Tuesday, March 25, 2008

American Idol, Top 10: Songs from the year you were born

Spoilers for the top 10 performance show of "American Idol" coming up just as soon as I put some Groucho glasses on my daughter and get the camera...

If we're sticking with the Inevitability of Archuleta theory, then tonight's episode was about definitively establishing David Cook as this year's bit of Bo Bice-esque misdirection. Some middle of the pack people raised their game a bit, some others fell back, but get ready for a whole lot of Big David vs. Little David talk over the next few weeks.

In order...

Ramiele Malubay, "Alone": The songs of the sisters Wilson are generally money in the bank for Idolettes -- Carrie Underwood's performance of this tune is basically the only time I ever liked her on the show -- but nerves or illness or both overtake Ramiele, and the big notes are too much for her to handle. Going first in a long show, her only hope is a passionate fanbase.

Jason Castro, "Fragile": The first of several songs in this show I've never heard before in my entire life. (Not that this is a bad thing -- I'd rather hear something new than the 80th performance of "Overjoyed" or "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" -- but it's rare that I'm so in the dark on so many songs in a single night.) After treating the French-inflected "Michelle" last week as one big joke, Jason takes this Spanish-inflected Sting tune more seriously, but Simon's right on the money when he calls it standard busking. You could hear that exact performance on street corners around the globe. Seacrest tried to help Jason out afterwards with the interview, but Jason's perpetually-baked affect doesn't exactly help the cause of proving he's putting any effort into any of this. Still, he's purdy, and I suspect that's going to carry him a long way yet.

Syesha Mercade, "If I Were Your Woman": First of all, Syesha? Stop doing the crying baby thing. It's not endearing; it's disturbing. As for the rest of it, this was a technically strong rendition of an extremely boring song. Even with all the runs and big notes and falsetto -- all pulled off with aplomb by Syesha -- I would have changed the channel or fast-forwarded through it if I wasn't reviewing each performance.

Chikezie, "If Only For One Night": Why, Chikezie? Why? You seemed to have figured it out, seemed to realize that the sleepy ballad thing was going to get you sent home and that the way to stand out was by doing those energy-filled mash-ups, and then you go back to the ballad box? Why? And yet... if Ruben Studdard had given this exact same performance in season two, the judges would have prostrated themselves about how Ruben was a genius and the one true heir to the Luther throne. I guess it speaks well of the show that it's come far enough in the last five years for that sort of thing to seem passe, but I really don't want Chikezie to go home yet, and I'm worried.

Brooke White, "Every Breath You Take": Randy is such a mush-head that I hate to agree with him about anything, and about music (his alleged area of expertise) in particular, but I was thinking the exact same thing as him as that song went into the bridge: had Brooke done the entire thing acoustic, accompanied just by herself, it could have been something special, but once the band came in, it was a very ordinary Police cover. Also, she's lucky that she was going solo at the start, because had she messed up her cue while working with the band, no way she would have had the chance to start over, James Blunt-style.

Michael Johns, "We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions": After admitting last week that he peaked when he sang Queen during the semi-finals, Michael finally gets his mojo back by... singing Queen. Ah, well. At least it was a different song, as opposed to Kristy Lee having to sing "Amazing Grace" again that same week to save herself. After seeming lost and uncomfortable on stage for weeks, Michael finally had his swagger back and kicked butt. I don't know if the sound engineer helped him out or if he just instinctively knows how to work with a rock band, but I could see a lot of contestants, past and present, getting swallowed up by that arrangement and the band, and his voice rang out like he was the only person on that stage. He's long since lost his chance to play Young David's stalking horse, but if Michael can be this good doing something other than the Freddie Mercury catalog, he might just stick around for a while yet.

Carly Smithson, "Total Eclipse of the Heart": Weird that two different contestants sang Heart songs and neither was Carly, and yet this Bonnie Tyler cheese classic is even more in her wheelhouse than the Wilson sisters are. The thing about Carly is that, if you close your eyes and just listen, she usually sounds terrific (though that attempt to go for a big, Randy-flavored run at the end was way off key), but she always seems so labored when you watch her. The really big stars make it look effortless; Carly can't help but show how hard this is for her.

