Canadian Idol Fans Watching American Idol

[SleepinIn]

There was a blog post? lol I was distracted by the guitar solo. Is that the Golden Idol one?
(and great minds think alike after all. lol)

Did you see that Kris and Mat just confirmed via twitter that they are writing together. I'm really happy about that. I don't know Mat at all either, but just from listening to his stuff today they are compatible musically. I feel giddy. lol

 

[ross 1]

Kris tweet:

KrisAllen4Real Hey @matkearney. What about that song we wrote?

(Okay, yeah, I saw it, we're overlapping!)

The blog is Kris Together, I follow them on twitter, I linked to it in my post #957 on page 32.

"Kris Allen: A Reason To Smile." It was kind of an add-on so I think you missed it.

 

[SleepinIn]

Yeah, I missed it.. *sniff* that expresses a lot of what I feel too. Really well written.

 

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At this point, I know Kris is going to do great things. But my friends, I'm tired of these tour reviewers.

Allen? He's good, but Lambert steals the 'American Idol' show : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

I notice a lot of these people are "special to" the papers, which means freelancers, I think. The regular reviewers probably don't want to review an Idols concert.

Kris's "bathrobe" tweet was funny.

 

[missaddicted]

That's pretty cool about Kris and Mat Kearney. I actually own his first record and Closer To Love, the first single off his second record. I'm happy that Kris is working with these artists and not only Idol writers¸like Claude Kelly (and that he's not working at all with Ryan "I plagiarize myself" Tedder).

The thing is, I like Mat 's music to a degree, but after a few listens of his record, all the songs started blending in together. I don't even listen to it anymore, I find it really bland. Enjoyable, but nothing special in the end. That's why I didn't buy his second record. I have the same problem with The Fray's music and Daughtry's music, other collaborators for Kris' album. I mean, I wouldn't change the station if they played their music on the radio, but that's pretty much it.

Anyway, I'm not really worried, I just really want to like Kris' music and not only find it enjoyable.

 

[SleepinIn]

Looking at that review I took out the fact that Kris is good.

All of these reviews are so subjective, but I figure if Kris "Low Key" Allen can follow Adam Lambert in a big concert type setting and still be called things like good, and talented he's doing something right. Plus the reviewer was surprised by the Bowie Medley? Like "surprise" Adam's singing Bowie, nevermind the fact that there are 3 million youtubes of it. Keep in mind that according to the reviewer Anoop showed the greatest range of the night. I love Anoop, but I don't know about that.

I want to like Kris's music too. I'd never really heard of Mat before so the two of them working together kind of interests me especially after listening to some of his stuff yesterday. But, I agree I want the music to be good. I'm trying to keep a lid on my expectations for the Idol album, since they all tend to be overproduced and rushed but it's hard.. lol.

 

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Top 3 night, there was something in the comments on mj's blog about how Adam wanted to do a Ryan Tedder song, but couldn't, because Kris was already doing one. And supposedly Ryan wasn't happy about Adam not being able to do his song because "the other guy" (as he supposedly referred to Kris) was singing Apologize.

Not that you can believe a lot of what you read in the comments of mj's blog. But, anyway,it gave me the impression RT was a fan of Adam, not such a fan of Kris. And he has worked on Adam's album. So I don't think he'll be collaborating with Kris. And that's okay with me. (By the way, is there some rule that if one contestant is singing a song by a certain composer, another contestant can't also do a song by that composer?)

Joe King, Chris Daughtry, Mat Kearney...

In an interview I read today with Adam (from the Baltimore Sun), he said that contrary to what people may think, they're not being led by the hand when it comes to their albums, and are getting plenty of freedom. So that gave me the impression Kris is choosing to work with these people, and I felt happy about that, at least.

I find Daughtry kind of monotonous, but it's the way he sings, not so much his songs. Great voice, but not much style or nuance. Kris doesn't sing like Daughtry. I can easily see him reinterpreting a current Daughtry song in a Kris Allen way, for instance. So, taking it one step further -- Kris and Daughtry collaborating -- it's not hard for me to imagine a Daughtry-esque melody given a Kris-like twist.

 

[SleepinIn]

I think I remember that Ryan Tedder thing too. I don't know if there is a specific rule about doubling up, but probably the producers would like to have some variety over song choice. And that week didn't Randy and Kara choose the RT song? So it's not even like Kris chose it - although on the AT40 they both said they were fans of RT. But RT has been having some issues re songs lately right? Maybe a good time to avoid RT, lol.

