American Idol, Season 5 **Official Discussion Thread** Part 2

[bicker]

have said more than once they will buy a CD of his and will go to any concerts of his that come to our area.

What's been the hold-up, up until now? They guy has been making music for a while, but hasn't gotten folks to pay much attention to him until he put himself up against a bunch of actual amateurs.

Plus if you look at eBay right now, the Cd's that Taylor did put out prior to going on American Idol are going for astronomical prices

For how long? I don't believe his popularity will last long past the end of the season.

 

[wvrevy]

I always love reading your reviews because I always agree with you 100%. I just wanted to mention that Taylor does, in fact, have a CD out. I downloaded some free MP3s (from http://wbhm.org/Tapestry/bands/TaylorHicks.html) and he is amazing. Kind of like smooth soul with a dash of spaz.

Thanks

Yeah, I had actually downloaded the free songs a while ago, and love them.

And bicker...Did you ever stop to think that people hadn't heard of him before AI ? I didn't buy his first CD because I'd never heard his first CD. Once I had, it was getting the prices that were mentioned before, and I'm not about to pay that. But I truly like the music on it, from what I've heard.

So...who in this competition do you think would sell tons of records? Elliott?

 

[Bravosntha2g]

Who should be going home tonight:

1. Kellie
2. Ace
3. Katharine

Who will be going home tonight:

1. Ace (Going home)
2. Paris
3. Kellie

Top Three Performances: Elliott, Chris, Paris

What I thought of each contestant, graded on last night's performance only:

Taylor Hicks (Grade, B+): Again, he puts on a show, is unlike any other contestant, and has great soul. If my boy E-Double can't win I'll be throwing all my votes to Taylor. I've listened to his pre-Idol stuff and it's awesome. I'm just afraid of what the overproducing may do to him (a la Bo Bice)

Elliott Yamin (Grade A-): As usual, the best voice in the contest. Great song choice, and proving that he can revive this dead genre. If you are so concerned with looks, shame on you. It's almost worse to say you have to look away when he sings, he looks like the average American folks. And darn it, he can sang! As Simon said, the best male vocalist the show has ever had. He seems like one of the nicer people the show has ever had, and his mom is da bomb!

Katharine (Grade C+): She's very hot, that means a lot to me if I saw her in a bar, but as far as Idol goes it has nothing to do with my voting. She has great talent, but she is right there with Kellie as the most boring performer still around. She stands still and sings the most boring songs possible. She's got to do something uptempo, because right now I fast forward on my DVR whenever she performs.

Kellie Pickler (Grade F): Not only does she feign stupidity, she's a bad singer. Put those together and you have the worst contestant left. I refuse to believe that someone who went to a good high school in a suburban area, and lived a normal life doesn't know what "on paper" means. She's trying to be the next Jessica Simpson, and I'm not buying it. Like Katharine, she doesn't move on stage and bores the daylights out of me.

Chris Daughtry (Grade C+): I am a big fan of the Live/matchbox twenty/Collective Soul type genre, but he has gone from a big favorite of mine to a lesser one. He can sing, seems like a genuine person, and has his act down pat, but it's the same every week. Even when he went slow this week, it was more of the same to me. That being said, he's my third favorite on the show.

Paris Bennett (Grade A+), she was the best last night, I think her best performance yet as Randy said. Unfortunately it seems most people don't like her. I don't particularly care for her style or genre, but she really gives it her all and is a lot more entertaining and just as talented as any female left.

Ace Young (Grade C-), this was his best performance since his only good performance (Father Figure). He still oozes estrogen, and is more wimpy than Michael Bolton. I could care less about anyone's outfit, so if he looked like K-Fed then so be it. He is very boring, not as talented as the people left (well maybe more talented than Kellie), but he's a nice guy and I hate to see him go. But it's time! It's a travesty that he and Kellie have outlasted people like Sway and Mandisa.

 

[Bravosntha2g]

And I don't care whose album would sell well. I only care which album I want to buy. I'd sure as hell buy Elliott's album.

If I were so concerned with what everyone else was buying I guess I would be out there buying Now 432, Pink, Keith Urban, and Nickelback instead of Etta James, Al Green, Black Rob, Ben Folds, and new music from Hootie and the Blowfish.

 

[bicker]

I care which album I want to buy, and that it would sell well so I can be sure that I'll get more great, well-produced music from the artist, long into the future.

 

[Philadisney]

And I don't care whose album would sell well. I only care which album I want to buy. I'd sure as hell buy Elliott's album.

i rarely buy albums from AI contestants - I have Kelly's first, both of Clay's, and John Stevens Elliott is the only contestant from #5 whose album I would pick up. I just love his voice.

