Wednesday March 11, 2009
American Idol's baker’s dozen
By ANN MARIE CHANDY and S. INDRAMALAR
The latest season of American Idol has lost its oomph, but hopefully the favoured 13 will bring back the sparkle.
It's close to two months now that we’ve been fed with weekly doses of American Idol (Season 8). The verdict so far? Booor-ring. Apart from the inclusion of new judge Kara DioGuardi and that very-very annoying contestant Tatiana Del Toro, the new season hasn’t had much to offer viewers. Gosh, did we just say that?
The really disturbing thing is that we’re still tuning in every week and chatting about it in between. The strategies the producers are employing – like bringing Tatiana back for the wildcard episode – are sadly working on us.
Our first grouse is that there hasn’t been a stand-out artiste to really rock our socks off. Yeah, we like Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert, but none of them brings out that mad excitement each time they perform – the kind that sexy Bo Bice or the great David Cook did week after week.
Also, the new format hasn’t really allowed the viewers to build any sort of relationship with the performers. Some of the Top 13 we hardly even know! Take Kris Allen, for instance. Where did he come from? The contestants who actually had some sort of personality – albeit weird or bothersome – have been eliminated. Think: Tatiana (damn! there’s her name again), split personality Norman Gentle/Nick Mitchell, head-band drama queen Nathaniel Marshall and nerdy mike-stand kicking Alex Wagner-Trugman.
Still in the running: American Idol hopefuls (clockwise from back row left) Adam Lambert, Scott MacIntyre, Danny Gokey, Megan Corkrey and Allison Iraheta. Another huge disappointment has been the song choice. We’re actually thankful theme weeks will be starting from today’s episode onwards because it appears that if this bunch were left to choose songs on their own, they would come up with royal stinkers. They’ve really displayed the lack of depth in the music knowledge of America’s youth.
When David Archuleta (bless his soul) admitted to not knowing much of the Beatles’ music last year, one had to cringe. How does one with such an affinity for music, get to live 19 years in the United States and not know the Beatles?
For people from a country with such a rich musical heritage, these Americans are such a letdown when it comes to picking songs. It appears like the “fast-food mentality” that the world is being sold today has filtered through to music too, and American Idol is quickly becoming a victim of this.
Hopefully, theme weeks will encourage these young ones to widen their horizons. Or, as Simon Cowell said recently, maybe he had just better choose their songs for them.
So anyhow, here’s a quick look at the 13 favoured contestants (in alphabetical order). We’re going to be stuck with them for the next three months, so hopefully things will start looking up from here on:
Adam Lambert
26, from Los Angeles, California
Songs sung so far: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Some Kind of Wonderful by Soul Brothers Six, Believe by Cher, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones.
Ann Marie Chandy: I’ve liked Adam right from his audition and I think he has great showmanship and talent and looks right for the part of an American Idol (although he could lose a few pounds I reckon – don’t scrutinise those pictures too much because you’ll find a thick layer of makeup).
S. Indramalar: Adam’s got style but he also has the tendency to go a little over the top. He is one of the better performers though so I do hope he goes far in the competition. Dunno if he should win though.
Alexis Grace
21, from Memphis, Tennessee
Songs sung so far: Dr Feelgood by Aretha Franklin, Do Right Woman, Do Right Man by Aretha Franklin, Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood, I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love you) by Aretha Franklin.
AMC: Alexis has great vocals but I’m not sure if she is versatile enough to be able to cut it during theme weeks.
SI: I like this cili padi. Although, it will be interesting to see if she can sing more than just Aretha Franklin!
Allison Iraheta
16, from Los Angeles, California
Songs sung so far: (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin, Because of You by Kelly Clarkson, Alone by Heart.
AMC: I don’t particularly like Allison’s personality or hairstyle and that has somehow prevented me from appreciating her talent ... oh dear, am I a “lookist”?
SI: I really don’t think Allison’s rendition of Alone was that great, really, but she’s got a different sound and maybe the only rocker in the group so at least she’ll add some variety.
Anoop Desai (to be hereafter referred to as Noop Brown Dawg)
21, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Songs sung so far: Thank You by Boyz II Men, My Prerogative by Bobby Brown, It’s Magic by Stevie Wonder, Angel of Mine by Monica.
AMC: Those girls sure do scream for Anoop. His likeability may just take him farther than you imagine. Just someone, please get him a stylist. The hair, eyebrows and wardrobe need immediate attention!
SI: Hmmm. Noop Dawg makes me smile, but I think he will have a tough battle in the weeks ahead as there are many more capable singers in the Top 13. But, it’s the voters who choose who’s gonna be in and they seem to like this little Indian boy.
Danny Gokey
28, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Songs sung so far: Kiss from a Rose by Seal, I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye, I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack, Somebody to Love by Queen, Hero by Mariah Carey.
AMC: I love Danny’s tone, and he sings from the heart, so you feel his passion every time. But Danny may get a little lost in the crowd if he sticks to sappy love songs. He needs to mix it up a little.
SI: This dude can sing. He just needs a ’lil bit of style so that he doesn’t look like he just pulled something out of his boring closet. Hey, style matters and you need to complement the great voice and nice personality. Just don’t go the Sanjaya way.
Jasmine Murray
16, from Starkville, Mississippi
Songs sung so far: Big Girls Don’t Cry by Fergie, The Trouble With Love Is by Kelly Clarkson, Mercy by Duffy, Tattoo by Jordin Sparks, Love Song by Sara Bareilles and Reflection by Christina Aguilera
AMC: I lost interest in Jasmine some two weeks ago. Why is she still around?
SI: I thought she was great at the auditions but I am kind of changing my mind about her now. She seems kind of boring and I think she has the potential of choosing bad songs for herself, let’s see.
Jorge Nuñez
20, from Carolina, Puerto Rico
Songs sung so far: My Way by Frank Sinatra, What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, Angel by John Secada, Get Ready by The Temptations, Closer by Ne-Yo and Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me by Elton John.
AMC: Jorge sings well enough, but he seems a tad predictable. I’m not anticipating anything special from him anytime soon.
SI: If he can survive the “freezing” temperatures in California, I hope Jorge gets to the final three. He’s charming and he sings real well. He may need to trim those eyebrows though ... kidding lah!
Kris Allen
23, from Conway, Arizona
Songs sung so far: A Song for You by Leon Russell, I Want You Back by The Jackson Five, Everything by Michael Bublé, Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson.
AMC: I hadn’t even noticed Kris until he sang Man in the Mirror. I love that song and so he got my vote that week simply for choosing it.
SI: Ermmm, frankly I think he is a bit of a snoozer. Don’t remember him before the top 36 and did not think Man in the Mirror was fantastic. We shall see.
Lil Rounds
23, from Memphis, Tennessee
Songs sung so far: All I Do by Tammi Terrell, I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston, Get Ready by The Temptations, If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys, Be Without You by Mary J. Blige.
AMC: How many more powerhouse African American female singers can we take? I don’t think she’s as terrific as they all say she is.
SI: Don’t see why Simon loves her so much. She sings well but she’s also kind of a generic good black singer, no?
Matt Giraud
32, from Kalamazoo, Michigan
Songs sung so far: I Don’t Wanna Be by Gavin DeGraw, I Want You Back (The Jackson Five), Georgia on My Mind by Hoagy Carmichael, Viva La Vida by Coldplay and Who’s Lovin You by The Miracles.
AMC: I enjoy Matt’s song choices – he doesn’t just stick to one genre. He obviously has lots of talent and personality. What the heck is a duelling piano player anyhow? (see sidebar)
SI: I worry for him. What was he thinking choosing Coldplay’s Viva La Vida? It’s a wonderful song but dude, seriously? He’s darn lucky there was a wildcard episode this season.
Megan Joy Corkrey
22, from Sandy, Utah
Songs she’s sung so far: Can’t Help Lovin Dat Man by Helen Morgan, Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae and Black Horse and the Cherry Tree by KT Tunstall.
AMC: Megan got me at hello. There’s just something so captivating about her. Regardless of whether she gets through this show, I think she deserves a record contract.
SI: She’s cute and I love her tattoo and her voice. She’s got a dancing style that no one can (or will want to) copy, but that’s kinda cool too.
Michael Sarver
27, from Jasper, Texas
Songs he’s sung so far: Thank You by Boys II Men, More Than Anyone by Gavin DeGraw, Some Kind of Wonderful by Soul Brothers Six, All or Nothing by O Town, I Don’t Wanna Be by Gavin DeGraw.
AMC: When he’s singing Gavin DeGraw-type songs, I think the American public will love him. But what’s going to happen when it’s Barry Manilow night or something like that?
SI: Nice fella with a good voice. But can I see him as the American Idol? Not sure lah. Maybe he will gain confidence and a bit of a swagger that’s necessary ... swagger I say, not Taylor Hicks’ rabid dog moves.
Scott MacIntyre
23, from Scottsdale, Arizona
Songs he’s sung so far: And So it Goes by Billy Joel, Home by Daughtry and Mandolin Rain by Bruce Hornsby and The Range.
AMC: Scott’s got a good voice but I don’t know if that’s enough for this show. Plus, his unkempt hair is really starting to annoy me.
SI: He’s a good singer and maybe he needs the piano to bring out his full potential and his confidence. Nothing wrong with that but I just wonder if he will be able to perform if it’s a “heavy metal” week or “hard rock” week.
Watch American Idol tonight and tomorrow night on Star World (Astro channel 711) at 6pm (repeats at 8pm and 12.30am).
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