David Archuleta, "You're the Voice": I'll be honest: I spent half this performance Googling the lyrics to figure out what the hell Young David was singing (it didn't help that I heard Seacrest's introduction as "You're the Boss") and I really don't recall much of anything about the actual singing. But with Archuleta at this point, does the singing even matter? He's no longer a singer; he's a cult of personality. Every girl who wants him to ask her to his prom is going to vote and vote and vote tonight.

Kristy Lee Cook, "God Bless the USA": I don't know whether to boo and hiss over her choosing maybe the song I hate most in all the world -- a pandering, lowest common denominator patriotic dirge whose subtext is, basically, "If you don't like America, you can go *&$& yourself" -- or applaud her for, as Simon hinted, being savvy enough to recognize that this kind of song is going to get her mad, mad vote totals from the "Idol" audience. I think Kristy just guaranteed her first completely safe week of the competition, dammit.

David Cook, "Billie Jean": The show seems to have learned its lesson from the Chris Daughtry Live-gate, as Seacrest introduces this as the Chris Cornell version of the Jacko classic. Cook is actually doing a very faithful rendition of this untraditional cover (follow that link to hear Cornell kill with an acoustic performance of it), but what it lacks in originality, it makes up for in charisma, and one huge rock god note near the end. Again, I think all this talk of Big David having a chance to win this thing is misdirection -- no matter how good or creative or edgy he may be, "Idol" is the kind of show that rewards schmaltz above edge -- but I'm always interested to see what he's going to do next.

Best of the night:
David Cook, with Michael Johns a distant second.

In danger:
Ramiele (went early, tepid praise at best from Simon), Syesha (went early, not as good as the judges claimed, don't know if she has a fanbase), Chikezie (went back to being boring), and Carly (tepid praise, iffy fanbase) are my top candidates to hit the seal. I'm hoping Ramiele or Syesha goes home; I'm afraid it'll be Chikezie.

What did everybody else think?

58 comments:

Eric said...

I'm starting to doubt the inevitability of Archuleta. Justin Guarini looked unbeatable the first few weeks of Season 1, but his schtick got old, and we all know how that turned out.

Jake said...

I thought it was totally bizarre when they said that, with his arrangements and everything, he was the bravest contestant ever. How soon we forget the beatboxing dude who was doomed to finish second last year.

Jake said...

But, that said, it was a pretty great performance.

Anonymous said...

Don't know if this qualifies as a spoiler, so I'll keep it vague, but after checking out the latest results on DialIdol, Archuleta might have some real competition. Not that he's in danger of falling into the bottom 3 anytime soon.

Nicole said...

As a non-American, Kristy's choice of song was jingoistic and nauseating. I would hope red state America doesn't fall for the pandering of that song because that is too much of a literal interpretation of Simon's "go for the country music crowd". She didn't screw it up so I seriously doubt she will even make bottom 3. Ugh. And Simon did not touch on the pageanty aspect of that song, because he doesn't want his visa yanked. I don't blame him, especially if he saw the Dixie Chicks movie, because he would know that a real critique would be viewed as "hating America" and then he would lose a lot of money, which is all that matters to him anyway.

David Cook was really good, and has outshined Archuleta the past few weeks. He may be the Bo Bice, but I would argue he has a better chance to win than Blake did, because beatboxing is a schitck and Cook has an actual ability to sing, as demonstrated in tonight's performance.

Unknown said...

YOU NEVER HEARD OF FRAGILE? DID YOU SPEND THE MID-80s IN A CAVE?

Sorry, I'm alright now. Big fan of The Police when I was younger and it sort of extended to early Sting, and it's a lovely song.

It's kind of a shame that David A. is the pre-annointed lock to win it all, because he isn't that good and his personality is 90% act. Cook seems a bit... dicky? ... but he finds very good unusual arrangements for songs and he freaking nails them, he's the best of the season so far. I hope he at least gets 2nd to the teddy bear.

