Ways to pass the time till 'American Idol' tonight

Ugh, how annoying are Wednesdays? With Tuesday's "American Idol" performance completed, you are forced to sit through an entire day of work before finding out, on Wednesday night, which of the contestants will get the boot. Tortured, you force every person in a four-cubicle radius to make predictions about the impending elimination show. And then you do your best impression of a Danny-Gokey-"Dream-On"-scream.

Well, we've got one other way to tide you over until this evening's show. Daughtry is performing its new single, "No Surprise," tonight, so you can get in the spirit by listening to the ditty on the band's website.

"No Surprise" is about an inevitable breakup, and the chorus goes like this:

It's no surprise I won't be here tomorrow
I can't believe that I stayed till today
Yeah you and I will be a tough act to follow
But I know in time we'll find this was no surprise

You can read all the lyrics here.

What do you think? Does this have the makings of another Daughtry mega-hit like "Home"?

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Related:

Star-studded rock week includes No Doubt, Daughtry and mentor Slash

Photo: WireImage

Star-studded rock week includes No Doubt, Daughtry, and mentor Slash

The rumors are true!

Infamous Guns and Roses and Velvet Revolver guitarist, Slash, will mentor the remaining "American Idol" contestants for Rock Week next Tuesday, May 5.

We are down to four contestants now, and which ones will rise to the challenge of the theme remains to be seen. Out of Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert, who do you think will prove the coolest rocker?

After Tuesday's performance show, Wednesday's elimination show will be quite a night, with appearances by bona fide rockers No Doubt and Daughtry. No word on what No Doubt will sing yet, but Daughtry will do "No Surprise," the first single from their upcoming album.

And also on Wednesday, of course, Ryan Seacrest will whittle down the group once more. It's been quite a journey, and now, with just a few weeks to go, "Idol" will soon be over; and we will have to figure out what on earth to do with all of those spare hours every week.

-- Stephanie Lysaght

Photo: Wireimage

Taylor Hicks travels 'The Distance'

The new album from"American Idol" Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks hits stores on Tuesday.  The former champion is also currently touring with the road company of  "Grease," performing in the role of Teen Angel. During the tour, he will also play solo shows for "The Distance," which is his second studio album. The first single from "The Distance," "What's Right Is Right," is a catchy hit, with a sleek soulful video to boot.

We caught up with Hicks  over the phone during the San Diego leg of the "Grease" tour.  L.A. is the  next stop, with  Grease going onstage at Hollywood's Pantages Theater March 10-22 and Hicks playing  Sunset Strip's The Roxy Theatre March 18.

Question: You’re in San Diego on tour with "Grease." How is that going?

TH: It’s going great, we’re having a blast out on the road. And being able to travel to different cities and perform a Broadway show is a blessing, and a great opportunity.

Q: How’s the weather in San Diego?

TH: Well, I can say this for all of the "Grease" tour: We are extremely excited to be on the West Coast.

Q: You’re New York-based now, correct?

TH: I’m nowhere-based. I’ve been nowhere-based for actually 3 1/2 years. I kinda like being a nomad—the musical gypsy is not the worst thing in the world.

'American Idol' Daily: Idol Nation invades the American Music Awards

The steady takeover of the music industry by "American Idol" was on full display Sunday night at the American Music Awards. "Idol" alums may not have taken home every last trophy, but Idol Nation has become the largest caucus to be reckoned with in any music conclave. Out on the red carpet was David Cook entertaining the fans, and presenter David Archuleta worked the rope line. Inside Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry and Jordin Sparks all awaited their respective envelopes, with Carrie taking home the Favorite Country Album prize, and Daughtry sweeping up the Favorite Pop/Rock Group. (Our colleague Stephanie Lysaght thought David A. was shortchanged on his rightful stage time.)

What struck me however is how diverse the "Idol" octopus' tentacles are. What do the above performers have in common? Other than that they could vaguely be called middle-American pop, not too much genre-wise. "Idol"-music, once a clear identifiable genre itself, now seems to have become more of a movement with a common ethos sweeping across the genres.

Check out video of all the "Idol" moments at the infallible resource mjsbigblog.

And for the rest of the day's "Idol" news, keep reading ...