‘American Idol’: On the scene for the Top 8
Ooh, snap! Simon just stopped to talk to Randy and Paula. Yeah, just Randy and Paula…while Kara sat the judges table…talking to no one. Awkward. But you know who Simon chatted up more than anyone in the whole wide audience? Paula. They flirted, they finger-wagged back in forth. (I have no idea what that means, but don’t most couples have cute, nonsensical inside jokes like that?) They R in luv, y’all! In my head, anyway. It would explain so much: the love taps, the sexual tension, the fact that they must have conspired not to use actual baby pictures in the opening montage. Seriously, someone, somewhere has photographic evidence of Simon Cowell in nappies. We want!
No Sex Charges for So You Think You Can Dance Choreographer
Three days after So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Alex Da Silva was arrested for four counts of sexual assault, L.A. prosecutors said Tuesday that there is not enough evidence to pursue any charges,
TMZ.com reports.
More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…
‘American Idol’ recap: Simon’s Spontaneous ‘O’!
Let’s kick things off with a list of things I don’t need to see or hear ever again on American Idol: Scott MacIntyre playing an electric guitar. The judges engaging in a seven-minute discussion about the still uncovered and (possibly) mythical power of Lil Rounds’ vocals. Any contestant attempting to perform in what might be described as the seventh circle of hell, surrounded by mechanically swaying, dead-eyed teenagers. Simon Cowell giving advice about how to win a Miss Congeniality plaque. Randy Jackson invoking the name ”Keyshia Cole.” Kara DioGuardi using numbers in a critique.
‘American Idol’ Recap: Adam Lambert Owns Year-Of-Birth Night
As if it wasn’t clear before, Adam Lambert proved definitively on Tuesday night that he is the one to beat on “American Idol” this year à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ assuming everyone actually saw his performance and their DVRs didn’t click off when the show went more than five minutes over.
Even if you missed Lambert, though, you saw some serious drama: Another top contender, Lil Rounds, was thrashed by the judges; Scott MacIntyre came in for his first serious criticism; and another favorite, Danny Gokey, did just OK on a night when the singers were allowed to pick a song from the year of their birth.
The Rushfield Review: Does Lambert vs. Gokey spell curtains for Idol Nation?
Live at the Idoldome, the tension grows steadily with every week, and with it, the celebrity wattage to witness the taping. On the tarmac outside during the final moments before “American Idol’s” Songs-From-the-Year-You-Were-Born Week, Music Director Maestro Rickey Minor chatted with Sinbad as actor Ray Liotta raced to get his child to their seats. Everywhere was the first sign of spring, hand-drawn signs were in bloom in every 11-year-oldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s arms — in all the shades of Danny, Adam and Allison.
Weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re Live-Blogging The Top Eight à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Performances!
Sit back, relax and prepare to feel really flipping ancient, because ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Sing A Song From The Year You Were Bornà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ night on à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬
Before the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ live-blog begins, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d like to take a moment and acknowledge how depressing it is that I am older than all but one à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ contestant this year. (Never thought Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d say it but thank God for Gokey.) It felt weird when I surpassed à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Real Worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ casts, it definitely flipped me out when I realized that Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m old enough to be Taylor Swiftà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s dad (if I was a twelve year old stud who practiced unsafe sex). And now the only reality show where the contestants are in my age range features ballroom dancing and washed up has-beens. Hell, even Kim from à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Real Housewives of Atlantaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ could have gone to my prom. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve got one foot in the grave, donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t I? Before I know it Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be watching à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Mentalistà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ and that 10pm Leno show.
Ann Powers: ‘American Idol’ contestants learn that the truth can hurt
Type matters, but talent can win out (thank you Adam Lambert).
MATT3_MLB_2037 This week’s round of the “American Idol” competition exposed a few undying truths about pop music. First: One man’s meat is another woman’s poison. The first two performances had me wondering if I needed to have my ear buds checked, or if the problem was with the judges, who couldn’t tell a clever bit of blue-eyed soul from a dance in a cornfield.
