Related Links:
*Jason goes out on a gracious note: The official summary
*Industry insiders envision 'Idol' final four's future
*Idol (Live) Redux: My Heart Goes Out to Jason Castro
*A Castro Site
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Confessions of My iPod ... or, The Reason I Still Vote for Jason Castro (American Idol)
Granted: Jason Castro may not be the best performer on American Idol - at least, not for a while. At his worst, he may even conjure up memories of Sanjaya in his seeming apathy to feedback. And, finally, at times, he does appear to be more well lit than a spring break field trip to a Grateful Dead concert in Berkeley.
That said: My iPod is filled with songs by Jason Castro. It seems rather impervious to his foibles, and just knows what I want to hear. I've downloaded songs by other contestants, but Castro's songs seem to out-number and out-last most of them.
According to my iPod: Castro is coming in at number one; David Cook is in second place; Archuleta is in third (along with some contestants who have been voted off), and Syesha Mercado's music is nowhere to be found.
Certainly, that line-up has less to do with the talent of the contestants, their performances, or even their popularity (as I see it - although he brings a lot of humor to the show), than it does with music choices that I like. It has nothing to do with who "deserves" (whatever that means) to win a contest like American Idol. It simply has to do with the CD I'm most likely to go out and buy...and, therefore, the CD that I want to assure will be made.
I'd rather listen to Jack Johnson than Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey. I'd take Bob Dylan over anything that sounds like N'SYNC or The Backstreet Boys; and, although I love Daughtry's music (and voted for him a ton of times), I still find more Ani DiFranco on my iPod.
I have no idea if an artist like Jack Johnson (or Colbie Caillat - another favorite), would have fared better than Jason Castro when tasked with singing the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber on American Idol ("[Mum and dad's wedding]..." I know; "Old glamorpuss..." I know; "[Totally inappropriate song choice]"...I know!) and I couldn't care less (besides, I love the song). I'm just glad these artists make CDs / have songs on iTunes, so that I can buy them!
Truly --- Would Taylor Hicks have won, if all the people who voted for him had to swear to buy all of his upcoming CDs? Would he have beat Daughtry if the voters really cared about which music they might actually purchase after the "Soul Patrol" stopped dominating T/W night TV?
What is entertaining on American Idol isn't always representative of the music people actually purchase after the season ends...and I want Jason Castro (and David Cook) to put out CDs! ... which leads me to the other contestants...
Syesha Mercado:
I totally empathized with her last night. She appeared so genuinely affected by the music (and comments) that it allayed my temporary skepticism (Is she taking a cue from Clinton?), and my heart went out to her. She may be - finally "coming into her own" as an artist; and she has certainly grown as a contestant. I just don't think I'd buy her CD...not yet.
She still seems like one more talented person who wants to be Whitney or Mariah, but hasn't really distinguished her voice as a recording artist. She may do really well in musical theater, or find her voice as an artist, but I'm just not compelled to listen to her --- at this point. Most of the time, I really don't hear anything new.
David Cook:
In total contrast --- David Cook is all about new ...
to the point that I thought it may have undermined his performance of "Baba O'Riley" last night...
to the point that he actually made me understand the lyrics to "Billie Jean" (ugh) ...
to the point that I thought, "Hey! Now that you've helped us to understand lyrics we never wanted to know --- and given meaning to a song by an artist we try to forget (Of course she's not his lover! And I don't care whose kid it is, as long as you keep him/her away from Michael Jackson!) --- Why not go "super-cutting edge" and slow down "She Bop," or "The Reflex," or "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,"or any number of 80s song with lyrics we were, generally, not intended to contemplate on deeper levels?
I get it ... "New"... "Cutting-Edge" ... "Shake it up!" ... which was really interesting back in the day when it seemed inspired. I think Cook was one of the first artists (at least this season) to really add his own take to songs. Lots of people loved "Hello" --- because it seemed like he actually did "update it" and "make it his own."
What happened? Of course, it's obvious --- "New...blah, blah, blah..." is the expectation...and it makes it all seem formulaic and contrived (at times). It doesn't always seem like "his voice" anymore, and I really like his voice!
Thankfully, it looks like we'll probably get to hear it when this contest is over ... no matter which David wins.
David Archuleta:
If I was still a wedding DJ, I'd probably buy every album he put out. I have no doubt he will release a CD (or many), and no doubt they'll be bought.
And, I admit: I cried right along with Paula to his rendition of "Imagine" (It's still on my iPod). I thought it was brilliant and sincere...and very hopeful for the future.
