American Idol Rant:
I seem to hear over and over again how “BLAH” American Idol was this past season. I disagree. I honestly don’t know what people are expecting. They have diversified the talent base by raising the age restriction a bit…allowing for older, more rounded talents (AKA a lot of professional back up singers). They are allowing singers with unique and different sounds into the competition… A.I. has also produced a top selling country artist (Carrie Underwood), a rocker dude (Daughtry), and a pop singer (Kelly Clarkson). There have been a slew of moderately successful American Idol contestants singing R&B, Gospel, whatever Taylor Hicks is….and lots of pop. Fans though were bored last season! What does Fox have to do to keep people interested? I really think that the focus has to be on the music and not the spectacle of the finale and special “charity” episodes. Whatever Fox does, the numbers will be huge…but seriously…let’s make it all about the music again.
I seem to hear over and over again how “BLAH” American Idol was this past season. I disagree. I honestly don’t know what people are expecting. They have diversified the talent base by raising the age restriction a bit…allowing for older, more rounded talents (AKA a lot of professional back up singers). They are allowing singers with unique and different sounds into the competition… A.I. has also produced a top selling country artist (Carrie Underwood), a rocker dude (Daughtry), and a pop singer (Kelly Clarkson). There have been a slew of moderately successful American Idol contestants singing R&B, Gospel, whatever Taylor Hicks is….and lots of pop. Fans though were bored last season! What does Fox have to do to keep people interested? I really think that the focus has to be on the music and not the spectacle of the finale and special “charity” episodes. Whatever Fox does, the numbers will be huge…but seriously…let’s make it all about the music again.
Blake Lewis vs. Jordin Sparks:
Now. This season’s winner and runner up. Let’s compare. First off…compared with Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee? WAY more interesting! Taylor…wtf? Did anyone buy his CD? And Katharine…what a bomb! Some average, generic pop…blah!
On to Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks. First…album covers? Blake wins! Cool looking! Nice colors…nice close up of Blake looking blissfully unaware of how cute he is. Add in some funky graphics there and you got a good album sleeve. Even the title is interesting and clever…AUDIO DAY DREAM otherwise known as “ADD.” Clever. Jordin’s cover is pretty boring. Boring grey background…boring picture of Jordin posing with a dumb look on her face. Jordin is pretty and she can sing…but what a bland introduction to the world. If she goes global, they better re shoot the album artwork like they did for Kelly Clarkson’s Breakaway album…I almost bought the import just to have the better sleeve art.
Now…the single. Blake wins! Jordin Sparks’ single “Tattoo” just isn’t doing it for me. I don’t know if it’s the production or the song itself. There’s no question…Jordin has talent. I just think the song is a disappointment, and the lacklustre video doesn’t help to sway me at all. It’s definitely possible for a reality show to produce a good first POP single. Case in point…Kelly Clarkson’s “Miss Independent” was hot! And who says it HAS to be a club banger!? X-Factor over in the UK has Leona Lewis, already a chart-topper in her native land, is waiting in the wings over here in the States (set to drop her album in the first quarter of 2008). “Bleeding Love,” a ballad…is GORGEOUS! “Tattoo” is…not. It’s kind of a dud. And considering Stargate did the producing…it’s a huge disappointment. “Break Anotha” is fun and is clearly ALL Blake. There’s a part of his personality from AI in the song…AND he includes some of his signature beat boxing style! Check out his official MySpace for the clip.
Now don’t get me wrong. I have faith in Jordin Sparks. I know she can bring it. I’m just being honest. I am more excited about Blake’s CD. December 4th can’t come soon enough!
Albums Drop Dates: