Comments on: American Idol 9 Top 12 – iTunes Reviews http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm American Idol - I Love This Cheesy Show Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:45:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: CynicalDog http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-4/#comment-612869 CynicalDog Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:00:19 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612869 These varied reviews show how much of a "YMMV" quality there is to music. I adored Lacey's studio version of "Ruby Tuesday" and I've listened to it multiple times because I can't get enough of it. I told my partner that I'd definitely buy an album by Lacey, based on that one song, even though I didn't care for any of her live performances. I also loved Siobhan's studio recording of "Paint it Black" more than I liked the live version, and again, I'd love an entire album from her. When she sings she seems to really feel/mean/interpret the lyrics, and I think her voice is gorgeous. The big surprise for me about the iTunes studio versions of the songs was that I didn't really like Crystal's recording, and in fact, I've only listened to it once. I much preferred her live AI performance, which I felt had more personality. If I had to name my one single favourite artist it would be the Indigo Girls (I've been a fan since I first saw them live 22 years ago), but I've always preferred them live to recorded, too. Crystal was definitely my favourite when this season of AI started, but I've since gravitated towards Siobhan. I hope Crystal will shake things up a bit this week and surprise me with an unconventional song choice/arrangement like David Cook did so often. These varied reviews show how much of a “YMMV” quality there is to music. I adored Lacey’s studio version of “Ruby Tuesday” and I’ve listened to it multiple times because I can’t get enough of it. I told my partner that I’d definitely buy an album by Lacey, based on that one song, even though I didn’t care for any of her live performances. I also loved Siobhan’s studio recording of “Paint it Black” more than I liked the live version, and again, I’d love an entire album from her. When she sings she seems to really feel/mean/interpret the lyrics, and I think her voice is gorgeous.

The big surprise for me about the iTunes studio versions of the songs was that I didn’t really like Crystal’s recording, and in fact, I’ve only listened to it once. I much preferred her live AI performance, which I felt had more personality. If I had to name my one single favourite artist it would be the Indigo Girls (I’ve been a fan since I first saw them live 22 years ago), but I’ve always preferred them live to recorded, too.

Crystal was definitely my favourite when this season of AI started, but I’ve since gravitated towards Siobhan. I hope Crystal will shake things up a bit this week and surprise me with an unconventional song choice/arrangement like David Cook did so often.

]]> By: wonderings http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-4/#comment-612850 wonderings Mon, 22 Mar 2010 06:19:42 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612850 <blockquote>Is there a studio recording of Alex? Didn’t know that and would love to hear it. I couldn’t find it in this thread. Could you find a link for that Dlynne? Thanks.</blockquote> There are only the performance recordings available for those that went out 24 - 13, unfortunately. So they're short & definitely 'tweaked' in spots, which may or may not be necessary, depending on the performer. The tracks are still on itunes but they're pretty buried - searching for a contestant out before Top 12 will only bring up the main Idol page that does not list contestants other than, yes, the Top 12. But if you go to any of the T12 contestants second performances there are "listeners also bought" links to the bootees. Here's a link to "Everybody Knows" to try: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/everybody-knows-american-idol/id359964508?i=359964595 I spent 4 bucks on all three of Alex's tracks as a small amount of support b/c I dig his voice and wanted to show TPTB that I'd buy his music. They amp up the background vocals/music and put some subtle but unnecessary & annoying echo/reverb on his voice in places. Grrrr. I prefer the vocals taken straight from his performances.

Is there a studio recording of Alex? Didn’t know that and would love to hear it. I couldn’t find it in this thread. Could you find a link for that Dlynne? Thanks.

There are only the performance recordings available for those that went out 24 – 13, unfortunately. So they’re short & definitely ‘tweaked’ in spots, which may or may not be necessary, depending on the performer.

The tracks are still on itunes but they’re pretty buried – searching for a contestant out before Top 12 will only bring up the main Idol page that does not list contestants other than, yes, the Top 12. But if you go to any of the T12 contestants second performances there are “listeners also bought” links to the bootees.

Here’s a link to “Everybody Knows” to try:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/everybody-knows-american-idol/id359964508?i=359964595

I spent 4 bucks on all three of Alex’s tracks as a small amount of support b/c I dig his voice and wanted to show TPTB that I’d buy his music. They amp up the background vocals/music and put some subtle but unnecessary & annoying echo/reverb on his voice in places. Grrrr. I prefer the vocals taken straight from his performances.

