For Real: American Idol Final Two

CRYSTAL vs. LEE

American Idol Season Finale 2010

The two finalists had their last shots tonight, performing three songs each.

ROUND ONE: CONTESTANT'S FAVORITE

Lee’s first song was “The Boxer,” a song he sang during inspirational week. It was a decent vocal, but it was too reserved for the finale. There wasn’t enough spunk to it & it seemed more like he was singing a song around a campfire, than in front of 7,000 people at the finale of the #1 show on television. Lee would have benefited more from a number with intense production & strong emotional pull. In order to compensate for his common voice. What It Is: B

Crystal sang “Me and Bobby McGee,” one of her best performances from earlier this season. Crystal looked a lot more comfortable up on the massive stage – she was really selling it to her audience at the Nokia Theatre. The vocal was solid, and she chose to hold out the note at the end, which showed off her technical strength. This was a classic Crystal performance that was a great start to her three-song run. What It Is: A

ROUND TWO: SIMON FULLER'S CHOICE (Executive Producer)

Simon Fuller chose “Everybody Hurts” for Lee’s second song. The song matched Lee’s voice really well…I hadn’t even thought of R.E.M. on him. He sang it well enough, but like I’ve said countless times, I couldn’t call Lee anything more than your average good singer. He doesn’t come close to Kris Allen, who himself isn’t amongst the most talented ‘Idols.’ Lee is lucky to be in this finale, and if he wins it will be because he’s likable, not because he’s the best singer in America. I really don’t like the way he looks like he’s about to cry after every song…he is not embracing his role in this finale, so why should he win? I understand that his story is that he “came from nothing,” and all, but enough is enough. He needed to be smiling, fearless and energetic in order to nail this. Instead, he was biting his lip and grimacing at the camera the whole time. Not entertaining for me. What It Is: B+

Crystal did “Black Velvet,” with a fantastic display of dedication and desire that surpassed anything she has shown this season. She did try to hit some notes that she didn’t quite have in her register, and she lost control of her voice at one point in the song. The fire in her voice, however, was in itself enough to show just how much Crystal wants to, and SHOULD win this competition. At this point, she is willing to push herself beyond anything she would have done on her own a few months ago. What It Is: A-

ROUND THREE: FINALE SONG (to be released as first single)

Lee’s final performance was U2’s “Beautiful Day.” He sounded a little like he had a frog stuck in his throat. Or rather, like he had a larger frog in his throat than he usually does. There was serious fear behind Lee’s eyes on this song. His attempts at smiles weren’t enough to hide it. It was definitely a good song on his voice, but he didn’t offer anything special to it. He hasn’t really offered anything special to any of the songs he’s done. It’s pretty much always the same, static vocal, on the same type of song. Sometimes, he sings a bit higher than his regular range – at least that shakes it up a little bit. But overall, Lee has proven that he is not the most talented singer in America, and for that reason, I sincerely hope that he does not win this title. What It Is: B

Crystal’s last song was “Up to the Mountain,” originally recorded by Patty Griffin. I can’t fully describe just how perfect this performance - this artistic outpour of emotion - was for me. If you’ve never heard the song, you should listen to the live version Kelly Clarkson did on Idol Gives Back a few years ago. Not to compare Crystal to her – rather, to get a second look at how beautiful & moving the song is. It’s Gospel-based, but it doesn’t opt for the big production we’ve come to expect from the “grand American Idol finale song” we get each year. It’s for exactly that reason that this was the best song of the season. Crystal has never been about big production, and she shouldn’t be. But what she is about, and what hasn’t always come through strong enough, is deeply rooted emotion. She is a passionate soul with a wholly unique tone, and it all came together on this song. She held absolutely nothing back, and she mastered the dynamics of the song. She volleyed back and forth between projecting the loudest she could muster and the softest she could make audible. It was flawlessly conveyed, and this will be the performance I remember when I look back on this season. What It Is: A+

But Let’s Be Real: Last year, I was straight up mad when Kris Allen beat Adam Lambert for the season eight title. Twelve months later, I would still argue that Adam should have won. But, I would also grant that Kris Allen has turned out to be a great acoustic artist with a decent appeal. I can also pick up on the passion in his voice in a way that I couldn’t before. But the reason I couldn’t before remains the same – he was facing one of the most talented singers of the decade. I think that we are in the same situation again, just on a much smaller scale. Crystal Bowersox is by no means the most talented singer you’re going to find. But, as Ellen DeGeneres said, you won’t find another artist like her. And you will be hard-pressed to find a musician with as much as passion as she has, all technicalities forgotten. Lee may have the story, but Crystal has the talent and artistry. The competition needs to be left at that, and I hope it pans out right tomorrow evening.

