Top 7 Redux iTunes Performance Review

Yes, I loved Adam’s too. Really gorgeous.

I’m sorry to hear that about Allison’s, and a great big ugh to Dannyboy.

I don’t like it when they ruin the effect of the arrangement with instrumentation, so that’s too bad on Kris’ — although I didn’t really like it live either, so I’ll be ok. LOL

Awww, Anoop. I’ll have to check that out. He did a great job on his sing off, and I dug the sound.

Thanks as always, MJ!

It’s amazing how I usually enjoy Anoop’s studio recordings, but rarely enjoyed him live. He has a pretty voice.

And yes, Danny talking in the middle of “September” really threw me off. It seemed so forced and weird.

But how crazy is it that neither Kris’ or Allison’s songs have any reviews and not enough ratings for an average? Maybe they’re in more trouble than I thought.

I have to disagree about Matt Giraud’s Studio recording here. I really loved it, and thought that it was his best yet. I appreciated the upbeat tempo, and “disco” feel, while it still managed to be sort of cool and current. His vocals on this as well were steller, and while some may not have apprieciated his High notes and falsetto, I thought that they added to the overall Fun, dance feel of the song. It didn’t put me to sleep, and I find myself listening to it when I exercise lol it gets me pumped!!! Anyway, these are just our OPINIONS, niether of us are professionals, I just couldn’t disagree with you more on this bracket.

“look up .. keep your chin up” ??? ….. when did that lyric ever appear in “September”? ……….ewwwwwwww

Love Adam’s recording voice, preferred Kris’s live version and thought Anoop sounded very nice.

yeah, bandzilla jacked up Kris’s arrangement but you can’t deny the beauty of that vocal. Flove him.

Danny in the middle of “September”:
Sometimes you find yourself in difficult situations, sometimes even hurtfull ones, but you know what? I’ve been in those situations and it does get better, so look up, keep your chin up, look up it’s gonna get better

What are TPTB going to do with this guy? Do they really need a christian contemporary singer?

I am sorry MJ that you can’t get past Allison’s age because her recording is really good. I never took the lyrics of the song really seriously, it’s just a fun party song that I hummed when I was a teenager too.

Adam recording is great, Kris is a mess and I didn’t care about Matt this week (that’s 2 weeks in a row).

The subject matter was a bit much on Allison’s, but she’s been doing that all season. Still, its a great recording, the band doesn’t intrude on her vocals like some of the earlier stuff.

Even though I like the live version of Kris’s more, I still love all his Itunes recordings! He always sounds good and very current.

I haven’t bought anyone else’s yet but those that I am considering are Adam and Allison. I’m thinking about Anoop but I don’t really like a lot of his song choices.

Adam’s recording is great, one of my favorites from him. Gorgeousssss.

Recorded Kris is so boring to me.

I am SO over Matt.

Danny and his inspirational mumbojumpo… vomit.

Allison’s recording, just okay… last week was much better.

Lil, okay but boring.

Anoop’s was smooth and lovely.

I completely agree that Adam’s song brought to mind a feeling like when I heard David Cook’s ABMB.
I think Adam did not get enough credit for this song from the judges because he’s been so consistently good, although I guess they did praise him highly. It just wasn’t the moment it was with DC last year.

How are any of them going to rearrange 2-3 songs each week? Maybe we will see more original versions. This week should tell.

Also agree with you about Allison’s song. I think she turned 17 this week, but that still doesn’t really help me.

The only one I’ve purchased this week is Anoop’s. I wasn’t really a fan of most of the songs this week. His recording is great, once again. His voice is as smooth as ever. The arrangement, which might not have come across great on tv, really works in the recording. I can’t stop dancing to it!
Oh Anoop, I’ll miss your recordings.

Adam, Allison, and Anoop’s were the best of the bunch. i liked Kris’s live performance way better, i was expecting it to be good but the instrumentals took over that song. i wish Anoop was still in the competition so we could hear more studio recordings, his voice is what i just dig and like to hear. Seriously i haven’t liked anything Danny has ever sang both live and studio, his voice sounds like its gonna give out in 2 more years. Too bad he has to take up space in the top 5. Matt not really doing it for me either on this one.

Now, what I really want is a recording of the group singing Shake Your Body Down to the Ground. That was hawt.

Love anoop’s studio version. Smooth and tender. He still manage to come sweet even on uptempo song.

The recorded arrangement of Adam’s song this week made it sound 80′s power ballad-ish to me. Way more than the live version did. He still sings it, as Simon said, impeccably, but the arrangement still kinda bothered me in the recording.

I also got Kris and Allison agree with you on both. I like Kris’ but not as much as the live performance and think Allison’s is too lyrically mature for her. I get why she picked the song though and looking at it solely from a vocal standpoint it was the right decision. But when you think about the lyrical content and her age, it starts being weird. Oh well.

I’m not in love with any of the studio versions this week, although I do like Adam and Allison’s. Just not my fave from either. Good for Anoop going out on a high note.

As for “Hot Stuff” it doesn’t skeeve me out at all. Allison is 17 next week? When did we start to believe teenagers should be so pure? Isn’t that when hormones go into overdrive? Singing about “hot stuff” isn’t that riske. “Hot stuff” could be kissing. LOL. I’m not advocating teen sex here, but just don’t see the big deal. Honestly, when we try to deny that teens have any sexual feelings is when they start to get into trouble, IMO.

