Idol Headlines for 07/20/09

Just had to share this video of David Cook singing “I Did It For You” last night at the Egyptian Room, Murat Theater, in Indianapolis. I love this song, from his cd, wish he had released it instead of Come Back to Me (and he co-wrote this one).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHodOUvpaeA

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/17/music-jls-charts

This article is about a British boy band but according to the above article Adam’s official web site is Sony/BMG’s SECOND most popular artist’s site behind BEYONCE!

The band’s website is the third biggest in the world for a Sony act, trailing only Beyonc and American Idol’s Adam Lambert.

I just posted this in the old headline thread but since it’s fresh news maybee it’s better here.

2 tweets from Allison and Kris:

KrisAllen4RealI hear it’s like 140.35 degrees in Arizona. Yay! If you decide to throw ice on stage’ ¦..I wouldn’t be mad. I know it sounds dangerous.

Allison4Realzzz had an awesome photo shoot today!! sorry i haven’t been updatin’ u guys!! you know how lazy i am!! well Arizona!! cant wait fo tmrw!! whooo

From the GV news article:

“I don’t think people expected this openly-gay Idol to have such a large base of devoted older female fans.”

The reporter never went to an Idol concert, she doesn’t know what to expect.
THe idol audience is getting older and older every year, these old women (refered pejoratively as cougar or frauen) tend to support one of the guys that are in the competition (last year the two davids or this year Adam and Kris), nothing new about that at all.

ETA: Wow that review of Battlefield is harsh.

I really like that Green Valley News story – I love all the full circle moments associated with Adam.

And that is an interesting bit a trivia about Adam’s website, WOW!

Just had to share this video of David Cook singing ‘I Did It For You’ 

Thanks, oceana. I’ll join you in the small but proud fraternity that loves IDIFY. The song is so good live.

And, the beanie is back! (In July??) It will be fun lurking at DCO just to read the annoyed conversation about that

A minor squee. I’m seeing him on Saturday for the first time ever, and don’t know how I’m going to get through the week. I haven’t looked forward to something this much for a very long time.

Wow San Diego does love Adam Yipeee!

This article is about a British boy band but according to the above article Adam’s official web site is Sony/BMG’s SECOND most popular artist’s site behind BEYONCE!

I read that this morning. That is truely amazing. When I visit Adam’s website I always notice there are a lot of online fans on it. If RCA and Adam pick the right songs for his album this fall he’s going to blow up. Adam must be really excited. Talk about dreams coming true!!!

Regarding the Paula situation, I do think they need to sign her back up. Replacing Paula with Kara is not a good decision. I know Paula can be loopy and whatnot, but I like her, and this season as least she really brought some good criticism to the show. I hope she stays.

How can you tell how many people are registered to an official site? Daughtry’s averages about 3,000 online at a time for example so I’m curious how many theirs has.

Regarding the Paula situation, I do think they need to sign her back up. Replacing Paula with Kara is not a good decision. I know Paula can be loopy and whatnot, but I like her, and this season as least she really brought some good criticism to the show. I hope she stays.

IMO Paula was actually the most coherent and accurate judge this season, even better than Simon much of the time. She offered some really thoughtful critiques, and seemed to step up her game considerably with Kara thrown into the mix.

If they’re really looking to keep expenses under control by not offering Paula as much as she wants, my suggestion would be to either dump Kara or Randy and keep Paula. Randy, esp. has been pretty useless for the last few seasons (for me, for you).

I read that this morning. That is truely amazing. But when I visit Adam’s website I notice there are always a lot of online fans on it. If RCA and Adam pick the right songs for his album this fall he’s going to blow up. Adam must be really excited. Talk about dreams coming true!!!

I’m crossing my fingers that his album is all that he hopes it to be.

Trina Jul 20th, 2009 at 10:37 am

How can you tell how many people are registered to an official site? Daughtry’s averages about 3,000 online at a time for example so I’m curious how many theirs has.

If you click on fans online, it takes you to pages of registered members. There are 20 listed per page. Multiply that by the number of pages and you get the number of fans registered. As of yesterday this is Adam and Kris’ numbers:

Adam 24,200 Registered Users
Kris 5,020 Registered Users

I thought that was incredible that Adam was second to Beyonce. I looked up both their websites and Adam isn’t even that far away from catching up to her. I cannot see where they give an exact number of fans, but there are 20 fans to a page and Adam has 1212 pages. Beyonce’s is something like 1220 or 1230 pages.

I am anxious to see the headlines when he gets to the midwest. i wonder if he will continue to dominate during the whole tour, or if the Cali area press was just hometown pride?

How can you tell how many people are registered to an official site? Daughtry’s averages about 3,000 online at a time for example so I’m curious how many theirs has.

Is Daughtry with Sony too?

There is post with more stats in IDF. It doesn’t show # of register users online tho. Does anyone know where the poster got these data?

http://idolforums.com/index.php?s=1d3c5b29a3e6e4c2b8324f54dfcacec7&showtopic=620313

ETA: Beyonce and Adam were close in the Daily pageviews but Adam was leading in Daily pageviews per user, which means Adam’s site had less viewers, but they were more invested in term of time…

I’ve noticed that there are no press photos of Adam during his set (or of any of the other Idols actually). I read a rumor that the press are only allowed to take pictures during Kris’ set and the finale number. Is that true? (If so, that’s unfortunate for Adam … he’s rocking a strange and decidedly un-Adam look during DSB. lol!)

Squirrely Jul 20th, 2009 at 10:45 am

Is Daughtry with Sony too?

Yes, he’s on RCA along with Adam.

BeckyMD – He found it in this article: JLS: at last, an all-black boy band is making it big.

I thought that was incredible that Adam was second to Beyonce. I looked up both their websites and Adam isn’t even that far away from catching up to her. I cannot see where they give an exact number of fans, but there are 20 fans to a page and Adam has 1212 pages. Beyonce’s is something like 1220 or 1230 pages.

And this doesn’t even count fans who never bother registering, like me I’m much happier on blogs like this, which include all the contestants. The constant Adam-worship on some of the fansites is a little much for me. But congrats to him regardless

I am anxious to see the headlines when he gets to the midwest. i wonder if he will continue to dominate during the whole tour, or if the Cali area press was just hometown pride?

As am I. The current reviews are obviously very skewed toward the “hometown hero” (unfortunate for Allison, who kind of got overshadowed by Adam since they both come from the LA area).

I bet there will be a lot of love for Kris in the Arkansas papers. For the midwest and south shows, I would be interested to see if Adam still gets such glowing reviews. Hopefully, yes

I am anxious to see the headlines when he gets to the midwest. i wonder if he will continue to dominate during the whole tour, or if the Cali area press was just hometown pride?

Scott is from AZ, so one would think the press would center around Scott tonight/tomorrow. But then again, Megan is from Utah, and the press pretty much threw her under the bus…. so it will be interesting as they tour the country to see how they are reacted to. I haven’t kept up with all the press for all the tours, but I think Adam has dominated the press in more than just CA. I think he also dominated Canada, Oregon, and Utah too.

This Sat they are in Arkansas, so I’m sure Kris will get a HUGE “hometown” welcoming. I doubt Adam will dominate everywhere, but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get decent to great reviews. Performing and singing live is where he excels.

I’m sure Arkansas will lose their collective minds over their beloved hometown boy Kris.

Is Daughtry with Sony too?

Yes he’s with RCA :

http://www.rcarecords.com/

I’ve noticed that there are no press photos of Adam during his set (or of any of the other Idols actually). I read a rumor that the press are only allowed to take pictures during Kris’ set and the finale number. Is that true? (If so, that’s unfortunate for Adam ‘ ¦ he’s rocking a strange and decidedly un-Adam look during DSB. lol!)

never heard before, so i doubt that rumor is true

Trina- something has to be up with Daughtry’s webite. It says there are 3000 online fans but if you look at the actual part where it has their icons, there are only 12 online at this moment. The amount of fans posting doesn’t add up either. He does have about 3000 pages of fans though, but I cannot see Daughtry beating out Beyonce. Adam maybe, but not her.

Maybe the article means that Beyonce’s and Adam’s sites have the most traffic?

ETA: I meant to say that I am excluding the others’ hometowns, oops.

Brooke White posted a new blog on her MySpace…

Creating this record was such a reward in itself… all of it from the writing, to the recording to the hours of doodling, gluing, writing and creating of the art journal. The studio became like a sanctuary, a place to feel safe to express, create and give the soul a sound, and a voice… and use it to really communicate something meaningful. There were these moments, where I saw these songs blossom from just a seed of inspiration… into a full grown masterpiece, I thought to myself “THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I’D HOPED IT WOULD BE”… it was pure, unaffected and awesome. Just a little moment to realize that the dream is being realized, and that the hope was turned to faith, the faith was turned to action… and here it is the living and breathing proof! Amazing and incredibly fulfilling!!! Unfortunately and realistically these moments are hard to hang on to, like trying to pin down a butterfly… then in storms the daunting giant called “doubt” and “fear” stomping in, squashing every hopeful thing in it’s path. Maybe we could call it “heartbreak” i dunno… Thoughts start to creep in “what will they think?” this might be one of the most crippling, an obsession with the “what if’s”… the “what if they don’t like it?” “what if it doesn’t sell” “what if it all slips away?”… and maybe it does slip away, and it’s tough, it’s a tough battle.

More at the link. WARNING: IT IS LONG! 1161 words long. And they say Archie rambles. Nah…Brooke’s got him beat by a mile. Haha! j/k We love you Brooke.

But then again, Megan is from Utah, and the press pretty much threw her under the bus’ ¦.

That still irkes the hell out of me.

There is about three hometwon visits this week then
Scott
Michael
Kris

Any one else this week?

Studio57

Maybe the article means that Beyonce’s and Adam’s sites have the most traffic?

Yes, I think that’s exactly what it means. The Why though, is beyond me. Adamofficial is the last place I’d go for Adam news. That site is dismal at keeping up with Adam happenings. It’s also one of the worst structured sites I have ever seen. RCA needs to get it’s web department in order.

And this doesn’t even count fans who never bother registering, like me I’m much happier on blogs like this, which include all the contestants. The constant Adam-worship on some of the fansites is a little much for me. But congrats to him regardless

Signing up for artists websites isn’t just for worshipping. lol Its for up-to-date news. I get newsletters letting me know when an album is coming out, concerts, coupons for cd discounts, etc. Its more of an information tool, only its about a particular artist/group. Although, I can see how some would see it as just a “fansite”.

Signing up for artists websites isn’t just for worshipping. lol Its for up-to-date news. I get newsletters letting me know when an album is coming out, concerts, coupons for cd discounts, etc. Its more of an information tool, only its about a particular artist/group. Although, I can see how some would see it as just a ‘fansite’ .

I’m registered but I only go there when I get the email newsletter with updates.

I’m registered but I only go there when I get the email newsletter with updates.

Thats what I meant. I sign up for the email updates too. As someone said above, the actual website isn’t that great, and I don’t like that head shot picture they use of Adam. Grant it, now that I think about it, I don’t like Kris or Allison’s website either. I guess they don’t have enough information to put on them yet… lol I dunno.

Paula Abdul choreographed for Jacksons

WTF is that article?? It almost reads like an obituary! Have they heard something about Paula’s Idol contract negotiations?

Sunn Jul 20th, 2009 at 10:59 am

Yes, I think that’s exactly what it means. The Why though, is beyond me. Adamofficial is the last place I’d go for Adam news. That site is dismal at keeping up with Adam happenings. It’s also one of the worst structured sites I have ever seen. RCA needs to get it’s web department in order.

It’s clearly where new fans go first that have just discovered Adam. And while it’s not the best I think it’s doing a good job so far covering the MAJOR news when it comes to Adam. But I agree, the forum part is a MESS.

Trina- something has to be up with Daughtry’s webite. It says there are 3000 online fans but if you look at the actual part where it has their icons, there are only 12 online at this moment. The amount of fans posting doesn’t add up either. He does have about 3000 pages of fans though, but I cannot see Daughtry beating out Beyonce. Adam maybe, but not her.

Are you talking about under community where it says “fans online now” and it has a bunch of pictures? They can’t fit 3,000 people there on one page! Look at the bottom it makes you click through several pages of the people on-line. DC’s as well which is showing 2100 on-line, you don’t see a single page showing each person. It’s not going to show 2,000 thumbnails linking to everyones profiles. Not all traffic on websites are related to posting on message boards. Daughtry has a CD that just came out and is in the midst of promo so I’m sure people are looking at their site even if they dont post.

There is about three hometwon visits this week then
Scott
Michael
Kris

Any one else this week?

Lil – Memphis

I’m not registered, but I went there when there was new webisode. The website isn’t not great and I remember Kris’ fan complaint Kris’ was even worse.

Kris’ Official site is not as much fun as some of the privately owned sites, that were set up months before the official one.

Also, 19 opened the site and then ignored it for 2 months. It is just now starting to have news posted to the front page.

I am a rabid Kris fan. I almost never go to his KrisAllenOfficial.com site, though, because it is crappy. They’ve updated it more recently, but it is usually way behind. I get way more comprehensive and up-to-date news, photos, and interviews from KrisAllenation.com and ontd_ai.

If something unique actually gets posted to Kris’s official site, they post that on KrisAllenation, so I don’t even need to regularly check in at the official site to see if anything has been added.

Wasn’t all the talk about the massive support for Adam online exactly what made people think he was an overwhelming favorite to win Idol as well? That didn’t translate into the most votes. Just like being ther person who got the most votes on Idol doesn’t automatically translate into selling lots of albums. The problem with judging how well someone’s album is going to do based on online support or Idol votes is that people who vote on Idol and who join fansites and such are a fraction of the music-buying market.

As someone who has lived in both the South and the West, I’m always interested in how people seem to view the South as some place that would not appreciate someone with Adam’s style, especially when talking about music critics. I would be very surprised if the tenor of the reviews for Adam change much when the tour hits the South. There may be some more appreciation for Kris, and maybe the crowd support will swing from here to there, thus coloring the parts of the reviews that talk about the “energy” of the crowd and whether things are anti-climactic or not. But, in general, I really don’t expect much to change.

I’ve noticed that there are no press photos of Adam during his set (or of any of the other Idols actually). I read a rumor that the press are only allowed to take pictures during Kris’ set and the finale number. Is that true? (If so, that’s unfortunate for Adam ‘ ¦ he’s rocking a strange and decidedly un-Adam look during DSB. lol!)

Yes. It’s all a secret 19E/M/R conspiracy to promote Kris over Adam. They want Adam to fail.

Signing up for artists websites isn’t just for worshipping. lol Its for up-to-date news. I get newsletters letting me know when an album is coming out, concerts, coupons for cd discounts, etc. Its more of an information tool, only its about a particular artist/group. Although, I can see how some would see it as just a ‘fansite’ .

Yes, but I get most of that kind of info from sites like this, so I’m fine with that. I did sign up for a Cook site last year, but just found I was getting the newsletters and not even reading them – just another thing to clog up my inbox. But I might cave and sign up for Adam this year, who knows?

I guess it definitely becomes more important when they start working more independently of Idol, in terms of the new album and tour dates.

Really, really love Brooke’s album — particularly “Smile” and “Little Bird.”

But then again, Megan is from Utah, and the press pretty much threw her under the bus’ ¦.

That still irkes the hell out of me.

That was unfortunate, and it was great for Megan to get so far on AI, but, idk, the quality of her set just isn’t that high. I still feel like she’s the weakest link on the tour (though to be fair, I believe that giving her a better-suited second song and changing her wardrobe would help that immensely).

In terms of the Sony site popularity for Adam, keep in mind it could also be a function of the kind of fans he has, he may have more internet savvy fans than other acts for example but that does not necessarily mean he has more fans, or because he is new he may not have as many competing sites [David Cook seems to have spawned a plethora of sites on top of his official site and I think the official site is operated independently of RCA is it not? ] or is the Sony site Adam’s only official site? I don’t know if he has an independent official site yet.

For example a few bands I like that are signed with Sony have MUCH better official websites that they run themselves so very few fans go to the Sony site, let alone register.

Adam 24,200 Registered Users
Kris 5,020 Registered Users

I still subscribe to MJ’s belief that one should never count out Kris, the unassuming underdog. I also have vivid memories of the hyperbolic predictions of record sales for Taylor Hicks based largely on internet traffic on fan sites. I think Lambert will have a better chance of attracting new listeners beyond the AI obsessed than Taylor did, but Kris might cut through all the bedazzled glittery hype and be the the one who sells even more.

That was unfortunate, and it was great for Megan to get so far on AI, but, idk, the quality of her set just isn’t that high. I still feel like she’s the weakest link on the tour (though to be fair, I believe that giving her a better-suited second song and changing her wardrobe would help that immensely).

I think the pink dress is not helping her at all, but her hometown could have showed her some love.

As someone who has lived in both the South and the West, I’m always interested in how people seem to view the South as some place that would not appreciate someone with Adam’s style, especially when talking about music critics. I would be very surprised if the tenor of the reviews for Adam change much when the tour hits the South. There may be some more appreciation for Kris, and maybe the crowd support will swing from here to there, thus coloring the parts of the reviews that talk about the ‘energy’  of the crowd and whether things are anti-climactic or not. But, in general, I really don’t expect much to change.

I definitely agree with this. Very nicely put!

I know alot of kris fans.They are againest going there because of how they run the site.not all the fans go on the offical sites.They have a thread in a kris forum thats for againest his offical site until its better.thats probulary why many kris fans go into the offical site.I only go there for when they update or when theres a vid.

Are you talking about under community where it says ‘fans online now’  and it has a bunch of pictures? They can’t fit 3,000 people there on one page! Look at the bottom it makes you click through several pages of the people on-line. DC’s as well which is showing 2100 on-line, you don’t see a single page showing each person. It’s not going to show 2,000 thumbnails linking to everyones profiles. Not all traffic on websites are related to posting on message boards. Daughtry has a CD that just came out and is in the midst of promo so I’m sure people are looking at their site even if they dont post.

If you click on the next page, it still shows the same 12 people. It just doesn’t make sense that 3000 people are online not posting.

And I agree with everyone here- those official websites are sorely lacking. I don’t belong to any of the official websites either. I get all my news from here, TWOP, and ontd_ai too.

Remember the official AI website? It’s like a ghost town now. I used to love that place.

As much as I like Brooke, i had to unfollow her on twitter, she ´s so analitical and aprehensive, her tweets got on my nerves! from now on I will just listen ti her music ;P

Nice reviews from Adam ´s hometown, I like them, specially The Green Valley story.

I still subscribe to MJ’s belief that one should never count out Kris, the unassuming underdog. I also have vivid memories of the hyperbolic predictions of record sales for Taylor Hicks based largely on internet traffic on fan sites. I think Lambert will have a better chance of attracting new listeners beyond the AI obsessed than Taylor did, but Kris might cut through all the bedazzled glittery hype and be the the one who sells even more.

True, who knows what will happen come November but I’m rooting for extraordinary sales for both Adam and Kris.

I just looked at David Cook’s official webpage and there are 2115 people logged on, on an ordinary Monday morning, seems pretty good to me. Daughtry averages 3000? That’s impressive.

ETA: I just looked again and there are “2043 fans online.” In David’s case, the message boards on the official site are very up-to-date with the latest news. Not the site itself, but the fans on the site keep it updated.

Signing up for artists websites isn’t just for worshipping. lol Its for up-to-date news. I get newsletters letting me know when an album is coming out, concerts, coupons for cd discounts, etc. Its more of an information tool, only its about a particular artist/group. Although, I can see how some would see it as just a ‘fansite’ .

Typically, the forums at Official Sites are full of the most, shall I say “enthusiastic” fans. Fans who might want to *gasp* criticize their favorite, for instance, find themselves unwelcome there.

I get a lot of “official site” refugees here at the blog. .

And as far as information goes, I’ve found that un-official fan sites do a much better job of getting timely information out to the fans.

I get a lot of ‘official site’  refugees here at the blog. .

And as far as information goes, I’ve found that un-official fan sites do a much better job of getting timely information out to the fans.

Obviously, in my haste to post, I failed to mention this blog as one of the other places I get more up-to-date news than at official websites.

IMO Paula was actually the most coherent and accurate judge this season, even better than Simon much of the time….If they’re really looking to keep expenses under control by not offering Paula as much as she wants, my suggestion would be to either dump Kara or Randy and keep Paula…

Seriously, I would dump them ALL. They all detracted from the show this year. Well, except for maybe Randy, who was kind of quiet and just didn’t add anything of value. Simon is B-O-R-E-D, Paula is loopy, Kara talks too much, and Randy has nothing to say. Why is eveyone so afraid of change? Wipe the slate clean and bring in a new panel. This show needs fresh blood. Keep, Ryan, though, He more than earned his keep this year trying to move the show along.

“Remember the official AI website? It’s like a ghost town now. I used to love that place.”

Studio57 - I loved commenting on Adam’s songs on the American Idol site. In fact, I’ve made several “friends” there and we still message each other about the tour. It’s cool cuz Adam brought us together.

still subscribe to MJ’s belief that one should never count out Kris, the unassuming underdog. I also have vivid memories of the hyperbolic predictions of record sales for Taylor Hicks based largely on internet traffic on fan sites. I think Lambert will have a better chance of attracting new listeners beyond the AI obsessed than Taylor did, but Kris might cut through all the bedazzled glittery hype and be the the one who sells even more

I sorta agree with this as well. It all depends on the material for the albums. I was in Hollister the other day and while I was waiting for my son in the dressing room, the singer songwriter types like Jason Mraz ( Summer Breeze remake- GREAT SONG) were dominating the music played in there. John Mayer and O.A.R. and Dave Matthews are huge- especially for laid back concerts, and to think kris couldn’t fit in there is just silly.

Adam, as much as I love the guy- is really taking a chance with the direction he wants to go in. It could be something phenomenal, or it could be a giant flop. I choose phnomenal for now, but I really have to disagree with the Taylor comparison. I have said this before but I have never seen the media in general embrace Taylor Hicks like I have seen them do for Adam. And I love Taylor Hicks voice.

Wasn’t all the talk about the massive support for Adam online exactly what made people think he was an overwhelming favorite to win Idol as well? That didn’t translate into the most votes. Just like being ther person who got the most votes on Idol doesn’t automatically translate into selling lots of albums. The problem with judging how well someone’s album is going to do based on online support or Idol votes is that people who vote on Idol and who join fansites and such are a fraction of the music-buying market.

I totally agree. Sometimes fans are more vocal about a person and the other fans aren’t fanatics. That would lead people to assume that the singer who has more adamant fans is more popular and will sell tons of albums. First of all, A.I. never revealed the vote difference between Kris & Adam which I find very strange. They revealed the vote count difference for Reuben & Clay which was very close. I know they revealed the vote count difference between the two Davids, yet in this case, silence. The word was that it wasn’t even close, but nothing official. People vote multiple times but they don’t necessarily buy the album or buy multiple copies of the album if they do buy it.

All I ever see in all these blogs or whatever is Lambert’s name first if they even mention Kris, or just Lambert. Kris is being thrown under the bus.

When Season 6 went on tour, Blake Lewis was clearly the star of the tour. Everyone went crazy for his set and Jordin’s was mildly received from a crowd perspective. I am sure that that is the reason Blake got a record deal, the response from the audience. However, even though I was a “Blake” fan, I didn’t buy the album; I went only to see him on tour, but in the end I downloaded 2 of his songs from his album off of iTunes & never bought the hard CD. I didn’t like the CD at all. Jordin’s album was a very slow starter, took a year to go platinum and now she’s picking up steam if Battlefield is any indication with the # of airplay it recently got. (I hated that song that she performed on A.I. fyi).

Yes, A.I. fans are a fraction of the music-buying public. Also, you have to take into consideration that A.I. viewership has gone down where in the past everyone seemed to watch A.I., but again, didn’t vote or buy any albums. It was just a show for some people. Adamant fans are just more vocal but it doesn’t always follow that that artist will be successful based on A.I. fans only.

Remember the official AI website? It’s like a ghost town now. I used to love that place.

LOL! Yeah, I posted quite a bit on that site during the season (before discovering this site, of course ) In general, though, you get the ridiculous OTT fans (especially on Adam’s page) vs. the General Discussion folks who tend to be more about everything. I did get a kick out of the yearly ritual of ranking favs from past seasons, ranking the current favs, best and worst songs, etc. Good times.

I still subscribe to MJ’s belief that one should never count out Kris, the unassuming underdog. I also have vivid memories of the hyperbolic predictions of record sales for Taylor Hicks based largely on internet traffic on fan sites. I think Lambert will have a better chance of attracting new listeners beyond the AI obsessed than Taylor did, but Kris might cut through all the bedazzled glittery hype and be the the one who sells even more.

