Son of Simon
03-23-2006, 10:14 AM
So it's down to 10, but honestly, barring any amazing breakout performances the wheat has been separated from the chaff. Unless someone decides to take control of this competition- the finalists will continue on cruise control, which may even be bad for the show. Let's have a look:
Chris: Here's the horse you bet on to win the whole race. No, he doesn't have the range or strength of the other contestants. But has has artistry and identity, and it just so happens he has an identity that the fans will never let go of. At the rate this competition is going, he could sing the exact same song every week (and arguably, he does...) and rest on his laurels every elimination night. He doesn't even look remotely phased on Wednesday nights. As they call his name, hundreds of girls scream incessantly, and Ryan can barely even mention his performance. Would you be worried if you were him? I wouldn't be, because more AI voters are female, and the girls love their Chris.
Paris: Another one who can rest fairly easily each week. Why? Because she's "special" like that tiny lady on "Police Academy" that had the mousy, squeaky voice and the screaming, powerful yell. Paris is talented, and maybe not showstopping, but she'll garner even more votes with America's sentimental favorite- Kevin Covais out of the picture. People ignore that she garbles words- SHE'S 17!!- they dismiss that her voice is shaky and nervous at times - SHE'S 17!- and they skip by the fact that she, like Chris, doesn't seem to be developing on stage at all- SHE'S 17! For this writer- Paris needs to prove she can dominate an entire show- I won't lower the bar for her because - SHE'S 17!- she's got the talent to do it, now she needs to put together a performance that I'd stop the entire show for. It shouldn't be that hard right? Katharine, Chris, and Mandisa have demonstrated they can do it- it should be no sweat for America's "wind-up doll".
Kellie: The one people want to keep. For a long, long time. Here's another person who really doesn't have to "do" anything magnificent with her vocals, she can casually glide along each week, so long as she can talk into the mic after her song, which is why we're all in love with her. Awww...a 19 year old with an hyper-extended drawl and social intelligence of a 9 year old...awwww...awwww....She'll be around for as long as we can tolerate "Ahhh've gauut taaaraanchulaaaz en muh eyes..." The fish out of water thing will be what she lives and dies by, but not really her vocals.
Taylor: Personality, character, and constantly forgiven for his dance moves because he really does have soul. I like Taylor, I love Ray Charles, Doobie Brothers, and Soul Patrol, but does he have what it takes to get the 11-15 year old girl votes that Ace and Chris have a lock on? No. Taylor will be safe for a while- I'm thinking about 2 more weeks or so, and then it gets interesting.
Bucky: Pick a song you'll want to sing twice this week. That's the same advice I'd give Lisa Tucker as well. I like Bucky- I like that he's humble and genuine like Elliot, I like that he sticks to his genre as best as he can, and yet doesn't get the special treatment that Chris gets. I just don't think Bucky is going any further. Where Chris is praised and worshipped for singing the same song every week, Bucky is lauded and ridiculed for doing the exact same thing. It's because America prefers "dudes" over "hicks" when it comes to their men, and it's because Chris is that guy that every girl wishes were cheating on them, and Bucky is that guy every girl wishes would stop wearing boots. Sorry Bucky- I like you, I just don't think you've got the goods to topple the powers that be.
Mandisa: Clearly this is the person that makes Idol what it is to any person with any sense of entertainment. She's brilliant past most recording artists today. She's proven she can sing ANYTHING, by ANYONE, and do the song justice while making it her own. She is that good and then some. I would seriously watch any performance Mandisa would give. If Ace and Kellie represent everything that's wrong with the current state of the recording industry today- Mandisa represents everything the recording industry should be. Keep slaying us every week Mandisa- you're the only contestant that seems willing to do that every week, and I hate to admit that America will not reward you for that in the end. Considering raw talent and strength, you're leagues ahead of anyone in this competition.
Elliot: The guy that "could be". The colossal talent trapped in the body of a regular person just struggling to deal with his diabetes. This is the REAL story here, forget Pickler, this is the guy who will spend the rest of his days making real, skillfull music. Maybe people will be buying Ace's new hit "I stole Justin Timberlake's Career" but Elliot's stuff will be the records we look back at in 10 years and go "Jeebus, we voted him off before Paris? What were we thinking?" Elliot has the pipes to completely blow everyone out of the competiton, but sadly it just isn't in him. I'm going to enjoy every last minute he has on the show, which is probably only 1 or two performances left.
