Aloha — remember her?

Has anyone noticed that Syesha hasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t been on any talk shows? Whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s with that???

She’s been in LA working with the rest of the Top 12 on the finale. She’ll do the circuit around the same time as the Davids, I think.

http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/20/tv_realty_tv/main4111244.shtml

I would not wish the type of media scrutiny and backlash that Taylor received on anyone (certainly not a 17-year-old boy who has already been put through the wringer). But, if his fans are OK with that and just want to be able to say, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“We did it!à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ , that is their business.

I must say that I have had an education the last two weeks. Let us recap:

1) Archie fans are clueless and couldn’t recognize good music if it bit them on the a$$

2) Archie fans are sheep. If somebody tells them that Archie is a good singer, they believe it even though it obviously is not true.

3) Archie has fans are rabid voters. They are ruining AI. No other fan group this year power voted until their fingers bled.

4) Archie fans are all younger than 14 or older than 64. (Side Note: And they say the older generation has nothing in common with the younger ones! I give them Archie)

5) Archie fans like junk food.

6) Archie fans are selfish and self serving. (Poor Archie getting fans that only worry about themselves winning even if it does subscribe him to a life of disappointment, drug addiction and bad mug shots).

We’ve also learned that Jeff Archuletta is a master musician, song selector and song arranger. He is a master manipulator who can undermine anybody’s confidence. He is also a master at trolling the internet to find and plant incriminating information about the competition. Does the man ever sleep? How is it not more successful himself? Why must he live his life through his child? These are questions that I must ponder.

Look, I agree that winning can be a double-edged sword that can cleave your head off. But, it is hard to predict at this point. Last year, when Jordin was singing songs older than Hades on the show while Blake was being all current, moving units on iTunes and getting all the fans at the tour stops, I thought it was a slam dunk that he would outsell her. But, it was not to be (I’m a terrible prognosticator).

I would hate for people to not vote for somebody because of some possible future scenario where the press is mean. One could easily argue that Cookie’s fans are self centered. Dude has blood pressure issues. He could die on stage if he’s announced as the winner. Would voters want that on their head just because they want to be the ones that “win”? Or maybe the truly caring fans should have sent him home weeks ago to spend time with his terminally ill brother. That’s not logical (and it makes me ill just writing this paragraph because it’s so the antethesis of what I think).

Cook has made the decision. He wants to be in the competition. I think it’s his call. I think it’s Archie’s call. They are willing to take the risks. Their fans should not feel guilty for supporting them. IMHO.

Disclaimer: I don’t vote for AI and I like both David’s but the rhetoric lately is killing me.

Side Note: I bought a bunch of songs on iTunes this morning. I really liked Cook’s ABMB (so thanks to those who kept mentioning it. I dislike MC so much I had been loathe to listen to any of the studio versions from that week). I wish that they would at least sell performance versions of the songs for which they don’t have studio versions.

Has anyone noticed that Syesha hasn’t been on any talk shows? What’s with that???

Calimari, okay we disagree tooà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.I like Jason, but I think heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not a top-notch recording starà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦a good coffee house singer yesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.but in the same class as a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Daughtryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  or à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Bon Jovià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ? Nah. I see TV in his future, if that.

I didn’t say he was going to be a top-notch recording star. (Not that I put Daughtry there either – I see him more as a one hit wonder). I simply said he is not a slacker and I do think he might have a career in music. Most of the CDs I listen to are NOT heard on the radio. Kenny Wayne Shephard. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. Toby Lightman. They are all top-notch singers/songwriters, but not at the top of the charts. No reason Jason can’t have an excellent career there. I mean, seriously – Kellie Pickler? C’mon.

In the other corner is stubbled ex-bartender David Cook, whose raw intensity and growling vocals have made him a popular alternative to the pre-teen and grandma following who Archuleta has cultivated.

Who said Archuleta’s fanbase is all pre-teens and grandmas? Who said DC’s fanbase doesn’t have pre-teens and grandmas? This is very general, boring reporting if you ask me.

It didn’t take long for Archuleta to establish himself with the judges. On a night when the contestants sang from the Lennon and McCartney songbook, Archuleta turned in a memorable performance of “Imagine,” at once calling to mind the vocal stylings of Eva Cassidy.

Um, that would be Top 20, and 1970s night. Not Lennon and McCartney. Thanks for playing though.

Most Forgettable Performance

Archuleta: Wanting something more “youthful,” Archuleta chose Chris Brown’s “With You” on the show’s Top 3 night, but he struggled to master an up-tempo style different from the ballads he had been performing. The judges quickly pounced on his mistake. Randy wasn’t “sure that was the right song.” Simon was even less kind, claiming that “it was a little bit like a Chihuahua trying to be a tiger.”

Bad, maybe (that’s a whole ‘nother topic if you ask me), but no way was “With You” forgettable! It’s one of the most memorable of the season, even if for all the wrong reasons.

Vocal Styles

Archuleta: Think Michael Bolton with a better head of hair. His comfort zone has been middle-of-the-road ballads (“Love Me Tender”) and R&B-lite (“Stand by Me”) that showcase his mellow baritone and penchant for vocal flourishes. The kid has vocal chops, but he has leaned toward safer choices highlighting his innocence and youthful optimism.

Michael Bolton? Kid sounds nothing like him. Also, “mellow baritone?” Please! The kid’s a tenor! Do you know nothing about vocal ranges?

However, it’s Archuleta’s feel-good story that seems to have taken the viewing public by storm.

What feel-good story? He’s a kid with a good voice– what has he overcome? Dadchuleta? Please. DC’s story is just as “feel-good,” if not more. DA overcame little. DC overcame a seemingly inevitable Archuleta victory.

*

As for me, I’m a huge fan of both these guys– they’ve definitely been my two top favorites this season. I have slightly preferred Archuleta throughout, but I’d be very pleased (and expect to see) Cook win. I still haven’t made my mind up as to who I’m voting for. That’s always exciting!