posted
I have two confessions to make. The show I am about to talk about I never watch. Truth is, I hate the show. The styles of the singers are as far from my own preferences as to put a bad taste in my mouth. The only contestant that I actually ended up liking is Carrie Underwood who, even though I am no country music fan, somehow makes songs I enjoy. She would have made it big with or without that show.
My other confession is that I am in love with the two Mormon singers. David Archuleta never really impressed me at the start. His young awe shucks personality came off as more self-practiced than genuine. Yet, when I listened to his "Imagine" rendition that got me hooked. Still trying to ignore his personality, I admit the boy has talent. He could go all the way and win this season. Probably the biggest problem he will have after the show will be what musical direction he can take. There is no method to his madness.
On the other hand, Brooke White had me at the "never watched R-rated movie" clip. She does come off as genuine and her musical talent is natural. She won me with her "Your So Vain" rendition that had Simon in stitches. She is cute, honest, and full of life. As for her musical future, she could make it big doing pop, country, or even Mormon-pop-spiritual. Her biggest problem is a slight raspy voice more often associated with smokers. On the positive side that does add some character.
My fantasy (since the show is all about that) is that Dave C. and Brooke W. go head-to-head in the final match. Although it would be fun to see them do a duet, I think their styles don't match. He is a showman and she is a naturalist.
Will I start watching the show? Nope. I have just been impressed with the highlights found on the Internet; and the fact the Mormon moment has hit entertainment. For now.
Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
This is the first season that I've been interested.
I'm mostly interested this season because they're allowing the singers to bring in their own instruments. I don't know if any of the other Idol participants could play guitar/piano/whatever, but I think it's a tribute to the show's flexibility that they're allowing it this season. (Hated Paula last night for applauding someone for NOT bringing their guitar in)
I'm really pulling for Brook White. I didn't know she was a Mormon when I heard her sing, but I became a fan right then and there. That folksy, mature, smoky voice won me over.
Posts: 14554 | Registered: Dec 1999
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posted
That's funny - those two have been my favorites from the beginning (though I have a handful of 'likes' as well) and I had no idea they were both Mormon. How did you know? I didn't see either of them eating a baby on stage but I got up a couple of times...
I thought David's 'aw shucks' attitude was cute :X.
This is the first season I've watched as well. I'm more into it than I thought I would be but every once in a while I have to step back and think 'would I -honestly- buy any of these people's records'? It depends on where they go with their talent, I guess.
Posts: 1676 | Registered: Jul 2000
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The Mormon reality-TV-that-is-based-on-competitive-performance moment already hit entertainment with So You Think You Can Dance.
Posts: 3423 | Registered: Aug 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Occasional: I have just been impressed with the highlights found on the Internet; and the fact the Mormon moment has hit entertainment. For now.
What am I, chopped liver?
Posts: 79 | Registered: Jun 2003
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Sorry Donny, you were always an Osmands the Mormons moment. Perhaps its less "Mormon moment" as the Mormons have, like it or not, simply arrived.
Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003
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quote:'would I -honestly- buy any of these people's records'?
It really depends what direction she takes, but I might think of listening Brooke White's albums. Not "buy" mind you, but at least listen.
Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Occasional: Her biggest problem is a slight raspy voice more often associated with smokers. On the positive side that does add some character.
This is, by far, the weirdest objection I have ever heard. She has a singing voice that is associated with smokers? So? Is she a smoker? If not, why does this matter? There are plenty of singers with raspy voices who don't smoke.
Posts: 4753 | Registered: May 2002
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Primal Curve, I just don't normally like raspy voices. Simple as that. As for "usually associated with smokers," it was a slightly ironic statement.
Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Occasional: Sorry Donny, you were always an Osmands the Mormons moment. Perhaps its less "Mormon moment" as the Mormons have, like it or not, simply arrived.
quote:Originally posted by Occasional: Her biggest problem is a slight raspy voice more often associated with smokers. On the positive side that does add some character.
This is, by far, the weirdest objection I have ever heard. She has a singing voice that is associated with smokers? So? Is she a smoker? If not, why does this matter? There are plenty of singers with raspy voices who don't smoke.
And some singer's raspy voices are their trademark: Louis Armstrong, for instance...
Posts: 1099 | Registered: Apr 2005
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Am I the ONLY person that thinks he butchered Imagine? So let me get this straight. You like these people because they are Mormon. You don't like the style of music on the show. The two Mormon's style doesn't stand out. It's not really much different than anything that has been in the show before. Yet you are a fan of these two. Because they are Mormon. There have been Mormons on the show before now you know. At least two.
Posts: 1287 | Registered: Apr 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Farmgirl: So.. then.. JT -- does that mean YOU'RE going to try out for the show??
The forum software here won't allow me to give the response I'd like to to this, but suffice it to say that it'll be a cold day in whichever negative afterlife you believe in before you see on one of those ridiculous shows.
I said she most likely wouldn't have made it big without the show -- I didn't say I couldn't. For me I think I have a much better chance doing it the way I'm doing it.
Posts: 5462 | Registered: Apr 2005
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One of them has to go before the final 6 or they will be splitting their votes. Just saying. My mom is watching the show on my behalf. It's easier for everyone that way.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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The fact that they were Mormons doing well on Idol got me curious. The fact that I enjoyed what I have heard from them so far makes me like them as singers. For the record, I would never, ever buy anything from them. I just think they are good for what the show showcases.
