We hear it every single season. "This year the talent level is so high, it really is the best we've ever seen." After watching the Hollywood week rounds, I beg to differ. While there were some talented performers, only one stood out to me in any kind of special way and that Casey James because he is ridiculously-smoking-hottt. Last season, I remember being so impressed with some of the finalists who made it to the top 36 round that I looked them up on youtube to learn more about them. Nobody struck me as special in that way this year, though I was awful tempted to google pics of Casey James...
So after a month of boring, manufactured drama, we finally have a top 24 for the 9th season of Idol. Personally, I will miss the top 36 rounds (including the wild-card and judges' pick round) from last year, though I know I am almost alone in that one. I like the idea of allowing the judges to select the final contestants to make it into the top 12, thereby allowing for more of a diversification of style, talent and (because this is, after all, reality television) personal stories. I think we will see something wanting in the makeup of the 12 finalists because of it. Oh well, it's not like the show is going to bomb because they took out the wild card rounds again.
Even though I wasn't super-pumped about any of the contestants, there are some I am definitely looking forward to watching this season. I hate to call anyone a front-runner before anyone has even had a chance to actually perform, but based on what we've seen so far, here are the ones I think it will be fun to watch:
Casey James - Not only is he super gorgeous, his voice is actually really strong and has that raspyness that is actually kind of unique in Idol history. And he plays guitar. Unless he bombs it the first couple of weeks, he'll be around for awhile.
Didi Benami - You probably remember her as the girl whose best friend died recently. I think of her as that girl who won't stop crying, but that's because I am, if you recall last season, heartless. That said, she is cute, incredibly talented and has a heartwarming story to back her up. That, folks, is the Idol version of a black AMEX card.
Andrew Garcia - It takes a man who is very confident in himself to get on stage with a guitar and rock out to Paula Abduhl's Straight Up, but that is exactly what Garcia did in the first Hollywood round. It was the kind of incredibly memorable performance that stays with you weeks after it is over and will likely catapult him into the top 12.
Michael Lynche - Big Mike. Huge (literally) talent PLUS his wife delivered their first child in the middle of Hollywood week. That alone will get him more than halfway through the competition, even if he doesn't hit one correct note the first six weeks.
(Side Note - Anyone else feel bad for his wife? Not only did she have to deliver a baby on her own, but Fox insists of playing that video of her holding the baby post-labor every chance they get. Nobody looks good post-labor and nobody should be subjected to having a video of themselves in that state replayed over and over again on national television.)
There are also a few other interesting characters that will be well worth paying attention to.
Crystal Bowersox - It takes a special kind of woman to rock dreadlocks and she is in desperate need of a box of Crest Whitestrips. Crystal is going to be a polarizing contestant, to be sure, but I don't think you can honestly deny she is talented.
Lilly Scott - She, too, is incredibly talented, but history has shown us that it doesn't matter how talented you are, America doesn't vote for girls with rock voices and hard, edgy looks. Carley Smithson may have been one of the most talented women to ever perform on Idol, and she came in seventh. Allison Iraheta last season was incredibly talented, and did come in 4th, but she was in the bottom 3 for half the season.
Aaron Kelly - This is the little Justin Bieber clone who, though not the most talented singer in the top 24, is endearing.
As for the rest of them, we'll have to see what happens this week. I haven't heard if there are going to be themes for the semi-final rounds this year. I really hope not. They have done that in the past I think it bombs every time. The semi-final rounds should be a time to let the contestants tell America who they are in their own voice and in their own style before they are asked to tackle something completely foreign to them.
It should be a good season...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Another End of May Sweeps, Another Idol Finale
So if you've been reading this blog for the last few weeks you know who I am pulling for. I got out all my "why Kris should win" reasons last week thinking he would be going home. That said, I really do think they both are wonderfully talented artists (each in their own right) and either deserves to win. I still maintain that Kris is more commercial but I won't try to deny that Adam is entertaining. That boy can work a flight of stairs unlike anything I've even seen before. I didn't think anything could top the "Feeling Good" entrance until he rose out of the floor for "Mad World" last night. Kris played to his strengths by keeping things mellow and showing us his artistry and being adorable.
They are both winners. So rather than regurgitate all the reasons I still would rather see Kris take the crown, I will spend my time talking about this week's losers: the Idol judges and producers.
This has been a weird season. I am not sure if it was the departure of Nigel Lythgoe, a desperate attempt at ratings boosting, or a desperate attempt to try and keep Simon Cowell from bolting the second his contract is up, but the changes that were made to this season have taken something away from it, I think. Not all of the changes have been bad. Going back to the Top 36 semi-final round system and bringing back the wild-card round have been changes for the better, in my opinion. The save was a good idea in concept but was used in such a way as to make it kind of useless. I loved Matt Giraud, don't get me wrong, and was happy to see him around a couple of extra weeks, but to use it on someone you know has no chance of winning the competition is wasteful. I am sure Danny fans would rather see a 3 man finale than two more weeks of Matt.
But the changes alone are not what took away from this season's magic. (No, I'm not talking about Kara. I am done talking about Kara.) The judge/producer agenda has never been more clear as it has been this season. The obvious, obnixious pimping of Adam and Danny turned even the most devoted fans into passionate VFTWorst-ers. In the producers, it was irritating. In the judges, however, it was obscene. Last night, the only judge I agreed with all night was Randy. I think he was honest in a way the other three refused to be. Even if a contestant is your favorite, it is okay to give them negative feedback if their performance sucks. Adam and Kris' final performances sucked, but only Kris was told that by anyone other than Randy.
Speaking of that last song. (Must keep reminding myself: I am done talking about Kara. I am done talking about Kara.) The finale 'original song' is almost always bad. This one was no exception, though in my opinion it was the worst one yet. (Still done talking about Kara...) The producers should have reversed the order of the show, doing that crappy original song first and closing the show with a rememberance of what got these two here in the first place: performances like "Mad World" and "Ain't No Sunshine". I agree with Randy that the original song is actually suited more to Kris. But the key was too high, however, because it sounded like she was writing it for Danny. Too bad that didn't work out for her, at least she still has Adam. (Crap! I promised myself I wouldn't talk about Kara!)
So did the scheming work? It's hard to say. Most of the people I know voted for Kris, but this has always been Adam's competition to lose. I will say this, though, in seven years of watching Idol, the person in the final pairing that I wanted to win has only won once... so odds are not great for my homeboy but you never know what America will do.
They are both winners. So rather than regurgitate all the reasons I still would rather see Kris take the crown, I will spend my time talking about this week's losers: the Idol judges and producers.
This has been a weird season. I am not sure if it was the departure of Nigel Lythgoe, a desperate attempt at ratings boosting, or a desperate attempt to try and keep Simon Cowell from bolting the second his contract is up, but the changes that were made to this season have taken something away from it, I think. Not all of the changes have been bad. Going back to the Top 36 semi-final round system and bringing back the wild-card round have been changes for the better, in my opinion. The save was a good idea in concept but was used in such a way as to make it kind of useless. I loved Matt Giraud, don't get me wrong, and was happy to see him around a couple of extra weeks, but to use it on someone you know has no chance of winning the competition is wasteful. I am sure Danny fans would rather see a 3 man finale than two more weeks of Matt.
But the changes alone are not what took away from this season's magic. (No, I'm not talking about Kara. I am done talking about Kara.) The judge/producer agenda has never been more clear as it has been this season. The obvious, obnixious pimping of Adam and Danny turned even the most devoted fans into passionate VFTWorst-ers. In the producers, it was irritating. In the judges, however, it was obscene. Last night, the only judge I agreed with all night was Randy. I think he was honest in a way the other three refused to be. Even if a contestant is your favorite, it is okay to give them negative feedback if their performance sucks. Adam and Kris' final performances sucked, but only Kris was told that by anyone other than Randy.