Lisa: Oh boy. It's as if Irene Cara came back and stripped herself of any soul or flavor whatsoever. This girl is literally a vocal "weapon", a veritable 357 magnum that we put on stage to shoot blanks in the air to start a race where lesser talents win the race. What makes Lisa pick the most bland, non-offensive songs week in and week out on this path to turn everything wholesome and unoffensive? Is it controlling parents? Is it a lack of hardship in her life? Is it the over-influence of stage performing? What is it? Lisa- take some soul lessons from Mandisa or Taylor, put some feeling into your singing, and pick some songs that will allow you to share emotion. "Roboticism" killed Ayla, and it's just as likely to kill your chances too.
Ace: Well hey, at least you weren't in the bottom three last night. You know that crack about "I Stole Justin Timberlake's Career", well don't worry- I meant every word of it. But that's not a bad thing- I mean who wouldn't want J.Tlake's life, his money, his fame, or his girlfriends (I would've skipped Britney personally). Ace- you don't have to win. Don't sweat it. All you need to do is find 4 guys; 1) The youngest one 2) The shy one 3) The bad boy and 4) the guy who's really 35 and you've got yourself a legitimate band and recording career- get to it! Forget that you'll only be on Idol 3 weeks tops, you'll be making money in no time.
Katharine: You can really save this show for me, and everyone else in America that would rather hear something different each week than "Fuel's rendition of..." You've got depth, charm, and let's not forget the cleanest, best controlled vocals in the entire competition. You're voice is captivating, and you don't skip out on the difficult stuff- you're the atheletic performer out to demonstrate true, vocal ability, and it's a shame that America values Mandisa and Paris for that, but often passes you off as some arrogant pretty-girl. You've got the goods, you pick the songs, you're real, undeniable talent. And frankly- you're the only person I'm seeing "grow" each week since they booted Melissa. You came to us brilliant, and I'd like to see you to the end as "unparalleled". Just remember while you're doing elaborate transitions and changes in your song to "own" your work, everything else you have proven.
So that's my look at the top 10. Sadly, the show appears to have hit a highly predictable "rut", but hopefully someone with real voting draw will come out and challenge Chris, otherwise we're watching a finished show with a very tight competition for 2nd place.
Chris: Here's the horse you bet on to win the whole race. No, he doesn't have the range or strength of the other contestants. But has has artistry and identity, and it just so happens he has an identity that the fans will never let go of. At the rate this competition is going, he could sing the exact same song every week (and arguably, he does...) and rest on his laurels every elimination night. He doesn't even look remotely phased on Wednesday nights. As they call his name, hundreds of girls scream incessantly, and Ryan can barely even mention his performance. Would you be worried if you were him? I wouldn't be, because more AI voters are female, and the girls love their Chris.
Paris: Another one who can rest fairly easily each week. Why? Because she's "special" like that tiny lady on "Police Academy" that had the mousy, squeaky voice and the screaming, powerful yell. Paris is talented, and maybe not showstopping, but she'll garner even more votes with America's sentimental favorite- Kevin Covais out of the picture. People ignore that she garbles words- SHE'S 17!!- they dismiss that her voice is shaky and nervous at times - SHE'S 17!- and they skip by the fact that she, like Chris, doesn't seem to be developing on stage at all- SHE'S 17! For this writer- Paris needs to prove she can dominate an entire show- I won't lower the bar for her because - SHE'S 17!- she's got the talent to do it, now she needs to put together a performance that I'd stop the entire show for. It shouldn't be that hard right? Katharine, Chris, and Mandisa have demonstrated they can do it- it should be no sweat for America's "wind-up doll".
Kellie: The one people want to keep. For a long, long time. Here's another person who really doesn't have to "do" anything magnificent with her vocals, she can casually glide along each week, so long as she can talk into the mic after her song, which is why we're all in love with her. Awww...a 19 year old with an hyper-extended drawl and social intelligence of a 9 year old...awwww...awwww....She'll be around for as long as we can tolerate "Ahhh've gauut taaaraanchulaaaz en muh eyes..." The fish out of water thing will be what she lives and dies by, but not really her vocals.
