J-Wild

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Naw Dawg, Naw

"Archuleta is boring but the boy’s got pipes. He needs to make his money now cause there’s not a place for him in the industry. And rightly so." -Joe H.

Joe "Simon" Hays couldn't be more wrong. It's true that the right person won American Idol last night. It is also true that I am on the record as saying he is a poser. I take that back. Cook took chances and was rightly rewarded for it. Choosing Collective Soul's "The World I Know" as his last song was brave and he totally pulled it off. I would buy that album. Archuleta's "Imagine" was impeccable and better than the first time he sang it, but after a million plus views on YouTube people knew what he was going to do with it. It's another example of how our society right now is ready to embrace "CHANGE" over the assuming the who the inevitable winner is going to be!

But that's not to say Archuleta has no future or doesn't belong in the industry. The path of success for artists like Archuleta is well worn and he will navigate it to become a very successful artist. He is no Taylor Hicks.

Look at Carrie Underwood's audition tape from three years ago and then check out her performance from last night. You have a young, wide eyed, unexperienced, gifted singer who in three short years is at the top of the music industry. Archuleta has all the same raw characteristics as she does. Good looks, an incredible flexible voice, and he is moldable!

Another example, Jordin Sparks. She is about the same age as Archuleta (he's a better singer) and young to the world of music. So what did they do, they paired her up with Chris Brown for the duet "No Air" which has become a major hit!

Cook has the maturity, skills, and now platform to have major success, and he deserves it. But Archuleta isn't dead in the water and he will make a place in the industry.

6 comments:

jch said...

Did you even see Archuleta try and sing that R&B song two weeks ago? Hi-lar-i-ous. And very sad.

The boy is another Clay Aiken. Incredible pipes who can "sing the phone book" but people ain't paying 9.99 to hear someone sing the phone book in ballad fashion. Sorry.

(BTW, Randy needs to get a new hook - "you can sing the phone book" got really tired.)

And finally, Is this your way of getting back at me for skunkin' your sorry self on the court? :)

jch said...

It basically comes down to this, you need to tell me why and how Archuleta is different than Aiken.

J-Wild said...

Fundamentally they are two completely different singers. Clay Aiken is a crooner and Archuleta has more of a pop voice with just the right shading of blues and soul to him. Clay can't match that.

Clay comes off as calculating when he tries to be earnest. Archuleta comes off much more authentic. He also has a lot better vocal instincts than Clay.

Here's video proof.
Clay singing Open Arms about three or four weeks into the competition (giving him a head start).
Archuleta singing Heaven during the audition phase.

Even after a several weeks headstart given to Clay, it's clear that Archuleta is in a different league than Clay.

Besides Clay had a hubris to him that David doesn't. That arrogance is annoying whily Archuleta's humility is endearing.

jch said...

Look, I don't really have time for this conversation as I'm way too busy and important (yeah, right) but it will be Archuleta's humility and shyness that will lead to his downward spiral into the parts of our brains that no longer remember runners-up.

If Jason Castro was the hardest interview from the final contestants, Archuleta was the next in line. Painful.

Anonymous said...

There is also the possibility that Archuleta's parents will steal his money and leave him penniless and past his prime by age 19.

I think David A. is far more talented than Clay. Unfortunately, David is being thrust into the industry at such a young age. It's likely he will be packaged for quick sale and have a short shelf life.

Clay would be selling more albums if he were better looking. There, I said it. Seriously, even photoshop can't sexy him up.

Randy does need a new hook. Let's give him some suggestions.

You can sing the... grocery list, a license plate, menu...

Anonymous said...

There is also the possibility that Archuleta's parents will steal his money and leave him penniless and past his prime by age 19.

I think David A. is far more talented than Clay. Unfortunately, David is being thrust into a high profile career at such a young age. It's likely he will be packaged as a teen heart throb and have a short shelf life.

Clay would be selling more albums if he were better looking. There, I said it. Seriously, even photoshop can't sexy him up.

Randy does need a new hook. Let's give him some suggestions.

You can sing the... grocery list, a license plate, menu...