Seriously never heard of Fragile? That's just bizarre. It was his big song during his save-the-rain-forest phase.

Anonymous said...

I thought Jason Castro's response to whether he's taking the contest seriously enough was hilarious. He obviously doesn't care if Simon likes him as long as he still gets to go to White Castle after the show.

Jeff Vaca said...

I'm with Mike - it is absolutely shocking that you've never heard "Fragile." I'm stunned beyond belief.

Anonymous said...

What you wrote about Kristy Lee is exactly what I was thinking as I watched in horror as she pandered to the red states. Disgusting.

My goal in life is to see this crafty b!tch get voted off. Probably won't be for a few more weeks, unfortunately.

(You've seriously never heard Fragile?)

Anonymous said...

I hate myself for liking "God Bless the USA".
But I hate Kristy Lee even more for singing it.

Simon is right, she was better this week and very clever. But I still hate her. And myself.

Most everyone was pretty dull and/or pitchy. Except Michael Johns. He should only be allowed to sing Queen.

David Cook is not original. He did the Chris Cornell version of Billy Jean. It was better when Chris Cornell did it. And I don't even like Chris Cornell.

I am just negative Nancy tonight.

Mrglass said...

This really is the most boring season of American Idol ever. So much for "the best 24!".

And yeah I am the opposite of a music buff, but know Fragile...

Anonymous said...

For everyone who thought Kristy Lee was being jingoistic when she sang that song, I need to point out that, as usual, she gave no indication that she had any idea what the song was about. She would have sung a love song, a show tune or a Dixie Chicks song exactly the same way.

Ben G said...

Did anyone else think of this hilarious scene in Andy Samberg's Hot Rod. during Archuleta's performance of "You're The Voice"?

J. Prakash said...

Freckles wrote:
"David Cook is not original. He did the Chris Cornell version of Billy Jean. It was better when Chris Cornell did it. And I don't even like Chris Cornell."

Please read the article properly. In no way did it mention that David Cook's version was original. Ryan introduced it as Chris Cornell's version before David's performance.

It was a great preformance. Deal with it.

J. Prakash said...

Sting actually did 3 versions of Fragile - an English, Spanish and Portuguese version. Lovely song.

Undercover Black Man said...

I missed Ryan's intro to "Billie Jean." But I knew it had to be somebody else's arrangement.

Nevertheless, every season there are two or three individual performance that are, like, unforgettable. And David Cook's tonight was one.

I rushed to iTunes to buy it. (It's not up yet.)

Bobman said...

"Fragile" also had a bit of a resurgence after 9/11, as Sting sang it as part of that tribute show.

Pandering was the first thing I thought of when I heard what Kristy was singing. I literally laughed out loud when Ryan said the song name. Very transparent, but Idol is a voting competition not a singing competition. She's in it to get votes. You can't BLAME her. And it was a popular song regardless of how silly and vapid it is.

I think David Cook can really sing, and he can put on a good performance... but is it wrong that I just don't like his voice that much? Every song he sings sounds like "David Cook sings _____". He's like Aaron Lewis of Staind or a bunch of those other bands that have been popular, where the lead singer can obviously sing but their voice is too distinctive, and not in a good, Angus Young sorta way.

Anonymous said...

I've called David Cook, "Daughtry Light" all season. I don't mind him, I just hate how the judges were saying how Brave and Original he is. From memory, he's done a Cornell cover of a Jackson song, and a Whitesnake cover of a Beatles song. Maybe he's "original" in that most idol contestants don't choose those covers, but don't call him artistically original for singing a cover of a cover.

KrisMrsBBradley said...

I loved Michael Johns singing Bohemian Rhapsody and had been disappointed every week since. Last night he hit it out of the ball park. Unfortunately, that doesn't make him a rock star...it makes him a challenger for Mig Ayesa's place in "Queen: The Musical".

David Cook was amazing.

I agree that, if you close your eyes, Carly is pretty amazing. Sadly, when she sings, she often looks like she is trying hard to pinch one off.

Alan Sepinwall said...

YOU NEVER HEARD OF FRAGILE? DID YOU SPEND THE MID-80s IN A CAVE?

