American Idol Season 4 - The Showstoppers
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Free Music Notes for American Idol Season 4 - The Showstoppers
Free Music Review: Let The Show Begin Idols...
Hit: 4 Stars
Okay, Season 4 is quite different from Seasons 1-3. This year, you have a variation of different styles of artists. 6 guys/6 girls made the top 12. In ways, that concept of doing that worked, but in other ways it didn't.
1. Independence Day - Carrie Underwood
- This is a good song choice for Carrie. I agree with other reviewers on song choice in ways. I would have preferred to hear "Alone" or "When God Fearin' Women Get The Blues'" because she sings this song all the time. Still, she proves her vocals and they shine. With that said, I'm happy she was crowned the winner of this year's season because she's the reason why I've ever liked any country music.
---5 STARS!! :P
2. I Don't Wanna Be - Bo Bice
- I didn't agree with this guy being 2nd place last season. I didn't feel like he was the best male singer there to begin with, but I feel like he did a great job on the remake of Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Wanna Be". Bo's version sounds very similar to the original version. This is why in ways I like Bo.
---4.5 STARS!!
3. The Best Of My Love - Vonzell Solomon
- Vonzell, Vonzell, Vonzell :(!!
Something happened with her vocals on this recording. It sound airy and not as bright as it does live. It seemed as if they didn't let her sing. The live version was much better. Uptempo and fun songs fit her voice. Even though, I was disappointed with the recording of my favorite performance by her I still like it. ---3.5 STARS!!
4. A House Is Not A Home - Anwar Robinson
- I like Anwar's rendition of the late Luther Vandross RIP. Luther's always been able to touch the hearts of his fans and help lead them into a romantical journey with their loved one. I felt like Anwar showed he can sing. He still doesn't give the same emotions that Luther does, though. I think Tamyra Gray from Season 1 has showed the most emotion singing this song that I've ever seen on Idol. Overall, I'm impressed on how well he cools his high pitch voice down. --- 4 STARS!!
5. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Nadia Turner
- Nadia's a different kinda performer. She has her own unique style. I think she has one of the better recordings on the album. I've heard the original of this song and she nails it. Nadia has a 40's-50's, swing, blues stylish voice. She's able to grab audiences that enjoy older style of music. I think one of the main reasons she was eliminated because she was connecting her personality with her audience because she was just different from the other contestants. I think she should try broadway. Overall, Good job Nadia ---3.75 STARS!!
6. Part Time Lover - Nikko Smith
- Nikko! I like this guy. I think another song by Stevie other than Part Time Lover would have been a better choice. Personally, I think Nikko was one of the best singers on this season. He was eliminated FAR too early in the competition kind of like the situation with Jennifer Hudson. America really got it wrong when she was eliminated. Overall, he's good. He might get a record deal later who know?! --- 4.5 STARS!!
7. My Funny Valentine - Constantine Moralius
- Mannn! what the hell?! this sucks. If you listen to Chaka Khan's version you'll be like WHY WAS THIS PRAISED SO MUCH?! Don't get me wrong, I don't think Constantine has the worst track on the album but this SUCKS! I can give him credit for holding the notes but other than that he can kill it! The guy just doesn't have enough soul to sing these kind of songs. I definetely skip this one when I play the cd.
-- 2 STARS!!
8. Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Jessica Sierra
- Jessica, I like you too chick! You were voted off TOOOOO soon as well like Nikko. In a million years, you'd still sing better than Anthony and Scott. Again, I don't know how America could've voted you off. I think it was your audience again. I'm not as familiar with this rock ballad. I've heard it before, and I didn't like it. I really think this girl can sing. I would have preferred a country song from her, possibly LeAnn Rhimes. I remember she did sing a song by her, but I don't remember what it's called? Overall, keep doing what you do.
---4+ STARS!!
9. Everytime You Go Away - Anthony Federov
- I think Anthony has an great voice. Knowing about his prior childhood experiences, he sounds amazing. I know this idol experience has been a dream come true for him. I don't think he's anywhere close to Clay but he looks so much like the guy that it's scary. Anthony wasn't my favorite on the show, but I like this song in some ways. I've never heard the original version nor know it's by. Overall, Good job Anthony..
-- 3.5 STARS!!
10. Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) - Scott Savol
- Oh No! I'm speechless. I don't understand?! This sounds awful! If I'm being honest. It's the 2nd worst track on the album. He cannot sing it close to Phil Collins nor the 99' version by Mariah Carey. I don't know how he got to 5th place on idol. He can sing in ways but this wasn't his song. He should have left before Anwar Robinson and Jessica Sierra on the show. Can I possibly give this a "negative ZERO"? Just kidding!!