]]> By: Reflections On Life http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-4/#comment-612840 Reflections On Life Mon, 22 Mar 2010 05:22:44 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612840 of the rolling stones itunes recordings... <strong>LEE </strong>- my fav is lee's beast of burden. the angst with which he rocks it gives it more poignancy than the stones original. i was blown away & frankly quite surprised at that level of earthy vulnerable sexiness from him. <strong>CRYSTAL </strong>- crystal's is just so polished, effortless, instinctual - like melinda doolittle, she just doesn't "belong" on idol. the live version showcased her clearer-than-expected tone. <strong>DIDI </strong>- didi is less in-your-face than in her live performance, but more cool-as-a-cucumber (like "i don't get mad, i get even"), a diff but equally valid interpretation. <strong>MICHAEL </strong>- i like michael's miss you, very clean & showed off his vocals. <strong>CASEY </strong>- casey's was fun for its arrangement. his singing neither added nor subtracted. it was a win for ricky minor, not for casey. the rest had very forgettable rolling stones i-tunes, but did have some good other itunes... Michael - <strong>this woman's work</strong> - his lower-than-maxwell's voice add's poignancy to the lyric Didi - <strong>rhiannon </strong>- i like her rhiannon better than stevie nicks because she makes me relate to the lyric. Lacey - <strong>the story</strong> - she sounds very diff from brandi carlisle, so brings a jewel-like intimacy to the song. Crystal - <strong>give me one reason</strong> - agree with sleazak of EW that she makes the song more sexy in an urgent & raw way. Andrew - <strong>sugar we're going down</strong> - his spin makes the song cooler & more interesting than fall out boy's own version. Paige - <strong>walk away</strong> - i was surprised at how good (not yet great) it was, showed she's capable of being a pop-rock artist. but can an african american female make it in this genre? it'd probably sound even better w/ laryngitis! <strong>Casey </strong>- i generally liked-not-loved all his i-tunes. <strong>Aaron </strong>- his 2 country i-tunes songs were pretty good, better than i was expecting! country's justin beiber? <strong>Siobhan </strong>is better on TV than on i-tunes, where she's completely boring. I *don't* get the paramore / flyleaf thing from her. But I could see her fronting an 80's-influenced band, like the killers or panic at the disco or franz ferdinand - she has the rounded tones of '80s new wave / modern rock. Her quirky-ugly-cute thing is more 80s-early90s too. I also love her head-tones live - almost enya-like! <strong>Katie </strong>is on the wrong show. She needs to hook up with Disney fast, before she ages out of that genre. She looks & sounds like Selena Gomez & Demi Lovato, if a little more boring than them, but Disney could coach & morph her. <strong>Tim </strong>reminds me of Ashton Kutcher in That 70s Show! He has the clearest tones of this group of 12, but that makes him better as a session singer or k-tel singer. I find his come on get higher even more comical than his under my thumb ("swing of your hips", "pull me down hard"... seriously??). Could he pull off "hey soul sister", with its reggae vibe? Maybe a singer, not an artist. of the rolling stones itunes recordings…
LEE - my fav is lee’s beast of burden. the angst with which he rocks it gives it more poignancy than the stones original. i was blown away & frankly quite surprised at that level of earthy vulnerable sexiness from him.
CRYSTAL - crystal’s is just so polished, effortless, instinctual – like melinda doolittle, she just doesn’t “belong” on idol. the live version showcased her clearer-than-expected tone.
DIDI - didi is less in-your-face than in her live performance, but more cool-as-a-cucumber (like “i don’t get mad, i get even”), a diff but equally valid interpretation.
MICHAEL - i like michael’s miss you, very clean & showed off his vocals.
CASEY - casey’s was fun for its arrangement. his singing neither added nor subtracted. it was a win for ricky minor, not for casey.

the rest had very forgettable rolling stones i-tunes, but did have some good other itunes…
Michael – this woman’s work – his lower-than-maxwell’s voice add’s poignancy to the lyric
Didi – rhiannon - i like her rhiannon better than stevie nicks because she makes me relate to the lyric.
Lacey – the story – she sounds very diff from brandi carlisle, so brings a jewel-like intimacy to the song.
Crystal – give me one reason – agree with sleazak of EW that she makes the song more sexy in an urgent & raw way.
Andrew – sugar we’re going down – his spin makes the song cooler & more interesting than fall out boy’s own version.
Paige – walk away – i was surprised at how good (not yet great) it was, showed she’s capable of being a pop-rock artist. but can an african american female make it in this genre? it’d probably sound even better w/ laryngitis!
Casey - i generally liked-not-loved all his i-tunes.
Aaron - his 2 country i-tunes songs were pretty good, better than i was expecting! country’s justin beiber?