No, just in my basement, watching HBO rerun the same five movies over and over and over again.

I like Sting well enough to own a couple of his albums, but I've honestly never heard that song before. My wife spent the entire performance reacting the same way you guys did, insisting as Jason got to the chorus that I had to know it.

Anonymous said...

Nicole, I take offense that you find a patriotic song "jingoistic." I would hope anyone would be proud of their country and be willing to defend it if necessary. I will admit, the song is a tad corny after 20+ years, but that's about the only thing I can see wrong with it.

Why is it patriotism in America looked down upon? I think this song is a lot less 'offensive' than Toby Keith's post 9/11 tune (which I still find to be very moving b/c it takes me back to how I was feeling in DC the day of the attacks).

Simon was right...she was very smart about her song choice.

Alan Sepinwall said...

Caroline, there's a difference between the patriotism of an "America the Beautiful" or even "God Bless America" and the chest-thumping, "love it or leave it" attitude of the Lee Greenwood song. I love this country, and am embarrassed by the continued popularity of "God Bless the USA."

(Though, admittedly, it's not as bad as anything from the Toby K. catalog.)

Alan Sepinwall said...

And, predictably, as I was writing that response, I got an e-mail at work asking me whether it's God I hate, or just America.

That is why I hate that f'ing song.

Anonymous said...

Um, have you looked at the lyrics lately? I don't see anything in them that say "love it or leave it." All he talks about his pride in being American and thanking the military for keeping us free.

Like I said, the song might be cheesy, but I don't see anything offensive in the lyrics.

Anonymous said...

I love that David Archuleta is unfamiliar with the Beatles catalog, yet knows this obscure song and artist. I think Simon was alluding to the possibility that his infamous stage dad may have played a hand in selecting the song on his behalf.

Anonymous said...

I don't usually vote, but I put in a bunch for Chikeze last night...I, too, don't want him to go home. He's entertaining and fun (the opposite of Carly, who just looks constipated). If he makes it another week, it will be interesting to see what sort of "everything but the kitchen sink" performance he puts together.

KLE said...

Before the season really began, Carly and Michael were strongly "presumptive" winners because of their ringer status, and I don't think either has really lived up to their hype.

I don't think Michael had the comeback everyone thinks he had last night. His song choice was just as calculated for effect as Kristy's, and if you really listen, his voice is tested to it's limit by this material. He didn't even sing the one high note, which to me means he needed to sing it in a different key or choose different material. In his defense, I think baritones have a hard time on this show. You can only sing so much Jim Morrison (on which he really shined) and Bono's material is apparently unavailable.

Archuleta has been bad or mediocre for weeks now, I just don't see how this "presumptive" thing can continue legitimately. His shine has rubbed off and I don't see it coming back. When I looked at Dialidol last night, David Cook was rightly at the top, although Archuleta was an unfathomable second.

Anonymous said...

Carly wants this so bad, she simply cannot be in the moment and sing. She looked positively scared when signing last night. David C was by far the best of the night, but wouldn't it be better for him to come in third or fourth and go the Chris Daughtry route? How on earth would he sound singing that cheesy stuff they make the winners sing? David A is disturbing me more and more as the weeks go by. I think Chikeze goes home. He was completely boring.

Nicole said...

Webster's Dictionary:

Jingoistic:
extreme chauvinism or nationalism marked especially by a belligerent foreign policy.


I made a point to say that I wasn't American because I knew that someone would attack me for it. Others commented on why the song is a bad one, and as Alan said, there is a different sentiment attached to that song than to the anthem or God Bless America.

There are other nations with freedom (some even have national health care) and this presumes otherwise. It's actually offensive in that regard to persons from other countries, because slavery existed much longer in the US than in countries from the British Empire and Western Europe, so how does this song apply to African Americans? Other countries participated in both World War I and II much earlier than the US and lost a significant number of soldiers with much smaller total populations.

I'm not attacking America or supporting the terrorists when I say that the song is jingoistic. No song actually fits that definition more than this one, and labelling it so does not attack your right to be proud of your country. You can like the song all you want, but presumably I have the right to dislike it, even though I'm not American.

