I have a question about "American Idol."

[bertha katzenengel]

I don't watch it. What I hear at work in the early stages is "Oh, she sounds kinda like so & so." Or, "He's a cross between Rocker A and Rocker B, with a little Country Guy C thrown in."

Going with this theme, today I asked someone who Taylor Hicks sounds like. She said, "Kinda like Michael McDonald. But he can do 'black' really good, too." (exact words)

Here's my question:

Are these people trying to sound like other famous people?

[RedStateShame]

1. Yes

These people are auditioning to be the next interchangeable tool of the mainstream music industry. Down with artistry, up with something to sell something else. You'll notice that many of the former American Idol karaoke winners---that's really what they are---are hawking crap. Kelly Clarkson whoring Ford, Carrie Underwood becoming a Hershey's cheerleader, and Katharine McPhee has been offered a deal to promote KFC. So, what are these "musicians" saying? Use more gas, and get fatter!! If there is any drop of creativity or originality that can't be squeezed dry from a contestant, bye-bye. The rest are empty shells posing as humans.

[Shell Beau]

7. A little harsh don't ya think? I mean

these people are just trying to make it in an industry that is hard to get in the door.

[RedStateShame]

12. There are other ways

Fugazi; Ani DiFranco. They "made it," so to speak, while sticking to their guns and having artistic freedom. And, last I checked, Fugazi still plays solid live shows at rock bottom prices. It can be done.

[Shell Beau]

13. Fugazi?

Don't even know who that is!! See my point?

[RedStateShame]

14. OK, OK, OK

I won't get into their music but the brief synopsis on Fugazi is as follows: they're on their on label, which doesn't "sign" acts, but records acts they honestly like through verbal agreement, they refuse to play anywhere that charges more than an initial $5 per head(that's before the service charge, because one can only fight so many evils in the music industry), and that's a good show you usually get, and their recordings are, if my memory serves correctly, $8 per cassette and $11 per CD. And they've been doing that for roughly 20 years.

Seriously, it can be done.

[Shell Beau]

15. I believe it can be done, but it isn't necessarily the easiest way

to start out in a business where so many people are talented and it is cut throat. Of course you have people like Britney Spears that slip through the crack somehow!

[Initech]

10. Look at the host, Ryan Seacrest. Talk about an empty suit!

He's nothing more than a no-talent Clear Channel ass kissing shill. He's just like Neil Cavuto - a company man to the bitter fucking end. Really, any surprise at all that the American Idol contestants / winners are selling out? Reminds me of a Lewis Black segment he did last year where he was showing that some American Idol segments were nothing more than commercials disguised as an American Idol segment.

[Shell Beau]

11. But are they really selling out? I mean

if I were trying to get my foot in the singing industry, I would probably do what I could to get my name out there. I don't think it's really fair to down on them so bad! They are just trying to do what they love.

Ryan Seacrest is a whole different issue!

[Initech]

16. I'm more talking about the commercial aspect of it.

I mean since they're young and just starting out, I'll look the other way.

But I'm with Bill Hicks - you do a commercial, you're off the artistic roll call. And that goes for everyone - except Willie Nelson.

[Shell Beau]

17. except Willie Nelson

:rofl:

[djeseru]

2. I think...

...on many levels, this country lacks originality. Anything new or out of the norm, say, like genuine talent, is met with derision and condemnation. So, maybe these folks think it's easier to just follow the herd, so to speak.

[johnnie]

3. No

Taylor Hicks already had a local CD out and he sounds the same as he did on the show. I mean, yeah... maybe they are trying to sound like their influences, but that is normal. Ever hear Woody Guthrie sing? He was Dylan's idol and Dylan tried to sound like him. Then again, Woody had influences that he tried to imitate also. I would hate to think that Bob Dylan was just an un-original rip off, but that case could be made by the people who say that the kids on American Idol are just pop wanna-be crap.

[Duer 157099]

4. This is the first season I watched this show

But my immediately impression to your question is that: these people are, generally, not song-writers, but performers, so the only thing they know is singing other people's music, and of course when one does that, there's the tendency to sing it the way the original artist did so, or the way a favorite remake is done.

Some of these people come from backgrounds of singing in bars or something, and they have to please the public, and the easiest way to do that, especially in a bar setting, is to sing familiar songs.

That's just my intuitive take on it, anyway.

[Patiod]

5. Maybe some are, but I thought Taylor was sui generis

His voice did sound a little like Micheal McDonald, but I didn't think he was trying to "be" Micheal McDonald. He had his own thing going, and is really into his harmonica (which he wasn't allowed to use during the competition). I think it showed a desire on the part of the voters to see something completely different, rather than just Mariah Carey/Celine Dion wannabes.

This isn't a show I normally sit down and focus on (the way you have to actually sit in front of "Lost", or you'll miss something), but like baseball, it's fun to have on in the background while cooking or cleaning or paying bills. I'll go against the DU "I am way too cool/musically sophisticated for American Idol" and say I think it's a fun show that you can share with people at work - a great "water cooler" show.

[Shell Beau]

6. Yes & no! I mean he has his own sound which does sound

like Joe Cocker/Michael McDonald, but he has impersonated Cocker before. They are singing famous people's songs, but they have their own sound.

[auntAgonist]

8. I don't watch it either, but I hear a LOT about it at work.

:shrug: It's just not something I care about. :)


How are you doing K? :loveya: :hi: to you and MrsV!!!

aA
kesha

[crikkett]

9. I don't know

but people try to understand/classify new things in terms of known things.

Is it the similarities we understand, or the differences?