Canadian Idol Fans Watching American Idol

[ross 1]

It's all way too pageanty for me. I'm not into that sort of music or performing. I don't hate the show this year (I kind of hated it last year) but I don't feel it's musically interesting, and at least half the people seem not to project any personality. The show is all dull edges - and maybe that's also how I think of pop radio. Not that this music resembles pop radio, either. But maybe the voices do? Well, it's very karaoke this year, anyhow.

CapsuleNeo, you see James as cocky? I never get that from him.

I thought that performance of Casey's was close to being a trainwreck, actually. I thought it sounded bad, and it seemed like he was enjoying it more than the audience. Simon would have called that "self indulgent rubbish," and he would have been right.

 

[SleepinIn]

Okay, I have to add something this morning. The producers the contestants work with are responsible for a lot of the music on the radio right now, right? After witnessing the horrible arrangements the producers give to the contestants, it helps understand why popular music is crap right now (sorry SleepinIn, I know you love some of the pop songs on the radio!). Seriously, the arrangements of the songs the contestants did were awful

Quite alright. Variety is the spice of life, I wouldn't mind seeing different producers and writers writing for top 40 radio.

I thought that performance of Casey's was close to being a trainwreck, actually. I thought it sounded bad, and it seemed like he was enjoying it more than the audience. Simon would have called that "self indulgent rubbish," and he would have been right.

Bite your tongue! LOL (I actually kinda agree to be honest, but I'd rather ride that train to the rubbish heap than be bored by the pagent stuff) It was a weird night last night to be honest.

 

[missaddicted]

(I actually kinda agree to be honest, but I'd rather ride that train to the rubbish heap than be bored by the pagent stuff)

Yes! YES!

Oh, well, Karen is gone. Not going to miss her. And it's another week where I'll regret not taking part in an Idol pool because I would've put all my points on her.

I so wanted to like Lee tonight, I did. But unfortunately, the song was kind of crap and his singing was pretty bad. The song also doesn't really have a melody, how is it ever going to be played on the radio?

I fast-forwarded the BEP's, needless to say.

The group number was all kinds of Glee-tastic. Seriously, didn't the mash-up sound like it could've been done on Glee? Oh and Nigel, you can say all you want that they sing live during the group numbers, but I don't have to believe you, because that very much was some lipsync that we saw tonight.

 

[ross 1]

I don't watch Glee but I'll take your word for it, since I think I know what those Glee numbers sound like from hearing them here and there. The solos in the group number were obviously live. Jacob's mic didn't work at one point. But when they sang together it sounded recorded. And Pia apparently is someone who never moves a lot, even in group numbers. Rooted to the earth.

BEPs have kinda jumped the shark, maybe. They really didn't get a lot of applause any time Seacrest announced them. But maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part that they've peaked.

Not only am I not going to miss Karen, I hardly knew who she was. I was like, "Who dat? Did she sing last night?"

I see what you're both saying re Casey and his not being boring like the pageant singers...I don't find him boring, I guess, but I don't like his singing. What is that growl? To cover up that he has no voice? He's going to have to sing, eventually. Kind of reminds me of Blake Lewis. You can't beat-box on every song.

Lee was disappointing. Post-Idol, he has been pretty good, at times. Tonight he wasn't, though. So - I guess the know-it-alls won't be eating crow any time soon.

 

[ross 1]

So - did Adam's charity single fot the Trevor Project sell a lot? I hope so - it's a worthy cause.

I was thinking today that if Kris and Jacob had a child he might look like Stefano. What do you think?

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[CapsuleNeo]

So - did Adam's charity single fot the Trevor Project sell a lot? I hope so - it's a worthy cause.

Unfortunately, I doubt that it sells a lot. Adam performed the song on Idol, but no one mentioned of where to buy the remix version to benefit The Trevor Project :|. Adam just casually mentioned, "Oh yeah, it's for the Trevor Project." and didn't mention that the remix version is only available on his site. That's going to have a major negative impact on sales since most AI watchers aren't hardcore Adam fans and would need help finding it online.