When Kristy chose this song, she knew she would be taping into this "hating this performance means you hate America" sentiment, just like when she did that video with the Confederate flag in the background. (and knowing she is from Oregon makes that whole thing even more bizarre, because I thought that was a Southern thing).

Matt said...

Also, leaving aside the content of "God Bless the U.S.A.," it's not a particularly interesting song musically or a difficult one to sing.

Anonymous said...

As Kristy Lee Cook sang "God Bless The U.S.A.," I found myself thinking of Mr. Burns' directive after the Ramones perform at his birthday party: "Have the Rolling Stones killed."

There's just no understating the shamelessness of that song choice-- and on the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War, no less, when we've just lost our 4,000th troop, to say nothing of the 100,000+ other lives lost-- and I was annoyed by the cowardice of all three judges into playing along with KLC's red-state pandering.

Over on his blog, Daniel Fienberg makes a good point about KLC's performance being preceded by singers with Aussie, Irish, and Honduran roots. This diabolical (Simon would say "clever") move on KLC's part establishes her as America's Idol, as well as its lone country star. I always felt the latter quality would get her further in the competition than others expected-- and the results so far have borne that out-- but now I'm thinking she could slip into the top five or six before her evident lack of vocal chops finally sends her packing.

Anonymous said...

a pandering, lowest common denominator patriotic dirge whose subtext is, basically, "If you don't like America, you can go *&$& yourself"

How can you possibly read "go *&$& yourself" out of "I'm proud to be an American"?

Anonymous said...

a pandering, lowest common denominator patriotic dirge whose subtext is, basically, "If you don't like America, you can go *&$& yourself"

Gee whiz. Protest too much?

Anonymous said...

Alan had such a visceral (and profane) response to the song. I wanted to know where it came from.

Is that all right with you, "Anonymous"?

Anonymous said...

Exactly, Mark. I don't see the 'jingoistic' in this particular song at all. There's nothing in there but loving America and being proud of veterans for what they've done.

I don't see anything belligerent in that at all.

Toby Keith's song...sure, I can see that kind of thing in it. But this one? I honestly think some are bringing in their own prejudices here.

Anonymous said...

APOLOGIES: I misread Anonymous's comments as directed at me. Upon reading it again, I completely misread the intent.

h said...

You leftist cretins are reading a sub-text into "God Bless the USA" that doesn't actually exist.

Nothing even faintly jingoistic within it.

I found myself having to agree with Randy (yo,dog,yo) Jackson on the Brooke White song too though.

Bobman said...

GOD why does every conversation involving "Patriotism" bring up all this vitriolic rhetoric. People are allowed to dislike songs and have opinions about them that don't necessarily make them evil anti-American terrorists. It's a SONG.

You want a good song about America, go listen to Ray Charles rendition of America the Beautiful. Gives me chills every time.

Linda said...

I think the reason why there seems to be a sort of a "screw you" element to the song is that it's so defiant about basically attacking a straw man.

The entire debate about loving your country versus not loving your country has always been a crock -- that's NEVER the issue when that's brought up. People who proclaim their love of country ALWAYS intend to distinguish themselves from people who don't. And generally, that means (1) people who dissent politically; (2) people who believe we are not on the right side of an international issue; (3) people who question military policy; or (4) people who expect freedom to extend to them that others don't wish to extend to them.

None of that has anything to do with loving your country. The reason I hate that song so very much is that it's part of a whole false philosophy equating love of country with (1) crediting the military for your freedom, which not everyone does; and (2) shutting up and being grateful for the fact that "at least" you know you're free, even when many Americans feel less free than others, and some feel less free than ever.

That's why I hate that song. "Shameless," as Scott noted, is spot on.

Nicole said...

I will admit to reading the TWOP forums after this performance and found this comment that I wanted to share:

"I met Lee Greenwood while working at a venue in 2005 and we discussed this song while he was waiting to be called on stage. He admitted that even he can’t stand this song anymore."

