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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2007 > October > 27 > Entry
10/27: Next Great American Band #2 recap
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Close that hatch. Yes, the Hatch are goners. After watching the 12 finalists do Bob Dyland covers and originals, the Hatch is the easiest one to nix. First of all, the band’s original song was horrendously hookless and the lead singer lacks any real charisma or vocal talent. Plus the band came up second and that’s one of the worst spots to be in, especially for a two-hour show when viewership is extremely low at 8:10 p.m. (as opposed to just offensively poor by 9:50 p.m.)
But “The Next Great American Band” has to get rid of the two lowest vote getters. So after the Hatch, there are a few more candidates. Any band that goes first is vulnerable and that places Denver & the Mile High Orchestra in the crosshairs. Although the lead singer lacks edge and swagger, the group is distinctive enough to make it to week two. The Likes of You, though, are probably the most vulnerable to go because they were hardly seen week one and failed to excel week two though I do like the lead singer, even with the excessive falsetto.
I enjoyed Tres Bien, but the band is really retro 60s and its songs may not resonate at all with a broad enough audience. I’m also worried for Cliff Wagner & the Old #7 simply because the lead singer doesn’t have charismatic good looks and they play bluegrass.
Rocket are like a poor man’s Donnas. Tight band but the vocalist lacks the grit and skill to really make it work. I think the fact they are the only female band around might keep them around an extra week.
The other six bands, I think, are definitely safe. The 12 year olds Light of Doom can definitely rock and the only criticism the judges could come up with is the discomfort of seeing two of them shirtless.
The Muggs are also extremely tight (though this type of Detroit rock isn’t exactly modern) while Dot Dot Dot are oddly entertaining but deeply cheeseball in that Fall Out Boy sort of way. Nonetheless, I think they will cruise through despite harsh critiques from the judges.
Finally, the three standouts are Sixwire, the country band which already has a couple of top 40 country hits under its belt; Franklin Bridge, the black dudes who can funk it out with real energy; and my favorite, the Clark Brothers, three incredibly skilled brothers who performed this amazing original song “Billy the Kid.”
Next Friday: the theme is Elton John and Bernie Taupin songs. They will call up bands and two won’t get called. Those are the ones who are eliminated.
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