I’m buzzing with thoughts about the new Kelly Clarkson album, but I need more time to sort through them. I’ll get to that later. Tomorrow morning perhaps.
For now, I’d like to reflect on Clarkson’s birthplace, so after the jump, I’ll give a performer-by-performer response to last night’s American Idol. Wicked!
The Theme:
When they said it was Michael Jackson night, I winced, because when Kris Allen and… um… that other guy sang MJ songs during the semifinals, they both blew. The weird genius of Jacko’s music is that his songs don’t sound right without his affectations, yet if anyone else tries to rock a “shimon” or a “hee-hee” during a performance, they’ll seem like a fool. So unless you radically reinterpret “Heal the World,” you’re either going to sound like a lounge singer who sucked the personality out the song or a bad impersonator who may as well be wearing a sparkly glove. Either way, your performance will only make the audience miss the original, which is a testament to MJ’s talent.Â
That said, I was impressed by how many good-to-great performances there were tonight. Plenty of people did find ways to mix up the originals, so that they sounded like more than clones.
The Bottom Four:
Oh lord. Jorge. He did a good thing by going the Jackson Five route (those songs were recorded before Michael’s performances got really idiosyncratic), but his dewy-eyed, fake-ass schmaltz has got to go. He’s so phony, I can barely take it.
Which leads me to Scott. On Dangerous, “Keep the Faith” is an ass-kicking soul song that tosses some gospel spirit into a big vat of dirty percussion. It’s amazing, and MJ slays the vocal with his growls and hollers. But Scott? Delivered a milquetoast performance straight out of the lamest college a cappella group you’ve ever heard. Dude, anyone who articulates every syllable in a soul song has got no soul. This wimpy performance just hardens my belief that Scott is this season’s emperor without clothes.
Compared to that, Jasmine was simply forgettable, but her adequacy does her no favors.
Ah, but you’ll notice I still haven’t mentioned the most deliciously terrible performance of the night. That’s right, y’all… Anoop. What was that? Why was he dressed like he was going to the spring mixer at the dorky-cool frat house? Why didn’t he change up “Beat It” in any way? Didn’t he read what I wrote up there? I mean, Anoop seems like a nice enough guy with a decent enough voice, but he’s just not cool. However, he seems to think he’s the coolest guy in the room. That illusion is hurting him.
The Middle Four:
Look, Megan Joy Corkery singing “Rockin Robin’,” which was a solo hit for MJ when he was still a teenager, was weird. But I kind of liked it. It’s like when Annie Lennox put that song “Keep Young and Beautiful” at the end of Diva: She was clearly trying on the persona of a 40s-era big band singer, commenting on her text even as she delivered it. To me, that’s what Meggie Megs was doing tonight: It seemed like she looked at the MJ catalogue, saw nothing she connected to, and so decided to put on some wholesome housewife drag and do a winking performances of Cold War propriety. This may not be what she intended, but it’s what I saw. And so… I kind of liked it.
I also kind of liked Alexis Grace, but I kind of didn’t. As the judges said, she oversang “Dirty Diana.”
Michael Sarver’s performance was right at the middle of the bell curve. I really loathe “You Are Not Alone” (I’m allergic to the self-congratulatory hysterics of R. Kelly’s songwriting), but Sarver sounded nice. So that averages out to a big “meh.”
Kris Allen was at the top of the middle. He got too shouty, but I liked his alt-rock spin on “Remember the Time,” which is a hot, hot hit. (How cool that so many contestants chose songs from Dangerous. Way to validate my adolescence, y’all! For the group sing, can we get some “Will You Be There?” up in this bitch?)
The Top Four
I’m grossed out by Danny Gokey’s personality, because he seems like he’s an arrogant elitist trying to perform a “cool dude” routine. Like, maybe he’ll drink beers with you, but he’ll silently judge you for buying domestic and for not understanding his weirdly-phrased joke about F. Scott Fitzgerald. I don’t know. I don’t actually know him. He might be awesome. But my heart swerves away from anyone who uses his dead wife’s memory to prove his own sensitivity.
However, he was great on “P.Y.T.” Massive energy. Good vocals. And like Randy, I dug the dorky dancing because it seemed so genuine.Â
I also loved Allison Iraheta, and not just because I picked her for the American Idol pool I’m in. I loved that she chose “Give In To Me,” one of my all-time fave MJ songs, and I loved that she was so convincing as a rock star. If Pink comes on the show, can they please duet? Please?
Big ups to Matt Giraud, who shaded his sensitive piano performance with vocal subtlety and glimmers of sultriness. I hope Scott was paying attention.
And of course, Lil Rounds, though I’m guessing this was an easy week for her. She’s probably a vivacious soul singer during every moment of the day. Like, at breakfast she’s all, “Hey kids, ha! Work a waffle like it’s hot , ha-ha!”
The Undefined Variable
God knows I’ve talked enough about Adam Lambert, and it’s great that his performance of “Black or White” was the judges’ favorite. But for me? It was all over the place. I know, I know! But that song is already a structural clusterfuck, and Lambert just made it more incoherent. Lots of lights, lots of power notes, lots of all-up-in-my-business, but very little for me to sit back and enjoy.
I’m still rooting for him, though, and I still think he’s great. So for this week, I’m calling it a wash.
11 responses so far ↓
1 Kingoftunes // Mar 11, 2009 at 3:08 am
Great assessment of the show! You didn’t mention what you think will be the big reveal tomorrow. I hope it isn’t something like the bottom 3 being revealed and then the judges get final say on which of the 3 goes.
-Scott is getting the pity vote, pure and simple. -Anoop was atroshe.
-I rather liked Alexis up until she hit that really bad note at the end. Also, honey, maybe next time wear shoes you can actually walk in. -Megan is a riot to me. It was a terrible song choice but she actually has a very distinct voice. -Danny – he bothers me. I agree with your assessment of him 100%.
-”You Are Not Alone” is actually one of my least favorite songs of all time. Seriously, it gives me hives. Therefore, I could not listen to Michael and I’m ready to see him go home anyway.
-Allison RULES. God, I love her!
2 Wendell Brock // Mar 11, 2009 at 8:57 am
Good stuff, Mr. CC. This makes me SO wish I had seen Adam Lambert’s previous performances. (Based on “Human Nature,” I’m liking Matt Giraud as well.) Dang, where’s my waffle? Who ate my waffle???
3 Lynne // Mar 11, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Mark – enjoyed reading your Idols ratings from last night’s performance. I agree with some of your comments and your breakdown in general. Like you, I was pleasantly surprised with all the ‘good to great’ performances.
Michael Sarver moved from my bottom to the middle ground as his honest, sparkling eyes and deep heartfelt voice are beginning to grow on me. I think you are way too harsh on Scott and Danny, but that is IMHO. I think Allison is edgy and great – loved that song, never heard it before (please keep in mind that the pop music scene has been largely lost on me since the late 70’s – I know, very pathetic – with only intermittent smatterings of top hits and trends). I’m not sure she will have the staying power in this competition, but there’s no doubt she has some chops and a career ahead of her. I preferred Alexis over Allison, but her performance was too over-the-top (not in a good way) last night to really prove herself. I think she has more polish than Allison in all areas, including her voice.
I can appreciate quirky Megan’s appeal, but she doesn’t thrill me. I’m lukewarm about Chris Allen as well. Love your description of Lil and those hot waffles roflmao – she’s a clear frontrunner and winner in this season. She’s got it all, with attitude, and with chops to rival any soul sister of the grand tradition out there!
But Mark, honestly, can anyone ever talk too much about Adam Lambert?
I’ve never heard that song by MJ, (refer back to my statement about being a pop music flunkie), and I had trouble understanding the words at all times. But what quickly drew my attention in listening to the phrases I could catch was that Adam was delivering a punchy, proud statement which reflected some of the controversy that has surrounded him in recent days. Am I the only one who picked up on that?
