Idol: Rank ‘Em 1-to-5
1) David Cook
2) Brooke White
3) David Archuleta
4) Syesha Mercado
5) Jason Castro
This was a weird show. It’s nice to have more than just one song to judge them on but this was too rushed. There wasn’t an obvious winner and I only put Cook at the top spot because neither of his performances were that bad. Brooke’s first performance was bad but her second one was really, really good. That’s her element and where she thrives. Archuleta’s first wasn’t terrible but America was terrible and I can’t believe the judges were saying it was good. That song is way too much for him. Syesha was pretty good, but neither performance was great. And I think it’s time for Jason Castro to go. He’s not doing anything interesting, all he’s doing is just standing there singing (I know that’s the point, but I just don’t think he does it particularly well).
1- David Cook
2- Syesha Mercado
3- David Archuleta
4- Brooke White
5- Jason Castro
Agreed. Jason has to go.
Comment by Bill — April 29, 2008 @ 10:59 pm
I agree — they are all boring me.
That Creed/Nickelback (Creedelback?) voice Cook busted out is an aural offense.
Brooke’s first song was a disaster. Castro has been really lame — especially that second song. Voicebot 3000 (Archuleta) was ok but it’s all getting old.
Can we get back to voting two off each week?
The best part of the show is when half-sane Paula read a critique of Castro’s second song from her cue card before he sang it! Ummm… ya think the show is a judging is a little rigged? Simon’s comment about Syesha being in trouble was another fine example of the producers trying to get the final four just how they want it. The whole thing was a mess (which was the only interesting part).
Comment by Geoff J — April 29, 2008 @ 11:03 pm
Syesha
David C
Brooke
David A
Jason
Archuleta’s rendition of Sweet Caroline was the low point; Paula’s critique, the high point.
Comment by Last Lemming — April 30, 2008 @ 7:40 am
Oh yeah, that critique by Paula was amazing. I loved when she said, “this is really hard.” Yeah, her job is so complicated.
Comment by Rusty — April 30, 2008 @ 7:53 am
I wish you guys could hear my husband’s comments on David Cook. When Simon called his second song “brilliant” my husband went off: “I could sign you right now and you’d make me millions of dollars! Because you’re just like everything else on the radio for the last 10 years. Same old crap! I just love ruining America!”
It went something along those lines.
Dial Idol has Syesha as number 1. I think America enjoys ruining itself.
I actually liked Castro’s performance. I love how he doesn’t really seem to care what anyone says. Personally I think he’s a bit overwhelmed by it all and just coasting through it till it’s done.
Comment by Susan M — April 30, 2008 @ 8:03 am
Cook
Brooke
Jason
Syesha
Davie A.
Brooke or Jason tonight. I’m leaning Jason, but, really, it could go either way.
Comment by gabby — April 30, 2008 @ 9:27 am
EVERYONE was boring.
Syesha is now pandering for the pretty vote. She fixed her hair (finally!). At this point, she needs to do what she’s got to do to stay alive.
WTF does the “AC” on David Cook’s guitar/jacket mean? He was the best last night, but it wasn’t as cool as “hello” or “billie jean.”
Archuleta joined the competition too early. His dad should have held him off until he was older. He’s a good singer, but I think with a few more years of practice and maturity (and breathing technique), he could come back and really put on a show. “America” was so flippin’ cheesy I felt embarrassed.
Castro should be toast. I wish we could send in “anti-votes” to vote against a person. I would have voted Jason off the island this week. Flat-out BORING.
Comment by David J — April 30, 2008 @ 9:47 am
I would guess (don’t know, though) that the “AC” stands for Adam Cook, David’s brother that has advanced brain cancer.
Comment by gabby — April 30, 2008 @ 9:55 am
AC is David’s brother’s initials. They’re on his guitar too. His brother Adam has cancer.
Comment by Susan M — April 30, 2008 @ 9:55 am
Jinx!
Comment by Susan M — April 30, 2008 @ 9:56 am
Man. What are the chances?
Comment by gabby — April 30, 2008 @ 10:48 am
I want Archuleta to win, but finally agree that he is boring.
