Oh I agree. I was expecting him to scream much more than he did. But even the few times he went to that level, it just seemed like he was doing just to do it. He would have been fine without it. But other than, he did well. He has great stage presence. But, just something about him rubs me the wrong way. He is definitely among the best of the guys though.
Only caught a snippet of his performance tonight, but I heard him the previous week during final cuts. Admittedly I'm not a gospel fan. But I liked Ruben Studdard...and he's no Studdard. He's ok, but I don't see him winning. I'm just not buying into him.
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tlQriDmriC8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> He did well, but I could do without those facial expressions..
Casey Jacob Scotty Brett (though I don't like him) James, Clint, Paul would have moved on last year. Jordan would probably have stayed based on talent he's showed before if people get over him being an a-hole. Robbie on his past, too. So I think Stefano, Jovanny, and Tim are gone for sure. And the other 3 cuts, I'd guess would be Clint, Jordan.. last cut tossup between James/Paul/Robbie. Maybe the judges take a top 13, cause the guys cast is much stronger than the girls based on what we've seen so far
I haven't heard a singer as good as Jacob Lusk on American Idol in a long time. He is the real deal. He held back a little last night, but watch out for him.
Here's my rankings after last night. 1) Jacob Lusk - Not really into the gospel thing but he's probably the best pure singer in this competition. I'm also not sure he has that star quality to him, though. If he wins he could very well be the next Idol winner to land on a milk carton. Hopefully, I'm wrong about that. 2) James Durbin - Not sure how you can hear/watch him sing and not think, "LAMBERT, LAMBERT, LAMBERT!". If you ask me, that's a good thing since that type of singer is always going to excite people and land votes. 3) Clint Gamboa - I don't like him but dude has a great voice. He's kind of a sleeper in my book. 4) Scotty McCreery - Nailed his performance. If he can continue to perform in his "safe zone" he's going to keep advancing. Plus, you have to admit he kind of grows on you. 5) Stefano Langone - Nailed the Bruno Mars song. Overall, he's very likable and has a solid voice. I can't see him winning but he's been pretty consistent throughout the whole thing. 6) Robbie Rosen - Liked him ever since his audition. He has a powerful voice that can take you on up's and down's without ever sounding 'karaoke-ish'. 7) Casey Abrams - I realize I'm going against the grain a bit here. I'm sorry but I just can't get over his cryptic-sounding singing and growling. I get it: he's unique (and I don't hold that against him). I just think if you forced him to slow it down and go technical he would fall apart. Fun? Yes. Winner of a singing competition? Not in my book. 8) Jovanny Bareto - I have to admit: he seems to be getting better and stronger with each performance. That "I'll Be" song is admittedly kind of cheesy but from a technical standpoint he absolutely killed it. I'd like to see him stick around for a while longer to see if this trend can continue. 9) Tim Halperin - Great voice and much better than what he showed last night. Unfortunately, he doesn't really make himself standout and with last night's egg it might be the end for him. 10) Brett Loewenstern - Has been goofy and likable since Day 1. Unfortunately, you need to start weeding out guys like this. He's definitely interesting but he's also not going to win and I certainly won't ever want to turn on the radio and be in the mood to hear this kid sing. 11) Jordan Dorsey - Poor song choice and it will likely lead to his downfall. Not that any of us will miss him. 12) Paul McDonald - I'm sorry but I just can't get into his voice. It's soft, unimpressive and doesn't stand out. Sure, you can dress it up as "unique" but at the end of the day it's a signing competition. See ya.
I think Scotty has the most potential to be famous. He may not win because of themes but I think he has the best chance to be as big as Underwood got. I think Abrams has a chance and so does Durbin.
I can't tell you how much I admire people who admit that they're not into gospel but can appreciate what Jason Lusk does. My top 3 1. Casey Abrams - After everything he did with that song he found a very colorful note in the final chord. I agree with Randy in that he is the best musician ever to compete on Idol. 2. Jacob Lusk - I am a fan of passion and he exudes it with every note. 3. Paul McDonald - I just like watching him. No homo. Bottom 1 1. Jordan Dorsey - If chlamydia could sing, it would be more likable.