Women remain vulnerable on à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢
In its annual effort to make younger viewers switch from Top 40 radio to oldies stations, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ brought back the songs-from-your-birth-year theme this week. That left most focusing on the 1980s catalogue, and since few 1980s songs are still hits these days, the judges tended to be unhappy with the song choices and arrangements that resulted.
Among the most vulnerable are the two women remaining. This hasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t been a great year for their gender, as only five were picked to make the 13-singer final round, and three of those are already gone. It wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t be a shock if either of the two women were next out the door tomorrow, though for different reasons.
Phil Stacey Blog: Lambert shines on a standout night for all on ‘American Idol’
It was an incredible night for “American Idol.” The contestants sang songs from the year they were born and there were only two performances that werenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t extraordinary. Those two belonged to Lil Rounds and Scott MacIntyre. I would be surprised to see anyone else go home tomorrow night.
The nightà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s biggest surprise for me was Adam Lambert. While I am usually not a big fan of his, he was absolutely spectacular tonight. He gave a nearly flawless and original version of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Mad Worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ one of the most depressing songs ever written. It was outstanding. Simon Cowell gave it a standing ovation, which I have never seen from him. Ever.
“American Idol” Producers Very Serious About Making Their Show As DVR-Proof As Possible
Last night on American Idol, Adam Lambert was given the coveted “pimp spot”à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ the last performance of the night, right before Ryan Seacrest recaps all the night’s songs and the phone lines are openedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ only it wasn’t so much, since anyone who watched the show on time-delay missed his Gary Jules-inspired version of Tears For Fears’ “Mad World” thanks to the show running over its 62-minute scheduled running time. (The cutoff seems to have fired up his fanbase, who have landed him in first place on busy-signal tracker DialIdol, and I suspect that there’s no way he is going home tonight, what with Simon Cowell giving him a standing ovation instead of a critique. (Let the conspiracy theories begin!) Clip after the jump.
‘Fringe’ invades ‘American Idol’… or was it the other way around?
Hey, remember how yesterday I wondered aloud whether there was much overlap between the audiences for American Idol and my beloved Fringe? Well, that proved literally true last night, as Idol viewers saw numerous shots of a serene bald man in the Hollywood studio audience. It was Michael Cerveris, the actor who plays the creepy, he’s-everywhere Observer on Fringe. Since that hoggish Idol spilled over into Fringe’s time period last night, it was only right that The Observer should be there to patrol this unusual event, as he does so many unusual events on Fringe.
‘Naughty Minx’ Kellie Pickler and Simon Cowell Have Tongue Troubles
Kellie Picklerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s flirty relationship with Simon Cowell during the fifth season of “American Idol” certainly raised a lot of eyebrows, especially when the controversial judge referred to the blonde belle as a “naughty minx.” At the time tabloid reports even suggested that their bonding caused problems with Cowellà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s then-girlfriend Terri Seymour à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ thus it’s no wonder Pickler is feeling both nervous yet excited about making a guest appearance on the FOX show this Wednesday night.
“I havenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t seen Paula, Randy or Simon since I was last on Idol,” Pickler told Tarts on Sunday. “But everyone keeps saying that ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s easier for me going back on and not being judged, but everybody judges me. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s harder à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ there are higher expectations now.”
‘Idolatry’: Let’s talk about Allison, Lil, and (ugh) Kara!
Should Kara DioGuardi be the next singer voted off American Idol? Why can’t Allison Iraheta get any respect from the judges? How come Lil Rounds keeps shouting at me? These are the questions that EW’s very own “On the Scene” Idol correspondent Adam B. Vary and I discuss as we head into Songs From the Year You Were Born Week. Press play below, then post your own thoughts on these all-important debates in the comments section below!
VIDEO: Megan Joy Talks of Blowing Her Chance, Her Bad-Boy Bro & Sneaking Alexis onto Tour
Just hours before being reunited (finally) with her 2-year-old son, Megan Joy came by TVGuide.com to discuss her solid run on American Idol.
