Idol Chatter: Allen, Lambert Come Out Singing

Express' Greg Barber recaps part 1 of the "American Idol" season finale.

THOUSANDS OF faces flashed through stadiums across the country. Hundreds of them flickered across our television screens. We learned a few dozen of their names. And now just two remain, both within tantalizing reach of the prize they've labored many hours and weeks and months to capture: the "American Idol" title.

The players are Kris Allen and Adam Lambert. The mission: sing three final songs and woo as many votes as they can for a final push to victory.

The night is Tuesday. The theater is packed. The host is Ryan Seacrest. And his sentences, they are stilted.

"Tonight," he tells us, "it is the battle of the acoustic rocker versus the glam rocker. Conway versus California. The guy next door versus the guyliner. It comes down to Kris and Adam."

Seacrest was born for moments like this. At most other times, he's pretty superfluous. But now, totally useful.

Adam and Kris will each reprise their favorite performance of the year, sing a song picked by "Idol" creator Simon Fuller and perform the "Idol" winner's song, co-written by some gal named Kara DioGuardi.

Yeah, did you notice how there wasn't a competition for the winner's song this year? We'll see whether that was a blessing or a curse.

And Seacrest is even kind enough to warn us that Wednesday night's two-hour finale will run longer than its allotted time. Because, y'know, the 10-second process of pointing at one of two people and saying "you win" is difficult to fit into 120 minutes.

The "Idol" producers really are the P.T. Barnums of our time, aren't they?

ADAM LAMBERT, PART 1
We learn during Adam's intro interview that as a baby, he screamed constantly. Ah, but did he do it in key? See, natural talent plus training. That's how to earn a place in the big leagues.

His do-over song: "Mad World" by Tears for Fears — but Adam's version is more in line with Gary Jules' cover of the song, which was a hit earlier this decade.

Honestly, I've never really enjoyed it when the Idolites reprise a song they've already sung — it's inevitable that it'll be compared to the original, which is a losing proposition for them. During the first performance, it was new. They'd never performed it. That's inherently interesting. It's like leftovers: Even if they started as a great meal, they always lose at least a little something with time.

Of course, doing a song over again wasn't Adam's choice but a requirement, so that certainly isn't anything we should hold against him.

He does his best to make this performance as entrancing as the original, and he by and large succeeds. It's interesting — the costume, the pacing, the wafting clouds of dry-ice smoke, even Adam's gait make me think of "The Phantom of the Opera," and surely this could be a deleted scene from the play — if plays had deleted scenes, of course.

His voice is beautifully timbred and finely controlled, which is when, in my mind, Adam is at his best. He's focused and intense. It's stunning, and it's also a reminder of how he's gotten as far as he has. Although it's also at moments like this that I wonder how fame didn't find this guy without "American Idol's" help.

"This is it. We're down to the wire," a suit-bedecked (?!?) Randy says. "Right now, that performance ... I'm gonna give you an A-plus on that one. An A for Adam. A!"

Wow. There's a "Sesame Street" moment for you. Did someone replace Randy with Mr. Snuffleupagus?

"I am so happy that you chose that performance," Kara says, "because from the first time you did that song, I knew not only were you an extraordinary singer, but you are an incredible artist. ... You rocked it again tonight."

"I just want to tell you how unbelievably proud I am that you're standing on that stage right now," Paula says. "This is a great song for you. ... I thought you did a really good job."

"I always thought this was your best performance throughout the shows," Simon says. "For some reason, maybe it was the coat, it was a little bit overtheatrical. It just reminded me a little bit of 'Phantom of the Opera.'"

I swear I wrote my critique before I heard Simon's. Honest. My cat'll vouch for me.

KRIS ALLEN, PART 1
From Kris' family we learn that a recent gift for Mama Allen from her baby boy was a batch of music coupons. If she presents a coupon, Kris sings for her. "It was the best gift ever," she says.

Hmm. I wonder if my mom would enjoy some Mildly Amusing Cultural Reference coupons when her birthday rolls around. Hey, you play with the hand you're dealt, right?

Kris's reprise pick: "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers. And, much like Adam, Kris brings to this performance an extra helping of the good stuff that made us love it the first time around.

His vocals are pure and heartfelt, starting slow and creeping to a powerful crescendo, before crashing like a wave and gurgling to a close like a settling sea. Kris has a vocal control of another sort, and it's less like Adam's ability to channel deep, resonant tornadic notes and more an overall simple glossiness.

And this performance brings both a wistfulness and a romance that more established artists try, but fail to reach.