Speaking of that last song. (Must keep reminding myself: I am done talking about Kara. I am done talking about Kara.) The finale 'original song' is almost always bad. This one was no exception, though in my opinion it was the worst one yet. (Still done talking about Kara...) The producers should have reversed the order of the show, doing that crappy original song first and closing the show with a rememberance of what got these two here in the first place: performances like "Mad World" and "Ain't No Sunshine". I agree with Randy that the original song is actually suited more to Kris. But the key was too high, however, because it sounded like she was writing it for Danny. Too bad that didn't work out for her, at least she still has Adam. (Crap! I promised myself I wouldn't talk about Kara!)
So did the scheming work? It's hard to say. Most of the people I know voted for Kris, but this has always been Adam's competition to lose. I will say this, though, in seven years of watching Idol, the person in the final pairing that I wanted to win has only won once... so odds are not great for my homeboy but you never know what America will do.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
I Call This Post 'Reasons Kris Allen Shouldn't Go Home'
Warning: I am feeling more-than-slightly cynical this week
I am glad they finally got to perform more than one solo but kind of missed their doing 3 songs in top 3 week. It makes me excessively angry to think that we had to sacrifice an additional performance from each of these three amazing people just to make time for that wench Kara DioUseless. She has got to go! If next season we have to deal with both the loss of Simon Cowell AND increased screen time for that arogant, babbeling idiot I may have to give up Idol. I literally don't think I could stand to watch it anymore. Simon was right, you don't pick out a song for a contestant saying it's perfect for him then pick on him for not changing it completely up. You picked it because you thought the song, AS IT WAS, worked for him. I cannot remember a time I have wished a horrible, painful end on another living creature with the intensity I wish for one for her. UGH!
Now that we have that out of the way...
Given the fact that their job is to guide viewers and contestants in choosing the most appropriate Idol winner, when given the opportunity to actually affect the show the Idol judges historically pick bad songs for the top 3 to sing. I almost never approve of the Judges' song picks in top 3 week. Rare exceptions to this rule include Paula picking And So It Goes for David Archuletta and Simon picking Somewhere over the Rainbow for Katherine McPhee. Others will disagree with me, but I just have different tastes in music than the judges do. Case in point: this week. I hate OneRepublic. That song was overplayed and the only reason it ever got as popular as it did was because it got remixed by Timbaland. I hate U2. Actually, it would be more appropriate to say that I hate Bono and by association greatly dislike U2. PLUS - Adam was way pitchy throughout the whole performance (a fact conveniently not commented on) which ruined any chance I had of enjoying that performance. The only song choice I approved of this week was Danny's and that was a song I had never heard before in my life.
That would have made Danny Gokey the pleasant surprise of the night. Paula picked a perfect song to showcase who he is as an artist. Cheesy and grizzly and old fashioned. That said, I enjoyed both of his performances, even if I felt like the last one was all but blatantly reminding us why he got this far in the first place and why I didn't like him for so long: his dead wife. No, he didn't mention her but he did look up to the sky suspiciously often. I am so over it, dude. Call me heartless, go ahead.
Speaking of people invited to call me Heartless any time they like as long as they do it with a guitar...
How amazing was that? I'll tell you how amazing it was. It was so amazing that I voted! I like never vote for Idol, but I voted for Kris. 15 times! I did this because, as I watched both of his performances (even though the first got ripped to shreds), I kept thinking that, of all three guys left, Kris is the one who fits in best with the contemporary music scene.
Who is making music like Danny Gokey would? No one. Twenty years ago that wouldn't have been true but it's true today. Who is making music like Adam Lambert would? No one. Twenty years ago that wouldn't have been true but it's true today. The judges can't come up with any kind of contemporary reference for Danny and the only one they can come up with for Adam is Robert Pattinson (whose birthday is today, fyi). He's an actor who also sings. Ever listen to his music? I have. Sounds nothing like Adam Lambert. If anything, he sounds more like Danny trying to do an impression of Kris. Steven Tyler is not a contemporary musical reference. Steven Tyler is popular today because he was insanely popular twenty years ago. Adam belongs on broadway and Danny belongs in a lounge in Vegas somewhere. Kris is "current"... to use Randy's phrase.
Contemporary music isn't about big, theatrical voices like Danny and Adam have. Granted, Idol has a very serious bias against anyone who doesn't have a voice like that, but that is the ironic joke that is American Idol. The show can't decided if it's a singing competition or a search for the next superstar. The two are not necessarily the same thing. We are forced to watch contemporary musicians come in every week and perform live on the show... how many of them have swelling, big voices? Not many. The contemporary market doesn't require it. Idol (and it's judges) need to stop being ambivilent about what they're looking for in a winner.
Anyway, I'll end my rant as it is likely all for nothing. Kris will probably be going home tongiht. But I will say this: If, somehow, Kris Allen does not get sent home tonight, I would put money down that Adam Lambert will. I honestly think that the reason the producers keep giving him the pimp slot (closig out the show) is becaue he is not pulling in the votes they think he should.
We'll see...
I am glad they finally got to perform more than one solo but kind of missed their doing 3 songs in top 3 week. It makes me excessively angry to think that we had to sacrifice an additional performance from each of these three amazing people just to make time for that wench Kara DioUseless. She has got to go! If next season we have to deal with both the loss of Simon Cowell AND increased screen time for that arogant, babbeling idiot I may have to give up Idol. I literally don't think I could stand to watch it anymore. Simon was right, you don't pick out a song for a contestant saying it's perfect for him then pick on him for not changing it completely up. You picked it because you thought the song, AS IT WAS, worked for him. I cannot remember a time I have wished a horrible, painful end on another living creature with the intensity I wish for one for her. UGH!
Now that we have that out of the way...
Given the fact that their job is to guide viewers and contestants in choosing the most appropriate Idol winner, when given the opportunity to actually affect the show the Idol judges historically pick bad songs for the top 3 to sing. I almost never approve of the Judges' song picks in top 3 week. Rare exceptions to this rule include Paula picking And So It Goes for David Archuletta and Simon picking Somewhere over the Rainbow for Katherine McPhee. Others will disagree with me, but I just have different tastes in music than the judges do. Case in point: this week. I hate OneRepublic. That song was overplayed and the only reason it ever got as popular as it did was because it got remixed by Timbaland. I hate U2. Actually, it would be more appropriate to say that I hate Bono and by association greatly dislike U2. PLUS - Adam was way pitchy throughout the whole performance (a fact conveniently not commented on) which ruined any chance I had of enjoying that performance. The only song choice I approved of this week was Danny's and that was a song I had never heard before in my life.
That would have made Danny Gokey the pleasant surprise of the night. Paula picked a perfect song to showcase who he is as an artist. Cheesy and grizzly and old fashioned. That said, I enjoyed both of his performances, even if I felt like the last one was all but blatantly reminding us why he got this far in the first place and why I didn't like him for so long: his dead wife. No, he didn't mention her but he did look up to the sky suspiciously often. I am so over it, dude. Call me heartless, go ahead.
Speaking of people invited to call me Heartless any time they like as long as they do it with a guitar...
How amazing was that? I'll tell you how amazing it was. It was so amazing that I voted! I like never vote for Idol, but I voted for Kris. 15 times! I did this because, as I watched both of his performances (even though the first got ripped to shreds), I kept thinking that, of all three guys left, Kris is the one who fits in best with the contemporary music scene.