Reflecting on her exit, she says, “I honestly wasn’t thinking about being eliminated until the day of.” After all, she notes, “They did give me the Wild Card, and they kinda liked me, sometimes.”
Yet in the end, she admits, “I obviously blew it.”
Idolatry: Megan Joy
Megan Joy and Michael Slezak admonish rude judges. Plus, the save sham.
Jasper’s ‘Idol’ welcomed home
Michael Sarver is “heading straight to the recording studio,” he told the people of Jasper who came out Tuesday night to welcome him home.
“The great thing about American Idol is it gives you lots of opportunity,” Sarver said during a short speech at Courthouse Square. “Although I can’t say too much, this has given me a lot of opportunity. I will be heading straight to the recording studio.”
Sarver was back in Jasper after months in Los Angeles singing on Fox’s “American Idol.” He was sent home from the show on an episode two weeks ago and has since been making the rounds of talk shows and media interviews.
Alexis Grace Stages “American Idol” Surprise in Memphis
Employees at the Germantown Crye-Leike headquarters got a surprise visitor during a “Crye-Leike Idol” contest and potluck. Memphian and former American Idol hopeful Alexis Grace made an appearance shortly before noon in front of a packed room of realtors and unsuspecting fans.
Before kicking off the Crye-Leike contest — in which employees sang their hearts out in front of a panel of judges dressed-up as Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell — Grace took the mic and answered a few questions from her adoring fans — including one from a realtor who asked, “Will you buy a house from me?”
How An à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹American Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Story Landed Me At the Gospel Music Network
The last time I was in Atlanta, I was 16 years old and my buddy Joshà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s sister pierced my ear with an old earring sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d filed to a dull, dirty point. (Kids, go to Claireà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s at the mall. Trust me à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ I ended up looking like the Elephant Man for a couple of weeks.)
That trip ended with a group of spring breakers destroying the hotel room Joshà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s adorable grandparents got for us while we were next door partying with a security guard with crazy eyes who called himself à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Jake the Snakeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ and who, two days later, ended up getting in a Mace fight with the boyfriend of the two runaway teenage strippers weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d befriended. (True story, by the way. I swear.)
Stepping out on his own
THAT adorable little boy whose cheeks you kept wanting to pinch during last year’s American Idol?
Click to see larger image
Well, he’s all grown up.
Amid smiles and candid laughter, Idol runner-up David Archuleta was full of wisdom yesterday when he met reporters at the Ritz Carlton hotel.
He is in town as part of a promotional tour in Asia, and will sign autographs at 7pm today at newly-opened Iluma shopping mall, opposite Bugis Junction.
Foxà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Low-Key New Boss Is Looking Beyond à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Idolà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢
LOS ANGELES à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ When Peter Rice, the newly installed overseer of the Fox networkà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s prime-time lineup, paid a visit recently to the live broadcast of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“American Idol,à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ the networkà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s crown jewel, he took a seat in the bleachers, far from the action and the sightlines of the cameras.
It was a decision characteristic of the low-key approach that Mr. Rice has refined in nearly two decades at the News Corporation, the entertainment conglomerate overseen by Rupert Murdoch.
‘Rock of Ages’ makes it hard to hold on to the feeling
American Idol alumnus Constantine Maroulis has the right gawky sweetness for the male lead but doesn’t appear to realize that he’s part of the joke, and not because of his passing resemblance to former Journey frontman Steve Perry. Maroulis’ bombastic crooning and wailing mirror the very excesses that Ages sends up.
Amy Spanger shows a tad more vocal discretion playing his love interest, and her aggressively flipped blond tresses are an authentic touch.
‘Rock of Ages’ tours the music of the ’80s
Constantine Maroulis leads a solid cast with an impressively natural performance as Drew, the fledgling rock star. Maroulis displays the sterling voice and easy, engaging presence that made him a favorite on TV’s “American Idol.” He has appeared on Broadway in “The Wedding Singer” and off-Broadway in last year’s production of “Rock of Ages” at New World Stages.
Rock of Ages
Narrator, or self-described “dramatic conjurer,” is sound guy Lonny (Mitchell Jarvis), an ingratiating Jack Black clone who winks at the audience with every hoary contrivance. His star-crossed lovers are busboy and wannabe rocker Drew (“American Idol” alum Constantine Maroulis) and aspiring actress Sherrie Christian (Amy Spanger), a Kansas gal whose name dictates we’ll be hearing both Steve Tyler’s “Oh Sherrie” and Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian” before long.
Cowell celebrates ‘historic’ awards win
Simon Cowell has claimed that his double victory at the DS Reality TV Awards last night is “historic”.
Cowell’s TV shows American Idol and X Factor won best reality series and favourite international reality series at the London ceremony.
In a VT message shown at the event, Cowell said: “This is embarrassing for me. To win an American award and a British award on the same night. That’s historic.
“But I’d like to say ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not just about me. There’s lots of other little people in the background who really work hard on this show. Thank you once again for making me number one.”
Dancing with the Stars: Week 5 Results
(S08E09) I was jarred by the beginning of the show. I flip the channels and realize that right after the credits, the show started off with Lil Kim and Derek’s performance. Wait, what? Gilles and Cheryl scored better by three points. No matter.
I’ll admit that I skipped the performance in favor of Adam Lambert. His performance on American Idol was more interesting than five minutes of a dance I saw before. In the recap, we learned that last night Melissa ripped her dress, which is one of the reasons why she was thrown off.
‘Dancing With the Stars’ recap: Leave, On the Doble
Despite a much-improved dance-off performance, higher judges’ scores, and the glaring fact that he’s a much better dancer than most of the remaining men, David Alan Grier left the Dancing With the Stars ballroom last night in what we can only hope was a slow shuffle peppered with his signature ”peeing dog”-style high kicks and arabesques. I never quite warmed up to the guy in the past few weeks à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ I’ve enjoyed his comedic acting whenever I’ve seen it, but his stern, non-effusive manner in real life was simply not a good fit for this bright and shiny show. Talent-wise, Chuck, Steve-O, or DAG’s dance-off opponent Lawrence Taylor should have gone home first, but to be honest I’m not surprised it was DAG instead. I think he (unintentionally) made people uncomfortable. I’m sad for the self-proclaimed ”old, wet food stamp” of the season, because he was clearly one of the hardest-working contestants. Looking forward, we can only hope that DAG’s elimination will go down in history as The Night The Powers That Be Finally Realized The Dreaded Dance-Off Was So…Incredibly…Abysmally…POINTLESS!
Julianne Hough Leaving ‘Dancing With the Stars’
Here is something that is going to disappoint the millions of males who watch “Dancing With the Stars” every week just to get a sneak peak at the stunning swinger/singer à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s stepping away.
“I wasn’t planning to come back this season because I wanted to focus on my music,” Hough told us backstage after taking out the Top New Artist category. “But I went back and ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been so much fun to dance with my good friend who happens to be my boyfriend.” (She then motioned to her personal and professional partner, Chuck Wicks, who was patiently waiting to congratulate his leading lady.)
A cool interview with Gary Jules about Adam covering Mad World (found by TWOP poster dededom):
à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Mad Worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ singer Gary Jules calls Adam Lambertà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s cover à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹unique and beautifulà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090408-ENTERTAIN-90408042
Well, that’s not what I said at all, actually.
I made the distinction between interpretation and re-arrangement. It’s a matter of degree. Then I gave examples–Allison and Anoop tend to interpret. Danny and Adam tend to re-arrange (whether it’s their own arrangement or not–people don’t seem to care). I don’t enjoy it because it sets the precedent that you have to shove your perceived artistry in the face of the viewers in order to be considered great (i.e., LOOK AT ME I’M ARTISTIC AND ORIGINAL). And that’s simply not true. As I mentioned, subtlety is often not rewarded. Allison is getting left behind because the way she changes a song isn’t about making it sound completely different from the original–she vocalizes and phrases the song differently. It sounds fresh while still being recognizable. Even Kris, who gets credit for “re-arranging” songs is doing it in a far more subtle way than Adam. “Ain’t No Sunshine” still sounded like “Ain’t No Sunshine.” My problem is with degree, and since last year, the degree to which songs are being re-arranged has become unenjoyable for me–especially since it seems you need to play the out-arranging game in order to have a shot at winning.
What I was talking about was a far cry from karaoke–although I did say that I preferred karaoke over the precedents being set now, but that was only to give you an idea of how much I dislike Arrangement Idol.
ITA. Bo was probably my favorite contenstant ever. He was just so perfect, I thought. His personality- just the sweetest, most humble family guy, and I loved almost everything he did. Good times.
Adam, on the other hand, is just like Cook. Grossly overrated and consistently overpraised. Adam’s range is great, but his style is nothing special. And exactly what will he do post-idol? As for Cook- he’s a second-rate Daugtry. Just average and ordinary in every way. And it doesn’t help that he sounds exactly like the guy from Hinder.
Nice article about Gary Jules! Lulz at his random Kellie Pickler connection, and very interesting that Simon’s a fan of the song. That makes the standing ovation he gave Adam that much more impressive!!
I actually agree about the show turning into Arrangement Idol, soundscene. With each passing season it becomes less about the actual singing and more about how unique and fancy we can make the songs themselves. I feel bad for singers like Allison who are incredibly talented but are overlooked because they aren’t Googling and You-Tubing for their next “original” arrangement. And yes Adam, I’m looking at you.
I lreally iked Bo Bice too. His “In a Dream” is one of the best performances ever.
I really wanted him to win over Carrie….she’s just not my taste, although she is one of the few new country artist I can stand to listen to for more than 30 seconds. She sweet, pretty and has a fabulous voice…I just HATE new country music with a cold passion.
Loved Daughtry too when he was on the show- wanted him to win. Don’t much like his music post-Idol.
Love the Gary Jules interview and what he said about Adam.
A nice time filler for me is to look up a song and to see how many times it has been covered and rearranged and mixed up and messed with over the years. It always strikes me as interesting to note that the “original” artist is oftentimes not the artist who is most well known for the song. A simple example is Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You’. Great, great song and sung wonderfully. But heh, Whitney Houston took the same song changed it up and was awarded a mega-hit for her efforts, and it is now the standard for the song. There are thousands of examples of this out there. Therefore, I will staunchly stand by my opinion that in order for these AI contestants to “stand out from the crowd” they need to find a great arrangement of a great song and sing it fantastic. I don’t give a rat’s ass if it doesn’t sound like the “original” (whatever that is supposed to mean) as long as the song and the singer stirs my soul.
You missed my point completely. I wasn’t talking about it sounding like the original. I was referring to the contestant being given OTT praise for how “original” their arrangement is when all they’re really doing is mimicking someone else’s arrangement, whether it’s a cover of a song or not. That happens with Adam this season just like it happened with Cook last season. It gets to the point that people are being praised for basically copying someone else rather than for how they actually sing the song.
Soundscene, I agree with everything you said about “Arrangement Idol”. It is driving me crazy. And this:
If that was the case, Season 6 should have been Melinda and Season 7 should have been Carly or Syesha.
I have yet to hear one word from a single judge about how wonderful the “original” arrangement was concerning Adam. He sang Black and White pretty much straight, said he had found the arrangement for Ring of Fire on YouTube, Arranged TOMT on his own and was praised by the writer Smokey Robinson for doing it, credited Ricky and the band for the arrangement for PTFM, and didn’t have time nor was he asked about where he got the arrangement for Mad World. Adam has never taken credit for doing an original arrangement when he didn’t do it. Geesh!
No they haven’t. Everyone who has been successful post-idol has fit it. Sure, Jordin is overweight, but she’s stilll very pretty, and has a commercial voice. Kelly may be semi-plain, but she still looks enough like a pop star to pass. You can’t take Gokey and make him a pop star. Thre’s a difference between a diamond in the rought (Allison, kris) and someone who doesn’t stand a chance(Gokey, Scott).
