American Idol Results - Top 16
Whose Top 12? Certainly Not Mine!
Say what?!?!?
Look, I’m not going to lie. My interest in watching American Idol for the remainder of season 9 has taken a major hit in just one hour’s time.
If you’ve been keeping up, it’s no secret how impressed I was with Katelyn Epperly in the last three weeks. Knowing she might have been in trouble this week, I guess my use of repeat dial did no good. Despite her iffy exit performance last night, she had a lot potential—certainly much more than Paige Miles and her pitchy, forgettable performances in recent weeks.
And then adding insult to injury, the departure of Lilly Scott! In favor of the disappointing Katie Stevens no less! Lilly, considered by many a frontrunner, bringing a fresh indie sound to Idol! Lilly, instead of similar sounding, inconsistent singers like Didi Benami and Lacey Brown! Lilly??? Seriously?!?!?!
Read more...
Tags: American Idol Top 16 - Guys Night
One’s as “Good” as Another
In less than 12 hours, we’ll know the names of the Top 12 Finalists for season 9 of American Idol. I’ll say this much for this year’s crop of contestants: They may generally be lacking in raw talent, but at least they’re keeping it interesting. The women the other night upped the drama when the lesser singers showed improvement, while some of the potential frontrunners slipped up. Things seem even more uncertain after watching the guys deliver one mediocre—though never truly awful—performance after another.
True, the men all showed improvement over recent weeks, but nearly all the performances were exceedingly average. (I originally gave the same grade to 7 of the 8.) Also consider how interchangeable the performances were. The first five guys all performed with acoustic guitars, and at least five of the songs could be considered slow ballads.
Read more...
Gungor - Beautiful Things
 |
| Buy Now |
First it was simply Michael Gungor, the solo debut from a young worship leader and gifted guitarist. Soon after, his name was featured on albums from Acquire the Fire and Resurrection Life Church in Michigan. Just a couple years ago, he moved on to form The Michael Gungor Band. Now it’s just Gungor, sounding like some sort of mutant monster/robot battling Godzilla in Japan.
If these constant name changes seem like someone struggling to find his artistic niche, that much is also reflected in Michael Gungor’s musical evolution over the last eight years. He’s gone from worshipful pop resembling Lincoln Brewster and John Mayer to straight-up worship a la Hillsong and more modern worship akin to David Crowder Band and Robbie Seay Band. All throughout he’s been close friends with Israel Houghton, a frequent collaborator with whom he co-wrote the popular worship anthems “Friend of God” and “Say So.”
Read more...
American Idol Top 16 - Ladies Night
Identity Crisis
We’re on the verge of having this year’s Top 12 Finalists announced on American Idol. Excited yet? I’m halfway there. The men still leave a bad taste in my mouth, but they may finally step up on Wednesday night. The women, however, have demonstrated some good, natural talent in their ranks, plus a few intriguingly hip and quirky candidates too. And after last night’s showdown, we now have a neck-and-neck horserace on our hands. Who will make the cut and who will just fall short?
That’s up to America of course through the voting, and I’ll go ahead and mention that my wife and I did some serious phone “dialing” for the first time this season. One of our favorites could well be in danger after last night, and that seems unfair given her track record the last couple weeks. On the other hand, two singers who seemed in danger after the last couple weeks truly stepped up their game last night. Then there were two who I feel disappointed the most and have failed to ignite over the last three weeks. And if you’re doing the math, that leaves three others who should have no problem skating into the Finals.
Read more...
Above the Golden State - The Golden Rule EP
 |
| Buy Now |
I love seeing bands grow, especially after a disappointing debut. Such is the case with pop/rock trio Above the Golden State. In cases like this, I’ll even go back and listen to the previous album to make sure I don’t hear something that I may have missed before. While I certainly wouldn’t call the Portland, Oregon band’s 2008 debut a trainwreck by any means, it remains lifeless and routine for me—stuff we’ve heard plenty times before in the already forgettable Christian pop/rock scene from the likes of Switchfoot, Tenth Avenue North, and others.
Not so with Above the Golden State’s follow-up EP, though. The Golden Rule finds the band delivering a sound with a little more panache and distinction this time around. If I had to guess, they’ve either teamed up with a producer that better understands their sound or else self-produced this time to get it right.
Read more...