Who is making music like Danny Gokey would? No one. Twenty years ago that wouldn't have been true but it's true today. Who is making music like Adam Lambert would? No one. Twenty years ago that wouldn't have been true but it's true today. The judges can't come up with any kind of contemporary reference for Danny and the only one they can come up with for Adam is Robert Pattinson (whose birthday is today, fyi). He's an actor who also sings. Ever listen to his music? I have. Sounds nothing like Adam Lambert. If anything, he sounds more like Danny trying to do an impression of Kris. Steven Tyler is not a contemporary musical reference. Steven Tyler is popular today because he was insanely popular twenty years ago. Adam belongs on broadway and Danny belongs in a lounge in Vegas somewhere. Kris is "current"... to use Randy's phrase.
Contemporary music isn't about big, theatrical voices like Danny and Adam have. Granted, Idol has a very serious bias against anyone who doesn't have a voice like that, but that is the ironic joke that is American Idol. The show can't decided if it's a singing competition or a search for the next superstar. The two are not necessarily the same thing. We are forced to watch contemporary musicians come in every week and perform live on the show... how many of them have swelling, big voices? Not many. The contemporary market doesn't require it. Idol (and it's judges) need to stop being ambivilent about what they're looking for in a winner.
Anyway, I'll end my rant as it is likely all for nothing. Kris will probably be going home tongiht. But I will say this: If, somehow, Kris Allen does not get sent home tonight, I would put money down that Adam Lambert will. I honestly think that the reason the producers keep giving him the pimp slot (closig out the show) is becaue he is not pulling in the votes they think he should.
We'll see...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
May I Offer You a Wine List?
o let's quickly run through the unimportant things first so we can get to the thing we really need to talk about today: Danny Gokey.
Rock night is an odd theme choice as rock music typically doesn't showcase the kids of voices that do well in this competition. But I like that music, so if nothing else it was good to hear some of those songs again. Also, I have waited and waited for there to be duets on Idol and that part I really enjoyed. We all know the entire point of introducing the concept was to allow Adam and Allison to sing together (and close out the show because, let's be honest, the producers are running out of creative ways to have Adam Lambert close the show) but I was also pleasantly surprised by the Kris-Danny performance. Although, I will say that I would put Renegade on that list of songs no one else should touch because Chris Daughtry had a memorable moment with it in Season 5.
I cannot believe Slash sold his soul to consumerism and agreed to be a guest mentor on American Idol. This recession is obviously hitting the music industry pretty hard. He provided one of my favorite moments of the night, though. When Randy told Adam that he and Slash should make an album together the look on Slash's face said, or rather screamed, "over my dead f***ing body." Hilarious.
But most everyone rose to the challenge, although there were some really strange song picks. (Note to Kris Allen: if you're going to cover a Beatles song, don't pick one with a well-known cover by Aerosmith).
So... speaking of people who shouldn't sing Steven Tyler, let's talk about Danny! I hardly know where to start. That was the most awkward performance on Idol since Danny Noriega sang Tainted Love. The whole thing was doomed from the start. He walked on stage wearing a pinstripe vest and a button-up shirt looking like he was about to hand you a wine list. Adding a couple of big silver necklaces does not take you from waiter to rock star. You also knew it was going to be bad when the best that Slash could say was "its success would come down to what he does in the moment" which roughly translates to "if he sounds like he did in our rehearsal, I will feel bad for America". I just don't know what he was thinking. He wasn't doomed this week like Kris was to be given a genre he really couldn't do much with. There are plenty of rock songs he could have chosen. Why he felt that was necessary is beyond me. Like I said, I wanted him to read the specials to me, not scream at me and have a spasm on stage. My friend Laurie, a big Danny supporter all season long, called me at the end of that performance and could not speak for two minutes because she was laughing so hard. I feel like that says it all.
Who I want to go home:
Danny
Who I think will go home:
Hot Boyfriend (Kris)
Rock night is an odd theme choice as rock music typically doesn't showcase the kids of voices that do well in this competition. But I like that music, so if nothing else it was good to hear some of those songs again. Also, I have waited and waited for there to be duets on Idol and that part I really enjoyed. We all know the entire point of introducing the concept was to allow Adam and Allison to sing together (and close out the show because, let's be honest, the producers are running out of creative ways to have Adam Lambert close the show) but I was also pleasantly surprised by the Kris-Danny performance. Although, I will say that I would put Renegade on that list of songs no one else should touch because Chris Daughtry had a memorable moment with it in Season 5.
I cannot believe Slash sold his soul to consumerism and agreed to be a guest mentor on American Idol. This recession is obviously hitting the music industry pretty hard. He provided one of my favorite moments of the night, though. When Randy told Adam that he and Slash should make an album together the look on Slash's face said, or rather screamed, "over my dead f***ing body." Hilarious.
But most everyone rose to the challenge, although there were some really strange song picks. (Note to Kris Allen: if you're going to cover a Beatles song, don't pick one with a well-known cover by Aerosmith).
So... speaking of people who shouldn't sing Steven Tyler, let's talk about Danny! I hardly know where to start. That was the most awkward performance on Idol since Danny Noriega sang Tainted Love. The whole thing was doomed from the start. He walked on stage wearing a pinstripe vest and a button-up shirt looking like he was about to hand you a wine list. Adding a couple of big silver necklaces does not take you from waiter to rock star. You also knew it was going to be bad when the best that Slash could say was "its success would come down to what he does in the moment" which roughly translates to "if he sounds like he did in our rehearsal, I will feel bad for America". I just don't know what he was thinking. He wasn't doomed this week like Kris was to be given a genre he really couldn't do much with. There are plenty of rock songs he could have chosen. Why he felt that was necessary is beyond me. Like I said, I wanted him to read the specials to me, not scream at me and have a spasm on stage. My friend Laurie, a big Danny supporter all season long, called me at the end of that performance and could not speak for two minutes because she was laughing so hard. I feel like that says it all.
Who I want to go home:
Danny
Who I think will go home:
Hot Boyfriend (Kris)
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Now I Ain't Sayin' She A Gold Digger...
Can I just start out by saying that putting Jamie Foxx on the show during rat pack week was brilliant? I love his music because he has a fascination with blending genres and time periods together, which is what the contestants have been asked to do all season. Plus, he's hilarious.
I also liked that the judges kind of dressed up for the occasion. Simon wore a black short-sleeve t-shirt! Fancy! Obviously, the producers didn't want to push him too far, since he'll be required to wear an unbuttoned shirt and (gasp) a blazer in just three short weeks at the finale.
So for the second week in a row, my favorite has performance was Kris Allen. It was unfortunate, then, that he went first because the rest of the night went slightly downhill from there... for me. Kris is right, he does not stand up vocally to the rest of the top 5. He is competing against the big voices and big personalities of Danny and Adam and against the big voice and super-awkward personality of Allison. But he knows that and makes his arrangements work around it. He doesn't have the big voice that typically carries an artist through this far in the show, but he is still able to put out a killer performance most weeks.
Joelle - I mean Allison - definitely stepped up in a week I expected her to stumble, it was much better than I expected, but I agree with Eileen that the song choice brought to mind Katherine McPhee's version in season 5 and Allison's didn't compare. At this point, I feel like she's a lost cause and, if not gone this week, she'll be gone next week.