I agree with this, however, I think that even if it turns out Adam has fewer fans but more rabid fans than Kris, that’s something that also can’t be taken lightly. The more rabid fans are the ones that are more likely to stand by their fav, buy their album, go to their tours, whereas 6 mo. from now, the more casual fans are more likely to fall by the wayside and not really care about following up on the person. That’s not to say that either of these things will happen to Kris or Adam. Just saying.

Also, in Taylor’s case, well, I was never a fan of his, and couldn’t understand the mainstream appeal (which I thought of as non-existent, in the non-AI world) – it seemed in his case that what people loved about him on the show was not exactly what they wanted with his album release – that is, he had a non-pop friendly style that was not going to segue into the AC Top 40 market as easily as other current artists.

MJ, truer words were never spoken regarding official websites. One of my pet peeves. Unless the artist is more hands on, I find on the whole that fan run sites are much better keeping up with the news than official sites.

And given some artists pay a lot of money for organizations like Ultra Star [David Bowie is a silent partner in this company and even HIS official website is not as up to date as it should be] to run their sites, the lack of information, slow delivery and sometimes wrong information is sad. The artists should be more upset that they are not getting value for their money. Or maybe there are various levels of service and the artists signed up for the cheapest package.

I mean the people running the sites need to do what the fans do, sign up for Google Alerts, Yahoo! alerts, whatever. So simple and yet?

How can you tell how many people are registered to an official site? Daughtry’s averages about 3,000 online at a time for example so I’m curious how many theirs has.

Adam’s site is #2 in traffic — a lot of visitors must not be registered.

Beyonceonline.com – #36,653 site in the world

Adamofficial.com – #68,424 site in the world

Davidcookofficial.com – #89,340 in the world

Daughtryofficial.com – #92,380 site in the world

I know they revealed the vote count difference between the two Davids, yet in this case, silence. The word was that it wasn’t even close, but nothing official.

Not sure how we keep coming to the rumored conclusion that it “wasn’t even close”: the week before there was only a million separating Adam and Kris (and Kris very well could have been the top vote getter) – this is ALL we know.

The fact that they revealed both a vote that was not very close (the two Davids, which were separated by 10 mil) and Clay and Ruben (who had a very minor diff) suggest to me that it was possibly just a middle-of-the-road margin – again, just speculation.

Just had to say that assuming it was a wide margin based on no actual results being released is about as accurate as saying texting has no exponential effect on the final results (uh oh – can of worms opened )

Studio57 – I loved commenting on Adam’s songs on the American Idol site. In fact, I’ve made several ‘friends’  there and we still message each other about the tour. It’s cool cuz Adam brought us together.

I started there in Season 2 and left around season 5. I also made a lot of friends there but we migrated to a private message board a few years ago. It’s cool to meet so many different people with a common interest, isn’t it?

It used to be the ONLY place to really go for Idol news until Rickey and MJ started scooping Idol’s own site, lol. The mods there are a little too militant, too. Once you have the mods in your address book from getting banned it’s time to call it a day, ya know? lol.

Yes, I think that’s exactly what it means. The Why though, is beyond me. Adamofficial is the last place I’d go for Adam news. That site is dismal at keeping up with Adam happenings. It’s also one of the worst structured sites I have ever seen. RCA needs to get it’s web department in order.

I agree. I go there once in awhile to see if they have any new info, but after searching around, I give up. I’m surprised there are so many registered fans, because I think from the AI forum, Adam’s fans went elsewhere (and not the official one).

It is obvious that from the large numbers on Adam’s sites vs. Kris, that didn’t translate to votes. Kris supporters don’t go on-line and are not even close to Adam’s numbers. In the very beginning, Danny was ahead of Adam as far as activity and registered fans on the AI forum, but for some reason, Adam just pulled way, way ahead.

Why is eveyone so afraid of change? Wipe the slate clean and bring in a new panel. This show needs fresh blood.

Nah, I disagree, if the slate is to be wiped clean, then end American Idol..finish it off,if you dont want the original judges.

As long as its called American idol season 10,11, etc etc ,at the very least 2 of the original judges must remain! TV history will tell ya..keep it as it is, or if its not working anymore and you dont like the “cast” then….scrap the lot,including the show itself!

American Idol will fade out and come to its end,only a matter of time………the likes of Fuller and Cowell may decide to repackage the concept and come back with a new show, but in the interim, till it dies its natural death and is still on my TV screen, I want Paula, Randy and Simon as judges!

I sorta agree with this as well. It all depends on the material for the albums. I was in Hollister the other day and while I was waiting for my son in the dressing room, the singer songwriter types like Jason Mraz ( Summer Breeze remake- GREAT SONG) were dominating the music played in there. John Mayer and O.A.R. and Dave Matthews are huge- especially for laid back concerts, and to think kris couldn’t fit in there is just silly.

Adam, as much as I love the guy- is really taking a chance with the direction he wants to go in. It could be something phenomenal, or it could be a giant flop. I choose phnomenal for now, but I really have to disagree with the Taylor comparison. I have said this before but I have never seen the media in general embrace Taylor Hicks like I have seen them do for Adam. And I love Taylor Hicks voice.

I definitely agree that the material on the album will be the deciding factor in how well they do. No artist has enough die-hard fans to make high sales numbers, they need the casual public who buys because they like what they hear, not because they liked the idol during AI.
As for expectations, umm…I am trying to not have any.. Lets’ say that last year, DC’s album was not what I expected..
They idols speak as if they are in complete control of their album, but the labels also have a big influence in the style and the song choice. I hope that will get it right for all of them.

I’m gasping a bit over Paula being the No. 2 twitter topic after Indonesia’s deadly terrorism attacks.

First of all, it still creeps me out that this medium is so public, and that whatever people write can be counted in this way.

But second, where are our priorities? I’m a sucker for AI, and I think Missy Abdul and her whack ramblings are part of the cheesey fun of the show. But we’re talking about a time when there’s a lot of hard stuff going in the world — major unemployment, a healthcare debate that will affect us all, etc. etc.

And the “save Paula” movement, a cause advocating that a formerly washed-up pop star who is already making a gazillion dollars for being loopy on national TV deserves even more — that is what millions of people are twittering about?

Sorry, I know I sound moralistic, but how frivolous can we be….

Plus — we’re still hashing over a conspiracy that Adam won, Kris didn’t and we demand a recount? Yikes….

Having been on official and fan run sites for a single idol, post season, I pretty much gave up on them. The official sites are pretty boring and repetetive and the fan run sites are so prejudicial and OTT that they make me end up disliking the idol instead of liking them.

Sites like MJ’s are a godsend for those of us that have gotten attached to the idols but aren’t into all the “voting” and picture posting and following the idols to the bathroom. I like the fact that on multi idol sites I can get a broad perspective of people’s feelings.

It’s nice that after 8 years of Idol I can still find out information about all of the idols, here, no matter how minu’te or bizarre the post may be. Also, its fun during the season to touch bases with old idols out in the real world.

Also, as I have often commented, numbers are so much fru-fru without any substance. And internet traffic doesn’t mean squat out in the “real” world ’cause we aren’t spending money on the idols while we type away on our keyboards.

The real world can be slightly judged on twitter traffic, entertainment “news” shows, personal appearances, and if radio DJs even know an idols name. We can also see how an idol is doing based on their photos and information in newstand magazines and television talk shows.

Has Simon signed another contract yet? He said he was getting bored with AI, until Season 8, and didn’t want to do it any more. Oprah said she bet he would if they paid him “stupid” money.

I really wish they would just reveal the vote totals. I have believed it to be true that it wasn’t really a close vote based on Billy Bush (I know, I know) reporting that an AI higher up had told him the night of the finale (before the winner was revealed) that it was not even close, and that they were actually surprised by that.

I think, especially in a year when they seemed to want to promote Adam as a co-winner, it would make sense to reveal the vote total if it were really close. Of course, that assumes that AI TPTB does things that make sense. And, I suppose they could have been worried about a similar reaction to Kris’s win from Glamberts that they got from the Claymates when Ruben won.

One thing I thought was very suspicious was Ryan saying that he did not know the margin of victory–that he didn’t even ask. I don’t believe that for a second. Ryan knows everything!

But second, where are our priorities? I’m a sucker for AI, and I think Missy Abdul is part of the cheesey fun of the show. But we’re talking about a time when there’s a lot going in peoples’ lives ‘” major unemployment, a healthcare debate that will affect us all, etc. etc.

And the ‘save Paula’  movement, a cause advocating that a formerly washed-up pop star who is already making a gazillion dollars for being loopy on national TV is given paid even more, is what millions of people are twittering about?

Sorry, I know sound moralistic, but how frivolous can we be’ ¦.

I’m guessing you spent more time typing up this post than it takes to tweet #KeepPaula. Honestly, I don’t think spending a few minutes tweeting about Paula Abdul isn’t going to prevent you from worrying about the economy and the war on terror as much as you need to.

Wasn’t all the talk about the massive support for Adam online exactly what made people think he was an overwhelming favorite to win Idol as well? That didn’t translate into the most votes.

Adam has a huge international fanbase who could not vote for him but who will buy his album, me included.

Adam, as much as I love the guy- is really taking a chance with the direction he wants to go in. It could be something phenomenal, or it could be a giant flop.

ITA with you, I have been a fan of Adam on the show, but his musical proposition seems to be the male Lady Gaga and I am just not sure it equals great music. Lady Gaga success has been suported by the two biggest hit singles of the year, I am not sure it means that her musical genre as a whole (dance-pop eletronica) is now widely popular.
Furthermore, the one studio recording that seems to go in the sense of what Adam wants to do post idol is Born to Be Wild and it’s also his recording that I like the least.

Concerning the Adam official site numbers, it’s impressive but not that surprising, IMO it’s part of the same phenomenon discussed earlier with google trends/facebook/twitter/etc., most of this is actually the same fans who are searching for every bit of information about him.
AI fanbases are normaly more organised and vocal about their favorite because they feel like they have more invested in them, thus Adam getting more fans than some established artists that have sold tons of albums.

Wow! That is amazing about his website, especially because I think it sucks for the most part. The black/white reverse type is very hard to read. MJ’s updates are way faster and I am overall unimpressed with the layout, content and navigation. Think of how many people who are regulars on his multiple others plus ONTD, TWoP, here, etc. That is really impressive.

Speaking of contracts… It seems to me we should be hearing very soon an announcement about Danny’s record contract. I wonder why it is taking so long. Adam and Allison’s were announced shortly after Kris’. It seems like Danny has been talking about it for over a month.

reinharv- I am going to have to disagree with you on the AI viewership going down. Neilson ratngs are so archaic now that DVR’s and youtube viewings are on the rise. And don’t forget viewing parties. I know I cannot be the only one that had 2-3 households gathering on Tuesday and Wednesdays during the season.Some bars around here even hold viewing parties. People from other countries come to MJ’s and other sites like youtube to view the videos on show nights.

I think i also have to disagree with you about Kris getting thrown under the bus. Just from the reviews I am reading it seems like most media outlets are at least giving him his due, but because of Adam’s high energy set, and completely different genre, it might seem that way. They all seem to mention that people sit down after Adam’s set, but only to just chill and relax to Kris’ style of music. That is the vibe I am getting from the reviews anyway. Someone said on here I think that they compared Kris as dessert to Adam’s main meal. I thought that was a great analogy, and who the hell doesn’t like dessert? lol.

As both a Kris and Allison fan, I never go to their official sites. Allison’s was only recently put up but I feel like I get more information about her from sites like this one. While Kris’s site was put up immediately it was only recently that they started updating it. I prefer the fan-run krisallenation.com or this site to get more updated Kris news. From things I’ve read/heard from other fans at krisallenation.com many others feel the same way and therefore don’t spend much time on the official site.

While it’s great that Adam has a lot of traffic on his site – I will wait until there is an album released in the fall to undertsand what it means.

ETA:

They all seem to mention that people sit down after Adam’s set, but only to just chill and relax to Kris’ style of music. That is the vibe I am getting from the reviews anyway. Someone said on here I think that they compared Kris as dessert to Adam’s main meal. I thought that was a great analogy, and who the hell doesn’t like dessert? lol.

This! I think Kris’s style of music doesn’t lend itself to the loud screaming that occurs during Adam’s set. They are just 2 completely different styles to be enjoyed in completely different ways.

I really wish they would just reveal the vote totals. I have believed it to be true that it wasn’t really a close vote based on Billy Bush (I know, I know) reporting that an AI higher up had told him the night of the finale (before the winner was revealed) that it was not even close, and that they were actually surprised by that.

If that is true, then we shall soon see when the tour leaves the west coast. Kris should get a huge, huge reception for the majority of the venues.

Some people think Adam is getting a huge reception because of his type of singing, but Archie had a quiet set like Kris, but he got huge receptions.

Kris should get a huge, huge reception for the majority of the venues.

I thought he was already getting a huge reception, maybe not quite the same as Adam’s, but still huge.

On Adam’s and Kris’s official sites, “number of fans online” is based on how many are logged in at the time, right? So if I’m looking at the site for news or videos and I’m not actually logged in, I’m not counted. (I’m assuming.) Also, I suppose one could stay logged in all day, or all the time, and not log out?

So these numbers basically only reflect the number of people who have logged in to post something, or who are just logged in for whatever reason. Not the number of visitors. But maybe I’m wrong about that? Not sure.

I really wish they would just reveal the vote totals. I have believed it to be true that it wasn’t really a close vote based on Billy Bush (I know, I know) reporting that an AI higher up had told him the night of the finale (before the winner was revealed) that it was not even close, and that they were actually surprised by that.

If that is true, then we shall soon see when the tour leaves the west coast. Kris should get a huge, huge reception for the majority of the venues.

I think anovich is right, Kris’s reception has been huge already.

As for concert receptions for performers being an indicator of vote tallies, I don’t think it works that way. You can’t assume those who vote go to concerts in the same percentiles as they voted. The tour is expensive, mostly die-hard AI fans go to it, regular viewers (voters) probably don’t.

but how frivolous can we be’ ¦.

Really, really frivolous…and I say hurrah and amen to that. The world outside is nothing but horrible news to many of us….out of work, losing our homes, can’t pay our bills, family in war zones, colleges are so overcrowded our kids can’t get in, murders, famines, weather diasters.

I love to get away from it all, and for me, Thank heavens there are the “cheesy” websites, and the stupid reality shows, and the really stupid twitters. Life is a BITCH and anything to take my mind off of my problems and how sucky the world is…that has got to be a good thing.

Dear Paula….keep the headlines coming. AI loves you for it!

It goes without saying that the majority of Idol fans are casual fans or every winner should be selling multiplatinium every time out just based on TV ratings, even the current ones.

If you have 23 million people tuning in every week, down from say highs of 30 million, if the winner only sold to 10 per cent of those folks, they should sell at least 2.3 million albums. Given the winner got more than 50 per cent of the vote at the end, you’d think overall sales for winner and/or runner up it should be much higher than 10 per cent of all viewers

The reality is once the show is over, the majority of fans tune out and especially when a new season starts. That is why you need an album that appeals to non Idol fans to make it work, even if you are the winner.

I really wish they would just reveal the vote totals. I have believed it to be true that it wasn’t really a close vote based on Billy Bush (I know, I know) reporting that an AI higher up had told him the night of the finale (before the winner was revealed) that it was not even close, and that they were actually surprised by that.

Ok, here’s my take on the votes: my guess is that it was a mid-range margin of victory (based on online betting/polling sites the night of that had them very close – DI, tvguide.com – or that had Adam beating Kris by about 55-65% of the vote.) Also, I’m factoring in the 1 mil diff the week before, plus the tendency of more Danny fans to vote Kris rather than Adam. I don’t expect all of those factors would equal a landslide (again jmo).

However, if it was a big margin, I fully believe that the textgate scandals (and just power-texting in general) led to a more disjointed vote total, and that AI/19 chose not to reveal it because they wanted to bank on both Adam and Kris being longterm, very successful singers.

With all the controversy surrounding Adam and whether America was really ready for a “gay idol”, etc, his winning would have been a bit of an “official” vindication of that. However, if it was revealed that he got trounced in the vote total, then 19 could risk losing Adam to negativity surrounding the “well, I guess the public has spoken and they’re really not ready for a gay idol” talk.

Pure speculation, a bit rambly, but that’s my take on it.

And the ‘save Paula’  movement, a cause advocating that a formerly washed-up pop star who is already making a gazillion dollars for being loopy on national TV is given paid even more, is what millions of people are twittering about?

I agree completely.

And, although I really like Paula’s poetry, and think she’s fun. I think it is time for a change.

1. They need 1 younger judge who is more in-touch with contempory music.

2. The show really works better with 3 judges. So the only way to add a judge is to get rid of someone.

3. Paula is the weakest of the three, although Randy seems to be on “auto pilot” and is not far behind IMHO.

4. Adding someone new is very risky – they proved that with Kara.

My recommendation: Do next season with Simon, Randy and a weekly guest judge. If someone really clicks, sign them for 2011.

What they’ll do: Offer Paula a small raise and she’ll be back in 2010.

I don’t believe for a minute anyone is throwing Kris under the bus, and I bet Kris doesn’t think so either. It only seems that way because more people are talking about Adam. That’s the only difference.

“If that is true, then we shall soon see when the tour leaves the west coast. Kris should get a huge, huge reception for the majority of the venues”

It’s hard to get an accurate depiction of how big a fanbase is when measuring scream-response-levels at a concert. If this was the case, Blake Lewis had a fanbase 10 times the size of Jordin’s back post season-six.

I really don’t think it’s possible to accurately say how big a fanbase is. I honestly don’t think Adam’s base is bigger than Kris’. We’ll see during the first couple weeks or so of their respective album releases.

Not sure how we keep coming to the rumored conclusion that it ‘wasn’t even close’ : the week before there was only a million separating Adam and Kris (and Kris very well could have been the top vote getter) – this is ALL we know.

As washpd mentioned, I think it comes down to Billy Bush. Billy does have some contacts, so it’s not unreasonable to think that he might have a legitimate source. Certainly, he seemed to behave as if he had a big scoop. I’m not sure if he would risk looking like a total idiot if the real vote totals were revealed and they were really close (and he’d been telling anybody who would listen that they weren’t).

The only thing we’ve heard from people who have been in a position to know totals before (people like Ryan and the judges. Ryan knew the totals last year) was that they were never told the totals for this year and that they thought that they would probably be close. In other words, they are making WAGs based on no evidence.

So, the only person who has declared anything definitively is an entertainment reporter who considered his find a scoop. There has never been a contradiction of his scoop from anybody. 19E did contradict other reports that were false this year, so this might be further evidence that Billy Bush was not lied to.

Finally, 19E clearly likes Adam. If the competition was close, they could help boost his credibility by telling people it was close (he really only lost by 5 votes, so statistically, it’s a tie). If they truly cared about Kris’s credibility, they wouldn’t have let Simon and Ryan the day after say what a crappy winner they thought he was. So, I can’t believe not revealing the numbers is for his benefit. So, I have to think it’s something to do with Adam, but I live on the knoll.

New knollish theory: 19M is managing Kris (and maybe Allison), but for some reason, Adam has left the fold. Just vibes I’m picking up.

My take: If the vote total was close, it would just continue the text-gate discussion and other fanwarring; if the vote total was not close, it would diminish the Adam phenomenon, which wouldn’t benefit anyone. It’s a no-win situation for 19/Fox to release the totals. It’s better for them and both artists to keep people speculating.

I also think Ryan knows damn well what the vote totals are, and his claim that he didn’t ask is laughable.

I also think it’s useless to compare on-line registration, traffic, etc. I’m pretty sure Kris’ fanbase is laid-back like he is and not inclined to go batshit over him online.

I hope both do incredibly well with their album sales and have long careers. I, for one, want Kradam around forevah.

It seems to me we should be hearing very soon an announcement about Danny’s record contract. I wonder why it is taking so long. Adam and Allison’s were announced shortly after Kris’. It seems like Danny has been talking about it for over a month.

The reason they haven’t announced it yet is probably because 19 is not exercising their option to sign Danny. If that’s the case, they have to wait until 19′s option expires for Danny to sign with anyone else. They announced Adam’s and Allison’s just after Kris’s announcement because they signed them right away. I’m certain they were in negotiations with all 3 before the end of the season. Danny isn’t a hot commodity.

Send Mary over from SYTYCD, bwah.

Anovich,
I totally agree with you. I am impressed so far at the response Kris has gotten so far on the tour and I’m loving it. Upon watching the youtube vids, I can tell you the tour has been successful for him so far. People are not seeing it because the press don’t report it and are all focused on Adam and we all know why, Adam is news. I’m very happy for Kris and I now understand how he won.If you watch the trend of dialidol during the season carefully, you would realised Kris was always either in the middle or below, there was not a single time that he topped on dialidol, yet never hit bottom three. The only time he hit bottom 3 was top 5 night. This tells me he was getting more text votes than probably all of them. It was always easier to text vote anyway. So I believe a lot of people voted thay way. And yes I believe the final votes were not close at all. Seeing the respond Kris is receiving so far, closely behind Adam, I don’t think he needs to worry and I don’t think he is.Finally, it’s all about the music y’all, that will make their careers so lets pray for them.

I totally agree with everything you said about the judges Q3. And I’d love the guest judges to be actual singers, songwriters, musicians, record producers and that they’re working in the current music industry or were very successful in it.

Oh well, a girl can dream…………………

My recommendation: Do next season with Simon, Randy and a weekly guest judge. If someone really clicks, sign them for 2011.

What they’ll do: Offer Paula a small raise and she’ll be back in 2010.

I think this is what will happen too. However, regarding bringing in other judges – with all the tweaks that were introduced this year, I think they tended just to smack of desparation, were met with mixed reviews, and generally didn’t add anything to the show. I say stick with what works – even if it doesn’t really. Hey, it’s AI – so the flaws are kind of part of the cheesy alure.

Finally, 19E clearly likes Adam. If the competition was close, they could help boost his credibility by telling people it was close (he really only lost by 5 votes, so statistically, it’s a tie). If they truly cared about Kris’s credibility, they wouldn’t have had Simon and Ryan the day after saying what a crappy winner they thought he was. So, I can’t believe not revealing the numbers is for his benefit. So, I have to think it’s something to do with Adam, but I live on the knoll.

This ties into what I said before – if it wasn’t close, they kept it secret for Adam’s benefit (and I truly believe they want both of them to do well – after all, that equals more $$).

However, I also think that, if it was a landslide, it was because of the more VOTES factor, not the more FANS factor (and by that I’m referring to a lot of different factors – int’l fans, texting demographics, parts of the country tending to watch AI and vote more, etc.)

It is obvious that from the large numbers on Adam’s sites vs. Kris, that didn’t translate to votes. Kris supporters don’t go on-line and are not even close to Adam’s numbers.

And votes don’t necessarily translate into success — Taylor vs. Daughtry for example.

Even if 19E decided to release the votes, which they will not, we will still not know how many individual voters that translates into. And, many fans just don’t vote. Daughtry is a really good example of this, he had loads of fans and was #2 online just behind Taylor, but Daughtry’s fans didn’t vote for him.

I think that Alison, Kris and Adam will all sell records. How successful they are will all depend on how good their music is and how well it fits the current market.

I do visit Kris’s site pretty frequently but I never log in. So I don’t think I’m being counted.

I do the same with Adam’s. Although I don’t go there very frequently but most times when I do I don’t log in.

One thing I thought was very suspicious was Ryan saying that he did not know the margin of victory’“that he didn’t even ask. I don’t believe that for a second. Ryan knows everything!

Maybe the producers told him “don’t ask us what the margin was, and we aren’t going to tell you what it was, that way you can honestly say you don’t know and didn’t ask.” :cool_wp: Because I think it’s the producers who know these things and plan their manipulations, whatever they may be, and not Ryan.

I guess he could have lied but that would mess with my version of Ryan and I want to keep it

I thought he was already getting a huge reception, maybe not quite the same as Adam’s, but still huge.

There is no fact/stat that shows who got bigger reception.
- Applause-meter doesn’t equal to reception (some fans are more vocal while some are more quiet)
- # of youtube clips/tweets don’t equal to reception (some fans are more fanatics)
- professional reviews don’t equal to reception (they’re very likely not paying attention or biased)
- idol merchandise sales don’t equal to reception (the same fans above are likely more invested)

Let’s just say the idols seem happy about what they received, and put reception comparison and vote speculation to rest.

