Canadian Idol Fans Watching American Idol

[SleepinIn]

So everyone was kind of good tonight. Which means that Hollie is in danger. She just seemed like she wasn't connecting to the song. :/

On the bright side she looked like a young person tonight.

I'm enjoying the duets and trios.

Joshua was my fave tonight - doing his Bruno Mars thing. I liked him going uptempo. Elise had some nice dynamics in her voice and Jessica is just killer. Skylar is a country star in the making.

I even liked Colton and his giant white piano. I love Phillip but I think he could change things up (I hate to agree with the judges here) but it's not a crime to have variety. I don't think it's an either or thing for Colton and Phillip though. That's a cop-out from Jimmy.

 

[missaddicted]

I agree with you on pretty much everything SleepinIn. Even if I was kind of pissed last week, I really enjoyed tonight's show. Joshua was not my favorite, but I actually find it hard to say if I even had a favorite tonight. I liked everyone pretty much the same (yes, even Colton, less nasally than usual), except for Hollie, who's not as good as the others at this point. Maybe they will use the save this week though, especially if it's Elise that ends up in danger. I'd like to hear her do a duet with Phillip at least one more time!​

 

[ross 1]

Can't really say I agree with you guys (or the judges, a lot of the time) about Skylar, who I'd send for singing lessons. She's off key all the time, and when she tries for those big notes, they aren't nice. Then when she makes one of these horrible sounds, and the song is over, she looks so pleased with herself. Of course I like her, mainly because I feel bad for her. No, she seems nice, but - well, I know you guys don't like country music, but you must notice her singing, regardless of her genre, right? I guess this is one time we have very different opinions (or ears).

I enjoyed the show - more or less. lol. Good show, overall. It's just another season without any singers good enough to have "wow" moments that will be remembered forever. At least not yet (?). I don't like to grade on a curve, so I just don't feel like cutting them slack - they're not that great. Not that BAD, not saying that...

I actually don't think Hollie is worse than the others, so we also disagree on her. Like, I think Colton is worse than her. I don't know how bad or good she is vs Jessica, but I enjoy her more. I'm very riveted to the screen when she sings, as opposed to Jessica, who makes me want to get up and move around. Not as in, dancing, but more as in, getting some chips.

 

[ross 1]

I'm not one to beg, but where are you guys? Kris Allen perfomed on Idol. Colton was eliminated.

Taylor Hicks is playing Vegas?

Anyone?

*crickets*

I'm currently watching Petapalooza videos. While I fully approve of Kris playing events like this (along with Matt Nathanson, who I also approve of), I just think something this good should be seen/heard by the world.

Kris Allen - Better With You - Las Vegas - 4-21-2012 - YouTube

The tweets were incredibly positive after Kris's Idol performance and now I'm hoping the radio will play the song more - though it's happening, slowly. Also, the video, which people seem to love, hasn't been added by VH1 yet. I love the song and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

One thing I liked about Kris's Idol performance (other than that he nailed it) was that it reminded me a lot of when I last saw him, at the Orpheum in Boston, and he came out onstage singing Written All Over My Face. That same "live performance" energy and he moved the same way and had the same expression on his face. He has even more upbeat or rocking songs than this one, definitely more edgy ones, but this was a good way to show TV viewers his energy. It's been a log time since he's been able to sing like that, on Idol.

Other than that I think it's funny how the judges give a standing ovation to DeAndre Brackensick and sit for an Idol winner who's awesome. But at least it's something DeAndre will have to remember for the rest of his life, so it's nice. Still, Idol is weird and Idol bugs me. ngl

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Kris was standing-O worthy, just that others are not, and he's better than them. Basically just saying that.

As for the results - I wasn't able to watch much of the actual performance show - this year I have a lot going on and I catch performances here and there. I thought Skylar was a lot better last week. I still don't really get Jessica. I mean, she's fine, she's competent, she seems nice, and she's cute - as well as being 16 - but the raving, about how fantastic she is, grates. Even her voice, which is not especially a bone of contention for most people, I find kind of thin. Brian Mansfield said she shouted, and he's fairly noncommittal, usually.

