AI Addict, Still?

That I am writing about it now (just after I got the internet feed from a wayward wi-fi signal here in Seoul), most probably confirms I still am. But let me qualify.

I admit I am a singing contest addict and will probably be for long. So I guess I will have to watch American Idol whenever I can and wherever I am, circumstances permitting. So the better the question could rather be, am I as crazily fanatical to the show as I have always been?

The answer is no. I have come to the conclusion that Season 8 contestants are the most boring lot. While they could indeed sing (how could they not after passing through the proverbial needle’s eye), they just don’t bring the same excitement as the others from past seasons did.

Allow me to speak my two cents as I make a roll call (including the recent kick-outs):

Lil Rounds – She definitely is a good singer. Problem is, she comes to AI after many other black divas have made their mark and against whom she could not hold a candle to (Fantasia, Melinda Doolittle, Jennifer Hudson, etc). If it were some other singing contest, I am sure she would do well and the judges will in turn not be as harsh on her.

Anoop Desai – Heard the studio versions of his songs and they sounded good. But not great enough. He’s like the one good singer you hear in a karaoke bar – you appreciate his talent but will forget as soon as next good singer shows off his wares. But still, I’m sure he will last longer in the public eye than Sanjaya.

Allison Iraheta – She rocks, yes. She may actually be able to end up having her own niche in the rock music world after AI. But is she ultimate Idol, material? That would be an insult to previous runners-up.

Matt Giraud – He’s got style and he does offer something different from previous wannabes. But he has not been hitting his high notes! Those were not smooth falsettos for chrissakes! For Pinoy enthusiasts, he normally does the unforgivable!

Chris Allen – His studio versions are actually good and he’s had many good moments. But if he wins, half of his votes would be due to his looks than his singing.

Danny Gokey – Great balladeer, no doubt. Edgy on one side but emotional on the other. But he belongs to the same mold as David Cook’s. And placed side by side against the latter, he surely will shrink.

Adam Lambert – Probably the man with the highest range ever. But American Idol? Come on! Listen to his studio versions and all he’s got extraordinary is range! Original? The man simply can’t follow instructions! The reason why the contestants are made to sing songs from a certain genre is to test their versatility. But if one is asked to sing a country song but performs a meditteranean rock instead, or a disco song but instead makes the audience cry, that is insulting and should not be praised.

But then again, it is crystal clear that AI has made its decision. Adam Lambert will be this year’s Idol. So regardless of what he does, he gets away with it. But this I foresee - as soon as he wins, he will have the same fate as that gray-haired soul patrol whatever Idol…who was that guy again?

To end, I submit that the best top ten ever was Season 7’s. Theirs I think, was the most talented, most diverse and most original lot. What say you?