Wednesday, March 14, 2012
American Idol - Season 11 - Week 3
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Season 11 - Week 1 - The Girls
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Season 11 - Week 1 - The Guys
Monday, February 20, 2012
American Idol - Season 11...The standouts so far...
Welcome back to my American Idol Blog - I will be honest and tell you I didn't watch too many of the auditions this year. After 10 seasons, I'm tired of having to hear the horrible singers during the audition rounds - singers that the producers KNOW are bad, but put them on for entertainment purposes. It's a tired formula, and having someone like Ryan Seacrest continue to act surprised and fake a rapport with some of these "singers" is a joke. Lizard Lick Towing is more realistic. Ok, maybe not. Still, enough with the Seacrest crap.
I have been watching since Hollywood, though, and I think I have a pretty good feeling on who my favorites are so far. I would bet that most of these people will make it to the top 24. That could also be because the Idol producers have focused on many of these people, but then again, these people are talented (at least in my eye). Some really good singers so far...can't wait for the Top 24 to take the stage!
One more thing - I just want to go on record and say that it's a shame that Schyler Dixon got booted - I really liked her, and thought she clearly deserved to go on. Not a huge fan of her brother, who will probably make it to the top 24. I also think Eben Franckewitz could be on the Disney Channel right now, but as a singer, he's not quite there yet. But he'll probably make it as well since he's marketable.
Anyway, onto my favorites so far....
The Guys
Adam Brock – Soulful voice, in the tradition of Joe Cocker…reminds me of a more polished and older Casey Abrams.
Creighton Fraker – The starving artist from New York is just enough over the top without being obnoxious. This guy has some pipes…
David Leathers – The 17 year old who looks like he’s 12, this guy has the style and charm to go far. He doesn’t sleigh like some of the others, but he’s good.
Heejun Han – This guy is quite a character. Really smooth, distinctive voice. I think he’s a lock to make it to the top 24, especially since they have been focusing on him for so long (and rightly so).
Jeremy Rosado – Guy’s got a smooth voice…I’m impressed. That’s all I have to say.
Joshua Ledet – I think I would buy this guy’s album tomorrow…what a voice. Awesome, soulful, unique.
Phil Phillips – A younger version of Adam Brock (Casey Abrams), with a little Dave Matthew’s feet kickin’ thrown in for good measure. And with THAT name, how can he NOT move forward??
Reed Grimm – I think this dude is awesome…yeah, he’s a bit over the top, but he’s extremely entertaining. I suspect he’ll turn a lot of people off, though. It’s a love him or hate him thing…I think he’s pretty darn good. Another Casey Abrams type.
The Girls
Erika Van Pelt – Really liked her since day 1…the wedding singer who kinda reminds me of Molly Ringwald, in some way. I dig her…
Hallie Day – She’s from my hometown (Baltimore), she’s good looking and she can sing. What is there not to like?
Jen Hirsh – Just an amazing voice…will be STUNNED if she doesn’t make it through to the top 24…wait, no, the top 12!! Go Jen! Maybe my favorite girl so far…
Shannon Magrane – wow…she’s 16?!!? This girl can SING. She’s very cute and talented…she’ll make it through to the top 24. I really liked Steven Tyler calling her hot, right in front of her dad, former MLB pitcher Joe Magrane! Classic….
Wendy Taylor – She really impressed me in the last round…powerful voice.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Season 10 - Top 7
Perfect example of what's wrong with Idol is the HORRIBLE performance of Pink's "So What" by the dismissed singers. How on earth did I ever pick Naima as the 3rd best singer in my pre-season breakdown? And why did Ashthon sound like Elmer Fudd while singing? And Paul? Is there any doubt he should have gone long before someone like Pia (who I was sad to see out there singing, but glad to actually see her again!) And shame on the Idol judges, especially Steven, for actually uttering the words "America is thinking twice about their decision!" Um, not this American. Well, except for Pia. She's awesome.
This week, we're going to be treated to the nostalgic sounds of the 21st Century. For those who are not in the know, that means songs from 2000 - today. So I'm sure there will be some songs I don't know, since I'm stuck in the 80's.
First up - Scotty McCreery. Can we call him Scott when he turns 18? I did enjoy the segments on the contestants cutting up each other - I was SOOOOO going to call out Scotty for holding the microphone like that, but didn't want to sound petty. But I should have - he's a dork. Yes, he can sing, but a dork nonetheless. Of course, I'm a dork too. But I digress. Of all the great country songs he can choose from, he picks LeAnn Rimes "Swingin'"? This doesn't sound like it will work, and for me, it didn't. I think Scotty holding the mike like a flute and raising his eyebrows every five seconds made me like it even less. I just don't really care for this song - there isn't much to it. And I agree with the judges - it was a very safe choice. Of course, Scotty has that voice that is made for radio, and I anticipate hearing him on the radio one day. And maybe it's better that way - I don't want to see the creepy Howdy Doody look anymore. Yeah, ok, so that may be uncalled for, but it wasn't one of my favorite performances of his. But no worries, Scotty fans - he's a lock to stay again this week.