Final Breakdown:

Crystal Bowersox A

Lee DeWyze B

at 6:56 PM 0 comments

For Real: American Idol Top Three

It was down to three on American Idol tonight. Going into the evening, I thought that we were dealing with the most disappointing top three since season three (Fantasia Barrino, Diana DeGarmo, Jasmine Trias). Everybody seems to be a less talented version of somebody else who has been on the show before.

Contestant: Casey James

Casey sang "Okay, It's Alright With Me" for his contestant's choice. Although there were a few (okay, two) performances of Casey's I liked this season, my biggest issue with him at this point is that his voice is just not pleasant to listen to. From the moment he started singing, I was cringing in my seat. It's not something I want to hear on the radio at any point...it's even worse than Nickelback. I also agree with the judges that the song was completely worthless to his campaign & that it almost seemed like he wasn't recognizing it as one of the most important performances of his life.

"Daughters" was the brilliant selection Kara & Randy chose for Casey's second song. It was a brilliant choice because it's a beautiful, unique & likable ballad by John Mayer. Unfortunately, Casey attached a flat, melodically awkward vocal to a quiet, boring, minimalist arrangement that featured two acoustic guitars playing softly.

But Let's Be Real: I really do believe that Casey was supposed to make it this far, when compared to his competition over the course of the top twelve. But he needs to go home now...his voice is too similar to a horse nay & his artistic expression is so minor that his performances only leave America with a positively moldy feeling.

What It Is: D

Contestant: Crystal Bowersox

Crystal's contestant's choice was "Come To My Window," a great number for her voice. I think that Crystal was nervous going into the song...something looked a little off with her & she even cracked in two spots. I almost sense that Crystal has finally been "sucked in" to the competition - she is now taking it so seriously that it's consuming her. This, coming from the girl who almost quit in the earlier stages of the top 12. Overall, the song was pretty good...nothing special for Crystal (been happening a lot recently), but definitely adequate when surrounded by the other two contestants.

Ellen chose "Maybe I'm Amazed" for Crystal's second song. It's a really expressive song with a great melody. But I could tell that she approached the song as though it were not hers...kind of like she was just renting it out. I suppose that the act of choosing the song herself is what gives Crystal a lot of her power. Still, she certainly poured herself into it & pushed out all she had. I didn't hear an out-of-this-world vocal from her, but she performed the song very well.

But Let's Be Real: Crystal has done more than enough to get her into the finale. What she needs to do next week is hit the audience with something very tender & raw...back off the volume & make up for it with the pure power of her tone.

What It Is: B

Contestant: Lee DeWyze

Lee did "Simple Man" first. I believe that it was a pretty good song choice for him, and it probably beat the other two's first performances. Still, I can't sit here and assess these performances based on the other nonsense we've seen this season...I have to compare him to the individuals who are successful in the industry right now - Pat Monahan from Train ("Hey, Soul Sister"), Michael Bublé ("Haven't Met You Yet"), even Adam Lambert & Kris Allen. The bottom line is that Lee is absolutely & unequivocally not as talented as the artists he's going to be competing against this time next year.

Simon chose "Hallelujah" for Lee's second song. I apologize that I don't have much to say about his performance...I probably should have been paying more attention than I was, but I failed to see what was so incredible about the song. The 8 background singers standing in an inverted V behind him, coupled with the over-produced arrangement - featuring pre-recorded timpanis - didn't sit right with me. I don't, however, believe that all the judges were incorrect in their praise of the performance, so I will just say "I don't know about that" until I watch the performance again.

But Let's Be Real: Lee is loved. By the judges & by the millions of viewers. I think he will probably get the most votes tonight, probably for the first time this season. Regardless of how good his performances actually were, or how good he actually is, Crystal & Lee will go into the final pretty even split.

What It Is: B

Breakdown:

Crystal Bowersox B

Lee DeWyze B

Casey James D

at 5:01 PM 0 comments

For Real: New Katy Perry

Katy Perry is BACK, kicking off her sophomore campaign. After the incredible year 2008 was for her - during which she secured two of the highest-selling singles of all time in "I Kissed A Girl" (#1 in every country with 3.1 million copies sold domestically) & "Hot 'n Cold" (#3 in the U.S., but with3.8 million copies sold domestically) - there are very high expectations for her this year... and it might prove to be to difficult a challenge. But, her latest single, "California Girls," has had a great start after only a week. The track was released earlier than Capitol Records had intended (the result of internet leaks), but it immediately topped the iTunes Chart & stayed there for the majority of its first week. This Thursday, the track will debut in the top five of the Billboard Hot 100, if not at #1.