Then came another sincere, motivational song...a brief break for the Beatles mishap...and on to fame sincerely selling whatever America's buying (with a beautiful voice to boot).
Perhaps it's because I had just finished watching the Democratic primaries before American Idol last night, but I thought, "Hey! He'd be really great opening for Obama on tour!" ; )
They're both selling the same intense (and sometimes heart-breaking) sincerity, and they're both doing a great job. My only question (in both cases) is: How much is selling, and how much is sincere? Maybe all...Maybe none, but sincerity (and talent) seem to be key ingredients to both of their successes.
I remember the week Archuleta sang "You're the Voice," and Simon expressed disbelief in the thought that Archuleta had selected that song. I immediately expressed my own disbelief that Simon got it SO wrong that time (I'm not a fan of Simon's, but he's seemed to be pretty right this season...too hard on Carly, but, generally, right).
It was so clear that Archuleta was continuing the message that he either cares about, or found successful, with "Imagine," --- the same message he tried to continue with "Another Day in Paradise." More often than not lyrics seem relevant to his song choice (and are, in fact, pretty on point for most political rallies - at least those that espouse love and peace).
I really like the lyrics. I'm not sold on the thought that he does (I think he would be capable of the same sincerity if he was singing about Purina Cat Chow), but it's a nice thought, and he may. Brilliant marketing - either way - and he has such a beautiful voice. He may win. I think one of the David's probably deserves to win (they've both fought for it - consistently)...
...but I'm still unlikely to buy more than a few Archuleta singles, and I doubt I'll own an Archuleta CD for a very long time.
That said: I have all the faith in the world that teenagers and grandparents (as speculated on the web) and Natasha Bedingfield will be more than happy to fill the void.
...so... back to the "old Glamorpuss" ; )
Jason Castro:
Even though - at times - his song choices have been bizarre (Why? Memory? You're like 20 ... the only "stale cold smell of morning" is probably from your dorm room pizza! --- But it is a great song. I liked it at 20, also ...).
In fact, I've liked almost every song he picked.
I love the musicians who seem to influence him, and I liked his take on "Hallelujah" better than Buckley's version or Cohen's original. I've downloaded almost all of his performances, and they actually stay on my iPod.
Certainly, there is an argument to be made that he may not "deserve" to win, or even to stick around for another week (results tonight) --- because he doesn't really appear, at times, to care...
But I don't care, and my iPod doesn't care. All we care about is that Jason Castro sticks around long enough to secure a "record deal" of some kind.
My sense of fairness, and competition, may be saying, "Vote for Archuleta or Cook," but my iPod keeps urging, "Vote for Castro. I really want that CD."
That said: My iPod is filled with songs by Jason Castro. It seems rather impervious to his foibles, and just knows what I want to hear. I've downloaded songs by other contestants, but Castro's songs seem to out-number and out-last most of them.
According to my iPod: Castro is coming in at number one; David Cook is in second place; Archuleta is in third (along with some contestants who have been voted off), and Syesha Mercado's music is nowhere to be found.
Certainly, that line-up has less to do with the talent of the contestants, their performances, or even their popularity (as I see it - although he brings a lot of humor to the show), than it does with music choices that I like. It has nothing to do with who "deserves" (whatever that means) to win a contest like American Idol. It simply has to do with the CD I'm most likely to go out and buy...and, therefore, the CD that I want to assure will be made.
I'd rather listen to Jack Johnson than Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey. I'd take Bob Dylan over anything that sounds like N'SYNC or The Backstreet Boys; and, although I love Daughtry's music (and voted for him a ton of times), I still find more Ani DiFranco on my iPod.
I have no idea if an artist like Jack Johnson (or Colbie Caillat - another favorite), would have fared better than Jason Castro when tasked with singing the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber on American Idol ("[Mum and dad's wedding]..." I know; "Old glamorpuss..." I know; "[Totally inappropriate song choice]"...I know!) and I couldn't care less (besides, I love the song). I'm just glad these artists make CDs / have songs on iTunes, so that I can buy them!
Truly --- Would Taylor Hicks have won, if all the people who voted for him had to swear to buy all of his upcoming CDs? Would he have beat Daughtry if the voters really cared about which music they might actually purchase after the "Soul Patrol" stopped dominating T/W night TV?
What is entertaining on American Idol isn't always representative of the music people actually purchase after the season ends...and I want Jason Castro (and David Cook) to put out CDs! ... which leads me to the other contestants...
Syesha Mercado:
I totally empathized with her last night. She appeared so genuinely affected by the music (and comments) that it allayed my temporary skepticism (Is she taking a cue from Clinton?), and my heart went out to her. She may be - finally "coming into her own" as an artist; and she has certainly grown as a contestant. I just don't think I'd buy her CD...not yet.