This next performance is bound to cause some discussion around the water cooler this week - James Durbin is going to sing Muse's "Uprising". And I'm going to predict my friend Karen (the Haley hater) will dislike this immensely. She's protective of Muse, and ripped my girl Siobhan when she covered one of their songs during the AI Live Concert last year. Unlike that song, I've heard this one, so I at least can comment on it. At first I didn't like it - I think he was trying too hard to be like Adam Lambert in this. But then I listened to it two more times, and I really liked it. I am not a huge Muse fan, so for me, it was fresh and I could take it for what it was worth. James really can hit those crazy notes - yes, it was over the top, but that SONG is over the top. So why not? I think James will get his wish of singing with Steven Tyler during the finale because I'm thinking he's going to be one of the final two. He really is a performer that is incredibly entertaining. Great job, James. No matter what the Muse junkies say!! :^)
Haley Reinhart is up next - singing Adele's "Rolling in the Deep". I'll be honest - I've never been a huge Haley fan, but last week I enjoyed her rendition of "Call Me". And to my surprise - I liked her performance this week! Yes, I said it. I was a Haley fan this week! Maybe now that Paul is gone, I can share the love because I really don't dislike any of the remaining contestants. I thought it was very good - not amazingly great, but then again, those types of performances are few and far between. Good job, Haley! And while some may not like Haley (you know who you are), I'll just say that there have been far worse singers in AI history than Haley - remember Lacey Brown from last season? And Megan Joy the year before that? Ugh!
I'm not a huge fan of Jacob Lusk, but I thought he did a very good job tonight - it was a very personal song that he sang (Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father"). I thought he was going to lose it, but he held on and I was impressed. I think Jacob, like Scotty, is very limited in that he can sing pretty much one type of song, but he sings that type of song really well. I liked him better this week than last, and that works for me. And unlike Randy, I don't need the histrionics every week - sometimes, being reserved is actually stronger than singing over the top.
I've become a big fan of Casey Abrams - other than his ill advised version of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", he's been pretty solid and very entertaining. He takes on Maroon 5's "Harder to Breath", which is a great song for him. I think vocally he chose the perfect song. I did have to laugh, though, at his stomping around the stage like a 2 year old who had his toys taken away. And he was not slapping 5 with those in the front row - it looked like he was violently hitting them! But he ended it as only Casey can - he planted a kiss on JLo's cheek. I do wonder why she turned her head - was it his breath (as my wife pointed out!)? Was that planned? Probably...but still, it was a fitting end for a solid performance. I liked it! I'm not sure how much Marc Anthony liked it, but hey, it wasn't on the lips...so he can't be THAT upset. And he drove Steven to say, "There's millions of people in America that are really angry, because you pissed them off so f***in' good...you changed so many people's minds". That's about the extent of Steven's comments - he never says anything critical, AND he forgets he's on AI (well, not really...again, he could care less....)
Stefano Langone is portrayed as the loverboy, but he comes off as incredibly annoying. Kind of like his singing. He picks Ne-Yo's "Closer" (I had no idea what that song was called, but surprisingly I had heard it before). It starts out very rough - but once the chorus kicks in, I thought it got better. Interesting dance moves, Stefano (I can't talk, because, well, I can't dance, but it was a little awkward....) I thought the song got better as it went on, but it's kind of a repetitive song, so in the end, while I think he sang it pretty well, I wasn't blown away by it. Yes, he didn't go over the top like he normally does, but I think he is in danger of going home. I mean, there are only 7 left, and I think he's towards the bottom of the remaining singers. That's not a knock on him - I just don't see him lasting too much longer. We'll see - maybe I'm wrong.
My girl Lauren Alaina ends the show with the superfine Sara Evans. I predicted she would do a Sara Evans song, but instead of "Born to Fly", I picked "Suds in the Bucket". I think Lauren is great, but she's not always on top of her game, and this was one of those weeks. By no means is it bad - she's got a very good to great voice, but she does tend to hold back. And I just didn't feel her giving it 100%. I really, REALLY hope she stays - I've been a fan from day 1, and I KNOW she can hit it out of the ballpark. Just believe in yourself Lauren! You are there for a reason...BRING IT EVERY WEEK! So good job, but I know you have more in you...you better be here next week! I will not be happy at all if you get outlasted by Haley, Stefano or Jacob! C'mon....
So I think Stefano goes home this week, but wouldn't be shocked if it's Haley or even Jacob. I think Scotty has too much of a fanbase, and James should be untouchable at this point. Casey has been vulnerable, but I think his fans realized they better vote for him or he could easily be gone (doesn't deserve to, but you know what they say...you must vote!)
Ok, I'm going to bed...hope you enjoyed reading my "musings" - goodnight everyone!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Season 10 - Top 8
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Season 10 - Top 9
I think Stefano or Hailey are going home this week. We'll see if I'm right or not...