Colton...I think he also got a standing O at least once, maybe?...for me it comes down to the voice. I don't like it. I don't hate it at all, but I can't say I like it. As I think I already said, in another post, people in bands have worse voices. But this is Idol. Even if it wasn't, he doesn't do it for me. I think he's obviously a good guy, and being eliminated so early when probably he got the impression he'd be around longer, must hurt.

 

[missaddicted]

Hey ross!

Sorry I haven't been posting! I barely have time to sleep, nevermind to post here!

Kris was awesome on Idol!!

I was kind of warming up to Colton in the last couple of weeks, I actually didn't think his performances last week were that bad, but when he dropped on his knees and sang to God during his sing-out, I remembered why I couldn't stand him. I know there's no way I would want to buy his music anyway.

I did enjoy the performance show though, lots of good performances. I'm enjoying this season because the kids are good, but it's just not exciting at all. Though it could be exciting, since it's pretty hard to predict who's going to win at this point! It's probably not going to be Elise, she'll probably be eliminated next, well, her or Hollie I guess. I think if Hollie keeps on improving, she could stay a little longer, but it's probably too little, too late. I think Skylar is going to be the last girl standing, I'm even starting to like her. Jessica is technically better, but she's not likeable at all. I'm really tired of her kind of blank stare. I don't know if you know what I'm talking about (she had that face when she was saved), but it freaks me out. Really like a deer in the headlights.

I don't think Joshua can win, but he seems popular. I don't get him at all and I really dislike his caterwauling, but he is super likeable. Phillip is probably a lock for the final two now that Colton is gone, but who knows what can happen.

Right now though, I'd say it'll be Skylar and Phillip in the finale.

 

[ross 1]

What do you call the style that Joshua sings in? It reminds me a little of James Brown vocally but the genre is not James Brown. Man-tasia? I don't know. I don't care for Fantasia, either, much. But she at least can sing a ballad in a smooth voice. There are singers I have to acknowledge can do things with their voices that few people can, but the sound is not a good sound to my ears. Sometimes I wonder if it's a good sound to anybody's ears of if they just are impressed with the vocal ability.

Anyhow...interesting about Skylar. It would be weird if another country singer won. (By the way, I was just reading on MJs about Scotty pitching for his baseball team and a ball hit him in the throat. That will serve him right for not being out touring, I guess. I don't get Scotty. You don't see a lot of aspiring performers who behave like him, especially reigning Idol winners - like they don't really care if they're performing or at home mowing the lawn.) I can't predict who will win or even be in the Top 3. It's that kind of year. No one is bad but no one is a real stand-out. Gee, what season does that remind me of? Oh, yeah. Last season.

I don't think Idol has had even a Gokey-caliber singer since Simon left, never mind a Kris or Adam or Cook or whomever. Partly I think it's because they pick people who are allowed to stay within a narrow genre and are "good" within the genre - or let's say, not so much a genre, but a narrow singing style or performing style - it's like they show you one side of a person and that side looks good. They probably could have done that with Katie Stevens, and made her look good. It's not that hard to do, if you don't want to challenge the singers and have a real competition.

Also have you noticed that nobody very old ever gets in the Top 10, or stick around long, if they are? I'm surprised Elise is still there, she actually may have lost her baby fat.

About Jessica - and her stare - this is going to sound funny, but doesn't she seem to be wearing long false eyelashes, or is it my imagination? At least, if they're her won, she has on a lot of mascara. Having worn mascara (in plays, at times) - I'm forced to admit - to make my point, lol - it makes you hold your eyes open. If you close them they get glued together.

But no, other than that - she does have this rather blank look, like she has no thought going on. She's just a kid, but then so was Judy Garland at 16 and there was a lot of thought going on in the eyes.

 

[missaddicted]

So, I watched Idol while doing my taxes last night (yeah, I know, I'm last minute!). Idol didn't have my complete attention, but still I enjoyed the show. Almost everyone had at least one strong performance.

Not Jessica though. Bohemian Rapshody doesn't work as a minute and a half version. And Dance With My Father is so so boring. Her singing was nice as usual, but overall she didn't have the strongest night.

I thought Skylar was stellar on her Queen song, loved it! But as soon as she went back to her country twang on her second song, I lost interest in her. I like her voice when she doesn't sound country-nasally, but unfortunately, that's what she likes to do the most.

