The last songs have been sung and tomorrow either Adam Lambert or Kris Allen will be our new American Idol.
Round One was the contestant’s choice. Adam gave us an encore version “Mad World.” I still find myself randomly singing it. Kris shared “Ain’t No Sunshine” once more reminding us when he started to pull away from the pack. And to a shocking start, Simon gives this round to Kris!
Simon Fuller (creator of Idol) dictated Round Two. Adam belted “A Change Is Gonna Come” with his high power notes, as usual. The judges declared it his best performance of the season. Kris strummed “What is Going On,” channeling Kenny Loggins’ laid-back style. The judges thought he was too laid-back and it wasn’t big enough for the finale. Chalk this round up to Adam.
Round Three was the coronation song audition. Adam gave the best raw vocal interpretation of “No Boundaries,” but it was kind of weird hearing such a sappy song out of Adam. I just don’t think the song did Adam justice. I think this song is just a little too big for Kris, although with a key change it could fit his voice nicely for radio. Honestly, this song just didn’t do it for me and be something the winner will just have to suffer through before the real first single will come out. All the judges made it very clear that Adam won that round hands down.
Honestly, we all know that making it to the finale on American Idol pretty much guarantees one an industry “in.” 19 Records will snatch up both Adam and Kris, giving each a legitimate chance of superstardom in the music world, just as they have every other winner and runner-up for the past several seasons now.
Contestants often say it doesn’t matter if they win and nonchalantly fall back on the “sometimes it is better not to win – Chris Daughtry obviously did well” catch phrase (I’m guilty). At this stage of the game this is most likely true. It is going to be up to Adam and Kris to make their careers happen, but it really is getting harder for Idols out in the “real” world. It will be interesting to see who will join Kris and Adam with a deal.
And for the record, my money is on Adam to take it all. He is the better singer, but Kris is the better artist. You may disagree – which is your prerogative – but that is my opinion.
I thought both of them performed at finale caliber tonight. And I think Adam will win. But I will personally buy Kris’ album the day it is released.
My last post for this season will be tomorrow night. I have deeply enjoyed our time together, and the e-mails you have sent. I have a record coming out Aug. 25 and if you would like to hear an album full of songs that go deeper than anything I could have done on my own … check the record out. It’s called “Into the Light.” Thanks and be blessed.
27 Comments
A good finale. I agree with Simon that Round one went to Kris. The sour look on Kara’s face when Kris finished *Ain’t No Sunshine* was pricless. I think she saw that the title just might be slipping away from Adam. She did praise Kris’ performance though so that was good.
Adam probably did take round two. He did a good job with Change Is Gonna Come. In Kris’ defense, however, I think he got way short-changed on song choice by Fuller. I don’t know what Kris could have done to make that laid back song *bigger* but I’m not a musician and maybe he could have put in some glory notes or something (but that song had very few notes in it to begin with it seemed to me).
I agree with Phil that the last song will never be heard of again except as sung by whoever wins. Through *pains and hurricanes*! Amd they had to misprounounce boundaries to make it work with the melody…*bowndrees* instead of boun da rees. But I suppose I’m quibbling and my dislike of Kara’s personality is making me not objective about it.
I actually think if Kris had been in the right key he might have outsung Adam on that last song.
Well, whatever, its all over but the dialing now. I’m not going to be unhappy either way. It was good to see Kris develop over the season. I suppose Adam will win but Kris’s line has been busy all night so who knows?
And, I agree that I am more likely to buy Kris’ album than Adam’s. A little of Adam goes a long way even though you cannot deny his incredible vocal skills. Both seem like really nice people and thats good too.
I’m voting for Kris when I can get a vote in. I figure the tweens and a lot of old ladies (like me) are voting for Adam. I just love Kris’ phrasing which I really picked up on in Rat Pack week and he and Allison were my favorites from that week on.
What will I do on Tuesday and Wednesday nights when I cannot do my Idol blog and comment on Phils blog. Is there a *So You Think You Can Dance Blog?*
loved adam’s first performance…. can you say “twilight”??? he rocks!
loved his second performance… he makes any song his own… did not much like this choice for him, would have preferred a rock song somewhere in the program.
and, as far as the last “song” – yuck! adam did his best with what they gave him to sing. i wish they would give up that need to have an original song.
adam fills the stage… kris, even tho he has grown on me greatly in the last few weeks, seemed kinda lost out there.
