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Home > Blogs > Reality Bytes > Archives > 2009 > May > 05 > Entry
Can screams & dreams make or break them on American Idol?
Happy Cinco de Mayo and happy rock week on American Idol. I could be really wrong here but I think Danny may have the toughest time this week. Possibly Kris?
Despite some mishaps on the set, rock week will go on with the final four then a couple duets. This is another first this season. Neat idea…I think.
Even though Slash announces he never saw himself being an American Idol mentor, he saw a couple stand outs this season. So he took them to renowned Roxy on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip to get a feel for being a real rocker, band and all.
Adam sings Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love. Slash says that Adam has pipes! It’s obvious that Slash can appreciate Adams edgy rock vibe but still gives him some solid advice to avoid too much improvising the upper register.
My take: This is vintage Adam. Perfect for his voice and it is obvious he is enjoying it. BUT, I think there is a lot of America who will not like this “scary” Adam as my sister puts it.
Judges take: The judges all feel extremely passionate about how well Adam did on this classic Zeppelin. Randy says “Nobody’s going to think about Broadway … You are a rock star!” Kara says he is a rock god! Paula thinks he is a “whole lotta perfect!” Simon says the problem is that nobody can top that now!
Allison does Janis Joplin’s Cry Baby at Slash’s recommendation rather than Somebody to Love.
My take: Rarely have I ever heard anyone do Joplin justice so I was a little surprised she would try this, but if anyone could do it, Allison can. I thought she was pretty strong but it did sound an awful lot like the original. Which I guess is actually a compliment if you look at it that way. And I LOVE her hair. Nice of Adam to share his stylist.
Judges take: Randy wasn’t crazy about the song choice. Kara likes Allison but wishes she tried something of Janis Joplin like Piece of My Heart. Paula doesn’t say much as usual but it was something about her being fearless and thinks she could play Janis Joplin. Simon talks about the tremendous growth in Allison since the beginning of the season. Regarding the song, Simon thought she should have gone with Queen. Allison starts to talk back a little and gets defensive but as they are going to break Simon tells her that he likes that she’s arguing for herself.
First of two duets tonight is Kris and Danny doing Styx’s Renegade.
My take: Right off the bat I love the harmony between Danny and Chris is the beginning and then… it kind of falls apart for me. Super pitchy. Kris looks like a natural in the genre but Danny, although he is trying, just can’t quite cut it. Ends with the awesome harmony again.
Judges take: They agree that the harmonies were great and the individual performances just okay. Simon thinks Danny was a little better. I don’t know. I think Kris was more comfortable on stage than Danny, but Danny did have a couple wicked vocals.
Kris does the Beatles Come Together. Slash said that if Kris can manage to pick up the live-performance piece a bit, it’ll help.
My take: When he was talking with Slash, I started looking forward to Kris doing the Beatles and thought it was probably a great choice for him. But as much as I love Kris, it was pretty vanilla compared to his past performances. It’s too bad because every performance means so much here at the end.
The judges take: None of them were real fond of it. Randy loved that he played the guitar and Kara and Paula made it clear they are fans, but Simon summed it up with “It was rather like eating ice for lunch, which is it will leave you with nothing to remember afterwards.” In other words, he didn’t like it.
Danny doing Aerosmith’s Dream On? Slash tells him right off the bat that the key to the whole song is in the final scream.
My take: I was surprised when I heard Danny was trying this and I gotta say, rightfully so. Let’s just acknowledge the elephant in the room…Adam. Come on, Danny should not have taken something like this on. Not with Adam in the competition. Actually, not ever. Not for Danny. It was risky, brave and somewhat arrogant, which I thought was obvious at the end when he questions the judges critiques.
Judges take: Randy says it was alright for him, but he appreciates the effort on the scream. Kara thinks Aerosmith was an okay idea but he should have gone with something like Cryin. Paula agrees probably not the right song but she is still a Danny fan. Simon says “the last note was like watching a horror movie. But he still thinks it was going to be safe.”
American Idol cannot claim to be unsavvy, but how smart was it to both open and close the show with Adam?
Adam and Allison do Foghat’s Slow Ride for their duet.
My take: Of course, another Adam victory and I thought he outshined Allison in the beginning, as good as she is, but I think as her nerves eased a bit, she held her own.
Judges take: The judges have a hard time calming the crowd. Randy quickly recommends the two of them need to record a duet together. Kara says, “Rock on.” Paula likes ‘em, too. Big surprise. Simon says they win the battle of the duets, and he thinks Adam may have given Allison a chance of staying in the competition.
So folks, who is going after tonight? Could Adam have put off enough Grandmother’s and non-rockers to ease his phone calls tonight? Did Danny’s lack of control on the final scream take him down? Kris wasn’t his usual unique self tonight and Allison may have been helped by Adam in the end.
I think Kris or Allison goes tomorrow night but I think it should be Danny. Your thoughts?