Matt broke my heart this week. He should have shined brighter than anyone else. He should have sat down at a piano and struck out one of these standards like an old professional. I had such high hopes for him and they all came to nothing. I'm not sure what he was thinking, except that maybe the whole Justin Timberlake comparison got to his his head and he just keeps trying (unsuccessfully) to mimic him. He is in trouble and the only thing that could save him are Allison's consistent appearances in the bottom 3.
As for the other two... it's hard to describe. I enjoyed Danny's performance more than I have in weeks past and Adam Lambert's entrance was one of the most stunning things I have ever seen on the show, but I was just unimpressed. I think it goes back to my complex about not being able to support the front-runners. That's one reason I have never been able to get behind Danny. I loved Adam in the beginning, but now that everyone else does too, I think my support is starting to wain. Sad, because the producers seem to be doing everything they can to make sure these guys are the final two. I don't really have anything else to say abobut it.
Top 2
Kris
Adam
Bottom 2
Matt
Allison
Who I want to go home
Matt
Who I think will go home
Allison
I also liked that the judges kind of dressed up for the occasion. Simon wore a black short-sleeve t-shirt! Fancy! Obviously, the producers didn't want to push him too far, since he'll be required to wear an unbuttoned shirt and (gasp) a blazer in just three short weeks at the finale.
So for the second week in a row, my favorite has performance was Kris Allen. It was unfortunate, then, that he went first because the rest of the night went slightly downhill from there... for me. Kris is right, he does not stand up vocally to the rest of the top 5. He is competing against the big voices and big personalities of Danny and Adam and against the big voice and super-awkward personality of Allison. But he knows that and makes his arrangements work around it. He doesn't have the big voice that typically carries an artist through this far in the show, but he is still able to put out a killer performance most weeks.
Joelle - I mean Allison - definitely stepped up in a week I expected her to stumble, it was much better than I expected, but I agree with Eileen that the song choice brought to mind Katherine McPhee's version in season 5 and Allison's didn't compare. At this point, I feel like she's a lost cause and, if not gone this week, she'll be gone next week.
Matt broke my heart this week. He should have shined brighter than anyone else. He should have sat down at a piano and struck out one of these standards like an old professional. I had such high hopes for him and they all came to nothing. I'm not sure what he was thinking, except that maybe the whole Justin Timberlake comparison got to his his head and he just keeps trying (unsuccessfully) to mimic him. He is in trouble and the only thing that could save him are Allison's consistent appearances in the bottom 3.
As for the other two... it's hard to describe. I enjoyed Danny's performance more than I have in weeks past and Adam Lambert's entrance was one of the most stunning things I have ever seen on the show, but I was just unimpressed. I think it goes back to my complex about not being able to support the front-runners. That's one reason I have never been able to get behind Danny. I loved Adam in the beginning, but now that everyone else does too, I think my support is starting to wain. Sad, because the producers seem to be doing everything they can to make sure these guys are the final two. I don't really have anything else to say abobut it.
Top 2
Kris
Adam
Bottom 2
Matt
Allison
Who I want to go home
Matt
Who I think will go home
Allison
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Disco Schtick
I figured Disco night was either going to be brilliant or a trainwreck. I actually thought it turned out to be brilliant. Lil aside, there wasn't a performance I didn't enjoy. Even Danny Gokey, people! I enjoyed a Danny Gokey performance! I was also happy they axed the lead-in videos and brought all the judge commentary back. If they would just get rid of Kara, they might actually end on time (and I would be much less likely to throw things at my television screen).
My favorite performance of the night, hands down, was hot boyfriend (I mean, Kris Allen). It was original, beautiful and well played. To use an overused Idol phrase: he knows exactly who he is as an artist and exactly what kind of record he will make. In addition to the following he's gathered on this show, he'll find fans among those who listen to John Mayer, Gavin Degraw, John McLaughlin, and Jack Johnson. I have officially given into him and can no longer tell myself that he is just sailing through on his insane hotness or luck. He ought to be with Adam in the finale, not Danny.
But I did really like Danny's performance this week. No, that's not entirely right. I really liked Danny's song choice this week. The performance was a little off for me, as it alwyas is with Danny, but I think that, because I love that song so much, I had to enjoy the performance more than I otherwise would. Eileen is right, though. I think he peaked weeks ago and becomes less interesting every week. That's just MY OPINION, though. I know most of you love him.
Danny's biggest problem is that he sounds the same every week. That's why, if you put them head to head, Adam Lambert should win. You may not always agree with his song choices or performance choices, but he has shown, week after week, that he can take any style of music and turn it into a unique and interesting performance. Now Kris does that, too, but you know what Kris' songs are going to sounds like every week. They are going to be stripped down- acoustic ballads. Adam surprises you. Let's be honest here, people. We all expected Adam Lambert to come out on Disco week dressed like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever dancing his little gay heart out. But he didn't. He showed restraint and surprised us. The performance did feel a little too musical theater to me, but I never cease to be amazed by his creativity.
Middle of the pack for me was Allison. I liked that she did something different with the arrangement and slowed it down. I liked the choices she made in the song. Unfortunately, it was still too fast to be touching and too slow to be terribly interesting. I hope she doesn't get put into the bottom by people over-voting because Anoop and Matt got negative feedback.
I did like Matt and Anoop last night, but if i'm being honest both of them are being outshined by the frontrunners at this point so I am going to have to be prepared to let one (or both) of them go. Sad, but at least all of my Idol boyfriends made it pretty far. I would also like to say, since i don't comment on Wednesday Idol, that I honestly believe that save was completely wasted on Matt Giraud last week. He will either go home this week anyway (so it was completely useless) or someone like Allison will go home instead which will make me even more upset. I have enjoyed watching him and Anoop this season, but two weeks from now if either one is still around, I will be very upset.
And then there was Lil. I didn't think it was as bad as the judges thought, but it was boring and uninteresting. I'm glad she had fun because she ought to go home.
Bottom 3
Anoop
Lil
Matt or Allison
Who I want to go home
Lil
Anoop
Who I think will go home
Lil
Matt or Allison
My favorite performance of the night, hands down, was hot boyfriend (I mean, Kris Allen). It was original, beautiful and well played. To use an overused Idol phrase: he knows exactly who he is as an artist and exactly what kind of record he will make. In addition to the following he's gathered on this show, he'll find fans among those who listen to John Mayer, Gavin Degraw, John McLaughlin, and Jack Johnson. I have officially given into him and can no longer tell myself that he is just sailing through on his insane hotness or luck. He ought to be with Adam in the finale, not Danny.
But I did really like Danny's performance this week. No, that's not entirely right. I really liked Danny's song choice this week. The performance was a little off for me, as it alwyas is with Danny, but I think that, because I love that song so much, I had to enjoy the performance more than I otherwise would. Eileen is right, though. I think he peaked weeks ago and becomes less interesting every week. That's just MY OPINION, though. I know most of you love him.
Danny's biggest problem is that he sounds the same every week. That's why, if you put them head to head, Adam Lambert should win. You may not always agree with his song choices or performance choices, but he has shown, week after week, that he can take any style of music and turn it into a unique and interesting performance. Now Kris does that, too, but you know what Kris' songs are going to sounds like every week. They are going to be stripped down- acoustic ballads. Adam surprises you. Let's be honest here, people. We all expected Adam Lambert to come out on Disco week dressed like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever dancing his little gay heart out. But he didn't. He showed restraint and surprised us. The performance did feel a little too musical theater to me, but I never cease to be amazed by his creativity.
Middle of the pack for me was Allison. I liked that she did something different with the arrangement and slowed it down. I liked the choices she made in the song. Unfortunately, it was still too fast to be touching and too slow to be terribly interesting. I hope she doesn't get put into the bottom by people over-voting because Anoop and Matt got negative feedback.