"What I love so much about you is I can tell exactly what kind of artist you are, what kind of record you're going to make," Randy says. "Dude, you saved some of the best for last — that was one of your best performances ever on this stage."

"If you can't feel a Kris Allen performance and he doesn't move you, there's something wrong with you," Kara says. "You have a way of creating an intimate bond with everybody in the audience. You make us feel like you're singing it to us."

"Kris, you awaken the spirit in all of us," Paula says. "That's the true marking of a great artist."

"I think we've just got to remember right now that this is a competition," Simon says. "I'm gonna be honest with you, when your name was announced last week, I wasn't sure whether America had made the right choice. But ... I absolutely take all that back now after that performance."

"Simon, round one, who wins?" Seacrest asks.

"I'm gonna call that one for Kris," Simon says.

Interesting, eh?

ADAM LAMBERT, PART 2
Now, it's on to picks from "Idol" creator Simon Fuller. His pick for Adam: "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke.

At first, I think it's an utterly ridiculous choice. Until I realize it's genius.

The first half of the song is perfection. Adam whips his voice into the kind of ragged, soulful froth that could have saved contestants like Lil Rounds and Danny Gokey if they had had the chops to pull it off. His phrasing, his timing — that masterful, masterful timing — it's all executed with precision, but Adam makes it look effortless. Even the gut-to-throat scream he releases is exactly right for the moment.

The first one, that is.

Then, it's hello Dr. Screamlove. Adam revs up, sticks out his tongue and belts out a series of syllables that sound kind of like "a change is gonna come," but not quite.

Sorry, not buying it. It's not right for the moment, not right for the song. It's indulgent, pure and simple. Screaming works for some songs. It's integral for others. But shoehorning it into songs it's not right for is an affectation that's beneath someone of Adam's talent level.

It doesn't ruin the entire performance for me, but it certainly takes it down a peg.

"That song is an amazing, amazing R&B classic," Randy says. "You can sing your face off and that was unbelievable."

"Adam, that may have been your best performance and interpretation of a song from the beginning of this competition," Kara says.

"That was the best I've ever heard you sing ever, ever, ever, ever," Paula says, swinging her arm above her head as if she's going to lasso Adam and take him to a tractor pull. "Whatever happens with this 'Idol' journey, I know with every fiber of my being, you're going to be iconic."

"Adam, all I would say after that is you are 100 percent back in the game," Simon says. "Congratulations."

Does Simon's shirt have any buttons on it at all? He's showing more cleavage than Paula and Kara put together.

KRIS ALLEN, PART 2
Simon Fuller lets the R&B flow once again in his pick for Kris: "What's Going On?", the song made famous by Marvin Gaye.

It's yet another jingle jangle morning in Allenland. The song mutates slightly from Gaye's original in Kris's hands — it's slightly faster, definitely poppier and with just a smidge less soul.

It's a good performance. Not one of his best. Not really as slam-dunk a choice for him as "A Change Is Gonna Come" was for Adam. And also not as deftly executed as his first performance or the first half of Adam's second one.

"We got ourselves a real live dual competition," Randy says. "It was just a little light for me."

"You've been true to yourself from day one," Kara says. "And I like that Simon Fuller picked a socially conscious song for you, because you're the kind of artist who can deliver that message and uplift people, make them think, make them feel and make them change."

"I know what's going on," Paula says. "You tore that song up and made Marvin Gaye proud."

"I love that song, but if I'm being honest with you, it was like three friends in their bedroom strumming along to Marvin Gaye," Simon says. "You did not, in my opinion, grab hold of the song, make it your version. I thought it was too laid back for a night like this. Sorry."

Simon's assessment: "A million percent Adam, round two."

ADAM LAMBERT, PART 3
The guys' Kara-co-penned final song is called "No Boundaries." I'd hoped that by dispensing with the cattle-call songwriting competition that dredged up schlock from sea to shopworn sea we'd get an original "Idol" tune that didn't make me want to hurl.

How silly of me.

It's standard pop bunk, full of claptrap about climbing mountains and crossing seas — basically the same kind of junk the "Idol" producers could've gotten for free from some dude in Sheboygan who's tired of operating a wood lathe, not an established songwriter or three to whom they had to shell out beaucoup bucks.

In fact, having an original song written by Kara is almost worse: In the past, Idolites could almost openly show their contempt for it. Now, they have to smile and sing it as if it wasn't crushing their souls with every note.

And that's where Adam comes in. The performance is standard Adam — almost. The vocal intensity is there. The rockish outfit. The glamish flourishes. But he sings the song as if he's surrounded by an electric fence — there's so little of his trademark prowling of the stage or the usual dramatic flare he brings to his tunes.

