Idol Thoughts

I really had intended to report weekly on American Idol, since I have so many thoughts and opinions each week, but time did not allow this indulgence. So, to make up for a whole season, I'll do a post-mordem subjective report on the Top 4contenstants.

First off, congratulations David Cook! My husband and I both loved him the whole season (although I'll admit I couldn't wait for him to have a makeover during the Top 24 portion of the competition - and the wait turned out to be worthwhile!). Never before has Idol seen the likes of his creativity. Like Constantine and Daughtry before him, he was labeled a "rocker." Unlike his talented predecessors, he took the music to a whole new epic level. "Eleanor Rigby was awesome" - even if he did play off another band's cover. I didn't love his version of Our Lady Peace's "Innocent," but I loved the fact that he sang OLP, a band which my husband and I both love and have seen live (they were incredible).

David Archuleta was unequivocably the most vocally talented of the group. But I believe the reason he was voted off was NOT because people assumed he would win and didn't vote. Many people are saying this, and it dismisses David Cook's true appeal and Archie's downfall, which is somewhat hard to explain, but which was ultimately showcased in the show's Wednesday finale. David A. lost because, although he can sing his brains out, and he's very cute and humble, he has no charisma. Watch the Guitar Hero commercials that ran during the finale. The two ads were identical spoofs of Tom Cruise's famous scantily-clad dance sequence in "Risky Business" - one featured David A. and the other David C. David Cook acted it wonderfully, making the audience believe he was alone in a house rocking out. David A., on the other hand, looks like a geeky teenager who doesn't know how to rock out and is self conscious in a room with only a shirt and underwear and cameras everywhere. The same discrepancy between the two was painfully clear in the "Love Guru" piece the two Davids did with Mike Meyers. David C. played it up, in full character. David A. giggled awkwardly. This made David C.'s win all the more sweet, although I do wish David A. the best since he truly does deserve to sing professionally for the rest of his life if that's what he wants to do (and not just what his dad wants).

Syesha Mercado, although not my type of singer, got a raw deal from the judges. She would sing beautifully, with tons of confidence and sultriness and they would put her down. Sad! At least she made it this far, and she got to sing with freaking Seal at the finale! You go girl.

Jason Castro was my pet contestant up until he was voted off. People make fun of him for the same characteristics I love about him: his laid back attitude, his humility and resistance to taking himself too seriously, his lively yet subtle song choices, and of course, his killer looks did not hurt a bit. I even read on AmericanIdol.com that he's Christian and aspires to be a great husband and father someday - how adorable is that?!

Wish I had time to rant on the rest of the Top 10. Maybe later...

I'll be seeing all of them live in July with my mom and sisters, woohoo! Thanks, Mom!

WanderLUST first single lacks luster

Gavin Rossdale has just released a much-anticipated solo single, the first in his solo album entitled WanderLUST, to be released June 3rd. Well, at least it's much-anticipated by those of us who remember his 90s Bush glory days. I don't think many of the kids these days know him as much more than Gwen's hubby, if they even recognize his name at all. This is a sad fact, since he really has one of those great rock voices and is unbelievably gorgeous - British accent and all. So, being a 90s child and Bush fan myself, I couldn't wait to hear this new solo project. But the first single (and admittedly the only song I've heard off the new record), "Love Remains the Same", lacks everything we loved about Bush: raw, edgy, anti-pop alternative rock. None of these adjectives describes "Love Remains the Same", which could have easily been written for the Jonas Brothers or any other pop singer, with its sentimental lyrics and gentle strumming. Where's the heavy "Machinehead" hook we couldn't help but air-guitar? Where are the haunting lyrics we heard in "Mouth"? And if a rock ballad is what Gavin wanted, why didn't he borrow the edgy feel of "Glycerine"? I'm giving Rossdale the benefit of the doubt, 'cause we've got history. I'll be waiting to hear his next single with the same anticipation I had before I heard "Love Remains the Same". Your move, Gavin.