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

[ekmdisney]

But is she true country? Is she a Alan Jackson or a George Strait? Is she a Reba or is she a Shania Twain? I love Carrie but she is not true country performer and her record sold because of the American Idol followers mostly....she has a great voice...I think she is the cross over country artist like Shania and will do well with it...as far as ruining the genre I disagree each genre needs variety to keep it alive but at the same time hold to its roots...I welcome her into country and pop

Well, I just found out tonight that Carrie was nominated for a few CMAs...so I guess some one likes her some where.

 

[ekmdisney]

For me the shinning moments of the night were Chris, Bucky and Taylor. They are the only ones who got my votes. And as long as these three are in the final 6, I don't care who the others are.

But I have a feeling that tonight was the last time we will hear Kevin and Will sing. I think they will be going home tonight.

But I just can't wait to see BO! I am counting down the hours!

 

[dolphindan1]

Well, I just found out tonight that Carrie was nominated for a few CMAs...so I guess some one likes her some where.

I love her....I think she has great and has earned any award she recieves....I am rooting for her just as I did during AI....but I also agree with the other poster she is not true country....but I dont agree with that person saying she has ruined the genre....

 

[bicker]

I'm aiming for Kevin and Will to go home this week, along with Kinnik and one other. With those three gone, we'll end up with a better Top 12 than ever before IMHO.

Over the next four or five weeks, I predict, Taylor's lack of depth will start wearing on the public. While we all greatly respect his talent, we'll get bored of it. He won't make final four.

Chris and Elliot are stealing each other's votes, so I'm figuring one of them aren't going to make it to the final four either. And that's a shame, because I'd love to see those two as the last two boys standing.

Ace is a very strong talent as well. I'm mystified by some of the comments here in the thread about his performance. I suppose not everyone "gets" everyone's performance -- I surely don't "get" the allure of Gideon.

 

[dolphindan1]

I'm aiming for Kevin and Will to go home this week, along with Kinnik and one other. With those three gone, we'll end up with a better Top 12 than ever before IMHO.

Over the next four or five weeks, I predict, Taylor's lack of depth will start wearing on the public. While we all greatly respect his talent, we'll get bored of it. He won't make final four.

Chris and Elliot are stealing each other's votes, so I'm figuring one of them aren't going to make it to the final four either. And that's a shame, because I'd love to see those two as the last two boys standing.

Ace is a very strong talent as well. I'm mystified by some of the comments here in the thread about his performance. I suppose not everyone "gets" everyone's performance -- I surely don't "get" the allure of Gideon.

I just dont get where Ace has the vocal talent of the others....but he does have the looks that will offset the lack of vocal talent....this is a guy saying this too....anyway....I think Taylor is a vocal genius and you cannot get bored of a good voice....as much as I love kellie and being a southern boy myself I agree the southern girl act will get her only so far...I am a big fan of hers but I dont believe she is the best singer in the group 5th or 6th out of the girls but she will progress just as Ace will and more talented people will get voted off...I for one dont think Elliott has that strong of a voice but thats my opinion....I really like Lisa and I think if she picks a good song people will see what a talent she truly can be...Gedeon and Ayla are making a fan out of me too....but I agree it can potentially be a great top 12 and can you imagine the top 6

 

[Virgo10]

Perhaps the stars were realigning last night or there’s been a break in the space/time continuum but my favorites have totally changed. Unlike last year when I saw Bo and it was Bo, Bo, Bo for the rest of the season, this year all bets are off. Welcome to the American Idol Twilight Zone.

Gedeon: This kid has certainly got the pipes and is probably sending a lot of baby boomers right back to their teenage years. I know that’s what he’s done for me. Filled with amazing soul, his rendition of When A Man Loves A Woman was the show stealer of the night in this house. Looking so fine and absolutely taking over the stage, Gedeon gets a 9

Chris: I had hoped that last week’s offering would be the exception rather than the rule. So much promise with his version of Dead or Alive but the past two weeks have left my family with ear plugs in hand when he takes the stage. I didn’t know the song he sang but to be honest, I found him off key in parts and his presentation of it seemed lackluster at best.
Not as bad as last week but, personally, I just didn’t have fun with his performance. Chris gets a 6

Kevin: No one is ever going accuse Kev of being a showman. He gets on the stage, sings the song, makes a few jokes and is out of there. Still, with my eyes closed, I found his version of Starry, Starry Night really beautiful. The beginning was a bit shaky but, by the middle of the piece, I was once again blown away by the control of his voice. All and all a pretty good outing for him, he gets a 7.

Bucky: I spent most of Bones wondering if anyone turned AI on when Bucky and his identical twin were on stage together and if they were seeking professional help.
I loved the song he sang and he did a respectable job with it but he’s in the Kevin camp: Get on stage, sing the song, have some chatter with Ryan and exit stage left. He still needs a make over and wardrobe help.
Not bad, not good, Bucky gets a 6.

Will: I’ve been in the minority with this kid and have really enjoyed his performances and love his voice. Well I had enjoyed them. Last night was downright boring. Add on to that his stage presence was totally lacking and he looked disheveled. I’m no barber but, man, I want to take a pair of scissors to that mop on his head!
Will may have blown any further chances on AI last night. He gets a 6.

Taylor: Taylor started off as my favorite. Sadly last night’s performance did him in for me. I saw him described as “One trick pony”. Well that has turned out to be more true than I wanted it to be. His over the top performance was a total turn off to me. Anything you do as far as stage antics should complement your vocal performance. His spasms completely detracted from any of his singing. It was so unfortunate because, before he started jittering all over the stage, his voice took me away to heaven. I’m still hoping he’ll stop the foolishness but I’m less sure that will happen.
Taylor gets a 7

Elliott: This is the first song Elliott sang than I hadn’t heard before. He did an adequate job with it but, unlike the past two weeks, it certainly was nothing special. His performance left me wondering where the real Elliott was. Even he looked bored with what he had done. A down week for my favorite vocalist, I just hope it doesn’t leave him down and out. Elliott gets an 8.

Ace: Well I see they didn’t put up the “No Falsetto” sign in the AI back stage area. And what can be worse than falsetto? A Michael Jackson song in falsetto. This performance was leaving very bad pictures in my brain and that stupid looking hat wasn’t helping matters. I just found this outing really weird. Ace gets a 6 and that’s only because, even with the falsetto, he did nail the notes more than 50% of the time.

Who I voted for:
Gedeon… over and over and over.
Elliott: A few times because I want to hear him sing some more.

Who I think will be going home:
Will for sure
Much less certain on #2 but maybe Ace, Kevin, Bucky or Taylor.

As always, JMHO.

 

[twinkles]

I thought the guys were much better than the girls. If we could only get rid of more of the girls and keep most of the guys it would be a much better AI (IMO).
Gedeon... was great tonight!
Taylor...was off the hook! He even had Simon laughing at the end
Chris...another great performance (and did I mention sooooo sexy)
Kevin...he can sing, just something about him (too much eye blinking for me)
Bucky...hope to see him at the end...great gritty rocker voice and genuine
Will...ok...but not liked by the judges...bye bye tonight
Elliott...ok...I do like his voice...I hope he stays
Ace...I was never a fan...he looks so uncomfortable on stage

 

[damo]

Dialidol results are very interesting this morning!!! I find them hard to believe though. If you go to www.dialidol.com you may be surprised!

Bicker, have to agree with you on Ace. His performance was pretty much on key the whole night, I don't quite understand the comments. There were probably two notes in the whole thing that were slightly off and they weren't in the falsetto. I guess the falsetto really bothers people? If that is his style, then he should stick to it.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

on Ace. His performance was pretty much on key the whole night, I don't quite understand the comments. There were probably two notes in the whole thing that were slightly off and they weren't in the falsetto. I guess the falsetto really bothers people? If that is his style, then he should stick to it.

One problem with this theory is if people in general do not like falsetto they will eventually not vote for Ace. IMO a well done falsetto is akin to nails on a chalkboard. His voice teacher may be proud of him for nailing the falsetto, but as for me and a few other AI watchers -we won't be voting for Ace doing falsetto.

 

[damo]

One problem with this theory is if people in general do not like falsetto they will eventually not vote for Ace. IMO a well done falsetto is akin to nails on a chalkboard. His voice teacher may be proud of him for nailing the falsetto, but as for me and a few other AI watchers -we won't be voting for Ace doing falsetto.

That's my point. If he wants to sing that way because that is what he enjoys, then he won't be idol but at least he stayed true to what he enjoys. Just like David sang David music, Paris sings Paris music, Gedeon sings Gedeon music.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Wow, if DialIdol.com is right, I am totally shocked at how the contestants faired last night. I'm disappointed in #7 - I like him and think he has possibilities and #8, he's a good singer but I think he turned people off lately with his personality. But DANG.. Number 1??? (and by that kind of percent???) And Number 4?? And Number 6 deserved to be higher up than they were too.