ETA: I was 10 when “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girl” came out and loved them both. My parents bought them for me too. *shrug*

ETA2: Adam, I need you to go more ROF next week. You looked great in the suit, but the more I watched it, the more I realized it was verging on the Cher for me.

I have to disagree about Matt Giraudà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Studio recording here. I really loved it, and thought that it was his best yet. I appreciated the upbeat tempo, and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“discoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  feel, while it still managed to be sort of cool and current. His vocals on this as well were steller, and while some may not have apprieciated his High notes and falsetto, I thought that they added to the overall Fun, dance feel of the song. It didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t put me to sleep, and I find myself listening to it when I exercise lol it gets me pumped!!! Anyway, these are just our OPINIONS, niether of us are professionals, I just couldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t disagree with you more on this bracket.

Yeah, I agree with this. ^

Matt’s studio recording this week was one of his absolute BEST yet. I love how amazing he sounds doing uptempo stuff…he can seriously groove. I don’t know what you didn’t like about it, MJ. But, I never once thought this was anywhere close to a JT-comparison recording. That’s like comparing Adam to Elvis – it just doesn’t work, but people love to keep making the comparisons anyway. *rolls eyes*

You know.. I disgree with Matt’s recording.

As always I enjoyed his recordings the most.

I really really HATE the song “Stayin Alive” but with Matt’s voice the song sounds actually cool and current. Perfect for my ipod workout list. Heh. HE gave it his own spin I don’t care what anyone says.

Matt has sooo much talent, sigh.
Even if he goes out next week as so many of you are predicting, I hope a record producer snatches him and helps him record a great CD. He has so much potential to succeed in the music scene.

I am so over Danny Gokey. I hope he is the surprise boot this season. I hope Simon’s prediction goes wrong, please. I don’t want Danny in the finale.

I think Allison’s problem all this season is that her singing doesn’t match her age. It’s not believable.
Sure, she may sound like Pink but I don’t buy her as a rocker chick, at least not yet. She should have auditioned in 5 or 6 years.
I wouldn’t be interested in buying from Allison at all.

I think Allisonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s problem all this season is that her singing doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t match her age. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not believable.

I believe it. I was boy crazy at her age. What should she be singing about? Puppies and rainbows?

The only one I’ve downloaded is Kris. I agree, the instrumental arrangement isn’t as good as the live one (which I downloaded as well, heh), but the vocals are still nice. If/when he makes an album, it should not be over-processed.

I think Allisonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s problem all this season is that her singing doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t match her age. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not believable.

She is not a little kid. She will be 17 in a few days. My grandmother was married, had 1 child, and was pregnant with the next baby at Allison’s age. (Not that I’m condoning teenage pregnancy.) People seem to forget that high school-aged kids have real feelings, just like “grown-ups’ do, and that they would have been considered grown-up and treated as such throughout most of history. If Allison can use her talent, life experience, and intuition to interpret a song powerfully, then I say good for her! A 17 year old can still have experienced a fair amount of love and loss, even if people would like to keep all kids in some kind of plastic bubble until they are deemed “old enough” to experience life.

And, BTW, I am the mother of 2 teenagers. My almost 13 year old deals with a life-long, chronic illness every single day, and her brother had to deal with her almost dying a few years ago. I can assure you, they have real, powerful, deep emotions, and they both pour those emotions into the music and art they create, just as Allison does.

ETA: PJ said it better!

I’ve said before, and completely agree with tonight’s comments, that Allison’s age is no impediment to singing the lyrics she sings.

In addition, it occurred to me just now to think back over the songs she has sung, and I realized that almost none of them are overtly sexual. I’ll grant you that Hot Stuff can easily fall in that category. But, other than a couple of references to sleeping/cuddling overnight in two other songs, they haven’t been sex-related songs. They’ve been about love — about relationships. And that’s exactly what teenagers can be expected to be singing about — many of them already have plenty of experience in that area. As pj said, what else should she be singing about?

And btw pj, good one on the “puppies and rainbows”!

But how crazy is it that neither Krisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ or Allisonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s songs have any reviews and not enough ratings for an average? Maybe theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re in more trouble than I thought.

Actually, this is really annoying, because I put a review down for Kris days ago, and it has not yet appeared. Apparently they have the comments off on his and Allison’s page (it is obviously impossible that neither of them would have a single review!). That bugs me…not that it is a huge deal, but some people might get the idea that no one is listening to their music, which is an unfair advantage for the other contestants.

My mom married at 16 and was pregnant by 17 and still I think her singing Hot Stuff would have been inappropriate. There is a big leap between a heartfelt love song and a song about looking for some ass. I said it the other night, and I repeat it. It was not the right song choice, it did squigg me out too. And I love my little pixie.

The recorded arrangement of Adamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s song this week made it sound 80à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s power ballad-ish to me.

Sarah, I thought the same when I heard it the first time and didn’t listen to it that much when I first got it. Then I was going for a walk Friday morning and it came on my Ipod by the time he sang the first big “I don’t want”……it was game over for me. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Mind you I came of age during that 80′s ballad shit, so it was prolly like a homing device, but it was some powerful crap. Made me want to call my first serious boyfriend and make up, lol. The Lambert has a serious mojo!

Anoop’s was my second fave. It was true to it’s roots, and he put his Anoop swagger on it.

I would not purchase Gokey’s testimony for anything. He is a pandering ass, and I don’t like it one bit.