Siobhan is better on TV than on i-tunes, where she’s completely boring. I *don’t* get the paramore / flyleaf thing from her. But I could see her fronting an 80′s-influenced band, like the killers or panic at the disco or franz ferdinand – she has the rounded tones of ’80s new wave / modern rock. Her quirky-ugly-cute thing is more 80s-early90s too. I also love her head-tones live – almost enya-like!

Katie is on the wrong show. She needs to hook up with Disney fast, before she ages out of that genre. She looks & sounds like Selena Gomez & Demi Lovato, if a little more boring than them, but Disney could coach & morph her.

Tim reminds me of Ashton Kutcher in That 70s Show! He has the clearest tones of this group of 12, but that makes him better as a session singer or k-tel singer. I find his come on get higher even more comical than his under my thumb (“swing of your hips”, “pull me down hard”… seriously??). Could he pull off “hey soul sister”, with its reggae vibe? Maybe a singer, not an artist.

]]> By: calvinshobbes http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-4/#comment-612814 calvinshobbes Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:27:13 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612814 no notions of Rolling stones songs. I thought Tim really did a good job with the song. It had a cool vibe and would be something I could hear on the radio now for the summer. YMMV. no notions of Rolling stones songs. I thought Tim really did a good job with the song. It had a cool vibe and would be something I could hear on the radio now for the summer. YMMV.

]]> By: Nativenewyorker http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-4/#comment-612660 Nativenewyorker Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:40:08 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612660 I have listened to all of the studio versions. This is my take. Siobhan - the girl has a glorious voice. That high note was cleaned up and came across beautifully. She has an incredible voice, simple as that. Aaron - I just do not like the sound of his voice. He has the emotion, but the voice is lacking, not enough power, seems on the verge of going off key, too weak for me. Andrew - This was a real shocker! Who knew this guy could sound that good! But he can't do it live. That's his problem. Casey - I have to be honest here. I just do not like his voice. There are so many guys who could sing like him. I still do not hear anything remotely original or unique enough for me. Crystal - She sounds marvelous on the recorded version. Her voice is great live or recorded. Just great! Didi - She really comes across stronger on the recording. Live she was kind of walking a tightrope, fighting in parts to stay on pitch. It did lose the power of the live performance, but the vocals came through quite well. Katie - This is someone else whose voice does not connect with me at all. The recorded version cleaned up the pitch issues, but her voice is ordinary, not particularly special or different, just boring. Lee - Now this is the way I want to hear him. He has the superior voice over Casey. They are both very similar, but Lee is the real thing for me. Now all he has to do is somehow manage to do this in his live performances. I knew the guy had potential. Michael - He sounds smooth, those high notes are beautiful. Very good, both live and recorded. Paige - This may sound strange, but I liked the live performance better. Her hoarseness gave it a grittier feel, which worked better for this song. I do not like her recorded version at all. She doesn't have enough power for an r&b diva voice. Just not nearly good enough! Tim - I am truly at a loss for words. How he could take a song like "Under My Thumb" and make it sound so insipid, I just don't know. His voice is total crap. The guy had no business getting to the finals. This is a voice you could hear in any bar or club. Lacey - I do not like her recorded version, even with the voice cleaned up. Just not enough voice for this competition. Even her unique sound doesn't record well. Another one who should never have made it to the finals. I have listened to all of the studio versions. This is my take.

Siobhan – the girl has a glorious voice. That high note was cleaned up and came across beautifully. She has an incredible voice, simple as that.

Aaron – I just do not like the sound of his voice. He has the emotion, but the voice is lacking, not enough power, seems on the verge of going off key, too weak for me.

Andrew – This was a real shocker! Who knew this guy could sound that good! But he can’t do it live. That’s his problem.