 

[sweet angel]

i rarely buy albums from AI contestants - I have Kelly's first, both of Clay's, and John Stevens Elliott is the only contestant from #5 whose album I would pick up. I just love his voice.

I have Josh Gracin's and Pray for the Soul of Betty (Constantine's band). No others. Don't want 'em.

 

[Bravosntha2g]

I care which album I want to buy, and that it would sell well so I can be sure that I'll get more great, well-produced music from the artist, long into the future.

If well produced means what they did to Bo Bice, then I don't want them touching Elliott or Taylor.

I find that the best bands out there are some of the bands who are now less popular and have moved away from the mainstream. After they're done with the overproduction and sappiness is when I find bands put out their best music. I could care less if I'm the only one with new music by Hootie, Nada Surf, Ben Folds, and Black Rob. The stuff the put out with their own production and indie deals is a lot better than what they were popular with!

So to me, I don't care or even look to who will sell more albums. If that were the case I'd be voting for some average boring blonde country female solo vocalist like Kellie! But I'd rather hear dynamic talent like Elliott and Taylor!

 

[tarmand]

What's been the hold-up, up until now? They guy has been making music for a while, but hasn't gotten folks to pay much attention to him until he put himself up against a bunch of actual amateurs.

I'd say that you can't be serious, but I know that you are. I am quite certain that there are thousands of wonderful entertainers that I would love to see or hear but I don't often get to venture out to local bars in other areas. Heck, I'm sure there is some awesome talent in my own town that I do not know. How do you possibly think someone in Chicago, or D.C., or Seattle is going to become a huge of Taylor's if they have never been to one of the bars that he's played? People make it big when they get exposure from something - this is Taylor's exposure. Would we have a clue as to who Kelly Clarkson is without the exposure she got on AI?

 

[jcsbama]

I have held off from posting on this thread, but I always keep up with the updates. I live in Birmingham, AL and just wanted to give a little update on Taylor's fan base.

We have a great radio morning team show that is sydicated all across the south, broadcasts on Turner South television and you may have seen them on Fox News Network in mid March. Apparently there is a blog for Taylor somewhere and everyone that is in the Soul Patrol was calling/emailing the radio station yesterday morning supporting Taylor. There was literally response from all over the globe....Denmark, Philipines, you name it. There was a lady from San Franciso that was listening to the show's internet feed that called in. She was a huge Taylor fan. She said that she first heard Taylor on his audition and was hooked. She said the great thing about music was its ability to unite people together and that the soul patrol is planning to gather in Birmingham for the finale. She has never been to Alabama before or had a desire to come here, but she was coming to support Taylor because she believes in him that much and his music means that much to her.

I would assume the other idol contestants have a fan base similar, but just thought I would let y'all know the buzz that is happening here and it's not just the locals.

I like Taylor and think he does well, but he's not my overall favorite. Chris is my man. I can really feel Chris and Taylor's passion for singing when they perform. I think the last three contestants standing will be Chris, Taylor and Katherine. DH has thought for awhile that Katherine is the black horse. I think her fan base is growing and she has a very good shot at winning.

 

[CookieGVB]

Why do you have to be a POP star to be an American Idol? Tha doesn't seem right. They would have to name it Pop American Idol!!

If that were the case, Fantasia & Ruben would never have won. Carrie either, for that matter.

 

[Robinrs]

I'm 40 and I would NOT, NO WAY, NO HOW buy a CD by Taylor. Now Chris on the other hand.....

This argument is asinine...

Age is not the determinator of taste and opinion. There are millions of other variables.

The "everyone I know" poll is usually among like minds also, doesn't reflect a cross section of different people. This board, whether people think so or not, is not a good sampling by any means EITHER. That's pretty evident by the threads from the past 3 years here... lol!


Now for my thoughts, though no one asked...

Chris: Was inCREDIBLE last night. I was actually able to LISTEN to him. He has a beautiful voice and it showed! I canNOT stand being yelled at by an angry looking man... sorry if it's what turns others on but it turns me OFF... but last night he was gentle, and he was singing my and my son's FAVORITE song! I heard Michael scream from the other room "that's MY song!!" and I didn't even know he loved it as much as I did. It brings tears to my eyes...


Paris: Wow... she was awesome! She is indeed an old soul. Billy Holliday morphed from her! WOW!

Taylor: Man~! At first I thought he had lost it, BOOOORING... THEN... I was sooo glad! I usually get up and boogie with him and last night was no difference!! I loooooooove that guy and will buy whatever he sells, and I have NEVER bought an American Idol anything!!! Taylor, I am a member of the SOUL PATROL!!!

Elliott: I thought he showed a lot of personality, though I thought the song was quite forgettable. BTW, I first listened to him WITHOUT looking at him and did enjoy his voice. Great tone... at the risk of sounding too "Paula"...