Kristy is smart in that she's definitely created a reaction with her song, and this means trouble for Ramiele and Chikeze.

Anonymous said...

Alan had such a visceral (and profane) response to the song. I wanted to know where it came from.

Is that all right with you, "Anonymous"?


Uh, Mark B, I was asking if Alan protested too much, not you. It seems to me that there is some undercurrent going on with certain viewers if that is what they read into a hokey old song.

Anonymous said...

As someone who has been shamed on occasion by friends for not recognizing a particular song, I feel for ya Alan. Even for the casual Sting fan, I would say it is pretty well known but it took me awhile last night before the chorus to finally recognize it. Likely having more to do with how it was sung.

Jason Castro blew the opportunity Seacrest gave him to say how seriously he was taking this chance to sing for 30 million people by agreeing he could have practiced more...dumb much?

Simon's comments on the Archuletta choice were interesting. I thought possibly it was something he might have sung in church or on a Mormon mission or something but then I saw that David Foster had produced the 1990 cover version, so now it doesn't surprise me that svengali Foster made the suggestion to Archuletta.

Charles said...

*rolls eyes* at the 'this song is jingoistic' talk. The lyrics are full of praise for the US, and while they may fulfill the requirements of the dictionary definition of "jingoism" (nationalism), they aren't chauvinistic or beligerent, which is what people mean when they say 'jingoistic' instead of just 'patriotic' or 'nationalistic.'

Don't judge the lyrics of a song by the actions of some who like the song (someone asking "is it God I hate, or just America?" is really no different than some of the hate mail critics get when they pan films like "Freddie got Fingered").

The song is about loving the USA, not about being beligerent towards other people or other nations. Just because some people defend the song by being beligerent doesn't mean that the song itself is.

Charles said...

RE the rest of the performances, was I the only one who thought that Michael Johns performance - while it was very, very good - suffered by squeezing in two songs? "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" are two seperate songs, and they didn't flow into eachother at all, which I thought was a bit disappointing.

Also disappointing is that now we have used up Bohemian Rhapsody, Killer Queen, We Will Rock You, and We are the Champions. I don't know where that leaves Michael Johns, unless he wants to get into some of the lesser-known Queen songs. I'm not yet convinced he can do anything other than Freddie Mercury, though he does do that very, very well.

Bobman said...

Maybe on the week he goes home, Johns can do "Another One Bites the Dust".

Also, We Will Rock You and We Are the Champions are always sort of treated as a medley; I can't remember the last time I heard one without it being attached to the other. They don't necessarily flow into each other, but they do "go together" historically.

Anonymous said...

Alan, and others, where in the following lyrics is there an "go *&$& yourself" sentiment? It seems the people reading that into the lyrics are just as guilty of bias as people who say "if you don't like it you're unamerican."

"If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again
with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars
to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota
to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas
from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston
and New York to L.A.,
There's pride in every American heart
and it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American..."

Little Miss Smoke and Mirrors said...

Oh please. It was such a manipulative move, I'm surprised Kristy Lee didn't come out wearing a red, white and blue bikini. I suspect some FOX executive picked the song.

Charles said...

Well.... ok... but honestly, the first female AI contestant to come out and perform while wearing a red-white-and-blue bikini (or any bikini, for that matter) will get my vote!!!!

Anonymous said...

I suspect some FOX executive picked the song.

Based on what? And then, who picked everyone else's songs?

Anonymous said...

Slavery still exists in the world, particularly in Africa, where they have always enslaved their brothers.

It is not the place of non-Americans to disparage patriotic American songs. I would not disparage any patriotic song of any other country and would defend their right to have such songs.

This show, American Idol, is meant for American audiences. If you happen to be able to watch it from another country, enjoy it, but remember that you are not the focus of this show. The American audience is. You are just an incidental viewer.

People from around the globe and particularly Canada come to the USA for our excellent health care.

John McCain has it right when he says he won't provide national health care but will make it easier for everyone to afford health care. That's the proper way to meet all goals.

You foreigners talking about domestic affairs of the United States need to learn more and to appreciate history.

Alan Sepinwall said...

