David Cook's loud morning

It has been three years since David Cook won the title of American Idol Season 7. The only achievement David reached was the 1 platinum sales of his 2008 self-title album. Although David keeps having performance around the nation, the new post-idol studio album that fans longing for is still a nowhere. Eventually, on the result show of American Idol season 10 in April, 2011. David performed his new single “The Last Goodbye”, this performance also gave his fans an anticipation of his new album.

Indeed, David Cook disappears too long. Former idols such as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jordin Sparks would never release new album more than two years. There is only idol like Taylor Hicks who sold ugly and was drop by record label could release another low-sale studio album after three years. Therefore, we have to assume the reason of what delays David. We should know that the artists who are known by such reality show must release albums frequently on the first several years, because every year there will be an American Idol, the attention rate of the former one could be possibly replaced if no new album to draw attention. Honestly, I gradually forget there is a David Cook between Jordin Sparks and Kris Allen. However, as the first rock idol in the history of American Idol, David Cook seems to have sufficient courage to draw the fans’ attention back to him by the second album.

The second studio album This Loud Morning was released on June, 2011. The inspiration of the album came from a certain morning when David wanted to keep sleeping after waking up in order to avoid the loud morning. The first song “Circadian” starts the album with this theme. The song starts with silvery keyboard effect, which gives listeners a feeling of delightfully fresh but a little bit mysterious. After then, David starts the lyrics with a couple of “who’s to say…”, such construct of words provides the meaning of “not willing to obey others”. With the keyboard effect at the beginning, these lyrics also provide a metaphor of “the dream does want to yield the reality”. In face, David himself has said, this song was about to use sleep to run away from reality, to temporally run away from any conflict and unwillingness.

David has said, he did not want to describe this album as “conceptualized”, but in fact, This Loud Morning contains a very deep theme, which is to use dream for redemption. In David’s word, the last song of his album “Rapid Eye Movement” is about to wake up from the dream to the reality. Therefore, we can, from here, assume that from the first song to the last but one song, all of them are about David’s dream. The second song “Right Here, With You” has the lyrics: “If the shy keeps falling/the night keeps calling/I’ll be right here with you”. Maybe such dreamlike scene could only appear in dreamland, and the emotion of David has been expressed in such scene, and delivers to the other. The fourth song “Fade Into Me” expresses the helplessness of reality more explicit, hoping he can disappear from the world with his lover and “watch the world chasing to find us”.

Besides, looking up all the lyrics from This Loud Morning, we may find that the words such as “light”, “night”, “star” and other words related to night were frequently mentioned, and this provides the thick shades to the whole album. Try to imagine that two people are helplessly walking on the grassland which is surrounded by deep shades, looking at the horizon slowly whitens with hazy morning mist rising. Perhaps, all the stories in this album happen here. This is the feeling of disappointing to the reality and chasing truth in dream.

Of course, the last song “Rapid Eye Movement” brings out the theme once again. David wants to depart from the dream, but he finds out he has already be chained by the dream which the story in the dream has already become the reality for David. In this case, he can no longer distinguish the dream from the reality. The last instrument of the song is also a silvery keyboard effect, but with the chord singing “save me, somebody save me, mayday, somebody save me”. From here, maybe you can already, like David, no longer to tell whether yourself is still in a dream. Perhaps you are also shouting “save me”.

From the musical style, David still follows the path of Alternative Rock. Listening from the first place, there is not a big difference between his two albums, instead, the power such as “Declaration” from his first album is missed from this one. This may relate to the dream theme of the album, after all, we can not discuss dream in a hush guitar solo. Thus, for people who love rock music, this album may be lacking in passion for them.

No matter what, David Cook does not disappoint his fans based on this album. For the angle of commercial, this may not be a successful album, but it is indeed so far the most artistic album from David. Focusing on the theme of dream, David Cook talks about extraordinary stories. Just as David said, he wanted to use this album to memorize to past, and hoped everything can stop for a while so that he can have time to think about the past. And all of them, may only happen in dream…

Adam Lambert: A Glam Rocker in the World of Reality Show

(The Chinese version of this article was published in Lingnan Music, Issue 297)

As the runner-up in American Idol Season 8, Adam Lambert drew enough attention from the audiences, also applause. Depended on his outstanding appearance and incredible vocal, Lambert was undefeatable in the show, and only lost to college student Kris Allen from Arkansas with a few controversial votes. Although he could not crown the title at last, Lambert already acquired sufficient attention and support, which facilitate his future development in the road of music industry.

