American Idol
Those of you who knew me 10 years ago know that I spent seven years pursuing a music career. I was a singer/songwriter, started and ran three bands and ran an independent music label. From this complete immersion in the music biz I feel I am qualified to critique a variety of music. In this post, I will give my American Idol two cents.
These is the first time I have watched a full season of American Idol. It just so happens that this season is being touted as the best and talented season in the history of the show. To that I am unable to comment as I did not watch one episode until season four and that was only one audition episode. I avoided the show like the plague because I was not interested in seeing others who were more talented than me succeed... I'm over that now. Let's Begin.
At the beginning I was amazed how many people honestly believed they could sing... they couldn't. A few gems stood out. One was Josiah. Unfortunately he was a bit to cocky and was cut (at least that's the reason the show presented). I believe he should have made it through to the top 24. Instead we had a bunch of singers who may not have been up to his level with a few exceptions. Many of those exceptions are in the current top five.
I'll just get David Archuletta out of the way first since he has been the most popular all season. He's 17 and has an amazing voice. His performance style and arrangements are pretty good too (for his style of music). What he is weakest in is his ability for noticeable originality. Sure he has had his moments but throughout the season they have been about average for a singer of his caliber. I like him though... he can sing anything. His strongest tool his definitely his voice.
Brooke White I have liked most of the season but the past two weeks have not been kind. Her ability to sing certain genres of music waxes and wanes. She is exceptionally good at Carol King type songs and her strongest performances have been when she is at the piano singing these types of songs. I was hoping to see continue to the top three but after two disapointing weeks of mediocre performances, I think she might be leaving us. Oh well.
Steven Castro is another finalist that has continued to entertain me for a majority of the season. But like Brooke, he has had two really bad weeks. His two song performances this week were less than average. He did not add anything to them. If you listen to the CD recording and then listen to him, he is singing along with the CD. Sorry Jason, this IS American Idol, you are in the top five, at this point you have to bring your own stamp to every song and every performance. It is here where he has failed miserably the past two weeks. Maybe he is tired and wants to go home because it appears to me that he has just given up and in my opinion is in danger of being sent home. We'll see tomorrow night.
Sayesha Mercado has not thrilled me all season. She has also not disapointed me either. She can sing. She can perform. Her arrangments and song choices are good but she just hasn't made me say "that was an awesome performance!" She has done better the past couple of weeks and might stay while either Brooke or Jason goes home.
Now we come to the last but in no way least final five, David Cooke. At the beginning of the season I thought he was good but didn't see him making it this far. Then he did something EVERY American Idol finalist should do... he figured out the game and has been totally awesome to watch the past month or so. He takes the time to find good arrangements. His choice of songs has been spot on for the past six weeks. He discovered the type of artist he is a couple months ago and has been exemplary in bringing this to the stage every week. His voice is as strong as David Archuletta's. Since Michael Johns left, he is the strongest performer by far. Every week he is consistently bringing his best to millions of viewers and this is why I can see him win this season (or at least be one of the top two). I keep trying to find a weakness with every one of his song choices, performances etc. For the past six weeks I have been unable to do so.
If I had to predict who will be eliminated in the coming weeks based on the past two weeks of performances, would say that either Steven Castro of Sayesha Mercado will be the next to go home. Hopefully it is Steven. Next week will be either Brooke White or Sayesha with the other eliminated the following week leaving the two Davids as the top two Season Seven American Idols.
As for the winner... either David Cooke or David Archuletta will win... and they will deserve it. After all, ideally American Idol is a talent show... not a popularity show. If the rest of America keeps this in mind then one of the Davids will definitely win.
Of course we will all know in a few weeks. Stay Tuned.
These is the first time I have watched a full season of American Idol. It just so happens that this season is being touted as the best and talented season in the history of the show. To that I am unable to comment as I did not watch one episode until season four and that was only one audition episode. I avoided the show like the plague because I was not interested in seeing others who were more talented than me succeed... I'm over that now. Let's Begin.
At the beginning I was amazed how many people honestly believed they could sing... they couldn't. A few gems stood out. One was Josiah. Unfortunately he was a bit to cocky and was cut (at least that's the reason the show presented). I believe he should have made it through to the top 24. Instead we had a bunch of singers who may not have been up to his level with a few exceptions. Many of those exceptions are in the current top five.
I'll just get David Archuletta out of the way first since he has been the most popular all season. He's 17 and has an amazing voice. His performance style and arrangements are pretty good too (for his style of music). What he is weakest in is his ability for noticeable originality. Sure he has had his moments but throughout the season they have been about average for a singer of his caliber. I like him though... he can sing anything. His strongest tool his definitely his voice.
Brooke White I have liked most of the season but the past two weeks have not been kind. Her ability to sing certain genres of music waxes and wanes. She is exceptionally good at Carol King type songs and her strongest performances have been when she is at the piano singing these types of songs. I was hoping to see continue to the top three but after two disapointing weeks of mediocre performances, I think she might be leaving us. Oh well.
Steven Castro is another finalist that has continued to entertain me for a majority of the season. But like Brooke, he has had two really bad weeks. His two song performances this week were less than average. He did not add anything to them. If you listen to the CD recording and then listen to him, he is singing along with the CD. Sorry Jason, this IS American Idol, you are in the top five, at this point you have to bring your own stamp to every song and every performance. It is here where he has failed miserably the past two weeks. Maybe he is tired and wants to go home because it appears to me that he has just given up and in my opinion is in danger of being sent home. We'll see tomorrow night.
Sayesha Mercado has not thrilled me all season. She has also not disapointed me either. She can sing. She can perform. Her arrangments and song choices are good but she just hasn't made me say "that was an awesome performance!" She has done better the past couple of weeks and might stay while either Brooke or Jason goes home.
Now we come to the last but in no way least final five, David Cooke. At the beginning of the season I thought he was good but didn't see him making it this far. Then he did something EVERY American Idol finalist should do... he figured out the game and has been totally awesome to watch the past month or so. He takes the time to find good arrangements. His choice of songs has been spot on for the past six weeks. He discovered the type of artist he is a couple months ago and has been exemplary in bringing this to the stage every week. His voice is as strong as David Archuletta's. Since Michael Johns left, he is the strongest performer by far. Every week he is consistently bringing his best to millions of viewers and this is why I can see him win this season (or at least be one of the top two). I keep trying to find a weakness with every one of his song choices, performances etc. For the past six weeks I have been unable to do so.
If I had to predict who will be eliminated in the coming weeks based on the past two weeks of performances, would say that either Steven Castro of Sayesha Mercado will be the next to go home. Hopefully it is Steven. Next week will be either Brooke White or Sayesha with the other eliminated the following week leaving the two Davids as the top two Season Seven American Idols.
As for the winner... either David Cooke or David Archuletta will win... and they will deserve it. After all, ideally American Idol is a talent show... not a popularity show. If the rest of America keeps this in mind then one of the Davids will definitely win.
Of course we will all know in a few weeks. Stay Tuned.