Even if 19E decided to release the votes, which they will not, we will still not know how many individual voters that translates into. And, many fans just don’t vote. Daughtry is a really good example of this, he had loads of fans and was #2 online just behind Taylor, but Daughtry’s fans didn’t vote for him.

Which kind of reminds me of a quote from EW after the finale – that Adam’s fans would tend to be the kind not watching AI in the first place. The fact that he was able to use the show to attract new fans who probably wouldn’t ordinarily be on board with his style is a great boost.

Hopefully, with the word of mouth and other media appearances, he’ll get to the right audience beyond idol to have more future success. (Case in point: some friends of mine who would never watch AI in a million years, but are 20-something fans of everything from glam rock to Radiohead – and they were very interested in learning more about Adam after just hearing about him in the press).

If you watch the trend of dialidol during the season carefully, you would realised Kris was always either in the middle or below, there was not a single time that he topped on dialidol, yet never hit bottom three. The only time he hit bottom 3 was top 5 night. This tells me he was getting more text votes than probably all of them.

Totally agree. I also watched DialIdol all season, and Kris, without fail, performed better than DialIdol would indicate. When DI showed Kris ahead after the Finale, I was 98% sure he had won, based on exactly this fact.

But whatev, I stand by my earlier statement – I hope both do really well and that we are still talking about them in five years!

“also think it’s useless to compare on-line registration, traffic, etc. I’m pretty sure Kris’ fanbase is laid-back like he is and not inclined to go batshit over him online’”

THis is probably true to an extent. At my office, most of the people support Adam and plan to go to the concert in Atlanta. Several have gotten t-shirts and follow the concerts online to see what Adam does next. However, the couple of people that voted for Kris do not plan to go to the concert or buy Kris’s album. To them, it was just a t.v. show and they wanted to have a part in picking a winner. Actually, they don’t buy many CD’s period. THey are not music people at all…they are, however, big reality t.v. people. In addition, they act like they could care less how Kris or Adam does in the future. By the way, we live in south Alabama. EVeryone I know is “batshit” over Adam.

Did not know where to put this but here is a review of the San Diego concert by Jessica Fryman http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/20/1c20idol194237-lambert-and-idols-rock-sports-arena/

and here is another http://www.northcountytimes.com/articles/2009/07/19/entertainment/music/z9f5d6b46b567e3ec882575f700086506.txt

- professional reviews don’t equal to reception (they’re very likely not paying attention or biased)

I mainly agree with this, however, I think the Adam-love is worth noting. Iirc this is kind of representative of the Taylor vs. Daughtry effect in S5 – a lot of the press (at least the kind I read) seemed to write off Taylor as a joke, and loved Daughtry for being more current and a great performer on top of that.

While the press is certainly not without its faults and biases, the overwhelming praise for Adam at least suggests that they see some relevance and longevity to him – not just a flash-in-the-pan act. Similarly, a lot of the Kris and Allison love out there would suggest some long term success and relevance. I guess I’m basing all this on the (yes, somewhat naive) assumption that the better media outlets are actually suppose to have a finger on the pulse of the nation, for lack of a better term.

My take: If the vote total was close, it would just continue the text-gate discussion and other fanwarring;

True, but textgate didn’t occur until after the finale, so I don’t think it could be the reason that they didn’t announce the totals on the finale.

Also, I think TPTB love fanwarring. It increases chatter and builds rabid fan bases that buy multiple copies of the CDs (to give to their friends and family, to build mobiles, to ship to the troops, as foundations for their houses, etc). Of course, in the long run, it does the contestants no favour because it chases off the sane fans, but I sometimes think that TPTB only really want one or two successful albums out of most of these guys. If they don’t fade away, there is no room for the new stars the show generates. IDK. I’m always trying to make sense out of some of the seemingly illogical things that occur.

collette

Plus ‘” we’re still hashing over a conspiracy that Adam won, Kris didn’t and we demand a recount? Yikes’ ¦.

I’ll see your “Yikes” and raise you an “oh my lor! I can’t believe anyone still cares who won a stupid title!”

Tess

Sites like MJ’s are a godsend for those of us that have gotten attached to the idols but aren’t into all the ‘voting’  and picture posting and following the idols to the bathroom. I like the fact that on multi idol sites I can get a broad perspective of people’s feelings.

Amen.

I really wish they would just reveal the vote totals. I have believed it to be true that it wasn’t really a close vote based on Billy Bush (I know, I know) reporting that an AI higher up had told him the night of the finale (before the winner was revealed) that it was not even close, and that they were actually surprised by that.

I was on the fence on that one. But I think they did the best by not revealing it to not fuel the ‘upset’. As a corollary, if it had been close, they would have revealed it to decrease the ‘upset’. I might be wrong but it has been my opinion about this

And agree with you anovich, Kris is getting huge receptions

I want to chime in with the assertion that internet/tour popularity has not historically equaled album sales. That is very true. I think that’s due to all the reasons previously mentioned (intensity of the fanbase, demographics, etc) but also because to translate those fans into sales, they have to like the album. Idol fanbases are so wildly different in ages, tastes and expectations that there is no way to satisfy them all. There are people who expect pretty much what they saw on the show, people who expect a sound based on whatever previous work you may have out there, people who expect you to sound exactly like someone else in the market who they think is similar, etc. You just never know how that is going to play itself out.

Adam I think has it tough. Some expect glam rock, some expect Lady Gaga, some want Mad World/Tracks of My Tears, some expect all kinds of edginess. He has a lot to pull off IMO. But if he can do it, the rewards will be fantastic.

Kris I think is pretty well-defined, and he seems to be heading right for his sweet spot. Fingers crossed.

Allison is also well defined, but her label is not known for what she does. Do they popify her enough for Top 40 radio and risk losing her edge? Or do they do something Alt Rock friendly and march into uncharted waters?

My money is on Kris to hold on to the most of his fanbase, but only time will tell.

I wouldn’t worry about Kris and whether he’s being thrown under the bus or how many people have registered for his official website. I registered for it, but I almost NEVER go on krisallenofficial.com because that site is total CRAP. They rarely update it, so there’s no real reason to go on there. Instead, I visit KrisAllenNation, IDF, ONTD_AI and MJ’s site in order to find out anything. I think that’s the case with most of Kris’ fans — lord knows that on these fan sites they complain enough about how his official site! He has a TON of fans on these unofficial fan sites, who are very passionate about Kris and his music.

Kris has over 63,000 followers on twitter now. I know that’s far fewer than Adam, but it’s still very impressive — especially since (except for Lil and Megan) he was the last of this year’s group of Idols to start using that and he doesn’t tweet that often. He has been getting very good crowd responses on tour, and aside from a couple of overly dismissive reviews, and the annoying tendency to continually compare him and his set to Adam, he has gotten pretty good marks from the critics. He’s also done a lot of press — although, again — not on as grand of a scale as Adam. Aside from a few annoying people, he is no longer referred to as “that other guy” or “the guy who won” but by his actual name. The fact that basically everyone loves him as a person may help him in that people who aren’t necessarily his fans may check out his album when it drops — listen to a song or tune online — and if they like it, may even buy it.

He appears to be very happy with the direction his album is going, stating that he’s writing on his own as well as collaborating with others. That makes it sound like 19/Jive is allowing him a lot of control on what his album will sound like.

Kris has also said his goal isn’t to be the biggest star in the world, simply to make good music that people like and to get respect from his peers. I ully expect him to be able to achieve these goals. He may not sell as many albums as Adam, but as long as he puts out a strong album, I think he’ll sell more than enough to satisfy 19 and Jive.

The constant comparisons with Adam may make it seem like Kris’ musicial career could be in trouble. Once the AI tour finishes and everyone goes on their own way, those comparisons will no longer be there (unless people decide to talk about who sells more). Being out from Adam’s shadow should help Kris (although he’s never seemed to mind being in Adam’s shadow) — but in the end it comes down to whether he (and Adam for that matter) can put out music that people what to listen to and buy — and makes them want to go see him on tour.

Also, I think TPTB love fanwarring. It increases chatter and builds rabid fan bases that buy multiple copies of the CDs (to give to their friends and family, to build mobiles, to ship to the troops, as foundations for their houses, etc).

Good point – in general, this may be why everything has been kept quiet – with all the controversy surrounding the upset, textgate, etc. it was only to AI’s advantage to keep quiet about it to stay in the press longer and get more people arguing about it (hey, we’re still at it here!)

Kris I think is pretty well-defined, and he seems to be heading right for his sweet spot. Fingers crossed.

Yes, and I’m thrilled about this.

Also, I love Kris’ tweet about how he hears it’s 140.35 degrees in Arizona (I’m assuming he was in L.A. working on his album and is now on his way to Glendale since he’s only “hearing” about the hot weather).

But instead of throwing ice on stage and maybe electrocuting him, I think this would be the perfect opportunity for Kris (and Adam, for that matter) to ditch their usual tour costumes and sing shirtless, and ditch the jeans for shorts. I bet the fans would love to see that (I know I would)!

He may not sell as many albums as Adam, but as long as he puts out a strong album,

What makes you make that prediction? I am just curious.

I think for Kris who starts with a relatively small fanbase, it’s really important for him to get played in radio–both pop and hac. I’d rather him follow the track of Jordin than Taylor. Of course, if his songs blow up in radio aka Daughtry it would be best, but a band almost gets instant cred than these male artists. He will need very strong songs.

My take: If the vote total was close, it would just continue the text-gate discussion and other fanwarring; if the vote total was not close, it would diminish the Adam phenomenon, which wouldn’t benefit anyone. It’s a no-win situation for 19/Fox to release the totals. It’s better for them and both artists to keep people speculating.

Yup. ITA.

Also, Billy Bush didn’t know the totals. He’s a punch line to a very bad joke in this industry.

I really wish they would just reveal the vote totals. I have believed it to be true that it wasn’t really a close vote based on Billy Bush (I know, I know) reporting that an AI higher up had told him the night of the finale (before the winner was revealed) that it was not even close, and that they were actually surprised by that.

And what would that prove? I will always believe that Arkansas cast 38 million votes and that skewed the results (meaning more votes, but not more voters or fans), but neither you nor I know the real truth and probably never will. Kris fans will always hold onto the “not even close” theory and Adam fans will trumpet his overwhelming twitter, internet and fansite numbers (to which Kris fans respond, Adam doesn’t have more fans, just more rabid fans). It’s a wash as far as I’m concerned and I’m getting a headache from the circuitous nature of these debates! LOL

I’m happy they are both getting love from the critics and fans on the tour and it’s irrelevant anyway in terms of predicting success on their first albums, imo. I’ll admit this: I have no idea what’s going to happen. As much as I think Adam has an incredible voice, major charisma and star quality, I agree with those who say it is so dependent on him finding the right material. Same with Kris. Will Adam be the next new sound or will his stuff seem dated, a throwback? Will Kris succeed because of his radio-friendly voice or will he come off like a pale imitation of other artists already out there? Stay tuned.

I was on the fence on that one. But I think they did the best by not revealing it to not fuel the ‘upset’. As a corollary, if it had been close, they would have revealed it to decrease the ‘upset’. I might be wrong but it has been my opinion about this

I think they should release the vote totals. Its one of the reason’s why people never believe the person who won actually did.

I don’t know if it was close or not between Adam and Kris. We don’t have the vote totals to know for sure. I do find it hard to believe that they were only 1 million votes apart one week, and then Kris wins by 100 million… LOL They announced the two David’s, and that wasn’t close at all. David Cook won by like 12 million, so they obviously don’t care about hurting people’s feelings.

Once the AI tour finishes and everyone goes on their own way, those comparisons will no longer be there (unless people decide to talk about who sells more).

The comparisons actually get worse in the fall when their records drop. The press will be all over declaring who “really” won and the fans will be at each others throats. LOL. But hopefully, except for the craziest, most bitter fans, everyone will have moved on by the time next season ends. But to some degree, the comparing game will always be there for the rest of these guys careers.

In the end, both Adam and Kris won. Adam didn’t get the “title” nor the perks, but he got a record contract, is getting a lot attention, and getting many offers to do other things. Kris got the title and the perks that go along with it. He will always have that honor, and be the face amongst the winners circle along with Kelly and the others. He got a record contract and lots of attention from winning.

I don’t think either one is complaining.

I want to chime in with the assertion that internet/tour popularity has not historically equaled album sales. That is very true. I think that’s due to all the reasons previously mentioned (intensity of the fanbase, demographics, etc) but also because to translate those fans into sales, they have to like the album. Idol fanbases are so wildly different in ages, tastes and expectations that there is no way to satisfy them all. There are people who expect pretty much what they saw on the show, people who expect a sound based on whatever previous work you may have out there, people who expect you to sound exactly like someone else in the market who they think is similar, etc. You just never know how that is going to play itself out.

Adam I think has it tough. Some expect glam rock, some expect Lady Gaga, some want Mad World/Tracks of My Tears, some expect all kinds of edginess. He has a lot to pull off IMO. But if he can do it, the rewards will be fantastic.

Kris I think is pretty well-defined, and he seems to be heading right for his sweet spot. Fingers crossed.

Allison is also well defined, but her label is not known for what she does. Do they popify her enough for Top 40 radio and risk losing her edge? Or do they do something Alt Rock friendly and march into uncharted waters?

My money is on Kris to hold on to the most of his fanbase, but only time will tell.

Some good points here. I agree that Adam may have the tougher sell, and I’ve said that since day 1 simply because of his eclectic style and interests. However, he seems to have very good musical instincts (no kidding!) just based on what he likes in current music, what he understands as the “big thing” right now, and because of that I trust him to keep things current and relevant, which is very important.

As others have pointed out, since the AI fans don’t equate to who will actually buy the albums, I think his direction right now is spot on: the worst thing he could do now for himself is to try and satisfy all his AI fans – a little vintage-Elvis throwback, a little glam rock-Bowie style, a little Led Zep classic rock – that would just be crazy. Instead, by staying current and hooking up with top hitmakers of today, he will more likely get the mainstream success that goes beyond just who loved him on AI.

As for Kris – he has a lot of potential too, of course, but I do see his field as pretty cluttered already, and with more charismatic performers out there, at that (yes, I know I’m not going to make many friends with that comment, sorry). If he comes up with a great, catchy soft rock hit (I’m thinking “Hey There Delilah” – simple, sweet, nice hook, etc.) he will do well too.

There is no fact/stat that shows who got bigger reception.

While this all good in theory, when all indicators point to the same direction I usually believe them.

Did not know where to put this but here is a review of the San Diego concert by Jessica Fryman http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/20/1c20idol194237-lambert-and-idols-rock-sports-arena/

I believe this is already in the headlines.

I’ll see your ‘Yikes’  and raise you an ‘oh my lor! I can’t believe anyone still cares who won a stupid title!’ 

People will always care. lol I know people who are still talking about losing a high school student council contest….. lol But I do think its pointless. Especially since Adam got what he wanted out of this whole experience, which is to get a major recording contract. Shoot. Even Allison won if you look at it that way…

I’ve noticed that there are no press photos of Adam during his set (or of any of the other Idols actually). I read a rumor that the press are only allowed to take pictures during Kris’ set and the finale number. Is that true?

Possibly. I remember during the S5 tour that some of the professional photographers were complaining that they were only let out during the last 15 minutes of the concert to take pictures (which would mean that they could only catch the last couple of songs of the winner’s set and the group number).

I seem to recall they let the professional photographers in between the barricades (first row and the stage). Maybe they don’t want them in the way of their offical camera operators? Maybe they want them to stay until the end of the concert? Maybe professional photoraphers would push little kids out of the way and make them cry? (me a little bitter about being pushed out of the way by a hoard of photographers who were trying to get a picture of some gold medal athlete at the airport? Just because they told me that they were more important than me who was just picking up some nobody? Why, yes, I am still a little bitter. Even nobody’s don’t deserved to get shoved).

He’s also done a lot of press ‘” although, again ‘” not on as grand of a scale as Adam.

I disagree with this. Except for Adam’s RS cover, Kris as Idol winner gets as many as if not more press and interview opportunities than Adam does. Kris went to Ellen’s and Jay Leno’s show and he had a gig in Conan’s show (although he sadly couldn’t make it and gave it to Allison) while Adam didn’t appear on these popular talk show yet.

Send Mary over from SYTYCD, bwah.

Oh goodness no. I can’t take that loud pitch scream and Tamale Train too much longer. lol

Here’s a tweet from Lyndsey Parker (Yahoo! Music) about the video interviews she did with the Idols before the Staples Center show:

#think Kris Allen interview up today. Then Adam tomorrow, Danny Wed, Allison Thurs, & so on, in order 1-10. Will tweet Kris link later!#

But then again, Megan is from Utah, and the press pretty much threw her under the bus’ ¦.

That still irkes the hell out of me.

Sorry, I just don’t get this. From the show and from reviews to date, she just hasn’t been that great. Do you really want someone to tell you she was fabulous in Utah?

From everything we have seen so far, from the show, the industry and the press, I will be really irked if the reviews aren’t for the most part relatively the same! I would think that some reviewers will like some contestant more than others, but I would expect that they will give credit to the talent of others.

girlygirl “Being out from Adam’s shadow should help Kris (although he’s never seemed to mind being in Adam’s shadow)”

I think that this liaison is helping Adam not Kris. If a guy like Kris can like Adam so can those who might otherwise find him unacceptable.

3. Paula is the weakest of the three, although Randy seems to be on ‘auto pilot’  and is not far behind IMHO.

I actually think Randy is the weakest, he doesn’t contribute much. I don’t remember if he has been a favourite judge of contestants often, he seems to be sort of bland.

I think they should release the vote totals. Its one of the reason’s why people never believe the person who won actually did.

I don’t think releasing the total will make a difference. they should have released it during the finale like they always do to do so now is a mute point.

Okay, my theory of why 19 loves the “rivalry” and will never do anything to calm it down is: Ruben vs Clay. That lead to the highest debut sales for American Idol contestants even though both cds were not that great. They want the fan warring to drive up sales though.

I thought he was already getting a huge reception, maybe not quite the same as Adam’s, but still huge.

I think they mean a bigger reception than Adam.

I do find it hard to believe that they were only 1 million votes apart one week, and then Kris wins by 100 million’ ¦ LOL

I could be wrong, but I thought the 100 million votes was the total amount of votes received (which isn’t to say that all 100 million were tallied, some could have been thrown out if it was evident that people were power-texting).

I actually think Randy is the weakest, he doesn’t contribute much. I don’t remember if he has been a favourite judge of contestants often, he seems to be sort of bland.

ITA. Paula has actually offered some really good points this year (can’t remember exact examples, but there were a few times when I said to myself, “Wow – she just said exactly what I was thinking!” (kind of scary, I know)

Randy hasn’t really said anything useful. He usually just offers a rehash of what the others say (if he’s not going first), or some very tepid, non-committal critiques. He was the one who didn’t like Kris’s Falling Slowly, and afterward Simon had to chime in that it was brilliant.

In all the years of buying music or going to concerts, I never once went on a fansite/website of a band or artist. American Idol is a different animal all together. It may stem from the fact that a “relationship” develops (from the fans’ perspective) and those fans feel they have played a large role in the up-and-coming artist’s success. They continue this role by voting on polls, signing up on fansites, twitter, teen choice awards, streaming music, whatever they can do to assure their favorite artist’s success.

I bought Daughtry’s CD after hearing it on the radio, not once going on an offical fansite. I’ll probably buy his new one, as well. I like the music, but I’m not an over-invested fan. If I like someone’s music enough, I buy it. It’s the same with all the other bands and artists’s CD’s I have bought over the ::swallows hard:: decades.

I’ll bet my last dollar the majority of music buyers are not online or posting on fansites.

Oh, and it was terrific to see a Fox promo (Fall line-up promo, perhaps?) showing Kris Allen’s winning moment. Very, very nice.

Adam I think has it tough. Some expect glam rock, some expect Lady Gaga, some want Mad World/Tracks of My Tears, some expect all kinds of edginess. He has a lot to pull off IMO. But if he can do it, the rewards will be fantastic.

I don’t think that Adam has it that tough. He is doing exactly what he said he would do. Here’s a quote from MTV.com article from this morning:

Adam Lambert To Fuse Classic-Rock Sound With ‘Dancier’ Vibe On Debut

Just like during his “Idol” journey, Lambert is planning to shake up tempos and styles on the yet-untitled LP.

“It goes back and forth,” he said. “There’s some ballads, there’s some uptempo, there’s some songs that are a little bit more straightforward, current pop. There are some songs that are more dance; there are some songs that are straight rock.”

From the beginning he said he would do a multi-genre album, he had his list of producers and writers ready and got everyone he wanted, and RCA seems to be letting him has some level of creative freedom.

Sorry, I just don’t get this. From the show and from reviews to date, she just hasn’t been that great. Do you really want someone to tell you she was fabulous in Utah?

I’m sentimental I was not expecting glowing reviews but a little sugar coating would not have hurt.

and then Kris wins by 100 million

That margin of difference is hard to believe.

I agree that Adam may have the tougher sell, and I’ve said that since day 1 simply because of his eclectic style and interests. However, he seems to have very good musical instincts (no kidding!) just based on what he likes in current music, what he understands as the ‘big thing’  right now, and because of that I trust him to keep things current and relevant, which is very important.

As others have pointed out, since the AI fans don’t equate to who will actually buy the albums, I think his direction right now is spot on: the worst thing he could do now for himself is to try and satisfy all his AI fans – a little vintage-Elvis throwback, a little glam rock-Bowie style, a little Led Zep classic rock – that would just be crazy. Instead, by staying current and hooking up with top hitmakers of today, he will more likely get the mainstream success that goes beyond just who loved him on AI.

As for Kris – he has a lot of potential too, of course, but I do see his field as pretty cluttered already, and with more charismatic performers out there, at that (yes, I know I’m not going to make many friends with that comment, sorry). If he comes up with a great, catchy soft rock hit (I’m thinking ‘Hey There Delilah’  – simple, sweet, nice hook, etc.) he will do well too.

I agree with all of this. I think that Kris has the best shot at holding on to a lot of his Idol fans but as far as having a shot outside the idol bubble, I think Kris and Adam are at about the same place. Kris needs to write a hooky song, and he may get a good pop hit. But unless pop radio shifts again it may be hard for him to get more than one hit going. I think he’s good for HAC, AC and if they are open to him, perhaps AAA or Alt rock radio. Adam seems to really understand what is current and what is important when making pop records, and he’s working with good people. He might put out something that gets him more than one pop hit. You can never tell with pop though, its as much luck as it is skill. I think Adam’s real strength lies in international sales. There are successful acts with his feel overseas, and I can see hit fitting in nicely. He’s kind of unprecedented in the american pop market though, at least recently. I’m rooting for both of them.

edit: knock off the sarcastic jabs aimed at fellow posters. I have to edit you entirely too much. Next step is moderation.

About the official site traffic, I started to remember last year at one point it was said that DC’s site was the #1 site with the Idol community, so I poked around trying to remember where I saw that and found the press release for Light On that was posted on his site in September

Last week marked the launch of DavidCookOfficial.com, Cook’s official social networking site where fans can interact with David, his music and each other. Fans can create their own profiles, make friends and contribute their own blogs, photos, videos and connect with other fans in their towns by various search functionalities. After only five days, it was already the #1 artist site within the entire SonyBMG community.

If back then his site was the #1 out of the ENTIRE BMG community, because really how many could have registered in 5 days? I’m thinking these official site numbers really don’t tell the whole story.

LOL They announced the two David’s, and that wasn’t close at all. David Cook won by like 12 million, so they obviously don’t care about hurting people’s feelings.

Nah they just wouldn’t want to hurt their chosen ones feelings this year.

girlygirl ‘Being out from Adam’s shadow should help Kris (although he’s never seemed to mind being in Adam’s shadow)’ 

I think that this liaison is helping Adam not Kris. If a guy like Kris can like Adam so can those who might otherwise find him unacceptable.

I think it’s helped them both – I’ve certainly liked Kris a lot more since learning more about his relationship with Adam – and loving the interaction and fun they have together.

However, in terms of the tour, I do think that by the very nature of Kris and Adam performing in such opposing styles, that being separate from each other will help Kris a lot more. He can do his own thing, in a venue that’s more appropriate, and not have to come after someone whose style is just so jarringly different.

Possibly. I remember during the S5 tour that some of the professional photographers were complaining that they were only let out during the last 15 minutes of the concert to take pictures (which would mean that they could only catch the last couple of songs of the winner’s set and the group number).

That’s very possible.

You can see that during Adam Bowie Medley, there were only two camera men in between the stage and fence who shot for the side screen. That’s his last song.