Debut album For Your Entertainment debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 in December 2009, selling 198,000 copies in the United States. Ironically, champion Kris Allen’s self-titled album only debuted at No. 11 on the U.S. Billboard, selling 80,000 copies. These data seems to imply that Adam Lambert, this controversial idol’s future could be bright.

Adam Lambert was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in January 29th, 1982, and moved to San Diego with his parents later. Lambert vocal ability was disclosed at his early age. Lambert performed on the stage as a stage actor in the first time when he was 10. At the age of 19, he already had the experience of touring outside America. Abundant stage experience cultivated his confident personality and venturous creativity. Lambert used to say on Idol that performing was his interest. “From the early age I was pretty clear that I wanted to be a performer. I like to print on customs, getting attention. I think I found my calling early on. I am glad I stuck with it.” July 17th, 2008, Lambert attended the American Idol Season 8 audition in San Francisco, then his glamorous music journey started.

Adam Lambert: Originality
The stage of American Idol achieved his success. His extraordinary range in voice was the weapon he has in American Idol. However, it is never enough to barely have a good voice, therefore, his originality and creativity in song arrangement became another factor boosting him to the Final. In the audition, Judge Randy Jackson called it “theatrical”, saying he was not showing emotion. In spite of that, Lambert’s dramatic vocal sent him to the Top 36 safely. After that, it all depended on the audiences.

As a professional stage actor, Lambert’s sense of stage was transparent. His confidence was exuded explicitly. Singing (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction in the semi-finals, Lambert’s charismas was known thoroughly by the public. Fashionable dress-up, confident movement and unrivalled high-pitch immediately pull audiences to him. Although Judge Simon Cowell has some negative comments on his over-fashionable outfits, other judges all surprised by Lambert’s unparalleled singing ability. Obviously, Lambert already became the “American idol” in people’s minds from that round.

Each round, Lambert used his incredible vocal and glamorous stage performance wined over every applause and compliments. The truth was, Lambert was always the audiences’ most favor—before Top 4 week, Lambert has never been into bottom 3. What’s more, Lambert’s understanding in music made him stand out the contestants. No matter it was Michael Jackson’s Blake or White, Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire, Yvonne Elliman’s If I Can’t Have You and Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love, Lambert could all find a way to mash up his own style into these songs. Just as he said in “Hollywood week”: “I get a song and I want to change it.” One of the mentors, country music icon Randy Travis use words like “Speechless”, “unique” after heard Lambert singing Ring of Fire. Judge Cowell appraised Lambert as one of the most original contestants in the history of American Idol.


Adam Lambert: Controversy
Tight leather jeans and black nail polish seem to imply that Lambert is a gay. The photo of him kissing a man while he was competing also spurred the discussion. This is also the reason most critics believe why Lambert could not win American Idol: it seems that American still cannot accept a gay being their “American idol”. After the show, Lambert admitted his identity of being a gay at Rolling Stone. In Barbara Walters’s talk show, Lambert expressed that it didn’t matter who he slept with, what matter was him being a singer.

However, the controversy Lambert brought did not stop. One day before he officially released his debut album, he was invited to perform on American Music Awards singing his first single For Your Entertainment. The performance that full of filtering and sexual behaviors, such as kissing a male keyboard player, was watched clearly by the Americans. After that, ABC network received over 1,500 complaints, so they have to cancel Lambert’s next performance on Good Morning America on ABC. Although Lambert was still invited by other television networks to perform, his overacting performance already became a controversial topic. Lambert later admitted in Ellen DeGeneres Show that he was going too far that night, but he also said he just wanted to bring more energy and express the meaning of the song better.

Adam Lambert: Future
Although going through so many things, Lambert still one of the most promising new artist in America. As a rookie, he sang the theme song Time For Miracle for Hollywood blockbuster 2012. In his debut album For Your Entertainment, well-known producers and singers such as Lady Gaga, Max Martin, Redone and P!nk involved for the album production. Apparently, it is meaningless to argue whether Lambert is the champion of American Idol, because comparing to both the quality of producers and the sales of album, Lambert has exceed Allen at the very beginning.

