Posted at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19
THIS SEASON'S "IDOL" SO FAR
"IDOL" SEASON 8 PHOTO GALLERY
Adam Lambert performs Tuesday night. Fox photos
Adam Lambert and Kris Allen sang themselves into a dead heat Tuesday on “American Idol,” but Lambert deserves to rock to victory Wednesday.
He gave the show its most exciting moments this year—and sang beautifully too boot.
Tuesday’s final sing-off wasn’t as compelling as advertised. Both singers performed quite songs, with Lambert toning down his rocker wail and Allen singing pretty much the way he did all season—safely.
According to Simon Cowell, strummer Allen took Round 1 with his performance of “Ain’t No Sunshine” over screamer Lambert’s “Mad World.” But Lambert took Round 2, singing “Change Is Gonna Come” while Allen sang “What’s Going On.”
Both men sang the new “Idol” single, “No Boundaries,” co-written by judge Kara DioGuardi, but Cowell didn’t call that round. He simply shook his head at the craptastic song—truly as schlocky as any past “Idol” song.
But back to the competition: Lambert, long the judges’ favorite, got only praise from Cowell after his final performance.
“You have been one of the best, most original contestants we’ve ever had on the show,” Cowell said. “The whole idea of doing a show like this is that you hope that you can find a worldwide star. I genuinely believe with all my heart that we have found that with you.”
And that’s why Lambert should wear the “Idol” crown when Ryan Seacrest announces the results at the end of what will be a bloated, two-hour finale beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
A Lambert win wouldn’t surprise Chicago-based singer/songwriter Matthew Santos (right), who took a break Tuesday from rehearsing for his free June 4 show at the Lasalle Power Co. to talk to me about the finalists.
Santos, who sang the hook on Lupe Fiasco’s “Superstar,” thinks Lambert has the makings of one.
“Adam is such a versatile performer, I’m more curious to hear an album he’d put out,” Santos said.
Santos rated each singers performances up to Tuesday night’s show, consistently ranking Lambert higher. He thinks Allen plays it too safe too often, he said.
“He’s good, but not great,” he said. “And he’s not adding anything fresh to the songs.”
Santos compared Allen to Jason Mraz, but went a little further back for his Lambert comparison.
“Adam has a Robert Plant, [Jeff] Buckley, Janis Joplin thing,” he said.
That was apparent Tuesday, when Lambert nailed “Change Is Gonna Come” with a very Joplinesque performance.
He doesn’t need to win “American Idol.” He’s already a star.
7 Comments
Jane said:
You couldn't be more wrong. Adam's singing is screechy and nothing flows. If he didn't have outrageous attitude/ego/arrogance - his voice would be exposed.
Curt's reply: He's got a great voice an crazy control. He's just got to control it more. And he puts on a show. But hey, to each his own. Thanks for commenting.
Marcus said:
Kris Allen seems like a great guy and all, but Kara DioGuardi rocked him like a hurricane right out of this competition. There were no boundaries about it, that last performance was the worst ever on an American Idol finale. I was predicting Adam to win AI by 10 million votes, make it 15-20.
Per the previous comment - how does Adam show his "arrogance" exactly? Is it by thanking the band after every performance? Is it by pointing at his competitors and asking the audience to cheer for them? Is it by complimenting the judges even when they are criticizing him?
You need to rewatch Adam's "Mad World" again and tell me how "screechy" it is and that "nothing flows" in it. OK I'm done. I'll see you all tomorrow night as confetti rains down on Adam Lambert's glorious black fingernails!
Curt's reply: Readers, Marcus is a Glambert, I think. LOL. Thanks for commenting
Marianadam (South Africa) said:
Anybody who does not believe that Adam can sing should download 'Adam Lambert Brigadoon'. Although you may not enjoy classical singing you will surely appreciate the intrinsic beauty of Adam's voice, his vocal range and incredible control. I listen to mainly classical, opera and jazz and I am completely blown away by Adam. The so-called 'screaming' does not bother me at all. I love that he dares to be different. He truly deserves to win. I can't wait to buy his CD.
Curt's reply: Thanks for that tip. I never thought about how well Adam probably would sing classical well.
Terri said:
Why are Adam's high, powerful notes referred to as screaming or screeching? When I hear him sing I am not hearing screaming. Have people never heard rock and roll before? And if he did decide to scream, he could do it with control that would rival Corey Tayler of Slipknot or Axl Rose of Guns n Roses.
I thought the finale was BORING and wondered if perhaps Adam doesn't want to win. He held back, either because he hoped to get Danny's votes and win, or if he hoped to lose because he has been made other offers that he would rather entertain than being the American Idol for the next year.
I am from Arkansas but voted for Adam because I think he is more talented. However I am proud of Kris and I think he can do more than what he is showing us. My son is acquainted with Kris and said he's a nice guy. When he told people he was going to be on American Idol, nobody believed him!
Curt's reply: News from an insider! Thanks
Kathy said:
It seems that heavy metal music is really popular with troops on patrol in Iraq and Afghanistan. Wouldn't it be totally cool if Adam Lambert could feed that need? Not sure Idol is the right vehicle to produce that music , but I understand that winners only have to wear the crown for a year.
Just a thought.
Curt's reply: I think Adam might be better off as No. 2. We'll see. Thanks
Kathy said:
I'm disappointed that Adam didn't win, but not surprised! He's way too good for American Idol --he simply blew everyone else away whether he won or not! He was such a wonderful surprise on that show! I would definitely go see Adam perform -- he's electric! Kris does seem like a very nice guy, and maybe he'll make it as a song writer/arranger -- a Paul Simon kind of guy. Adam is so special -- I remember every one of his performances and actually my favorite was Ring of Fire -- it was way out there and I loved it!!! I think Johnny Cash would have loved it too! While all of the other contestants were just trying to sing as best they could, Adam was more interested in entertaining us -- and he did. With Adam's rather low key performances on Tuesday night (except for Sam Cook song) - I suspected also that he didn't really want to win. Some performers are extraoridinary and other worldly, and Adam's one of them. I would like to know him. I'm not sure I would buy a CD (depends on what's on it), but I will definitely go see him.
Curt's reply: Ring of Fire was my fave of Adam's as well. Thanks for commenting
michael jordan shoes said:
Stay positive no matter what, but not in denial.
Curt's reply: I'm not sure what you mean, but thanks for the comment.
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