I am going to buy Lil’s just on your recommendation, even though I did say, and as I watched Idolatry, I remembered why she had some buzz. What happened to audition Lil, that was a fabulous rendition!?

I haven’t gotten a Kris song in weeks now. As they all are starting to run together for me. Matt, nvm.

My mom married at 16 and was pregnant by 17 and still I think her singing Hot Stuff would have been inappropriate. There is a big leap between a heartfelt love song and a song about looking for some ass.

My mom was 27 when she married my dad and wasn’t preggers until 33 with my older bro. If my dad hadn’t passed, they would have celebrated their 50th in May. From that perspective, I think “looking for some ass” is an adult interpretation of the song. I didn’t think much of the lyrics back in the day. We did a dance routine to it in my jazz class. I guess I’m trying to wrap my head around why this is such a big deal.

ETA: It’s not like she did “Love To Love You Baby” with all the effects.

edit: put it in the headlines thread

:glurps_tb: :cry_wp: *Waahhhhh!* Oh Mj….thank you so much for your good review of Anoop’s recording. Alot of his fans here are not over his departure and I myself have found it nostalgic and a little saddening to listen to Dim all the lights….not because it’s not good (ITS FANTASTIC!) but because it always dawns on me that I can no longer hear anymore of his recordings….until his album comes out hopefully…..WHY OH WHY DID THEY DIM THE LIGHTS ON ANOOP!!! *SOB* er…sorry, but i’m just a tad emotional still, forgive moi.

On that note, i’ve only bought Anoop’s recording, and its true, all his recordings have always had good reviews while he falters on stage. Here’s hoping that during his downtime now that he’s out, he can figure out a way to blend his beautiful vocals with an improved stage persona.

Kris, though i like him, never seems to appeal to me with his recordings. I really wonder why, i like him when he sings on stage but is it me, or does his voice projection not come across powerfully when he sings with background music? that’s odd cos when he becomes a recording artist, his album can’t be ALL acoustic right?

Loved Adam’s ( i’m shocked to say) but i didn’t buy it, considering i can just hear it on youtube and that boy doesn’t need my purchase after seeing his ITunes sales.

Allison’s was ……er, meh and this was by far, one of my least favourite Matt’s recording! Matt, whatsup!!!?? What happened to You found me and Part-time lover??? Those were the best he had….

Once again…sigh…so long Anoopy…for now. :unsure_tb:

My daughter did an interpretive dance to Sisqo’s the Thong Song at about age 12, and I wanted to kick the teachers ass, so maybe it’s just my perspective. But seriously, looking for some hot stuff baby this evening, gotta have some hot stuff baby tonight is really not open to much interpretation or perspective. I love Allison, but it just didn’t sit well with me.

I am the mother of an 18 year old young woman. We live in Brooklyn, NY, she is neither sheltered or prudish, and she thought it was not the right song for her to sing. It’s not even a matter of whether she connected or not. I just think that if she were singing that song to a lone 40 year old man that maybe things would be clearer.

edit: this is way off topic

I couldn’t be more disagree with what this blog had to say about Matt’s studio version this week. He brought his own style to this version of this song, I know the song is cheesy but he did his best with this song. The theme is disco, for crying out loud, he brought the complete disco with this version. And I think he’s versatile with a lot of different genre, and disco is no exception. Go on Matt!!!

The only one I purchased was Matt’s. I love it! It is funky, cool, and current. Matt took an old iconic song and breathed new life into.

Adam…Boring zzzzzz

Anoop’s…see Adam

Danny…urghh this guy IMO just doesn’t have a good recording voice but hell I don’t like his live versions either.

Allison…repetitive. Allison for me always sounds the same…monotonous.

Kris…same song every week except different lyrics.

Usually I like other Idol’s studio version each week (besides Matt) but this week it was no one else but Matt.

edit: this isn’t turning into an adam thread

I just think that if she were singing that song to a lone 40 year old man that maybe things would be clearer.

Huh? I think that’s where the problem lies. I think projecting that she’s singing to a lonely 40 year old man is a huge leap. Nothing about her performance indicated she was inviting the perv. I would totally agree if she had the school girl outfit ala Britney. In this case, I think she was just being a 16-17 year old singing a fun song. Hot Topic attire aside, she dresses pretty conservatively compared to a lot of kids her age.

I’m really gonna miss Anoop’s recordings. *sigh*

edit: off topic

Adam’s vocal is gorgeous on that track. It’s almost up there with RoF for nuance.

I’m a mother of a teenager too, and Allison’s song choice skeeved me out. Hot Stuff is a song about a horny woman. The choice, her writhing on the stairs and the spandex hooker outfit were a turnoff. I’m not saying she needs to be sweetness and light for every performance, but she does need to dial it back a notch if she wants to progress further in the competition. She can be as sexy as she wants afterward, imo.

I lately got on the Kris bus, and I love his last 2 or 3 studio recordings. But then I like that kind of music. Subtle, nuanced, controlled. But I agree that the studio version of She Works Hard was not as good as the tv version, the background music wasn’t right. The stage version is much, much better. I have an mp3 of it thankfully.

I never thought of Hot Stuff as sexual, I thought of it as an upbeat dance song, and “hot stuff” could be kissing, or dancing, so I never thought of it as literal. Thus it didn’t bother me that Allison sang it, and anyway she seems mature for her age, an old soul, but I don’t really like the song (unless I’m dancing at a club) and didn’t think it was a great song choice for her. On stage the disco singers in the background clashed – for me – with her rock interpretation. But I think the studio version sounds great. I have loved all of her recorded songs, she can sing anything and make it sound good. I know she’ll have a good recording career.