"Excitement Sales," which is my term for singles that debut very high on the charts because there is great anticipation for whatever song the popular artist happens to be releasing, are great for the first week or two. But ultimately, it's radio play that will make the song a true hit. Case in point - Kelly Clarkson's "Never Again" debuted at #8 in 2007 due to a big first week sales number, but quickly descended & never recovered. Ultimately, it wasn't a hit.

But as for Katy Perry's new track, it has everything it needs to be a huge hit. Although the title isn't as controversial as "I Kissed a Girl" or as universal as "Hot 'n Cold," the sick beat makes up for it & gives it a brand of it's own. The tempo is faster than usual - for any pop song - but this is part of what will make it a smash summer anthem. It will be on pump-up playlists around the country. This song is like a mix between Ke$ha's "TiK ToK" and Fergie's "Glamorous." The chorus doesn't have as much sing-along potential as tracks like those, but it's still catchy and fun to listen to.

But Let's Be Real: Katy Perry is a leader amongst female pop stars today. She loves to "go there" with her music, but at the same time she pushes the actual sound to wherever the pop vibe really rests at the moment. I don't see her turning bland anytime soon, but she's gonna need something very different on this album if she wants to make it as influential on the pop scene as the last one was.

What It Is: #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

at 10:13 AM 0 comments

For Real: American Idol Top Four

It was movie night on American Idol. As I looked at the four contestants standing side by side at the start of the show, I realized that it's almost worse now that we have narrowed it down to the best four, than earlier when the other crap was making them look good. Now it's obvious just how much these four pale in comparison to top contestants from previous seasons.

Contestant: Lee DeWyze

Lee's solo tonight was "Kiss From A Rose," a number one single by Seal back in 1994. It's a very, very difficult song to sing...the melody is all over the place & it ranges from very soft to very loud. With that in mind, I think Lee put forth a great effort. The fact that he wasn't off-key all that much is a tribute to his precision as an artist. Still, there were quite a few bum notes, especially towards the beginning. Lee still held on to his new found stage presence (which is really just him being relaxed and looking like he's enjoying what he's doing), but overall it was a boring, somewhat sub-par imitation of Seal's amazing original vocal.

But Let's Be Real: Tonight proved that Lee should never do a well-known, vocally difficult song if he's not going to completely change it. His artistry lies in his vocal quality - he has a very specific tone that is going to sound great on the radio. But it's also very static...it doesn't change much. He runs into trouble when he uses that voice to try and imitate a very dynamic vocalist like Seal.

What It Is: B-

Contestant: Mike Lynche

Mike's solo was "Will You Be There," by Michael Jackson, which premiered in the first Free Willy in 1993. This is a song very deeply rooted in emotion. It's a very specific type of gospel - more upbeat & bubbling than traditional. A masterful work, written & recorded by one of the greatest entertainers of all time. At the start, I really thought Mike was going to nail it...sort of capture the soul-wrenching feeling the recording exudes for himself. But by the time he got to the pre-chorus, I realized that there just wasn't anything there. He brought out that hokey theatrical thing he had a few weeks ago. Instead of getting down and dirty in the meaning of the words & the huge upward push of the melody at that part ("Everyone's taking control of me // Seems that the world's got a role for me"), he seemed so uneffected, putting on this lame mask of faux emotion. The arrangement wasn't the best, either...the key changes were not in the right places & the wrong parts of the song were selected (it is normally over 5 minutes long). Little things like that prevent the audience from caring one way or another by the finish.

But Let's Be Real: I saw tonight what everybody else has been seeing the whole time - Mike is arrogant, & he either doesn't want to or just can't make himself mean something to the audience. It is a shame, truly...as I have mentioned before, he absolutely is the most technically talented contestant.

What It Is: C+

Contestants: Lee DeWyze & Crystal Bowersox

"Falling Slowly" was the duet Lee & Crystal chose. They sang the song facing each other, each with their own guitar. This truly was a terrific performance...it brought out the legit marketability of each contestant (which, I'm sure, the record labels were relieved to see). The entire song was sung in harmony, with Lee on the bottom line. It was similar to songs like "Two is Better Than One" by Taylor Swift/Boys Like Girls, and "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum. It had a totally genuine feel to it...there was no room for question. Overall, a great boost for the both of their campaigns - I think it more than covered for Lee's bland solo performance.

