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‘Idol’ speculation: Kris Allen takes it
Kris Allen and Adam Lambert squared off last night in what “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest called the battle of “the guy next door vesus the guyliner.” Here’s my take:
Round one: Contestants’ choice
Adam reprised his popular rendition of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World,” but with a “Twilight” twist, wearing a floor-length black coat and prowling a stage covered in ethereal clouds of dry-ice smoke. He also imbued it with a more romantic, less desperate tone this time out. I guess he was going for votes from the teen girls and moms who drove that movie’s box office.
Kris slid onto a piano bench and reprised his version of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” a judge and fan favorite from earlier in the season. Sweet and soulful, Kris’ confidence was up, the vocals were solid and the performance seemed sweet and genuine.
Winner: Kris. Both contenders chose the right songs, very important at this point in the competition. The judges heaped praise on each, but Simon called this round correctly.
Round two: Producer’s choice
Simon Fuller chose “A Change Is Gonna Come,” a classic R&B tune — and a really interesting pick — for Adam. It seems like the whole “Idol” machine wants Adam to win, and it’s hard to imagine a better number to woo fans of Danny Gokey, whose votes will decide the winner. Adam cleans up nicely, does a stellar job with the vocals and appropriately tones down the facial tics.
Kris is assigned Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On.” This time he brings out an acoustic guitar and strums along and croons with a few bongo players. It’s pleasant enough, but Kris’ fans are used to seeing him really change up the arrangements on these familiar tunes and his performance here is pretty basic. Also, he’s doing that thing again with the strained face that makes him look like the more stupid brother from “My Name Is Earl.”
Winner: Adam. Viewers got to see a different kind of performance from him — and a good one, so different from “Mad World” — while Kris, though good, gave us more of the same.
Round three: Huh?
Fans hoping for a better coronation song from “Idol” judge (and — as we kept hearing all season — professional songwriter!) Kara DioGuardi than previous years’ viewer-penned efforts had to be disappointed with that mess. “No Boundaries” is the aural poster child for the kind of pointless, inspirational power ballad so loved by the show’s runners, but loathed by its target audience. Honestly, who is ever going to run out and buy this song? The show needs to take a clue from its two finalists, neither of whom is suited to interpret this kind of sappy dreck (nor cram that many syllables into a measure way too short for them): the “Idol” dynamic is changing, and this coronation song business needs to keep up with the times.
Both contestants gave it a go, but neither could be expected to do anything special with that material. Perhaps Kris could have tipped the scales by accompanying himself again, maybe on the xylophone. Considering it was a toss-up, the judges’ gushing over Adam and damning of Kris with faint praise seemed especially transparent.
Winner: Anyone whose DVR stopped early.
While I think Adam is more talented and deserves to win, I still believe that the more marketable and familiar Kris will take most of the Danny Gokey votes, and the title.
What do you think?
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Comments
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By margaret palmer
May 20, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this
Anerican Idol i really hate this show now.How could america choose kris allen over Adam Lambert?america must be out of their minds.They have this decision twisted,kris allen cannot be compared no day or night to Adam Lambert.Adam is the real idol here.Go to hell american idol.this show sucks!!.
By Hank Vegas
May 20, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
I think they should stop billing it as just a "singing" competition because if that were so Kris should have been gone and Danny should have stayed but it doesn't matter because they will each get their own record deal.