Casey – I have to be honest here. I just do not like his voice. There are so many guys who could sing like him. I still do not hear anything remotely original or unique enough for me.

Crystal – She sounds marvelous on the recorded version. Her voice is great live or recorded. Just great!

Didi – She really comes across stronger on the recording. Live she was kind of walking a tightrope, fighting in parts to stay on pitch. It did lose the power of the live performance, but the vocals came through quite well.

Katie – This is someone else whose voice does not connect with me at all. The recorded version cleaned up the pitch issues, but her voice is ordinary, not particularly special or different, just boring.

Lee – Now this is the way I want to hear him. He has the superior voice over Casey. They are both very similar, but Lee is the real thing for me. Now all he has to do is somehow manage to do this in his live performances. I knew the guy had potential.

Michael – He sounds smooth, those high notes are beautiful. Very good, both live and recorded.

Paige – This may sound strange, but I liked the live performance better. Her hoarseness gave it a grittier feel, which worked better for this song. I do not like her recorded version at all. She doesn’t have enough power for an r&b diva voice. Just not nearly good enough!

Tim – I am truly at a loss for words. How he could take a song like “Under My Thumb” and make it sound so insipid, I just don’t know. His voice is total crap. The guy had no business getting to the finals. This is a voice you could hear in any bar or club.

Lacey – I do not like her recorded version, even with the voice cleaned up. Just not enough voice for this competition. Even her unique sound doesn’t record well. Another one who should never have made it to the finals.

]]> By: SarahP http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-4/#comment-612649 SarahP Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:13:56 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612649 i love lee's and i find his vocals pretty much similar to his live performance. its a very pretty song and cant imagine it being a rolling stones song. <blockquote>Oh, and I’ve had Alex Lambert on repeat…still bitter about him being gone. His recording voice is wonderful. </blockquote> i dont think he had a studio version but perhaps a live performance version? since his vocals are pretty good live, his live performance recording may be similar to studio recording. i love lee’s and i find his vocals pretty much similar to his live performance. its a very pretty song and cant imagine it being a rolling stones song.

Oh, and I’ve had Alex Lambert on repeat…still bitter about him being gone. His recording voice is wonderful.

i dont think he had a studio version but perhaps a live performance version? since his vocals are pretty good live, his live performance recording may be similar to studio recording.

]]> By: JudyOhio http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-4/#comment-612628 JudyOhio Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:40:39 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612628 <blockquote>ETA: I wish Didi’s was longer. I want a full version. Oh, and I’ve had Alex Lambert on repeat…still bitter about him being gone. His recording voice is wonderful.</blockquote> Is there a studio recording of Alex? Didn’t know that and would love to hear it. I couldn’t find it in this thread. Could you find a link for that Dlynne? Thanks.

ETA: I wish Didi’s was longer. I want a full version. Oh, and I’ve had Alex Lambert on repeat…still bitter about him being gone. His recording voice is wonderful.

Is there a studio recording of Alex? Didn’t know that and would love to hear it. I couldn’t find it in this thread. Could you find a link for that Dlynne? Thanks.

]]> By: JudyOhio http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-4/#comment-612625 JudyOhio Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:39:25 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612625 Oops, I messed the quote thing up, so posted below Oops, I messed the quote thing up, so posted below

]]> By: carolinacharms http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-4/#comment-612586 carolinacharms Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:35:07 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612586 I find no real surprises in the review. Sioban continues to get the hot, red poker down the throat and buckets of hydrochloric acid in the eyes. Meanwhile, Crystal walks on water. Neither treatment is warranted by any objective standard. I find no real surprises in the review. Sioban continues to get the hot, red poker down the throat and buckets of hydrochloric acid in the eyes. Meanwhile, Crystal walks on water. Neither treatment is warranted by any objective standard.

]]> By: monleo1705 http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-3/#comment-612584 monleo1705 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:33:40 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612584 <blockquote> wjmtv: 03/21/2010 at 2:25 am Wow. Lee wins this round, no question. Bravo, dude!</blockquote> Actually I would like to think it's a tie between Lee and Didi. Lee was probably the best sounding guy on this week's recording but Didi was amazing!! And she has the most hits on youtube for her recording, hehe. She's like a Sarah Mclachlan but slightly unpolished version. I can't wait to buy her album!! Her voice is so unique and records like an angel!

wjmtv:
03/21/2010 at 2:25 am
Wow. Lee wins this round, no question. Bravo, dude!