I liked Joshua's second song, thankfully, it was restrained and pretty. I usually like his uptempo numbers better as well, but his Queen song was still too full of screaming and hollering. Also, the standing O's have got to stop, judges. He's not THAT good.

Elise was awesome on her Queen song, I loved it, very convincing. Her second song (Didn't Brian Melo sing this on CI?) was good too I thought, but I prefered I Want It All.

Phillip was meh on both his songs. Fat Bottomed Girls, really? And an obscure Dave Matthews song? Meh. I liked the violin during the Dave Matthews song though.

I give points to Hollie just for choosing Save Me as her Queen song and not one of the overdone songs. And I love Save Me. It was a good performance, but not great. On the other hand, she was great on The Climb, which is definitely not a great song. So now she needs to be great on a great song! At least, The Climb is a young song and not an old diva ballad. And she can sing miles around Miley Cyrus.

I have no clue who's going home tonight.

 

[ross 1]

I had a question in my last post - what do you call Joshua's genre or style of singing? Not a rhetorical question - I'm curious. If you guys know, please let me know. Thanks.

I have no clue who's going home tonight.

I should have mentioned in my last post - I was sure it would be Elise. No particular reason, it's just that I've predicted the last three or four people who would go home and been right for some reason - including her. It wasn't her performance on Wednesday. It just seemed like she didn't have the popularity of the others. She's very talented, but has a girl like her ever won or even gotten close? Maybe, but not since I've been watching. She a mature artist and she's doesn't seem into trying to make the world love her, she just sings. Her voice is not especially what I like in a voice, but then...what is?? My gosh, I'm picky. lol

I enjoyed Idology lst week, when Slezak questioned why Phillip is an "artist" to Randy & the judges, and Elise is not, or Joshua is not, etc. There was also something he mentioned about Kris having been in the audience during all this "artist" talk but I missed what he said about that. Did anyone else watch it? Maybe that Randy never raved about Kris being an artist, in the same way he raved about Phillip?

Which brings me to: the song snippets from Thank You Camellia? Has anyone else heard them? I'm excited! The songs are amazing. Kris's kind of newish funkier singing style on some of them is also amazing. Not really new but - more relaxed, freer, which is what I like in singing.

 

[ross 1]

This is a new interview with Kris about the Top 5 and his advice is very good. Sometimes I think he would be a great judge or mentor on some show, if not this one than another one.

Idol Winner Kris Allen on His New Album, Coltons Defeat and Phillip Phillips

 

[missaddicted]

So sad about Skylar. And Hollie in the bottom 2. Well, I wasn't actually that much of a Skylar fan, but she didn't deserve to go. Phillip was the worst on Wednesday. I don't know if it's his health or if it's because he can't show us anything more than what he's shown us so far, but if his kidney problem is that bad, he shouldn't be dragged until the finale. It's starting to affect the smile in his eyes, which is less and less there when he performs and that's really too bad.

Jessica is still boring the crap out of me. She's a good singer, but she has no depth, she's not an interesting performer, no matter how beautiful her voice is (and I still maintain that her voice is not THAT beautiful). Objectively, I can see that Joshua is very good, but personally, I really dislike his RnB screaching singing style (there you go ross... honestly, I have no clue either how to call it). When he contains himself, he sounds great, but I tune out as soon as he starts screaming.

Hollie has really won me over. I mean, she made me like Bleeding Love. Freaking Bleeding Love!! I hate that song. But she made it sounds great. I don't want her to go next week!!

About Kris, I listened to the snippets last week, but I haven't listened since then... I want the songs to sound fresh when I get the album! My first impression was a positive one, but I have to admit that I was a bit sad about the level of production on some of the songs. On some songs, it sounded way too produced. So I'm glad I got the acoustic EP with the fan package pre-sale.

I listened to the snippets 4 or 5 times and from what I remember my favorites were these: My Weakness (my favorite favorite!!), Better With You, Out Alive, Monster and Fighters (too bad this song is only on the deluxe version of the album). Blindfolded, Leave You Alone and the duet with Meiko were growing on me after a few listens. And I actually wasn't crazy at all about Rooftops and Teach Me How Love Goes. Oh and I still love The Vision of Love. I reserve the right to change my mind about all of this when I hear the full songs!

