Those of you who follow GG’s “American Idol” wrap-ups every week on this site are probably also aware that he posts a results day blog on sonicclash.com. As I’m sure many of you know by now, teenager Scotty McCreery won the competition. As someone who didn’t watch a single episode of the show this year (GG’s posts were entertaining enough for me), I’m wondering if Scotty has what it takes to become a superstar in the vein of a Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson-or whether we’re looking at another Lee DeWyze/Kris Allen situation. As we’ve discussed on podcasts prior, maybe something needs to be done to limit those who go crazy with the texting and calling in to vote (most of whom seem to be teenage girls who would vote for someone like Scotty). I can’t say whether the talent pool has gotten worse, but it definitely seems like the more legitimately talented contestants are getting voted out earlier and earlier each year, and the voting public seems stuck on the safe bet. Scotty’s single is #1 on iTunes right now, which bodes well for his future-plus, he has the industry firepower of Jimmy Iovine behind him.
Today is Lenny Kravitz’s birthday, and the rocker celebrated by letting us know that his new album, Black & White America, will be released on August 30th. Second single “Stand” goes to radio in about a week and a half. I’ve always been a Lenny fan, despite the fact that his albums have been amazingly inconsistent over the years. The album’s leadoff track, “Come On & Get It” premiered during NBA All-Star weekend, and the response was quite muted (because, quite frankly, the song fucking sucked). I’m hoping Lenny can get it together and make a good album, although why do we have to wait three whole months for it?
We only have to wait a few short weeks for Beyonce’s fourth album (appropriately entitled 4). The album comes out on June 21st. While the response to first single “Run the World (Girls)” has been (deservedly) muted, she premiered a new song called “1 + 1” on “Idol” last night. GG mentioned it in his SonicClash post, and I’ve got to agree with him-this song is much, MUCH better than “Run the World” is. She also announced the track listing for the 12-song set, and I must say that I’m surprised to see only one guest performer (and what a guest performer it is-the too often M.I.A. Andre 3000). I’m all for discovering new sounds, but let’s hope that B’s new album sounds a little more like “1 + 1” and not so much like “Run the World”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUSQqt3C5yk
4 comments
GG says:
May 26, 2011
At the very least in Scotty, they’ll have someone who will do very well in his genre. I’m not convinced he’ll sell a ton of records to their fanbase though. I know Matty B. thinks he’s going to be a stud though and I trust him in his field.
I really liked the Beyonce song. I generally am unsatisfied with her albums in full, but I’ll have to get the new one too.
blerd says:
May 26, 2011
I’m in the same boat. I anticipate her albums, and then get disappointed when I’m finally listen to them.
Andrew says:
May 27, 2011
Best things about Season 10:
1. Jimmy Iovine: best damn thing to happen to the show. Ever. The man is a perfect blend of industry smarts, experience and vision, and he coaches in a no-nonsense, constructive style that worked wonders with the singers.
2. Vegas Week: adding this new layer to the audition process gave the judges the opportunity to see how the chosen hopefuls (I think it was fifty-ish at that point) would manage in a real world theatrical setting (The Beatles/Cirque du Soleil stage). It gave us a preview of how each singer might handle (or not handle) the AI stage in Hollywood, given the opportunity.
3. The Hangar: Final audition, and it’s just you and the judges – in a much more intimidating environment than just getting back up on the Hollywood theater stage again. They kept up the pressure, and some that looked solid at first wilted. Gave the judges (and us) a good look at the remaining talent vying for the slots on the main show.
4. J Lo and Steven Tyler: they brought new perspective to the opening auditions. Very easygoing, and made sure to put singers at ease (for the most part) – what I loved most was Steven urging the obviously not-so-talented NOT to give up when he could see that they were really doing it out of a real love for music and singing. That was a big change from Simon shutting people down more often than not. J Lo offered up some of the most insightful comments of the season, usually making a lot more sense than INITTOWINIT / SORRYDAWGITSNOTYOURTHANG Jackson
Worst things about Season 10:
1. “Beautiful”: As much as I loved Steven during the auditions, I hated him during the competition. Practically every performance was “just beautiful, man, beautiful”. Don’t know if they deliberately muzzled him after his sizzling audition episodes, but it was a bad move. Maybe they should put the live show on a longer delay, and just deal with his antics. Let those lips flap baby!
2. Randy Jackson’s Tiny Book of Catch Phrases, Critiques and Creativity. Dude. You were VP of A&R at a major label. I’m sure you know how to hand out constructive criticism that is unique and helpful for each performance. I mean, I like you and all, but dude – this is YOUR thang now. If you don’t get off cruise control, I’m voting you out, and putting Jimmy in your place. (Not a bad idea at all, I think)
3. THE VOTING. Naturally, I am all for AT&T getting hit up for 750 million texts in three months due to one TV show. I like my corporate bonuses, and I like them big. However. I do NOT like corporately chosen music. But we must make our money, and we must pay the (FOX/ATT/TALENT) piper, so…
What if we took all the measurable statistics – texts, calls, online surveys and downloads – and counted each unique DEVICES used as one vote each? Some people would have less ways to vote, but the huge numerical difference between the single voter and the serial voter would be greatly reduced. Something else we could do – use the thumbs up / thumbs down function of TiVo to capture stats on each performance – that could be factored in as well. Come up with a BCS-type formula is at least more meaningful and a bit more accurate than text-text-text-text-text-text-text-text-…
There you have it. A Tomato tome for the ages. haven’t written that much in a long time. feels kinda good actually
TOMATO OUT
blerd says:
May 27, 2011
Bravo, sir.