I can see though that if I had thought of it in a literal or graphic way, it might have squicked me out too. That’s one thing I don’t like about a lot of today’s r&b music, it’s overtly sexual, and so are the videos that go with it. I don’t go around every day thinking about sex every minute and don’t want to be put in that kind of mood while I’m washing the dishes or whatever. LOL. I guess I like songs that are more about love than sex, and if I’m in the mood for sex I don’t need a song or video to help me get there. If that makes sense.

I was disappointed by Adam’s choice last week to sing another super-vulnerable song, rather than camp it up for disco week. It wasn’t as strong a song as Mad World, so it was a tiny bit of a letdown. If he sings Nina Simone this week he could totally make up for it, that’s a great song (You Know How I Feel). I really doubt that they are going to make them sing only songs by the rat pack, that would be severely limiting, I hope not anyway.

My friend has found that software online (free) by going to cnet.com that allows her to easily make mp3′s from youtube performances, so now we can have the stage performances as well as the studio versions. Pretty cool. I liked Adam’s stage performance of Tracks of My Tears better than the studio version too. In fact it is awesome! We are listening to it right now. I highly recommend making those mp3s of special stage performances like that.

From that perspective, I think à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“looking for some assà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is an adult interpretation of the song. I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think much of the lyrics back in the day. We did a dance routine to it in my jazz class. I guess Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m trying to wrap my head around why this is such a big deal.

ETA: Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not like she did à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Love To Love You Babyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  with all the effects.

This is me too, completely. Maybe I’m missing a gene or something, but nothing about Allison’s performance of Hot Stuff even hinted an ick factor for me. Just a fun upbeat song that she sang the heck out of, imo. Of course, this may be part of why people aren’t connecting, she’s just singing songs, and peeps are hearing good music but not a real emotional story to connect with Allison? *shrug*

Then again, since Paula thinks she has a “special sauce,” maybe the Hot Stuff she’s looking for is more Tabasco? ;-P

I’m excited to hear more from the party at Upright Cabaret!!

I just listened to Anoop’s Dim all the Lights, and while his voice is smooth, it’s such a corny song especially when sung as a slow ballad, that it didn’t do much for me, and also I keep picturing his stage antics and can’t quite get them out of my mind yet sorry

I’m a fan, so of course I LOVE all of Anoop’s recordings. This one is no different, and I agree with what Kara had to say to him last Tuesday. I mentioned to my sister that Dim All The Lights had a very Ne-Yo vibe to it. So it was amusing to hear Anoop say that he’d stolen a beat from Ne-Yo for the uptempo section of the song.

I love it, at any rate. I’m going to miss new recordings from him every week. *sigh*

I thought about buying Adams, but didn’t really dig the preview so skipped it.

Was not interested in Matt’s, and while Alison has a banging voice, I’m one of the old fuddy duddies that can’t get past a 16 year-old singing Hot Stuff (and I’m only 25 and not conservative at all!).

I really liked Kris’s live performance, but the arrangement sounded so different in the studio version I didn’t get it.

As for Danny, ew. Seriously? No thanks, Mr. I’m An Inspiriation. *gag*

I found Danny’s proselytizing to be offensive. Even if I liked him anyway (and I did…. way back) I would have found this a huge turn off.

I bought Adams, but then I buy everything of his just because.

Wildly off topic- I heard Slash was mentoring Rock Week/Top 4???
Can Allison please be there for that?

I believe it. I was boy crazy at her age. What should she be singing about? Puppies and rainbows?

The song is about being horny and looking for sex. That’s my take on it anyway.

Of course, I wasn’t 10 the first time I heard it.

None of Allison’s song choices have bothered me, except for this one. I realize there are plenty of 17 year olds on the prowl for sex. I don’t necessarily want to hear about it, is all. YMMV.

BTW, it didn’t become an issue for me until I heard Allison sing the entire song via the recording. I liked her live performance.

Adam fans! Don’t even try to hijack this thread. If you want to talk about last night, take it to the headlines thread.

I’m in the “squicked out by Hot Stuff” camp. I’m no prude, but I think it was a combination of the song and the outfit that did it. It was just too much. It didn’t make me dislike Allison or her singing, but it did make me uncomfortable.

And if the Slash rumors are true, I say go for it BSC Adam! That’s my favorite kind of Adam…we need another ROF type night!!

Kath77: The choice, her writhing on the stairs and the spandex hooker outfit were a turnoff.

Writhing on the stairs???? Huh? She didn’t do anything but sit on the stairs and sing for a little bit before getting up and walking down to the stage. I’m just completely bewildered by that statement.

And the notion that that was a “hooker outfit” never even crossed my mind. Just Allison being fashion-crazy Allison.

Wow.

Count me in as one of the people who loves Matt’s recording this week. It’s……muscular and sexy, and its a different take on a disco song. I think it absolutely works. I’m actually surprised I like it. I find myself playing the song over and over, just like I do Part Time Lover. I have always HATED both these songs…..but I love Matt’s take on them. I love his voice so much; it’s hands down my favorite voice this season.