There were more people in that area taking pictures in Kris’ Hey Jude before other idols joining him, and more in the final group number DSB.

ETA: that means we may see more of that vest in formal press and maybe the trucker cap if Adam doesn’t ditch them… I start liking the cap, but still struggling with the vest…

Nah they just wouldn’t want to hurt their chosen ones feelings this year.

That’s a possiblility too, or maybe they felt things were screwy with the voting system and to avoid dealing with it they decided not to reveal the margin. The bottom line is the winner is chosen by votes and that winner is Kris regardless of how many votes.

He’s also done a lot of press ‘” although, again ‘” not on as grand of a scale as Adam.

I disagree with this. Except for Adam’s RS cover, Kris as Idol winner gets as many as if not more press and interview opportunities than Adam does. Kris went to Ellen’s and Jay Leno’s show and he had a gig in Conan’s show (although he sadly couldn’t make it and gave it to Allison) while Adam didn’t appear on these popular talk show yet.

I agree that Kris has done a lot of press and had many more big PR opportunities than Adam, they just haven’t been very memorable. The Adam media events, even the small events, do seem grander to me. I don’t really remember anything Kris said on Ellen or Leno, I just remember him singing Heartless. But I certainly remember Adam’s phone conversation with Ellen — Adam was funny and entertaining.

I could be wrong, but I thought the 100 million votes was the total amount of votes received (which isn’t to say that all 100 million were tallied, some could have been thrown out if it was evident that people were power-texting).

I was just being sarcastic but it obviously didn’t translate well online. What I meant was, they were so close in votes the week before if one is to believe Ryan’s vote totals.

I bought Daughtry’s CD after hearing it on the radio, not once going on an offical fansite. I’ll probably buy his new one, as well. I like the music, but I’m not an over-invested fan. If I like someone’s music enough, I buy it. It’s the same with all the other bands and artists’s CD’s I have bought over the ::swallows hard:: decades.

Most people are like you. If they like something they will buy it. Thats why winning American Idol and other talent compeititions don’t mean a hill of beans most of the time. In the end, it all depends on the ending product.

I do find it hard to believe that they were only 1 million votes apart one week, and then Kris wins by 100 million’ ¦ LOL

I could be wrong, but I thought the 100 million votes was the total amount of votes received (which isn’t to say that all 100 million were tallied, some could have been thrown out if it was evident that people were power-texting).

It was 100 million total votes received (not the margin between them). 1 million was the difference between Kris and Adam the week before (no indication of who was on top or bottom though – oh, dear – that came out all sorts of wrong )

Obviously, 19E knew something that they don’t want to reveal and it still puzzles me why they are treating Adam as a co-winner (I am happy about it though). They both come out of the risers at the end of the tour show (but it may be just the show producer’s idea). He has his own handler, his own publicist. They are also giving Adam a freehand on how to go about his album. Maybe Adam’s management team and RCA label is just more active than Kris’.

I think that this liaison is helping Adam not Kris. If a guy like Kris can like Adam so can those who might otherwise find him unacceptable.

LOL!!! If only people were so easy.

I was just being sarcastic but it obviously didn’t translate well online. What I meant was, they were so close in votes the week before if one is to believe Ryan’s vote totals.

Sorry that went over my head too ;p

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/17/music-jls-charts

This article is about a British boy band but according to the above article Adam’s official web site is Sony/BMG’s SECOND most popular artist’s site behind BEYONCE!

Geez. That’s pretty cool.

If back then his site was the #1 out of the ENTIRE BMG community, because really how many could have registered in 5 days?

Thanks for digging up that PR, Trina. I thought I remembered something like that. I think that #1 artist statement meant DCO was #1 in traffic in the BMG community, not necessarily registered users, around the time of launch. (I visit all the time and I’m not registered.) I remember those early days, when the site crashed frequently before it got its own dedicated server– in fact DC seemed almost proud that his fans crashed the entire Sony’BMG server or something.

Anyway, DCO’s regular traffic has understandably died down a lot since then since the album launch and heavy promo season is over, and the post-AI buzz is long past, but I do notice spikes whenever something big happens, like a new vlog or after a big promo appearance.

I don’t think that Adam has it that tough. He is doing exactly what he said he would do.

From the beginning he said he would do a multi-genre album, he had his list of producers and writers ready and got everyone he wanted, and RCA seems to be letting him has some level of creative freedom.

That only counts if you are one of the fans that reads all of his press even bothers remembering it, IMO. I think most of the Idol fans are not like that, online traffic notwithstanding.. they just remember you from the show and when they hear you have something out, buy it if they like it. For those fans, Adam is the guy everybody kept calling a “rock god” on the show, the guy whose most popular songs were Mad World and Tracks of My Tears. I think for a lot of people, expectations may run along those lines.

Q3 “I don’t really remember anything Kris said on Ellen or Leno, I just remember him singing Heartless. But I certainly remember Adam’s phone conversation with Ellen ‘” Adam was funny and entertaining.”

People tend to remember what their faves say more than the other guy. I can say just the opposite about Kris’s interviews. Adam’s don’t interest me in the least. I wish Kris did more interviews though, I would like to find out about his music and the creative process.

I agree that Kris has done a lot of press and had many more big PR opportunities than Adam, they just haven’t been very memorable. The Adam media events, even the small events, do seem grander to me. I don’t really remember anything Kris said on Ellen or Leno, I just remember him singing Heartless. But I certainly remember Adam’s phone conversation with Ellen ‘” Adam was funny and entertaining.

I agree. It’s Adam’s personality that makes him really pop in interviews and appear that he has had more press, and the little ones just only seem grand. Those are the reasons for the description Adam gets: charismatic, aura, it factor, witty, articulate, superstar.

I think that this liaison is helping Adam not Kris. If a guy like Kris can like Adam so can those who might otherwise find him unacceptable.

LOL!!! If only people were so easy.

I think Adam would disagree with your statement. Adam said nothing is going to change their minds, and I agree.

Regarding having a guest judge replace one of the three (if, for the sake of argument, we were going back to three) the problem is that guest judges are such a crap shoot. Just going by the mentors, so many of them were really unwilling to be anything but nice and complimentary to the contestants. That’s fine, but a judge really does need to be able to lay it out there, in a professional way, and not worry about judging a “fellow artist.” Unfortunately, the people willing to do that in the past are not the people I’d want to see on the show, e.g., Quentin Tarantino or Andrew Lloyd Weber.

On another topic, regarding comparing this season (or any season) with Taylor and Daughtry of season 5, I just think there’s another issue there besides music. Daughtry was definitely more relevant to the music scene; however, he didn’t make such a wonderful reality show contestant and that’s the problem with choosing a potential musical artist — especially a rock artist — via a reality show. Daughtry was just not as personable or engaging as Taylor and came off very arrogant and not very “warm and cuddly.” So, I wasn’t surprised he lost despite his later success. In fact, performing in the rock genre and remaining “likeable” is difficult on a show where you’re being compared with “velvet teddy bears,” “sweet sixteen puppy dogs,” and “heartfelt divas.” Rock requires the performer to strut, appear arrogant, and display some ego. You don’t want a shrinking violet rock star. But that image wars with the sweet, personable reality show contestant. Just look at how Simon warned David Cook, by his second performance on the Idol stage, about appearing smug and arrogant. Simon came back to it later on during Top 11 week and Top 9 (or week — whichever one it was that he performed “Innocent.” Most fans at the time were speculating that Simon was trying to keep David from falling into the same trap as Daughtry — losing to Archie/Taylor not because of talent, but because of perceived personality.

Anyway, each season has its own dynamic. There are some similarities, like above, but there are also other factors that are part and parcel of this also being a TV show, with a range of “characters” that the TV audience assigns roles to no matter how much TPTB try to work against it.

I agree that Kris has done a lot of press and had many more big PR opportunities than Adam, they just haven’t been very memorable. The Adam media events, even the small events, do seem grander to me. I don’t really remember anything Kris said on Ellen or Leno, I just remember him singing Heartless. But I certainly remember Adam’s phone conversation with Ellen ‘” Adam was funny and entertaining.

I think that just depends on who you’re a fan of.

Q3:

If it is still online, you should watch Kris’ appearance on Leno. He was very funny, especially when Jay was asking him about his father-in-law’s reaction to him dropping out of college to pursue the AI gig. He was also good on Fallon. He’s gotten a lot more relaxed and confident doing the media stuff than he was when the AI tv show was still going on. This should only help him if he gets more national media appearances as his career goes forward.

I agree. It’s Adam’s personality that makes him really pop in interviews and appear that he has had more press, and the little ones just only seem grand. Those are the reasons for the description Adam gets: charismatic, aura, it factor, witty, articulate, superstar.

The Access Hollywood (uncut) comes to mind. That’s one I watch constantly, he is so relaxed and fun in that interview.

Obviously, 19E knew something that they don’t want to reveal and it still puzzles me why they are treating Adam as a co-winner (I am happy about it though). They both come out of the risers at the end of the tour show (but it may be just the show producer’s idea). He has his own handler, his own publicist. They are also giving Adam a freehand on how to go about his album. Maybe Adam’s management team and RCA label is just more active than Kris’.

Isn’t this exactly the reason that Michael Slezak wrote his article about Kris being bussed by 19E, the fact that Adam seemed to be getting such great treatment as compared to Kris?

Adam I think has it tough. Some expect glam rock, some expect Lady Gaga, some want Mad World/Tracks of My Tears, some expect all kinds of edginess. He has a lot to pull off IMO. But if he can do it, the rewards will be fantastic.

Kris I think is pretty well-defined, and he seems to be heading right for his sweet spot. Fingers crossed.

Allison is also well defined, but her label is not known for what she does. Do they popify her enough for Top 40 radio and risk losing her edge? Or do they do something Alt Rock friendly and march into uncharted waters?

My money is on Kris to hold on to the most of his fanbase, but only time will tell.

This has always been the thing that has kept me from jumping on the Adam train – I don’t understand his music because it is just so all over the place. I think that both Allison and Kris have well-definted styles but the way Adam’s album is being describned there seems to be no cohesiveness aside from him being the singer. When I put an album on to play I don’t want the first song to be hard rock, the second a ballad, and the third to be some sort of pop/acoustic number. Generally I would probably want music of one type with maybe a minor surprise here or there.

Obviously, 19E knew something that they don’t want to reveal and it still puzzles me why they are treating Adam as a co-winner (I am happy about it though). They both come out of the risers at the end of the tour show (but it may be just the show producer’s idea). He has his own handler, his own publicist. They are also giving Adam a freehand on how to go about his album. Maybe Adam’s management team and RCA label is just more active than Kris’.

I definitely have that sense too. As an Adam fan, I’m certainly not upset about it. In fact, I sort of have a weird take on it (and probably not the most popular view at that): Adam really did perform at a level all season long that was so high, so intense, so much more than what a lot of previous contestants have given, that he did seem like the winner. Sure, Kris came under the radar and won the title, but there is very much a sense that Adam kind of won too. I think his strength on stage, his commanding persona, all of that adds to that sense.

To me, it only seemed fitting to give Adam some credit too – Kris gets the title, the winner’s perks – but you can’t deny Adam’s ability, how amazing he was all season, and the fact that many people thought he deserved to win.

I think Kris and Adam are the most current winner and runner-up AI has ever had. That being said, I still wouldn’t count on their albums being hugely succesful, seeing how idols over and over again have produced very mediocre debut records. It seems it is almost impossible to make a good record coming off the show. I think there is a risk that Kris’ album is too bland with all songs sounding the same. I think there is a risk that Adams album is much more pop than what the fans expect and that it is overproduced.

Hopefully their musical instincts will help tip the odds towards at least an average album. I do think that both Kris and Adam are aware of what is played in the charts and what sells.

This has always been the thing that has kept me from jumping on the Adam train – I don’t understand his music because it is just so all over the place.

Rihanna’s album is the same way and it did very well. Hers is not so much electronic, but it’s very eclectic.

This has always been the thing that has kept me from jumping on the Adam train – I don’t understand his music because it is just so all over the place. I think that both Allison and Kris have well-definted styles but the way Adam’s album is being describned there seems to be no cohesiveness aside from him being the singer. When I put an album on to play I don’t want the first song to be hard rock, the second a ballad, and the third to be some sort of pop/acoustic number. Generally I would probably want music of one type with maybe a minor surprise here or there.

I completely agree.

When I put an album on to play I don’t want the first song to be hard rock, the second a ballad, and the third to be some sort of pop/acoustic number. Generally I would probably want music of one type with maybe a minor surprise here or there.

As a person who listens to my ipod on shuffle an album like that would not be a problem.

I like Paula, but a movement started? Okay. I think they should keep her and agree with whoever said Randy is the most useless judge. If Paula goes. I think that will be the start of the end of the show and Simon will use that to bring his X-Factor show with the horrid Louis Walsh. I cannot stand that man and he seemed more into trying to stick it to Simon than actually do anything for the contestants. That probably means he will go over well with some of the AI audience if the gravitate there. lol

As for official websites, yeah, they suck, and for that reason I don’t think it’s purely hardcores that make up the numbers as they know of much better places to go for news (like here) and easier to read fanboards (I went on the Adam board once and it made my eyes bleed, I think, and Adam has way too many other fanboards if I want to go to them to deal with that crap). I do think to keep it getting more hits has to partially be people who are googling Adam or curious about him and going to the official website.

While internet fervor may not necessarily translate to sales, it shows active interest in someone and I don’t think should be discounted. I am not just talking about loud fans chatting, but google stats, youtube stats, etc. I think the downside to having more techno-savvy fans is they are also more likely to bootleg you since they know how. While I think a lot of the AI fandom mentality can be quite odd, I think the one place where it is nice is you know you will have some fans who are invested in making that sale proper and legit since I know so many people who see nothing wrong with illegal downloading. It’s not something I condone myself, so don’t lecture me there, but it’s true. I buy on average an album a week, whether it be iTunes or on vinyl and I have friends tell me that I don’t have to, just search for it on the internet. It chaps me, but what are you going to do?

As for who will go over better when there albums come out, I don’t know, but I say this as not just a fan of Adam, but I think he has a great chance at really breaking. Not because of his loud fans, but because of his media and industry buzz/hype — that’s not something to scoff at and will help him. He’s smart for wooing the press so well. I know people like to compare him to Taylor (because of his loud fans), but outside of the AI bubble (hell, even inside) they are nothing alike. Also, the way the music market is and from current Top 40 and industry trends that haven’t quite broke completely in the US, I think Adam can fit quite well. Electro-pop with a rock edge and some ballads isn’t that radical anyway. And yeah, I do think Adam has great potential to appeal around the world. His diversity in style and chameleon capabilities people like to say as a lack of identity is actually the reason he can appeal to many as well, in my opinion. It’s an identity — it’s Adam. People can love him for his ballads, because he looks like a manga character, because he sounds like Robert Plant at times. Doesn’t matter what they latch on, but giving them many reasons (combining it with charisma) is not a bad thing. Of course, he could release music that’s dung and fail. Nothing’s a given, but I do think a lot of cons people list for Adam are actually pros. But that’s what polarizing is.

That’s not to say Kris is going to sink. It’s weird that one has to sink for the other to swim. Seeing him on tour made me realize his more soft-rock than singer-songwriter/coffeehouse (part of me think he is painted this way to portray him as the antithesis of Adam, and while they are quite different, he’s not), and that is a style that may not be constantly the flavor, but it never goes away and there is always someone about doing it and appealing to people. I think Kris has a great chance post-Idol as well. His chances at superstardom aren’t going to be like Adam’s, but honestly, that is a given and I don’t think Kris would even want that.

And votes don’t necessarily translate into success ‘” Taylor vs. Daughtry for example.

I think that Alison, Kris and Adam will all sell records. How successful they are will all depend on how good their music is and how well it fits the current market.

This is so true Q3.
There are a lot of people voting their preferences, but it doesn’t mean they would buy either one music.
Above a certain level of sales (people buying because they like the artist), the additional sales depend on ‘how good is the music’ to the general public.

Adam seems to really understand what is current and what is important when making pop records, and he’s working with good people. He might put out something that gets him more than one pop hit. You can never tell with pop though, its as much luck as it is skill. I think Adam’s real strength lies in international sales. There are successful acts with his feel overseas, and I can see hit fitting in nicely. He’s kind of unprecedented in the american pop market though, at least recently. I’m rooting for both of them.

If Adam is going to be successful, he will need to sell music in the US. I think he will, but it is a very competitive market. International sales will be a big bonus — but he won’t have the kind of success he wants unless he makes it in the US.

And even though Adam has international fans, the online numbers don’t look very different from Cook or Daughtry.

Adamofficial – 69.8% US traffic

DavidCookofficial 71.9% US traffic

Daughtryofficial – 66.5% US traffic

One big difference, however, is that Adam has international fans earlier in his post Idol career that anyone has before.

This has always been the thing that has kept me from jumping on the Adam train – I don’t understand his music because it is just so all over the place. I think that both Allison and Kris have well-definted styles but the way Adam’s album is being describned there seems to be no cohesiveness aside from him being the singer. When I put an album on to play I don’t want the first song to be hard rock, the second a ballad, and the third to be some sort of pop/acoustic number. Generally I would probably want music of one type with maybe a minor surprise here or there.

I completely agree.

Well, to each his/her own, but I have a bit of an opposite view. In the itunes era, I very rarely buy whole albums – I like tracks, and they cover almost every genre. One thing I didn’t like about Kris all season was that I found his style very predictable, very boring – every song sounded the same, with a guitar, with a piano, etc. The fact that he did so well by mixing up arrangements of classic songs has me worried for his future album – similar to my feelings for Cook last year: Cook won me over with his unique arrangements, but the album was all new stuff, and just couldn’t interest me the same way.

Whereas with Adam, I love the potential for chaos, different genres, different styles, something new, challenging, unique. It may be all over the place, but at least it will be more likely to keep my interest (just as he was able to do on the show) by not just playing it safe, bland, and vanilla.

I do have to agree with saga above, though – my expectations should be kept in check, because the first albums are usually disapointing. If they can just get some traction with a few hits, that may be the best we can hope for. (Daughtry, however, actually came out with a pretty solid first offering, very catchy hit songs, and did it all in a very short amount of time – so it is possible.)

He has his own handler, his own publicist. They are also giving Adam a freehand on how to go about his album. Maybe Adam’s management team and RCA label is just more active than Kris’.

Isn’t this exactly the reason that Michael Slezak wrote his article about Kris being bussed by 19E, the fact that Adam seemed to be getting such great treatment as compared to Kris?

Kris has his own handler as well. I don’t know about Kris publicist. I heard Adam’s one is the one they used to assign to handle the winners. Kris is also given freehand on his album. He talked about instead of using several producers, he preferred using one producer. He talked about not going to Country route and about working w/ Timberland & co. Kris’ gets idol winner treatment.

Slezak’s article is based solely on 19E’s announcement.

I don’t know whether it’s because people tend to only remember/cite things that support their opinion, or because I’m too invested in this season, that I as an Adam’s fan know sth about Kris that are neglected or omitted by others.

This has always been the thing that has kept me from jumping on the Adam train – I don’t understand his music because it is just so all over the place. I think that both Allison and Kris have well-definted styles but the way Adam’s album is being describned there seems to be no cohesiveness aside from him being the singer.

I completely agree.

David Cook performed Lie at the Murat Theater in Indianapolis..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XakS9NIv_HY …beautiful, just beautiful.

& he was getting a bit emotional before singing ADAM,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6tBkXsbrQE&feature=channel_page

@Tess,

Thank you!!!!! That is an awesome post and so true.

My addition:

Debatable: With a different outcome there might have been a different number of 19 contracts – we will never know how many or to whom.

ETA:

David Cook performed Lie at the Murat Theater in Indianapolis..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XakS9NIv_HY ‘ ¦beautiful, just beautiful.

& he was getting a bit emotional before singing ADAM,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6tBkXsbrQE&feature=channel_page

I doubt David Cook knows anymore than we do about what the votes said. This comment seems a bit out there.

I’m gasping a bit over Paula being the No. 2 twitter topic after Indonesia’s deadly terrorism attacks.

what!!! when did this happen????

but how frivolous can we be’ ¦.

good point! i live in a developing country and everyday in the news there are countless stories on poverty, war etc etc which makes watching TV and especially shows like AI seem like a luxury. but i guess i come out here to escape reality and more often than not, have a good laugh. reading about saving paula’s trending twitter or sometimes reading the recaps from the concerts really does make my day.

regarding the whole “vote” / “concert reception” / “who will be more successful..kris or adam” debate…wanna add some thoughts. its been two months since the finale and i doubt many of the viewing and radio listening public will care, and this debate is ongoing only among diehard fans (who dont make up a majority anyway) and also both kris and adam are intelligent enough to know what sells in the market. i think kris is more so, mainly bcos of his selection of songs on the show and in the concerts are more current (heartless, falling slowly, bright lights, ATTTID)

I hope both do incredibly well with their album sales and have long careers. I, for one, want Kradam around forevah.

Eileen99, i hear ya

I really wish they would just reveal the vote totals.

Why? Just for curiousity’s sake, or do you think it would have an effect on something of significance? At this late date, I can see it as being interesting to the hundred or so people on these boards who like deconstructing the show or predicting album sales.

As far as real world effect, I can only see it as effecting Idol’s credibility. If it lines up well with future success, that gives Idol something to use in their marketing. If it doesn’t, they’d hope no one notices. By keeping it quiet, they improve their chances:

1) If it was a landslide, they’ll publish it later in the event that Kris succeeds and Adam fails
2) If it was close, they publish that in the event that Adam succeeds, regardless of whether Kris also succeeds or fails.
3) If both singers fail, AI loses, regardless of how the vote went.

But putting the vote total out now doesn’t have a real world benefit, does it? It’s not like a significant number of people would use that to base music purchases on, one way or the other.

Kris has his own handler as well. I don’t know about Kris publicist. I heard Adam’s one is the one they used to assign to handle the winners.

Roger Widynowski is Adam’s publicist from what I’ve seen in pictures. Roger doesn’t just handle winners. When he was with RCA he was publicist for Clay, Kelly, Katharine, Bo, and Diana. Since he moved from RCA to 19E he was publicist for Blake and DC.

But putting the vote total out now doesn’t have a real world benefit, does it? It’s not like a significant number of people would use that to base music purchases on, one way or the other.

I agree – I don’t really need to know what the margin was. If it was a landslide, I would be depressed/confused/bitter/all of the above. If it was close, I’d be, er, also depressed/confused/bitter.

So, yeah – at this point, considering how pointless the win is anyways, especially after the first few weeks of media treatment, it really is a moot point.

Just ask J. Hud, Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, or Archie about the stigma of not winning.

Trina, thanks for the clarification. I don’t really know what function a publicist plays in an idol’s PR and how important it’s as a factor to judge a label’s management strength.

As a person who listens to my ipod on shuffle an album like that would not be a problem.

Me too. My ipod stays on shuffle. lol

Q3 ‘I don’t really remember anything Kris said on Ellen or Leno, I just remember him singing Heartless. But I certainly remember Adam’s phone conversation with Ellen ‘” Adam was funny and entertaining.’ 

People tend to remember what their faves say more than the other guy. I can say just the opposite about Kris’s interviews. Adam’s don’t interest me in the least. I wish Kris did more interviews though, I would like to find out about his music and the creative process.

The purpose of the post-Idol winner’s PR tour is to build a fan base. I already liked Kris before he won, and I don’t remember what he said on these shows. I don’t believe that someone who didn’t watch Idol or know Kris would remember these interviews either. IMO Kris had a lot of great PR opportunities and I don’t think he used those opportunities to expand his fan base.

I remember he played Heartless but what did he say in the interviews?

I agree – I don’t really need to know what the margin was. If it was a landslide, I would be depressed/confused/bitter/all of the above. If it was close, I’d be, er, also depressed/confused/bitter.

So, yeah – at this point, considering how pointless the win is anyways, especially after the first few weeks of media treatment, it really is a moot point.

Just ask J. Hud, Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, or Archie about the stigma of not winning.

Totally agree. And honestly, I think if Adam was trounced, at this point, that would open up more cans of worms and questions that would reflect badly on Kris, not Adam, giving the post-AI hoopla. That is, if people actually gave a crap besides us, which is most likely not true. haha

Oh, saga, I agree — AI, for such a wonky season, got two very current artists out of their Top 2.

Count me in as another with their ipod on shuffle!

I have to say, I can’t wait for Adam’s album, but I’ll be honest if I don’t like it. I like the idea of it being different and slightly eclectic. Most of all, I just love his voice and energy!

Allison is my second favorite, and I’m curious to see how pop she ends up being-but once again, I just love her voice and energy.