My guess is the same could be said for someone who heard about a person who is from their home town. It is human nature to be drawn to those like yourself.
Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003
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My point was that they sound just like everyone else on the show. You say you hate the show but like these people who are perfect examples of it. I'm Mormon by the way...
Posts: 1287 | Registered: Apr 2006
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I've been reviewing the performances, and I have to say that David Cook v. David Arculeta is mostly a matter of taste as far as I can tell. If you like white guy screaming rock, David Cook does that pretty well. If you like pretty soul and pop, Archuleta does that well.
I do not care much for white guy screaming rock, though David Cook's "music of the night" was pretty compelling. Though I didn't get the feeling as from the more famous rendition, that the low notes concealed a basement full of richer things. It seemed like that was pretty much his lowest real note, and they transposed from there. I could be wrong, that's just how it felt. But overall, I thought it was better than Archuleta's "Think of me".
Mostly, I think a win for either robs no one.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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David Cook, because I am very, very shallow and David Cook is at least the right age and I think the hair is endearing. David A. looks about 12 years old (which means he's definitely Mormon. ).
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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Why does prefering Cook mean you're shallow? As far as looks go, he doesn't have that much going on.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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He's really really white, is the thing. Like not just metaphorically with a flesh colored crayon that's actually peach. White. I mean, my husband is white, but he's really more pink. I think the weird little goatee does not do much to improve this.
His bone structure is decent, I'll grant.
P.S. I guess that probably sounds a little racist.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I like both Davids so will be happy whichever wins. And I think they are both cute so there Posts: 1132 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
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Does anyone remember a Dr. Seuss book about a woman who had 26 sons and she named them all "David"?
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I prefer David Cook but would be happy if David A won because I think he's a better fit for American Idol whereas Cook would be just fine getting a deal on his own.
Posts: 1676 | Registered: Jul 2000
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*hides beating stick behind back* It wasn't I! It was probably that Scott R. I've heard things about him.
That book contains another of my favorites - 'What was I Scared of?' I do a dramatic reading of that that the kid is nice enough to laugh at.
Posts: 1676 | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
I'm going to throw my hat into the David Cook ring.
I've actually never really cared for David A. I grant that he has an ample amount of talent, I also think he has a great future ahead of him, which I'm glad for, but I don't like how every song I've heard him sing has been immediately transformed into some form of pop or another. Now, I recognize that this takes skill, to be able to modify a song from its original structure to something new, but to do it consistently in the same way, that bothers me. I think I finally decided I was tired of it when he did "Think of Me" on Andrew Lloyd Webber night, and I noticed it again with Neil Diamond night. (Specifically with America. He turned it into this happy go-lucky 'yay-America' song, instead of keeping to the solemn resolve of the song.)
Now, I grant that Cook transforms most songs into a sort of heavy rock song, but I give him credit for trying to break out a bit more, again I noticed this on Andrew Lloyd Webber night when he did "Music of the Night." I thought he did a fantastic job creating a newer, more gruff, yet maintaining the original splendor version of the song. Because of that, I've thought of him as more versatile, and thus, more deserving.
All of that said, I do think that these two are both amazing performers and both deserve credit and recognition for their skill. I think that both are good candidates for the final two, but I simply know who I'd vote for. (If I voted, that is.)
Probably more than you wanted, but hey, it was still nice to ramble for a minute.
Edit to Add: My opinion is potentially lethal here in Utah. As a high-school senior, I know how so many of the girls swoon for David A., there were many that skipped school to see him return home. My saying these words warrant a beating with a stick here. Posts: 1831 | Registered: Jan 2003
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I guess both David C and David A pose a creative quandary in that they get a bit of help from others. David C uses other people's arrangements, and David A was getting a lot of guidance from his father.
Syesha's performance on Webber night was incredible, I have to say.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Archuletta butchered "Think of Me" to the point that I was so pained I had to mute it. Really, that was...awful. *shudder*
I've liked David Cook mostly, even if I'm not a huge fan of screaming rock. Archuletta just gets on my nerves, though.
I personally thought Syesha was more talented than both of them. I think it's a shame she isn't in the finale. I do, however, predict a very successful Broadway career in her future.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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David C. already had a CD out. I decided to read the wikipedia entry on him in fairness. I also got the TV all set up to watch last night and then my daughter reminded me it was only Monday. >_<
I was surprised to see that we actually do get okay reception on a couple of stations. I thought it was cable only out here.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Having a cd out does not really mean much these days. Most performing bands have a cd. They just need money to pay for the recording studio. So, a loan of about ten thousand dollars can get you a cd.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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Having watched some of this, I find the kid David very, very blah. He's talented, there's no doubt, but he's running on prodigy power. Also someone needs to tell him to stop ducking his head when not singing, like some kind of young pink turtle. Hold your head up, sonny.
The older David has much more stage presence. YoungDavid will get that as he gets older but like I said, he's running on prodigy power of a thousand teenage girls.
Posts: 8473 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Yay! I was surprised at how emotionally overwhelmed David Cook was. He really wanted to win. He was gracious too, in leading the applause for David Archuletta.
I think the best one (on this night) one, I still say Syesha has the most talent overall of this year's crop, but I suspect she'll do fine.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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