 

[ross 1]

I can't seem to post any pics of Jacob. They post, at first, then they're replaced by that "image hosted by Tripod" message.

CapsuleNeo - too bad about that.

I was just reading about Interscope. Interesting.

Interscope Records - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[missaddicted]

LOL ross about the Kris + Jacob = Stefano! It's actually not that far-fetched, ha!

 

[SleepinIn]

I'm guessing your Jake picture had him dressed something like this...?

YouTube - Jake - "the red piano song"

and you're right. So funny.

Idol doesn't seem to be so good at promoting charity singles.

 

[ross 1]

I'm guessing your Jake picture had him dressed something like this...?

Yeah. I had all three of them in tank tops originally.

btw, Don't blame Jake for his ass hanging out, this time. It's a true fact of skinny jeans, for some reason.

Book review of Rushfield's Idol book, by the hated (by me, anyway) Jon Caramanica. Moody, bruised?

http://tv.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/bo...ol-by-richard-rushfield.html?ref=americanidol

I so wanted to like Lee tonight, I did. But unfortunately, the song was kind of crap and his singing was pretty bad. The song also doesn't really have a melody, how is it ever going to be played on the radio?

I was surprised a lot of people thought it was good. The appearance also gave his CD a bump and it has been at #10 on itunes all week, acc. to someone on MJ's blog (which tried to give me a virus twice today).

Kris supposedly said in an interview he hopes to have a single to perform on the finale. Performing on the finale surprises me. Is Lee also performing? Cook is performing the boot song, right?

LOL ross about the Kris + Jacob = Stefano! It's actually not that far-fetched, ha!

I agree with your agreement! lol

 

[missaddicted]

Cook is performing the boot song, right?

David will perform the boot song on the final performance night, so when the top 2 perform their three songs, not on the finale per se. Anyway, it should be that way, it's been that way the last 3 years I've watched the show.

Maybe Kris means "before" the finale? Did he really say "on" the finale? Anyway, they probably don't know yet who'll be on the finale yet. LOL, that reminds me of Cook saying that he would've liked to have a single out to perform on Idol LAST YEAR!!!! There are only 2 months left to Idol THIS year and he doesn't even have a single out yet! At least, we know that his album is finally in the mixing and mastering stages. Not to say that it'll be the same for Kris, but let's say I won't necessarily be expecting a new single. If he performs AWM, that would be super fine with me as well.

 

[ross 1]

David will perform the boot song on the final performance night, so when the top 2 perform their three songs, not on the finale per se. Anyway, it should be that way, it's been that way the last 3 years I've watched the show.

Okay, thanks. I didn't really know when the b.s. is traditionally performed.

I would be happy as a pig in merde if Kris performed AWM. Well, maybe if he had performed it last year, even more. I wouldn't totally want to see it at this point, as I think it has passed its date and is no longer fresh (although most people haven't even heard it, so maybe not). I would love to see Kris perform such a kick-ass song on Idol, though - last year he performed two ballads.

But I think he said he's going to try to get a new song on the show this year. Maybe not the finale, I don't necessarily think that's true - and it's a double-edged sword - a huge audience, but if you're there, you're just one of many.

Whether he'll actually have a song ready, I don't know. I'm pretty sure Kris isn't waiting as long as Cook to get out CD #2, though. I think they're working fast to get it out - surprisingly fast. Just seems that way. Though, of course, you never know.

 

[SleepinIn]

Kris said he will be AT the finale. Not that he'd be performing on it. Which makes much more sense. I think he hopes to have a single out to perform on Idol this year, but I don't know how likely that will be. I actually wouldn't really want him on the finale performing (although I'd take it, lol) I'd rather he perform pretty much any other week.

David's been working on this album forever it seems. Speed it up boys. Just when you think they're done they pull you back into the studio.

I was surprised a lot of people thought it was good. The appearance also gave his CD a bump and it has been at #10 on itunes all week, acc. to someone on MJ's blog (which tried to give me a virus twice today).