For me I see Daughtry as bringing more of the rock edge, which could be interesting with Kris's gift of melody.. who knows what they are actually doing though - they could be singing gregorian chants for all I know.

 

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Interviews with Michael Sarver, Scott MacIntyre, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai | American Idol

Kris is interviewed by Rodney Ho, along with Anoop, Michael, and Allison. He talks a little about the album and about going to the movies alone.

For me I see Daughtry as bringing more of the rock edge, which could be interesting with Kris's gift of melody.. who knows what they are actually doing though - they could be singing gregorian chants for all I know. :wink:

Just me, but what I liked about Kris on AI was that he wasn't rock oriented. I don't really know what his niche was, but I liked the lightness of his approach. Now, in the concert he seems a bit heavier-handed, but of course he's singing with a rock band. On AI, he did some songs with a string trio or quartet, an acoustic group with a conga drum, etc. I loved his arrangements. Not only were they creative and different, they showed great musical taste, and they suited his voice really well. This creativity of his was (I think) one of the reasons he won. It was really impressive.

One of the reasons people might not get the full effect of him on this tour is that his set is more "standard pop-rock." This is due to the kind of band it is, and the fact that his set has to have unity (I'm assuming). But I hope it isn't necessarily the direction he intends to go, musically. There's nothing original about it. If he loses his originality and creativity he loses what makes him stand out. I'm praying he doesn't try to become just another pop-rocker, because there are enough of those, and plenty better than him.

 

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Interviews with Michael Sarver, Scott MacIntyre, Kris Allen, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai | American Idol

 

[missaddicted]

In an interview I read today with Adam (from the Baltimore Sun), he said that contrary to what people may think, they're not being led by the hand when it comes to their albums, and are getting plenty of freedom. So that gave me the impression Kris is choosing to work with these people, and I felt happy about that, at least.

Oh, I don't doubt that at all. Cook also asked to work with Raine Maida, Ed Roland (of Collective Soul), etc, last year and he got his wish. And as I said I'm happy that Kris is working with them too if that's what he wishes to do. I'm just not the biggest fan of his collaborators I guess. Of course, I don't dislike them either, so it's not all bad.

I find Daughtry kind of monotonous, but it's the way he sings, not so much his songs. Great voice, but not much style or nuance. Kris doesn't sing like Daughtry. I can easily see him reinterpreting a current Daughtry song in a Kris Allen way, for instance. So, taking it one step further -- Kris and Daughtry collaborating -- it's not hard for me to imagine a Daughtry-esque melody given a Kris-like twist.

You have a good point here. Monotonous is a good word to describe Daughtry and especially his voice. I guess it's also that Daughtry's music reminds me a lot of Nickelback and I dispise everything about Nickelback, from Chad Kroeger's voice to their insipid lyrics.

But I hope it isn't necessarily the direction he intends to go, musically. There's nothing original about it. If he loses his originality and creativity he loses what makes him stand out. I'm praying he doesn't try to become just another pop-rocker, because there are enough of those, and plenty better than him.

I get what you're saying, but honestly, I believe that's exactly the direction that Kris wants to go in. And his collaborators like Joe King and Chris Daughtry also point to that. Anyway, I'm really trying not to expect anything for his album. I was a bit disappointed with Cook's record when it came out, maybe due to high expectations, but it managed to grow on me a lot and it's probably the record I've listened to the most in the last year. And it's not because I'm not buying a lot of music, because I am! This year, I'm trying to take a different approach and not expect anything.

It's still a weird process, no? Usually, you hear a song that you like, you check out the artist, buy the album, then become obsessed with the artist. Idol is reversing the process. You become obsessed with an artist before hearing their original music.

Friday, it's the GMA concert! I'm excited! I read on a David Cook board that VFTW are calling it "Fraumageddon" or something like that. I have a feeling that the Cook and Glambert fans are going to be battling it out to see who's the loudest bunch. Not necessarily looking forward to that part. We have enough on our hands with the Adam/Kris fanwars, no need to start fanwars with the fans from the previous winner.

 

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I get what you're saying, but honestly, I believe that's exactly the direction that Kris wants to go in. And his collaborators like Joe King and Chris Daughtry also point to that.

I don't know. Does Mat Kearney? I'm not convinced Kris is going in the Daughtry direction. The Fray, maybe.