-- 2 STARS!!
11. Knock On Wood - Lindsey Cardinale
- What can I say? TERRIBLE ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! I was hoping she didn't make it to the top 12. I really would have liked to see Melinda Lira be the 6th and final girl to go into the top 12. WHAT CAN I SAY? It's horrible. I never play this song. This would be considered a "negative ZERO"! She should never try to sing professionally again. Even though, she does kinda sound better than Britney Spears but pretty much everybody does. I think she should go back to her daytime job....
-- 1/2 STAR!! :(
12. God Bless The Child - Mikalah Gordon
- I like Mikalah's personality more than her talent. I don't think she was close to being the best vocalist out of the top 12 to be honest. This was her best performance during the semi-final rounds. Her personlity, charisma, and talent she has now could guide her into other entertainment. I don't think singing is her thing. I would like to cut on my tv and watch her on a sitcom more. -- 2 STARS!!
13. When You Tell Me That You Love Me - Top 12 Finalist
- This charity single isn't a bad collaboration. I think some of the singers outsing the others though. I feel like the single that they contributed funds to the American Red Cross was a generous offer to the organization. I think they sound well as a group. -- 3.5 STARS!!
Finally, I think you should wait for Season 5 or try Season 3's album. I'd only buy this album if I was a die-hard fan of Season 4.
--Jerod
Free Music Review: A review... what they sang, and what should have been sung.
Hit: 4 Stars
The CD is entitled Showstoppers, and while some are and some are obviously not, I tend to think of Showstoppers as songs you wouldn't have thought the contestants would sing or putting such an original spin on a song that it truly made it theirs. In other words, stepping outside the comfort zone of what they like to sing... outside the usual genre or redefining an interpretation of a song. An impressive performance in either case that would stick in our minds beyond a few days would, I think, be classified as "Showstopper". So let's see how they did...
Carrie Underwood, "Independence Day" I have nothing against Carrie, and she has an incredible voice (I wanted Bo to win). But this is in her genre and she performed it umpteen times on the show. She could perform it in her sleep. A much better choice: "Alone" An amazing performance on the show, outside her usual genre that really made me stand up and notice her (again... since her original audition). "Crying" would have been OK, but I wasn't wowed on that performance. "Could've Been" would have been a good alternative too. Rating: 6/10
Bo Bice, "I Don't Wanna Be" Not my favorite Bo performance by a long shot. He sounds OK on the CD, but somehow, it's a little off. Can't tell why... he had so many amazing performances on the show. Loved "In a Dream", but it wouldn't have made it to the CD a cappella... I can guarantee you that. "Whipping Post" would have been great, but it's in his genre. "Time In A Bottle" comes to mind... but that might have been too soft. "For the Love of Money" would be the best choice... performed amazingly on the show and not the typical Bo song. And for those of you screaming "Vehicle"... yes, it's great but it's also typical of his genre. Rating: 7/10
Vonzell Solomon, "Best of My Love" She sounds great on the CD, and it seems to me, she performed songs that were always R&B-styled. It may be hard to pick a showstopper for her, though she did vastly improve throughout the show. This was one of her best, and besides this one and "I Have Nothing", I would be hard-pressed to pick a better song. This one really did get her noticed. Rating: 8.5/10
Anwar Robinson, "A House Is Not a Home" You know, I really liked Anwar but my problem with him was he seemed to get worse as the weeks went on. This version of the song is bland and does nothing for his vocals. His best performances came in the three semi-final weeks. The one that stood out most for me: "What's Going On". He was seriously the best of the bunch that week and seemed unstoppable at that point. His performance of the song was simply incredible, infused with emotion and intensity of the politically charged lyrics. You can see him singing ballads; this song added a dimension that you would not have thought possible. Rating: 4/10
Nadia Turner, "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" Perfect choice! This song showcases the best qualities of Nadia's richly layered voice. This performance and "Try A Little Tenderness" were the ones to savor over for the show and it is truly a pleasurable listen. Rating: 10/10
Constantine Maroulis, "My Funny Valentine" A good choice for him. A different performance from his supposed-rocking performances, though I think a better choice would have been "I Can't Make You Love Me". I loved hearing a male interpretation of this great song and was, again, different from the rocking performances. However, this choice shows off vocal qualities I did not think Constantine had. Rating: 8/10
Nikko Smith, "Part-Time Lover" Not a showstopper, and he sounds like he's singing karoake trying to sound too much like Stevie Wonder. Difficult to say what would have been his showstopper though... perhaps "Let's Get It On". He could have interpreted that in his own style, and sounded much more original. Still, not a bad listen. Rating: 7/10
