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Idol Blogging
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008Neil Diamond night, and no one sang “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Shiloh,” or my personal favorite, “Song Sung Blue.” Here’s how I’d order the contestants tonight:
David Archuleta. No joke. I thought both of his performances tonight were pretty awful. He sang two Diamond standards, and his just-pubescent voice wasn’t nearly man enough to pull either of them off. He’s got no gruff, no rasp. He absolutely butchered “Sweet Caroline,” turning a driving, up-tempo song into a mushy, sing-songy shell of what it ought to be. As for “America,” I guess Archuleta’s taking up the Kristy Lee Cooke God n’ Country banner. Again, the song was just too big for him. Sad thing is, he’ll still probably get the most votes this week. But I thought this was easily his weakest night of the season, including the week where he booted the lyrics to Eleanor Rigby “We Can Work It Out.”
Jason Castro. I like Castro a lot, and think with the right songwriter, he could sell a few CDs. The problem is, he doesn’t have much range as a performer. There are certain styles he does very well, others where he just sounds like a lame guy on the beach strumming his guitar in front of a bonfire. I’ve always thought that one of Idol’s weaknesses is that because they push so many different styles on the contestants, they weed out the truly interesting voices, and end up selecting for a kind of generic, all-purpose session background singer. Castro’s “Forever in Blue Jeans” was actually very good. But Castro’s voice is in many ways more fragile than Archuleta’s. So “September Morn” again shrank next to Diamond’s growl, and Castro drowned in the expanse of the song. Also, how awesome was it when Paula Abdul started judging Castro’s second performance before he had even given it? I don’t know what she’s on, but I’d hate to see her when she’s off it.
Brooke White. Her “I’m a Believer” was cartoonishly awful. She almost spoke the lyrics. And I half expected her to start swinging her elbows and kicking up her heels. But she bounced back, and delivered on her second song with what she does best–a soulful ballad at the piano. She did the homesick weeper, “I Am, I Said,” and probably saved her butt in the process. Very nice. Related: Every time I hear this song, I can’t get over that “not even the chair” lyric that Dave Barry’s always making fun of.
David Cook. I don’t really care for his style of music (he sounds like half the playlist on your typical “alternative rock” station, but this guy is good. He finds arrangements that suit his style and he’s got a lot of showman in him. His voice is by no means the best in the competition, but he’s great at boosting it with well-placed background vocals, guitar, and stage theatrics. Two very strong performances tonight. Alas, I fear a David vs. David final.
Syesha Mercado. Okay, so maybe it’s because I’m just a sucker for soul. Or because she’s hot. But I thought she won the night. She sang two very different songs and brought ‘em both home. Her “Hello Again” swelled and swooned and gave her a chance to show some vulnerability. Then she brought back the sass from last week with a souled-up take on “Thank God for the Night Time.” She showed more range than anyone else tonight, and probably sang better than anyone but Archuleta (yes, the kid’s got a voice–but there’s more to performing than hitting the right notes). Maybe, just maybe she hangs on another week. But she’ll have to beat out Brooke White or Jason Castro to do it. Judging from past shows, that seems unlikely. Too bad. But I hope she finds some strong management, and they push her toward that late 60s, early 70s neo-soul sound for her first CD. She could open for Ryan Shaw. Or do Broadway.
That was disappointing. I went back on my Tivo to watch Michael Johns. He has more talent than any of the final five.
Archuleta booted the lyrics to “We Can Work It Out” not “Eleanor Rigby”, which was sung by Cook. Also, no one sang “Cherry Cherry” or “Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon”? WTF?
I didn’t even know “I’m a believer” was a Neil Diamond song. It sucked when the Monkee’s did it and I think it would suck no matter who did it.
I think Castro wants to go and I believe he will go this week if Brooke does not get the ax.
Syesha did kick ass. I was surprised when Cowell said she might be in trouble. When compared to the others she should be safer this week more than any other week she has performed. But we will see.
I also believe it will be a David vs David finale. Cook will win it all.
But of all the performances up to this point I think Paula stands head and shoulders above the crowd. Last night was a classic moment in live television. Completely out in La La Left Field picking the daisy’s and looking for a four leaf clover. She is always living in her own little world but never was it so apparent as it was last night.
I see paulas screw up is all over the web and tv this morning. I swear that woman has the best drugs ever.
Nothing to add here except I once saw the Pogues perform “Cracklin Rosie” in London. Pretty awesome.
Let me start by saying I love Neil Diamond. Good Neil Diamond is really good and cheesy Neil Diamond is funny. At least it is when Neil sings it. I would not try the cheesy stuff on American Idol(looking at you Archuleta/America). I was really looking forward to tonight. That said, these judges suck. They don’t get it. Wrong across the board. (except Brooke’s I’m a believer — that was awful). My take:
I voted for the hippie 30+ times. Loved forever in blue jeans. Both were good. I really hope he makes top 3. If not top 2.
David cook (your next American idol) — the first one was really pretty good. The second they got dead wrong. It didn’t sound like it was written today. It sounded like it was written in 1990. By Brian Adams. Full of sweeping guitars in the background and smoothed out rock vocals. Awful.
The virgin nanny — her first song was a trainwreck. Great second one though. I thought they really missed how good “I am I said” was. That is normally a cheesy song and it actually sounded genuine.
Archuleta — ugh. He totally wussed up Sweet Caroline and made America sound more elevator easy listening. Its all faux 1980’s R&B. Just awful. If he wins, it will only be because you girls like his looks. They can’t like how that sounds, unless the new generation likes smooth jams and adult easy listening.
One commenter on another music blog said that his Sweet Caroline sounded like a 1980’s TV theme song. I agree. Listen to it again and you can’t hear anything else.
Ayesha — meh.
Hmmm… Are you sure you don’t have a bug in my living room?
My comment on Archuletta’s “Sweet Caroline”: It was like a bonus track for a Hall and Oates album. And not in a good way.
I’m glad to see Syesha performing well again. I liked her at the very beginning of the contest, but she got a bit lost/overlooked (at least by me) in the middle.
Am I the only one on the planet who didn’t mind “Believer?” Admittedly, it’s not a good song, but I thought that where Brooke changed the notes, she did so in a Dolly Parton kind of way that I enjoyed.