The Invisible Kingdom

Today's Treasure #17

Today's pick is one of my most memorable experiences as a Clay fan.

I know, it's just the Fan's Choice at the American Music Awards. It's not as prestigious as a Grammy. It didn't gain him critical acceptance. And yes, it was a spammable poll - I remember having this one on my daily voting list for over a month. It may only be meaningful to Clay and those who helped win this award for him.

Still, to me, it was wonderful. He acknowledged his fans in a public and genuine way, and he meant it. There's just something so earnest and sweet about him. He's grown wiser, more confident, and more outspoken since his first moments of fame. But the part of him that blogs to us like a friend and gets choked up in concert is ever starry-eyed and amazed that we love him THIS much.

"I'm not really used to winning anything here. I'm kinda used to second place."

Not for long, Clay. You'll be first everywhere quite soon.



Technorati tags: youtube, clay aiken, a thousand different ways, american music awards.

Posted by pixieglitter at Thursday, August 31, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

*peeks out of pout-dom*

I’m back from my unoh-fficial blogging hiatus - do I hear groans? :P

I'm done feeling wistful for what I can't change. Please smack me if I complain about ATDW again. I can't say much about the album. I have only listened to Without You, A Thousand Days, and the Promosquad snippet of I Want To Know What Love Is. Most of the other songs are unfamiliar to me. I am striving not to listen to the snippets because I love surprises. As a bonus, reading everyone else's glowing reviews of the snippets is increasing my anticipation for the album.

At this moment, I'm nestled in the Zen/smut car with some sweet tea, clack and lots of Clay friends.

Today's Treasure #16

So... here's today's treasure. It's Clay singing Still the One by Orleans. He recorded this on his demo album and reprised it for the Not-a-tour of 2004.

I don't like country music. But for a song where Clay sings about talking in bed and scratching his itch, I can make an exception. He's doin' a little dance and makin' a little... grindage with Quiana. In between, he's oh so bouncy and chipper! Check out his moves at 1:50... how did he do that without tripping over those cute duck feet? ;)

To paraphrase one of my favourite people at Clayversity: this video just makes me smile. Always.



Technorati tags: youtube, clay aiken, orleans, a thousand different ways, quiana parlor, without you.

Posted by pixieglitter at Wednesday, August 30, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

I'm trying to get myself back into the daily blogging swing. I admit I was a little stunned last week after reading the track list, but I'm still here. And I still want the world for Clay.

Here's one of the countless reasons why.

Today's Treasure #15

I'll start myself off easy, and let this delicious montage by k4clay2 (mostly) speak for itself. I'll admit that when I first saw Clay at the Atlanta audition, all that struck me was his voice. During the Idol season, I discovered his cuteness and class. After it, I started to see his charisma and rapier wit in interviews. Then one day, we got a throaty, growly version of Invisible on the Tonight Show. The sexy hit me that night, and I fall a little more every time it resurfaces in a look, a movement, or a big word. *thuds over Clay saying 'scurrilous' again*

Ahem. Just start running the cold shower, and watch this.



Technorati tags: clay aiken, a thousand different ways, youtube, when doves cry

Posted by pixieglitter at Wednesday, August 09, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Thoughts on the USA Today Blog and oh-fficial press release.

I'm feeling a thousand (or more) different ways about today's press release.

Part of me is disappointed in the track listing. I REALLY don't like Celine Dion's Because You Loved Me, and I'm doubtful about the Dolly Parton song (though I admit, I just don't like country music). Even though I like or am indifferent to most of the other covers listed, they all seem to be ballads, I wanted Clay to rock out. And I truly wanted BFM and Tears to be there... especially Tears. I love it because he sang it for us Claynadians first.

I know that Clay shouldn't care what I want. But the thing is... I thought he wanted it too. It's possible that he still does, but that he's not getting free rein on this album. Right now it looks like Clive is throwing his weight around, so I'll have to revel in the pure VOX for now, and hope for something really different in the future. I think it would have been possible to do an album of radio-friendly pop songs with inflections or 'touches' of other genres Clay is capable of doing - rock, green-eyed soul, jazz. That would have really excited me.

On the other hand...

Why couldn't the new arrangements of the covers do just that? I've heard a classic sappy old Indian song remixed into Truth Hurts' 'Addictive', and somehow it worked. I've heard When Doves Cry go from Prince's clubby dance song to a choral piece, and it was gorgeous. Clay himself even transformed 'I Survived You' from passive pop (JMO) to angry, attitude-dripping rock. There's a world of difference between Clay Aiken the song stylist and a karaoke singer with decent pipes.

Maybe I should hold back my tears until after I actually hear the whole album.

Also, I'm still hopeful that the original tracks will be mid-upper tempo and still mesh with the rest. Call me crazy, but I don't think that Bon Jovi would write anything snoozy. There is such a thing as a rocking love song. Lonely No More could be uptempo pop rock for all I know. I doubt they'd do the same concept as Rob Thomas' LNM (ie. not wanting to be lonely), so I'm guessing this is a Perfect Day type song about the joy of love triumphant.

Many people have said that Clay is a musical diamond with countless facets. I know that we will see him shine on this album... and I'm still trying to stay hopeful that we'll see more than one facet.

Now onto the fun stuff - my speculations:

Everything I Have will be open to interpretation - and Clay's wish to help children whose lives are torn apart by war, disaster, or poverty will be one of the ways to understand it.

Lonely No More will be the first single.

Without You will win Clay a Grammy.

Everything I Do will be the wedding song of choice by this time next year.

Even though I'm complaining now, I'll fall desperately in love with this CD when I hear it and will go for ever being disappointed.

Clay will make People's next Sexiest Men issue, and NOT as just an honourable mention.

The album cover alone will trigger a million sales.

~*~

If you made it this far, you get the prize! Here comes what you're all REALLY here for... :P

Today's Treasure #14

Okay, so we STILL haven't heard him talk with the hair. *g* But that's okay! When the seeing's this GOOD, I don't mind if Clay is seen and not heard. As long as he's singing.

And as long as he's blowing up his bangs. *dies*

Thanks to clayisouridol for uploading this.



Oh, and a bonus that I made today:



  


Technorati tags: clay aiken, a thousand different ways

Posted by pixieglitter at Thursday, August 03, 2006 | Permalink | Comments

Today's Treasure #13

He has ensorcelled me. As I said at CV, I'm walking around singing to myself, giggling at nothing and feeling fluttery every time I think of Without You or his new look. I'm hopelessly bewitched by him, and I love every second of it.

Here is the Clay portion of Entertainment Tonight... it's 19 seconds of pure unadulterated hotness. This is a preview for tomorrow... I don't know how I'll ever survive a minute or more of this bad boy attitude.



Technorati tags: clay aiken, a thousand different ways

Posted by pixieglitter at Tuesday, August 01, 2006 | Permalink | Comments