THE SHOWMAN vs. THE MUSICIAN
VOCAL ABILITY (Adam)
Of course, Adam Lambert is going to take this category. Adam has an unmatched range and technical knowledge... that allows him to reach (and obtain) notes I've never even heard! There may be an unpleasant-ness to his voice, but that's not the question at hand. Kris doesn't have the range to compete with Adam, but what he lacks with the notes he more than makes up for with connection and phrasing... but we're getting ahead of ourselves!
PERFORMANCE (Kris)
This category is the most "up to interpretation", but you reading my blog... so you must want my interpretation... I'm giving the performance edge to Kris Allen! Mainly because it is Kris' performance level that got him into this Finale (and Adam's voice that got him here) It's his ability to take a song and make it feel completely new and completely his, that caught my eye and kept it throughout this competition. Adam is great on stage, but he comes across as seasoned and rehearsed while Kris feels more genuine and organic! He didn't rely on stage lighting or his clothes to make a statement... he let his talent stand for it self... or maybe I just have a thing for musicians?!? ha. Kris has shown his skill on both the electric and acoustic guitar as well as the piano... in the short history of instruments on Idol that is an unmatched talent. But has also shown his ability to performance alone... providing some of his best performances!
Of course, Adam Lambert is going to take this category. Adam has an unmatched range and technical knowledge... that allows him to reach (and obtain) notes I've never even heard! There may be an unpleasant-ness to his voice, but that's not the question at hand. Kris doesn't have the range to compete with Adam, but what he lacks with the notes he more than makes up for with connection and phrasing... but we're getting ahead of ourselves!
PERFORMANCE (Kris)
This category is the most "up to interpretation", but you reading my blog... so you must want my interpretation... I'm giving the performance edge to Kris Allen! Mainly because it is Kris' performance level that got him into this Finale (and Adam's voice that got him here) It's his ability to take a song and make it feel completely new and completely his, that caught my eye and kept it throughout this competition. Adam is great on stage, but he comes across as seasoned and rehearsed while Kris feels more genuine and organic! He didn't rely on stage lighting or his clothes to make a statement... he let his talent stand for it self... or maybe I just have a thing for musicians?!? ha. Kris has shown his skill on both the electric and acoustic guitar as well as the piano... in the short history of instruments on Idol that is an unmatched talent. But has also shown his ability to performance alone... providing some of his best performances!
JOURNEY/PROGRESSION
Adam gets the "consistent front runner" edit while Kris gets painted as the "unworthy underdog, who's fought tooth and nail to get here"... Season 6 & 7 the underdog pulled it out. Will this year render the same results?
MEDIA (Adam)
This year has focused more on the anti-contestant from a media aspect! The media seem to clamp hard on the "Go in Gokey" theory instead of picking a horse in the race! But if any contestant has been the focus of both positive and negative media coverage... it's got to be Adam! Kris has been championed by Entertainment Weekly, but in a collection with both Allison and Adam... or in opposition to Danny. Kris never really got his own spotlight except on nights where his performance was seen as "the best of the night". I don't believe media has played as big a role this year as they did last year.
iTUNES (Adam)
iTunes is by far the clearest way to predictable a contestants merit outside the Idol World... and it still has it draw backs. Just as in last years results the 2 contestants with the highest iTunes purchase rate are our Final 2. Adam is tearing up the tunes charts with Kris a distant second! Although I believe after last week, Kris may have closed that gap a tad bit! Of course, this doesn't exactly translate to sales (if you take into account the magnitude Idol holds while the seasons is airing versus during it's off seasons), but it's a pretty good indicator.
RELEVANCY
Kris and Adam both fit very well into a niche of Today's Top 40. While Adam could fill the void of a male Lady Gaga... marketing him as a Fall Out Boy/ Green Day/ My Chemical Romance type artist is probably a safer bet, allowing him a pop/punk/rock/emo edge that fits very well in mainstream music. Kris could definitely bring the folk/indie rock back to the forefront of today's music! Artist like John Mayer and Jason Mraz sell-out venues, but don't get as much radio play as their R&B counterparts.... I think Kris could really meld those two vibes together (haha.. I just used the word VIBE) and be something "new-again" in today's music.