Right, that's enough of that.

I'm shutting down all future discussion of "God Bless the U.S.A," jingoism vs. patriotism, etc., right now. Feel free to talk about any of the other nine performances in last night's show, but any future comment that deals with this one particular area (or the many tangents it's led to) will be deleted, whether I agree with it or not.

We clear?

The Pants Down Explainer said...

I've never heard of fragile. Don't care much for Sting.

I live in a blue state.

I'm neutral on GBNUSA; I like some Toby Keith songs.

I really think Krist is hot, or at least the hottest AI contestant. By far.

I wonder what makes this me?

Anonymous said...

Jason Castro blew the opportunity Seacrest gave him to say how seriously he was taking this chance to sing for 30 million people by agreeing he could have practiced more...dumb much?

I have liked almost every performance Jason has given, and I admit with no embarrassment that I think he's cute as pie. But I also suspect he's dumb as a stick.

I don't care what Kristy Lee sings. She's awful and she needs to go home.

Alan, I've never heard of "Fragile" either.

Anonymous said...

It seemed that Simon was using John Farnham, the original singer of "You're The Voice", as the benchmark for evaluating little David's performance. I thought that was unfair. Farnham won numerous National awards both for the song itself and for singing the song - it was a number 1 hit in Australia for more than six months and a number 1 hit song in several European countries. David is a fine singer but even a fine singer can make that song look ordinary, unless the singer can match Farnham's intensity and peaks in the chorus. (Farnham's rendition is available on youtube).

Unknown said...

Hi, Alan! I just discovered your blog! Very nice. You are spot on about Kristy Lee. I wanted to scratch her eyes out. Metaphorically, of course.

You can check out my thought on my Idol blog:
http://www.americanidol.com/myidol/profile/?un=BlakerGurl72

I'll be back to read more!

Minda
www.TheCemeteryClub.com

Unknown said...

Brooke White needs to go home, until this very day I can't see what she brings to the stage vocally, though she seems like a very nice woman.
I thought Michael John's performance was good, not yet great, though he is absolutely my favorite based on the sound of his voice - it's got something to it that reminds me of Jim Morrison, and I absolutely love it.

David Cook is a good singer, with a pretty nasty personality, or so he strike me at least.

David A. is still a very good singer. and Carly tries too hard, and takes herself too seriously.
Kristy Lee is not as bad of a singer as people make her to be - I actually don't mind her (I would definitely take her over Brooke)

Anonymous said...

mj said...

It seemed that Simon was using John Farnham, the original singer of "You're The Voice", as the benchmark for evaluating little David's performance. I thought that was unfair. Farnham won numerous National awards both for the song itself and for singing the song - it was a number 1 hit in Australia for more than six months and a number 1 hit song in several European countries. David is a fine singer but even a fine singer can make that song look ordinary, unless the singer can match Farnham's intensity and peaks in the chorus. (Farnham's rendition is available on youtube).
5:54 PM, March 26, 2008


You are absolutely right. The song was just too big for David A. the irony of song choice here is that David A's song could be called anti war, and Kristy Lee Cook's was almost the opposite judging by comments above. David A doesn't have a big enough voice to have pulled this off. And if this song was released by David Foster doing a cover in 1990, you Americans were sadly ripped off.

here's the original and the best

http://www.nme.com/video/id/99P7TTvpO1g/search/voice

We have
The chance to turn pages over
We can write what we want to write
We gotta make ends meet before we get much older
We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?

You're the voice try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Whoa oh oh
We're not gonna live in silence
We're not gonna live in fear
Whoa oh oh

This time
We know we all can stand together
We have the power to be powerful
Believing we can make it better

We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?

You're the voice try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Whoa oh oh
We're not gonna live in silence
We're not gonna live in fear
Whoa oh oh

SH said...

I would highly suggest you listen to the studio version that David A. recorded on Itunes...it is amazing!! I think it's his best Idol recording yet. The song is so powerful and has so much meaning behind it. David nailed this song in the studio. I can't stop listening to it...I wish they would play it on the radio for everyone to hear.