Scott is from AZ, so one would think the press would center around Scott tonight/tomorrow. But then again, Megan is from Utah, and the press pretty much threw her under the bus’ ¦.

I expect hometown papers to have more background pieces on the local singer, but otherwise, the actual review should reflect what happens on stage. It’s an insult to both the performer and the audience to do otherwise, and I have no respect for the opinions of a writer who would let regional bias influence their review.

Likewise, unless a singer has an unusually large number of personal friends at a concert (like hundreds and hundreds), I’d expect the crowd response to also be in-line with what’s happening on stage, not based on the fact that the singer happens to be local. I have no respect for the opinions of fans who would do otherwise.

I mean, seriously, when I think of the musicians I like, do I care at all where they were raised? Do I suddenly like to hear someone just because they’re from my hometown? It could not possibly be more irrelevant.

A few years ago, a local guy made it into the top 10 and exited mid-pack. I was very pleased that the local paper gave unbiased reviews. Background stories, sure. But the reviews were honest, with no appeals to vote for the local guy. I know it’s not really just a singing contest, but making it a regional pride fest is just not remotely interesting or entertaining on any level.

Heh. That’s cool. It’s just a personal preference. If I put my Ipod on shuffle, I could hear Rage Against the Machine one minute and Joni Mitchell the next (er, not a good mix), so I tend to create playlists by mood/genre.

i think kris is more so, mainly bcos of his selection of songs on the show and in the concerts are more current (heartless, falling slowly, bright lights, ATTTID)

Kris has made excellent choices in his music and he is really lucky that there is stuff out there that is current and in his balliwick. On the flip side…does this put him in a box that says he is pretty much the same as what is out there? I think his song selection is a bit of a double edged sword for him.

Adam has pretty much chosen stuff that is eons old…recognized by us old foggies but not so much by the new kids out there so that kind of says that Adam doesn’t seem to have a handle on what is current. On the flip side…not having current music that Adam can just copy, does this say, given his “apparent” popularity, that the record buying industry is hungry for a new sound that infuses the old glam rock with the new electronic sound.

Interesting?

I think that both Allison and Kris have well-defined styles but the way Adam’s album is being described there seems to be no cohesiveness aside from him being the singer.

While Adam’s album might have a variety of sounds, I think it will actually end up sounding cohesive simply because he has such a unique voice and perspective. Anything he does undeniably has his stamp on it. I thought his concert set looked a bit schizo on paper. Other than being predominantly British, his songs–WLL, Starlight, Mad World, Slow Ride and Bowie–have little in common and are all completely different styles of music (as originally done).

However, his concert set is actually incredibly cohesive. Five different sides of Adam, but all Adam. Based on the songs he chose and how he performed them, Adam has a very clearly defined musical sensibility. The only one that seems a little out of Adam’s sensibility is Slow Ride, but that one is so much fun, who cares. To be honest, I actually like the variety because I would be turned off by an Adam album entirely composed of songs like WLL or ones like Mad World. It keeps it interesting.

The purpose of the post-Idol winner’s PR tour is to build a fan base.

To be honest, I don’t think it would have mattered who won, but I doubt the non-idol fan would remember anything either of them would have to say. I only pay attention because I’m an idol fan. People have short memories and by the time their album comes out, it’s not about their interviews, it’ll be about the music.

I remember he played Heartless but what did he say in the interviews?

I remember how he proposed to Katy.

I don’t really remember anything Kris said on Ellen or Leno, I just remember him singing Heartless. But I certainly remember Adam’s phone conversation with Ellen ‘” Adam was funny and entertaining.’ 

As some has said before me, it all depend on who you’re a fan of.
I remember all of Kris appearances and what he said but nothing of Adam. I remember Kris being funny and very charming on Jay Leno

The purpose of the post-Idol winner’s PR tour is to build a fan base. I already liked Kris before he won, and I don’t remember what he said on these shows. I don’t believe that someone who didn’t watch Idol or know Kris would remember these interviews either. IMO Kris had a lot of great PR opportunities and I don’t think he used those opportunities to expand his fan base.

I remember he played Heartless but what did he say in the interviews?

Q3, you’re right that everyone remembers what their favourites said in those interviews but i i have to disagree with you on one thing, Kris did have a lot of great PR opportunities and he used it to the maximum and i think the reception towards him being lukewarm at the begining right after the finale has now really become very warm and he’s getting a lot of good response from the crowds. the press has done him a lot of good, and he used it to the best advantage

as to what he said on Ellen, he talked about buying his wife a gift for supporting him and on Leno, about how he proposed to his wife and i think a bit about what his missionary work.

Long piece from the North Country Times — contain lots of great stuff on Adam, Alison, Michael, Anoop and Scott. It included this about Adam’s album:

On the subject of his new album, he says a couple of songs are already in the can. The goal is to record as much as possible during the few off days of the tour, and then pick the dozen or so of the best tracks for an album. The first single, a pop track, will be released around September/October with the album release slated for November. Lambert says he’s helping co-write all of the songs, and perhaps one track on the album will be a cover.

Here’s the link:

Idol chatter: Five American Idols open up about life on the road

Long piece from the North Country Times ‘” contain lots of great stuff on Adam, Alison, Michael, Anoop and Scott. It included this about Adam’s album:

I cannot believe they flat out ask him about a sex tape! Kind of rude.

Also, he said his first single will be a pop track.

The NCT article also contained this!

So, then, there won’t be any Adam Lambert sex tapes turning up online?

“Noooooooo,” he answers with a laugh. “I’ve never made a sex tape … thank goodness.”

Well, that dashed a lot of fan hopes!

Tess, We’ll only know for sure once their albums comes out eh? but seriously i hope both their albums do well….

I also prefer a variety of songs on an album. If the songs are all similar, they become background music to me.

Adam has pretty much chosen stuff that is eons old’ ¦recognized by us old foggies but not so much by the new kids out there so that kind of says that Adam doesn’t seem to have a handle on what is current. On the flip side’ ¦not having current music that Adam can just copy, does this say, given his ‘apparent’  popularity, that the record buying industry is hungry for a new sound that infuses the old glam rock with the new electronic sound.

I would disagree here. First, he didn’t necessarily pick older songs, even when he “had” to based on the genre (RoF – modern twist on old song, MW – newer cover of old song, etc.)

Second, he is VERY knowledgeable about current music. Listening to the AC Top 40 hosting he and Kris did recently, Adam was frequently commenting on the songs being played (wrt Day and Night, he said something like “good catchy song” – which is true). His tastes in music are very current – Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, BEP, he’s even mentioned hip hop influences. I think he has a very strong sense of what is current.

Heh. That’s cool. It’s just a personal preference. If I put my Ipod on shuffle, I could hear Rage Against the Machine one minute and Joni Mitchell the next (er, not a good mix), so I tend to create playlists by mood/genre.

LOL! I know what you mean – maybe I just have ADD, but I actually made a 400 song playlist called “Radio” which just plays everything from Sinatra, to the Beatles, to Jay-Z, to Metallica and Led Zep. I play it in the car all the time

And inside the arena, Adam Lambert’s feet are hot, so before he sits down for an interview he pulls off his boots and socks (mischievously handing them to an amused crew member) and reveals 10 toenails painted with the same onyx polish that’s on his fingernails.

I smell (no pun here) Diva.

Also, he said his first single will be a pop track.

That makes sense.

I cannot believe they flat out ask him about a sex tape! Kind of rude.

I’m just glad the answer was “no”!

While Adam’s album might have a variety of sounds, I think it will actually end up sounding cohesive simply because he has such a unique voice and perspective. Anything he does undeniably has his stamp on it. I thought his concert set looked a bit schizo on paper. Other than being predominantly British, his songs’“WLL, Starlight, Mad World, Slow Ride and Bowie’“have little in common and are all completely different styles of music (as originally done).

However, his concert set is actually incredibly cohesive. Five different sides of Adam, but all Adam. Based on the songs he chose and how he performed them, Adam has a very clearly defined musical sensibility. The only one that seems a little out of Adam’s sensibility is Slow Ride, but that one is so much fun, who cares. To be honest, I actually like the variety because I would be turned off by an Adam album entirely composed of songs like WLL or ones like Mad World. It keeps it interesting.

Great points! Totally agree. I hadn’t even thought about it this way, but it is kind of his style and voice that bring it all together. The Bowie med is a great example – he just puts his own stamp on it to make it all work, and somehow blend the old with the new.

Undisputed: Three 19 contracts were awarded this year, one by winning two by invitation.

Oh, I’ll dispute that. AI has always signed the runner-up, even the ones they hate and do nothing to promote (like Diana).

I would argue that there was only one contract awarded by invitation. It kind of makes sense that AI would always give a contract to the runner-up. Obviously, they are pretty popular. Plus, you wouldn’t want the runner-up going to another label for a variety of reasons.

I would be STUNNED if they ever didn’t sign the runner-up. The knoll would explode like a volcano. MJ would have to get a new server and her delete key would soon need replacing.

Based on comments/behaviour of various Idol finalists, including this year’s duo, I think they either knew or strongly expected that the runner-up would get signed.

“It’s press hour, and a handful of print, online and television reporters have arrived for interviews. In each city on the tour, five Idols are chosen at random to meet with the press (though Lambert, the media and crowd favorite, always seems to end up in that random draw).”

Five idols each city? I doubt how random the draw is.

I’m just glad the answer was ‘no’ !

Same here. Actually, I always found the fan speculation about this weird, so glad it has been shot down.

I would disagree here. First, he didn’t necessarily pick older songs, even when he ‘had’  to based on the genre (RoF – modern twist on old song, MW – newer cover of old song, etc.)

Yeah, and while some of the stuff on the show didn’t come across as current always, I don’t think the age of the song is necessarily what makes the song feel current when covered. I do think Adam has a great grasp on what’s current, as well as scenes that aren’t quite mainstream.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/entertainment/music/idol_tour_glendale_072009

Fox Affliate in Phoenix….

I remember he played Heartless but what did he say in the interviews?

I remember how he proposed to Katy.

I remember this as well – the Leno interview by Kris was great – and I loved the story about putting the post-it notes on the benches for Katy (that was it, right?) Very cute story.

The NCT article also contained this!

So, then, there won’t be any Adam Lambert sex tapes turning up online?

‘Noooooooo,’  he answers with a laugh. ‘I’ve never made a sex tape ‘ ¦ thank goodness.’ 

Well, that dashed a lot of fan hopes!

LOL! Too funny! I guess we should have known this question was coming. We shouldn’t lose hope, though, since how many of these things wind up emerging without the participant even knowing about it

as to what he said on Ellen, he talked about buying his wife a gift for supporting him and on Leno, about how he proposed to his wife and i think a bit about what his missionary work.

on Ellen, he talk about how it happens that he came out with Heartless; how Katy encouraged him at a point where he thinking of putting his music career in the background.

on Jay, he talked about he wasn’t pissed about the more praises for Adam thing on the AI show; also how Adam was incredible (also on Ellen); there was this very funny talk about the sequence of – drop school – register for AI – propose to his wife. He talks about playing the viola also

it’s on Regis, that he talked a bit about the philantropic work.

This has always been the thing that has kept me from jumping on the Adam train – I don’t understand his music because it is just so all over the place. I think that both Allison and Kris have well-definted styles but the way Adam’s album is being describned there seems to be no cohesiveness aside from him being the singer.

I totally don’t get this. Why would I want an album of the same thing over and over? If you’ve got TALENT, use it. It gives you that many directions you can go. Then again, I’m the type of person who likes everything on the menu and hate having to choose one thing.

Especially today in the day of digital downloads, each track has to offer something in itself, not just be filler or support fodder for the likely singles. “What Will Adam Do” was a game all season and one of the things that made it exciting. His album can be the same thing. I LOVE how my iPod goes from “Feeling Good” to WLL ‘“ his diversity is his hook. Trying to homogenize him is turning a butterfly into a moth.

If the record stores don’t know what shelf to put it on, well, fools, get creative. You’re lucky to still be open so as an industry, you need to evolve or disappear altogether.

Oh, and about Adam getting comparable treatment as Kris, that’s 19′s decision and it’s a savvy one. They are only obligated to sign and promote Kris and the winner. As one of its new artists, they can do any type of media blitz they want for Adam independent of AI and Kris. Sorry, but have to say it, having them co-represent only helps Kris, if anything, and it puts the two artists in a noncompetitive environment.

From the way Adam has described his album it does sound like it will be pretty cohesive… it will all have an electronic feel with strong hooks. Some of it will lean pop, some rock, some ballads, but he expects to have that electro sound throughout. Sounds pretty current to me. I hope it works.

The first single, a pop track, will be released around September/October with the album release slated for November.

RCA’s following it’s usual playbook, I see. I guess that means no new song debuted at the GMA concert in August?

I thought his concert set looked a bit schizo on paper. Other than being predominantly British, his songs’“WLL, Starlight, Mad World, Slow Ride and Bowie’“have little in common and are all completely different styles of music (as originally done).

I didn’t think it was schizo at all, at least comparing to the other sets.
It has a clear rock identity, 4 of the 5 songs are from famous rock bands and 3 of them are from the 70′s, 80′s. This is a continuation of what he did on the show, when he had a contestant pick (semifinals and top 3 night), he went with the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith.

What I fear is that those who loved Adam because of his edgier rock personna won’t find any of this on his album.
From what I see on the videos, he is already acting more like a pop than a rock performer, he has carefully planned choreographies that he reproduces night after night. In comparison, Bowie never felt the need to add some sexy dance moves when he sings and I don’t think Robert Plant did these things too, IMHO it’s overkill to sing WLL (and its very expressive lyrics) and put the mic between his crotch.

“Iraheta has a record deal and she’s now talking to producers and writing songs for the album, but hasn’t yet made it into the studio.” (Idol chatter)

What’s does it mean by ‘not yet made it into the studio’? I remember Allison is recording some tracks.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/entertainment/music/idol_tour_glendale_072009

Fox Affliate in Phoenix’ ¦.

haha… In the toys store…..Kris says he could hit Danny with the hammer toy when he’s being silly

nhd, thanks for the David Cook videos. I love “Lie” and, aw, soggie Cookie!

Count me in to those who want a variety rather than limiting the sound to one genre. And I agree with you LisaE. I think Adam would like to put a stamp on his music rather than be a sound-alike of an already existing artist.

Oh, and about Adam getting comparable treatment as Kris, that’s 19′s decision and it’s a savvy one. They are only obligated to sign and promote Kris and the winner. As one of its new artists, they can do any type of media blitz they want for Adam independent of AI and Kris. Sorry, but have to say it, having them co-represent only helps Kris, if anything, and it puts the two artists in a noncompetitive environment.

Oh that’s so completely allright with me, Adam is just wonderful and he deserved every bits of attention.
I’m almost totally into Kris this season, but I really like talent and deserving efforts being rewarded.

I think kris will be fine.Kris seems more current and has more musical knowledge than Adam does.Kris also seems happy with his album process.
He’s making his fans wait to see what hes gonna do next and who he is
working with.Adam is gonna get old if he keeps on spilling stuff about his
album.all his fans will know the songs by the time its out.I love that Kris
is keeping his fans in suspense.

i heard that jive is promoting kris’s heartless so there already promoting him and getting him ready for the radio.I hope RCA is helping Adam and getting him for the radio.His voice isnt radio friendly and redone is very familiar with autotunes and his artist.Most male disco isnt on the radio.Its all females.and adam doesnt seem like a rocker to me.He doesnt have that edge in his voice like allison does.He will just come off as wanna be rock.I will listen to a adam cd
because i work out to madonna and lady gaga tunes.Then i will listen to kris’s cd when i’m chilling or relaxing.

Adam is gonna bring the 80′s back and im fine with that because i love 80′s music.But I think Kris’s album will be more current than adam’s will.

However, his concert set is actually incredibly cohesive. Five different sides of Adam, but all Adam. Based on the songs he chose and how he performed them, Adam has a very clearly defined musical sensibility.

I agree, and find this heartening, because given his extensive background, it could have been all over the map.

But there’s a huge missing piece before I can feel sure this will transfer to a good album: songwriting. Frankly, I’m not all that impressed with the few original, pre-Idol songs I’ve heard – they’re OK but mostly forgettable for me. And I’m not all that confident that good writing can happen in and around tour stops. But I’m willing and hopeful to be proven wrong. He’s working with some very interesting song writers. Best thing to come from the fact that he seems to be interesting to the professional crowd is that he’s attracting good collaborators.

I’m very enthusiastic about Adam’s talent, and I want him to make really good music, even if it means music that’s not my personal favorite. But the writing piece is so huge, and no amount of clever interviews or mind-blowing cover performances gives a clue about whether that’s really coming together. And we won’t know about that until we actually hear it.

Kris I just love him so much. With the hammer and hitting Danny with it. I just fall more and more in love with him every day. Am just hoping they both Adam and Kris to fantasic with there cd’s. Like I said am more a Kris fan but I do like Adam also.And well buy his Cd even if Kris is more my style.

I was thinking that it would be cool if Kris had a song with Jamie Foxx on his album… that would be kind of hot and great addition for his first album after AI. I’d like that better as an AI memories than the boudaries song

I am a huge Adam fan. But I believe with all my heart that Kris will do just as well if not better than Adam. He is likable and his voice and music choices are great. But I don’t agree that Kris has more musical knowledge than Adam does. They both have great knowledge in music. Adam’s voice is very radio friendly and he doesn’t need to be a rocker wanna be or a male version of Gaga. Adam is Adam and he is unique. His music will be unique. We just have to wait and see if non-Adam fans like his music and styles or not.

Whew, hard to even come close to keeping up with you all here.

A few comments on what I’ve read, though:
Number of votes isn’t necessarily going to translate into number of CD sales, since someone might vote once, and others might vote hundreds of times. If it was a “one vote per person” situation, that would be more meaningful. We talk about the rabid Adam fans, (hey, that’s me!), but Kris must have some rabid fans IF (who knows what is true) Arkansas contributed a lopsided percentage of votes to the winner.

A lot of AI viewers never vote, even if they have their favorites. That doesn’t mean that they won’t buy a CD, though. And, there are people being dragged along to the tour though they didn’t watch AI, and, from the recaps we’ve seen, are walking away impressed with various performances, so those might translate into sales as well.

I didn’t think I’d ever vote, but broke down this year and voted during 2 shows. I voted for both Kris and Adam. (I’m a fan of Allison as well.) While part of me was suprised that Adam didn’t win, I think that the right person won when I think about the Walmart shareholders meeting, and how poor a match that would have been for Adam….

I’m impressed, from the youtube videos, at how well Kris is handling headlining the show. With the right songs for his debut, he could do much better than I had orginally thought. His performances look like they’re getting stronger all the time, (in spite of his voice sounding a bit tired at times.)

I’m not suprised by how well Adam is doing on the tour, but as much as I love watching the videos, I’m curious what I’ll think of his CD. But, he’s got great advance buzz going outside of the AI bubble, with the RS cover, for example. There seem to be a lot of industry people invested in seeing Adam be succesful. Maybe the CD release will come with a DVD, and those of us who aren’t sure if we want the CD can still buy it to watch Adam perform. :smile1_ee: :smile1_ee: OTOH, I think that Adam has the business sense to know how to package himself to sell, while still being true to himself, so I still expect to enjoy the CD.

AFA the Paula situation goes: I wonder how much of this is to just keep people talking, and keep AI in the spotlight. I’d be quite suprised if she didn’t come back. Randy, for me (for you for me), was a waste of airtime this year. Kara might do better if given a 2nd chance, (in spite of NB). But, they need Paula and Simon to balance each other out a bit, (good cop, bad cop at times), and they both had something to offer in their comments. (Not 100% of the time, but more than the others, for sure.) And, there were probably a lot of people waiting for Paula to add her own spin to the show, like providing comments on a song not yet sung.

There have been very consistent comments in the recaps, so I expect that to continue as the tour moves around the country. Megan, unfortunately, isn’t likely to get raves anywhere. Adam and Kris will still likely be the favorites, with a more buzz for Kris when they hit his hometown, and more buzz for Gokey when they hit his hometown. Matt’s 3rd song seems to lose people, Anoop seems to charm people, etc., and that has been pretty consistent, so I don’t know why that would change as they move across the country. I DO expect Adam to adapt a bit to different parts of the country, though. LA was probably his most unleashed show, and I doubt he’ll call the audience “bitches” in Arkansas. But, one of the interesting things about Adam is that you never know what he’ll do. :devil_tb: :devil_tb:

Back to non-Idol life….

Valentin432, Adam mentioned his album will be pop, with a nod to 70, 80′s rock, but won’t be copycat of the predecessors, and electrics and dancing elements will be added to make the album more current and modern. I think your analysis of his set is exactly what he wants to convey through the tour. Although maybe you don’t prefer his music choice, at least he made it clear of what he wanted, and his interviews and his tour performances are cohesive. That’s not easy given his music is more of a fusion than straight forward as Allison’s rock or Anoop’s R&B.

What I’m more curious is what people can read from other idols’ tour performance about their future album.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/ticket/

Their efforts to help the leprosy patients didn’t go unnoticed. Dr. Scott McGavin, a Salt Lake City, Utah, dentist heard about Rising Star Outreach. And guess whose teeth he cares for? Season 7 “American Idol” runner-up David Archuleta!

-snip-
“Scott talked to David about the outreach program and he wanted to help, too,” Antonelli says. “He really got excited about it, even blogging on his Web site and encouraging his fans to help.

“Through his efforts we got $20,000 to help with the dental equipment. Then, he did another pitch to help raise money for a children’s school. We’ve already received $5,000 that will go toward school supplies such as desks and books.”

Archuleta was in Sacramento last Thursday and Antonelli drove from Palo Alto to meet with the teen singer before his show at Arco Arena. (He opened for Demi Lovato.)

“He’s someone who is naturally kind and genuinely interested in helping people,” Antonelli says after spending time with Archuleta.

more at link

Bowie never felt the need to add some sexy dance moves when he sings and I don’t think Robert Plant did these things too,

Bowie as wonderful as he is can’t dance – see Modern Love video. Robert Plant was highly dramatic – listen to the original WLL.

I doubt he’ll call the audience ‘bitches’  in Arkansas.

very funny yingyang…. maybe he’ll wear the trucker cap… just joking

On another note, my dear wish is to see Kris and Adam become very big stars.

But there’s a huge missing piece before I can feel sure this will transfer to a good album: songwriting.

I read this or a form of this all the time about Adam, but many seem to think, or at least express, that Kris is the ultimate songwriter and that is what is going to make him a star. Not to discredit Kris, ’cause I don’t know what he is capable of, but I don’t think anyone from season 8 has yet proven themselves as a viable songwriter. And, I always wonder when someone talks about songwriting are they talking about notes or lyrics or the sound or the feel of a song or does the “songwriter” have to do all of the afore mentioned in order to be considered a songwriter. Correct me if I am wrong, but do they even break the songwriting credits up anymore, i.e. songs and lyrics?

Obviously, 19E knew something that they don’t want to reveal and it still puzzles me why they are treating Adam as a co-winner (I am happy about it though). They both come out of the risers at the end of the tour show (but it may be just the show producer’s idea). He has his own handler, his own publicist. They are also giving Adam a freehand on how to go about his album. Maybe Adam’s management team and RCA label is just more active than Kris’.

Adam has his own handler because he seems to have more fans that want to get to him. As an example, when Adam went out in SF, he was mobbed, and they had to get security for him. Adam has his own publicist and manager because he has been getting many offers. Kris may have those too. Adam may have more freehand on his album, because he seems to be a hands-on type of person.

AFA the Paula situation goes: I wonder how much of this is to just keep people talking, and keep AI in the spotlight. I’d be quite suprised if she didn’t come back. Randy, for me (for you for me), was a waste of airtime this year. Kara might do better if given a 2nd chance, (in spite of NB). But, they need Paula and Simon to balance each other out a bit, (good cop, bad cop at times), and they both had something to offer in their comments. (Not 100% of the time, but more than the others, for sure.) And, there were probably a lot of people waiting for Paula to add her own spin to the show, like providing comments on a song not yet sung.

ITA. I think its all just for the press. Paula will be back. And I also agree that the most expendable one is Randy. Kara could easily take his place as the supposed producer/musician point of view.

Especially today in the day of digital downloads, each track has to offer something in itself, not just be filler or support fodder for the likely singles. ‘What Will Adam Do’  was a game all season and one of the things that made it exciting. His album can be the same thing. I LOVE how my iPod goes from ‘Feeling Good’  to WLL ‘“ his diversity is his hook. Trying to homogenize him is turning a butterfly into a moth.