Nope, this time he's just singin' the song. Nothing to see here, folks.

It's not to say it's a bad performance. A bad song, sure — but Lambert's Lemonade Stand is open for business. I guess all I can say is that Adam's arrangement doesn't help to fix the song, it only accentuates how very odd a fit it is for him.

"I said it before, I'll say it again: Dude, you can sing anything, you can sing the phone book," Randy says, "but that wasn't my favorite Adam performances. It was a little pitchy in spots for me."

"It is amazing when someone with your level of talent sings a song that we've written," Kara says. "I'm moved and I'm proud and I thank you for giving me that moment here at the end."

"Adjectives can't express what you've brought to this show, season eight," Paula says. "You can sing whatever you want to sing and I will be a fan forever, front in line."

"It's the mountains and the hurricanes," Simon says. "I'm not going to judge the song, I'm gonna judge you. Over the entire season, you have been one of the best, most original contestants we've ever had on the show. And the whole idea of doing a show like this is that you hope that you can find a worldwide star. I genuinely believe with all my heart that we've found that with you. Congratulations."

KRIS ALLEN, PART 3
So, can Kris break through "No Boundaries"?

Eh. Kinda.

The crappy song did not magically transform into a beautiful swan, but Kris's performance has some high and low moments. It takes him precious seconds to find his footing — the beginning of the song is downright dirge-like, and I do believe my ears hear Kris stumble over the lyrics.

The end of the song, however, is considerably stronger — an improvement, even, on Adam's treatment. Kris seems to sell it better; he sounds more invested and strikes a more genuine balance.

"You should be very proud of what you've done in this competition," Randy says. "I actually think that song kinda fit your voice even better for me than even Adam."

"Kris, I don't want you to be judged on that song ... I want you to be judged on the fact that you are a compelling artist," Kara says. "I congratulate you for an incredible season. And I hope people vote on the season."

So, not so much moved and proud this time, eh, Kara?

"You've done an amazing job to end up where you are right now," Paula says. "This has been one of the most compelling finales and final showdowns."

Will Simon deliver a death blow?

"Again, I think that your highlight tonight was the first song you sang," Simon says. "I think watching you tonight on this stage was incredible. ... You have thoroughly, thoroughly deserved to be standing on this stage tonight. Congratulations."

He didn't! Classy.

And with a live rendition by Carrie Underwood of her song "Home Sweet Home," the performance portion of this season of "American Idol" comes to a close.

FEARLESS PICKS
Oh, what a night. I'd have to agree with two of Simon's assessments: Kris won the first round and Adam carried the second. I think the third round was a wash. So if anyone was looking for one of them to set the stage on fire or something to make making a choice easier, you're out of luck.

Both of these guys are outstanding performers. I listen to them sing, and I know I'm hearing music that's better than 90 percent of what you'll hear on the radio. They're fresh. They're contemporary. They seem to be genuinely nice guys. They really do have everything going for them.

So honestly, I think this season is going to come down to fan bases and styles. Adam's style is more intense than Kris's — which for Adam is both a positive and a negative, since it can turn people off just as intensely as it can turn them into fans. If enough of the audience was impressed by Adam's talent and was able to cotton to his music, then he could carry the day.

However, Kris is more than just the anti-Adam in this competition. He's proven himself to have his own set of industrial-strength songcrafting chops, and he brings with him fans he's earned through being himself on stage, not just not being Adam.

In the end, I'll agree with what I've seen a bazillion times in the comments section on this site, especially on posts over the past few days: both of these guys will be winners. Both will, I think, go on to impressive careers. Both have benefitted tremendously from the national exposure their talents have received. Both are already stars.

But only one singer can win. I have no earthly idea who that winner will be, but my gut tells me that we might be in for a surprise tomorrow. So I'll follow my instinct and root for the underdog: I'll pick Kris.

Of course, I predicted David Archuleta would win last year. So I'm not so much with the track record.

» WEDNESDAY NIGHT: The end is finally upon us. We'll find out who will win "American Idol" and go on to a life of fame and fortune and who will ... well, still go on to a life of fame and fortune. I'll have a final recap tomorrow night after the "Idol" finale right here at ExpressNightOut.com/idol.

Between then and now, there's just one question left to ask: What kind of crap do you think we'll have to sit through before we find out the winner? Oh, and I guess I can ask you who you think'll win, too. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Photos courtesy Fox

Posted By Greg Barber at 12:00 AM on May 20, 2009 Tagged in Arts & Events , Idol Chatter , Television

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