The acoustic rocker vs. the glam rocker is how Seacrest decribes the final showdown between Adam Lambert and Kris Allen. Or, the guy next door vs. the guyliner. Good one. Kris is certainly the underdog here, and it was a tremendous victory for democracy that Kris Allen is here in the finale instead of Danny Gokey, who was widely expected to be here tonight with Lambert. I am very happy with this result, and even feel like it's possible that Kris could pull off what would be one of the great upsets in American Idol history.
3 songs each tonight, one contestant favorite, one selected by American Idol creator Simon Fuller and one written by Kara LaGuardia.
Adam Lambert is up first and has chosen "Mad World", and descends down a foggy staircase in a menacing trenchcoat. The stage is now covered with smoke and this seems even spookier than the first time he did it. He looks like a villian. Seen it before dude. It reminds Simon of Phantom of the Opera.
Kris Allen's choice is "Aint No Sunshine" and it's a brilliant choice. One of his best from the season, and shows his versatility playing the piano. If the screams from the young girls in the audience are any indication, Kris has a chance in this thing. Randy in his ridiculous suit thinks it was one of Kris' best performances. Kara has more good things to say about Kris than ever before, and Simon admits he was unsure about America's selection last week but now is on board and even awards a Round 1 victory to Kris Allen. Nice.
Adam Lambert's second song for the night, chosen by Producer Simon Fuller, is Sam Cooke's "Change Gonna Come", and he takes it remarkably easy on the song at first, then gives it a few trademark Lambert screams towards the end. Adam mysteriously sings at the end of the song "My change is gonna come" rather than the lyrics "A change gonna come." Overall it was a pretty good performance, not nearly as cringe inducing as many of his past performances. Judges are once again in awe of the Lambert and Simon proclaims he is back in the competition.
Kris Allen was done a huge favor when Simon Fuller chose "What's Goin On", the Marvin Gaye classic. He sang with emotion, rocked his acoustic guitar and the hand drummers were a nice touch. Kris lucked out with the selection there, and held his own that round but Simon happily gives Round 2, one million percent, to Adam Lambert.
"No Boundaries" is the new single by either Adam Lambert or Kris Allen, depending on who wins the competition. It was co-written by hit song maker/judge Kara Laguardia. It rhymes pain and hurricane, repeatedly mentions climbing mountains and generally sounds like a cheap concocted pop scheme song. The crowd goes wild. Randy says he could sing he phone book, and he would have preferred it. No he doesn't say that last part, but probably thought it. Slam to Kara and her two co-writers, but Kara couldn't be prouder. Perhaps she wrote the song for Adam, and not necessarily for Kris Allen.
Kris Allen closes out the season of performances with a spirited, if a little awkward rendition of the same song, "No Boundaries." I can honestly say though, even though it is a typically trite pop song, I guess I wouldn't mind hearing it on the radio as performed by Kris Allen. Hopefully enough millions of people agree. Randy thinks the song may be better suited to Kris' voice than Adam's. Kara and Paula congratulate him on a great season, and seem to be saying good job runner up. Simon thinks his first was his best and seems to be giving round three the Lambert. Predictable.
I am expecting upwards of 100 million votes to be cast in this Finale, and a Kris Allen win would be spectacular.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
American Idol - The Top 3
Our final three for American Idol Season 8 is Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, and Adam Lambert. This is the 300th episode of American Idol, and tonight we visit the finalists hometowns with them for parades and interviews and all that.
Tonight each contestant will sing one song of their own choosing, and one selected by the judges.
Paula’s selection for Danny Gokey is “Dance Little Sister”, which is almost certainly a cruise line anthem. His performance and dancing with the saxophone player are also reminiscent of a Cruise Ship Idol but still have Paula on her feet dancing. I bet she loves cruises. Randy predictably loves it, and Kara has to question the dancing. Simon thinks it was the wrong song. I concur.
Randy and Kara have chosen “Apologize” by One Republic. Fortunately I have never heard this song before. Kris takes the song on behind a grand piano and as cool as Kris is, I think it’s gonna take a miracle for him to make it to the finale. Randy is satisfied with this choice, but Kara didn’t like the way he performed the song she chose for him. He got stuck with a lame song by lame judges. Simon completely calls Kara out on this and it quickly deteriorates to a shouting match between the judges. Next we see Kara standing behind a frieghtened Simon Cowell with her hand over his mouth. If Simon isn’t with the show next year, I hope they get an entirely new batch of judges. This has gotten out of hand.
