The rules have changed abit for this season of American Idol but it promises to be the hottest ever because this batch of competitors are some of the best we've ever seen... or so it says in the commercials. So is AI4 all it's hyped up to be? Judging from the audition and Hollywood rounds, we haven't really encountered anyone as distinctive as Fantasia Barrino or as talented as Latoya London but I think it's still a wee bit early to set our bets on anyone yet. MY rankings for the 1st semifinal performances are as follows:
2. Anwar Robinson a.k.a the guy with the xtra-long dreadlocks --- Rather slow start on MoonRiver but gradually transformed into quite a showstopper; definitely the best vocal performance tonight. However, what's up with that YELLOW jacket thingy?????
3. Bo Bice a.k.a the not-so-goodlooking rocker --- You just gotta love his vocals. Very warm. Best rendition of Drift Away I've heard. EVER. And very catchy name.. sounds like a brand of cereal. LOL
4. Scott Savol a.k.a the white Ruben --- Superb voice. Looked very affable-Santa-Claus-kind in the early episodes but now he looks kinda weird. Bad song choice though; can't make out what he's singing...
5. David Brown a.k.a the Black church guy --- Good voice.. hmmm.. OKlah. Not very memorable though... Desperately needs a fashion make-over ;p
6. Anthony Federov a.k.a the next Clay --- Pleasant voice but not WOW. Comparisons with Clay are unjustified (Clay's SOOOO much better). I agree with Simon on this one.. "as dull as dishwater."
7. Constantine Maroulis a.k.a the better-looking rocker --- Not-so-nice voice. But better stage presence. Thankfully, he didn't butcher this song too much...
8. Judd Harris a.k.a this season's John Peter Lewis but with better vocals. --- Kinda short but rather likeable...
9. Nikko Smith's Part Time Lover was't too shabby either.. this dude can sing.
10. Joseph Murena and 11. Travis Tucker were just so-so...
12. Jared Yates --- totally BLAH~
The Gals
1. Carrie Underwood a.k.a country-girl --- VERY nice performance. Confident stage presence, strong and sure vocals. However, wasn't really spectacular.2. Nadia Turner a.k.a the afro-ed diva --- SHE ROCKS!!! I'm not too sure about her vocals but at least she's different from the rest and different is always good. Maybe it's the hair?? yeah.. definitely the hair... lol
3. Vonzell Solomon a.k.a the singing postwoman --- didn't blow me away actually but her Heatwave was as good as K.Locke's frm Season 2 and J.Hudson frm Season 3. We'll be seeing more of her for sure.
4. Lindsay Cardinale a.k.a this season's Julia Demato but with better vocals --- She's so sweet-looking yet her voice is soooo pure.. almost husky. Hope she gets through... I need some eye-candy!! :p
5. Mikalah Gordon a.k.a the FranDrescher-MinnieDriver hybrid --- I lurve her vocal tone; it's very distinctive and uncommon. I'm not sure what are the limits of her vocals though... At times, her bubbly-ness gets on my nerves; she's abit cocky, dunchathinkso??
6. Aloha Mischeaux a.k.a the chubby-girl-who-thinks-she's-beyonce --- Denim jacket over flowy and RED knee-length dress does NOT work. Especially if there's a cutesy flower in hair as well. Nevertheless, she can sing and I'm wondering what she sounds like on a power ballad...
7 - 12 (I can't decide their rankings cuz' they weren't that good or that bad. AND none of them really stands out) --- Amanda Avila, Janey Castine, Sarah Mather, Melinda Lira, Celena Rae, & Jessica Sierra.
Verdict
It's easier to tell which of the boys are the better singers/performers but not so with the girls; all of the latter do have decent voices but half of them are not very impressionable. Seriously, I'm not too sure if AI4 will be all that great because I'm not really rooting for anyone yet. Perhaps the Idol craze is gradually losing steam...