Anthony Federov, "Every Time You Go Away" He sounded great on the show, and sounded great on the CD. But a showstopper? More like sleep-inducer. The backing music is perfect for inducing coma. I would have much preferred, like Constantine, to have seen his interpretation of "I Surrender" on the CD. His voice was amazing during this performance; it soared beyond expectations. Rating: 5/10 (8/10 for his voice, 2/10 for the music, so average the two)
Scott Savol, "Against All Odds". I admit, I was never a fan of Scott's. I never liked his voice, and "Against All Odds" is one of my all-time favorite songs. I thought he butchered it on the show. I take that back now... his version on the show was ten times better than it is on the CD. He has limited range, so the best choice for him would have been a song within that range. His best performance was "On Broadway". He can actually sing that very well, and the line directed at Simon will always be remembered. Rating: 1/10
Jessica Sierra, "Total Eclipse of the Heart" When I think of Jessica, I think of her girls. And I'm a gay guy. You remember the song she sang during that time? "The Boys Are Back In Town" The reason: her girls. OK, I'll stop now... though I would have picked that song to go on the CD, and I was not impressed with her performance of this song on the show, she sounds impressive on the CD. It's too bad so many compared her to Carrie... she never really sang country songs and it was one little comment she made about her being a country girl that immediately drew those comparisons. Nevertheless, her song sounds great. Rating: 9/10
Lindsay Cardinale, "Knock On Wood" Utterly forgettable. Why did they choose this? She sounds completely off and uncomfortable on this recording. The right choice: "I Try To Think Of Elvis" Rating: 2/10
Mikalah Gordon, "God Bless The Child" Her best performance on the show... there is no other choice for her. And am I the only one who actually liked her not only for her personality? OK, she really did flub up her song choices, but for a 17-year-old, she has a great voice. Work on her enunciation a bit, and she will be amazing. She sounds pretty good on the CD too. Rating: 8/10
Not ranking the group performance here... it is what it is.
So that's all from this peanut gallery...
Free Music Review: Some of them are great, but some are just "average"
Hit: 4 Stars
I gave this CD 4 stars because not all of the songs or singers on here are fantastic. Overall, though, I thought it was good. On a scale of 1-10, here are my thoughts on each contestants song, in the order of which they placed, starting from 12th to the winner.
12th Place- Lindsay Cardinale ("Knock on Wood")6/10- This girl has a unique, rather interesting voice, however, I thought in terms of her singing ability, she was just mediocre. This song does, however, showcase some of her personality. I thought Mikalah should have gone before she did.
11th Place- Mikalah Gordon ("God Bless the Child") 4/10- Ok, I must admit, I think she was by far, the worst female singer on the show. This song was really the only song she sang well while she was on American Idol. All of her other performances, as Simon said, were "average" or just plain awful.
10th Place- Jessica Sierra ("Total Eclipse of the Heart") 8/10- I actually think she can totally blow on this song. She even shows a little bit of a rock edge on here. I think she got voted off a little too early and after Mikalah left, I kept on predicting that Scott would eventually go, but he stayed on wayyyy too long! Overall, Jessica is a good, but not phenomenal singer.
9th Place- Nikko Smith ("Part-time Lover") 7/10- I think he's pretty good; after all, Nikko was the one who replaced Mario in the competition and I actually thought he should have been voted into the Top 12 in the first place instead of Scott. Like Jessica, Nikko is a good, but not outstanding singer.
8th Place- Nadia Turner ("You Don't Have to Say you Love Me")10/10- One of the best songs on this CD! This was without a doubt, Nadia's best performance in the whole competition and I thought she left way too early; apparently because she picked a very poor choice of song the night before she left. I even thought she would make the Top 5 because I think she's an above-average singer and a great performer. Oh, and I also like her because she's from Miami!
7th Place- Anwar Robinson ("A House Is Not a Home") 9/10- Another one of the best tracks on the CD! I was so angry the night he got voted off because I thought he was one of the best guy singers in the competition! Scott should have left that night because it's all about the talent and people obviously didn't see that in Anwar. Other than that, great vocals!
6th Place- Constantine Maroulis ("My Funny Valentine") 7.5/10- He sounds pretty good on here, although I would have much rather preferred "Bohemian Rhapsody", the performance I liked by him the most. Like Anwar and Nadia, Constantine also shouldn't have gone before Scott and while I'm not a huge fan of his, I was actually pretty shocked when he was eliminated. Although Constantine definitely wasn't the best singer on the show, I think he made up for it because of his good performing abilities.