If the record stores don’t know what shelf to put it on, well, fools, get creative. You’re lucky to still be open so as an industry, you need to evolve or disappear altogether

LOL! Completely agree here! Maybe I’m just speaking from the experience of never caring much about buying albums in the first place, and absolutely loving the a la carte style of itunes, but I seriously think albums as we know them are kind of a dying breed. You don’t need to buy a whole album anymore, thanks to the internet, so coming out with huge hits, rather than a “cohesive album sound”, is becoming much more important.

Just ask the BEP’s – their recent album got trashed by my local paper for a lack of cohesion – I’m sure they really care about that assessment though, as they count the money rolling in for all their #1 hits on it.

Paula will be back

Paula will scream and yell up to the last possible second…but she’ll sign. Her Ego is much too big. Besides….if she wasn’t watched by a million Cougars every week, who the hell would buy that god awful ugly jewelry she sells on TV?

I may be the only person, but I love Randy. If you can get past his verbal tics, he’s very knowledgable and his critiques tend to be more constructive than either Paula or Simon.

But I don’t agree that Kris has more musical knowledge than Adam does. They both have great knowledge in music.

Yes, both have very good musical knowledge obviously. When it comes to vocal technique, Adam is much better than Kris (I wish Kris will continue the vocal training — side note: I’ve read some comments of a pro vocal coach on Kris singing and he was saying that he’s not using properly his diaphragm to sing and therefore he’s putting more efforts in his upper body to deliver the notes; no one ever wish he didn’t break a neck vein when singing no boundaries? :doh_tb: )

music repertoire : both obviously have a lot

playing instruments: that’s Kris only. He is VERY talented and knowledgeable in that area. Playing 3 types of instruments skillfully is not that common. He made it at the All-state orchestra with the viola which is a huge accomplishment. On the AI show, he had been playing piano only since a year and a half; I have always tought it was bold of him with that little experience to compete with it in front of 25 millions of people. It just shows however that he was indeed confortable doing so and it reveals that he’s a quick study in music

From what I see on the videos, he is already acting more like a pop than a rock performer, he has carefully planned choreographies that he reproduces night after night.

I never understand comments like this because Adam always said he wanted to be a pop rock artist. Not a heavy metal rock type of performer. So basically, he’s doing what he wants to do, only he doesn’t have original material yet.

I hope RCA is helping Adam and getting him for the radio.His voice isnt radio friendly and redone is very familiar with autotunes and his artist.Most male disco isnt on the radio.

I never get this comment. What in the world is “radio friendly”. Its one of those over-used comments to me. lol

And when did Adam say he wanted to sing disco?? lol

The first single, a pop track, will be released around September/October with the album release slated for November.

RCA’s following it’s usual playbook, I see. I guess that means no new song debuted at the GMA concert in August?

Is Kris going to have a new single out in August? Because there is talk of them re-doing Heartless as a single, in place of NoBo. So if they do that, will that be in the place of something new? And if so, than wouldn’t Kris be singing Heartless at GMA? I want a reporter to ask Kris, or Kris to talk about, when his first new, new single will be coming out. I believe that Jive has a history of releasing new singles in August the past two years, yes? I’m sure others will know better than I, but Jordin and Archie did release new ones in August, right? So are the expectations are that they will do the same for Kris this year?

As for both Kris and Adam’s album, both have challenges to each of them, and I do frankly think Adam has the most potential to miss. As a fan, I do worry about if he’ll be able to marry his eclectic tastes and styles to a good album. Not to mention that the usual AI debut albums have been pretty mediocre. So I try and keep my expectations in line with that and add to that a really crappy economy. So for both Kris and Adam, I just hope their albums don’t suck, and both can achieve at least moderate success. Anything beyond that will be icing for me.

What I fear is that those who loved Adam because of his edgier rock personna won’t find any of this on his album.
From what I see on the videos, he is already acting more like a pop than a rock performer, he has carefully planned choreographies that he reproduces night after night.

He has definitely mentioned a pop-fused rock style – and I can totally see that with what he has shown so far. His style is going to have one foot in each genre (a smart move, since rock is kind of dying).

I read this or a form of this all the time about Adam, but many seem to think, or at least express, that Kris is the ultimate songwriter and that is what is going to make him a star. Not to discredit Kris, ’cause I don’t know what he is capable of, but I don’t think anyone from season 8 has yet proven themselves as a viable songwriter. And, I always wonder when someone talks about songwriting are they talking about notes or lyrics or the sound or the feel of a song or does the ‘songwriter’  have to do all of the afore mentioned in order to be considered a songwriter. Correct me if I am wrong, but do they even break the songwriting credits up anymore, i.e. songs and lyrics?

ITA, Tess. Besides, why does writing your own music mean you are guaranteed a hit?

If Adam gathers great material, puts his own spin on it (my guess is that the “co-write” credits he’s getting on the new material is based on him playing around with the melody, going up or down, which is his style, to suit his voice better), and it is well-written and well-received, that’s all that really matters. He could be a crappy songwriter, Kris could be an excellent one, but if Adam’s writers are still better than Kris, then, well, you get my point.

Backstage Pass: American Idol Season 8 – Part Two

Basically an Adam’s interview.

Btw, anyone know where the part one is?

Besides’ ¦.if she wasn’t watched by a million Cougars every week, who the hell would buy that god awful ugly jewelry she sells on TV?

Bahaha, I love crazy Paula and her crazy jewelry. I LMAO’d when I saw that youtube from a recent David Cook concert where he made fun of his mom for looking like Mr. T on idol after Paula put a ton of jewelry on her. Hahaha. I remember Tatiana also loved Paula’s jewelry. She really is the sweetest space cadet. Though I think her contract negotiation antics are a tad annoying. I think she gets paid enough- I mean they all get paid more than enough for doing very little. Just stop bitchin about the amount and re-sign already.

What I fear is that those who loved Adam because of his edgier rock personna won’t find any of this on his album.
From what I see on the videos, he is already acting more like a pop than a rock performer, he has carefully planned choreographies that he reproduces night after night. In comparison, Bowie never felt the need to add some sexy dance moves when he sings and I don’t think Robert Plant did these things too, IMHO it’s overkill to sing WLL (and its very expressive lyrics) and put the mic between his crotch.

I’ve stopped worrying about Adam disappointing peole – I know that some fans will be happy, some not, but he hasn’t really disappointed me yet.

IMO Adam is at his best when he is well rehersed, has worked out his choreography and improvises vocally. And many rock performers have tightly planned productions. IMO the difference between pop and rock is in the musical style not the production and choreography.

I don’t find David Bowie’s dancing sexy, but his concerts were/are tightly choreographed. David Bowie did Let’s Dance in numerous versions and all but the acoustic version involved dancing. Here are two examples:

David Bowie – Let’s Dance – (Glass Spider Tour – Live)

David Bowie – Let’s Dance – Serious Moonlight Tour

Robert Plant was very graphic doing WLL live – his performance makes Adam look a bit tame. Most of the live performance videos from the 1970′s only show Robert Plant from the waist up — but it does include the infamous “orgasmic break”. Given that, here’s Led Zep live in 1975.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLhLb0Bn0Os

Interesting, people are saying Adam’s music taste or album is all over the place. I know quite a few people including myself who have varied tastes in music. I like classic as well as rock, pop, ballads, and on and on. I just don’t like country. If most of us only liked one type of music (Kris), we’d sure have a boring music collection. I’m not saying Kris is boring, but I’d rather vary up my listening pleasure.

BeckyMD

Although maybe you don’t prefer his music choice, at least he made it clear of what he wanted, and his interviews and his tour performances are cohesive

THat’s what I don’t really get, I don’t think what he did on AI or during the concert really prepares people for a predominantly pop dance eletronica album.

Aside from Mad World, his whole set is definetly more rock oriented and as for the eletronic stuff, there is only two pieces aside of his pre AI stuff (that he said don’t represent what he is doing now) that have some of it: Born to Be Wild and Let’s Dance.

Bowie as wonderful as he is can’t dance – see Modern Love video. Robert Plant was highly dramatic – listen to the original WLL.

My point was that I can’t remember too many rock artists doing choreagraphed dance moves, this is more the territory of pop artists, be it Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake or Madonna. And for that matter, I don’t see Adam as a gifted dancer, he can reproduce some dance moves alright but he is not really a natural.

From the North County Times article linked by Q3:

The only hiccup was in San Jose, where a half-dozen protestors picketed against Lambert with “God hates fags” signs. On this subject, Lambert just shrugs.

Ye Gods! Now this canard that it was the Westboro Babtist Church picketing in San Jose has been published by a reputable news outlet. I give up.

ETA: Not to mention the fact that it was two or three “religious” protestors.

I wish Kris will continue the vocal training ‘” side note: I’ve read some comments of a pro vocal coach on Kris singing and he was saying that he’s not using properly his diaphragm to sing and therefore he’s putting more efforts in his upper body to deliver the notes; no one ever wish he didn’t break a neck vein when singing no boundaries?

Hehe, this has been my beef with Kris all season! I want him to relax his throat muscles even when hitting those high notes (make it look effortless!), and not to point out his chin! :nono_tb:

My point was that I can’t remember too many rock artists doing choreagraphed dance moves, this is more the territory of pop artists, be it Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake or Madonna.

Adam wants to be a pop artist so I’m not getting your point. lol

I may be the only person, but I love Randy. If you can get past his verbal tics, he’s very knowledgable and his critiques tend to be more constructive than either Paula or Simon.

You’re not alone. In opinion polls, Randy is the favorite judge. It’s Randy, Simon, Paula, then Kara. But Simon was the judge that people thought was most important to the show.

You know I looked at WLL – Robert Plant’s original version and all other songs Adam has sang. His voice is so much better – he owns all those songs now!!!!Just plain and simple, HE OWNS THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He will do well with his debut album. I have traveled extensively all over the world and I always go to check out local music. Based upon my observations, he will probably do well in the U.S. but Adam will own the rest of the world. IMO

I read this or a form of this all the time about Adam, but many seem to think, or at least express, that Kris is the ultimate songwriter and that is what is going to make him a star. Not to discredit Kris, ’cause I don’t know what he is capable of, but I don’t think anyone from season 8 has yet proven themselves as a viable songwriter.

Oh, I definitely think the need for good songwriting applies to all of them. I just was talking about Adam because, frankly, he’s the only one I’m really interested in.I wasn’t making my comment in any kind of spirit of comparison. I’ll buy Kris’ and Allison’s CDs if they’re good, but if not, I can get my fix for their type of music elsewhere. So I wasn’t implying that this is more of a problem for Adam than the others, just that this is for me the missing piece in building my hopeful castle in the sky. His set convinced me that his notion of being a chameleon doesn’t extend to it being some Play That Funky Music/If I Can’t Have You/My Prayer mash-up. I’m a believer now in the glam/electronic/rock idea.I had to hear it to know what he meant, and now I do. I had to hear the mix to know that his idea of coherence met my idea, and now I’m convinced of that, too. Now just need to know that he’s doing this with good material, and I’m good to go.

And, I always wonder when someone talks about songwriting are they talking about notes or lyrics or the sound or the feel of a song or does the ‘songwriter’  have to do all of the afore mentioned in order to be considered a songwriter. Correct me if I am wrong, but do they even break the songwriting credits up anymore, i.e. songs and lyrics?

Just to clarify, I, personally, care that the songs are good. I couldn’t care less who wrote them. It seems the rage that all singers want to show they can write and have a credit, but that doesn’t matter to me. The songs need to be good and that’s more important than who wrote them. For me personally, I care more about groove than lyrics. That is, I can overlook somewhat cheesy lyrics if the songs got a good groove. Hard for me to overlook bad music, even for great lyrics.But then I think Adam can elevate some pretty mediochre music, too.

That said, Adam’s articulate, witty,self-aware and informed enough in interviews to give me hopes that he’s got a lyric or two in him. On the other hand, I consider myself to be articulate,self-aware, informed and at least dim-witty, but I couldn’t write a lyric to save my soul.

So, this is the missing piece for me for him

I read this or a form of this all the time about Adam, but many seem to think, or at least express, that Kris is the ultimate songwriter and that is what is going to make him a star. Not to discredit Kris, ’cause I don’t know what he is capable of, but I don’t think anyone from season 8 has yet proven themselves as a viable songwriter. And, I always wonder when someone talks about songwriting are they talking about notes or lyrics or the sound or the feel of a song or does the ‘songwriter’  have to do all of the afore mentioned in order to be considered a songwriter. Correct me if I am wrong, but do they even break the songwriting credits up anymore, i.e. songs and lyrics?

My concept of Kris as a good songwriter with the potential to be even better comes from what I’ve heard of his pre-idol stuff which he wrote himself. If you listen to any of his tracks off of Brand New Shoes you realize that with some professional collaborators to guide him he could be fabulous at writing (at least IMHO). The interesting thing about this is that Kris has said in numerous interviews that he doesn’t want to revisit this material and finds it immature – so he has relegated this to his past and it was good to begin with so how much more can he grow?

And since many people have been commenting regarding what I posted about Adam and his cohesiveness, I felt I should clarify. I like different types of music ad I do sometimes put my music on shuffle, but in those instances I prefer to have the different types of music come from different artists – I like to hear different voices, not one voice doing all the styles.

I am not knocking down Adam – I just can’t seem to get into him the way so many people are. I guess it’s a good thing there are so many types of music and musicians/singers out there for us all to choose from.

edit: STOP commenting on other posters

Fresh LA Artist: Alisan Porter (Exclusive): Article Link

Article Excerpt
And you’re working on Adam Lambert’s album?

I have submitted a couple songs and written a couple songs with him, so it’s definitely a possibility. He’s busy and everybody wants him, he’s quite in demand at the moment, [but] I think there’s a strong possibility I could end up on something as a writer or a singer, sure, yeah (you heard it here first).

Interesting, people are saying Adam’s music taste or album is all over the place. I know quite a few people including myself who have varied tastes in music. I like classic as well as rock, pop, ballads, and on and on. I just don’t like country. If most of us only liked one type of music (Kris), we’d sure have a boring music collection. I’m not saying Kris is boring, but I’d rather vary up my listening pleasure.

Oh, I agree. I listen to many different genres. I just don’t expect one artist to be able to do them all.

Aside from Mad World, his whole set is definetly more rock oriented and as for the eletronic stuff, there is only two pieces aside of his pre AI stuff (that he said don’t represent what he is doing now) that have some of it: Born to Be Wild and Let’s Dance.

Didn’t feeling good have an electronic touch to it? The Muse version definetely had it and I think Adam was inspired by it.

You know I looked at WLL – Robert Plant’s original version and all other songs Adam has sang. His voice is so much better – he owns all those songs now!!!!Just plain and simple, HE OWNS THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He will do well with his debut album. I have traveled extensively all over the world and I always go to check out local music. Based upon my observations, he will probably do well in the U.S. but Adam will own the rest of the world. IMO

Adam has gotten many, many comments from reporters saying his voice is better than so and so. He always responds with, no, no comparison, they are legends, he doesn’t come close to them, but thanks for the compliment. I do have to agree, tho, he does sound better than the covers. I think he even got a compliment from Rushfield (and Rushfield isn’t that big of a fan of Adam), saying he did “Let’s Dance” better than Bowie.

BTW, about Adam’s dancing? Why is he always compared to others. Adam is Adam. He loves to dance, and he is great at it. Why not!!!!!!

Didn’t feeling good have an electronic touch to it? Muse version definetely has it and I think Adam was inspired by it.

A change is gonna come had an electronic touch to it. Actually, Adam’s recording of NB has an electronic touch to it as well. Rickey from the band was talking about it right after the show ended as a difference between Adam and Kris’s version of the song.

Is Kris going to have a new single out in August? Because there is talk of them re-doing Heartless as a single, in place of NoBo. So if they do that, will that be in the place of something new? And if so, than wouldn’t Kris be singing Heartless at GMA? I want a reporter to ask Kris, or Kris to talk about, when his first new, new single will be coming out. I believe that Jive has a history of releasing new singles in August the past two years, yes? I’m sure others will know better than I, but Jordin and Archie did release new ones in August, right? So are the expectations are that they will do the same for Kris this year?

Well, if Jive follows their playbook, they would release a Kris single in August. If they are releasing “Heartless” officially, they might not have a new single for August. I don’t think we’ve heard anything for certain. I notice that with a lot of people these days, labels are dropping singles more frequently prior to the album release. Maybe that’s what Jive will do.

I hope this hasn’t been posted — a new Adam article from a college newspaper reporter at the San Diego show. Some new, interesting stuff:

http://media.www.thechaparral.com/media/storage/paper570/news/2009/05/11/CampusNews/Backstage.Pass.American.Idol.Season.8.Part.Two-3752265.shtml

The reporter previously posted an article on Sarver and still has 3 Idols left…

Good points evanjane.

As I said the majority of Idol viewers are clearly not buying the albums and just fans of the show and its overall concept, so the success of any Idol artist still depends on appealing to the non-Idol watching, music buying public.

And quite true about the fansites. Most of the artists I support with my wallet I have never visited their fan sites – I have visited a couple for tour information and that is about it. And I go to Franz Ferdninand’s site occasionally, firstly because someone said their site was cool, secondly for tour information and thirdly they blog a fair amount and some of it is quite funny.

And that said, more and more people do use the internet at least just to get information like tour dates or even using fansites to get access to presales and other goodies you might not get elsewhere but I would guess that the majority of the music buying public do not get that invested in all the artists whose music they like. At most maybe one or two but for the rest is it is only about the music. Hear you on the radio, buy the album, maybe go to the concert. Rinse and repeat.

Adam wants to be a pop artist so I’m not getting your point. lol

He never really showed that side of him during the show, he sang songs from a lot of different rock bands, but not one major current pop artists (the closer he came was MJ but at that time it wasn’t really current), at the finale he performed with Kiss not with a pop act.

If we are talking about the transition between the show to his carreer as an artist, I am expressing my concern as a big fan of him during the show that he will confuse his fans.

In that Backstage Pass article, Adam responded to a question about his pet peeves as follows:

it’s been interesting’”because I’m Jewish. [laughs] And clearly gay. And I get a lot fan mail and gifts that are trying to express Christian ideals and Bible scriptures. It’s awkward because that’s not my belief system. I respect people for the intention in which they’re giving these gifts, because I know it’s out love and hope, but it doesn’t match my belief system at all, so I kind of wish there’d be a little bit more respect for that.

Wow. For an off the top of his head answer, that is remarkably honest yet tactful. The guy is seriously brilliant at these interviews. Are these fans trying to convert him? Or save him? He says he knows they’re given out of “love and hope,” but “it doesn’t match [his] belief system,” so he wishes there’d be a “little bit more respect for that.” He’s probably incredibly tired at this point yet still manages to give a coherent and positive answer. I am in awe of his thoughtful intelligence. And his unwavering sweetness.

Valentin432

THat’s what I don’t really get, I don’t think what he did on AI or during the concert really prepares people for a predominantly pop dance eletronica album.

Aside from Mad World, his whole set is definetly more rock oriented and as for the eletronic stuff, there is only two pieces aside of his pre AI stuff (that he said don’t represent what he is doing now) that have some of it: Born to Be Wild and Let’s Dance.

What Adam wanted to get from AI is exposure and a contract, which he did accomplish. What I got from his AI performance is he has a great voice, good stage presence and versatile styles. I agree that he was more about rock in the show. I remember he said BTBW was more like what he would do with his album (I’m really glad when I read this because BTBW is one of my favorite).

His album will be more electronic than rock, but it will also include ballad and other genres. The fusion of different genres is what he wants to get out during the tour. Just try to put it in simple words as I don’t know how to describe it more accurately, WLL maybe represent rock element in his album, MW is a ballad, starlight is a ballad with some dance favor, Bowie medley is a transit from rock to electronic dance. Slow Ride is just for fun. Adam said Bowie medley tells more about his future album than other songs in his set. So I think he does use the tour to showcase his album.

As for pre-idol stuff, Adam’s comment that ‘they don’t represent what he is doing’ is directed to Hi-Fi’s collection of his session work which till now we know will include ‘want’ but nothing more. We can’t generalize this comment as his opinion to all his pre-idol work.

LaurelG, Adam is very articulate. I think he has probably given some thought to issues like that in the past, and I think he has a very good attitude. I also like that he expressed in that same interview that people who spend their time hating on others should put that energy into doing something positive. I couldn’t agree more.

I think he even got a compliment from Rushfield (and Rushfield isn’t that big of a fan of Adam), saying he did ‘Let’s Dance’  better than Bowie.

I’d actually agree with that, and it’s not the Adam fan in me talking because as much as I adore Adam, Bowie has owned me thoroughly since I was a small child. It’s probably not one of my favorite Bowie songs though, but I loved Adam’s version.

As for the Adam as pop vs. rock, I figured he would be pop with a rock edge, not full on rock. His set was quite cohesive and I don’t think it set him as a full-on rocker. If you take out “Slow Ride” which didn’t really didn’t do anything for his set (it was when you most felt like you were at an AI show, which is all good, and it was great for TV), only “Whole Lotta Love” is full-on rock. “Starlight” is Muse’s poppiest song, even if it has their prog-rock feel, “Mad World” is a ballad and the Bowie medley was kind of a dance-pop-rock thing. It was all very Adam though.

Actually, on the show, the only full-blown rock number besides WLL was probably Cryin’ as the other “rock” stuff was fused with funk (Satisfaction), electronica (Born to be Wild), or Middle Eastern sounds (Ring of Fire). I think KISS was more for the theatrics instead of full-on rock.

I hope this hasn’t been posted ‘” a new Adam article from a college newspaper reporter at the San Diego show. Some new, interesting stuff:

The bit about people sending him religious stuff was rather interesting.

I understand about how draining the teens screaming can be. I ran some Twilight events and it’s insane, and it wasn’t even about me, but man it’s tiring stuff. However, while it’s a bit crazy, it’s something he is just going to have to suck up for now because you cannot stop it. At least he knows it is all out of love. haha

Just finished watching and sweating to Led’s WLL. I felt like a voyeur during that piece…and a little envious, oh for youth!

What Adam has, through training and years of practice, is a “melodic” voice even when doing songs like WLL. Even though people may say he is a screamer (though I don’t hear that so much any more now that his songs are long enough to make the high notes part of the song not an aside) he never really looses the ability to carry the melody. (I’m searching for words here since I am not a singer, sorry). The lyrics just seem to flow and continue…there isn’t the syncopated, stacotic sound that a lot of “rock singers” had so it is easier to listen to Adam as his voice “soars” for want of a better word.

I think that is what gives Adam his uniqueness and what may translate into a nice future for him. He has the range and the power but he also has the lyricism and ethereal sound that many male rock singers don’t have. For me his voice has that haunting, other worldly sound that is quite different.

Considering Adam auditioned first with ‘Rock with You’ and then they wanted to hear something else and ended up airing Queen, they wanted him to fill the ‘Rock guy’ casting for Season 8. Let’s face it, dance/electronic elements where never going to sound right with Bandzilla on the show, so he did rock songs. I’m very interested in what ‘his’ sound is going to be in the future.

think Kris Allen interview up today. Then Adam tomorrow, Danny Wed, Allison Thurs, & so on, in order 1-10. Will tweet Kris link later!#
>

Why does lyndsey parker do this?. why not release them all in one day. we have to watch the 2min or less interviews over a course of 10days. she did it the last time too and people lost interest. I say release them at once and everyone can discuss their favorite at the same time. i have noticed some topics/ idols get over 200 comments and others get under 20 comments.

BeckyMD
Jul 20th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Backstage Pass: American Idol Season 8 – Part Two

Basically an Adam’s interview.

Btw, anyone know where the part one is?

Part 1

As I know a few peeps who are regular concert photographers, this is standard OP, professional or media photographers are usually only allowed to take photos of the first three songs of any concert so as not to annoy the fans and the artists/band during the whole concert, as in they are allowed to use their flash and at least in terms of being allowed up close, often inside the barrier if there is one, in the front row otherwise to get great shots. Some concerts those photographer can still take photos but not with a flash and not from that vantage point. Sometimes a band or artist will have their own official photographer who is usually allowed to take pictures all concert long.

However of course since Idol saves the best for last, they have to reverse that process and wait until the end of the concert. Though in a concert with several artists that doesn’t quite make sense but……

I doubt David Cook knows anymore than we do about what the votes said. This comment seems a bit out there.

Did I miss something? What comment are you referring to???

Adam said Bowie medley tells more about his future album than other songs in his set. So I think he does use the tour to showcase his album.

