So, it's been awhile since The Greatest Upset in American Idol Ever. Everyone thought the judges' favourite, Adam Lambert would win, but when it came down to voting time, the darkest of dark horses won the race, Kris Allen. Anyone watching Allen's face at the moment the winner was announced saw that even he was shocked.
AlthoughI am a HUGE Adam Lambert fan, I was ready to admit that the title could go to either competitor. What I don't believe is up for debate, however, is who is the better singer.
Adam Lambert. No questions.
Lambert is a trained singer with an undeniable natural gift. He can hit notes and warble off runs that many singers more seasoned than he can't even attempt. His tone is clear and his singing is effortless. Some nay-sayers have said that he was occasionally "screechy", but those were actual notes that he was hitting, he wasn't screaming. Perhaps the untrained ear couldn't tell the difference. The proof lies in the fact that he can make those notes night after night without damaging his voice. If he was screeching, his voice would be hoarse.
Allen is a competent singer, but his voice simply does not match that of Lambert. He also doesn't have Lambert's training. It could be that with some vocal coaching, he would improve by leaps and bounds, but even if he did, I doubt that he would have the range that Lambert has. You can only extend your range so much.
What Allen does have in likeability. In spades. I'm not surprised that he won Idol, because he is exactly what the competition is searching for: the next big star that is loved by the masses. What is there not to love? He's good-looking, charming, humble, does good work in the community and has a beautiful wife. He sings songs that are easy on the ears. I can picture him jamming with his friends at a backyard barbecue, where the food is good and the music is even better. He is the quintessential Boy Next Door.
In all honesty, I'm not even sure why Adam was even in the Idol competition in the first place. He was so far above and apart from the other singers that it was almost wasting his time (and ours) for him to be there. Especially because I think Idol is about how many albums the talent has the potential to sell, and Adam's gift translates better to live performance. Even he has said that he doesn't know how he is going to sing a song until he gets onstage. That is exciting. I'm not sure if I'd buy Adam's album, but I'd see him on Broadway in a heartbeat. I might buy Kris' album, but I would fall asleep at his concert.
(And by the way, if anyone from Idol is reading this, could you people PLEASE stop writing a finale song for the winner to produce as their first single? I love your show, but I want to scratch my eyes out at that part. This year, the song didn't make Adam OR Kris sound good. Learn your lesson!)
In the interest of full disclosure, if they allowed Canadians to vote and I had money to burn on text messages, I would have come out in favour of Allison Iraheta. She's a little powerhouse with a lot of potential. But I like Kris and I'm glad he won. I love it when the underdog succeeds. And it coudn't happen to a nicer guy.
But he is not the better singer. Point, fini.
Picture credit: www.americanidol.com
AMEN.
Adam would be awesome in a concert, live show, Broadway, stage; his magic would be lost on an album.
Kris, I could turn on during a nice get together, dinner and drinks with friends...but I don't know how dynamic he'd be in concert. Excellent in a bar, for sure. I mean, I went to see John Mayer in concert, and he's a great musician but it was a bit of a snore...
Posted by: karen meg | May 28, 2009 at 11:14 PM
No matter who win, does that matter, we will still listen to the singer who we like always.
That is the most important.
Posted by: Jack | November 12, 2009 at 01:24 AM