Following up on my earlier post about American Idol. Tonite was the Final 10:
Ramiele Malubay - I think this was Ramiele’s swan song. She’s been hanging on by her fingernails for awhile now, and she just didn’t deliver. She’s too staccato in her delivery (although she has improved in this area since the beginning) and simply lacks the power to really deliver the big payoff (critical in the style in which she chooses to sing)…plus, her song choices are mediocre at best. Simon’s comment about her surviving was goofy. There were 9 more performances to know…how could he assume that she’d survive without hearing them first?
Jason Castro - I love this kid. Sure, in part its his endearing “stoner” personality or his dreads and his eyes…but he’s got a very sweet voice and what seems to be a gentle spirit. He doesn’t seem to take “all of this” too seriously. I get the feeling that if he was voted off, he’d just shrug and say “thanks for having me”. That being said, tonite he chose a poor song (it was pretty, but was neither recognizable not special in any way). He’s fine this week, but he needs to get back to better song choices.
Syesha Mercado - She’s cute, she’s got a great voice and she’s a pretty doggone good performer. Overall, I feel like she could select better songs. She should be better positioned in the competition…but I doubt she’ll last into the Top 5.
Chikeze Eze - He could have chosen much better tonite. Brenda Russell is a hell of a songwriter (check out “Piano in the Dark” and “So Good, So Right”), but that just wasn’t an especially strong song…and his performance wasn’t special. The guy has the talent to simply blow me away (he’s done it before)…I’d probably buy anything he put out…but he’s got to be more consistent in picking songs that he can really deliver, instead of just songs he loves (the same mistake most of these folks make).
Brooke White - She’s got a delightful personality and she’s certainly easy on the eyes. I like her singing, but I don’t share the same passion for her that the judges seem to. I’d LIKE to like her more. I guess I’m waiting for a breakout performance. I’m just not that impressed so far with what she brings to the table. If she was a really terrific songwriter, she might grow to be really popular. But this probably isn’t the competition to find that out.
Michael Johns - Sorry, but this guy should have been gone weeks ago. He’s got some power in his voice…but not the consistent power to sell the songs he wants to sing. I have yet to see a great performance from him. He just doesn’t have it. I think the voting audience is finally seeing past the judges’ gushing on his behalf…but he really deserves to leave. He might be great with some vocal training…his voice is interesting, but he’s currently not deserving of the opportunity.
Carly Smithson - I don’t dislike her…and she certainly can sing…but I have NEVER been impressed with this girl. Part of it is song choice…part of it may the be the Irish thing (her voice has a bit of pinched-ness to it at times, as is common with Celtic/Gaelic singers). But I just can’t buy into her. She may be around for awhile, but I’m still waiting to be sold on her as well.
David Archuleta - Good grief, this kid is something else…he may be as close to a perfect pop voice as I’ve ever heard. Amazing vocal control, and a really interesting character to his voice (I heard recently that it actually comes from a disabling condition that he suffered some time back). What Paula said is true…he could pretty much sing the Phone Book and I’d listen. I love his personality. That being said, this was a weak song choice…unknown in the states, and Simon’s description was rather apt…it was kind of a “theme park” thing…sort of like “Up With People”. Far from his best week.
Kristy Lee Cook - I’ve enjoyed this girl thru most of the competition. She’s attractive and personable, and she can really sing. But week after week, she’s picked godawful songs (inasfar as they don’t suit her voice or vocal style). Tonight was the closest she’s ever hit to a home run. Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The USA” is an incredibly powerful song…and it was nearly perfect for her. Her style of “sliding into the note” (which can be very legitimate in certain country music styles) robbed the performance of some of its potential power…but still, it was very strong. She’s safe for at least another week.
