The top ten males in Fox's American Idol showed their stuff this past Wednesday, 3/1/06. I am a bit more intrigued with this year's crop of guys than the crop of girls.
I write this missive the morning after the top ten guys' debut but before the second round of elimination. In the interest of fair and balanced, I will put my thoughts and predictions for eliminations up front. After the second elimination round I'll append the post then put it up for publication.
Meanwhile here's my initial post on the fellows of AI and another Blogcritic's take on this year's male contenders.
Even though I claim to be intrigued by the male choices this year for the 2006 American Idol, I thought the song selections for the top ten show to be a bit, well, boring. Now I suppose things will heat up as the contenders are further culled but based on the songs on the first night of March in this year of our Lord, 2006, I'd strongly urge a bit more originality.
Taylor Hicks, an oddly Jay Leno look-alike, sang "Easy." A nice song for a Karaoke party but hardly the stuff of superstar propulsion. Tonight I thought his voice had a kind of grating quality. A quality I didn't notice during Hicks' first performance so I must wonder if Taylor wasn't trying to impress us with a voice ability we didn't know he had. Whatever the case, the tone didn't suit that song but might go well with a more rollicking rocking song. Hicks did wear a nice suit that was pleasant and a change from torn jeans. The judges all thought Taylor picked the wrong song. After Taylor's performance I moved him out of my top three picks to be replaced by another who did a better job on this top ten guy night.
Elliott Yamin sang a Stevie Wonder song. If one artist has been predominantly featured so far in this competition, it is Stevie. Which is fine in that Stevie Wonder has some great songs but if I were competing in this contest I'd be thinking a little more outside the box. Now with Yamin I see a big problem with this fellow and it has nothing to do with his voice.
Article comments
1 - -E
I think Taylor and Chris are the ones to watch. That little Will guy is interesting, but I don't think he has what it takes. And Ace, are you kidding me? I don't think he has it. Everyone finds him to be some hottie or something, but I think he looks swarmy. That and he seems to struggle in his songs.
2 - richmondlover
The mere fact that you didn't include Elliott Yamin in your top 3 picks shows that you don't look for the right elements in your picks. You included Ace Young.. yeah he's pretty I'll give him that.. but c'mon.. this guy is nothing but a poser and his vocals.. nothing short of lackluster. And Will Makar... are you kidding me? Chris and Elliott.. the 2 best of the night. I'm curious to see if Chris can handle any kind of genre outside of his hard rocker box. Honestly, I thought he screamed a little too much during his performance of Hemmhorage. Elliott?... the pure winner of the night. His vocals? Flawless
3 - Mark Saleski
elimination round: is it just me or did paula seem drugged? all of that weird laughing and inappropriate commentary. strange.
4 - NR Davis
Mr. Saleski, I can't say it's just you, but I, for one, did not get that impression. I think Paula was, for the most part, great.
I'm for Taylor, Elliott and Chris. Indeed, Ace is nice eye candy ("Swarmy"? Do you mean "smarmy," perhaps or "swarthy?"), but he doesn't sing as well as Paula and Randy would have us believe.
5 - Mark Saleski
it'll be very interesting to see how the votes go down the road. elliott is certainly no looker, but the guy can sing, sing, sing.
6 - Jewels
Definitely wasn't Tay's night. Way too many Woo woo's. Nerves perhaps...
Regarding Chris, I really liked what he did, nice rocker vibe.
The rest, well, Elliot may be on the strange-looking side without pretty 'pearlies', but he was perfect vocally. The best of the guys in regard to just singing.
Ace, well, he holds no interest for me.
I'm with you Mark Saleski, regarding Paula. She was positively giddy for this being an elimination portion of the show.
Well, she may be getting jaded after all these seasons.
I still am backing Taylor Hicks, but he has got to do something else next week. "Woo woo's", no mas, por favor.
7 - Jim
Elliott did NOT sing a Stevie Wonder song. Paula was, as usual, confused. That song is by James Moody.
So we're supposed to not like someone because they have bad teeth (which were caused by juvenile diabetes), yet we're ALSO supposed to love Ace, who makes those weird faces when he sings and sounds like he's being castrated? The photo you have of him on this page isn't even that good-looking, to be honest.
Give me Elliott any day over another generic-looking type who can't even wash his hair.
8 - chantal stone
Jim...i caught that mistake too, about that "Stevie Wonder" song...Paula was totally clueless.
and why is Elliot's teeth even up for discussion? he can sing his ass off, and this is, after all, a SINGING competition. are we really that shallow? (don't answer)
9 - -E
No kidding. Jewel had a huge gap in her teeth but still had some big hits, and many considered her hot with the flaws in her teeth. That should totally be a non issue.
10 - sharon
i think american idol should stop the show now chris daughtry is obviously america's next americcan idol, and he deserves it!!!!!!
11 - shirley
ah......hindsight.......