About Lee. I think a lot of folks forgot about Lee (especially with all the WGWG bad press) after he won. He actually is a good singer, perhaps maybe not the most exciting singer, but he really was IMHO the most consistent last year (strange bag pipe notions aside) and there is a reason that he lasted til the end and won. (Crystal had her own problems with excitement and consistency afterall) I don't completely buy into the cute boy wins the vote thing that the media is trying to put out there. I thought he did a good job with his new song, it suited him a bit more than SS. Maybe not something I want to own or play, but it was pretty good and served him well. And for all the people who've heard how awful he is, well maybe they're thinking to themselves that really Lee's not that bad after all.

This is very cool. A mash up of I Need to Know and I'm With You. (Although Avril is too autotuned) The songs would actually work well together I think - minus the autotune.

YouTube - Kris Allen & Avril Lavigne - I Need To Know I'm With You (Mash Up)

RE: The book review.. Moody and bruised rock singers. I laugh at that. Ha! ('Cause if I think Kris Allen I think Moody and bruised) but hand me down hair extensions.. ew? Rushfield and I don't really agree on what's good anyway so that's a whole 'nother issue.

 

[ross 1]

Okay, I'll just say I really don't know anything about if/when Kris will be on Idol this season.

I'm not really thrilled he's singing God Bless The USA, at any time, though. I hate that song and I can't imagine him singing it (except for that one time when he sang a bit of it, yeah, I know). It's a country song, anyway.

Just thought I'd throw that in here.

About Lee. I think a lot of folks forgot about Lee (especially with all the WGWG bad press) after he won. He actually is a good singer, perhaps maybe not the most exciting singer, but he really was IMHO the most consistent last year (strange bag pipe notions aside) and there is a reason that he lasted til the end and won.

I don't know if you're being kind, but to win you should be more than just consistent, imho. You should be consistently good. Can you honestly say he was? I'm not sure "consistent" is necessarily a good thing unless it applies to excellence.

I won't rehash the season - you know from my posts here that I never voted for him (just when missaddicted asked me to). He couldn't sing Fireflies in tune. Fireflies.

Anyhow, yeah, I hoped he would sing well the other night and silence his critics. I think he's competent, he has abilities, but he also has problems and drawbacks. It's true he's not exciting, but he also has singing problems.

Crystal had her own problems with excitement and consistency after all) I don't completely buy into the cute boy wins the vote thing that the media is trying to put out there. I thought he did a good job with his new song, it suited him a bit more than SS. Maybe not something I want to own or play, but it was pretty good and served him well. And for all the people who've heard how awful he is, well maybe they're thinking to themselves that really Lee's not that bad after all.

Well, I hope people liked it - good for him if they did. I don't want anyone to fail, or be criticized more than necessary by the media. I just am giving my honest opinion that it didn't sound good, to me. I didn't enjoy it, personally.

RE: The book review.. Moody and bruised rock singers. I laugh at that. Ha! ('Cause if I think Kris Allen I think Moody and bruised) but hand me down hair extensions.. ew? Rushfield and I don't really agree on what's good anyway so that's a whole 'nother issue.

Didn't Rushfield like Katie Stevens best from Season 9?

Caramanica's "moody, bruised" comment shows how much he pays actual attention.

 

[SleepinIn]

I'm not really thrilled he's singing God Bless The USA, at any time, though. I hate that song and I can't imagine him singing it (except for that one time when he sang a bit of it, yeah, I know). It's a country song, anyway.

We don't hear it enough for me to hate it. LOL

I don't know if you're being kind, but to win you should be more than just consistent, imho. You should be consistently good. Can you honestly say he was? I'm not sure "consistent" is necessarily a good thing unless it applies to excellence.

I won't rehash the season - you know from my posts here that I never voted for him (just when missaddicted asked me to). He couldn't sing Fireflies in tune. Fireflies.

Consistently good? No. I wouldn't go that far. Consistently better than the others is probably more in line with what I meant. I'm not saying he didn't have his problems, because he did. I didn't vote for him either.. LOL And if I could've voted I don't think I would've voted for him. But he did get stronger nearer the end of the competition which gave him more momentum. And I really don't think he's a bad singer when I'm not forced to watch him on tv. But come to think of it. I've probably only watched his performances once. So I'm not really an expert so ya forget everything I just said. And leave it at

Lee's performance: better than expected.

and yes. Rushfield Katie-stan. 'nuff said.