I was one of Ruben's biggest fans when he was on the show, but Jacob last night was in a whole different league than anything Ruben ever did.
you're plugging away at this singing competition issue. Obviously, it's much more than that. The show isn't called American Singer...it's called American Idol. And the public votes the winner. There are plenty of people who can sing technically great... but I'd still rather listen to some classic Dylan a lot of the time. Most of the "technically great" singers on this show, currently and historically, have failed to have any uniqueness to their voices or their personalities. Case and Paul both have that. Moreover, I think Casey's voice, technically, is much closer to perfect than you make it out. Paul's definitely has some bad technical moments, but then he'd make a much more enjoyable album than Jacob Lusk or Clint what's his face would, imo. you may be right here. country seems to translate well.
No, it's not called 'American Singer' but at the end of the day it's still primarily a singing competition. I realize there's a lot more that goes into being an artist than strictly your voice (i.e. personality, stage presence, style, appearance, etc) -- and I'm fine with that. I'm just a believer that on this level your voice should do the talking. I should be getting goosebumps from hearing you belt out notes and prove you're as good as anybody on the radio. I shouldn't be thinking "Oh wow, this person's best quality is that they're unique." Basically, I don't want to see another Idol winner that I can walk into a bar and hear somebody singing like. That's what you get with a Kris Allen or Lee DeWyze. Paul McDonald is exactly that type. To Casey's credit, he's a little better. I just don't think he's anywhere near as great as people are making him out to be.
I'm sure that there will be people who disagree with me but I think that the guys are much stronger than the girls. Would not surprise me to see all 3 wildcards be guys.
This guy voice sound annoying the more I listen to him sing. It's like a guy in a cross dresser singing with someone got a hold of her balls singing out of breath.
I don't get the hype about guys like Jacob lusk, Clint, or Stefano for that matter. Jacob is that old fashioned gospel that makes me hit the automatic Mute button. He has a great voice but where is he going to go with it, with that style? Clint is what he is, Karaoke. Stefano just is out of his league next to these other singers. There's a reason guys like Ruben studdard didn't amount to much. Rock and country translate well for stardom.
I think you're right, generally. There is a key distinction between, though, to me, between a unique voice, and just a unique person. Kris Allen, Lee DeWyze, both were neither unique in their voice qualities or in their personalities. I couldn't have remembered their names if you didn't just bring it up...and didn't Kris win? I think Paul's voice and style is a tad bit more unique - though would agree he's not as good a technical singer, even as the guys you mention. But I think long-term, uniqueness is more important. Cause there's plenty of great technical but boring and uninspiring performers out there. But being memorable is a different story. Paul won't win this show or anything, but his voice/style is memorable to a much bigger extent, imo, than a Clint...who is technically better, but is boring boring boring...outside his villain persona...which is tiring itself. It's certainly more unique and memorable than Stofano, Jovanny, Tim, Brett, Jordan. Not only were those guys average singers (on this stage), but they are BORING. Based on last night, I'd rank them like this: 1. Casey - again, I think you way underestimate his singing ability. buy beyond that, they guy is just extremely memorable and unique. i think he is somewhat of a musical savant (like Randy mentioned). 2. Lusk - not my style, but it's at least a specific style of his own, and the guy can certainly sing. 3. Scotty McCreery - Not the strongest voice, but so crystal clear in regards to what kind of artist he wants to be, and I think there's an opportunity there for him. That said, I could see him being horrible in any given week, too. 4. Durbin - again, not my style, but at least a style (that some are now finding less memorable because of Lambert), and can definitely sing. 5. Robbie - again, I don't care for it, but clear what type of artist he's going to be and can definitely sing. and his age, look, etc. fits in very well to keep him around a while in this contest. 6. Paul - not the strongest voice, but definitely one of the most interesting ones. his sound and style is memorable and unique, and that sells. everyone else.
Wow. So vivid. You must hear a lot of cross dressers sing...do you hold the balls or do they do it themselves?
Anyone have any insight to the theory that a girl is being pushed to win this competition? I know Randy Jackson had mentioned in an interview that he hoped a girl would win (Clarkson/Underwood/Sparks) have had much more success than the guy winners, but this seems foolish to me. Some of the male winners were either obvious POP busts (Big Ruben, Taylor Hicks, mediocre Dewyze), but others like Daughtry have had successful careers. Idol "insiders" (for whatever that's worth) are claiming that they're looking for a teen or country singer winner (hence the age drop to 15). I wonder how heavy handed the producers have been in selecting the field of the top 24 with who they want to win in mind.
Wow, you must be on crack. The dude is flat out amazing. He's probably the best singer in the competition.