Contestant: Casey James

Casey sang..."Mrs. Robinson" ? Right. So yeah, this has got to be the worst season of American Idol yet. What kind of contestant chooses a song like this at this stage? Whoooooo caaarrreees about Casey singing the same 4 notes over and over and over again? There was absolutely nothing worth anything in this performance. Maybe, MAYBE, if this were the top twelve or eleven, it would have been ok for Casey to just come out and show off the few redeeming features of his Nickelback-esque tone. But this is the top four, and he did nothing to prove that he should have even made it this far.

But Let's Be Real: It's probably still going to be Mike who goes home tomorrow night, but for me (and I'm assuming for more and more viewers), this was pointless and Casey doesn't look like he's improved at all this season.

What It Is: C-

Contestant: Crystal Bowersox

Crystal sang "I'm Alright" from Caddyshack. Kind of from Caddyshack. It was classic Crystal, complete with the twangy rock vibe that has kept her atop the competition every week thus far. I noticed that Crystal has developed an edge to her voice - an appropriate edge for a unique artist like her who is trying to find her place in the mainstream industry.

But Let's Be Real: I suppose it was typical Crystal - as in nothing groundbreaking - but fortunately, typical Crystal is not too shabby.

What It Is: A-

Contestants: Mike Lynche & Casey James

The two soloist failures of the night sang "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman." A classic, universal ballad like this is a great choice for any American Idol contestant. It's an even better choice for a duo of guys to sing, mostly because of the sharp harmonies throughout. Although there were a few pitch issues, I think the song brought out the best in each contestant's voice - particularly Casey. Casey had some great soaring harmonies that made his rendition of "Mrs. Robinson" seem even more foolish than it already had seemed. Mike's smooth & sultry tone came through in a way that it couldn't earlier in evening.

My Breakdown:

Crystal Bowersox A-

Lee DeWyze B-

Mike Lynche C+

Casey James C-

So What?

Unless we are in for the "Top 4 Shocker" that we've faced on multiple occasions in the past (Tamyra Gray, season one; Latoya London, season three; Chris Daughtry, season five), Mike or Casey will go home. More likely than not, Mike.

at 5:02 PM 0 comments

For Real: American Idol Top Six

American Idol started down the homestretch Tuesday night, as America has now weeded out the majority of the "also competed" folks this season. Going into the show, it seemed that with the exception of Aaron Kelly, we were left with the five legit contestants that have stood out as the favorites all season. It was Shania Twain night, which made for some very interesting performances - these very well written songs that were originally performed in the narrow genre of pop-country allowed for the artistic contestants to put their own take on the classics.

Contestant: Lee DeWyze
Lee performed "You're Still the One." It was great to hear him do a song originally done by a woman, because it forced him to shake things up. Still, he was pitchy & breathy throughout - his sustained notes were flat & unpleasant to listen to. Overall, the layering of his rough style on Shania's classic vocal arrangement worked to his advantage, but I can't help but compare him to contestants like David Cook (who won in 2008), and concede that Lee just isn't as good either technically or artistically. It's kind of like America is having to settle this season.
But Let's Be Real: It was good enough for the competition this year. But in any other season, Lee might not have even made it this far. Regardless, tonight's performance will speak to America in the way it has for many weeks now, and he will be safe tonight.
What It Is: B

Contestant: Michael Lynche
Mike did "It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing," and for the first time I heard the theatrical quality Simon spoke about a few weeks ago. It only came out in a few notes, but it was there & it is a little uncharacteristic of soul - maybe part of the reason America held out on him during the top nine when he received the least amount of votes. I thought that technically, Michael's performance was as great as it always is. The song might have been a little boring & I don't think it connected to the audience quite as well as it did in the past. But still, good.
But Let's Be Real: It's really hard to say what America thinks about Big Mike...I still think he's the best contestant technically, but I don't think America loves him as a person quite as much. I think he absolutely deserves to make the top five, but I wouldn't put money on it happening.
What It Is: A-

Contestant: Casey James
Casey sang "Don't," his second attempt at a slower, soul-bearing, heart-wrenching ballad this season. Last time he did this, everybody loved it & I hated it. This time, I think we all loved it. It was a real performance, with great care to the need for "equal loud and soft parts" in a ballad. It felt very legit & was not only pleasant to listen to, but moving & emotional too. I think Casey is growing on me, and his usual annoying vocal techniques (machine gun vibrato, for instance) were absent tonight.
But Let's Be Real: He probably put himself back into the top three with this performance. The contrast between this week & last week is astronomical.
What It Is: A