I think I was too mesmerized by the glowing red stairs to realize that Allison was singing about being horny. My favorite Allison recording is “Give In To Me” where she’s singing about being on fire, quenching her desire, etc. It’s not that much different to me, and I love that recording. I just really don’t need to own any version of “Hot Stuff”

I only bought Anoop’s recording this week, just in case it’s the last thing he ever records in this life (plus it makes me laugh – “I’m like a cup, so fill me up!” wtf?). He sounds great as usual and I suppose I would listen to him sing the phonebook.

I think Adam’s high pitched balladeering only works for me if I already liked the original song. I’m not diggin’ “If I Can’t Have You” nearly as much as TOMT or Mad World.

Kris’s rearrangement still isn’t doing it for me because I still don’t understand why THAT song. His explanation that he chose it because it was “about a woman who works hard. . . for the money,” didn’t really clear things up, lol. Plus, they mucked up the instrumentals in the studio.

I don’t want to hear anyone preach at me, especially a contestant on a cheesy TV show. Shut Up Danny!

How did Matt record a song this week? Wasn’t he voted off on 4/15? “Dying cat” sounds like a fair assessment

Wow.

Reminder:

Dial back the defensiveness! Everyone is entitled to an opinion here.

The subject matter was a bit much on Allisonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s, but sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s been doing that all season.

Song selection for people like Allison this year and Archie last year has got to be tough. How does a 16 year old find a fitting song that doesn’t speak to something more mature than they are? The only option is the Disney vault and they don’t want to go there.

I bought Adams, but then I buy everything of his just because.

Word to this. I downloaded Adam’s IICHY, but boy oh boy, the band is really overpowering him. I’m getting a lot of feedback on the instruments. So much so, I can barely hear Adam. Did anyone else have this problem? I’m realizing that I much prefer BSC Adam to subtle Adam. My favorite performances have been ROF, B&W and PTFM. I think what I miss are the ‘screechy’ big notes that most people seem to abhor. With the slower ones, it takes a couple of listens before they grow on me. Only then do I realize they’re quite phenomenal.

I only bought and listened to Anoop’s this week because I hate disco so much and nobody else’s performance did anything for me. I do love it, maybe the most of all of his studio recordings. I’m happy I have his other ones to listen to but sad he’s off the show so no new ones.

Adams à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“If I Canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Have Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is absolutely gorgeous. I’m loving my growing collection!

I love Allison’s voice and hope she stays for the rumored rock week. I enjoyed her performance this week, but I feel the hurried recordings smooth what I love about her voice.

I didn’t like Kris’s as much this week. He’s starting to sound a bit the same to me. Adam, Allison and Kris in that order have been my top 3 fairly consistently.

I’m going to miss Anoop’s voice–so nice and beautiful. He was up there in my top 3 favorites at least twice. I wish him much success.

I didn’t like Matt’s performance or recording this week but I expect him to pick it up on Tuesday. I didn’t like Danny’s and the obvious pandering–ugh.

ETA…I forgot about Lil. I wish her well too!

From that perspective, I think à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“looking for some assà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is an adult interpretation of the song. I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think much of the lyrics back in the day. We did a dance routine to it in my jazz class. I guess Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m trying to wrap my head around why this is such a big deal.

I think that’s the thing here PJ – it’s a perspective issue. My perspective is like yours. I remember roller skating in the garage when I was 8 and 9 with my best friend to all of these Donna Summer songs. So, they just didn’t create that sexual connotation in my head. When I hear them sung by a teenage girl – it really doesn’t bother me at all. I’m guessing that’s because we didn’t orginally interpret the song as looking for a one night stand.

So, now that my kids have discovered that we can download these songs (Thanks annoying little playground friend!), I have to buy more than I intend to LOL.

I got Anoop’s, because my 8 year old was pretty sad to see him go the other night. It’s quite good – and the 8 year old loves it.

I’m guessing now at this point that I’m a bad mother for letting the 5 year old listen to Hot Stuff as sung by Allison. But, she worships Lava Girl (as she refers to Allison), so since her brother got one, she had to get one too. Should be interesting if she starts singing it at school this week.

For me, I got Adam & Kris as I’ve done the last few weeks. I like both a lot.

I think, since I’ve already been to church this morning, I don’t really need to listen to Danny preach at me. I’m pretty sure God’s okay with that. I don’t even have the energy to comment on Danny turning an Earth Wind & Fire tune into a worship song.

Sometimes you find yourself in difficult situations, sometimes even hurtfull ones, but you know what? Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been in those situations and it does get better, so look up, keep your chin up, look up ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s gonna get better

Valentin432, is this what he says in the middle? If that’s a direct quote, it makes me vomit. Oh yes Doughboy, you’re so inspiring and just the kind of douchebag I want to take life advice from.

I just listened to all the studio versions on Youtube. My rankings are Allison, Adam, Kris, Anoop, Matt, Danny, Lil.

Something of interest which explains a lot. I was perusing the official AI boards to see what the current buzz there is and to see what the numbers are (threads, post count, etc.).

In doing so, someone close to Kris had posted before it was available on iTunes that he was not pleased with his studio recording. The band records the instrumentals BEFORE the idols record their part. Welcome to Bandzilla. The band had added instruments that were not supposed to be there. To say it drowns him out and completely changes it is no stretch.

Now for the grassy knoll – NO ratings or comments at iTunes for Kris’ and Allison’s studio versions? NONE??? REALLY? Not even MINE! Don’t you know who I AM, iTunes????

I loved Allison’s studio version. Count me as someone who gets a bit disturbed at children singing very grown up songs about grownup situations and more carnal emotions. To be honest, I think AI should have a higher lowest age level to be in this competition. I’m dealing with it.