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Comments
By POV
May 7, 2009 6:59 AM | Link to this
What I find interesting is that several have commented that the duet pairing of Adam and Allison was unfair. If you think she is that good why weren’t you voting for her? I hated to see her go. I have been bored by Kris for weeks now. Also I so enjoyed the “guys and a chick” number they did and now we won’t have anymore of those. Still, Adam is the front runner by a mile. Just check Itunes. The other three combined only received about 1800 reviews for their songs, while Adam alone received over 2100. Yes, it’s a bit unscientific to base it on the review totals, but I would bet that there is a definite correlation between who buys and then goes on to review.
By digi
May 6, 2009 10:27 PM | Link to this
I meant if Adam ISN’T the winner. Typing skills suck. So does Allison losing.
By digi
May 6, 2009 10:20 PM | Link to this
Allison???? What????? I knew it was going to be Allison or Adam. I really expected Adam to go because of the stupid loser phone dialers. If Adam is the winner then Idol is the biggest fraud. Danny and Kris aren’t worthy.
By idol fan
May 6, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this
Adam, Allison, and Danny will stay. Kris will leave. I’d love to see Adam sing with Daughtry also !
By Carole
May 6, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this
I thought the show was great. Adam,Allison,Chris all performed awesome.Danny picked wrong song.I think all of them will have great careers ahead of them.Danny should go home tonight.
By Tina
May 6, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this
I wanted to make a comment about the position the singers go in. I thought it was based on where they were in the standings the week before. For instance, last week Adam was in the bottom 3 and so since he had the lowest votes he went first. Maybe I’m wrong though. As for last night it was rough. I loved Adam of course and thought the rest did just okay. I’m anxious to see how the rest plays out!!
By Hillary
May 6, 2009 10:21 AM | Link to this
First off, let me just say how refreshing it is to hear everyone’s Danny bubbles burst. Finally people heard what I’ve been hearing all this time: garbage and arrogance. He was terrible and made my ears hurt with that whole performance and especially with that scream at the end. And people complain about Adam’s screaming… ha. I was really disappointed in the judges last night as Kris’ performance (while admittedly a little safe and kind of boring) was not nearly as atrocious as Danny’s and yet they still love Danny to pieces and blasted Kris. Neither of them were great but I felt like Kris at least didn’t destroy either song (solo or duet) whereas Danny destroyed his solo and wasn’t great in the duet. It seemed like they were very unfair to Kris compared to Danny. Allison and Adam were both pretty awesome! I actually thought Allison was better than Adam last night though. Their duet was fantastic. I agree that Adam seems to get a lot of great entrances and exits but I wonder if he asks for them whereas some of the others don’t know to ask? He does have more stage experience. My guess: Danny and Kris in the bottom with Kris going home sadly even though it should be Danny.
By Lew
May 6, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this
Why is this in the “newspaper”?
By Heather
May 6, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
What a disappointment! I’m definitely not a huge rocker girl - 80’s Bon Jovi is about as close as I get to that (my first concert, after all). But, I was so not thrilled at any of it last night. I thought Allison’s solo was pretty good - better than what the judges thought. Kris and Danny were just okay - which is what I expected from them for this week - even though I really like them both. Adam was Adam. Actually, when he first came out, I kind of wondered if it was him or his ugly twin sister - hard to tell behind all of that make-up. But, then he started to sing (?) and I got my answer. I just really do not understand all of the hype. I did get a chuckle when reading the posts before me at the person who said Adam is humble and doesn’t get emotional. I totally disagree - I think he is really arrogant - just understated with it. I think he has taken in all of the hype the judges give him and is like - Yeah! I’m the man. (which is funny in itself). Anyway, who’s going home? Kind of a toss-up. Really it could be anyone - especially since King Adam was in the bottom last week. My vote would of course be for him to go home, but I fear it will be Kris.
By Rhonda
May 6, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this
I actually fast forwarded during Adams performance. I usually like watching him but not last night! I like Danny and Allison, and although Danny was weak in his performance last night, I don’t believe he will be going home.