And WHAT was wrong with Syesha’s hair: comment 7 claims she “fixed” it. So she straightened it so it’s “normal” now? Huh? Imus much?
Comment by an.africanamerican.exmo — April 30, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
At this point, all of these performers are good and deserve a lot of credit for their ability, but poor song choice was the story of the night for me.
Someone seriously needs to give Castro a freakin’ clue. “Forever in Blue Jeans” was performed well, but was an uninspired choice. The second song was a disaster because he sleepwalked through it. He seems so apathetic. Understandable at this point in the season? Maybe, but there are so many people that would love to be in his shoes that it’s a disgrace for him to be just hanging out. He should have done “Red Red Wine.” Could have been amazing. Who is advising this poor kid? ‘cuz lately, they suck eggs.
Archuleta chose the two most iconic songs from the Neil Diamond catalogue. Either very gutsy or very stupid. Turned out to be both. “Sweet Caroline” is so iconic that it can’t really be successfully performed as anything other than a sing-along or karaoke number. Stupid choice. “America” actually worked. He changed it up a lot from the original and the arrangement was new, interesting and also, for a change, not the standard R&B gloss. He actually hit a note and held it, and showed some emotional range. It was very, very good. Gutsy move that paid off. Give him credit.
Brooke made a tragically bad choice and she really should have known better. Didn’t she learn anything from “Here Comes the Sun?” “I’m a Believer” never had a chance, and she made it worse by trying to throw in those awful “Woo-hoos.” Note to future idols: if the song has been in an animated feature, don’t touch it. The goofy factor will overwhelm you. Simon nailed it: It was like girls-night-out at the karaoke bar. But what a comeback! Brooke absolutely killed her second song. I actually think she got bad advice from Diamond on changing the lyric from “New York City” to “Arizona,” cause it sounded insipid when sung with the rest of the song (there’s no coast in AZ, Neil!) but despite that, it was fanf***ingtastic. I love Brooke again.
Syesha still doesn’t get it. Her voice is amazing, but you just cannot sit there and sing “Hello” with a big stupid smile on your face! Does not compute. If she wanted a bright, happy song, there were plenty to choose from, but that song is not it. Her second song was performed well, but was unknown to her audience. Poor choice again.
David Cook was a great performer as usual, but what’s the deal? When you have all of Neil Diamond’s songs to choose from, and you get two, can’t you choose at least one well-known song for crying out loud? I thought he was great, especially on the second song, but singing songs that are virtually unknown when you have major hits to choose from is not a virtue. He could have owned the night if he did “Love on the Rocks.” Cook’s voice is tailor-made for Neil Diamond; he should have done more with it. [Susan, I still don't get your problem with him. He's not Scott Stapp, He's not Eddie Vedder and he's certainly far, far better than Chad Kroeger.]
Here’s my ranking:
1. David Cook (by default)
2. Brooke White (She made it to second place with “I Am I Said:” Brilliant!)
3. David Archuleta (”America” overcame “Sweet Caroline”)
4. Syesha Mercado (Would have been higher if she actually listened to the lyrics she was singing)
5. Jason Castro (If there’s any justice, he will be out of his misery tonight, but I’m not betting on it–a lot of young girls love him. I will not be surprised to see one of the girls go.) If it’s Brooke, I will be pissed.
Comment by MCQ — April 30, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
Oh, gosh. America was AWFUL. I nearly sprained my brain with all the eye rolling I was doing. Notice, Simon didn’t say he was good; just that the song choice was inspired (see also: KLC & God Bless the USA).
But the performance was awful. Autobot indeed.
Comment by gabby — April 30, 2008 @ 2:10 pm
MCQ: I think I’m gonna explain my problem with David Cook in a separate thread, probably post it tomorrow.
Comment by Susan M — April 30, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
I didn’t like what Syesha did with Hello Again or what David A. did with Sweet Caroline. At all.
I’m a Believer was painful, but I love Brooke behind the piano.
I like Jason Castro—I like his style, it just doesn’t fit with a lot of the songs he’s been singing. When he’s in his element, I think he’s great.
Susan—I’m interested in the David Cook thread. I like him, but for me he peaked with Hello.