You’re right, his set in the concert tour seems to be more in line with what he wants to do later. I guess We just have to trust him.

As for pre-idol stuff, Adam’s comment that ‘they don’t represent what he is doing’ is directed to Hi-Fi’s collection of his session work which till now we know will include ‘want’ but nothing more. We can’t generalize this comment as his opinion to all his pre-idol work.

I remember seeing somewhere (TWOP?) a track list for his album that included some of his electronic songs like “Pop Goes the Camera”? Maybee it was false but that’s why I made reference to that quote.

I don’t really remember anything Kris said on Ellen or Leno, I just remember him singing Heartless. But I certainly remember Adam’s phone conversation with Ellen ‘” Adam was funny and entertaining.’ 

Yes, because god forbid people remember the part of the interview where Kris sang. Why would a recording artist want to be remembered for that? At any rate, to each his own. I remember Kris’s interviews very well. Especially the stuff he talked about regarding his wife and how he proposed, and also her having agreed with Simon that it might be best to keep her hidden.

Re: Kris’s songwriting. I think a lot of Kris fans are more excited about his songwriting because we’ve heard some of the great songs he wrote and recorded himself pre-Idol. He often disavows these as being immature which just makes us even more excited for what he is capable of now. Also, a lot of musicians I have talked to who have watched some of Kris’s arrangements are pretty impressed with the surprising choices he makes in his chord progressions and melodic choices in his songs. This is something Joe King from The Fray also noted from his sessions with Kris.

I think all three of them–Kris, Adam, and Allison–have the potential to do really well. I don’t think that Kris has expectations of being a superstar, though. I think he just wants to be respected for his music and to have the opportunity to do this as a career. That’s all I want for him, too.

And I will just have to disagree with the idea that you have to have good songs to be successful today. Most of the stuff that seems to sell like crazy and get played all over the radio today is pretty crappy, IMO. Someone earlier mentioned the critical drubbing the BEP got for their latest album, and how they are laughing about those reviews all the way to the bank. I agree with the critics. I think the album sucks. If all you want to do is make lots of money making music, then the BEP have achieved on that count, to be sure. It still sucks, IMO.

Aside from Mad World, his whole set is definetly more rock oriented and as for the eletronic stuff, there is only two pieces aside of his pre AI stuff (that he said don’t represent what he is doing now) that have some of it: Born to Be Wild and Let’s Dance.

Where would he be given the chance to show off his electronic stuff? He’s only done the AI stuff and now is on tour. And for the tour stuff, he has three songs from the show, a ballad and two more rock stuff. Starlight, it might be argued is kind of electronic-ish, Let’s Dance is. But the thing for me (for you) is that the AI studio and tour productions values, are cheap and can suck. So producing the right kind of electronic sound, wasn’t going to happen either on the show, or in the studio, and doubtful for the tour. I think Adam was right to try and keep it simple and only add it to part of one song, Let’s Dance.

The studio version of BTBW is blah, but then the studio versions for most of the songs for most of the idols, are blah because they are mostly hideously bandzillad into bland crap. SWHTM and IICHY are the two most egregious ones for me, because I really loved the live versions, hated the studio versions.

So I don’t judge what Adam might do with an electronic sound based either on the studio versions or even the tour. Luckily he is working with people who have been able to do well with that kind of sound, so I have more hope for that.

As for BNS? I agree with Kris about it’s quality and I won’t be judging his future songs and songwriting, based on that. He’s also working with some great producers and people in the industry and I trust his instincts in choosing what will work best for him. He’s typically really good about that.

In that Backstage Pass article, Adam responded to a question about his pet peeves as follows:

it’s been interesting’”because I’m Jewish. [laughs] And clearly gay. And I get a lot fan mail and gifts that are trying to express Christian ideals and Bible scriptures. It’s awkward because that’s not my belief system. I respect people for the intention in which they’re giving these gifts, because I know it’s out love and hope, but it doesn’t match my belief system at all, so I kind of wish there’d be a little bit more respect for that.

Wow. For an off the top of his head answer, that is remarkably honest yet tactful. The guy is seriously brilliant at these interviews. Are these fans trying to convert him? Or save him? He says he knows they’re given out of ‘love and hope,’  but ‘it doesn’t match [his] belief system,’  so he wishes there’d be a ‘little bit more respect for that.’  He’s probably incredibly tired at this point yet still manages to give a coherent and positive answer. I am in awe of his thoughtful intelligence. And his unwavering sweetness.

He’s sweet but always manages to make his point. I like that.

Hope he isn’t being inundated with “Come to Jesus” stuff.

I do think Valentin432 has a point. I think Adam will be much more pop than his fans might expect. Just listened to some goldfrapp songs and think that is a genre he didn’t really show on AI. If he would have done Madonnas ray of light instead of slow ride maybe that would have been included. Anyway, I don’t really think the genre matters so much, I think the quality of the songs and the production is much more important. If he realeses electronic pop killer songs with a dash of rock with his distinctive voice most people will fall for killer songs and his voice and not really care about the genre.

unique28v
Jul 20th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Fresh LA Artist: Alisan Porter (Exclusive): Article Link

Article Excerpt
And you’re working on Adam Lambert’s album?

I have submitted a couple songs and written a couple songs with him, so it’s definitely a possibility. He’s busy and everybody wants him, he’s quite in demand at the moment, [but] I think there’s a strong possibility I could end up on something as a writer or a singer, sure, yeah (you heard it here first).

That piece of news makes me happy. I hope it happens, I hope Alisan gets a duet on Adam’s album.

I remember seeing somewhere (TWOP?) a track list for his album that included some of his electronic stuff like ‘Pop Goes the Camera’ ? Maybee it was false but that’s why I made reference to that quote.

Since we haven’t heard what these songs sound like after Hi-Fi’s precious touch, I didn’t count them as something we know about.

And you’re working on Adam Lambert’s album?

I have submitted a couple songs and written a couple songs with him, so it’s definitely a possibility. He’s busy and everybody wants him, he’s quite in demand at the moment, [but] I think there’s a strong possibility I could end up on something as a writer or a singer, sure, yeah (you heard it here first).

That piece of news makes me happy. I hope it happens, I hope Alisan gets a duet on Adam’s album.

I do too. I’m glad Adam is trying to get his friends involved in his album. I’ve only really seen Alison in The Ten Commandments, but she is incredible in it. She is as good a dancer as she is a singer. I hope she can make it big and gets a solo tour. She will have a phenomenal act, singing and dancing.

And what Alison said, Adam is really in demand now, which is why he has people to sort out all these things. I don’t know if it was his mother, but someone said he is getting so many offers for many different things.

Personally….I love Adam’s voice. He could sing “Mary had a little Lamb” and I would go ape-shit. I don’t care if he sings sappy 60′s ballads, or hard rock, or glam, or electronica, or “Lollipops and Roses”. It’s the voice, and the package that I love so I am not going to be dissapointed with anything he sings.

I’ve had other idols who have put out crappy, crappy albums but I still love their voice and will buy their album to support them (even if it may gather dust in my jockey box).

So, for me, Adam can put out whatever kind of music in whatever kind of genre he chooses and I’ll be happy and thrilled for him…and I for one will buy the album ’cause I can learn to tolerate a song much easier than I can learn to tolerate a bad voice (Britney, anyone).

I saw Alisan Porter in A Chorus Line on Broadway. She’s an excellent dancer and singer, I hope she gets to sing on Adam’s album.

http://www.bestweekever.tv/2009-07-20/worlds-colliding-adam-lambert-praises-musical-muse-muse/

I love Michele…short paragraph and part of MTV clip from Jim’s interview. But fun, as always.

I love “the end song” by Alison. I wonder if she has written that one… I wouldn’t give it away if I was her.

Just ask the BEP’s – their recent album got trashed by my local paper for a lack of cohesion – I’m sure they really care about that assessment though, as they count the money rolling in for all their #1 hits on it.

Selling a bunch of iTunes does not make the label or the artist a lot of money.

Is BEP selling a lot of albums? You can’t dismiss the importance of album sales–it’s still what the label wants and where everybody makes their money–outside of touring of course.

BEP is an established act. For a brand new act like a newly-minted Idol, it’s better to present with a cohesive sound in order to establish themselves in the music industry. The Idols who have done best have presented with an easily definable sound on their first outings.

Well if Adam is better than Robert Plant, Freddie Mercury AND David Bowie, his future is indeed set for meteoric success.

Naturally he still has to write original material on the same level as those gentlemen, to make the comparisons complete.

BEP is an established act. For a brand new act like a newly-minted Idol, it’s better to present with a cohesive sound in order to establish themselves in the music industry. The Idols who have done best have presented with an easily definable sound on their first outings.

Can anyone give an example of an idol or idols who didn’t succeed and didn’t have a definable sound? Also, I wouldn’t equate definable with cohesive (if that makes sense).

I think BEP has made a good showing in their album sales for The E.N.D. in a MJ dominated sales chart and tough economy and their first two album went platinium and multi platinium with steady sales over 24 months – and that is what those hits do, give BEP the radioplay which keeps people buying the album week after week after week. It’s all good. That said BEP have always been very experimental, but more so on the 2nd album, after the Peas had defined their sound on the first album, and sounds like the 3rd album they are pushing it some more.

Selling a bunch of iTunes does not make the label or the artist a lot of money.

Is BEP selling a lot of albums? You can’t dismiss the importance of album sales’“it’s still what the label wants and where everybody makes their money.

BEP is an established act. For a brand new act like a newly-minted Idol, it’s better to present with a cohesive sound in order to establish themselves in the music industry. The Idols who have done best have presented with an easily definable sound on their first outings.

I disagree slightly. Big singles can make A LOT of money, especially if they are popular ringtones or are used in a commercial like BEP’s new single w/Target. A couple of those can indeed make a label a tidy profit. But I do agree album sales make everyone the most cash.

I think a new act has to make a mark in their genre, and get hits while defining themselves. Some people don’t develop a definable sound (Jordin) some do (Daughtry). But Jordin was aiming to be a pure pop artist so she had more leeway, I think.

Valentin432
“If we are talking about the transition between the show to his carreer as an artist, I am expressing my concern as a big fan of him during the show that he will confuse his fans.”

I want to be confused. All of Adam’s performances on Idol have been cheesy imitations of someone else’s style. The tour version is just amplified cheese for the larger venues. I hope that his album is more sincere and authentic.

Can anyone give an example of an idol or idols who didn’t succeed and didn’t have a definable sound? Also, I wouldn’t equate definable with cohesive (if that makes sense).

That makes sense to me. And I think genre-meshing, when done right, is quite a definable sound, especially when put under the pop umbrella. I actually think Adam’s set, if it indicates anything stylistically (probably less electronic than his album) was very cohesive though.

On the flip side’ ¦not having current music that Adam can just copy, does this say, given his ‘apparent’  popularity, that the record buying industry is hungry for a new sound that infuses the old glam rock with the new electronic sound.

oooh. This was the exact meme of the Taylor fans back during Season 5–that his popularity was some sort of sign that the American buying public was ready for a change. Well, no they weren’t. Or, if they were, that change sure as hell wasn’t going to come from the rushed, paint-by-numbers product that is the post-Idol debut of an American Idol contestant.

Whatever happens to these guys in November, I feel pretty confident in saying neither is going to be reinventing, or changing the direction of Pop music. Either they are going to fit into the current pop landscape or they’re not.

Agreed Saga “definable sound” and “cohesiveness” are two different things.

Cohesiveness is more like the flow of an album – some artists will deliberately have a theme or tell a story with the whole album whether musically or lyrically or both which makes the cohesiveness fairly easy – see The Killers Sam’s Town. The Killers also did what you are not supposed to do, after establishing a definable sound in their first album, they apparently went in a totally different direction, but not so different if you really listen to it but the initial reaction of even me was WTF, but I digress, and now in their third album they have gone back in the direction of the first album. Their sales have suffered in the US because of it but not in other places in the world. I know because Brandon has complained about it. But for example to me, after listening to Sam’s Town, Hot Fuss sounds like a collection of hits rather than a more cohesive album but they did set out a definable sound in each album. Elton John’s “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” is a stellar example of a cohesive album. That was also the beauty of the Police – not only did they have a definable sound that was different than anyone else and was a major influence in the new wave music movement after punk, but all their albums are well crafted examples of cohesiveness. Those boys knew their stuff. The artist takes you on a journey not a bunch of side trips if you will.

Can’t answer your question because I am not familiar enough with all the Idol stuff.

Whatever happens to these guys in November, I feel pretty confident in saying neither is going to be reinventing, or changing the direction of Pop music. Either they are going to fit into the current pop landscape or they’re not.

Neither of them strike me as being naive so I do think they know the deal, and I also think they understand the importance of the opportunity that has been given to them. However, I don’t think making an eclectic album neccesarily is the same thing as creating a total new sound, in the same way as definable doesn’t have to mean cohesive.

oooh. This was the exact meme of the Taylor fans back during Season 5′“that his popularity was some sort of sign that the American buying public was ready for a change. Well, no they weren’t. Or, if they were, that change sure as hell wasn’t going to come from the rushed, paint-by-numbers product that is the post-Idol debut of an American Idol contestant.

Yep, I remember it well. The same thing happened with Blake the next year. His massive popularity was supposed to herald that the public wanted to bring back a melange of beat-boxing and electronic dance music. But it was not to be.

So, now I treat claims that the public is “ready for a new sound” with a great deal of skepticism. New sounds do come about, but it seems that a rushed post-Idol CD doesn’t seem to be vector that can bring about this change.

The first few weeks of sales can be driven by an Idol’s popularity, but after that, they have to find a sound that resonates with the current CD/iTunes buying public.

Whatever happens to these guys in November, I feel pretty confident in saying neither is going to be reinventing, or changing the direction of Pop music. Either they are going to fit into the current pop landscape or they’re not.

I agree with this. I think even Adam knows this. That’s why (as someone posted an article on) his first single is apparantly going to be a pop single, so that it does fit in.

I’m just going to be happy if they both come out with cds that they themselves are happy with, that sounds like them, and has nothing on the album that sounds like No Boundaries.

Valentin432
Jul 20th, 2009 at 4:03 pm

THat’s what I don’t really get, I don’t think what he did on AI or during the concert really prepares people for a predominantly pop dance eletronica album.

Adam’s version of Let’s Dance is exactly pop dance electronica. An by the way he did say in an interview, I think it was the live webchat, that what he meant by electronic is synth. Also Adam’s version of Fame is rock dance.

Adam’s album will contain multiple genres, suitable for multiple markets. He’s not doing anything unusual, a lot of artists today release multi-genre albums. In this ITunes age, it is the only way to thrive. Achieve multiple hits on multiple charts in multiple markets.

There’s a reason why multi-Platinum albums are not as common as they once were say.. 10 years ago, It’s because people don’t buy as many albums as they once did. I’m 36, hardly of the digital generation, and the last Album I bought was Muse in 2007. I download my music, just like everyone else I know.

Virgin MegaStore closed this year in both England and the US, Tower Records is gone, they wont be the last. HMV is the last mega music and DVD chain left in the UK; They’ve been around for 20 odd years, I don’t expect them to last another 20.

There’s a reason why BEP’s album is doing so well, it’s an album with a song for every taste, every mood.

Adam’s success will ultimately depend on the quality of the tracks not on their genres. If he produces a typical AI quality album, he’s not going to do too well, in fact he may flop just as spectacularly as he has risen. If, however, he comes up with quality sound, he will take off like a rocket, and backed by his stage performances, never come back down again.

Here’s a cute (audio only) short interview of Adam in SD that asks about when he first met Kris. Don’t worry,for those of you who hate the whole bromance thing, it doesn’t get too Kradam-y.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8mgPRc7lDg&eurl=http://lj-toys.com/?journalid=20128880&moduleid=1228&preview=&auth_token=sessionless:1248123600:embedcontent:20128880&1228&:&feature=player_embedded

Then here (which is separate part of same interview) is Adam talking about the WBC crazies…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHWkZhMThBs&eurl=http://lj-toys.com/?journalid=20128880&moduleid=1222&preview=&auth_token=sessionless:1248123600:embedcontent:20128880&1222&:&feature=player_embedded

ok, here’s printed version of the entire interview:

edit: please don’t reprint articles in full here in comments. A link to that article has already been posted above.
= = =

I think Adam knows what he is doing. He seems to be business savvy. He even said you have to be like an entrepeneur. He even had a plan while on idol, and now that he is collaborating with some of the best in the biz, he will listen to them if they don’t like his ideas.

Can anyone give an example of an idol or idols who didn’t succeed and didn’t have a definable sound?

Taylor Hicks and Blake Lewis are the best examples. Despite having a single producer, Taylor’s album was all over the place. There wasn’t a single song that was suitable for pop radio.

Blake Lewis had a strange mix of 80′s power ballads, and 80/90′s style electronic flavored pop. There was a song or two that had radio potential, but if those songs had been released and promoted by the label, I don’t think it would have been enough to sustain the album in the long run.

Also, I wouldn’t equate definable with cohesive (if that makes sense).

They could be two different things, but I think a cohesive album is more easily definable.

But Jordin was aiming to be a pure pop artist so she had more leeway, I think.

Some people don’t develop a definable sound (Jordin)

Jordin’s sound is generic, but I think she’s definable–she’s pop/r&b featuring a mixture of ballads and mid-tempo tunes. Her second outing throws some rhythmic (not so successfully, imo) into the mix.

“Yep, I remember it well. The same thing happened with Blake the next year. His massive popularity was supposed to herald that the public wanted to bring back a melange of beat-boxing and electronic dance music. But it was not to be.”

But, IMO, Blake and Taylor didn’t have the talent as Adam nor the buzz. Unless you can tell me they were both in demand like Adam, music offers, magazine covers, TV interviews, etc.

Well said saga

However, I don’t think making an eclectic album neccesarily is the same thing as creating a total new sound, in the same way as definable doesn’t have to mean cohesive.

If that were the case, Grace Jones would be a musical pioneer.

Neither of them strike me as being naive so I do think they know the deal, and I also think they understand the importance of the opportunity that has been given to them. However, I don’t think making an eclectic album neccesarily is the same thing as creating a total new sound, in the same way as definable doesn’t have to mean cohesive.

Yeah, I agree as well, especially as I really don’t see what is being said about Adam’s sound as being new. Maybe it is new to some of the AI audience, but it’s actually pretty similar to the way Lady GaGa describes her sound (she talks about glam rock, her name is a Queen reference and she is pop-dance).

I know the comparisons to Blake and Taylor always made, but Adam is much more Top 40-friendly than either of them in sound, marketability and image, and seems to have a lot more industry support, which genuinely means something.

LA TIMES

For a time Saturday evening, the ‘Keep Paula’  movement made it to the No. 2 slot (see left) on Twitter’s much-contested trending topics list

So does this mean “Danny is a Douche” was more important topic to tweeters than Paula since that tweet reached the # 1 spot?

“I know the comparisons to Blake and Taylor always made, but Adam is much more Top 40-friendly than either of them in sound, marketability and image.”

-I also wonder why some keeps on comparing Blake and Taylor’s destiny with that of Adam. It’s as if Adam’s album is now being judged as going to that direction. As far as I know, Adam is working with well known music producers who are known to be hitmakers. I don’t think these hitmakers will waste their time working with Adam and put their name at stake if they don’t think he will deliver.

Let’s just wait and see in October. Who knows Kris album may not be as cohesive as most people think.

There’s a reason why BEP’s album is doing so well, it’s an album with a song for every taste, every mood.

I think BEP’s already-established position as a popular pop act had something to do with it. Also, their new album was highly anticipated after the members of the band had been off pursing solo careers for a few years.

An established act like BEP, with a large ready-made audience, has a lot more lee-way to indulge their creative muse than an act that’s just starting out.

I am not so familiar with Blake or Taylor, but the “sad song” posted today sounds a bit old fashioned, even if it is electronica. Doesn’t really sound like the modern electronica of today? Or maybe it lacks some really good producers in the genre… don’t know enough to say (runs to check out Taylors album).

The same thing happened with Blake the next year. His massive popularity was supposed to herald that the public wanted to bring back a melange of beat-boxing and electronic dance music.

Really? Blake had “massive popularity”?

Either they are going to fit into the current pop landscape or they’re not.

But what is the current music landscape? Black eyed Peas, Jordin, Katy Perry, Rob Thomas, Lady GaGa, Demi Lovato and the Jonas Bros. (for God’s sake) kings of Leon, Dave Mathews.

So, in order for an Idol to be successful they have to form a sound that is the combination of the above. That’s utterly absurd. I probably went overboard in saying that the “record buyers” are looking for a new sound (since record buyers, based on the above, apparently are in to a single type of sound). I should have said that Adam wants to have a sound that is a combination of glam-rock and electronica, and based on the fan reaction to his Bowie medley people that like Adam apparently like that type of music for him.

But, since Adam doesn’t sound like many solo artists out in radio land, today, there is a distinct possibility that he will fail, and fail miserably and I am sure that I will hang my head in shame when Adam sells his 1000 albums and rides off into the sunset.

Valentin432 Jul 20th, 2009 at 3:14 pm

I thought his concert set looked a bit schizo on paper. Other than being predominantly British, his songs’“WLL, Starlight, Mad World, Slow Ride and Bowie’“have little in common and are all completely different styles of music (as originally done).

I didn’t think it was schizo at all, at least comparing to the other sets.
It has a clear rock identity, 4 of the 5 songs are from famous rock bands and 3 of them are from the 70′s, 80′s. This is a continuation of what he did on the show, when he had a contestant pick (semifinals and top 3 night), he went with the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith.

What I fear is that those who loved Adam because of his edgier rock personna won’t find any of this on his album.
From what I see on the videos, he is already acting more like a pop than a rock performer, he has carefully planned choreographies that he reproduces night after night. In comparison, Bowie never felt the need to add some sexy dance moves when he sings and I don’t think Robert Plant did these things too, IMHO it’s overkill to sing WLL (and its very expressive lyrics) and put the mic between his crotch.

Until recently Bowie’s concerts were completely choreographed with him dancing and many back-up dancers.

Robert Plant didn’t use a microphone stand because he did the audible orgasms for at least 2 minutes during WLL (Oh, Oh, Oh, OHHHH, UUUUHHHHHH, ahh, ahh, ahhh, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, oh baby, baby, baby). Same idea, different technique by Adam.

Whatever happens to these guys in November, I feel pretty confident in saying neither is going to be reinventing, or changing the direction of Pop music. Either they are going to fit into the current pop landscape or they’re not.

I think that both Kris and Adam have more realistic views of their respective records and their chances than some, though not all, of their fans. And for this fan, again, I just want some non-sucky music from them and Allison because I like them all and I like good music. So their being able to produce things I like and that can be even moderately popular, is about the extent of my hopes for them.

Changing gears completely, the college reporter who talked to Adam and Sarver (both of which are already up) and Anoop, Scott(I think) and Allison (yet to come) also made a post on ontd_ai about the interviews before they were up. I was pleased to read that Adam seems as nice in person as I thought (validation? yes, I’m for it) and that also they said Anoop was a little aloof. Which is another validation for me. Allison has, imho, not been giving great interviews lately and this person said kind of the same thing, darn. Which is to be expected as she’s young and tired and I don’t hold against her, but is kind of disappointing to this fan. Her Rockerazzi.com video was longer than Kris or Adam’s and yet much less coherent.

I think the type of folks that like dance/pop electronica are less sticklers for cohesiveness but you still have define your sound. Dance artists don’t necessarily need to take you on a journey like U2 and the Unforgettable Fire or the Joshua Tree – does it have a good beat and can I dance to it might just be enough but, if you having cohesiveness it takes the music to a whole ‘notha level.

I haven’t got Lady GaGa’s album yet but it is clear to me after 3 hits that she has a very definable sound and that all three singles are also cohesive. If the rest of the album is like those 3 songs I will love it on the first listen. My guess is Lady GaGa is not throwing every genre under the sun onto the album. She is taking her definable sound and playing with it in each song but not confusing the listener/dancer.

I suspect Adam will have more songs than he will need for his debut album like most artists, and really you want to have too many rather than not enough, and he may decide his initial vision was overambitious, when you play all the songs side by side. If all goes well, he and his producers should be able to hear that definable sound and pick the songs that will best represent that AND have radio/club potential.

-I also wonder why some keeps on comparing Blake and Taylor’s destiny with that of Adam. It’s as if Adam’s album is now being judged as going to that direction.

LOL. Because for some of us long-time Idol watchers, reading these comments is like deja vu, or waking up like Bill Murray on Groundhogs day…every day. Different season–same spin.

Really? Blake had ‘massive popularity’ ?