Newworldson - Newworldson
 |
| Buy Now |
For me, it was a sad commentary on the state of American Christian radio when Newworldson scored only a solitary Dove nomination in 2009 for Best Gospel Album, a category populated by church choirs and R&B artists. To me it was proof that the Christian music industry doesn’t know what to do with the band’s unique sound. Newworldson at least seemed to earn better recognition in their native Canada with awards for New Artist of the Year, Folk/Roots Album of the Year, and Group of the Year.
However you want to look at it, at the very least, it’s clear that Newworldson is doing something different from the norm in the Christian music industry. How do you characterize them? Robert Randolph by way of classic rock and soul rather than blues and gospel? A funkier, rootsy R&B influenced NeedToBreathe with a stronger sense of musicianship? Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton if they had more fully embraced their gospel side as Blind Faith? For all the attention Ollabelle has garnered from NPR and indie purists for their spin on gospel and roots music, Newworldson does it every bit as well.
Read more...
Lifehouse - Smoke & Mirrors
 |
| Buy Now |
Lifehouse too often gets a bad rap from music critics. For a long time, the band was dogged as the lite version of Creed, but they’ve proven more resilient with time, comparing more to the likes of Matchbox 20, Jars of Clay, and Daughtry. After all, few bands nowadays last for 10 years and manages to release at least one hit single with each album. Lifehouse’s following remains strong and loyal, consistently selling out packed venues. Frontman Jason Wade knows how to write catchy pop/rock focused on life and love, sometimes even peppered with subtle references to faith (like Mute Math and The Fray, Lifehouse began as a worship band).
Nevertheless, some of the complaints against Lifehouse are valid. Their last two album covers look like they were Photoshopped by a 4th Grader. And for every memorable hit that the band has offered, they’ve had 2-3 other songs that have proven to be forgettable fluff identical to the bulk of their past material.
In short, Lifehouse is certainly capable of greatness, but they’re equally capable of schlock.
Read more...
tobyMac - Tonight
 |
| Buy Now |
I think it’s about time that a music review was written for tobyMac that doesn’t mention his previous band—you know, the one that decided to take a hiatus 10 years ago? Sporadic reunions aside, I don’t see the three members reuniting for a full album anytime soon (prove me wrong, guys!). Besides that, with seven albums now under his belt—and sales increasing with each— 45-year-old Toby McKeehan has earned the right to be reviewed solely for his own merits.
Generally speaking, studio album No. 4 is generally more of the same from tobyMac. Those who have grown weary of his now established fusion of catchy pop melodies, urban beats, slammin’ rock tracks, and playful raps won’t find him straying from the formula on Tonight. Admittedly, I too would love to see the guy return to innovation, pushing his music into new directions rather than comfortably remaining Christian music’s answer to Black-Eyed Peas.
Read more...
American Idol Results - Top 20
Better Days Ahead?
A quick recap to the week’s proceedings, beginning with those painful group sing-a-longs that the producers insist on saddling the contestants week. Besides the fact that the singers were lip-synching, am I the only one who thinks they’re extra lame this year? It’s like they’re going out of their way to select more contemporary songs like “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black-Eyed Peas, yet it sounds even more show-choir-corny in this show’s context.
Read more...
American Idol Top 20 - Ladies Night
That Collective Sigh of Relief You Heard…
What a difference a week makes, or for that matter 24 hours. Last week on American Idol, fans were buzzing if the season could get any worse. Then news hit that frontrunner Crystal Bowersox was hospitalized (supposedly due to diabetes complications), and there was talk that she might have to be disqualified if she couldn’t perform. Not to sound selfish, since everyone hopes the best for Crystal’s health, but could anything be more disastrous for this season of Idol than having to take one of the few excellent singers out of the running?
Thankfully, that scenario never played out. Instead the night proved to be a 2-hour long sigh of relief (for the most part), beginning with Crystal’s appearance on stage, her strong performance, and then several other good-to-great performances among the Women’s Top 10. Whereas I’d be fine with eliminating all but two or three of the men this year, I think a case could now be made for more than six of the ladies to make it into the Final 12. Sadly, the gender parity in the rules requires 6 men and 6 women—which means some undeserving guys will be in the mix two weeks from now, while a couple women will be sent home prematurely by next week. Anyone else think it’s time to change the parity rule?
Read more...