I had to google the lyrics so I could get a better idea of just what was in that song and I realize I must have missed a bunch. But what I did hear seemed to support the double meaning theory, in that although this is a song about racial prejudice, it could be applied to the angst experienced by homosexuals in today’s society. I find it hard to believe that was not intentional…and bravo (in a sense) for that. Who wants to live out their life with the intense pain and burden of being misunderstood or the brunt of undeserved or harsh prejudice?
Here’s some of what I heard:
I took my baby on Saturday, boy we’re one in the same.
I believe in miracles and a miracle has happened tonight.
What they said in the Saturday Sun (or news),
I had to tell them I’m second to none
Don’t tell me you like me
When I saw you kicking dirt in my eye
Either you’re wrong
Or you’re right
But, if you’re thinkin’ about my baby
It don’t matter if you’re black or white
I ain’t scared of no brother
I ain’t scared of no she (found out later that word is sheets)
I ain’t scare of nobody
Don’t matter if you’re black or white.
I realize I left some things out, but those are representative of the song and the message. Musically, I did not enjoy this performance as much as Satisfaction. But I just think its power and its impact is more than what the performance presented to us. It did seem to me that, perhaps for the reasons I stated above, Adam’s heart was really into it…he was laying himself on the line. It took courage, I think, before that enormous stage, the judges and the millions at home in America, to stand up there and sing his heart out…and to sing in his heart, if that makes sense. I found myself gaining even more enthusiasm for this winsome young man as I listened to his rendition of MJ’s socially grounded street ballad.
4 Lynne // Mar 11, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Geesh…sorry, Mark…do you have a word limit or anything I should know about? I’ll do better next time!
5 Mark Blankenship // Mar 11, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Hey Lynne… No worries! Write as much as you feel moved to write!
6 Lynne // Mar 11, 2009 at 4:12 pm
okay, thanks Mark.
I would be interested in hearing what you think about the lyrics if you want to share. Am I way out in left field (or God forbid; right field) with my perceptions?
hmmmm…you haven’t succumbed to some sort of vast left-wing media hush-up, have you? (I’m kidding of course, I can’t see you succumbing to any kind of hush up).
7 Kyle // Mar 12, 2009 at 1:27 am
hold the phone…
you’re in a American Idol Pool?
8 Mark Blankenship // Mar 12, 2009 at 1:32 am
Oh yes, Kyle… oh yes. I’m backing Adam and Allison, and for bonus points, I’ve bet on Elton John and Heart being performed this season (which has already worked out well for me.)
I also picked Von Smith, thinking he would get the Archuleta vote. Whoops!
9 Michelle // Mar 12, 2009 at 1:32 am
Lynne,
I love how you interpreted the song. You missed one line though, the one in the 2nd verse Adam emphasized the most last night when he sang:
“And i told you about equality. It’s true, you’re either wrong or you’re right.”
I thought it was subtle, but very clever. He’s had a crazy week, and there he was singing about equality with so much conviction. It was touching. He took one of MJ’s most confrontational songs and made it personal and powerful.
Mark,
I must agree with you that when i first heard his performance, i didn’t find it all that great. I thought it was messy and his pitch was all over the place. But then i watched it again and it just grew on me. It was a very intense performance, very original and truly great. I’m not a fan of rock music, but I adore how creative he gets with songs and lyrics, and how his performances thus far have been so energetic and seamless.
Look forward to Grand Ole Opry next week. I’m a little worried for Adam, but at the same time excited to see what he’s going to bring.
On a totally random note, he has like a big pimple on his right cheek ytd. Get some rest and save ur complexion Adam! Lol
10 Lynne // Mar 12, 2009 at 9:38 am
Michelle, I was beginning to think I was the only one who picked up on what I thought was very obvious double-edged lyrics.
oh my gawsh, no! Grand Ole Opry? I guess they’re getting that out of the way early.
Hah – I missed the pimple – I’m looking at his steely eyes, pearly smile and of course, his lusty, confident strutting!
Hey, I’m only human!
11 Kyle // Mar 12, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Mark.
Allison’s performance was great on that night. I was lucky enough to catch it while flipping through. You seem to have your money in the right spots.
btw I added you to our blog roll!
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