Actually I would like to think it’s a tie between Lee and Didi. Lee was probably the best sounding guy on this week’s recording but Didi was amazing!! And she has the most hits on youtube for her recording, hehe. She’s like a Sarah Mclachlan but slightly unpolished version. I can’t wait to buy her album!! Her voice is so unique and records like an angel!

]]> By: Lu http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-3/#comment-612457 Lu Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:32:07 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612457 I cannot believe how much I love Lee's recording. I've had it on my ipod on repeat. I'm anxious to get some more of his stuff! I cannot believe how much I love Lee’s recording. I’ve had it on my ipod on repeat. I’m anxious to get some more of his stuff!

]]> By: bean99 http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-3/#comment-612445 bean99 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:11:53 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612445 Thanks for the reviews, Mj. I wasn't going to buy any after listening to some of them but after you said how good Andrew's was, I checked it out and loved it. I loved Siobhan's live performance but it didn't translate to the recorded one for me. I do agree about Lee & Casey's recording voice but didn't like the songs enough to buy. I usually pick up quite a few recordings each season but it kind of bugs me that these early ones are now $1.29 instead of .99. I know it's nothing in the grand scheme of things but will probably make me think twice. Maybe it's because I have 5 favorites, lol. Thanks for the reviews, Mj. I wasn’t going to buy any after listening to some of them but after you said how good Andrew’s was, I checked it out and loved it. I loved Siobhan’s live performance but it didn’t translate to the recorded one for me. I do agree about Lee & Casey’s recording voice but didn’t like the songs enough to buy.

I usually pick up quite a few recordings each season but it kind of bugs me that these early ones are now $1.29 instead of .99. I know it’s nothing in the grand scheme of things but will probably make me think twice. Maybe it’s because I have 5 favorites, lol.

]]> By: tinydance http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-3/#comment-612343 tinydance Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:02:04 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612343 I have seen Andrew's videos on youtube and he is not a bad singer. I think Andrew might have one of those recording voices. Lacey has a voice for Country. I really liked Lee's recording. He gave it his own spin. I have seen Andrew’s videos on youtube and he is not a bad singer. I think Andrew might have one of those recording voices.

Lacey has a voice for Country.

I really liked Lee’s recording. He gave it his own spin.

]]> By: alxsavage http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-3/#comment-612332 alxsavage Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:36:46 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612332 <blockquote>LOL. What are you saying ? You mean Kara is wrong when she said that Tim/Aaron can not sing a certain song because they are only 16 </blockquote> LOL, I think Simon did say that he didn't agree with Kara on that one, but I don't exactly mean that, I think it would be wrong if Aaron changed the lyrics to make them suit his age. For me, it's all about respecting the original song.

LOL. What are you saying ? You mean Kara is wrong when she said that Tim/Aaron can not sing a certain song because they are only 16

LOL, I think Simon did say that he didn’t agree with Kara on that one, but I don’t exactly mean that, I think it would be wrong if Aaron changed the lyrics to make them suit his age. For me, it’s all about respecting the original song.

]]> By: Ratna12 http://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idol-9-top-12-itunes-reviews.htm/comment-page-3/#comment-612322 Ratna12 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:46:44 +0000 http://mjsbigblog.com/?p=21240#comment-612322 <blockquote> BTW, I really, really hate it when someone changes the gender on the lyrics just to make it fit. It’s absolutely unnecessary, IMHO, a bold singer dares to sing the song as it is...... I just don’t think music should be that literal, specially when those are songs that we all know. </blockquote> LOL. What are you saying ? You mean Kara is wrong when she said that Tim/Aaron can not sing a certain song because they are only 16 (on the last day of semifinal)? I forgot the specifics.

BTW, I really, really hate it when someone changes the gender on the lyrics just to make it fit. It’s absolutely unnecessary, IMHO, a bold singer dares to sing the song as it is……

I just don’t think music should be that literal, specially when those are songs that we all know.

LOL. What are you saying ? You mean Kara is wrong when she said that Tim/Aaron can not sing a certain song because they are only 16 (on the last day of semifinal)? I forgot the specifics.

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