"AI" Finals Week 4, March 31st and April 1st, 2009 Pt. 2

Hello,

A quick note about Danny Gokey: someone stumbled across my blog using google with the search "danny gokey, pee wee herman". That speaks for itself.

4) Allison Iraheta sang “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt. She played guitar for the first time this performance. Thinking about the final 9 contestants, whose CDs would I buy? I would definitely buy CDs by Megan Corkrey and Allison Iraheta. Maybe I would also buy the CDs of Anoop Desai and Matt Giraud. But the other five Idols probably not, unless their CDs are a lot better than they have been on the show. History indicates they are pretty much the same from the show to their post Idol career. "Don't Speak" is an overplayed song, but she sang it well. I love her raspy voice. I'm not sure if this means anything but she had almost 3 minutes of judges comments. The judges comments were actually longer than her performance. As Simon was speaking the audience drowned him out. They should do that more often. Grade B+. Buy? probably.

5) Scott MacIntyre sang “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel. Two words: dreadfully boring. He turned this great song into a borefest. He didn't sound good on the high notes and he was the one that should have gone home. Kara said he was "coming from a honest place". What does that mean? Randy said it one of the best performances of the night. Really? I'm not sure what he was watching but that was probably the worst performance of the night. Grade: F Buy? No!

6) Matt Giraud sang “You Found Me” by The Fray. After two solid performances, this was very boring. Matt I really want to like you, but I can't with songs like this. No more Coldplay! No more The Fray! The judges didn't like his performance either. (Seriously though do people really vote based on what the judges think. Yes, they do but I don't know why. They aren't the four smartest people in the world. None of them, maybe other than Paula, loves music as a fan.) Grade: C Buy? No.

7) Lil Rounds sang “Surrender” by Celine Dion. She seems to have so much potential but she continues to disappoint almost weekly. I used to be a big fan, but not anymore. Also Lil that dress was way too tight and not flattering. Randy really showed off his true judging ability with his critique. Among many stupid things he said "for me, for you" and "check it out". Simon, the best of the four judges by far, was completely accurate when he said Rounds "personality is being sucked out".
Grade: C Buy? Not on your life!

8) Adam Lambert sang “Play That Funky Music White Boy” by Wild Cherry. Let the judges hype began. (Gee I wonder if he's one of the producer's favorites?) Paula said "true genius shatters expectations". Singing a 70's disco song very mediocre is "true genius"? Please! She also compared him to Steven Tyler and Mick Jagger. WHAT? That would be like comparing themusicaddict to Shakespeare. That's "true genius" nonsense came in loopy Paula's fortune cookie today. Kara "said I cannot wait to see what you do next". Those comments would have only made sense if this show had been on April Fool's Day. Grade: C- Buy? No, no, no.

9) Kris Allen sang “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers. This could have been a home run for Kris Allen, but he only had a solid double. Compare Allen's version to Wither's version and you'll understand what I mean. I did like the grit in his voice and he's a lot better than the over hyped Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert. Kara broke out the word "artistry" again. When can we start voting the judges off? Paula said that could be the "first cut from your album". It could be but not if he wants to sell records. Grade: C+. Buy? No.

After this week's too early expulsion of Megan Joy, we are left with 6 men and 2 women. There goes Megan, one of the most original Idols ever. (Also words echoed by Smokey Robinson.) This is shaping up to be one of the worst seasons in "AI" history. I really think this season is the death knell in the "American Idol" franchise. They'll stretch it out for 2 or 3 more years, but its best days are behind it. Next week's theme is Songs From The Year You Were Born. Four of the 8 remaining Idols were born in 1985, the year I graduated from Woods Cross High School. Go Wildcats! Other than Allison, all the songs will be from the 80's.

I'll be back tomorrow with a review of the results show and my new Top Ten. Go Tar Heels! Have a great weekend! themusicaddict