I'll be VERY curious about sales!

He only pressed 150, 000 copies so obviously they're not expecting Carrie numbers. I wonder if they plan to press more if it sells out fairly quickly.

Regardless, congratulations to Constantine. Having your first CD out must be a thrill.

I guess he was all over Fox today. He was on "Mike & Juliet" this morning.

Oh, Abrahammy, I meant to say that I remember "the spanking" and yes, it is funny how you turned out to be right.

Eeek! I saw him on a commercial for "The Soup"! He does sheepish really well, I must say!

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I am surprised that some reviewers treated it like a real album and reviewed it as fairly as they could.
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It's actually on Target end isles and in the Target sales ads. I heard it was in the Best Buy ads too, so the stores are treating it like a real album also.

Even if the guy's a douchebag, why would they not treat his album like a real album? Because it's Indie and he put it out on his own label?

Like him or not, the album's not a demo, is it? (I haven't bought it yet.)

Yes, it is a real album! Mentioning that stores had it in their sales ads and on end isles was my nice way of giving GE a poke for suggesting it wasn't a real album But, I do think GE meant because it was indie and self produced and not a major release.

I am shocked you haven't bought it yet Abrahammy Man, when Clay puts something out I get it the second I can!! Well, except concert tix because he hasn't been coming close enough to me and I am not in a position to travel to see him - damn college expenses for your kids

I've been HELLA busy this week. Last week of our Summer Reading Program, and I am the chairperson. We had a major presentation in front of City Council. AND I have to work all weekend, too. And the kids are going back to school in two weeks. Constantine was not utmost in my mind. Or secondmost. Or... you get the picture.

I totally understand. I hope you get it soon and that you really enjoy it. I am still debating getting it. I really like a few of the songs, the real poppy ones (stop laughing people I am a total pop song loving gal) like EL and GLY.

What I remember about the reviews for ATDW is that Clay got panned for every aspect of the CD including his singing. At least Constantine is getting acknowledged for being a good singer even if they don't like the CD itself.

Did Justin Guarini get any major media outlets to review his second CD? Was it only available through his website or could you get it in stores, etc.?

I just listened to Constantine's CD for the first time all the way through. It is as he is:

Erratic, often self-indulgent, occasionally posturing and silly, and shows those tantalizing moments of real brilliance that make me just want to shake him and say See? It's in you! Why can't you do this all the time???!!!

Yes, I DID mean that he put the CD out himself under no major label (the ones who usually push for them to be in the major outlets) and even you guys said it was a limited pressing. So, yeah, I was surprised to hear they treated it like an album by a real artist on a real label.

Yes, Abrahammy, he did have moments of brilliance. That is what's so sad. He does have it in him, but he just won't reach that far for it.

It does make me sad when he does so well on The Soup. For those who don't know him, he can be likable. He does fake humility really well (hey, I fell for it before I knew what he really was). He can do charming really well. Unfortunately, when someone pisses him off, he just lets loose as if they're a friend of his or something. Nobody should let loose on his fans the way he does. That's just sheer stupidity.

I downloaded the album yesterday and I've listened to it a couple of times today. I will be quite effusive about one song: I think Fading Into You is as good as any song any Idol has ever produced, and that includes Kelly. It's really beautiful. And it's sitting on an album right next to Twat Like You and Everybody Barfs. I repeat something I said on Greekspeak. I think he's got some core material that hangs together pretty well, but he gets pretentious or cynical on the other cuts. (OK, I phrased it more delicately over there. )

This is the heart of the good album he's made, sans all the crap. IMHO.

Right to My Head
So Long
Sister, Sister
Fading into You
Heaven Help the Lonely
Several Thousand
Midnight Radio

I am glad I bought this part of the album. It's better than the poppy crap they forced out of Taylor, Bo and Clay. But Everybody Loves sounds like he's being produced by Clive.

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Unfortunately, when someone pisses him off, he just lets loose as if they're a friend of his or something. Nobody should let loose on his fans the way he does. That's just sheer stupidity.

I wonder if he really thinks of us as his fans or if he just acts like he's Joe Blow out there with no public persona to protect. Maybe Constantine is under the mistaken impression that he's just another guy on the internet with nothing in particular to lose by being blunt when he sees something he does not like. There are a LOT of people who are fucking rude in Cyberspace; Constantine, however, is the only semifamous person I've seen fuss at his fans.

Since he's both fussed at me and been very kind and helpful at different times, I have a hard time reading him.

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Unfortunately, when someone pisses him off, he just lets loose as if they're a friend of his or something. Nobody should let loose on his fans the way he does. That's just sheer stupidity.

Yep, that was what so bizarre! He treated me like I was a lover he was pissed at...or actually, a husband and wife!!!