Spoiler - highlight to read if you want to know who I'm talking about:

1 Kevin Covais 63.8743 -
2 Taylor Hicks 53.8574 -
3 Bucky Covington 27.8788 -
4 Chris Daughtry 27.6657 -
5 Ace Young 24.4444 -
6 Elliott Yamin 16.3606 -
7 Will Makar 10.4881 -
8 Gedeon McKinney 9.9617



Now on to my observations

I think Bicker mentioned that Taylor had a lack of depth and some have started referring to him as a one trick pony. As far as the lack of depth is concerned, his depth outreaches Chris's (and don't get me wrong, I am totally a Chris fan). And as far as a one trick pony, well, outside of Kelly Clarkson from AI1, not many of the top people seem to have much variety or versitility. I don't see that as a bad thing. Heck, many of my favorite singers are my favorite because I like what they do. I like Aerosmith - do I want to see Steven Tyler break out in a rendition of Vincent? Umm.. NO. The trick to the one trick pony is if their "one trick" appeals to enough people to get them through.

Gedeon - the kid has a voice, I'll give him that. But I just can't get past his personality. He is just darn weird when he talks. He's like some combination preacher/William Shatner type deal. Plus, while he is good at what he does, his type of music doesn't appeal to me.

Kevin - lets face it, say what you want about the kid being young or being on the nerdy side or nervous, but the kid has a hell of a voice for a 16 yr old. He's like a modern day Jim Neighbors. What you see and what you hear are completely different and surprising. Is he pop/rock/idol material. No. But once he matures I could see him have an excellent career on Broadway.

Will. *sigh* We liked the kid. Another one that I think has an awesome voice - but in this case over Kevin's, his lack of age and experience is showing through. I wish he had waited a few years to go on AI because I bet once he is more Elliott's age, he would definately give Elliot a run for him money. I wish he had one more week to pull some amazing performance off, but sadly, he's a goner.

Bucky.. I dunno. Not a fan of country music. He has times that I really like his voice and times where I feel like the dude is growling at me.

Ace - whoa. Liked you in the beginning. Liked Father Figure.. you have the type of voice to pull off George Michael well, but just say NO to falsetto. Maybe it's just me, but outside of the BeeGees, not many people can pull it off without causing the audience some cringeworthy pain. Don't do that again dude. Just don't.

Chris. Love the guy but no matter how much I love his music, I realize he's very limited, more so than Taylor. I worry about how well he will fare once they start the themes. If they throw disco or Broadway on him, it could be detrimental. I worried about that with Bo last year but Bo seems to have more versitility than Chris. I think Chris is the better singer vocally, but Bo has more range. Still want to see him in the final 2

Elliott - my hometown boy This guy has an awesome voice. The song choice last night was just not good. You can't do Bryan Adams unless you have some "rasp" to your voice, it just turns out sounding "wedding singer-y or loung-y" to me. Hopefully he will stick around long enough and has learned that some artists with very unique voices are best left untouched - unless you have a similar quality to your voice - like Taylor and Michael McDonald.

Which brings me to Taylor. I just can't help but like this guy. He probably enjoys this competition more than anyone out there by far. He lives to sing and you can see the passion. I think he has an awesome voice and a great feel for music. I could tell he had difficulty controlling the urge to "WOO" last night. and it seemed to come out of him in some weird combination Elaine Benes/Carlton Banks/Butterchurning dance. But you know what? That's okay for me. He makes us laugh and smile when he performs and to me, that's great. Heck, even Simon seemed to enjoy his performance last night which to see a singer end and see a smile on Simon's face, that's pretty rare. I have higher hope that Taylor can handle "themes" than Chris, but what I would really like to see is a Taylor/Chris final 2

 

[Cindy B]

I've seen three different dialidol totals, one with Kevin on top, one with Taylor/Chris on top and such like that.

I hope that Kevin/Ace or Bucky goes.

 

[Slacking]

Damo, the DialIdol results this morning goes to show that the sample of the voting public who uses that system is just too small. Someone who was VFTW (candidate was Kevin) voted often using that program. I don't think that would single handedly yield that result, but thats part of it. I have a hard time beleiving the Dial Idol results just because it is such a small percentage of the votes. Regardless, tonight should be interesting.

About what is country and what isn't country, that debate has gone on forever. Carrie's album is more country than some stuff out there (certainly more so than Shania, I would put her a little closer to the Faith Hill category). Jesus, take the Wheel and her new single Don't Forget to Remember Me would NEVER fly at top 40 radio. Even Some Hearts, the single released to pop stations didn't make a dent in airplay, it was still not pop enough. Carrie's album may not be hardcore country but it certainly is more country than stuff by Keith Urban, Rascall Flats, and others.

Ace. He had me Week 1. He was awesome. Since then he has lost me. Last night's performance was honestly one of the most bizarre things I have seen on the Idol stage.

Prediction time!

For the girls, Kinnik is a guarantee! Beyond Kinnik, I'm going to say Lisa. she may have a voice but she has not given a memorable performance yet. Outside possibilities include Ayla and Melissa (who people are expecting to go, but won't)

For the guys, this is much harder. I hate to say this because I'm a fan, but I think it is Will's week to go. Beyond Will, it'll be either Gedeon, Bucky, or Keivn. I'm going to say Bucky.