 

[ross 1]

Interesting stuff! I agree about Hollie. I hate The Climb and she - I don't know if she made me like it, but it sounded good coming from her. She gets me interested or invested in her performances. Personality in a singer is actually underrated on the boards and blogs - she has personality; how can that not be a major factor in a singer's presentation? I like her singing voice, too - and yeah, I totally enjoyed Bleeding Love, which I actually like as a song because I've heard other covers I've liked - it's Leona I don't like, apparently. Vocally, I don't think she has the most beautiful voice I ever heard, but I guess - so what? It's good enough. It's her, it gives you a channel to her, herself. No filter.

Skipping ahead - I liked the production on Kris's album. I mean what I've heard - I like it a lot. Not that it matters but he apparently had a lot of input into the sound and the arrangements. If you don't like a lot of production in general you probably wouldn't like it, though. The arrangements sound very fresh to me though.

I'm pretty psyched about the songs. Better With You is a favorite - I hardly ever see any big fan enthusiasm for that one - they all see to love Rooftops. To be honest I have to give Rooftops a few more listens. I'd like to be more critical but really, I like all the songs. I do like Teach Me How Love Goes, and the other ballad - I'm having a temporary lapse of memory. Out Alive reminds me of early Springsteen a bit. People love Monster while I just like it, at this point. I don't want to over-listen to the snippets, actually. I want to enjoy the album.

I agree completely with what you wrote about Jessica - and pretty much about Joshua, though I basically dislike his singing all the time. It's not a technical term, but "show offy" is not a style I care for. Plus I don't think because you have the ability to do some technical thing, you have to do it constantly. Have some taste, give the song priority, try to get out of the way of the song. Don't merely use a song to prove what a big effin voice you have.

The other thing about Joshua that I seriously don't like is that he fakes a great many notes.. He almost sings them. Listen if you don't believe me. I'm not impressed by people singing runs unless they hit all the notes. I'm afraid if he sang in a simpler style his vocal flaws would be revealed more.

Jessica is a tough case because I do think she's trying and I do like her, and I admire her for trying to vary what she does. I just don't love her voice, or her performances of songs. My problem with her and Joshua is also that they don't make me feel anything.

I wasn't sorry to see Skylar go, she was not improving and she needed to. Well I was sorry because I like her - but she had problems. I don't think the judges should have just kept praising her. Because she'd make big mistakes and they'd praise her, and she'd be thrilled, then, of course, next week, the same mistakes. She doesn't have the voice to do a lot of the big things she was trying. I mean I think with study, sure, she could do the big notes and not sound screechy. I think Joshua could improve with study, also - and Phillip.

I never cared much for Phillip so I don't have any huge praise for him, BUT - I'm beginning to understand him more. I never believe you need a big voice or even a good voice, or much range - if you love singing and can make the audience love what you're doing. He doesn't sing bad notes or miss big notes he goes for - even high notes. He doesn't sound like he's screwing up. He just sounds like a guy who happens to have that voice, who basically knows how to sing. I'll never like listening to that voice but I have to say I think he's possibly a great singer or performer.

So right now I think Hollie and he are the ones that deserve to be there, and Jessica, though she lacks depth, I guess. And I would like Joshua to leave next.

 

[missaddicted]

About the level pf production on Kris' album, I think what I meant to say was that I think I miss some of the grit he brings to his live performances. I'm sure you know what I mean. The recorded version of Monster seems to have that gritty feeling, but I guess I was missing it on most of the other songs. I don't actually dislike production in general, I really like it when it calls for it and I did also like the arrangements from what I could hear from the snippets. I guess it's just Kris' gritty side that I was missing, it felt a bit too slick at times.

David is going to be performing a brand new song on Idol next week. Fans seem to be putting the theory out there that it's a test single for RCA, to see if he'll be able to do another album with them. His last album didn't do great at all, both singles from This Loud Morning didn't do great, so it seems a lot is riding on this brand new single.

 

[ross 1]

(Revising my post because I didn't really reply to what you said.)