Simon Cowell personally sought U2’s permission for Adam Lambert to sing “One”, and they obliged. Regrettably. It is possibly his most egregious song ever, but the judges are falling all over themselves praising Adam, and he has the momentum of a runaway train. And to think he and Randy had a previous professional relationship wherein Randy suggested he try out for the show. Some people think he is a plant and I think they may be right.
Idol gives back update: 300,000 mosquito nets have been donated. “But we’re not done yet” says Carrie Underwood.
Danny Gokey has selected Joe Cocker’s “You are So Beautiful”. I thought for sure he would go with Whitney. Man this guy has managed to continue getting more boring each week, despite each week being all new kinds of boring. What a tool. RJ - “Mad vocals”
KD - “Stunning” PA- “You left everyone breathless” SC- “Vocal masterclass”. Me- “This guy sucks.”
For his song, Kris Allen decided to go with “Heartless” by Kanye West. I am skeptical. But Kris surprises once again and it’s actually very impressive! One of his best performances ever, he really gave that song a Kris Allen feel to it and I think it could be a single. This will definitely earn a lot of votes, hopefully enough o be here next week. Judges absolutely love it and Simon admits that although he’d written of Kris, he now thinks he has a chance. Nice. I am of the same mind.
Adam Lambert’s up to round out the night and his choice is “Cryin”, the one with Alicia Silverstone in the video. A backup singer out of control distracted form the chorus, but Kara happily declares “We’ll see you at the final.” Paula agrees, saying “We’ll be seeing you next week, and many years after that.” Fantastic.
Nothing would make me happier than to see Kris Allen and Adam Lambert in the finale, and have Kris Allen win. I think its possible.
Tonight each contestant will sing one song of their own choosing, and one selected by the judges.
Paula’s selection for Danny Gokey is “Dance Little Sister”, which is almost certainly a cruise line anthem. His performance and dancing with the saxophone player are also reminiscent of a Cruise Ship Idol but still have Paula on her feet dancing. I bet she loves cruises. Randy predictably loves it, and Kara has to question the dancing. Simon thinks it was the wrong song. I concur.
Randy and Kara have chosen “Apologize” by One Republic. Fortunately I have never heard this song before. Kris takes the song on behind a grand piano and as cool as Kris is, I think it’s gonna take a miracle for him to make it to the finale. Randy is satisfied with this choice, but Kara didn’t like the way he performed the song she chose for him. He got stuck with a lame song by lame judges. Simon completely calls Kara out on this and it quickly deteriorates to a shouting match between the judges. Next we see Kara standing behind a frieghtened Simon Cowell with her hand over his mouth. If Simon isn’t with the show next year, I hope they get an entirely new batch of judges. This has gotten out of hand.
Simon Cowell personally sought U2’s permission for Adam Lambert to sing “One”, and they obliged. Regrettably. It is possibly his most egregious song ever, but the judges are falling all over themselves praising Adam, and he has the momentum of a runaway train. And to think he and Randy had a previous professional relationship wherein Randy suggested he try out for the show. Some people think he is a plant and I think they may be right.
Idol gives back update: 300,000 mosquito nets have been donated. “But we’re not done yet” says Carrie Underwood.
Danny Gokey has selected Joe Cocker’s “You are So Beautiful”. I thought for sure he would go with Whitney. Man this guy has managed to continue getting more boring each week, despite each week being all new kinds of boring. What a tool. RJ - “Mad vocals”
KD - “Stunning” PA- “You left everyone breathless” SC- “Vocal masterclass”. Me- “This guy sucks.”
For his song, Kris Allen decided to go with “Heartless” by Kanye West. I am skeptical. But Kris surprises once again and it’s actually very impressive! One of his best performances ever, he really gave that song a Kris Allen feel to it and I think it could be a single. This will definitely earn a lot of votes, hopefully enough o be here next week. Judges absolutely love it and Simon admits that although he’d written of Kris, he now thinks he has a chance. Nice. I am of the same mind.
Adam Lambert’s up to round out the night and his choice is “Cryin”, the one with Alicia Silverstone in the video. A backup singer out of control distracted form the chorus, but Kara happily declares “We’ll see you at the final.” Paula agrees, saying “We’ll be seeing you next week, and many years after that.” Fantastic.
Nothing would make me happier than to see Kris Allen and Adam Lambert in the finale, and have Kris Allen win. I think its possible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