If they survive based on my predictions, Kevin, Melissa, and Gedeon will be the first three voted out of the top 12. Then for shock value we'll see an artist go who was previously pimped but has fallen out of favor with the judges (Ace? Kellie? Paris?)

 

[Slacking]

With the DialIdol numbers, even though I think its a sham, the raw numbers are a little more telling than just the percentages.

 

[marymrg]

And watched them last night.

For the girls:

Rewind awards (watched more than once) -

Mandisa - best of the night for the ladies
Kellie - partly to hear the song again, partly to identify her "minx" moments
and I agree with Simon - she has the hot factor that Carrie lacked.

Guys -

loved Taylor - he's like a "wound too tight" spring - I knew he wouldn't be able to hold it in! Best of the guys. I love Michael McDonald. And, is it just me, or is the Grecian Formula starting to work it's magic on his hair?

Ace - unfortunately, my tape ended right after he started. (darn that ancient technology) I'm not a fan of falsetto, but I'd like to think I would still be rewinding just to get some more Ace face. What did Simon say about it?


Who's going home:
Girls - Kinnik and probably Melissa (outside chance Paris or Ayla)
Guys - Kevin and Will


Gedeon is growing on me a little, even though I am still trying to resist. Like Paris, neither are gonna be the AI, but both will have long "show" careers. I look forward to the top 12 to see what they can really do.

 

[SC Minnie]

Will and Kevin need to go. Neither have mature enough voices for this competition. IMO they should have been gone last week. Can you tell I don't care for either one???

I like Chris but I want to hear what HIS voice sounds like. Everything I have heard so far he is trying to sound like someone else.

Bucky, he is OK. I hope he makes it to the top 12 but doubt he will go too much further than that.

I love Taylor. His enthusiasm is infectious.

Gedeon has a great voice but he kind of creeps me out a little.

Ace- he is just OK. Nothing special. Although he isn't hard on the eyes there is something about him that is just 'off'.

I like Elliot voice. Last night the song just wasn't right for him.


And to add-- could Paula have pushed the 'puppies' up any more??? I am surprised she was able to hold them in that low cut dress.

 

[Nancy]

I knew Ruben was gonna win from the start of the final 12...he was the best singer that season....I told my wife alot of babies are gonna be made listening to him....I compared him to Luther Vandross....he was great and deserved the win....Where AI has failed is Season 1 and the season Fantasia won

So where is Reuben now? And season 1..that was Kelly Clarkson...didn't she just win a few grammys? And I do agree with season 3...there was no one that should have won that show. If they were in last year or this year they all would have been voted off before the top 12.

 

[Shugardrawers]

I must be watching a different show than you guys are.

I think Chris has nailed each and every one of his songs so far. The man can do no wrong and he is HOT HOT HOT He got 25 votes from me.

I like Bucky more each week. I thought he did a great job last night. Even Dh who HATES country liked him and pestered me to vote for him. I got in 10 times for him.

I don't think Elliot is great. Good, yeah, but not great. And JMHO but I find him so unattractive that it's distracting to me. I'm sure many women find him quite adorable.

Kevin is ok but the tone of his voice annoys me. It's very nasally.

I like Taylor less and less each week. As someone said, he's a one trick pony. And was he trying to dance last night or was he having a seizure??

I like Gedeon better each week too. He's a great showman and his voice is good. His teeth are so blindingly white they are distracting.

Will...BLAH, just BLAH

I never much liked Ace and the falsetto really turned me off. I pray he doesn't skate through on just his looks. I don't even think he's that good looking to begin with. Too pretty for me. I like 'em rough looking (like Chris)

 

[Nancy]

not to hijack but....did you see the movie "Walk the Line"...I am young and really not a fan of Johnny Cash but it was a good movie...Reese Witherspoon is a tremendous actress....I didnt realize he fought drugs as bad as he did...

We just watched Walk the Line last weekend...it was an awesome movie. I was also surprised at how bad he let his life get...he was lucky that he didn't end up killing himself. I thought they both did a good job with the movie and I am glad that Reese won the oscar.


Back to AI

 

[Spinning]

Kevin - lets face it, say what you want about the kid being young or being on the nerdy side or nervous, but the kid has a hell of a voice for a 16 yr old. He's like a modern day Jim Neighbors. What you see and what you hear are completely different and surprising. Is he pop/rock/idol material. No. But once he matures I could see him have an excellent career on Broadway.

That is exactly what I have been saying! He sounds just like Jim Neighbors!
I really wish he wasn't in this comp. this year. Had he waited till he was about 18 I think he would be so much better. Plus I am so tired of Paula and her sex symbol comments about him.