Kellie: Nice dress (am I MORPHING into Paula????)... like my Momma said, if you don't have anything NICE TO SAY....

Ace: Love my Ace, he's my boy!! HATED the hair, did remind me of Britney's boy toy... ugh... I keep praying thru his songs to get him through, I LOVE his falsetto, love all falsetto like I said before, grew up on it and he does a great job with it! He still is not consistant and doesn't have the talent of the others. As much as I HATE to say it, I think he will be on Ellen next week...

Katharine: I like her but I don't LOVE her... she's talented but she sort of bores me. The camera loves her, though!

Like someone said before me, this is a personality contest so my idea for the bottom 3 are:

Paris
Elliott
Ace.

In the real world Kellie should be sent on the Chattanooga Choo Choo HOME.

 

[wvrevy]

Not going to happen. I think a lot of people see themselves in Taylor, and are voting for him with hopes that they can live vicariously through him, at least while it is free. Unfortunately, I suspect once they have to pay for his performances it won't be any different than it has been in the past for Taylor -- he'll get a lot of enthusiasm but not much in terms of devoted fans willing to pay for his albums and concerts.

Bicker...This was your original quote, so I'm not sure how you can change now to say "I only care about what I would buy. I was simply responding to your comments about Taylor and those willing to listen to his music and pay for the privilege.

As for monkeyboy (no offense to monkeyboy), there are a thousand singers out there that sing the same style as him, and 987 of them (I counted ) do it considerably better than he does. I'd be shocked if any album he produced sold more than 20,000 copies, let alone approach the numbers of any of the best idol performers of the past.

Taylor, at least, has his own "style" and brings something unique to the table, as do Kathryn and, yes, even Kellie. Chris has such a strong voice that the fact that there are others out there that have a similar sound isn't really a detriment to him.

But hey...Idol is all about opinions, and I'm certainly no record producer. So far, though, I've been pretty accurate in predicting the success (or decided lack thereof) of some of the top Idol contestants, with only Bo Bice's dud of a first album really surprising me (but, then, I didn't know the album would be as poorly written as it was). Still...take it for what it's worth (which is, precisely, the paper it is printed on ).

 

[sweet angel]

This argument is asinine...

Age is not the determinator of taste and opinion. There are millions of other variables.

The "everyone I know" poll is usually among like minds also, doesn't reflect a cross section of different people. This board, whether people think so or not, is not a good sampling by any means EITHER. That's pretty evident by the threads from the past 3 years here... lol!

Why thank you. I was simply responding the the "everyone I know" statement -- showing that I was between the stated ages and do not like Taylor.

 

[ekmdisney]

I may have to alter my prediction after looking at Dialidol, I forgot to take into account that Bucky's fans could shift to Elliot's camp. I haven't looked at Dialidol before, according to the results, wouldn't the bottom three be Chris, Ace and Paris? Of course there is a margin of error, I'd be surprised to see Chris in the bottom three.

As a Bucky fan, I can tell you that I did not will not be placing any voted for Elliott. I just don't get him. And I would rather have Bucky there than Elliot or Ace.

The only ones I am voting for now are Taylor, Chris and Kat.

 

[jeanniec]

Just wondered what "suburban" high school you think Kellie went to? Albemarle is not considered a suburb of Charlotte (NC). If you are not in one of the big cities in the South, it's a whole different world out there. We are from Chicago originally but haved lived in Charlotte for nearly 20 years.

Who should be going home tonight:

1. Kellie
2. Ace
3. Katharine

Who will be going home tonight:

1. Ace (Going home)
2. Paris
3. Kellie

Top Three Performances: Elliott, Chris, Paris

What I thought of each contestant, graded on last night's performance only:

Taylor Hicks (Grade, B+): Again, he puts on a show, is unlike any other contestant, and has great soul. If my boy E-Double can't win I'll be throwing all my votes to Taylor. I've listened to his pre-Idol stuff and it's awesome. I'm just afraid of what the overproducing may do to him (a la Bo Bice)

Elliott Yamin (Grade A-): As usual, the best voice in the contest. Great song choice, and proving that he can revive this dead genre. If you are so concerned with looks, shame on you. It's almost worse to say you have to look away when he sings, he looks like the average American folks. And darn it, he can sang! As Simon said, the best male vocalist the show has ever had. He seems like one of the nicer people the show has ever had, and his mom is da bomb!

Katharine (Grade C+): She's very hot, that means a lot to me if I saw her in a bar, but as far as Idol goes it has nothing to do with my voting. She has great talent, but she is right there with Kellie as the most boring performer still around. She stands still and sings the most boring songs possible. She's got to do something uptempo, because right now I fast forward on my DVR whenever she performs.

