Lauren's windpower questioned; Scotty's tonsils impoverished

[koganbot]

Just posted this on Rolling Country about the Alaina-Scotty final on AI:



To my surprise, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina are the last two standing on American Idol. I was sure that James Durbin would win it, he being a mediocre rocker with enthusiastic performing, just what's won the last few years. Think Lauren sings with vastly more life, subtlety, and passion than Scotty; but I also think I mischaracterized her a little upthread when I said she had a big blustery voice. I think she has a big blustery talent, but the voice isn't big enough yet for all the bluster, and she often goes for wallop she can't reach. Scotty's got a strong love-man demeanor and wants richness that his tonsils lack, though he's nice to listen to on a talent show. The out-of-character "Candle In The Wind" is still the best thing Lauren did. A weak field, so the overreaching sexpot Haley Reinhart reached third and to my surprise occasionally grabbed what she was grasping for, "House Of The Rising Sun" in particular being a song to reward all that stretching.

I also posted a country singles 2011 top 10, which unfortunately included Aaron Lewis.

Comments

[skyecaptain.livejournal.com]

which unfortunately included Aaron Lewis.

Really? Have you written about this one? I found it fascinating but awful.

[koganbot]

Only what I posted on Rolling Country. I find the song's politics offensively ignorant and the social posturing fourth-rate in comparison to similar but first-rate posturing by Montgomery Gentry and Eric Church; the tensions within the posture fascinate me always, based as it is on the assumption that one can be compromised and destroyed. The singing and sound are way better than fourth-rate.

[koganbot]

Also really liked Haley's "Earth Song," amazed that she went up against Burdon and Jacko and came out OK. She's someone who improved as the show went on. Still think Lauren's the only one who might ever matter from here on, though a lot will depend on whom she works with. And for all I know, Haley might find the right team and click, though slashing away on old warhorses seems her strength, so can't tell how she'd do in the modern electrovoice age.

[koganbot]

amazed that she went up against Burdon and Jacko and came out OK

Er, right, I just listened to the Animals' "House Of The Rising Sun" and it's a different universe of achievement there.

[justfanoe.livejournal.com]

Although I have discontinued posting on the show, due to general boredom, I have still been watching. I still think Lauren is the class of this season. I agree that Haley significantly improved as the season has gone on. I love Scotty's voice but his performances have gotten pretty boring.

[koganbot]

The Animals "House Of The Rising Sun"

Haley Reinhart "Earth Song" on American Idol.