I know what you mean. As for grit, I'm not sure I always like it, as an aspect of Kris's sound. I kind of prefer a cleaner sound for him. In other words, I do seem to like it when it sounds slicker, rather than grittier. But it depends on the song. I've read a few similar comments about the "gritty" Mint performances - I mean from people who prefer the sound. Though it's just YouTube sound, with only Cale and Torres (on a box) as backup. Personally, Kris with the two guys is not my favorite way to hear Kris (I prefer full band) so maybe I'm not the best judge.

I'm sometimes confused about whether I like production (since you said you like it) - I do, sometimes, if it's there for a reason. I don't, when I think it's overwhelming. I don't totally get the point of it, all the time. I grew up when there was some (like, on Beach Boys records - when I was a child) but also none (a lot of other artists). It was common for non-rock artists - like Sinatra - to just do a straight recording of themselves singing with a band in the studio, with zero post-production. I'm sure many rock bands did the same, at the time.

I keep wondering where Kris really belongs, in that debate. Not always sure his current recorded 'sound' is all he's capable of. The thing with him is he can sing and perform well with so many different kinds of backup, and even cross genres. I wonder where he's going - and if he'll have the opportunities to experiment he should have - because there's such an imperitive to sell, all the time.

As for Cook - that's really interesting. I don't know what to make of it - could RCA really let the whole career with them hinge on whether he can sell a new single based on an Idol performance? How many people who buy music happen to watch Idol?l - and it's only one episode of Idol, besides. It's good he's getting the chance but it seems like a lot of pressure.

 

[PoliticalNick]

Hi all, been away from the board for a while but have been watching on my pvr. Thought it was time to drop in with my input/opinion.

I was sad to see Skylar leave. I am not a country fan at all but damn that girl had a natural stage presence and could sing. I'm sure she will be off to Nashville soon to become a star (maybe) and I wish her luck.

Phillip is definitely the best ARTIST of the bunch and probably one of the best artists the show has seen. I have said that about him from the beginning but the history of Idol tells me artists finish 2nd or 3rd. Too bad Phillip but I'm not putting money on you winning as much as I would like you too.

Jessica does have a strong and capable voice but at 16 she has no idea who she is. Comes across like a little girl who wants to be an adult and leaves me unsure if she has the brain, self-confidence and thick skin to make it. She could win but I only give her a small chance.

Holly has had such a hard ride and I don't believe she will win. Been in the bottom a lot and until this week seemed very contrived on stage. It's like she doesn't believe she can sing or win. She can sing but I'm just not sure she is an American pop star.

Joshua....what can I say. I, like J-Lo, want to punch him, but not in a good way. I see his career being in a big tent on the christian revival scene. Maybe toss in a faith healer or 2 just for giggles. I don't know what the judges are smoking/drinking/shooting-up but they have pimped him all season as fabulous while he screeches and howls oversinging every song and he will probably take top spot which means another Idol champ with a short to non-existent career and 1 less album for me to buy.

That's my take on things so far.

 

[B00Mer]

American Idol and Canada just had to follow up with one of it's own... sad.

Face Palm..

 

[missaddicted]

I'm sometimes confused about whether I like production (since you said you like it) - I do, sometimes, if it's there for a reason. I don't, when I think it's overwhelming. I don't totally get the point of it, all the time.

I completely agree. I'm confused as well, sometimes I love it, but sometimes, I hate it. It must be a matter of taste, I can't really tell why I love it when I love it, or why I hate it when I hate it. Well, I know I hate it when it makes everything sound so slick and perfect. Like the Glee songs. I love Darren Criss' voice on Glee and often buy the songs he sings on the show, but they always sound so freaking slick that it's anoying.

As for Cook's new single, I believe the song will also be released to radio and not only on Idol. As for what RCA are thinking, well, what I posted is just a fan theory after all. What I think is kind of weird is that he barely did any touring for his last album. He did one tour of a few months (compared to a tour of almost a year after his first album) and then he went right back to writing songs this winter, as if his last album had never happened. I mean, touring is how artists make their money and get people to know their music nowadays, so I was surprised his touring period after This Loud Morning was so short. Now, artists tour for at least a year, if not two, after they release an album. We'll see.

I have said that about him from the beginning but the history of Idol tells me artists finish 2nd or 3rd.

