Listen to FULL STREAMS of the American Idol 12 Top 8 studio recordings. This week, the finalists sang the music from the Motor City. What were your favorites? Mine were from Candice, Janelle, Kree and Amber.
Download the Entire 8 Song Album from iTunes
Candice Glover – “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” – Download from iTunes – Another awesome, groovy vocal from Candice–who at this point, can seemingly do no wrong. She’s got a great sense of rhythm–the way she plays with tempo is effortless. Devin take notes.
Lazaro Arbos – “For Once In My Life” – Download from iTunes – I don’t know if his poor diction is influenced by his stutter? But yeah. Lazaro vocal has a decent tone, but his phrasing is dull. Nothing to see here, really.
Janelle Arthur – “You Keep Me Hangin’ – Download from iTunes – The song is a lovely dark lament to hopeless love–Janelle’s vocal intimate and intense. I’d love to hear her rendition sans the cheapie backing track–just Janelle and her acoustic guitar.
Devin Velez – “Tracks of My Tears” – Download from iTunes – I prefer the recorded version, it’s not quite so studied. But it still feels like an exercise in “LOOK MA I CAN SING BEHIND THE BEAT!” And mostly at the expense of connecting to the song. The second half of the song improves, as Devin ramps up the intensity on the bridge.
Burnell Taylor – “My Cherie Amour” – Download from iTunes – Why is the music mixed so loud? The reverb is also too much on this recording. But Burnell’s slightly raspy tone is a delight.
Angela Miller – “Shop Around” – Download from iTunes – While Angela’s auto-tuned pitch is perfect in the recorded version, that’s the only improvement from the live version of “Shop Around.” Pat Benatar she ain’t.
Amber Holcomb – “Lately” – Download from iTunes – Amber’s vocal on this track is nuanced and gorgeous. But OY to the cheesy backing track that sounds like it was recorded on an 80’s era PC.
Kree Harrison – “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)” – Download from iTunes – I could have done without the background vocals, and wish her voice mixed further to the front, but I am digging Kree’s warm tone and bluesy vibe.