However, when i think back on who have been my musical heroes or even the songs I was listening to, singing and dancing along with, I must admit they were probably not age appropriate . That was in much more sheltered times and songs were more innuendo than the blatant sexuality, drugs, and violence present in today’s music.

Janis Joplin was Allison’s age when she hit the musical scene. I don’t want Allison to go that tragic path, but musically, she has the chops.
—
I liked Adam’s studio recording much more than live. It’s still a little too sleepy for me, but is overall excellant.

Danny’s does absolutely nothing for me. I hate his phrasing, I seriously hate the ‘inspirational’ message in the middle of it. I find it presumptuous.

Anoops’s was very good and he has a great recording voice. I like the slow part much more than the up tempo.

Matt’s, I’m sad to say, I had to turn it off half way through. I just didn’t like it. Same with Lil’s.

What are TPTB going to do with this guy? Do they really need a christian contemporary singer?

Although I don’t regularly frequent that genre, I’ve heard a bunch of Christian Contemporary singers who are far better than Danny. So, I’m not even sure that’s an option.

So, we’re not getting a download of the group song? That was awesome, and I’d love to have it. I guess I’ll just have to keep going back to watch that video.

Matt: Exact same song and arrangement as Robin Gibb did in his “solo” concerts. Nothing new, nothing exciting.

Danny: Obviously his own idol is Kirk Franklin. Bet Danny was screaming for joy when he heard that disco week was going to be the theme. He also followed the words and arrangement from Kirk….down to the spoken sermon. I really don’t think AI is the platform to be preaching from, and the sad part is that the average “downloader” wouldn’t have a clue about the “preachy” part until they purchased the song. If I would have downloaded it I would be more than pissed….does Itunes give you your money back?

Allison: I have no troubles with the lyrics (I think lyric interpretation is all about the mind set of the listener not the actual words, i.e. she works for the money. Allison has a great, mature voice and unlike some other AI contestants she doesn’t come across as too young to emote the lyrics. I really hope that AI isn’t the last time we hear from this gal.

Kris: Liked the live song better even though I got a total Doobie Brothers feel from it.

Adam: I’m totally biased on Adam so any critique I give would be biased also. But I honestly think that Adam really understands “how to sing to make people listen”. I can’t play Adam’s song as just background noise…I always have to stop and listen.

Anoop: Great voice but he just can’t seem to sell a song.

Lil: who?

Too bad this had to be Anoop’s last iTunes studio version. I like this one the most even though it hurts me to listen to it realizing that there is no more weekly fix for me.

So what Anoop could not create a bigger and louder buzz than Adam or Kris in the brielf period of time given? So what Anoop was not able to “sell a song” in the 90 minutes in front of 20 million judgemental people including Simon Cowell who were planted there to make sure that TPTB’s will to thrown Anoop under the bus was efficiently delivered?

He sold himself very eloquently as a performer in those YouTube videos of Clef Hangers concerts. I hope he gets an opportunity to release an album soon and do shows.

SpencerJ, You can download the group number at http://www.IdolJunkie.com. She has the group and also the Ford commercials up every week. I buy as much as I can from I-Tunes as I think it helps the contestant but her’s are free and very good, so for those who can’t afford to buy she does have the performance videos also. I downloaded the year Taylor was winning and also last year with Cook from her. My Adam collection is growing now. I just love the guy.

She Works Hard for the Money is about a bathroom attendant named Odetta. I don’t know if that will make any of you more comfortable with Allison singing it but it is not about a hooker.

Muchas Gracias JoJosie!

Weese - that’s the song Kris sang. Allison sang Hot Stuff.

Hot Stuff is a fun song and always has been. I’ve never taken it seriously. Allison sang the daylights out of it. I don’t think it’s any reflection on her character or morals. She’s a singer. She sang a song.

In doing so, someone close to Kris had posted before it was available on iTunes that he was not pleased with his studio recording. The band records the instrumentals BEFORE the idols record their part. Welcome to Bandzilla. The band had added instruments that were not supposed to be there. To say it drowns him out and completely changes it is no stretch.

I knew I could blame bandzilla. Still bought it, still love Kris, still love the live version, but not loving the studio one at all.

HOT STUFF:

# A #1 Billboard Top 40, Dance, R&B, & Adult Contemporary chart hit from 1979
# One of the Top 10 disco songs of all time

(from oracleband.net)

Damn good choice based on the above. Very bad play because of fuddy-duddy audience. Not fair, but certainly a fact. She put on one hell of a show (did anyone else)? All for naught. Predictably so.

She is in adult competition but judged by a different standard. What’s appropriate? Well, considering that in a year she could be fly food baking on a dusty street in Baghdad, if the veil hasn’t been lifted, it’s overdue. I am sure that “Hot Stuff” is like a church hymn compared to most the of”music” her peers listen to daily, just as yours do.

BUT, I cringed like many of you at the number, mostly because of the reaction that certainly would follow, but with some of the same myself. In reality, the number was harmless, but, predictably not well received. Where WAS the producer or her adviser. Alli is about as sweet as any 16 year old can come. But she is 16. Look to the art. But art isn’t the goal of AI, no matter what they say,

Oh yes Spenser. Thanks for bringing me out of my fog. Hot Stuff doesn’t bother me coming from Allison either. I didn’t find it offensive or distracting. When I listen to her sing and watch her perform I don’t think about her age at all. That is what makes her so unique as compared to other young ones that have been on the show.

