Von Smith opens the show tonight. We are reminded that Simon thought his audition was 'indulgent nonsense' - will he be as bad tonight? Eugh, he's singing too low. Looking slightly mismatched in a grey suit and orange t-shirt. He's redefining singing for me, and not in a good way. You'd think after watching 2 weeks of live rounds, he'd have practised more.

Judges comments: Randy: The last couple of weeks started off rough, but tonight, that was the way to kick off a performance. Welcome to Idol, baby. Kara: You're coming into your own. You're really comfortable up there tonight. Paula: America's going to remember you, you know when to pull back, you know when to push forward. Simon: You remind me of Clay Aitken. You look appalling, but you sang quite well. Much better song than you sang at Hollywood.

Our second contestant is Taylor Vaifanua, looking cute in a kind of black and grey dress. Her singing is better than Von, but the song itself is unremarkable. She's definitely getting more confident as the song progresses.

If you are planning to enter the X factor it's time to get your skates on as applications are closed from tomorrow.

You can find application forms on the X Factor Official site!

Good Luck.... and hurry!!

Beyonce's latest album, ' I am Sacha Fierce' is the album of her life, with tracks such as 'If I were a boy' and 'All the single Ladies' bursting into our charts. However, theres one track, 'Ave Maria' that i thought was absoultely outstanding.

The song is lyrically and musically beautiful. I have always thought of Beyonce as being a mega star, ever since i was captivated with 'Listen' from Dreamgirls which i think is amazing. But when i listened to Ave Maria for the first time, i was in a car on the way to college. Me and my mother were listening and she went to talk and she just shut up and we both listened to this song. It was amazing. As soon as i got home that night i was searching everwhere for it.

It's a take (revamp) of one of the most famous Hymns ever written and Beyonce has really made it her own, the lyrics and the sound are just amazingly written. It's the story of a girl who was Lost and finds her "Heaven on Earth".  The perfect wedding song with lyrics like, 'You were my heaven on Earth, you are my last my first, and then i hear this voice inside'.

Im not usually one to go all out and praise something without ways of improving. it is unbelievable.

So, this year American Idol decided to take a leaf out of the X factor's book, employing Kara Dioguardi, Singer and songwriter to the stars. Now in its eighth season, do you think Idol needs Kara? Or do you think it was a ploy by the directors to cause friction? All may seem well...but it did for us at this stage of the game on the x factor. Do you think Paula and her might have words? It has crossed some people's minds that she has intentionally been put on the panel to drive Paula out...so many theories, but what one do you agree with?

But the question is, if there was some sort of 'battle' between the two females, who would come out the winner?  'Does Paula actually contribute anything?' is a question ive often heard asked, with her blabbering on and her annoying habits. well i think so. personally i think Paula, like sharon was for us, was the warmth and friendliness that people became comfortable with.

But if it was a battle of achievements i mean, Kara would win hands down, she has worked with previous idol stars Kelly Clarkson, David Archuleta, David Cook, Carrie Underwood, and Katharine McPhee. So would Kara have the professional vote?

Hmmmm. What do you think?

Scott

Midnight’s Daughter

By Karen Chance

Karen Chance’s latest novel Midnight’s Daughter, neatly slots on your bookshelf with her prior novels. While reading her other three offerings is not neseccary, as Midnight’s Daughter stands alone compared to the Cassandra Palmer series, there are some interesting easter eggs buried within the novel for long time readers.

Dublin based rockers and “world-hero” Bono are back with their newest album “No Line On The Horizon.” With it comes the first single “Get Your Boots On.” Really this song is just a continuation of 2004’s “Vertigo,” using the slightly experimental style of early 90’s U2.

However, this is a problem for the band. They’re stuck in a loop recycling old sounds, making “Get Your Boots On,” just another track in the never ending cycle of their discography.

The Saturdays release their very own Comic Relief song “Just Can’t Get Enough,” into the arms of a public that have so far embraced them. Originally be Depeche Mode, The Saturday’s cover version bears little resemblance to the original.

However, with its techno sounds and the use of the five girls in different colours, it will probably remind you just a little bit too much of Girls Aloud. Also, every verse of the song, sounds exactly like the previous. After a while you forget you are listening to it.

Take That’s latest offering “Up All Night,” is a bop along, street fair type song, harnessing everything that is Britain: Brass bands, happy-go-lucky singing and four long haired lads trying to make their way in the world.

Cynics will probably say that this fun loving tune is just like the rest of their repertoire. “Up All Night” has a spark that hasn’t been seen since Shine in 2007. Frankly, this song can make anyone smile, and will most likely make 2009 a happy year for the boys, as it deserves a high place in the charts.

It seems everyone has gone a little bit British crazy. Oasis opens their latest single “Falling Down,” with a rendition of a very English fanfare. This is the cut through with a strange techno sound, similar to someone singing in their bathroom.

This is not one of the band’s best works. The vocals are buried beneath the music, making it impossible to hear. Throughout the song, you never really know what is being sung.

“My Life Would Suck Without You,” is a standard American Pop song: Girl meets boy, they fall in love, they fall out but they make up. Kelly Clarkson pulls off this type of song perfectly, as has ever since she won American Idol.

The song sets the tone of her fourth album, taking the listener back to the days of “Since U Been Gone. While the disco rhythm and synth-dance pop pushes the pop angle of the song, the guitar riff, keeps the whole song from sounding too manufactured, and makes Clarkson the rock chick.