I did like Matt and Anoop last night, but if i'm being honest both of them are being outshined by the frontrunners at this point so I am going to have to be prepared to let one (or both) of them go. Sad, but at least all of my Idol boyfriends made it pretty far. I would also like to say, since i don't comment on Wednesday Idol, that I honestly believe that save was completely wasted on Matt Giraud last week. He will either go home this week anyway (so it was completely useless) or someone like Allison will go home instead which will make me even more upset. I have enjoyed watching him and Anoop this season, but two weeks from now if either one is still around, I will be very upset.
And then there was Lil. I didn't think it was as bad as the judges thought, but it was boring and uninteresting. I'm glad she had fun because she ought to go home.
Bottom 3
Anoop
Lil
Matt or Allison
Who I want to go home
Lil
Anoop
Who I think will go home
Lil
Matt or Allison
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Songs From the Most Boring Movies Ever...
To quote my favorite Dawg... last night was pretty weird for me. I didn't mind only hearing from two judges, I just wish the only two judges to speak were Simon and Randy because they are the only ones whose thoughts I ever care to hear.
Movie themes is an Idol standard and usually one I love but something was off for me. Lil aside, these 7 singers have been really strong and consistent in giving great vocal performances. Last night was the first time that I really saw some of them start to fall apart. It felt as if they spent too much time practicing the performance and not enough time actually singing their songs. I was disappointed.
The only person whose performance I can say I truly enjoyed was Anoop. He picked a good song and sang it well. I would have thought him a likely contender to go home this week no matter what he did, but I agree with Eileen, I think he bought himself another week with that performance and I would call it his best yet. He and Adam were the only ones, from where I was sitting, who weren't plagued with pitch problems all night.
So Adam... When I played his performance back and closed my eyes, I loved it. When I watched it through the first time I felt like it was too much, too over the top. The vocal was outstanding, as always, but the performance was... i hardly have words to describe it. I realize that after last week he had to change it up and do a faster tempo song and it's not that I didn't appreciate, on an artistic level, what he did. I just, I don't know, it was too much. But I still love him.
Everyone else, though... not so much. Kris and Matt come in 3rd and 4th for me, respectively, because although their performances were, as the Dawg says "pitchy", I appreciated what they were trying to do artistically with the songs. They both picked great songs and stylized them in a way that suited them perfectly. But the vocals fell apart for each of them at some point in the song.
Allison and Danny both also picked bad songs and neither sang them well. It's hard for me to explain what didn't connect with Allison, I'm usually a fan, but something was off for me. Danny... well I just don't care for him, as we all know, and this week's performance was so unremarkable that I can't even give him props for deserving other people's praise.
As for Lil, while I appreciate what she tried to do with "The Rose", she should have made the entire song gospel style. But even if she had, it still wouldn't have worked for her because she just doesn't have the talent to compete with the other six. Now that she doesn't have Meghan and Scott to hide behind, that is more obvious than ever. But Simon was mean to her, so that might buy her some pity votes this week to spare her.
My Bottom Three
Lil
Danny
Allison
Predicted Bottom Three
Lil
Matt
Anoop
Who I want to go Home
Lil
Who I think will go Home
Matt :(
Movie themes is an Idol standard and usually one I love but something was off for me. Lil aside, these 7 singers have been really strong and consistent in giving great vocal performances. Last night was the first time that I really saw some of them start to fall apart. It felt as if they spent too much time practicing the performance and not enough time actually singing their songs. I was disappointed.
The only person whose performance I can say I truly enjoyed was Anoop. He picked a good song and sang it well. I would have thought him a likely contender to go home this week no matter what he did, but I agree with Eileen, I think he bought himself another week with that performance and I would call it his best yet. He and Adam were the only ones, from where I was sitting, who weren't plagued with pitch problems all night.
So Adam... When I played his performance back and closed my eyes, I loved it. When I watched it through the first time I felt like it was too much, too over the top. The vocal was outstanding, as always, but the performance was... i hardly have words to describe it. I realize that after last week he had to change it up and do a faster tempo song and it's not that I didn't appreciate, on an artistic level, what he did. I just, I don't know, it was too much. But I still love him.
Everyone else, though... not so much. Kris and Matt come in 3rd and 4th for me, respectively, because although their performances were, as the Dawg says "pitchy", I appreciated what they were trying to do artistically with the songs. They both picked great songs and stylized them in a way that suited them perfectly. But the vocals fell apart for each of them at some point in the song.
Allison and Danny both also picked bad songs and neither sang them well. It's hard for me to explain what didn't connect with Allison, I'm usually a fan, but something was off for me. Danny... well I just don't care for him, as we all know, and this week's performance was so unremarkable that I can't even give him props for deserving other people's praise.
As for Lil, while I appreciate what she tried to do with "The Rose", she should have made the entire song gospel style. But even if she had, it still wouldn't have worked for her because she just doesn't have the talent to compete with the other six. Now that she doesn't have Meghan and Scott to hide behind, that is more obvious than ever. But Simon was mean to her, so that might buy her some pity votes this week to spare her.
My Bottom Three
Lil
Danny
Allison
Predicted Bottom Three
Lil
Matt
Anoop
Who I want to go Home
Lil
Who I think will go Home
Matt :(
Saturday, April 11, 2009
All-Time Top 10
In our Idol discussions last week, my friend Matt referenced a non-existent "Matt Peters Top 10 Idol Performances Ever" list. That got me thinking about what my top 10 performances would be and, because I have had some rare free time this week, I have decided to work up my own best and worst lists complete (when possible) with YouTube links.
All-Time Top 5 Idol Most Memorable (Not in a Good Way) Performances
Okay so before we get into the 10 best, here is the judging criteria I used. I started with a list of about 18 performances that were memorable to me. In cutting songs off the list, I tried to keep it to one performance per contestant. For example, I would also liked to have included "Over the Rainbow" by Jason Castro and "Always be my Baby" by David Cook, but since they already appeared on the list, those performances were axed. Also, because I have watched the show since the beginning, where I could I tried to include as many seasons of the show as possible. On the original list were "Hemorrhage" by Chris Daughtry and "A Song for You" by Elliot Yamin, which I technically liked better than Guarini and Doolittle, but in the interest of representing as many of the Idol seasons as possible, Guarini and Doolittlemade it. David Archuletta also got axed because of this... poor kid. Season 2 is the only one not represented because I didn't want to hear people complain that I put Clay Aiken on my Top 10 list, lol.
All-Time Top 10 Idol Performances
- I know he was creepy and kind of looked like Sideshow Bob, but his voice was like velvet and he was my very first American Idol boyfriend. I believe he also recorded a studio version of this song that I had and listened to over and over again back in my illegal downloading days.
- Oh Melinda. So sweet, so shy, so talented. I still believe Jordin Sparks deserved to win that season of Idol, but Melinda should have been there with her in the finale over Blake Lewis.
- One of my favorite songs of all time, I was floored that a 16 year old girl could pull it off without making it sound like it came right off a Kidz Bop album.
- Hated her with a passion the entire season. Still do. Love this song, it still gives me goosebumps every time I hear her (not others) perform it.
- I know this is not usually people's favorite Carrie Idol performance, but I put it on my list because this was the first time I took Carrie Underwood seriously and really understood why every loved her so much. Wasn't on that bandwagon before. Still never voted for her, but at least I understood. FYI - Allison's rendition of this song makes my top 5 list for Season 8.
