Two finalists. Three songs each. One final night of performances.
American Idol will crown its eighth champion tonight. But, first, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen each had a few chances to leave viewers with a winning impression. Let's review each finalist's renditions from last night...
ROUND ONE: We start with the contestant's choice, as both Lambert and Allen brought back classics from earlier this season.
Lambert chose the Tears for Fears song "Mad World," making a fog-filled entrance and donning a long, black overcoat. Once again, the performance showcased this singer's sultry voice and unparalleled range. It earned an "A-plus for Adam" from Randy.
Allen, meanwhile, played to his strength. Seated behind a piano, he went with "Ain't No Sunshine." Simon appeared to favor this routine over that of Lambert, while Kara gushed over how well Kris connected with the audience.
EDGE: Even.
Which opening performance did you prefer on the American Idol finale?
ROUND TWO: Time for American Idol creator Simon Fuller to play a role. He chose the songs for this round.
Kara wasn't shy about deeming Lambert's rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" as his best performance of the season. We wouldn't go that far, but the crooner held himself back from changing the arrangement too much, or overly relying on his patented screams. A great showcase for his versatility.
Here's where Kris lost ground to Adam. Strumming his guitar to Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," Allen didn't put on a finale-worthy performance. We agreed with Simon and Randy assessment: it was fine and all, but not memorable enough, given the circumstances.
EDGE: Lambert.
Which round two performance did you prefer on the American Idol finale?
ROUND THREE: Both contestants were stuck singing the cheesy Kara DioGuardi-penned winner's single, "No Boundaries."
Due to his incredible range, Lambert was at least able to de-cheese the song a bit. (Still, climbing mountains? Taking breaths? Really, Kara?!?) We could even see this single having a rock feel to it, assuming Adam gets to be the one to release it after tonight's victory.
For Kris, it was simply too much. His voice strained to keep up, as each of the judges focused on Allen's overall Idol run during their comments, making it clear they didn't love this rendition.
EDGE: Lambert.
Following the finale, who do you think will win American Idol?
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5 Comments
May 20th, 2009 10:25 AM
Kara DioGuardi did a complete disservice to both performers. That was truly an awful song, which could not be interpreted with any kind of value by Adam, Chris and for the audience. Whoever allowed that to happen should be fired from the show.
Kara had no place doing this to these excellent candidates ...especially in the last show. What it did is diminish any possibility of either performer of excelling and trying to outperform the other by using their song choice. It cornered them into a dreadful situation where neither performer could showcase their merit and virtues for the type of artist each of them is.
Kara needs to be booted from the show as she has way too much esteem in her own skills as a songwriter and the producers need to be wrapped on the knuckles for allowing this to happen. What a sad way to end the last show of the season ...missing such a great opportunity to let these two fantastic performers dual it out with their own song choice ...as the final song. Now that would have created a really great match up to the very end. Kara and the producers should be ashamed of letting Adam, Chris and the audience down in such a way ...no excuse for it except for someone's inflated ego.
Both have a great chance to win tonight although Adam does have the lead.
May 20th, 2009 11:21 AM
The song really was terrible I mean hurricanes? mountains? what!? But looking at past winners the performances may have less to do with who gets the votes than we think. The news media is saying that Kris is more likely to win because he is a nice married Christian all-American Boy. Meanwhile Adam is a glam rock loving gay jew, this story has details: http://www.newsy.com/videos/idol_finale_full_of_subplots
May 20th, 2009 11:31 AM
Although Mad World was good it wasn't near as powerful as what Adam did it a few weeks back. I have to agree that Kris did win that round but in an overall comparison they aren't in the same league. Adam could compete vocally and probably beats guys like Freddie Mercury, Robert Plant, etc, in their prime. In my opinion he may be one of the best vocal talents ever.
I was really hoping Adam would sing Bohemian Rhapsody on one of the shows as that would of really shown off his incredible vocal range. Other songs I was dying to here him sing were Creep (Radiohead), Dream On (Areosmith), or Stairway to Heaven (Zeppelin) because they are all rock classics that Lambert would put his spin on and possible make then sound better then the originals.
Join the 'Vote Adam' campaign: http://www.online-tv-shows.net/vote-adam-lambert.php
May 20th, 2009 2:06 PM
Adam Lambert your a great singer a very nice person and i think your sexy!
May 20th, 2009 7:20 PM
Tonight is the night. Adam you are a cool dude, but when you do carzy things to show your gay adventures it can cost you. Believe me I know. As for Kris a cool and humble dude. Ok (E) and Hollywood lets see his Uncle Trey Noran. There are hundreds of blogs on here and on goggle, but no picture of his famous Uncle and PASTOR TREY NORAN. I see where Pastor Noran knows from Mario Lopez to the President. Will this hurt Kris in anyway??