American Idol -- Top 7
Sometimes, the theme defeats even the best. I would love to never see Movie Week again. And this is only my first time suffering through it, as a new fan of the show. Does anyone do well with this schlock? Srsly, anybody? Bueller?
In order...
Allison - I really don't think her lovely growl + nice violins is enough to make me forget this is the most tired rock ballad in the history of the world. Her vocals felt a bit shaky to me at the beginning, too. But I love her, and I think they're right--she's growing into it week by week. (I just don't believe they didn't call her on a lame song choice. I pretty much hate how the "distinctive" voices--Allison and Danny--are forgiven a multitude of sins because they sound cool. They are actually the ones I'd be most in danger of getting bored listening to after a whole album, potentially.)
Anoop - Umm...I loved it? Yep. I was prepared to be bored/annoyed, especially with such an overplayed, melodramatic song, but I actually felt like it suited him, because he can pull back without fading out and sounding wimpy. It worked for me. I felt like his voice filled up the song instead of simply dragging it kicking and screaming along, like some other vocalists (Danny, Lil, Adam) could and would have done.
Adam - Note to Adam: Oh, darling heart, this really isn't a drag show.
I love his vocal control and his confidence, but I had to agree with Simon. I did. I wish he'd forget the stagey bullshit. It tells me he'll make fucking a kick-ass broadway star, but a top-selling rock vocalist? Not so much, not based on all that over-the-top flailing and the fucking cheesy hip swishing and pouty faces. Is he capable of singing the hell out of something (one of those upbeat numbers, I mean; clearly, he's proved himself with quiter numbers) without it seeming like he's doing musical theater? I just don't know.
Matt - Pitchy. Bleargh. And can we burn that fucking Justin Timberlake hat? (I do have to admit I found something about the performance oddly charming, considering he slid the fuck all over the notes and I hate the song.) I feel like he's only on about a third of the time, which isn't enough.
Danny - VELVEETA. Velveeta I'm tired of.
(It would help if these weren't the lounge-singingest songs ever.)
(Okay, so I warmed up to it as it went along, but I agree with Simon that it was a lazy, boring choice.)
Recordable velveeta, though. The studio recording of "What Hurts the Most" was so much better than the stage performance.
Kris - note to Kris: Baby doll, they were both right: it was a little pitchy (probably because you had to pitch it way the fuck up to hit the low notes, but it screwed you on the middle of your range; it seemed kinda whiny to me) but it was also a nice moment because you seemed to really connect to the song. I don't think the problem was song choice so much as wobbly control.
Lil - For once, I wanna defend the girl. I thought it was an interesting arrangement that suited her voice and style, and I liked seeing her pull back. At this point, pulling back isn't going to do her any more damage than letting it all fly--because it's clear, no matter what her voice is doing, that she's got pitch problems. Her voice just kind of squirms and stretches away from notes, and that's a sad thing because I like her. But she's got to go, right?