Just had to add that Kara is a Pain and I hope a metaphorical Hurricane blows her off the judges panel next year.
If that’s Kara’s best song-writing endeavor, she’d better throw in the towel. What a ghastly collection of musical notation….it sure wasn’t a song. Totally unsingable by either contestant. I honestly thought Kris’ voice sounded better with the song, though.
Adam can sing and his personality grew on me as the season progressed. But I will never buy any of his music or listen to any of it on the radio. Might attend a live concert to watch him. Kris, on the other hand, connects better emotionally when he’s performing. I will buy his music. To me, he’s still what American Idol is all about….undiscovered talent. He never sang on a Randy Jackson project before the competition. Don’t think he had a record label. Raw talent. I’d love to vote for him but the line is always busy.
Never would have thought it until tonight but Adam might not win this thing. Kris has emerged as a real talent and will sell records. Adam will also be big no matter who wins.
I would rather watch Adam in musical theatre but could lay back and listen to Kris for a long time. I’ll admit I’m not a real rock fan but think that Adam might get a few votes simply because he didn’t scream rock lyrics tonight.
Can’t wait to hear the results.
I had not really been a Kris fan up until last week, he had always just been good, but not outstanding in my mind. However, even thought I know Kara isn’t popular here, I completely agree with her when she said he’d stayed true to himself throughout the entire competition. Danny Gokley tried to be too “cool”, Lil tried to be whatever she thought the judges wanted her to be, etc.. But both Adam and Kris never seemed uncomfortable in their own skin even when they weren’t totally comfortable with whatever the theme week genre was. I don’t really have too much of a preferenc for who wins this year, they’re both worthy.
But, did everyone catch the huge dis by ALL the judges on Kara’s song? She sat there after Adam’s performance with this smug, proud look on her face until every other judge either avoided giving the song kudos (can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all) or outright mocked it, (Simon). That had to have been the biggest public humiliation I’ve seen in years! I really felt sorry for her. I don’t dislike Kara as a judge, I just think 4 is too many, but I can’t imagine her wanting to come back next year anyway.
Well. My vote is still on KRIS! I love him and each week he separates himself further and further from Adam. Adam is too dramatic…which is why I think he is not going to win. Kris is just himself. Also, Kara’s song stinks, thank goodness for the fast forward button on the remote ! Its so cliche! (Monica pretty much said it all in her post…and I totally agree!) So anyway, we shall see. I hope the best man wins, but no matter who wins, they both have bright futures ahead. (OMG, that sounded like something Paula would say! Eeek.)
You guys realize that this is possibly the last season of American Idol? I mean look at it, the judges look like they are getting tired and just want it over with. I just found out this season that Simon travels back and forth from the UK to Los Angeles every week. So do you really think that Simon would leave a “home-land” show in order to keep American Idol going? I also believe that you can’t keep Idol going if just Simon leaves, he is a huge role to fill and I think most fans would be disappointed if that was the case…
I agree, if Simon leaves, the show is kaput. I think that Kara (or any 4th judge) disrupted the flow of the show, the ole saying “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” applies here, it should have remained the same judges. I think Kris is a true artist and deserves to win, that is the American spirit, or at least it was in my day, the guy who does it all on his own is usually comes out a winner. Now that Idol has helped us through a Kansas winter, time has come to get outdoors and enjoy America
talk with ya next year!
Kara gets on my LAST nerve. She always talks like she has to really make a POINT…like she is preaching…such emphasis, and it gets on my nerves! Her song at the end was horrid. Please no more Kara.
SYTYCD blog, I’m in.
Great show last night except for that horrid Kara song. Blecch. Too bubblegum for my tastes.
Phil thanks for the posts this year. Enjoyed it, and looking forward to your new record.
I tried voting for Kris off and on for over two hours – could only get through two times. That said, I think that is a good thing as it means lots of others were voting for him as well.