LOL I totally agree! Never really understood how the “most original idol evah!!!” was given to Cook when we have Bo and Blake who did it before Cook. And wasn’t Blake’s arrangement even an original? That’s more impressive. Never liked the guy (his voice is icky LOL) but he deserves the most kudos for arranging a song and making it his own. IMO of course.
soundscene, your entire post is worthy of quotes. Excellent observation. Also, what a great analysis about the whole arrangement thing with regards to Anoop. I loved his performance.
My suggestion for Lil is to do an opposite gender selection. Her choice of the top women in pop music has not produced an outstanding moment. As far as taking risks, my favorite female to do this was Nadia.
My overall point wasn’t about image–it was about the regression of singing being far less important than perceived “artistry” based on how out-there you can make your arrangements. What people think is original and artistic on Idol means almost nothing once the competition ends because the real music industry is nothing like Idol. Talent and hard work are far more important.
I kinda agree with this. Because it’s not like you can create a bunch of cool covers for your debut album. So in a way that “coolness” that you have by rearranging old songs into current music is lost with your debut album. That’s what killed Blake’s career IMO. He was “cool” because of his arrangements but post-Idol, all he has left is his poor vocals and that’s not enough to sell records.
About 90% of the “artists” selling records today would beg to differ. It hasn’t been about the voice on the pop charts for a long time.
All the arranging thing does is show you know your voice and know how to showcase it properly. People do not get props for any old arrangement (or else, Kristy Lee Cook would be an AI goodess) they get props for consistently presenting themselves as a modern pop act and knowing what works for their voice/presentation. If you can do that with your voice alone you get kudos as well. Anoop, Kris, Allison… all got props this season for interpreting a song well. Kris got dissed last night because his arrangement DIDN’T work with his vibe or voice.
I think y’all are making way too much out of the arrangement thing.
I think it takes more than talent and hard work, I think it takes luck and being in the right place at the right time. There are lots of hard working, talented people who never get discovered and get a chance to show what they can do. I think Idol winners have proved that as most were working at being discovered and being on Idol was there lucky break. Cheezy or not, over rated, unfair, whatever, I love this cheezy show (an MJ quote)
I said that interpretation was a good. I just think it’s been taken too far the past couple of years such that more subtle and nuanced interpretations were getting overlooked more often. It’s the degree I don’t like.
I understood you, I just don’t agree. I think plenty of subtle and nuanced interpretations got praised this year. I think some radical re-arrangements got slammed as well. I just don’t think all can be blamed on re-arranging things. It has become a “new” element of the show in the sense that it has become added to the repretorie of things contestants can do to make a song their own or make it sound fresh. But it is not the only way to approach a song that gets attention. At least not in my opinion.
I am not an Adam fan, but he is getting praise to me because he has the most control over his voice and an exciting performance style. The guy is damn near pitch perfect. Arrangments add to the story with him, but that is not all he has going for him IMO. Allison I LOVE, but she mumbles and is not really connecting well. She’s also a little one-note. She has great phrasing and phenomenal raw talent. But I would never say she’s suffering because she hasn’t rearranged anything. “Making it her own” is not her problem, IMO.
Sure but that’s not my point. What I’m saying is that whatever “coolness” that masked their limitations that Idols like Blake had cannot really transcend to their debut albums. So without that, they’d just be left with the things that really couldn’t have helped them at all on Idol.
No, because she is making the songs her own–she just never gets any credit for doing that. She should, IMO.
I agree… it seems like you have to radically change a song for it to be considered good or as Kara says… to show “artistry.” Because you know, good singing is not enough artistry in a singing competition.
One word: Fantasia
Soundscene- I really really enjoyed reading your observations and thoughts here re: “arrangement idol”.LOL I just missed them until today. Hope you see this.
And, whoever mentioned Blake kinda starting the arrangement thing, I apologize – I said David Cook. I didn’t watch much of Blake’s season, but you’re probably right.