Comment by bythelbs — April 30, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
Gabby, Simon said Archuleta was amateurish on his first song, which I agree with. He said nothing about the quality of the performance on the second song, but I think it was great, primarily because it was different from the original and also different from Archuleta’s previous performances. Was it cheesy? of course. Hard to sing that song without the cheese. But despite the cheese factor, I thought it was very good, and certainly a new direction for Archuleta in some ways.
Those of you who are hating Archuleta now are responding to something I agree with: He does too much of the same thing. But this performance was different, and a new arrangement of that song. He should get credit for that. When you have a voice that has as good a tonal quality as Archuleta’s it’s inevitable that you will eventually get a backlash for being a robot. When you make the effort to shake things up a little, though, it should be recognized.
Comment by MCQ — April 30, 2008 @ 3:53 pm
To the earlier comments: Last night, Paula solidified her stupidity to me in one fell swoop. I had my ideas about it before, but last night confirmed it. I know she’s under contract so we’ll have to deal with her air-headedness for a few more years, but if ever a breach of contract is warranted, it was last night. “I thought he sang twice already.” Oh boy…
Comment by David J — April 30, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
I think maybe she’s back on the painkillers.
Comment by Susan M — April 30, 2008 @ 4:07 pm
MCQ — My one word problem with David Cook is… Creedelback.
It’s that horrible affectation with his voice that is reminiscent of Creed and Nickelback (both of which I can’t stand). I am totally with Susan on that one (though I like Cook more than she and her husband do). Thankfully Cook dials the Creedelback factor down on occasion at least. I really liked his Chris Cornell cover of Michael Jackson…
Comment by Geoff J — April 30, 2008 @ 4:38 pm
Probably. She appears drunk, but it’s just embarrasing how out to lunch she is. Nice that the guys try to cover for her, but really, isn’t there someone else who could supply the ditzy female poptart perspective without being incoherent? Hmm…actually, I can’t think of anyone. You go Paula!
Comment by MCQ — April 30, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
It was different? Really? I certainly don’t think so. It was the same ‘ol bowl of cheese he always does.
Comment by gabby — April 30, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
Different in that he didn’t do all of the runs up and down the scale he normally does. He actually held a note a few times. The song wasn’t R&Bed within an inch of its life. Different like that.
Comment by MCQ — April 30, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
No way should Brooke have gone home before Syesha and Castro. Stupid.
Comment by Rusty — April 30, 2008 @ 10:54 pm
Yeah, it’s really sad. Castro looked positively smug. He was thinking: “What do I have to do to get kicked off this thing?” You can tell he hates the group songs. He’s having a hard time not laughing.
Comment by MCQ — April 30, 2008 @ 11:57 pm
Geoff: I heard the lame Creedelback crack and answered it. I guess I should have addressed you instead of Susan. He does not sound anything like Scott Stapp (who has a very pronounced affectation to his voice and couldn’t hit the notes Cook hits on his best day) and his voice is a thousand times better than Chad Kroeger’s (who sounds like he gargles with broken glass and performs like he’s constantly taking a dump).
Comment by MCQ — May 1, 2008 @ 12:04 am
I suppose we just disagree on that then MCQ. It is that back-of-the-throat affectation he does that sounds very much like those guys to me. You may not hear it but at least I have Susan to back me up because she hears it too… Thankfully Cook doesn’t do it all of the time.
Comment by Geoff J — May 1, 2008 @ 12:56 am
He doesn’t do it all the time. Just often enough to suck. I guess I’ll go publish my anti-Cook post now and tick everybody off.
I love Castro and his “who gives a crap” attitude. How awesome would it be if he won?
I can’t stand the group songs, either. They’re so stupid and awkward. (And therefore one of my favorite parts.)
I’m glad Brooke can go relax now.
Comment by Susan M — May 1, 2008 @ 8:22 am
I forgot about the group songs since I never watch that part! I’ll have to make a point to next season.
I had this strike of fear last night that Jason might win. I was only scared for a moment, though, might be cool! Just never occurred to me before.
Comment by claire — May 1, 2008 @ 8:45 am