It was stupid for the judges to criticize Kris for his second song being too “laid back”, when HE DIDN’T EVEN PICK THE SONG. I’m sorry, but you just CANNOT ruin Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin On” by making it more upbeat and flashy. It just wouldn’t work!! I thought the performance was excellent and could actually envision myself toolin’ down the highway listening to it.
And Kara…OMG!!, that song was NOT good. Check out the most recent “Theory of a Dead Man” CD and you will hear a song that she co-wrote (Not Meant To Be) that is actually GOOD. BTW, Chris Daughtry ALSO co-wrote one of the songs (By The Way) on that CD as well. Both are VERY GOOD songs….
I think when it gets down to this point, it is almost UNFAIR for the judges to even comment on the performances. Their unadulterated PUSH for Adam is so obvious it is disgusting. Let people make up their own minds and quit trying to influence the votes. I will seriously love it if Kris wins out tonight over all the hoopla for Adam.
Kara is evidently immune from embarrassment. What a train wreck of a song — right up there with “MacArthur Park.” That’s what happens when three people write one, I guess. Both Adam and Kris just looked foolish singing it.
Nothing has changed my mind over what I said 3 months ago:
jerry
Posted February 19, 2009 at 2:05 pm | Permalink
Adam Lambert is your next American Idol. Game, set, match.
Regardless of the outcome, I truly wish all of you the best and had a great time following this blog. Thank you!
May the best man win. I thought Kris did an excellent job last night. Loved the 2nd song. Adam was okay last night. As Phil put it “his high powerful notes” ie: screaming/screeching was not as bad last night.
Kara, Kara, Kara: enough said.
I said last week that Simon appeared on the Oprah show and he said that his contract was up at the end of the season. I got the feeling that he is not coming back. No Simon NO show. My opinion only.
I have enjoyed reading everyone’s opinions and writing my own. See ya next year if there is one. NOW on to “So you think you can dance”. Have a great summer everyone!
ditto, jerry.
i hold my breath until they make the announcement tonight.
I think Kara was expecting rave reviews of her song, not gonna happen. I wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t something I want to hear again. I agree that they shouldn’t have put Kris down for his second song, I wonder if Simon deliberately picked that song so he wouldn’t do well??? I also agree that no Simon, no show. But please drop Kara!!
Kris will win. Idol doesn’t need a “KISS” wannabe.
Is it just me, or does EVERY SINGLE SONG Adam sings sound the same… sing, sing, sing, SCREAM, sing sing, SCREECH, sing, sing?
I am so tired of hearing him do that. Yes, hes a good singer, but he needs more than one sound!
GO CHRIS!!!
ADAM IS CROWNED!!!!!!
KARA has gotta go!!!!!
I just wanted to let all the people that have stated how busy Kris’ line was last night that up to the wire, ALL 3 of ADAM’S lines were busy! I really think this one is too close to call. Adam is a performer and a wonderful singer, which Kris can sing, play piano and strum a guitar. Frankly I think Adam is comfortable on the state and puts on the better show. Now, with that being said, how many of us still actually religiously listen to the former Idol winners? I think Adam has the chance of making a go of it, with an awesome band behind him pulling off a newer version of a David Bowie/Queen combination of showmanship. I’m not making fun of him AT ALL, in fact, this is WHY I think he should win. DIVERSITY!! Idol needed a good year to hide all the bickering between the judges and this one achieved that. With Adam in the mix, he opened alot of people’s eyes that there are singers out there who don’t quite fit the “norm” on the show, but can just totally WOW you when they are on stage. My HOPE is that Adam will win, but either way, they are both good. I will certainly purchase an Adam CD before I would Kris, but that is just my taste. We all know they will both have a recording contract. As for the judges, Simon needs to stay (though I think he’s ready to be done) and Kara needs to LEAVE! That song was totally overloaded with wording and sucked royally…..Adam pulled it off and Kris struggled. I think Idol was a happier place without her!!!
i wonder if it is clear that the other simon picked those songs last night, not simon cowell
Well, that makes a difference. I was wondering why he picked a song then criticized it.
Simon Fuller is the other Simon, correct?
Simon Fuller is the producer of the show and he is the one that picked their 2nd songs.
YAY…Kris won!
YAY YAY YAY! I’m doing my happy dance!