- Oh Adam, how do I love thee? This performance was heartbreakingly chilling. Obviously, as with any clips from this season, the quality of this video is wretched.
- Oh Katherine, how do I hate thee? She was a whiny, bitchy princess who thought she walked on water. I couldn't stand her. But she was remarkably talented, arguably the best (technical) female singer the show has ever seen, and this performance gave me chills at the time and still gives me chills now.
- This pick is somewhat controversial. Most people would put "Hello" or "Always be my Baby" or "Billie Jean" in place as their David Cook pick but I loved this performance because Cook was a contestant I paid absolutely no attention to until he sang this song. It started a love affair that carried him through the entire season in my opinion.
- Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that Bo Bice is still the only contestant to perform an entire song A Capella on the live shows. This one took place in the Top 3 week of his season and, in my opinion, sealed his fate in the final 2. I remember being mesmerized and when I sat down to make this list, this was the first performance to pop into my head.
- While Adam Lambert is certainly making a run at the title, Jason Castro is my favorite Idol ever. He was original, bringing a style to Idol that it had never seen before. His awkward interviews were almost uncomfortable to watch but were also hilarious. Also, he had gorgeous eyes and a smile that made your knees weak, lol. Was he the best technical singer? Certainly not. But what he lacked in vocal talent he made up for in originality (in my opinion). This has always been one of my favorite songs and I think he is the only Idol that could have done it justice in a way that I could get on board with.
So, what did you think? I expect that everyone else's top 10 lists would look dramatically different, ha ha. If you get some time, put some thought into your list. Wikipedia is very helpful for jogging your memory :)
Also, I just backdate posted my thoughts/predictions for this week since internet issues prevented me from doing so earlier this week. If you wanted to be added to the email group that gets them Wednesday morning, let me know. (That's mostly for you, Carol, lol)
Happy Easter, everyone!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Idol Boyfriends
There seems to have been some confusion about my Idol boyfriends this season, so I thought I would explain myself so everyone understands why I have so many.
- Anoop is future husband. He's quirky, geeky and kind-of-strangely adorable. He takes himself way too seriously, which reflects a work ethic that will make him successful, but still has a sense of humor. He's stable and steady. He's also wicked smaht. Perfect type for marrying.
- Kris is hot boyfriend. He is, well, hot. He's also sweet but not really intelligent or interesting enough to keep my attention for more than a short while. He would be a perfect candidate for the middle-aged cougar phase.
- Matt is secret boyfriend. Something about him is ridiculously and understatedly sexy without his being that hot at all. It might be that he has a starving artist feel about him. He has to be a secret because, if future husband finds out, he would be offended that there is no "I understand why you cheated on me because this dude is ridiculously hott" excuse to use.
- Adam is gay boyfriend. We hang out, go shopping and check out guys together. He would likely encourage the cougar phase but would give unheeded advice to stay away from Matt. (Because Adam, too, is offended that Matt is not as hot as Kris.)
Top 8
DANNY
1980 - "Stand By Me"
So I know that everybody loves Danny and that I am going to hear a lot of griping about this, but he is completely unremarkable to me at this point. Yes, he can sing... very well. But everything he does sounds the same to me. Every week's performance is just a copy of the last but with different words. I still think he'll end up in the final two, but in my opinion he's a one trick pony, a novelty that I am so over.
KRIS
1985 - "All She Wants to do is Dance"
This was the week I had been predicting will come for Kris. He had to change it up this time and do something fast, there was no getting around that this week. But in doing so he reminded us why we didn't pay any attention to him in the beginning of the show. Hopefully, his prior success will carry him through so he can come back next week with another stripped-down ballad to blow us all away.
LIL
1984 - "What's Love Got to do with It"
I'm going to pull a Paula here and start with: she looked great last night. I am loving the wig, it has made such a difference. She actually looks like a pop star now. The judges (Paula, of all people) nailed my biggest issue with Lil when she used the word 'karaoke.' That's what Lil comes across as because she doesn't take any personal creativity to her performances. She has been in my bottom three for awhile now, but not America's, so apparently someones voting for her. I think, though, that might change this week.
ANOOP
1986 - "True Colors"
He, like Kris, really shines singing ballads. He has a lot of control and the vocal was spot on. I still love his geek-tastic khakis and his gi-normous eyebrows, but as a performer he does not stack up to Kris, Adam, Matt, Danny and Allison. I still would like to see Scott and Lil go home first, but if Noop Dawg ousts one of the others to get into the top five, I will be very disappointed.
SCOTT
1985 - "The Search is Over"
As I had predicted, Scott took Meghan Joy's place as the votefortheworst.com endorsed competitor. When I saw him standing on stage with an electric guitar, I figured he must be trying really hard to get the endorsement. This guy literally wants to be Billy Joel so bad that he decided to have Kris teach him four chords so he could stand on stage pretending to play the electric guitar. He pulled it off about as well as Billy Joel does but at least Billy Joel can sing well enough to distract you from noticing that he can't play the guitar. Scott can't sing and can't play the guitar. Therefore he is useless and needs to exit the show immediately. Showed us his punk side... wtf
ALLISON
1992 - "I Can't Make you Love Me"
I am an Allison fan. I really hope she rises above the fate of the girl rockers that have come before her and actually makes it into the final three or four. My problem with Allison this week is that she picked a song that, in my opinion, is taboo. I know I'm alone in this, but I don't think they should pick songs that prior contestants had a 'defining moment' with. Kimberly Locke had a competition changing moment with this song in Season 2 and it should have been retired after that. That same season, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" should have been retired because we wouldn't even know who Clay Aiken is without it. Season 5 should have been the last time we heard "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" because no one will ever perform it better than Katherine McPhee did in top 3 week. (Side note, also off limits should be previous idol winners' finale songs.) Anyway, point is, she did a great job but I wish she had picked a different song.
MATT
1985 - "Part Time Lover"
Glad to see him back in proper form. This was a very strange but simultaneously perfect song choice for him. He did a great job with it but I am still worried we'll see him in the bottom three this week because I don't think he, just like Allison, has a really strong fan base to carry him through. I hope I'm wrong because I think he deserves a top 5 spot.
ADAM
1982 - "Mad World"
As much as I loved the chuck bass hair, I was happy to see the emo bangs come back. I really just feel like he is performing on another level than everyone else. Every week it's like he is the veteran coming back to do a guest performance while everyone else competes with each other. I'm still not sure he's actually going to win, but I think he ought to. Love, love, love him.
MY TOP 3
Adam
Matt
Allison
MY BOTTOM 3
Danny
Scott
Lil
WHO I WANT TO GO HOME
Scott
PREDICTED BOTTOM 3
Scott
Anoop
Lil
WHO I THINK WILL GO HOME
Anoop
1980 - "Stand By Me"
So I know that everybody loves Danny and that I am going to hear a lot of griping about this, but he is completely unremarkable to me at this point. Yes, he can sing... very well. But everything he does sounds the same to me. Every week's performance is just a copy of the last but with different words. I still think he'll end up in the final two, but in my opinion he's a one trick pony, a novelty that I am so over.
KRIS
1985 - "All She Wants to do is Dance"
This was the week I had been predicting will come for Kris. He had to change it up this time and do something fast, there was no getting around that this week. But in doing so he reminded us why we didn't pay any attention to him in the beginning of the show. Hopefully, his prior success will carry him through so he can come back next week with another stripped-down ballad to blow us all away.
LIL
1984 - "What's Love Got to do with It"
I'm going to pull a Paula here and start with: she looked great last night. I am loving the wig, it has made such a difference. She actually looks like a pop star now. The judges (Paula, of all people) nailed my biggest issue with Lil when she used the word 'karaoke.' That's what Lil comes across as because she doesn't take any personal creativity to her performances. She has been in my bottom three for awhile now, but not America's, so apparently someones voting for her. I think, though, that might change this week.
ANOOP
1986 - "True Colors"
He, like Kris, really shines singing ballads. He has a lot of control and the vocal was spot on. I still love his geek-tastic khakis and his gi-normous eyebrows, but as a performer he does not stack up to Kris, Adam, Matt, Danny and Allison. I still would like to see Scott and Lil go home first, but if Noop Dawg ousts one of the others to get into the top five, I will be very disappointed.
SCOTT
1985 - "The Search is Over"
As I had predicted, Scott took Meghan Joy's place as the votefortheworst.com endorsed competitor. When I saw him standing on stage with an electric guitar, I figured he must be trying really hard to get the endorsement. This guy literally wants to be Billy Joel so bad that he decided to have Kris teach him four chords so he could stand on stage pretending to play the electric guitar. He pulled it off about as well as Billy Joel does but at least Billy Joel can sing well enough to distract you from noticing that he can't play the guitar. Scott can't sing and can't play the guitar. Therefore he is useless and needs to exit the show immediately. Showed us his punk side... wtf
ALLISON
1992 - "I Can't Make you Love Me"
I am an Allison fan. I really hope she rises above the fate of the girl rockers that have come before her and actually makes it into the final three or four. My problem with Allison this week is that she picked a song that, in my opinion, is taboo. I know I'm alone in this, but I don't think they should pick songs that prior contestants had a 'defining moment' with. Kimberly Locke had a competition changing moment with this song in Season 2 and it should have been retired after that. That same season, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" should have been retired because we wouldn't even know who Clay Aiken is without it. Season 5 should have been the last time we heard "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" because no one will ever perform it better than Katherine McPhee did in top 3 week. (Side note, also off limits should be previous idol winners' finale songs.) Anyway, point is, she did a great job but I wish she had picked a different song.
MATT
1985 - "Part Time Lover"
Glad to see him back in proper form. This was a very strange but simultaneously perfect song choice for him. He did a great job with it but I am still worried we'll see him in the bottom three this week because I don't think he, just like Allison, has a really strong fan base to carry him through. I hope I'm wrong because I think he deserves a top 5 spot.
ADAM
1982 - "Mad World"
As much as I loved the chuck bass hair, I was happy to see the emo bangs come back. I really just feel like he is performing on another level than everyone else. Every week it's like he is the veteran coming back to do a guest performance while everyone else competes with each other. I'm still not sure he's actually going to win, but I think he ought to. Love, love, love him.
MY TOP 3
Adam
Matt
Allison
MY BOTTOM 3
Danny
Scott
Lil
WHO I WANT TO GO HOME
Scott
PREDICTED BOTTOM 3
Scott
Anoop
Lil
WHO I THINK WILL GO HOME
Anoop
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Chuck Bass Bangs and Other Musings on Motown Night...
While I said last week that country night was always my least favorite night of the season, Motown night (or something close to it) is usually my favorite. There is just so much good music that came out of that era and music that is great for the big voices that this show always attracts. Has Smokey Robinson done the mentor thing before? I feel like I remember him doing it, but either way he did a great job.
My favorite performance of the night was Adam Lambert. 3 reasons: First, he showed us that he is capable of changing things up and succeeding at at it. My friend Eileen said that "he far surpasses all other contestants in knowing strategically what to do" and I couldn't agree more. He is smart and talented, a killer combination on this show. Second, I love acoustic sets and stripped-down, coffee house music (Gavin Degraw live, Amos Lee, Damien Rice, Ray LaMontagne) so his artistic pick this week was right up my alley. I don't see him making an album like this, but I think that it shows his versatility which is always good in the contemporary market. Third... he was sporting some Chuck Bass hair. omfg!
Coming in a close second was Matt Giraud. Forgetting that flub during his first semi-final round, he has shown that he really knows what kind of music he wants to make as an artist and has chosen songs well. Let's Get it On could very easily have been the cheesiest song pick of the night but he didn't let it go there. It was sensual and controlled.
Of course, I also loved Allison. I never cease to be amazed at how insanely talented she is and she picked a perfect song. I really hope that last week was just a fluke and she doesn't spend a ton of time in the bottom three. However, given the track record of female rocker contestants, I think it's likely she'll be departing before her time. Then again, I also think that unless Danny, Adam or Matt gets the boot sooner, she'll be the most likely candidate for the "Judge's Save".
Middle of the pack for me this week were Danny, Kris, Lil and Anoop. They all had good vocals but would have done better if they had picked different songs. Kris, Lil and Anoop are just sitting ducks. They are all good but not good or interesting enough to push out the front-runners. Danny is a different story. He is a front-runner and (unless he starts really screwing up) will probably win this season. I just wish I found him as remarkable as everyone else seems to.
That leaves Scott, Meghan, and Michael. Michael should have gone home last week and did nothing this week to prove that America 'got it wrong'. He seems like a great guy but is just out of his league with the other insane talent on the show this season.
Scott is awful. Enough said.
Meghan... honey. Has she ever seen this show before? There is one artist above all artists whose work you do not touch. You do not sing his music on Idol. Ever. There are no excuses and there are no exceptions. This artist is Stevie Wonder and no one on Idol has ever truly succeeded at covering Stevie Wonder. (Ok, exception for the week the idiot producers decided to do Stevie Wonder as a theme week.) She has no one to blame for this but herself and no "I'm sick" excuse to win sympathy votes and save her.
Bottom 3:
Meghan
Michael
Lil
Who I want to go home:
Scott
Who I think will go home:
Michael or Meghan (I'm torn...)
My favorite performance of the night was Adam Lambert. 3 reasons: First, he showed us that he is capable of changing things up and succeeding at at it. My friend Eileen said that "he far surpasses all other contestants in knowing strategically what to do" and I couldn't agree more. He is smart and talented, a killer combination on this show. Second, I love acoustic sets and stripped-down, coffee house music (Gavin Degraw live, Amos Lee, Damien Rice, Ray LaMontagne) so his artistic pick this week was right up my alley. I don't see him making an album like this, but I think that it shows his versatility which is always good in the contemporary market. Third... he was sporting some Chuck Bass hair. omfg!
Coming in a close second was Matt Giraud. Forgetting that flub during his first semi-final round, he has shown that he really knows what kind of music he wants to make as an artist and has chosen songs well. Let's Get it On could very easily have been the cheesiest song pick of the night but he didn't let it go there. It was sensual and controlled.
Of course, I also loved Allison. I never cease to be amazed at how insanely talented she is and she picked a perfect song. I really hope that last week was just a fluke and she doesn't spend a ton of time in the bottom three. However, given the track record of female rocker contestants, I think it's likely she'll be departing before her time. Then again, I also think that unless Danny, Adam or Matt gets the boot sooner, she'll be the most likely candidate for the "Judge's Save".
Middle of the pack for me this week were Danny, Kris, Lil and Anoop. They all had good vocals but would have done better if they had picked different songs. Kris, Lil and Anoop are just sitting ducks. They are all good but not good or interesting enough to push out the front-runners. Danny is a different story. He is a front-runner and (unless he starts really screwing up) will probably win this season. I just wish I found him as remarkable as everyone else seems to.
That leaves Scott, Meghan, and Michael. Michael should have gone home last week and did nothing this week to prove that America 'got it wrong'. He seems like a great guy but is just out of his league with the other insane talent on the show this season.
Scott is awful. Enough said.
Meghan... honey. Has she ever seen this show before? There is one artist above all artists whose work you do not touch. You do not sing his music on Idol. Ever. There are no excuses and there are no exceptions. This artist is Stevie Wonder and no one on Idol has ever truly succeeded at covering Stevie Wonder. (Ok, exception for the week the idiot producers decided to do Stevie Wonder as a theme week.) She has no one to blame for this but herself and no "I'm sick" excuse to win sympathy votes and save her.
Bottom 3:
Meghan
Michael
Lil
Who I want to go home:
Scott
Who I think will go home:
Michael or Meghan (I'm torn...)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Michael Jackson night... really?
I would really like to know who thought that Michael Jackson night would be a good idea. Every time someone tries to sing Michael Jackson they get a speech about how he is one of those artists that is just untouchable and should be left alone. Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston are also on this list. Why the producers thought it would be a good idea to start the year (again, remember we started with The Beatles last year) with an untouchable is beyond me. The whole thing was just TMTH.
I wouldn't say that anyone really bombed it and the night showed us that there is probably more talent this year than in any season before. Adam, Alexis, Lil, Allison, Matt and Danny are all incredibly talented. Anoop, Jasmine, Meghan, Kris, Jorge and Michael are all pretty good too and totally sing the pants off the second string of previous seasons.
LIL ROUNDS
The Way you Make Me Feel
She is very talented. The beginning of the song was unimpressive for me but she turned it around in the middle and made a good performance out of it.
SCOTT
Keep the Faith
We all know I'm not a fan. Kara kept promising us that we would really see him shine when we put him behind a piano. She lied. I think now they both should go. Anyone else?
DANNY
PYT
It's not that he's not talented. He is. Or that he doesn't seem like a great guy. He does. I just can't understand the nationwide obsession with this guy. He's good but, for me, there's nothing special about him.
MICHAEL
You Are Not Alone
Not gonna lie, I really expected him to bomb this week but his rendition of You Are Not Alone was much better than I was expecting.
JASMIN
I'll Be There
She should never have been put through. She is not ready and this is now the third time in a row she has demonstrated that. Sorry, dear, you're a good singer but this competition is above your head.
KRIS
Remember the Time
Like I said before, his role here is that of the "token pop singer". For some reason, he thinks that allows him to play the acoustic guitar to MJ and wear flannel shirts. No, hunny, that's not how the token pop singer plays it. He's hot enough that he should be safe this week, but he's going to need to heed my advice if he wants to stick around longer.
ALLISON
Give in to Me
16 or 26, this girl is just insanely talented. She sings with a maturiy for her age that we haven't seen since... well since last year with David Archuletta... but before that it had been a really long time. She won't win. Actually, she'll probably be the first truly shocking elimination of the year, but she should land on her feet after her stint here.
NOOP DAWG
Beat It
We all know I'm a fan... a supporter, but this was not his best showing. I understand why he picked the song. He's the feature in an A Capella choir, the classics are what they do. But that won't work here on Idol and I hope he realizes it soon.
JORGE
Never Gonna Say Goodbye
I liked him last week. He was new and interesting then. This week... not so much. After that performance, I don't think I'll have to spend much time next week thinking about if I enjoyed him.
MEGHAN
Rockin Robin
Talk about a weird yet simultaneously perfect song choice. My biggest issue... as if her dancing wasn't already awkward enough, this week she felt the need to add wings. I hope she re-thinks that decision next week...
ADAM
Black or White
Oh Adam Lambert, why do I love thee so much? Is it because I can just see the super-fabulous-ness that you are desperately repressing trying to explode out from inside of you every time you take the stage? Is it because you can hit notes I didn't know existed? Is it because you are the only contestant who drags Paula back to her lovable, incoherent self? For these reasons and more, I will vote for you every week.
MATT
Human Nature
I still worry that he peaked in Hollywood week and we'll never see him live up to the potential he showed there, but this week's performance was decent and it was good to see him at the piano again.
ALEXIS
Dirty Diana
I am always amazed to hear that giant voice come out of something so tiny. She will probably make it farther than any of the girls this season.
My Bottom 3
Scott
Jasmine
Jorge
Who I Want to go Home
Scott
Jasmine
Who Will go Home
Jasmine
Jorge
I wouldn't say that anyone really bombed it and the night showed us that there is probably more talent this year than in any season before. Adam, Alexis, Lil, Allison, Matt and Danny are all incredibly talented. Anoop, Jasmine, Meghan, Kris, Jorge and Michael are all pretty good too and totally sing the pants off the second string of previous seasons.
LIL ROUNDS
The Way you Make Me Feel
She is very talented. The beginning of the song was unimpressive for me but she turned it around in the middle and made a good performance out of it.
SCOTT
Keep the Faith
We all know I'm not a fan. Kara kept promising us that we would really see him shine when we put him behind a piano. She lied. I think now they both should go. Anyone else?
DANNY
PYT
It's not that he's not talented. He is. Or that he doesn't seem like a great guy. He does. I just can't understand the nationwide obsession with this guy. He's good but, for me, there's nothing special about him.
MICHAEL
You Are Not Alone
Not gonna lie, I really expected him to bomb this week but his rendition of You Are Not Alone was much better than I was expecting.
JASMIN
I'll Be There
She should never have been put through. She is not ready and this is now the third time in a row she has demonstrated that. Sorry, dear, you're a good singer but this competition is above your head.
KRIS
Remember the Time
Like I said before, his role here is that of the "token pop singer". For some reason, he thinks that allows him to play the acoustic guitar to MJ and wear flannel shirts. No, hunny, that's not how the token pop singer plays it. He's hot enough that he should be safe this week, but he's going to need to heed my advice if he wants to stick around longer.
ALLISON
Give in to Me
16 or 26, this girl is just insanely talented. She sings with a maturiy for her age that we haven't seen since... well since last year with David Archuletta... but before that it had been a really long time. She won't win. Actually, she'll probably be the first truly shocking elimination of the year, but she should land on her feet after her stint here.
NOOP DAWG
Beat It
We all know I'm a fan... a supporter, but this was not his best showing. I understand why he picked the song. He's the feature in an A Capella choir, the classics are what they do. But that won't work here on Idol and I hope he realizes it soon.
JORGE
Never Gonna Say Goodbye
I liked him last week. He was new and interesting then. This week... not so much. After that performance, I don't think I'll have to spend much time next week thinking about if I enjoyed him.
MEGHAN
Rockin Robin
Talk about a weird yet simultaneously perfect song choice. My biggest issue... as if her dancing wasn't already awkward enough, this week she felt the need to add wings. I hope she re-thinks that decision next week...
ADAM
Black or White
Oh Adam Lambert, why do I love thee so much? Is it because I can just see the super-fabulous-ness that you are desperately repressing trying to explode out from inside of you every time you take the stage? Is it because you can hit notes I didn't know existed? Is it because you are the only contestant who drags Paula back to her lovable, incoherent self? For these reasons and more, I will vote for you every week.
MATT
Human Nature
I still worry that he peaked in Hollywood week and we'll never see him live up to the potential he showed there, but this week's performance was decent and it was good to see him at the piano again.
ALEXIS
Dirty Diana
I am always amazed to hear that giant voice come out of something so tiny. She will probably make it farther than any of the girls this season.
My Bottom 3
Scott
Jasmine
Jorge
Who I Want to go Home
Scott
Jasmine
Who Will go Home
Jasmine
Jorge
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