Contestant: Crystal Bowersox
For some reason, Crystal took the "country" theme literally, coming out with a twangy performance of Shania's "No One Needs to Know Right Now." It was very surprising to see Crystal take less of an artistic approach than the other contestants. She sang it well, but there was no push behind the rendition. No excitement.
But Let's Be Real: Crystal is being pushed in many different directions by the producers, who obviously want her to win the show, judging by how much they have put into transforming her so far this season (I'm talking mostly appearance). It was probably good for her to have a week to "back away from the front" a bit, so that she can have a really good push up into the final over these next few weeks.
What It Is: B

Contestant: Aaron Kelly
Aaron sang "You've Got A Way," and I wasn't sure how I felt about it. Whereas I straight up loved his performance last week, this week I didn't feel strongly one way or another. He gave a heartfelt performance, he was very relaxed & he has improved technically, but he is still so nasally & seems to me like a combined version of a much less talented David Archuleta and a much less talented Justin Timberlake.
But Let's Be Real: The judge's input has such a huge effect on America's overall opinion, which in turn heavily affects the votes. Because the judges loved him so much tonight, the results could change accordingly.
What It Is: B

Contestant: Siobhan Magnus
Siobhan sang "Any Man of Mine," & it went like Siobhan's performances used to go earlier this season - the first half shaky & boring, and the latter brightened with some really big notes. The song was good, but she was pitchy - again, it felt like she was just barely holding on to the notes. For example, when Kelly Clarkson wails on a big high note, you never feel like she just barely has the power to sustain the note. It just sounds natural. With Siobhan, it doesn't sound so natural and it's a little uncomfortable.
But Let's Be Real: Although Siobhan did pull it off in the end, I get the feeling that America might be wearing a little thin in the Siobhan department. She isn't making any progress towards becoming her own artist, and there just isn't any stability with her. She reminds me of Diana DeGarmo from Season three (though I will grant that Siobhan is definitely better than her).
What It Is: B

My Breakdown:
Casey James A
Michael Lynche A-
Lee DeWyze B
Crystal Bowersox B
Aaron Kelly B
Siobhan Magnus B

So What?
It's a very tough week...I have said all along that I believe Aaron isn't good enough to be in the top 5. I still think that, but I have a feeling that America (I don't really know why there are so many voters that do this) will vote based on what the judges thought. It seems to happen that way a lot. They thought Aaron was a completely revived artist tonight, and it might show in tomorrow's results. I believe that the only contestants definitely safe are Crystal, Lee & Casey. I still think Mike & Siobhan should fill out the top five, but I have a bad feeling that Aaron could pull ahead of one or both of them...

at 5:03 PM 1 comments

For Real: New Ciara - "Ride"

For an artist who is unbelievably obsessed with herself, Ciara's latest music video is just as artificial & ineffectual as ever. The new single, "Ride," is heading off the 24-year old's latest attempt at rejuvenating her career. Her last set, which was released last year, sold a mere 200,000 copies - a fraction of the sales from her previous albums. "Ride" is like a slower, smoother, but just as stupid version of Rihanna's "Rude Boy." You might need to watch the music video to fully understand that there's only one meaning to the song, and it follows the current trend of urban pop music - becoming increasingly disgusting. The chorus is moderately catchy ("They love the way I riiiiiiiiiide it" repeated), but it's too bland & too low-pitched to get stuck in anybody's head. It's not the type of song you'll be hearing people humming. The song rapidly deteriorates during the second half of the track. Instead of inserting a bridge after Ludacris' breakdown, she just starts singing some melody-less phrases over top of the same chords. It's boring.

The problem with Ciara is that she has fallen into the worn out formula of female urban pop today. Think about "Shake It Off" by Mariah Carey. That was an awesome song for 2005, but do you think it would fit in as well today? No. The industry has moved past that. Maybe part of the issue is that there's nothing special about Ciara's voice, but as it is, this genre & style seems so 2000's to me. It should have been left there, because a track like this doesn't seem even remotely modern.

But Let's Be Real: Already, I've noticed that fans of Ciara are completely taken with the song & video, and think it's as great as anything she has ever done. She has a specific audience - probably mostly male at this point, but it's not nearly substantial enough to get people to care like they did in 2004 & 2005, when she gave us songs like "1, 2 Step" & "Goodies."
What It Is: Top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100

Check out Ciara's "Ride" here.

at 6:37 PM 0 comments