She still seems like one more talented person who wants to be Whitney or Mariah, but hasn't really distinguished her voice as a recording artist. She may do really well in musical theater, or find her voice as an artist, but I'm just not compelled to listen to her --- at this point. Most of the time, I really don't hear anything new.
David Cook:
In total contrast --- David Cook is all about new ...
to the point that I thought it may have undermined his performance of "Baba O'Riley" last night...
to the point that he actually made me understand the lyrics to "Billie Jean" (ugh) ...
to the point that I thought, "Hey! Now that you've helped us to understand lyrics we never wanted to know --- and given meaning to a song by an artist we try to forget (Of course she's not his lover! And I don't care whose kid it is, as long as you keep him/her away from Michael Jackson!) --- Why not go "super-cutting edge" and slow down "She Bop," or "The Reflex," or "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,"or any number of 80s song with lyrics we were, generally, not intended to contemplate on deeper levels?
I get it ... "New"... "Cutting-Edge" ... "Shake it up!" ... which was really interesting back in the day when it seemed inspired. I think Cook was one of the first artists (at least this season) to really add his own take to songs. Lots of people loved "Hello" --- because it seemed like he actually did "update it" and "make it his own."
What happened? Of course, it's obvious --- "New...blah, blah, blah..." is the expectation...and it makes it all seem formulaic and contrived (at times). It doesn't always seem like "his voice" anymore, and I really like his voice!
Thankfully, it looks like we'll probably get to hear it when this contest is over ... no matter which David wins.
David Archuleta:
If I was still a wedding DJ, I'd probably buy every album he put out. I have no doubt he will release a CD (or many), and no doubt they'll be bought.
And, I admit: I cried right along with Paula to his rendition of "Imagine" (It's still on my iPod). I thought it was brilliant and sincere...and very hopeful for the future.
Then came another sincere, motivational song...a brief break for the Beatles mishap...and on to fame sincerely selling whatever America's buying (with a beautiful voice to boot).
Perhaps it's because I had just finished watching the Democratic primaries before American Idol last night, but I thought, "Hey! He'd be really great opening for Obama on tour!" ; )
They're both selling the same intense (and sometimes heart-breaking) sincerity, and they're both doing a great job. My only question (in both cases) is: How much is selling, and how much is sincere? Maybe all...Maybe none, but sincerity (and talent) seem to be key ingredients to both of their successes.
I remember the week Archuleta sang "You're the Voice," and Simon expressed disbelief in the thought that Archuleta had selected that song. I immediately expressed my own disbelief that Simon got it SO wrong that time (I'm not a fan of Simon's, but he's seemed to be pretty right this season...too hard on Carly, but, generally, right).
It was so clear that Archuleta was continuing the message that he either cares about, or found successful, with "Imagine," --- the same message he tried to continue with "Another Day in Paradise." More often than not lyrics seem relevant to his song choice (and are, in fact, pretty on point for most political rallies - at least those that espouse love and peace).
I really like the lyrics. I'm not sold on the thought that he does (I think he would be capable of the same sincerity if he was singing about Purina Cat Chow), but it's a nice thought, and he may. Brilliant marketing - either way - and he has such a beautiful voice. He may win. I think one of the David's probably deserves to win (they've both fought for it - consistently)...
...but I'm still unlikely to buy more than a few Archuleta singles, and I doubt I'll own an Archuleta CD for a very long time.
That said: I have all the faith in the world that teenagers and grandparents (as speculated on the web) and Natasha Bedingfield will be more than happy to fill the void.
...so... back to the "old Glamorpuss" ; )
Jason Castro:
Even though - at times - his song choices have been bizarre (Why? Memory? You're like 20 ... the only "stale cold smell of morning" is probably from your dorm room pizza! --- But it is a great song. I liked it at 20, also ...).
In fact, I've liked almost every song he picked.
I love the musicians who seem to influence him, and I liked his take on "Hallelujah" better than Buckley's version or Cohen's original. I've downloaded almost all of his performances, and they actually stay on my iPod.
Certainly, there is an argument to be made that he may not "deserve" to win, or even to stick around for another week (results tonight) --- because he doesn't really appear, at times, to care...
But I don't care, and my iPod doesn't care. All we care about is that Jason Castro sticks around long enough to secure a "record deal" of some kind.
My sense of fairness, and competition, may be saying, "Vote for Archuleta or Cook," but my iPod keeps urging, "Vote for Castro. I really want that CD."
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