5th Place- Scott Savol ("Against All Odds") 2/10- Ok, Scott was by far, the worst guy singer on the show and I don't even know how he managed to make the Top 5. Scott has absolutely no stage prescence or personality and his singing abilities are very "ok" on this song. Nadia or Anwar should have replaced him in the Top 5 instead. The only reason Scott stayed on the show for so long is for two reasons: 1) The 'Vote for the Worst' site was supporting him so much and 2) He got all of those stupid sympathy votes just like John Stevens did last year.
4th Place- Anthony Fedorov ("Everytime You Go Away") 9/10- Anthony sounds really good on this song and he did it a lot better than Scott. I really admired how people were comparing him to Clay in terms of his singing ability, but I think he has a long way to go if he wants to achieve the same success as him. During the week of the Top 4, I originally thought Anthony was going to go home. But after his performance, I changed my mind and actually thought he should have stayed because Carrie did horribly on that one song. But 4th place is pretty good.
3rd Place- Vonzell Solomon ("Best of My Love") 10/10- Vonzell is absolutely, positively, my true American Idol and my most favorite singer in the competition because she is so precious. Nothing about her makes me dislike her. She is a gorgeous girl with a beautiful voice and amazing personality and stage prescence. Another thing I really admired about Vonzell was that each week, she picked the most difficult songs to sing (like Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing") and she sang them beautifully and with great confidence. I wish she could have made the Final 2 with Bo, instead of plain old, boring, robotic Carrie, who's stage prescence is extremely weak.
Runner-up- Bo Bice ("I Don't Wanna Be") 10/10- Bo is another one of my favorite singers on the show and after Vonzell left, all of my votes went to him. I was really hoping he would win the whole thing, but in the end, I think it was kind of best that he didn't win because he's not under the contract anymore. Bo is also a true rock star and I was blown away that night he sang the a capella. Oh, and he's cute, too!
Winner- Carrie Underwood ("Independence Day") 5.5/10- Carrie sounds good on here, but she's sung this song so many times and she gets boring after awhile. And like I said before, she's a very strong singer, but has no stage prescence and is very robotic. You need more than a good voice to win a show like American Idol and that is why Bo should have won instead. Also, when Carrie attempts other styles of music aside from country, she screws them up completely.
The ensemble song, "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is very good and Vonzell's vocals are so strong and beautiful. She proved it that night when she sang it solo. I actually think everyone sounds good on it.
Free Music Review: Only Two Flaws
Hit: 4 Stars
The first flaw is that the back of the cd is out of order.The second flaw is that the song choices are way off.Here are the songs.(In the right order). 1. Carrie Underwood,"Independance Day".8/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"Alone". WORST PERFORMANCE:"If You Don't Know Me By Now". 2. Bo Bice,"I Don't Wanna Be".8/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"Spinning Wheel". WORST PERFORMANCE:"How Far Is Heaven". 3. Vonzell Solomon,"Best Of My Love".9/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"Best Of My Love".(which is on here). WORST PERFORMANCE:"Anyone Who Had A Heart". 4. Anwar Robinson,"A House Is Not A Home".7/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"September" WORST PERFORMANCE:"If Ever I Would Leave You" 5. Nadia Turner,"You Don't Have To Say You Love Me".8/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"Power Of Love". WORST PERFORMANCE:"Time After Time". 6. Nikko Smith,"Part-Time Lover".6/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"I Want You Back". WORST PERFORMANCE:"Incomplete". 7. Constantine Maroulis,"My Funny Valentine".9/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"Bohemian Rhapsody". WORST PERFORMANCE:"I Can't Make You Love Me". Jessica Sierra:"Total Eclipse Of The Heart".8/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"Shop Around". WORST PERFORMANCE:"Against All Odds". 9. Anthony Fedorov,"Every Time You Go Away".9/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"I Surrender". WORST PERFORMANCE:"Breakin Up Is Hard To Do". 10.Scott Savol,"Against All Odds".6/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"Ain't Too Proud To Beg". WORST PERFORMANCE:"One Last Cry". 11. Lindsey Cardinale,"Knock On Wood".10/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"I Try To Think About Elvis". WORST PERFORMANCE:"Standing Right Next To Me". 12.Mikalah Gordon,"God Bless The Child".3/10. SHOULD BE ON HERE:"Son Of A Preacher Man". WORST PERFORMANCE:"God Bless The Child". Top 12,"When You Tell Me That You Love Me".10/10. Please click below if my review was helpful or not.Thank You. :)Free Music Review: Buy if you're a Nadia, Constantine, Bo, or Anwar fan....
