At a book function last night, I listened to an ex-Australian Idol auditioner sing three songs about his joys of being a librarian and his guilty obsessions with Harry Potter and Twilight. All I could think was, I'm never going to get these 15 minutes back. What is it with this show anyway? It's like a pulsing tumor on the side of the music industry. The contestants don't leave with any dignity. Their 'fame' is enveloped by a thick layer of shame.Let's put our faith in Wikipedia for a second so I can illustrate my point:
Idol - "a man-made object that is venerated in some way."
Idle - "an engine of an automobile may be described as idle when it is running only to sustain its running (not doing any useful work)."
I don't get how Channel 10 can keep this show running. As far as I can tell it's merely a matter of Shannon Noll and the Magical Shrinking Fan-base. So why does it still infect our television screens and public billboards? The show isn't providing anything helpful to society. It isn't serving any necessary purpose other than to make us wonder what happened to the world - not from a philosophical 'what is life?' perspective, but from more of a 'what is life trying to do to me???' angle.
I really hope that it doesn't come back to haunt me for its millionth season; I don't think the Australian public should have to endure anymore of this mind-numbing series of open-mic nights.
Seriously.
One if those contestants is about to release an album in the US. An album with a few old Memphis soul classics(The ones which got his last album named the 3rd highest selling album at the 2008 Arias)and 8 originals, some of which have John Mayer on guitar and backing vocals. He has recorded with Steve Cropper(Memphis soul legend)who says he is one of the best singers he has ever worked with, and of course John Mayer who said he is an amazing talent. He has had 4 platinum or multi platinum albums in Australia(10 Platinum album accrediations in total, plus 6 for singles). He has also been #1 in 4 Asian countries and New Zealand, and has 3 Platinum accreditations there. Right now he is at SxSW doing showcases, using John Mayers band. Such a loooooooooooooooooooooong way away from 15 minuts of fame. So much more. But as you are so fond of Wikipedia you should check his out. Guy Sebastian. US Sony artist to be released in America in a couple of months.
ReplyDeleteBack to apples again I see...
ReplyDeleteNumbers say shit all, my friend. I had the unfortunate opportunity to listen to half of Mr. Sebastian's latest motown turd of an album during a shopping expedition, and I can tell you in all honesty that I did actually want to fork out my money. For a plastic bucket.
If it was all about what sold and what got awards, could we name the Crazy Frog ringtone a piece of renowned appreciable culture? In 2005 it reached #1 on charts the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France and Belgium, as well as #2 in Canada and #3 in Germany. Before you go calling it a one-hit wonder, I'll have to inform you that you're sadly mistaken also. "Popcorn" made it to #1 in New Zealand and France, "Jingle Bells" #1 in New Zealand (what is it with this country?), and other Crazy Frog related songs continue to impress several brain-fried audiences today.
Now, if you're telling me that I should 'idolize' a guy who couldn't get famous on his own accord, who sung other people's songs on TV for an extended period of time, and became famous because of his badly-constructed 'fro and overuse of vocal gymnastics (note: buy looser-fitting pants), I really am not swayed in the least. Not even by John Mayer. He's just one of those many people who can play guitar really well but is so into themselves that they're practically inside-out. On a different note, apparently he's gay now?
But back to insulting your Idol-mania. Please use the corner of damp towelette to clean out your ears because you're making this way too easy for me.
Wow. This is only the second comment you have ever received on your blog. Apart from the one you made yourself to answer me. So obviously no one is particularly interested in the rubbish you write. As far as making it easy for you? I am so glad, as I always like to assist the intellectually challenged. Meanwhile Guy is wowing industry people in America. Part of a article from Undercover today. A music site which has never been short of criticism about Idol, but can actually see past the idol tag and recognise talent. Paul Cashmere is at SXSW, the biggest music festival in America and wrote about what happened today.
ReplyDelete____________________
Guy Sebastian Wins The Tough SXSW Crowd
by Paul Cashmere - March 20 2009
"Remember that chicken-wire bit in the Blues Brothers movie? Well, Guy Sebastian did’t sing behind chicken wire this afternoon in Austin but he did face a tough crowd.
Let me put SXSW into perspective. You are playing to primarily an industry audience. They may or may not have heard of you when you hit that first note, but by the end of the first song you better make it matter or it’s all over.
Idol was a reality TV show. SXSW is reality. It can be ruthless. You impress or they are unimpressed in your first three minutes.
Today I witness Guy Sebastian capture a lethargic crowd. The audience at the Sounds Australia event had three priorities:
A: drink free booze
B: network with their peers
C: Listen to music"
I kid you not; Guy Sebastian went from priority C to priority A within three songs.
It is late here in Austin as a write this so I won’t get into too much detail until we interview Guy tomorrow at the Aussie BBQ."
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And as for the album which made you want to vomit(which incidentally was Memphis soul, not Motown) it got brilliant reviews from the toughest critics and it was recorded with the original musicians and also one of the co writers of many of the songs. Those soul legends did not care where Guy got his break, they were just interested in the talent. Steve Cropper's very words.
"This kid came into Memphis, and just blew everybody’s socks off.......He just took us by storm, and it was like every song we did, we just looked at each other and like all said, "We can’t believe this kid can sing this good"
Of course I would not expect you to know who Steve Cropper is. You obviously are very limited in your music taste and knowledge. Seems you follow the fortunes of Crazy Frog. But a quick google would tell you a little. Anyway I am off. I have far more interesting people to converse with than someone of your very limited intellectual capabilities. I will leave you to spill your vitriol all over yourself. But I will add. I am no more a fan of Idol than you are.
Firstly, I’ll have you know that there are other contributors to this blog. I made my first posts two days ago, and on the exact same day of my first post, I get this cyber groupie beginning an extended debate with me. Pretty good, I thought. Especially seeing as you have “far more interesting people to converse with.”
ReplyDeleteSecondly, telling me I’m not intelligent is just your way of letting me know that you have no other evidence to support your argument. Other than Guy Sebastian, can you support the careers of any other ex-Idol heads?
Ricky Lee has her face on everything these days. She knows how to work the room and get the crowd going. She is ultimately a business woman. Musically and lyrically she is offering us nothing new or inspiring. Unless, “baby, let me see your hands up in the air; show em what cha got shake it all around yeah yeah,” are lyrics that got you through a really tough period of your adolescence. Shannon Noll’s career was basically built of his status as the Aussie-bloke stereotype. I mean, he practiced singing while driving his tractor? Come on! He’s all image and all nasal vocals.
Cosima failed. Paulini failed. Casey failed massively. Anthony had that one song that the chicks swooned over because he spoke Italian. Wes had respect for being in Tambalane but ruined that by doing Idol. For his already existing fans, it was like taking a bite out of a gourmet pizza and then finding out it was delivered by pizza hut (very much like their latest commercial – I would be so pissed off with that restaurant!).
The main argument I was raising is that Australian Idol should be canned. Clearly you’re one of those ‘go-the-fro’ fan-girls, and as such need to be specifically dealt with from a taste perspective; but basically I’m saying Idol isn’t producing true ‘musicians’ or ‘artists’. By that I mean, people who are innovative and sustainable in their authenticity as artists and musicians. Australian Idols are merely performers. It’s just the country’s karaoke.
I'm sorry, Guy has fans?!
ReplyDeleteThe only song I have ever heard from that pile of failure was the one that he won with...
And I cant even remember the name of it!!
Face it, even the guy who did the Wasabi song is cooler then him, and thats not saying much.
Its funny that you think our blogs so shit yet you continue to comment.
Yes, we may be sad, but your definately sadder.