David Cook - If anyone has a chance of stealing Archuleta’s claim to the crown this year, it’s this kid. It’s true…other than his early unnecessarily smug attitude and some uncomfortable facial expressions (which have gotten better in recent weeks), he is consistently the most interesting performer, and his song choices have been truly inspired. Tonight, he chose Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”…a great song, but nowhere near Cook’s native style. I believe Ryan said this was Chris Cornell’s arrangement (former lead singer for Soundgarden)…and Cook simply knocked it out of the park. In my mind, THIS is what a rock singer should sound like…and Chris Daughtry notwithstanding (IMHO, he can write, but he still doesn’t sing that well), I’d say Cook is the most legitimate rock singer the competition has seen in the years I’ve been watching.
This turned out to be a rather poor week. Unfortunately (and as usual), it seems to boil down to poor song choices once again. This is one of the true weaknesses of American Idol. The judges know it…so WHY don’t the producers DO something about it? It’s been the same for years…and it really hurts the momentum of the show.
Speaking of songs, I received an email from American Idol today inviting me to submit a song to this year’s songwriting competition (as I did last year). I probably won’t do it, because my fear is that they’re really looking for pieces of crap like those selected in previous years. Those godawful “anthemic” pop pieces are as far from anything I’d ever want to write as is a rap piece. If they were really seeking strong material, I’d jump on it in a minute. While I was a proponent of a songwriting component to the show for a good two years before they introduced it, I’m really disappointed that they don’t do a better job with it. It could significantly improve the show and make them even more money (not like they need it!).
I haven’t seen these performances yet but I do know that Simon attends the dress rehearsals and forms the majority of his opinions there. Thus, he has time to pick on Paula during the show.
I tend to agree with Chuck here. Cook has to be the front runner. Archuleta has not made wise song choices lately. I also hope that Brook can do something other then piano songs or she won’t last and I like her voice bunches. I have picked the winner all but two years, Rueben and Fantasia, looks like 3 now as I picked the Aussie!
Carly is lame. Kristy or David is going to in IMHO.
I haven’t seen their performances but I admire those guys that they were able to reach the top10.
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Chuck,
This season has been interesting, no doubt! It seems however that each year there are some people that seem to keep going on even with poor performances. I wonder if the American people just vote based on looks or who is popular?
I wish Asia’h had been kept on, she is an inspiration to me.
Best wishes,
Elliott @ ejcross.com
I don’t think it’s all about looks this year. That criticism may have held true at some points in the past…with exceptionally good-looking people. Kat McPhee, for example…although I believe she was also monstrously talented. This year, I know a lot of ladies were impressed with Michael Johns’ sex appeal. But I believe he’s gone simply because he’s not a very good singer. The fact that he outlasted a real talent like Chikeze is the amazing part.
At this point, it seems very likely that the final three will be (in no particular order): David Archuleta, David Cook and Jason Castro. I don’t believe there’s a single girl who’s strong enough to crack the top three. Syesha is lovely and a gifted singer, but not all that special…especially when you look back to Fantasia and LaToya London and Mandisa. Brooke is cute and sweet, but fairly boring. If she were a killer songwriter, maybe she could be successful…or if people were writing incredible songs for her. But sh’e just not that interesting. Kristy Lee Cook has gone about as far as she can…she’ll probably go have a successful career in country. To me, Carly is just…well, she’s just not connecting with me or the audience…and she’s tone-deaf to criticism. Without seeing this week’s performances yet, I suspect she’ll be leaving in the next two weeks.
Good points! I agree with your list for the top three, but I’m putting my money on David Cook. I think he is the strongest one up there right now. When Simon is consistently impressed, you know you are doing something right!
I agree. Cook is definitely the most savvy guy in the crowd, and barring any major missteps, he’ll probably win. His song choices and creative approach have been spot on for the most part..and he’s the best “entertainer” on the show this year. I think he stands to sell a ton of albums, and I think he also overcomes the objections of a lot of AI “haters”. He’s a legit rock singer, maybe the best the show has seen. He’s definitely a better singer than Chris Daughtry…who I have no particular beef with, but he still doesn’t know how to use his voice.
Good critiques Chuck! I’ll be interested to read your next impressions on the competition…