Personally, I like The Fray. I do think their style is somewhat similar to Kris's, I thought so even before he worked with Joe King. I like the piano-rock sound. As for Daughtry, If I were Kris I would also want to work with him. Daughtry likes Kris; he's mentoring him in various ways. He's a successful former idol, who better to learn from? I think it's good for Kris to be getting together with people like Joe King and Daughtry, who actually create hit songs. Because that's what he wants to do. Whether he wants to emulate them musically, well, time will tell, I guess. I tend to think he may go a little more soft rock.

It's still a weird process, no? Usually, you hear a song that you like, you check out the artist, buy the album, then become obsessed with the artist. Idol is reversing the process. You become obsessed with an artist before hearing their original music.

It is weird. Weirder still is that AI singers who don't write their own material or play instruments (Adam) can still have careers in this era that's dominated by artists who write and perform their own original stuff.

 

[missaddicted]

Does Mat Kearney?

Kind of I guess. He's a bit Coldplay lite for me I guess (doesn't help that his voice sounds exactly like Chris Martin). So are The Fray for me. Of course, it's just my opinion. I like the piano-rock sound too, The Fray just don't really grab me.

And I didn't mean to say that Kris would pull a Daughtry. Just that the fact that he's collaborating with Daughtry and with Joe King make it seem like he's going towards a more rocking sound. He's not working with Jack Johnson for example. So, I guess I'm expecting more a pop-rock sound than an acoustic guitar sound. I don't think Kris wants to emulate Daughtry or Joe King either. And again, I'm glad that he's working with them, they are hit-makers. I was just trying to point out that his collaborators seem to indicate a certain sound compared to another that might have been more obvious from what we've seen of Kris on Idol.

Of course, I could totally be wrong, I'm just trying to make an hypothesis from what we do know about Kris' record.

 

[missaddicted]

So Paula tweeted that she was leaving Idol? Do you believe it? MJ certainly doesn't. It wouldn't make me sad. I could really do without her rambling and three judges are more than enough on that show.

 

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Well, we also don't know who Kris has asked to work with him who has turned him down. We actually don't know much, when you come right down to it! Anyhow, there are like a month and a half more concerts, than still more time to work on the album after that, so we don't know who Kris may write with in the future.

Your hypothesis makes sense. I just don't know if I like it, so I'm resisting it!

Somebody who went to the show tonight posted this:

And Kris - wow! I just felt so much joy watching him on stage tonight. It is amazing to think about him singing “Man In The Mirror” just five month ago and where he is today.

I had this nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach right before he came out. Just like I did every Tuesday before he performed and every Wednesday on results night. But then he rose from the stage. The crowd went crazy and once he sang the first line of “Heartless”, I knew everything was going to be great.
He obviously does not have the stage experience that Adam does. But he is a natural up there and he’s only going to keep getting better. “Bright Lights” and “Ain’t No Sunshine” were his finest moments. You could hear, see and feel all the emotion he was putting into those songs.

So Paula tweeted that she was leaving Idol? Do you believe it? MJ certainly doesn't. It wouldn't make me sad. I could really do without her rambling and three judges are more than enough on that show.

It's possible that if Paula leaves they still might replace her with someone new. I like four judges. If they can judge, and not fool around, it works fine. I was watching some CI clips, and it's amazing how short the judges kept some of their comments. Sometimes only one sentence. Those four are really good.

I don't like three judges on AI. Because then it's really the Simon show. Simon seemed just slightly less influential this season, and I wonder if it's because he was one of four, rather than one of three.

Do I think she's leaving? I don't know.

 

[SleepinIn]

It's still a weird process, no? Usually, you hear a song that you like, you check out the artist, buy the album, then become obsessed with the artist. Idol is reversing the process. You become obsessed with an artist before hearing their original music.

So true. It's a very weird thing I think. Sometimes you have to wait a couple of years before you hear the true voice of the artist. But it does discover talent that otherwise would have finished up college and sang at nights in a bar, or languished in the background in musical theatre (seriously LA? seriously? WTF?).

Friday, it's the GMA concert! I'm excited! I read on a David Cook board that VFTW are calling it "Fraumageddon" or something like that. I have a feeling that the Cook and Glambert fans are going to be battling it out to see who's the loudest bunch. Not necessarily looking forward to that part. We have enough on our hands with the Adam/Kris fanwars, no need to start fanwars with the fans from the previous winner.

LMAO. Fraumegeddon. LOL. Be afraid, be very afraid. It cracks me up - like calm down people.. it's gonna be okay. Just like the comments on this article - so freaking funny.