Another old fartbag here perturbed by sweet little Allison’s cruising for some booty. I’m old enough to remember when these Donna Summer songs first came out, and she did not exactly enjoy a reputation as a “nice girl” singer. True, “Love to Love You” was far more explicit, but “Hot Stuff” was never far behind. The minute the band struck its first note and I figured out what Allison was singing, I had a negative visceral reaction before she even got the first note out, and it tainted any potential enjoyment I may have gotten out of the performance.

I also still have the major sads over my beloved Dawg’s departure. In my years of AI viewership, this is the earliest my favorite has ever been 86ed, so I’m having a hard time mustering any enthusiasm for the remainder of the competition, my mad Adam love notwithstanding. Any advice for coping from my fellow mourners would be greatly appreciated!

At the end of the original thread about the iTunes releases for the week, I posted a link to some “perfect” iTunes equalizer settings that I found a while back, which on my sound system vastly improved the sound quality of the vocals.

Based on the limited reaction to the suggestion, I won’t bother posting them again (apparently I’ve got both a tin ear AND don’t know the difference between louder and better :blink_tb:), but I’d still recommend you play around with your equalizer settings to see if you can make the vocals more prominent on the tracks where Bandzilla is over-powering the vocals. The default settings on iTunes, IIRC, are flat (i.e., everything is equal), which isn’t ideal, IMHO.

Too bad this had to be Anoopà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s last iTunes studio version. I like this one the most even though it hurts me to listen to it realizing that there is no more weekly fix for me.

So what Anoop could not create a bigger and louder buzz than Adam or Kris in the brielf period of time given? So what Anoop was not able to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“sell a songà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  in the 90 minutes in front of 20 million judgemental people including Simon Cowell who were planted there to make sure that TPTBà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s will to thrown Anoop under the bus was efficiently delivered?

He sold himself very eloquently as a performer in those YouTube videos of Clef Hangers concerts. I hope he gets an opportunity to release an album soon and do shows.

Thank you, I could not have said it any better than that.

Yes, Adam is the total package and yes, Kris has his tween fans (how a married guy has tween fans is beyond me, but then again mop topped John Lennon did too), but NEITHER guys sold me on songs the way Anoop did. I’ll reluctantly download his final song and missed what might have been on the show, especially where everyone and his/her brother knows that Anoop would have KILLED Tuesday night. Simon’s person feelings against him and Kara’s raging hormones regarding Matt kept him out (yes, I’m still bitter, deal with it).

I’m not even sure I’ll watch Tuesday night or anymore until Final night when they give Adam the crown and he has to sing the cheesy coronation song. Bring on the video clips, MJ ’cause I’m done with this show until 2010.

Sorry, wrong thread!!!

Anoop’s was the only one I cared to buy. I thought it was the best of the bunch and his best studio recording of the season. It still hurts knowing he’s not on the show but I’m glad he left on a high note. He had one of the best vocals in the competition and I know he is destined for great things. Can’t wait for his album to come out:)

If you guys didn’t know, Kris said so himself that he was bummed with his studio version of his song because it didn’t sound like the live version at all.

I actually really like Matt’s Stayin’ Alive. Better than the live performance.

I don’t have a problem with Allison’s song choice. What I do have a problem with is that her singing is so affected. She’s consciously trying to make her voice sound like the radio and that’s where the enunciation complaints come from. It’s like the singing version of doing the top-40 disc jockey or college sports announcer impersonations. It’s starting to be like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. I noticed it on the YouTube of her pre-Idol “single”.

As an old hag, with some of her own kids……. No, I do not like a 16 year old singing about getting some “hot stuff;” it is amazing how differently I think I would feel if she were just a couple of years older. I understand what made her choose it – the tune and electricity, but the message is way too old for her. Maybe that has been my problem with Allison all along, I know she is 16, and while I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think she needs to act like David Archuletta, the songs need to fit her age. It is one of the reasons I can see the argument for why the lower age limit needs to be raised on American Idol.

On the other hand, loved Anoopà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s recording. His voice is just beautiful. I sure will miss him. I will never understand why Simon took such a distain towards him. Sure he wasn’t going to win (because Adam is going to win and should) but Anoop was good and never deserved the lack of respect he received.

I just downloaded “Dim All the Lights” and I hate to harp on this but I hope Kara and Matt live happily ever after thanks to her screwing over Anoop two weeks ago. What a great recording! I hope it was worth it Kara!

Simon? F-you and I usually like you. Just for that, I hope Danny wins and Adam and Allison sign with another management agency NOT named 19E.

At the end of the original thread about the iTunes releases for the week, I posted a link to some à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“perfectà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  iTunes equalizer settings that I found a while back, which on my sound system vastly improved the sound quality of the vocals.

Sorry, wrong thread!!!

BootStar, I appreciate your error because I’d been looking for just this. I was one who was having terrible trouble with feedback on my Adam download of IICHY from iTunes. The band was overpowering the vocals to the point that it was unbearable to listen to. I followed your link, fixed my equalizer and it sounds so much better. Thanks!

She is in adult competition but judged by a different standard. Whatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s appropriate? Well, considering that in a year she could be fly food baking on a dusty street in Baghdad, if the veil hasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t been lifted, ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s overdue. I am sure that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Hot Stuffà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is like a church hymn compared to most the ofà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ musicà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  her peers listen to daily, just as yours do.

She’s 16 years old. The song is about finding an anonymous stranger, as quickly as possible, and getting laid.