JUDGING/ FAVORITISM (Adam)
It's clear Adam has been the preferred winner since about Top 10 and the Judges have beat that script into the ground. Simon has attempted to reign him in a time or two, but more often than not Adam has been seen as daring, the best, true greatness up on the stage... whether the praise is deserved is up to debate - whether he's favored is not! On the other hand Kris has delivered some truly stand-out performances, but at most receives a "personal best" comment for the Judges. While Kris has received very fair critiques throughout the seasons... it seems he's never given his proper dues... when it comes to arrangement and performance skills. Plus Kris has performed 7 out of 11 times in the first half of the show compared to Adam's 2 out of 11.... favoritism? I think so!
Interesting tidbits...
- This is the first season where both finalist have both been in the bottom 3!
- Alphabetically speaking... the lower lettered contestant always prevails ( Kelly v. Justin, Ruben v. Clay, Fantasia v. Diana, Carrie v. Bo, Taylor v. Katharine, Jordin v. Blake, Cook v. Archuleta....) weird huh?
- Only twice in Idol history has the first performer on finale night won... David Cook being the latest prime spot victor.
Well it looks like the scale is tipped in Adam direction...
While I truly believe the "Preordained" will without a doubt take the competition, the hopeless romantic in me still holds out hope for a Kris Allen MIRACLE! Both deserve their spot in this Finale and I couldn't imagine anyone else standing there in the end. It's gonna come down to who performs from the heart and gives it their all!
Fingers crossed that the Judges fight fair!
Simon Fullers' choice... who knows?
Reprisals... 'Mad World' and 'Ain't No Sunshine'
Coronation Song... Kara penned 'No Boundaries'
Here's to a competition between gentlmen...
iTUNES (Adam)
iTunes is by far the clearest way to predictable a contestants merit outside the Idol World... and it still has it draw backs. Just as in last years results the 2 contestants with the highest iTunes purchase rate are our Final 2. Adam is tearing up the tunes charts with Kris a distant second! Although I believe after last week, Kris may have closed that gap a tad bit! Of course, this doesn't exactly translate to sales (if you take into account the magnitude Idol holds while the seasons is airing versus during it's off seasons), but it's a pretty good indicator.
RELEVANCY
Kris and Adam both fit very well into a niche of Today's Top 40. While Adam could fill the void of a male Lady Gaga... marketing him as a Fall Out Boy/ Green Day/ My Chemical Romance type artist is probably a safer bet, allowing him a pop/punk/rock/emo edge that fits very well in mainstream music. Kris could definitely bring the folk/indie rock back to the forefront of today's music! Artist like John Mayer and Jason Mraz sell-out venues, but don't get as much radio play as their R&B counterparts.... I think Kris could really meld those two vibes together (haha.. I just used the word VIBE) and be something "new-again" in today's music.
JUDGING/ FAVORITISM (Adam)
It's clear Adam has been the preferred winner since about Top 10 and the Judges have beat that script into the ground. Simon has attempted to reign him in a time or two, but more often than not Adam has been seen as daring, the best, true greatness up on the stage... whether the praise is deserved is up to debate - whether he's favored is not! On the other hand Kris has delivered some truly stand-out performances, but at most receives a "personal best" comment for the Judges. While Kris has received very fair critiques throughout the seasons... it seems he's never given his proper dues... when it comes to arrangement and performance skills. Plus Kris has performed 7 out of 11 times in the first half of the show compared to Adam's 2 out of 11.... favoritism? I think so!
Interesting tidbits...
- This is the first season where both finalist have both been in the bottom 3!
- Alphabetically speaking... the lower lettered contestant always prevails ( Kelly v. Justin, Ruben v. Clay, Fantasia v. Diana, Carrie v. Bo, Taylor v. Katharine, Jordin v. Blake, Cook v. Archuleta....) weird huh?
- Only twice in Idol history has the first performer on finale night won... David Cook being the latest prime spot victor.
Well it looks like the scale is tipped in Adam direction...
While I truly believe the "Preordained" will without a doubt take the competition, the hopeless romantic in me still holds out hope for a Kris Allen MIRACLE! Both deserve their spot in this Finale and I couldn't imagine anyone else standing there in the end. It's gonna come down to who performs from the heart and gives it their all!
Fingers crossed that the Judges fight fair!
Simon Fullers' choice... who knows?
Reprisals... 'Mad World' and 'Ain't No Sunshine'
Coronation Song... Kara penned 'No Boundaries'
Here's to a competition between gentlmen...
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