Express Night Out | Arts & Events | As Seen on TV: American Idols Live at D.C.'s Verizon Center

It's possible that if Paula leaves they still might replace her with someone new. I like four judges. If they can judge, and not fool around, it works fine. I was watching some CI clips, and it's amazing how short the judges kept some of their comments. Sometimes only one sentence. Those four are really good.

I don't see them replacing Paula with someone besides Kara. The four of them last year were a talky train wreck. But I totally agree with you Ross, the CI judges work really well together and keep their comments (for the most part) helpful and succinct. I don't know of any time when they ran over time - mostly because if they had CTV would have probably cut their asses off and ran the next American simulcasted program. They knew they couldn't run over time.

I don't like three judges on AI. Because then it's really the Simon show. Simon seemed just slightly less influential this season, and I wonder if it's because he was one of four, rather than one of three.

For me Kara actually neutralized Simon to a certain extent, clearly she's knowledgeable, and sometimes caustic, certainly has lots, and lots to say. I think I'd rather have Paula though, Paula was the goofy one who's heart was in the right place and you knew she wanted the best for all of them even if sometimes her opinions were nuts.

 

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LOL. I read the comments under that article, too. Even in the comments under Slezak's article about Paula, the frauen move in to say stuff about how Adam should have won, the voting process is a farce, etc.

Actually a lot of Adam's fans seem either to realize what asses they sound like, or else they're actually beginning to have an appreciation for Kris, now that they're no longer in Stage One grief. Because I'm reading more and more praise from them for Kris. Not exactly effusive praise, but it's heartening. Of course, the freaks are still out there.

What do you think of #signmattgiraud? Is Matt not the luckiest guy on two legs?
This guy. If he wasn't wild-carded, he wouldn't even be there, and if he hadn't been saved, he would have finished seventh. Anoop would probably be closing the first half.

For me Kara actually neutralized Simon to a certain extent, clearly she's knowledgeable, and sometimes caustic, certainly has lots, and lots to say. I think I'd rather have Paula though, Paula was the goofy one who's heart was in the right place and you knew she wanted the best for all of them even if sometimes her opinions were nuts.

I thought she could have neutralized Simon more, or challenged his egotism in various ways, had she been sharper, and a more serious judge. I was disappointed in her in a lot of ways. Or, I was disappointed they couldn't have found a better judge.

There are a lot of things I don't get about American Idol, but one of them this year was how Kara and Paula would stand up and gyrate while contestants supposedly sang for their lives at the end of the episodes. I mean, shouldn't judges at least pretend to be judging? You know, watching the performance, listening to it? Or am I just being silly again?

 

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um, SleepinIn, is there a cellcast tonight? Rickey doesn't seem to have one. Is there anywhere else to look for this stuff?

 

[SleepinIn]

No Cellcast that I know of - not from Rickey anyway. He was going to be watching SYTYCD and didn't have a cellcaster anyway. I don't know if anyone else was streaming.

Watch this.. the sound is excellent.

YouTube - DC Idols 8/4 Heartless - Kris Allen

oh, and the sign Matt movement. I kinda love that. Matt was never my fave, and on the show he was lost a bit, but he's been getting great reviews and has a lot of personality. I think there is lots of room in the entertainment industry for a guy like Matt. I've kinda grown to love Matt, he still doesn't scream star to me, but that's okay, maybe I just haven't seen the right side of him and he has personality for sure.

 

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It seems to be the new trend, now, for people on mj's blog to say Matt is the second most talented, next to Adam. (Since Adam must always be the most anything.) I've found it to be another way for some of them to knock Kris.

(I've always felt Kris is the most all-around talented of the group, so to me he's not vying for second against Matt, he's first, anyway.)

I'm not sure what it is about Matt, I like him and I think he has potential, I actually like him as a perfomer better than Adam, he's much easier to relate to. But he lacks something, whatever.

I mean, when I watch Kris I'm watching a savvy performer thinking on his feet. Somebody who's musically articulate. I guess those years playing viola helped give him discipline and precision. Matt doesn't have that. I want to say more but I don't even know where to start. I like him a lot, though.

That Heartless video was good. He's getting looser onstage all the time. I haven't been watching much concert stuff lately, not sure why. Maybe it'll make the actual concert seem fresher if I don't. Though that's not why. I guess there's no real reason.

So, still feeling good about the Mat Kearney and other collaborations? I am.