Well, I'd argue that David Cook and Kris Allen were certainly among the best artists of their respective seasons, so I can't say I agree with you! ;-)

 

[PoliticalNick]

Well, I'd argue that David Cook and Kris Allen were certainly among the best artists of their respective seasons, so I can't say I agree with you! ;-)

Not a fan of either and don't follow their careers so I can't comment on whether they are artists or not. I am thinking of Adam Lambert, Crystal Bowersox and the one-dimensional Scotty winning when Casey didn't even get near the finals. It just seems to me anyone who is remotely original is destined to not win.

 

[ross 1]

missaddicted, it's funny that as we were talking about production, one of Kris's acoustic bonus tracks was released, of Better With You - which I found amazing in quality. And his guitar playing was pretty fine, also.

It's obvious that definitions of artist differ, but to me someone who can write, play, and sing one of his songs on as high a level as that, deserves the title. As for Phillip, I'm not sure what qualifies him as so "original', PoliticalNick. he can only sing abot five notes, but there are other singers like that, and some people love them. I gave him what I figured was his due, in my last post. I'd say he's an artist (though there's almost no evidence anywhere that he's ever written anything, not that that matters, I guess) - but I don't see him as being all that different from Lee De Wyze, except Lee had a bigger range. What he does, he does well. But I wouldn't say it's original.

Holly has had such a hard ride and I don't believe she will win. Been in the bottom a lot and until this week seemed very contrived on stage. It's like she doesn't believe she can sing or win. She can sing but I'm just not sure she is an American pop star.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say she seemed contrived. Because she seems the opposite of contrived to me. Hollie has been too uneven, in my opinion. After last week she basically had everyone in her corner but then this week I don't know that she consolidated that.

I don't get why they did another Joshua-Phillip duet, and did a Jessica-Hollie duet. Wiat - yes, I do get it. because Phillip would sound terrible if he sang a duet with Hollie or Jessica.

As I've siad before, what I don't like about this show, now, is that people can perform in their narrow range or genre and not have anything challenged, so they look better than if they had to go outside the box even slightly. The example of this is Scotty, to me. I don't get what the challenge is, if the person just comes out and does the same thing all the time.

As for the issue of production - yeah, I guess i know what I like when I hear it and like it. I love the acoustic BWY and I also love the remixes of TVOL.

David Cook releasing a single to radio at the moment comes out of left field. It puts him in the Idol competition on radio right now with Haley, Kris, Adam, Kelly, and Carrie - and probably a few others. But they all have albums to promote and he doesn't, so I don't know how I feel about it. [Edited because I didn't like what I wrote. Sounded like I was blaming him.]

All's fair in this game, he needs a hit, so - I wish him luck with it, and I actually do hope it does well and I'll be rooting for him in his Idol performance tonight.

 

[ross 1]

I hope you all will excuse my lousy attitude. I had a cold all week and was in a bad mood. Ignore my remarks about David Cook, one of my favorite, most admired people to come from Idol. Sad to hear about him being without a record deal, though these things are sometimes for the best. He's had some hard things happen to him but he's been a gracious person and he's just a very cool dude.

I missed the results show. I usually record it, but forgot. I should have been in a betting pool this season because I've predicted the last five people to be eliminated. I love Hollie, she seems so nice, and real -and I like her voice, and singing style. I like her better than the other three, but in terms of the competition, she didn't deserve to win, she was too inconsistent. Maybe she choked a bit, this week. I didn't notice that she seemed nervous, but sometimes the pressure gets to people, at this level of the competition. I personally think it wasn't that, though - it's more that she's really just kind of hit-or-miss; I don't think she has enough technique or experience to perform on a consistent level.

 

[missaddicted]

Don't worry ross! I don't have the time to reply to everything that you said right now (big presentation tomorrow!!), but I'm sad that Hollie left. I expected her to leave of course after last night, but I just don't have any interest in either Jessica and Joshua at all. They seem like nice kids, but their singing is just not for me at all.

Should we remind SleepinIn that we are here? ;-)

Oh, and I'm actually not crazy at all about Cook's new song. It doesn't seem like a hit and it's not original at all. It's sad because I still love his voice so much, but I'm losing interest in his music very very fast. I believe he'll need way better songs than that if he wants to be successful again. It sucks, but it's really what I think. I mean, yeah the music sucks on the radio these days, but at least a lot of musicians still manage to be very succesful while making good songs even though they're not on the radio.