There’s a huge difference between listening to a song and actually performing it for an audience. BIG difference.

Not sure what women wearing veils in Baghdad has to do with any of this. Nobody is trying to keep her down and take away her freedom I just think it’s nice for kids not to grow up too fast.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s any reflection on her character or morals.

I didn’t say that.

For me, bottom line is that if a large portion of viewers react negatively to your selection, it was a poor choice. No matter how well you sang it. Just like when Carly did Jesus Chrst Super Star. Personally I liked both of these, but don’t think either was wise. Obviously.

Lexus, you’re very welcome! Glad it helped somebody, LOL!

For me, bottom line is that if a large portion of viewers react negatively to your selection, it was a poor choice. No matter how well you sang it. Just like when Carly did Jesus Chrst Super Star. Personally I liked both of these, but donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think either was wise. Obviously.

ITA. You have to know your audience. It’s as much part of playing the Idol Game as having a good vocal.

In Carly’s case it was particularly unfortunate, because ALW basically told her she HAD to sing that song. I’m sure he had no idea that many Americans are overly sensitive about such matters, and clearly Carly didn’t realize it either, but a lot of her fans watching at home shuddered when she started singing that song because they knew it would be the final nail in her coffin.

I feel kind of bad for Allison because I’m not sure what all she had to choose from for “disco week,” but I know I was uncomfortable with her singing that song, and I didn’t really care for the arrangement either. I still voted for her because I love her (and both my sons like her — a first on Idol, LOL), but, yeah, she’s got to be more careful. It’s not the first song she’s sung that I was uncomfortable with either — the Bonnie Raitt lyrics kind of bothered me too (“Lay down with me”).

I love her persona, but I kind of agree with Slezak that she needs to change her image up this week, and then she needs to bat a great (and recognizable) song out of the park. I actually expect her to do well. That smoky voice should sound fantastic on some old Rat Pack song.

I’m really excited about the next two weeks! FINALLY.

Hot Stuff is totally a booty call song in my mind, but I most closely associate it with the movie “The Full Monty”.

I always imagine a tiny double pelvic thrust each time the words”Hot Stuff” are sung. ( see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZuCqT2qbFk )

mj

The veil of innocence. blabla. dying in combat. Happens to teen’s. Has nothing to do with civil rights. They do grow up too fast, but they must. Oh, well, rambling on. “What’s appropriate” – rhetorical question.

I object to the material, more so because it damaged her chances than because of the propriety factor; but, I object on those grounds, as well. Raising the age would be best unless material was restricted. Restricting one contestant would not be fair, but in Alli’s case surely would have helped IMHO. It didn’t happen that way. We should look thru the content, find the art, and judge on the peformance. Effect a remedy for future years.

All that said, she is a child, and someone should have intervened. However, absent clear rules, a 17 year old should be allowed to make her case. God only knows who advised her.

Hot Stuff is totally a booty call song in my mind, but I most closely associate it with the movie à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Full Montyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ .

Ha, one of my favorite movies! Thanks wonderings! LOL!

You know, when I saw Allison perform Hot Stuff, I didn’t think it was appropriate for her age, but it never occurred to me people wouldn’t vote for her because of it. I just figured she picked a song that had a good hook to it that she felt she could sing well and didn’t think too deeply about the lyrics.

I don’t think this will hurt her as much as Carly’s JCSS. I guess that is obvious since she didn’t get voted off! LOL! But I do agree with the idea that Allison needs to change it up. Perhaps she needs to sit on a stool and sing something soft. And with Rat Pack/Jazz standards, perpahs she could take a page out of Kelly Clarkson’s book and dress the part, ringlets and all.

So I only purchased Anoop’s because I’m still sad about his premature departure. Honestly this was his best recording…he hit those amazing notes!!! So sadly this will be the last itunes recording I will be purchasing b/c AI has turned me off…

Speaking of youngsters singing songs that aren’t particularly age appropriate on these reality shows .. Eeogan Quigg (yes that’s his real name ..lol) was a 15 year old who finished third on this year’s x factor (although he looked about 12).

They had him singing George Michael’s “One More Try” and then Abba’s “Does Your Mother Know” .. along with an awful dance routine .. whilst weariing somethig that from a distance looked like a leather dog collar and lead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1IE8nB1wsI&feature=related

They had him singing George Michaelà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“One More Tryà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  and then Abbaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Does Your Mother Knowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  .. along with an awful dance routine .. whilst weariing somethig that from a distance looked like a leather dog collar and lead.

Wasn’t Simon his “mentor” for the competition and actively helped him pick songs and set up arrangements. I thought that is how X-factor worked. So, obviously, Simon thinks it is OK for the young-ins to sing “riska” songs.

Somehow I missed all this discussion about Allison’s song choice, lol.
Honestly, it kind of freaked me out too…maybe because my nephew is only a couple of years younger than her and I certainly don’t want him thinking about any “Hot Stuff.”
I think Allison is very talented…but I’ll probably enjoy her more in a few years when she has some experience under belt and I feel like she actually knows/has experienced the things she’s singing about.

You can always count on Anoop for amazing studio recordings. My first studio recording from Anoop was Be Without You (mary j. blige) and Crazy Train (ozzy osbourne) and both were pretty awesome. I knew his voice was made for albums from the start.

I’ve listened to all the contestanst’s studio recordings this week, and previous weeks and I really never felt the same connection. :confused_wp: