Today's Pick

While a new batch of contestants battle to become this year's American Idol, the reigning Season 11 champion Phillip Phillips has released a brand new music video for his love themed follow-up single, "Gone, Gone, Gone," the second single from his debut album, "The World from the Side of the Moon." Watch the nostalgic blast of Americana in the video for Phillips' heart warming tune, which celebrates people sticking together in difficult times. Get lost in the American Idol's sun-kissed world of sentimentality.
The 22-year-old singer, known for his guitar-driven tunes and unique vocals, has some issues with his kidneys after being announced the winner of American Idol Season 11, but he has come back strong and his first post-Idol single "Home," has had huge success on the charts, the most successful "Idol" coronation song of all time, thanks to the 2012 London Olympics.
Another rousing folk-rock anthem filled with stompy marching-band beats, chanty choruses, winsome guitars, and declarations of undying loyalty, "Gone, Gone, Gone" is arguably just as catchy as "Home," if not more so. While this endeavor undeniably has a more pop-friendly undercurrent, it continues to evoke his signature Mumford & Sons-esque emotions. "This is just a beautiful love song, but it's not cheesy," Phillips told Yahoo! Music. "I really like how it plays out. It has a serious feel to it, like, 'I'll be at your side, no matter what.' But it doesn't have to be about a girlfriend or boyfriend. It can be about anyone that you love dearly, a family member or something."
Directed by Joseph Toman, the exquisite clip has the same folksy, nostalgic feel of Phillips' music. Shot in a number of places, including Springfield of Missouri, Los Angeles, and Palm Springs of California. “It's a celebration of life, and hopefully something that everyone can find something in to relate to," director explained. It features home movie footage of couples, families and children whose love has persevered in time, highlighting special moments in their lives. There's even a shot of Phillips strumming in what could be the basement of his family's real-life pawn shop. It's generic and it's generically uplifting.

Phillip Phillips continues his journey and gets his first-ever striking clip to support his debut single and coronation song "Home," since he captured the American Idol crown in May. "Home" is expected to appear in Phillips' upcoming contractually obligated album which is yet to be titled. And it couldn't come at a better time, considering this powerful “Home” video has been used as a official theme song for the 2012 US Olympic Women's Gymnastic Team.
With certified gold, it's the most successful American Idol winner's first single since Kelly Clarkson and the Coldplay-esque tune “Home,” is enjoying a second life on the charts thanks to the Olympics since the song's popularity resurfaced when it was used during the Olympics. So the release of the video is both timely and genius of producers. "The triumphant track is easily the coolest, most relevant song ever used as a reality TV coronation song, which have a tendency to be horrifyingly embarrassing.
"I don’t write songs like that,” Phillips told reporters of the track. “It's a very good song and I'm glad people enjoyed it, but I'm itching to do my own stuff." The triumphant track scratches a particular itch for a return to acoustic-based instrumentation and "organic" approach to recording and mixing. That's how the other folk-inspired acts next to rock best-sellers on radio and the charts. There's a demand for vocal-front, melody-front songs with roots instruments that is being met. Phillips may just be poised to break the Idol curse that has plagued several of the past winners.
As for the Joseph Toman-directed video, it's actually a real video and set up like a documentary that combines performance footage of Phillips and general everyday life footage includes some candid moments in homey settings. The fairly straight-forward affair that follows the crooner from Georgia strumming his guitar and looking pensive as he hits the road and travels the country performing in live concerts at various gigs. Phillips is laid back and dressed casually throughout most of the video, and his girlfriend Hannah Blackwell also appeared in the video