Blake was a popular contestant during his Idol run. He showed a knack for producing and song re-arranging. Most folks assumed he would succeed.

edit: don’t tell posters what to do. I’m not running a fan forum here.

BTW, Blake is good with his beat box style, but I never thought he was a particularly good singer. Jordin blew him away with the coronation song.

I didn’t think Taylor had much marketability appeal, and his music didn’t seem current. He also was very awkward in interviews.

Neither of them strike me as being naive so I do think they know the deal, and I also think they understand the importance of the opportunity that has been given to them. However, I don’t think making an eclectic album neccesarily is the same thing as creating a total new sound, in the same way as definable doesn’t have to mean cohesive.

I think you missed my point.

I was responding to Tess who posed the question that perhaps Adam’s popularity meant that the American public was ready for a brand new sound. I responded that even if America was ready for something new, neither Adam nor Kris would be providing it.

Jordin’s sound is generic, but I think she’s definable’“she’s pop/r&b featuring a mixture of ballads and mid-tempo tunes. Her second outing throws some rhythmic (not so successfully, imo) into the mix.

Oh OK, I see what you mean. Then yes, Jordin did have a sound under that definition.. it was not an original sound, but it was a sound.

I guess the consensus at this blog is that Kris’ album will do very well and Adam’s won’t. Since I don’t have any insight into the music business or future predicting skills I’ll just have to go along with those who know better. There’s not much else to say until the music comes out.

-I also wonder why some keeps on comparing Blake and Taylor’s destiny with that of Adam. It’s as if Adam’s album is now being judged as going to that direction. As far as I know, Adam is working with well known music producers who are known to be hitmakers. I don’t think these hitmakers will waste their time working with Adam and put their name at stake if they don’t think he will deliver.

I don’t think hitmakers ever like wasting their time, but they do. Blake worked with hitmakers such as Ryan Tedder and David Hodges. Katharine wrote with Danja, Babyface and The Underdogs (and Kara). Lots of big names, not a lot of hits. Incidently, I believe that Adam is working with Tedder as well (and Kris is working with Hodges). So, I’m not sure that well-known producers/songwriters are silver bullets.

Really? Blake had ‘massive popularity’ ?

Yes, he was. He certainly won the clap-o-meter contest at every AI tour concert while getting the biggest ovations. It was poor Jordin who suffered the mass exodus of concert goers during her set. He was the original. He was the one who was going to change the music scene. He was one of People’s Hottest Bachelors. He was the one who outsold the winner on Idol singles. He was the one being given unprecedented control over his album. He was the one that generated the most chatter on the internet and at MJs. He was the one on the RCA sub-label while Jordin was the first Idol to be shunted off to “some oustider label which was a clear indication that nobody wanted her”. Poor Jordin was the one who was doomed. Except, it didn’t work out that way.

True about BEP there MJ. I think a lot of Peas fans were worried after Fergie’s solo effort was so successful.

I hate to say it but the Peas need Fergie more than Fergie needs the Peas. The Peas were lost in the hip hop pack until they added Fergie to the mix.

Just like No Doubt fans are breathing a huge sigh of relief.

The musical conundrum for new acts breaking into the the business is you have to be different enough to stand out but not so different you don’t fit the formats. In many cases being a good clone gets you farther, initially, if the suits are all trying to get their own copies of the latest big thing.

My opinion, and is only mine not fact, is Kris’s album will be more of a definable sound and Adam’s will be more of a cohesive one with his voice being the definable center. I don’t think you can compare Adam to any past Idol and what happened with them. He is unique. Adam unlike any past Idol can sing almost any genre or style of music and sing it well. (except maybe country and I think he could just does not want too) Though it is not a true representation of what can happen his Season 8 compilation album is 35 on the Itunes pop albums even now after the show being over months ago. ( I do feel the concert tour is helping in that respect) but to me that just means newer people are buying it keeping it alive because they like Adam’s voice and vibe. Even though the album does not have a definable sound as said before its because Adam voice is the definable center which makes the album cohesive.

Though it is true that just because someone does have a lot of buzz and rates high on certain data as being most searched or has the most visited sites does not guarantee success, it is the only thing at this juncture that can be measured and is tangible, and sure does not hurt.

Side note: I plan on buying both Adam’s and Kris’s Albums. To me that is being the best fan and makes the best argument.

Wow, I don’t see much resemblance between Taylor and Adam after listening to Taylor’s album, but who knows? The album is so very NOT radio friendly. So far the only thing I listened to that I could imagen hearing on the radio is “Just to feel that way”. Still I recognize several of the songwriters (Rob Thomas, Kara, Smokey Robinson, Brian Adams, Paul Wilson). The productions seems very simple, very … organic as some people say here, but not in a very exiting way. I keep thinking why didn’t they go country with him?

Back to topic! I am much more concerned that Adam will be too radiofriendly, as in overproduced and autotuned. I didn’t like his version of NoBo for that reason, I think Kris made a better decision in slowing that song down (probably in order to be able to say the words!). Still, he will always have his trademark voice to fall back on.

I think I’ve decided to stop listening to Adam describe his album and just buy it. LOL. Seriously, every time he talks about it, it’s slightly different and I read so much into it. One description I love and then the next one makes me nervous–even though they’re not really all that different. It’s like, did he slightly emphasize the rock in this statement or the electronic/dance in this one? I’ll probably just go crazy until I hear it.

I don’t think Adam is trying to invent anything musically or “change music.” I do think he’s very lucky to be coming up in a time when dance/electronic music and theatrical stylings are popular. Thankfully, he’s not trying to be the male Lady GaGa, but he can thank her for a lot right now.

The comparisons between Adam and Blake/Taylor are pretty funny. I thought Blake was kinda fun in a weak season, but nothing remotely spectacular or even remotely marketable. And Taylor’s popularity completely went over my head during his season. His pimping was worse than Danny Gokey’s and if he hadn’t won that season, I would have been surprised to see him get a record deal. Like Danny, there was very little marketable or interesting about Taylor. As a typically casual AI watcher and a huge music fan first and foremost, the fact that those 2 didn’t succeed outside of Idol (or that Danny didn’t immediately get a record deal) wasn’t remotely a surprise. Allison, Kris and Adam all have much much better chances at succeeding in the music industry. They are all very marketable, genuinely talented and radio friendly.

I plan on buying a lot of CDs this fall. I plan on getting Carrie Underwoods, Adams, Kris, Allisons, and Jason Castros. Whoo Hoo!!!!

edit: seriously. you know better. If you can’t handle a frank discussion, you should not be reading it. I’m NOT RUNNING A FAN FORUM

I’m a fan of Blakes, voted tons for him, and like his music. But there’s nothing similar to Adam imo. Blake was never as mainstream as Adam is. Blake’s talent is very unique, and I always knew it would be more of an Indie album. As much as Adam and fans would like to think he’s not, Adam is very mainstream. And his album will be pop mainstream, radio friendly.

I hope none of these Idols follow the path of Cook and Archie. Those were some of the most bland album’s I’ve heard in a long time. They’ve got to take some chances, or you get those same generic albums where every song sounds the same. Right now, if they’re lucky, the idols are recording a lot of songs with different producers and songwriters. They’ll grow, and “art” will hopefully come together. Then, they’ll pick the songs that “fit” for the cd. They should experiment at this point.

I think Adam will sound like the Jonas Brothers (don’t mean in a bad way, but a pop/rock upbeat fun way) so that will be good for him. Allison exactly the same. I think Matt will be signed and do something awesome. I hope Kris gets an opportunity to work with lots of people, and find his sound. Cause if he’s going the Cook way, I don’t see good things. Too bland and generic. And Cook is miles better.

LOL. Because for some of us long-time Idol watchers, reading these comments is like deja vu, or waking up like Bill Murray on Groundhogs day’ ¦every day. Different season’“same spin.

OMG…this is so true. I think Adam is VERY talented, but I refuse to buy into the hype ever again. I’ll wait until I see the results. Talent doesn’t always translate into record sales.

North County Times did interviews with several of the Idols. Evidently we don’t have to worry about an Adam sex tape popping up on the internet anytime soon (that’s just one of the revelations on here)

oh, and if anyone is worried about possible jealousy:

QUOTE: Although all of the concert reviews so far have proclaimed Lambert the star and the rest of the singers his back-up crew, he said that’s caused hardly a ripple among the group.

“They just rib me about it,” he said of his glowing reviews. “The guys read them aloud and it’s just a way of relieving tension. We all get along really great.”

http://nctimes.com/articles/2009/07/20/entertainment/music/z81ae4e046338e15e882575f900019269.txt/

Interview with Cook on the Bob & Tom show (radio). Very funny. He does his puppy voice and sings acoustic CBTM (not, however, in puppy voice):

http://www.4shared.com/file/119383072/9fb29074/Bob_and_Tom_-_Jul_20_2009_-_Hour_3.html?err=no-sess

His pimping was worse than Danny Gokey’s and if he hadn’t won that season,

I don’t think Taylor was pimped during Season 5, at least not until the very end of the show. He still led every single week on dial idol (back when dial idol was more accurate).

I think Daughtry, Pickler, and Ace were pimped more early on than Taylor.

I like David C so I bought his album and although I like some of the songs it is nothing of what I hoped he would have delivered, I was a bit disappointed.

As much as Adam and fans would like to think he’s not, Adam is very mainstream. And his album will be pop mainstream, radio friendly.

I don’t think Adam is trying to invent anything musically or ‘change music.’  I do think he’s very lucky to be coming up in a time when dance/electronic music and theatrical stylings are popular.

I guess this is what I have been trying to say, probably not very succesful though! And together with this

I hope none of these Idols follow the path of Cook and Archie. Those were some of the most bland album’s I’ve heard in a long time. They’ve got to take some chances, or you get those same generic albums where every song sounds the same. Right now, if they’re lucky, the idols are recording a lot of songs with different producers and songwriters. They’ll grow, and ‘art’  will hopefully come together. Then, they’ll pick the songs that ‘fit’  for the cd. They should experiment at this point.

it’s perfect.

Yes, he was. He certainly won the clap-o-meter contest at every AI tour concert while getting the biggest ovations. It was poor Jordin who suffered the mass exodus of concert goers during her set. He was the original. He was the one who was going to change the music scene. He was one of People’s Hottest Bachelors. He was the one who outsold the winner on Idol singles. He was the one being given unprecedented control over his album. He was the one that generated the most chatter on the internet and at MJs. He was the one on the RCA sub-label while Jordin was the first Idol to be shunted off to ‘some oustider label which was a clear indication that nobody wanted her’ . Poor Jordin was the one who was doomed. Except, it didn’t work out that way.

Tee hee. Nice one, Kirsten. I wasn’t around on the blog for S6, but those comments sound eerily familiar.

OMG Groundhog day describes it perfectly. Always the same story:

Idol X will be as big or bigger than Elvis, Beatles, Nickelback, Micheal Jackson, Lady Gaga, sliced bread.

This is based on Idol singing great songs on the show.

Idol releases album of original music which is NEVER as good as the songs they did on the show. They just don’t have the time to make a great album.

Idol a)flops b)sells the required million albums c)sells five million albums BUT still is not another Elvis, Bealkes, Michael Jackson, even Nickelback. Not even close.

Rinse, repeat. Diehard fans fight the battle but eventually face the reality when it all starts over again for S10.

The comparisons between Adam and Blake/Taylor are pretty funny. I thought Blake was kinda fun in a weak season, but nothing remotely spectacular or even remotely marketable.

I agree that the comparisons are funny. Adam & Blake? Really?
I don’t remember Blake being particularly popular (other than coming in #2) even though it was a very weak season.

Time will tell if Kris or Adam (or both) achieve lasting success. All I can say is that right now I pretty happy with the way things are going for Adam. He’s been getting the most press attention of any contestant in 8 seasons. He also has apparently already received various offers, some of which he’s had to turn down. It’s not over til the fat lady sings, but things are looking good.

The comparisons between Adam and Blake/Taylor are pretty funny.

I’m not comparing their music. I’m using both as examples to show how fan expectations can be skewed in the months that run up to the November releases. The clap-0-meter, the internet and media buzz, whose official website has more members, hyperbolic claims that an Idol’s popularity is signaling a change in the pop landscape–seen it all before, and now know that it means nothing to the future careers of these Idols.

And by the way, Taylor wasn’t pimped his season. That would be Chris Daughtry. TPTB watched horrified as Taylor marched on to win the competition, knocking out their TCO at 4th place.

Thats very ballsy of them to ask Adam about a sex tape, but Im not going to lie, Ive wondered if one ever existed LOL. Doesnt Adam seem like the type to do that sorta kinky stuff?

quotes from artists when describing their new album are often similar….”oh, im trying to do a new sound” “bring something different to the table” “really excited because im working w. great production team” “the writting sessions are off the chain”…blah blah blah …….i do hope adam, kris ,allison etc all do come up with successful radio, critic friendly tunes but its all speculation right now….having talent and working w. great writers/producers does NOT always equal a great album

How true you are, MJ, about the way Taylor was treated. They gave him the win, but, then set out to destroy his career, so their chosen one, Daughtry, would be shown as the true winner. Even though I liked Chris’s voice, this really turned me against him, and I couldn’t and don’t support his career. Is it his fault? No, but, it’s dirty, and I can’t forgive them for what they did to Taylor. He deserved his win, but, the way he was treated was and is an abomination.

edit: Keep on topic. It’s not this thread and what and how posters are commenting.

Adam is more talented and much more handsome than Blake. He also seems to have a bigger fan base. So I’m sure he’ll do much better than Blake or Taylor. However, he doesn’t have an established genre yet and he’s a bit of an acquired taste.

I know I’m going back to ancient times but aside from the RS cover about his coming out, he has not had the most press attention in 8 seasons. Other idols like the beloved Taylor Hicks and Clay Aiken also got major press coverage. And this season’s tour is not getting the sell outs of S7, S5 and S4 which sold more tickets (so far).

It’s very hard to predict who will do well in the real world. In general, the guys get overpimped and the females are underestimated. They’re always going to be bigger than Elvis, yadda, change the world, bring Glamrock/80s music/60s music back, impact the culture, yadda.

I remember back in the day when Katharine McPhee having a cold would get 1,000 posts. This ain’t all that.

Promo for tonight’s concert in Scott’s hometown.

American Idol Live! Tour to rock Glendale tonight

Fan favorite Adam Lambert will surely perform his haunting version of ‘Mad World,’  as contestant Kris Allen croons ‘Ain’t No Sunshine.’ 

Contestant? Kris Allen — yipes!! This is not right!

#

# 330 Q3 Jul 20th, 2009 at 6:36 pm

Promo for tonight’s concert in Scott’s hometown.

American Idol Live! Tour to rock Glendale tonight

Fan favorite Adam Lambert will surely perform his haunting version of ‘Mad World,’  as contestant Kris Allen croons ‘Ain’t No Sunshine.’ 

Contestant? Kris Allen ‘” yipes!! This is not right!

Yikes! is right and why they have to be ‘secret’ Adam fan? That’s a crappy promo.

Cutting Kara DioGuardi’s “No Boundaries” from the American Idol tour was a no-brainer for Kris Allen.
You can read how he feels about it here.

I’m not comparing their music. I’m using both as examples to show how fan expectations can be skewed in the months that run up to the November releases.

I still think Kris, Adam and Allison has a better chance than Taylor and Blake (after doing some research). Fan expectations is one thing but I think what matters most is that the idol has some idea about the current music scene and where he is marketable and to do this with an edge (maybe a little like Carrie?). Just because the fans think Adam and Kris is the next Lady Gaga or Jason Mraz doesn’t make them non-radio friendly or not current.

I guess I think we should seperate fan expectations and where they might actually go and this is where I don’t see much in common between for example Adam and Taylor. I just see the three of them (Adam, Kris and Allison) as very commercial (even too commercial for my taste, lol). Am I the only one seeing this?

Contestant? Kris Allen ‘” yipes!! This is not right!

Ouch.

How true you are, MJ, about the way Taylor was treated. They gave him the win, but, then set out to destroy his career, so their chosen one, Daughtry, would be shown as the true winner.

Wait. We established that Taylor=Adam so does mean TPTB are out to mess up Adam’s career? That part worries me a little.

Contestant? Kris Allen ‘” yipes!! This is not right!

Yikes! is right and why they have to be ‘secret’ Adam fan? That’s a crappy promo.

well, finally! we have a news article from a bitter Scott fan. haha.. j/k

New post from Michelle Collins of Best Week Ever. She loves her some Adam and Muse. Bonus is the new single from Muse is embedded (is Queen like).

http://www.bestweekever.tv/2009-07-20/worlds-colliding-adam-lambert-praises-musical-muse-muse/

No way does Taylor = Adam. Adam seems tons more savvy about the current music scene and way more professional that Mr. Hicks who didn’t work on his album during the tour so he could jam w/his band.

I just don’t think Adam will change the music world as we know it. He’ll have fans but may not have that mass appeal you need to be a multi platinum or even platinum artist in today’s music scene.

Senile moment, not sure if this was posted, Adam speaking about the protests…I believe only the printed was posted..I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHWkZhMThBs

Oh…and regarding Paula: to me, it seems like Twitter has become the new petitiononline.com

I don’t think Adam is trying to invent anything musically or ‘change music.’  I do think he’s very lucky to be coming up in a time when dance/electronic music and theatrical stylings are popular. Thankfully, he’s not trying to be the male Lady GaGa, but he can thank her for a lot right now.

Yeah, there is an Ann Powers article out there that kind relates to this. I think Adam came at the right time where the music tide is changing in his favor, not that he will change music.

As a typically casual AI watcher and a huge music fan first and foremost, the fact that those 2 didn’t succeed outside of Idol (or that Danny didn’t immediately get a record deal) wasn’t remotely a surprise.

Yeah, I agree, and this is coming from someone who quite liked Blake on the show and owns music that has beatboxing in it. Taylor, I just didn’t get and I don’t think I will. His soul style, along with Nickleback-style music, are the two styles I cannot stand musically (which is why S5 does nothing for me). However, I saw the market in the latter one. Since I never followed AI after the show ended till now that closely, did Taylor and Daughtry get the tween scream? Because that amuses me, if they did.

I think Adam will sound like the Jonas Brothers (don’t mean in a bad way, but a pop/rock upbeat fun way) so that will be good for him.

I don’t think Adam will sound like the Jonas Brothers (I think he will be a bit dancier, but I do see the pop/rock thing), but I see him picking up fans of the JoBros, especially the ones who are getting a bit older and want something “edgier” which is where Adam can slip in.

I guess I think we should seperate fan expectations and where they might actually go and this is where I don’t see much in common between for example Adam and Taylor. I just see the three of them as very commercial (even too commercial for my taste, lol). Am I the only one seeing this?

No, I understand. When I take it in, I try and separate fan hyperbole (even if I am known to stan it up myself). I think those comments tend to get thrown in and mixed in with general music discussion.

I think mj is right. We have to lower our expectations on Adam’s album. If it comes out good, then it’s party time.

I guess the consensus at this blog is that Kris’ album will do very well and Adam’s won’t.

I don’t think this is the consensus at all.

I think that some people are just saying that we need to wait until the albums come out and that some of the hyperbole right now has been heard before (and that it doesn’t always pan out).

Does anyone else remember the article from way back where someone from Arista said they expected to move 5 million Taylor CD’s? Yep those expectations are amusing. And the rate Adam is being built up I bet his first week sales aren’t even held to normal AI standard, he better crank out a million in a week :laugh_tb: Nope not normal numbers but it’s not often a legend in the making superstar immediately comes off Idol right?

For the people like Blake, and Taylor and Clay I think since they’ve become such a punchline it’s easy to forget they were once very, very popular and their fans too thought they were the most talented ever and never thought they would go on to be a joke. No one knows what will happen when their CD’s come out. They could be hyped to death and there’s always that chance the general public won’t connect to the music. There’s a huge difference between gaining fans from AI or selling a bunch of cover songs every week than there is with real music.

I still think Kris, Adam and Allison has a better chance than Taylor and Blake (after doing some research). Fan expectations is one thing but I think what matters most is that the idol has some idea about the current music scene and where he is marketable and to do this with an edge (maybe a little like Carrie?). Just because the fans think Adam and Kris is the next Lady Gaga or Jason Mraz doesn’t make them non-radio friendly or not current.

I think they are positioned better than Taylor, certainly. who quite obviously, to me anyway, lacked a current sound.

But the comparison, needs to be made pre-november for both sets of Idols.

For instance, in the run up to Taylor’s album, RS, Vibe and a few other respected publications did very nice pieces on him. There were announcements that Taylor would be recording in Ray Charles studio with the Charles family’s blessing (they gave him one of Charles’ jackets) Taylor was writing a song with John Mayer, and there were hints that he might collaborate with Michael McDonald. Things did not look bad pre-November.

I have no idea what’s going to happen to these guys, as others in this thread has said, it’s going to depend on the kind of record they make. Right now, I can imagine the kind of record Kris and Allison will make, but Adam? Not so much. Doesn’t mean he’s not going to produce a hit record. I’m just saying I don’t know.

And that goes for all three–I won’t base predictions on internet and news buzz, the clapometer, the popularity of an Idol’s website right now, etc etc. I’ll just have to wait and see.

Yes, he was. He certainly won the clap-o-meter contest at every AI tour concert while getting the biggest ovations. It was poor Jordin who suffered the mass exodus of concert goers during her set. He was the original. He was the one who was going to change the music scene. He was one of People’s Hottest Bachelors. He was the one who outsold the winner on Idol singles. He was the one being given unprecedented control over his album. He was the one that generated the most chatter on the internet and at MJs. He was the one on the RCA sub-label while Jordin was the first Idol to be shunted off to ‘some oustider label which was a clear indication that nobody wanted her’ . Poor Jordin was the one who was doomed. Except, it didn’t work out that way.

LOL! I assume in this scenario, Jordin is standing in for Kris and Blake for Adam. Well, just because two flowers picked from the same garden are white and fragrant, does not make them both Jasmine.
I had to go back and watch a bit of Blake on AI and what I can clearly see is that the boy had style but no voice. His creativity also lay in him changing every song into his style of song, beat box. If anyone was clearly definable, it was Blake in AI, imo. If Anyone from this season is comparable to Blake in that way, then it is Kris not Adam.

Adam has a voice, more than a voice, he has a spectacular instrument. An instrument the like of which many of us have not experienced in years, if not decades. Where Blake pretty much stuck, and only excelled in his one genre of music, Adam excelled in, and experimented with many different styles. What Blake had in definability, Adam has in versatility. What Blake had in likability, Adam has in likability and charisma. What Blake had in creativity, Adam has in artistry and strategy. What Blake lacked in voice, Adam has in a voice that is beyond reproach. What blake lacked in looks, Adam has in beauty.
The fact that anyone can compare the two is as ludicrous,imo, as comparing a jasmine flower to a daisy.

As to the concert reaction, well Jordin is miserable live. Her AI performance this year was terrible, I actually turned down the volume. Her Jonas Brothers performance, though more in key, was dull and uninspiring, I would have walked out on that one, so I’m not surprised people walked out on her during the AI tour. As to whether she’s doomed or not, her second album is drek in my opinion, but she’s young, so we will see. Either way I certainly hope Kris manages a better career than Jordin’s.

Adam’s success or failure will be defined by the quality of the music he produces. No more, no less.

You know what, there are OTT fan expectations (which happens EVERY year) and then there are cold hard statistics. I’m realistic enough to realize that Adam probably isn’t going to be the next Elvis and Beatles combined. But I’m also smart enough to realize that all of these statistics are a very POSITIVE indicator of Adam’s popularity.

It shows me that he’s doing a good job of maintaining his AI fan base AND seems to be building upon it. While the Kris numbers seem to indicate stagnation. Now how that will translate into album sales numbers, we can only wait and see.

And a persistent stalker has hacked into his Twitter, e-mail and iPhone account, forcing him to change numbers three times in recent weeks and cutting off his communication with his friends and fans.

I still am curious as to how come this hasn’t been resolved? Do they know who the stalker is? And if so, can’t they arrest the stalker?

All of Adam’s performances on Idol have been cheesy imitations of someone else’s style. The tour version is just amplified cheese for the larger venues. I hope that his album is more sincere and authentic

Ouch! I take it you do mean ‘style’ since you didn’t use the word covers but I think Adam does put his own twist or style on everything he sings. He was never criticized for being karaoke like some others were. I think his talent for mimicry just might be spot on (I’m basing this on his affinity for accents) and if he wanted to sound like someone else, he could – but he doesn’t want to sound like anyone but himself.
And ‘cheesy’? Hmmmm – no way.