Hit: 4 Stars
Carrie Underwood - "Independence Day" Three days before the finale, and an English (dated 5-22-05) paper is declaring that Carrie Underwood is already the winner of AI4. Telepathic, I guess. Anyway I guess it's just a coincidence that her song leads off this disc, and it's okay if you're into that country sort of thing. I don't get all of Carrie's appeal, she has the stage presence of one of the Lennon Sisters on the Lawrence Welk Show, and her vocals on the disc aren't as strong as they seemed on the show. But diehard Carrie-addicts will be happy with "Independence Day". I would just as soon hear Martina McBride sing it. 7/10
Bo Bice rocks with the best of Southern rockers, and his version of "I Don't Want To Be" sounds just as good on this as it did the night he performed it. He does this sort of music justice, but I would still like to hear him sing a "real" 70's dance song. When Bo puts out a solo CD, I'm going to buy it. 9/10
Vonzell Solomon's rendition of "Best of My Love" is good, not great. Her vocals are good, but this isn't my favorite style of music so I think that sort of clouds my opinion. 7/10
Anthony Federov attempts to sing Darryl Hall's "Everytime You Go Away". It's okay, but I still prefer Darryl Hall singing this one. I'm not sure that Anthony will be able to sustain a career outside of Idol. 6/10
Nadia Turner's version of "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me" may be the jewel of this CD, along with Constantine's "Funny Valentine". Why on earth did this fantastic vocalist have to leave so soon? Her voice is strong and beautiful on this track, and it's one that I play over and over again. She even knows how to move when she's onstage, she has the looks, and the talent. I hope she gets the chance to record more. I'd definitely buy it! 10/10
Constantine Maroulis' "My Funny Valentine" is sweet, sexy, and definitely swoon-worthy. I have no idea why Idol let this guy leave so soon, and I bet they're kicking themselves right now. Anyone who has heard his performances from "Rent" can vouch for the fact that this guy has the pipes to sing, and he can sing with the best of them. "My Funny Valentine" showcases Maroulis' versatility, which was inarguably the best of all of this year's cast. This man can sing any type of music, and can do a great job with it. This is another song that I hit the "repeat" button on the CD player and listen to over and over again. My only complaint is the last note of the song, it's "higher" than the rest of the song and sort of startles you when you first hear it. The producers of this song should have had Constantine record it again. When this guy releases his first solo project, I'll be first in line to purchase it. 9.7/10 (.3 of a point off for that last note.)
Jessica Sierra - "Total Eclipse of the Heart". Jessica has a great voice, I only wish I liked this particular song. She does a good job vocally, and she's another one that left this show too soon. I think her vocals and versatility are greater than Carrie's, but the folks at AI apparently didn't agree. If you like this song, you will like Jessica's rendition of it. 8/10
Scott Savol - "Against All Odds". I've never been able to listen to it all the way through.3/10
Nikko Smith - "Part-Time Lover" I like Nikko, he's Ozzie's son, I'm a Cardinals fan, so he scores big with me for that alone. He does a decent job with this song, but it's nothing original. It sounds just like Stevie Wonder's version. I think "Georgia On My Mind" would have been a better song choice for this collection. 7/10
Anwar Robinson - "A House Is Not a Home" WOW!!! I was surprised by this one. I wasn't a huge Anwar fan when he was on Idol, he was likeable, but I didn't care for his song choices, and I thought his vocals were a bit shaky at times. That problem doesn't exist with this recording. Anwar's voice is strong and clear, and this is one of the better performances on this disc. 9/10
Lindsey Cardinale - "Knock on Wood". It's cute, but forgettable. Her vocals aren't particularly strong, but the track is lisentable. I think this song shows why she left the competition early after the Top 12 were selected. 5/10
Mikalah Gordon - "God Bless the Child" The only thing I can compare this vocal to would be fingernails on a chalkboard. This is worse than Scott's song, and her thank-yous in the liner notes are as difficult to read as this song is to listen to. I'm thinking of making my kids listen to it as a form of punishment when they misbehave. At least they didn't use her rendition of "Somewhere". 2/10
"When You Tell Me That You Love Me"...I find it strange that Carrie and Bo get a lot of the solo parts on this song, and the other songs from the American Red Cross CD, and that they were recorded a couple of months ago. It's hard to tell the difference between the vocals of the ladies, but the guys are definitely distinguishable. It's easy to listen to, and gives you something to look forward to after fast forwarding through Mikalah's song. 7/10
A great effort for some, Nadia, Constantine, Bo, and Anwar. Good for a few others, Nikko, Carrie, Jessica, and Vonzell. Somewhat forgettable for Anthony and Lindsey. Particularly painful if you listen to Scott and Mikalah.