 

[ross 1]

YouTube - Lee Greenwood - God Bless the USA (Live in 1985)

And I really don't think he's a bad singer when I'm not forced to watch him on tv. But come to think of it. I've probably only watched his performances once. So I'm not really an expert so ya forget everything I just said. And leave it at

Lee's performance: better than expected.

And I'll leave it at "worse than expected," I guess.

Consistently better than the others is probably more in line with what I meant.

Okay, I guess I didn't really understand what you were saying. Sorry about that. Just rereading my post, it kind of sounds like I'm cross examining you, but that was just because I wrote a lot more, at first, then I condensed it so it would sound more pithy and...condensed.
But then I notice that when I do that it always sounds so curt, somehow.

Anyhow, I do think we basically disagree about this guy being a good singer. Since my first requirement is that the person sound good.
I've never actually heard anyone with this exact problem before. Great on some notes and horrible on other notes. But not in the way other people have that problem (Mitch MacDonald). Yeah, he goes off key, sometimes, but it's more about his tone. Really nice tone on one note, then a really unpleasant tone on the next, then back again. People talk about goat voice (Casey James); well, this is more like: donkey voice. Eee-aww-eee-aaww.

I've always wondered about Rushfield's picture on twitter. That's not really him, is it? It looks like a cross between Rasputin and that Andrew Weil guy.

 

[ross 1]

But I did want to add...

ITA that Lee being the "cute guy" and getting teen (or frau) votes had nothing to do with his win. For one thing, there were other cute(r) guys. Tim Urban is not the Idol, and he's a cute guy, beloved of the teens and tweens.

Even without being a fan of Lee, I had to respect him. Hard to say why, mainly because he seemed to know what he was doing. Clearly he had done this. Knew who he was. Didn't sweat too much. You got the impression he was glad to get the opportunity but if it didn't work out he would still be who he is and keep going. This is sort of in line with what you said about consistency, SleepinIn. He was true to himself. When he won, I was glad. I would have been happy if Casey won, but I think Lee deserved it more because of - yeah - consistency - or, if you will, being true to himself. The Idol winners are often (or, maybe always) people who seem to be exactly the same as musicians, as they are as people. What you see is what you get.

Crystal...she came close, she has a lot of talent, and she was fairly consistent, but she did give some people the impression she was not willing to accept the Idol game. We're also playing the game, when we vote. We are all participants in a big game. You have to fit yourself to the process - Adam knew this, for all his supposed "difference" - you can't change it to make it suit you. Many people got this vibe from her. Some admired it, some thought it was unattractive. But also, she's a niche performer and they rarely if ever win; she came closer than most.

 

[ross 1]

So the PBS gig Kris was talking about will be to sing at the National Memorial Day concert at the US Capitol in Washington! That's a very well-done show, I've seen it in the past. Here's the website. The 2010 National Memorial Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol - May 30 | PBS

Also, this tweet made me happy, since she's married to Steve Van Zandt, guitar player for the E Street band (Bruce Springsteen's band).

@GabriellaDante: @MusicEmpowers Steven is a fan of @KrisAllen too! We went to an Idol taping & he declared Kris the winner early on.

 

[missaddicted]

Also, this tweet made me happy, since she's married to Steve Van Zandt, guitar player for the E Street band (Bruce Springsteen's band).

@GabriellaDante: @MusicEmpowers Steven is a fan of @KrisAllen too! We went to an Idol taping & he declared Kris the winner early on.

Cool! They love the Idol winners! David Cook and the guys in his band are actually friends with Steven Van Zandt and his wife Maureen (I believe her name is Maureen). They've been to shows together in NYC and David even bought them a puppy, LOL. David also wrote a song with Steven Van Zandt for his new album... who knows if it'll actually be on the album though.

 

[SleepinIn]

Oh, that's cool! re Steven Van Zandt! I didn't know he was a fan of David and Kris. And that Memorial Day concert looks good interesting and BIG.