By Kim
May 6, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this
I was so excited for this show because Classic Rock is my favorite genre of music - that is what I listen to most. I don’t know if I’m hormonal or what - but I thought last night was the WORST show in many weeks. I was actually hoping that Adam would do Led Zepplin because I thought his “Ring of Fire” rendition was very “Zepplinesque” - I have even compared his voice to Robert Plant’s. Man - I owe Robert a huge apology - that performance didn’t begin to hold a candle. I even listened to it several times thinking perhaps I misjudged - but every time it sounded like a screeching, whiney teenage girl that was getting on my last nerve. It gave me chills - but not in a good way - in the silverware scraping on a metal dish that makes my teeth hurt way. While Adam hasn’t been my favorite - I have always liked him, but I HATED that. I thought Allison did a really good job - I wasn’t over the moon but I thought hers was the best solo of the night - which isn’t saying much. Kris was soooo boring and Danny picked a totally wrong song. Last week he was so connected and this week he was completely disconnected - I don’t know if he was nervous or what. He had a deer in the headlights look, as if he were chanting “I can’t look at the audience” over and over again in his head. I think there are some songs he could have done much better with - classic example of terrible song choice. At least I have to give him props that he did actually sing a rock song, rather than trying to bend the genre to his own direction. I agree that the Danny/Kris duet did shine in the harmonies and crashed in the solo parts. I would like to hear them do something together more in their type of music. I couldn’t believe they way they did the pairings. Stack the odds much? That said - the “stacked” performance of Adam & Allison was the only performance of the night that I actually enjoyed much - though I was aggravated that Allison was on stage at the mike and he once again came from behind somewhere making his “rock star” entrance. I went a long way towards being OVER Adam last night when I was prepared for him to completely win me over. I did get a chuckle when one of the judges (Kara maybe?) said something about their duet being a great “marriage” and Adam hastened to throw in a “little sister” comment - ha! She is jail bait - after all! I did love her hair too - btw - a BIG improvement. But who is leaving tonight? Know what? After that hot mess last night - I can’t seem to care! If they told me that I had to pick someone - I would pick Kris because he has been boring me for a few weeks now. He is good, he is solid, he’s adorable - but he has never really moved me musically. It could be Danny - who has been able to repeatedly move me with his music -but this was his weak point like I feared it would be. It will depend on if his fans forgive him for that performance or not.
By Vicki
May 6, 2009 8:33 AM | Link to this
As everyone knows hard rock is NOT Kris or Danny’s forte’. Their duet was pitchy but there harmony rocked. I have favored Adam and Danny from day one. I think Kris will go home tonight, but not without a stardum. He will be making a record with Jamie Fox. And Allison is just a natural. But when the last show comes I believe America will have a new Rock Ledgend Adam Lambert
By Ellen
May 6, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this
Danny has always been my fav, but I’m afraid his performance last night will send him packing. I still don’t quite understand all the hype about Adam. I don’t necessarily think he’s scary. I do think he’s talented, but I think his sensationalism gets him more attention than his actual talent.
By Michelle
May 6, 2009 8:29 AM | Link to this
I think that Adam was great, as always. I hope that the viewers will soon catch on to the silent, but obvious arrogrance of Danny. I would hope that tonight the sympathy votes stop and he finally gets sent home. As for Allison and Kris they belong in the finals with Adam…
By Ben
May 6, 2009 8:22 AM | Link to this
First, I have to say it was unfair to have Adam and Allison do their solo efforts but make Danny and Kris do the duet before their solos. Danny was really bad on the scream, and the song choice was not good. Kris was just OK, which isn’t very good at this stage of the game. I think it is Danny or Kris going home. Most likely Danny, in my mind, because Kris picks up a few extra votes from the Matt G. supporters this time around. And Kelle, yes, it seems Idol producers are doing everything they can to boost Adam, giving him the first and last slots of the night. Really? Does he need all that help?
By rene
May 6, 2009 8:22 AM | Link to this
Based on last night’s show, it really is a toos up between Kris & Danny as far as who should go home. Both were out of their element. Their duet was fair at best, and both of their songs were just average-although I agree that Danny should really leave screaming alone. Adam and Allison both shined bright and I liked both of them. My take, if people remember Danny’s performance of Rascle Flats… Kris will go home.
By Kris
May 6, 2009 7:26 AM | Link to this
I think it should be Danny going home..that scream at the end sounded like nails on a chalkboard!! He doesn’t have the pipes for that song…I really don’t think he is that good anyways..I think all of the sympathy votes went for him after Scott left… Rock on Adam!!! I would LOVE to see him and Daughtry sing together tonight!
By George
May 6, 2009 7:05 AM | Link to this
Adam never gets emotional or mouthy. In fact, he’s almost humble. That should serve him well coming down the stretch.
By ELW
May 6, 2009 7:03 AM | Link to this
Adam and Allison were awesome! I was actually surprised by Kris as I thought he did well and I don’t like him! I like that little midway over the head thing. Danny? Not a good choice. Going home? If the voters do it right? Kris. Alas there’s the phone gremlins who keep us from getting the right votes in. Wish they’d switch to online voting. Seems much more fair.
By WIldwood Flower
May 6, 2009 6:43 AM | Link to this
As much as I like Kris, I think he will be going home tonight even though Danny should actually be the one. Allison did a great job on both songs so I hope she hangs in there, but of course you never know with the AI voters (can you say Jennifer Hudson?) Adam is talented but he screams too much.
By Shantei
May 5, 2009 11:16 PM | Link to this
There were a lot of mouthing off to the judges tonight and I didn’t like that at all. Allison’s song was boring. Her duet was awesome. Adam was great both songs. I thought Kris’s solo was good, his duet…Eeekkk. Danny, LEAVE THE SCREAM ALONE! It was good up until then. Even though the second scream was different… I thought his duet was better than Kris. With that being said, my bottom 2 would be Allison and Kris with Allison going home. Danny better hope he is not in the bottom.