Seldom have I had to engage in such heated debate over an American Idol contestant as I've done today over Adam Lambert with Facebook and Twitter friends (@HowardCohen, to follow), colleagues and contacts. He's that rarity on Idol -- someone INTERESTING who can draw passions on both side, pro and con.
Haters point to his Broadway experience as an unfair advantage to which I say, swine puckey. Broadway has little to nothing to do with rock and roll or giving one a leg up on a pop music career. How many major pop stars has Broadway delivered? I can name one off the top of my head: Barbra Streisand in 1963. It's an entirely different field with different requirements and expectations. Plus, almost all contestants on Idol have some experience in the arts. Most have either been in bands, put out independent albums, appeared on other talent shows or a combination of all of the above.
Fans, meantime, champion Adam's versatility, powerful voice, presence and star quotient. Count me firmly in that camp, although it took me a few weeks to "get" this guy. I can see why he'd be an acquired taste for some. Still, for seven years I've dreaded the resulting Idol winner's album -- even for the good contestants like Kelly Clarkson. Adam's I can't wait to hear -- and, no, I don't expect it'll have anything to do with Broadway music.
Anyhow, he's not going home tonight. We'll find out who will be a few minutes before 10 p.m. -- after we face the dreaded group number and a performance from Gokey's predecessor in blustery pop, Taylor Hicks (Season 5 champ).
Too screechy. Fine for Broadway. Would never buy his album. Would buy one from Kris, fo show.
Posted by: Idolgirl | April 29, 2009 at 08:52 PM
ditto, idolgirl.
Posted by: lesley | April 29, 2009 at 09:01 PM
I can't imagine anything more boring than a Kris Allen record. Guy hasn't a hint of star quality, charisma, style or freshness of voice. Maybe for 12 year olds who are ready to graduate to Hannah Montana he might fit a niche.
Funny, too, how Broadway, which actually requires vocal talent and the ability to work a stage, is such a dirty word among Idol watchers. I'm not a fan of musicals, myself, and I don't think Adam's broadway either (not the way Clay Aiken was). Adam's rock and there has long been theatrics woven into rock music. Would you dismiss Freddie Mercury as Broadway? Axl Rose? Steven Tyler? Mick Jagger?
Probably would had they been on Idol competing against bland pablum contestants like Hokey and Kris.
Posted by: Howard Cohen | April 30, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Plenty of Idol contestants arise passions on both sides of the spectrum. You just happen to like this particular guy better and that's OK, have at it.
Adam goes screechy at times. We've gotten little peeks at his lower register, but he doesn't spend any time down there so he has never truly shown any versatility. Freddie Mercury, Axl Rose, Steven Tyler, and Mick Jagger all have demonstrated more versatility and range than Adam has so far.
Posted by: Annie | May 01, 2009 at 05:06 PM