The Amazing Power of Idol was most clearly demonstrated tonight. I willfully (but not without agony) sat through two hours of country music and Randy Travis, no less. Fortunately, a few minutes of seeing Alexis was not only a welcome respite but definitive proof that there is a God and He loves me. Still, I am glad Country Week is over and not just because I steadfastly refuse to acknowledge it as a legitimate music genre. It's just that few of the Idolists can sing it authentically and that every year the better singers don't really show themselves that strongly on Country Week.
I have to admit that perhaps this crop of Idolists is living up to the hype as the strongest yet from top to bottom. There just weren't any bad performances tonight and, frankly, there were a few surprises. Oil Rig Dude was OK, Simon-Crushing Meagan didn't embarrass herself (but what was that she was wearing!), and Anoop might have restored his Dog status even if Diandra thinks he wants to be the 5th member of Boyz To Men. Because of how close I think everybody is, could there be some surprise exits coming?
Before I get to performances, my other highlight this week - I did mention Alexis, right? - was Emo Chic. Even after replaying it, I'm not sure I understand it. As Kara said, "It left me confused and happy." But I liked it. A lot. I will buy it when it comes out on iTunes. I am quite sure I will get some grief from some of you but, hey, I'll be the one who is "current, young, fresh and hot" as per R. Jackson.
OK, a quick recap:
Oil Rig Dude - Simon was right, you couldn't understand the words - and isn't that the point of most country songs?
Allison - OK, not great, I like that she kept to her rock vibe but still kept a little country in it
Kris - he's like a palm full of sugar: sweet and empty
Lil - Simon made me angry calling her Little. Sometimes he takes his "I'm smarter than you shtick" too far. Obviously she is not a country singer but when she hits her big notes, she's as clear as a bell
Emo-Chic - see above
Scott - tonight was his best and he's still just not that good
Alexis - Yes. I love her. Yes, she wasn't that good tonight. She should have stuck to her rock guns and done a fun, naughty song like Carrie's Underwood's Last Name. (I know, you people who think I'm a country music hater can't believe I know that song). And, yes, I love her.
Danny - slow start, HUGE finish. When he hits his sweet spot, he gives me goose bumps
Anoop-Dog - Big surprise! Great comeback for him. He really does have a voice and maybe he's figured out how best to display it
Simon-Crushing Meagan - she is so marginal and, again, what was she wearing?? Props for singing as well as she did under the weather.
Matt - I just didn't get the judges over-the-top praise. Better than Danny? What? Diandra's notes said, "Too many flat notes to be forgivable . . . . he should've played piano and Danny should've sung."
Can win: Danny, Lil, Emo-Chic
Maybe can win: Allison, Alexis, Matt (who the judges seem to love)
Can’t win (but apparently will make it interesting): Anoop-Dog, Kris
Really can’t win: Scott, Oil Rig Dude, Simon-Crushing Megan
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7 comments:
Here is the problem, few, very few, sang country! They took country lyrics, messed with the tune and made the song "their own" and horrible. Case in point: Adam! What was that? Johnny Cash is surely turning over in his grave! For once, I agree with Simon.
If you are going to call it country week, then judge them on singing country. The ones the judges (and you, Ray) like most were the ones who did nice little pop versions or bad rock renditions of a country song.
So, here is what one person who was raised on country, and knew the words to every song sung tonight, would say...Anoop was by far the best. (I have Willie singing it on my iPod) Allison was way up there and Kris started out good but lost it in the end. Just like you don't mess with some pop/rock icons, you don't mess with Garth. Like Kara said, it wasn't country. Alexis had potential with Dolly's song but it's not a sweet song and if that's what she was going for, she should have chosen another like "Coat of Many Colors." Need we remind you, this is not a beauty contest, but rather a singing contest? And btw, Megan's dress was traditional country and fit the song very well, but the critics wouldn't know that because they don't know country.
And, Mr. Linder, don't try kidding us, you watched the show with the mute button on, didn't you?!
I'm going to agree with most of what you say Anonymous (but I know who you are) - we'll put Emo-Chic's SPECTACULAR performance aside, as well as Simon-Crushing Meagan's dress. Most don't sing country because they can't, so they either cleverly (like or not) do a non-country cover, e.g. Daughtry's amazing cover of Live's "I Walk the Line"; or they mess with the tune, typically with bad results.
So for me, the problem with Country Week is that the people I like the best are those that do some "interesting" cover because at least they sound real. Everybody else comes off as bad karaoke because few Idolists are country singers.
Simon-Crushing Meagan's dress looked awkward and contrived on her. She's very pretty but has yet to come out looking like a current pop starlet. Would Faith, Martina or Shania or some other country cutie wear a dress like that? But she did look better than Danny although his "outfit" set a pretty low bar last night.
"Would Faith, Martina or Shania or some other country cutie wear a dress like that?"
ABSOLUTELY! Especially Faith. You need to see more country artists to be able to fairly say what they wear or don't wear. Adam's debacle cannot be compared to Daughtry's "I Walk the Line." I don't know his but I do know Live's version and it blurs the country/pop line, not obliterates it.
My problem with this week is that there is really no reason to call it country. They aren't judged on their ability to sing country and the ones who do it the least are rewarded.
Well, here's a critique from a classical singer (opera etal) who loves good country music (COUNTRY, not pop-country! i grew up on Red Foley etal and Grand Ole Opry as we gathered every Saturday night around the RADIO)---in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania no less--- so you know how long I've been around.
So I like some of what you both say.
Truly, country is about the WORDS with a certain style of music adding the pathos, the edge, the STORYLINE. Country tells stories rather like the blues do. Country is about heart and emotion. Anoop TORE IT OPEN ALL THE WAY on all those levels. I get chills even now as I "pen" this blog!
If the judging was solely on country, Adam would be gone tonight. He won't be because he can really, really sing and perform so I hope he gains a bit of humility and doesn't get too "into himself" and ruin the likeableness of his "craziness" - stage performing, which fans like a lot!
Mostly, the judges drove me out of the room last night. They should have a judge the judges week as a tag to the show.
Emo-Chic? "Liked it", "a lot"? Are you kidding me Ray? It made me feel a bit nauseous. I'm still having some residual effects this morning and feeling a bit under-the-weather after hearing that performance. I can't believe you would actually spend money to download that. I also can't believe Randy tried to compare it to NIN; I actually like NIN and have never struggled to keep a meal down while listening to their music. On a different note (no pun intended)...Oil Rig Dude needs to go and someone needs to tell Meagan that there is no scientific evidence linking Influenza B to ridiculous dancing or poor fashion sense (I work in a lab, I know these things).
Just read Margo's comments again; I agree with everything she said!
I am officially synical and "done" with the season. I think everyone is low rate (Danny is OKAY at best and I actually really like Meghan's voice and LOVE that song and completely don't understand why everyone hated the dress).
Shocked pink haired highlight girl went home - I liked her way more than most on there.
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