Even though they are taught not to, filmmakers do indeed use music in their films as a crutch. Something to aid in the viewers emotions of what they are seeing. So, forever when you hear "Secret Garden" by Springsteen you can't help but think about the then-adorable Renee Zellweger and Tom Cruise on their first date. It's even harder to escape since I will always hear KISS-FM's version with the famous dialogue laid on top of the track. "You complete me." So even if a song, well, sucks, you have the images of America's most famous staring back at you to make you like the song. This should create the perfect cocktail of entertainment for American Idol, but instead it was a big sad factor of sappiness...with one exception.
The evening started with Alison Iraheta's take on "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing." Has no one learned ANYTHING from the last 7 years? I do have to admit that her vocals were by far the best I have ever heard of that song on AI, but it's still an overused, sappy song if not sung by Stephen Tyler, and even then we got sick of it by 1999.
Anoop was okay...I DO love Bryan Adams, who doesn't? But it wasn't strong enough to make me emote. I mean I just remembered what that song was from...Kevin Costner doesn't help anything or anyone at anytime.
Adam was back to his fun-self, which is always good, so I can't really say anything about him...but I agree with Simon...not as good as last week. We all love a man on a stool in the middle of the stage with nothing but a mic and his heart hangin' out. But again, MOVIE WEEK!!! Soooo many other choices!
I love Danny Gokey (sp?), yes I am lazy, I know I could just open a new browser window and google his name, but, meh. I digress. I love Danny, and I love that he loves his deceased wife...and I am sure that "Endless Love" is quite special to his heart...but for anyone under the age of 35...ummm, no. I don't see tweens flocking to their cellphones to text it in for a song they have no idea exists. That being said, their moms will more than make up for their votes. It was song very well, amazing even, but if you don't care about the song, then what does it really matter?
Matt: I LOVE that song...I could hear the theme from Don Juan DeMarco a million times and never get over it...but, sigh. I honestly do not remember that movie...I know it has Johnny Depp, but that's all I got. With YOUR vocals and piano talent, I dunno. I am by no means a music critic or even expert, but I know what people like. People like to be moved. That one didn't even move me and I am a hopeless romantic.
This brings me to my one exception: Kris Allen. He chose a relevant, relatively new (in compared with the mid-90's SAD-FM choices of other contestants) from the much lauded film, "Once." He actually didn't even get into the groove of the song until the chorus, but who gives a shit when that face mixed with that arrangement and those lyrics comes into play? That song has everything a movie theme should have: originality, strength, relevance to the film's plot and good ol' fashion likability. I am obviously contradicting myself in that I know the tweens will not have any idea what this song is, however, they cannot help but feel those violins, hear the pure female backup and see Kris' emotions seep through. I didn't even miss his guitar. I agree with Kara, that THIS was truly a defining moment for him...memorable. I quote Simon Cowell if he had gotten a chance to voice his opinion on Kris tonight "A star was just born on that stage."
I know there was more to the show, but the fact that I am not mentioning it should be a metaphor for the entire evening.
So, in short, Kris was by far and wide the biggest winner here...by a mile. I will probably wake up to my foot inserted into my mouth and he will be in the bottom three...that seems to be how things happen with my luck, but I don't care. He moved me, and that means he probably moved America. I judge how good someone is on American Idol by if they make me look up from the work I am doing...Kris made me look.
Congrats Kris, THIS was your David Cook's "Always Be My Baby." Trust me--that's good.
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