Taylor: Personality, character, and constantly forgiven for his dance moves because he really does have soul. I like Taylor, I love Ray Charles, Doobie Brothers, and Soul Patrol, but does he have what it takes to get the 11-15 year old girl votes that Ace and Chris have a lock on? No. Taylor will be safe for a while- I'm thinking about 2 more weeks or so, and then it gets interesting.
Bucky: Pick a song you'll want to sing twice this week. That's the same advice I'd give Lisa Tucker as well. I like Bucky- I like that he's humble and genuine like Elliot, I like that he sticks to his genre as best as he can, and yet doesn't get the special treatment that Chris gets. I just don't think Bucky is going any further. Where Chris is praised and worshipped for singing the same song every week, Bucky is lauded and ridiculed for doing the exact same thing. It's because America prefers "dudes" over "hicks" when it comes to their men, and it's because Chris is that guy that every girl wishes were cheating on them, and Bucky is that guy every girl wishes would stop wearing boots. Sorry Bucky- I like you, I just don't think you've got the goods to topple the powers that be.
Mandisa: Clearly this is the person that makes Idol what it is to any person with any sense of entertainment. She's brilliant past most recording artists today. She's proven she can sing ANYTHING, by ANYONE, and do the song justice while making it her own. She is that good and then some. I would seriously watch any performance Mandisa would give. If Ace and Kellie represent everything that's wrong with the current state of the recording industry today- Mandisa represents everything the recording industry should be. Keep slaying us every week Mandisa- you're the only contestant that seems willing to do that every week, and I hate to admit that America will not reward you for that in the end. Considering raw talent and strength, you're leagues ahead of anyone in this competition.
Elliot: The guy that "could be". The colossal talent trapped in the body of a regular person just struggling to deal with his diabetes. This is the REAL story here, forget Pickler, this is the guy who will spend the rest of his days making real, skillfull music. Maybe people will be buying Ace's new hit "I stole Justin Timberlake's Career" but Elliot's stuff will be the records we look back at in 10 years and go "Jeebus, we voted him off before Paris? What were we thinking?" Elliot has the pipes to completely blow everyone out of the competiton, but sadly it just isn't in him. I'm going to enjoy every last minute he has on the show, which is probably only 1 or two performances left.
Lisa: Oh boy. It's as if Irene Cara came back and stripped herself of any soul or flavor whatsoever. This girl is literally a vocal "weapon", a veritable 357 magnum that we put on stage to shoot blanks in the air to start a race where lesser talents win the race. What makes Lisa pick the most bland, non-offensive songs week in and week out on this path to turn everything wholesome and unoffensive? Is it controlling parents? Is it a lack of hardship in her life? Is it the over-influence of stage performing? What is it? Lisa- take some soul lessons from Mandisa or Taylor, put some feeling into your singing, and pick some songs that will allow you to share emotion. "Roboticism" killed Ayla, and it's just as likely to kill your chances too.
Ace: Well hey, at least you weren't in the bottom three last night. You know that crack about "I Stole Justin Timberlake's Career", well don't worry- I meant every word of it. But that's not a bad thing- I mean who wouldn't want J.Tlake's life, his money, his fame, or his girlfriends (I would've skipped Britney personally). Ace- you don't have to win. Don't sweat it. All you need to do is find 4 guys; 1) The youngest one 2) The shy one 3) The bad boy and 4) the guy who's really 35 and you've got yourself a legitimate band and recording career- get to it! Forget that you'll only be on Idol 3 weeks tops, you'll be making money in no time.
Katharine: You can really save this show for me, and everyone else in America that would rather hear something different each week than "Fuel's rendition of..." You've got depth, charm, and let's not forget the cleanest, best controlled vocals in the entire competition. You're voice is captivating, and you don't skip out on the difficult stuff- you're the atheletic performer out to demonstrate true, vocal ability, and it's a shame that America values Mandisa and Paris for that, but often passes you off as some arrogant pretty-girl. You've got the goods, you pick the songs, you're real, undeniable talent. And frankly- you're the only person I'm seeing "grow" each week since they booted Melissa. You came to us brilliant, and I'd like to see you to the end as "unparalleled". Just remember while you're doing elaborate transitions and changes in your song to "own" your work, everything else you have proven.
So that's my look at the top 10. Sadly, the show appears to have hit a highly predictable "rut", but hopefully someone with real voting draw will come out and challenge Chris, otherwise we're watching a finished show with a very tight competition for 2nd place.