What I've learned from American Idol

[Hulk]

I have been watching AI pretty regularly since the first season and must say that in general I enjoy it. The fact that it's something I can watch with my wife makes it more appealing.

Anyway, I think the last few weeks have been really bad and I was starting to think.

You know what?

For all the faults of our current music business it does seem to find most of the talent. This assumes that AI is actually looking for talent and not solely ratings.

But out of the hundreds of thousands that try out it seems that 2 or 3 actually sing on key most of the time, and have pleasing voices, and enough personality and smarts to resonate with the music and lyrics.

If you look at the musical talent that has stuck around for the long haul I think it's safe to say these people/groups would have made it regardless, breaks no breaks, they just had the talent. Now I'm not talking about the mass production "rock stars" that are created and spit out by the business, I'm talking about real talents like Elton John, Billy Joel, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who, Led Zepplin, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Greenday, Prince, Stevie Wonder, The Allman Brothers, Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, The Police, etc...

I'm sorry but at the end of the day the best singer is still just a singer. I think it takes a singer/songwriter to be a true "American Idol."

Rant over.

 

[Hammerhead]

Originally posted by: HulkI think it takes a singer/songwriter to be a true "American Idol."

Like Ryan Cabrera?

 

[Hulk]

Yeah but you actually have to write good songs and then sing them well.

 

[CPA]

I'm just glad Chicken Little is gone. Now, if America was smart enough to vote off that stupid, wench Kellie Pickler, I would be happy.

 

[torpid]

An exceptional singer clearly stands out in some cases. Such as Mariah Carey. But the general rule fits what you are saying.

 

[Accipiter22]

I've learned that only idiots watch American Idol more than once.

 

[Jzero]

Some people are singers, some people are songwriters, some people are both. AI is purely a singing contest.

You can be successful as a not-so-great singer if you are an awesome enough songwriter - take a look at Bob Dylan, Harry Chapin, Tom Waits, Wesley Willis, etc.

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: Jzero
Some people are singers, some people are songwriters, some people are both. AI is purely a singing contest.

You can be successful as a not-so-great singer if you are an awesome enough songwriter - take a look at Bob Dylan, Harry Chapin, Tom Waits, Wesley Willis, etc.

Although I would say that Dylan has become a good singer over time. Love & Theft being a good example.

 

[shortspanishguy]

Originally posted by: Jzero
Wesley Willis

Suck a cheetahs dick

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: torpid
Although I would say that Dylan has become a good singer over time. Love & Theft being a good example.

Did he really become a good singer, or did he just grow on you? If he showed up on American Idol and sang "Blowin' In The Wind," Simon Cowell would have laughed him right out of the room

Originally posted by: shortspanishguy
Suck a cheetahs d**k

Come to think of it...considering Willis pretty much made up his material on the spot, can we really consider him a songwriter?

 

[spikespiegal]

I've learned that only idiots watch American Idol more than once.

Guess you prefer to have record companies pick and choose who you listen to. If a season of American Idol lets one talented guy like Chris Daughtry get a chance at exposure, it's worth it.

AI may be over-marketed and exploitative, but the show really does more good than bad. Starting with:

- Promoting a diverse mix of cultures and music genre's without stereophobic racial over-tones. You hear R&B, Country, Soul, and Hard Rock on the same show without the typical racial stigmas attached along with equal respect.

- Some degree of musical education for the audience, although judging by the voting it's not 100% effective.

I agree with the above that good song writing is just as important as good singing. I also have a pretty good ear for music and vocalists, and Chris and Katherine are some of the best talents I've heard in awhile. Regretfully you have what I call a "trailor park" vote that keeps people like Kellie and Bucky still on the show while better talents like Mandisa have to go home.

 

[Hammerhead]

Originally posted by: shortspanishguy

Originally posted by: Jzero
Wesley Willis

Suck a cheetahs dick

Rock n Roll McDonald's FTW

R.I.P. Wesley

 

[bigrash]

Kelly Clarkson is the only really good singer that came out of American Idol. The rest sucks

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Originally posted by: CPA
I'm just glad Chicken Little is gone. Now, if America was smart enough to vote off that stupid, wench Kellie Pickler, I would be happy.

Gawd yes! I can't stand that cvnt either! And the fake dumb hic act is getting old (it was always fvcking annoying).

It's too bad about Mandisa. She flat out kicks ass!

 

[daveshel]

It has taught me a new appreciation for the time I used to spend watching TV.

 

[Zolty]

Originally posted by: Hammerhead

Originally posted by: shortspanishguy

Originally posted by: Jzero
Wesley Willis

Suck a cheetahs dick

Rock n Roll McDonald's FTW

R.I.P. Wesley

Rock over london, Rock on ATOT
Pon T Ack Driving excitement.

 

[torpid]

I genuinely think dylan is a better singer now. He hasn't really grown on me in that I almost never listen to him, and Love & Theft I've listened to maybe twice. It might just be a result of aging and having a different tone.

Beck on the other hand has become a much better singer in a way unrelated to aging / physical differences. What a shock Sea Change was...

Mandissa was not that great anyway. Does it really matter in what order all the clear losers ones go?

 

[tfinch2]

I haven't been watching the last few weeks because I've been busy, but Mandisa was voted off? Wow. Must be because of her weight. I keep hearing how terrible Bucky is, and he was terrible when I was watching yet he manages to stay on.

 

[ZOOYUKA]

I've learned from AI that people must really like karaoke!

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
I haven't been watching the last few weeks because I've been busy, but Mandisa was voted off? Wow. Must be because of her weight. I keep hearing how terrible Bucky is, and he was terrible when I was watching yet he manages to stay on.

It was country night, no way would bucky get voted off on that night! Queen is next week. He'll probably be out.

 

[Carbo]

I think I love Mandingo, or whatever the hell is the name of that big one.

 

[Hammerhead]

Originally posted by: Zolty

Originally posted by: Hammerhead

Originally posted by: shortspanishguy

Originally posted by: Jzero
Wesley Willis

Suck a cheetahs dick

Rock n Roll McDonald's FTW

R.I.P. Wesley

Rock over london, Rock on ATOT
Pon T Ack Driving excitement.

Catch the wave, COKE!

 

[AmdEmAll]

Originally posted by: bigrash
Kelly Clarkson is the only really good singer that came out of American Idol. The rest sucks

Add Carrie Underwood and then I agree.

 

[bigrash]

Originally posted by: AmdEmAll

Originally posted by: bigrash
Kelly Clarkson is the only really good singer that came out of American Idol. The rest sucks

Add Carrie Underwood and then I agree.

no way. she's alright.

 

[compnovice]

What I have learned is, even untalented please-all judges earn $5million a year...