Kellie Pickler (Grade F): Not only does she feign stupidity, she's a bad singer. Put those together and you have the worst contestant left. I refuse to believe that someone who went to a good high school in a suburban area, and lived a normal life doesn't know what "on paper" means. She's trying to be the next Jessica Simpson, and I'm not buying it. Like Katharine, she doesn't move on stage and bores the daylights out of me.

Chris Daughtry (Grade C+): I am a big fan of the Live/matchbox twenty/Collective Soul type genre, but he has gone from a big favorite of mine to a lesser one. He can sing, seems like a genuine person, and has his act down pat, but it's the same every week. Even when he went slow this week, it was more of the same to me. That being said, he's my third favorite on the show.

Paris Bennett (Grade A+), she was the best last night, I think her best performance yet as Randy said. Unfortunately it seems most people don't like her. I don't particularly care for her style or genre, but she really gives it her all and is a lot more entertaining and just as talented as any female left.

Ace Young (Grade C-), this was his best performance since his only good performance (Father Figure). He still oozes estrogen, and is more wimpy than Michael Bolton. I could care less about anyone's outfit, so if he looked like K-Fed then so be it. He is very boring, not as talented as the people left (well maybe more talented than Kellie), but he's a nice guy and I hate to see him go. But it's time! It's a travesty that he and Kellie have outlasted people like Sway and Mandisa.

 

[cats mom]

I have held off from posting on this thread, but I always keep up with the updates. I live in Birmingham, AL and just wanted to give a little update on Taylor's fan base.

We have a great radio morning team show that is sydicated all across the south, broadcasts on Turner South television and you may have seen them on Fox News Network in mid March. Apparently there is a blog for Taylor somewhere and everyone that is in the Soul Patrol was calling/emailing the radio station yesterday morning supporting Taylor. There was literally response from all over the globe....Denmark, Philipines, you name it. There was a lady from San Franciso that was listening to the show's internet feed that called in. She was a huge Taylor fan. She said that she first heard Taylor on his audition and was hooked. She said the great thing about music was its ability to unite people together and that the soul patrol is planning to gather in Birmingham for the finale. She has never been to Alabama before or had a desire to come here, but she was coming to support Taylor because she believes in him that much and his music means that much to her.

I would assume the other idol contestants have a fan base similar, but just thought I would let y'all know the buzz that is happening here and it's not just the locals.

I like Taylor and think he does well, but he's not my overall favorite. Chris is my man. I can really feel Chris and Taylor's passion for singing when they perform. I think the last three contestants standing will be Chris, Taylor and Katherine. DH has thought for awhile that Katherine is the black horse. I think her fan base is growing and she has a very good shot at winning.

Interesting.
Thanks for the local update.

I don't think any of the other contestants have a similar fan base though.

Taylor's Soul Patrol will keep him in this to the end... doesn't matter how he does week to week. (MHO only of course)

I don't think any of the other contestants have that luxury.

For awhile I thought Chris was safe to the end too, but I'm not so sure anymore.

I really think anyone else could go with a bad performance.

OK so Kellie stunk it up this week, and I don't think she'll be going anywhere yet, but I also don't think her fan base is stong enough to get her through to the end if she has many more performances like last night, especially after a few of the others are gone and their votes are directed elsewhere.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd love to know if any of them have any music training in college and if so, I'd like to know specifically which college. Just curious. I think they said Katharine had some music training in college, but I couldn't find out which college she attended. Does anyone know how to find out which, if any, college they went to and what they majored in?

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Sinces Bucky is gone, my votes are so far going to Chris and Taylor. I can say without a doubt I would buy Taylor, Chris's and Bucky's music. I might buy some of the others if they put out a great song or two! I think the bottom three tonight will be Ace, Elliot and Paris (though I thought she hit it out of the park last night), with Ace going home. I really think Kellie should be in the bottom three and going home, but I have a feeling at this point she can choke, stutter and slur her way through a song and still not make it into the bottom three. Her stupid act and her "oh I'm sorry" every time she flubs a song is grating on my last nerve.

 

[zagafi]

Katharine (Grade C+): She's very hot, that means a lot to me if I saw her in a bar, but as far as Idol goes it has nothing to do with my voting. She has great talent, but she is right there with Kellie as the most boring performer still around. She stands still and sings the most boring songs possible. She's got to do something uptempo, because right now I fast forward on my DVR whenever she performs.

THANK YOU!! I do *not* understand "McFever". She's a one trick pony and bores the paint right off my walls. Yes, she's beautiful. Yes, she has a lovely voice. But for all the criticism Chris has taken for doing "the same thing" week after week, well, so has she! She sticks to safe, boring song choices week after week, yet people fawn over her. Great big yawn from me. When she's on I leave the room. Bleah.