Besides, he has numerous supporters and fans in China. No many new artists could have a Chinese website, but Lambert did is the exception. Up to December 16th, 2009, adamlambert.com.cn has over 5,000 members. Furthermore, Lambert expressed his wish in an interview that he wanted to come to China. Adam Lambert, this glam rocker from reality show has already become a worldwide superstar.

The End of American Idol

After finished the Finale of American Idol Season 9, there has only one word I could think about to describe it, it was “sucks”. Although I seriously and thoroughly watched Idol for only four seasons, in this short period, no other season was as boring as Season 9 was. There has Blake Lewis using beatbox rearranging every songs in Season 6; there has David Cook rocking down the house till the Final in Season 7; there has Adam Lambert who was considered to be the most talented contestant in the history of American Idol glamorously performing every week in Season 8. However, what about Season 9? Humble paint sales clerk Lee DeWyze or outgoing "mama sox" Crystal Bowersox? Doubtlessly, there were all talented singers, but on the stage of American Idol where entertainment tops everything, they were so “boring”. Oh, yes, there has one I remember the most, Mr. Tim Urban, a pretty boy who only CAN sing got into Top 7.

Although it was the dullest season, the significance was wider. It was all because our lovely judge Simon Cowell was about to leave the show (he went back to UK preparing to move the other talent-show The X Factor to America). Thus, we could see that the Finale already become a farewell party.

To estimate, the total minute of the video clips about Simon Cowell was approximate 15, which contained other judges’ words to Cowell and some classic moments Cowell had in American Idol. Besides, Paula Abdul was back to the stage waving goodbye to Cowell and sat on his lap watching the next performance. (Although Abdul said she and Cowell were only partnership, then who knows.)

Other than that, all winners of American Idol were invited (no David Cook from Season 7) to sing for Cowell with other former contestants. Checking that moment out! Abdul was crying and Cowell said he has never been so sensitive…

But…did we forget our Season 9 Champion Lee DeWyze? It was like the only season in the Finale that audiences could completely ignore the winner because of the leaving of Simon Cowell.

Although FOX claimed there would have Season 10, the time for this show was obviously done. In the Finale, Cowell’s importance to the show was emphasized repeatedly; and stated that American Idol would not be the same without Mr. Cowell, though Cowell expressed kindly on the stage that him leaving did not mean anything, because the judges were the audiences. Furthermore, Cowell will bring the American version of The X Factor, which is also a singing competition show. It will doubtlessly create a huge impact to American Idol no matter which network buys it because the new show will be fresh and attractive. When the rating decreased, American Idol has to confront to the termination.

So, this farewell was not only for Simon Cowell but also for American Idol. All we could say is “Simon, so long; Lee, good luck”.

American Idol—For Your Entertainment

I started watching American Idol in 2007, when Season 6 aired. In this case, I could be defined as a rookie for this show. However, even though I only watched 4 seasons, I already feel that this show, American Idol, is more than a singing competition.

Within my limited understanding and knowledge towards reality television, American Idol is the one so far I think the most entertaining, especially in Season 9, this phenomenon seems to grow stronger.

One significant difference in this season is that there has a new judge joined the judging panel. She is Ellen DeGeneres, who is a famous talk show host. She came here as a substitution to Paula Abdul, who always sat in the judging panel since Season 1. This change altered the chemistry among the judging panel. Firstly, as a talk show host, DeGeneres has absolute teasing-ability. Her teasing jokes could usually pull audience’s attention from the contestants to her. The most impressive one I remember was her likening contestant Alex Lambert as an unripe banana. Surely, this metaphor means Lambert has great potential, but the other meaning is DeGeneres’s lesbian identity. The reason why I have this statement is because every time DeGeneres mentioned “banana”, Randy Jackson who sitting next to her laughed knowingly. Adding the fact that host Ryan Seacrest raised the issue of DeGeneres mentioning banana now and then, DeGeneres using banana as a metaphor seemed obviously to be a hint of her being a lesbian.

Secondly, in one episode of the semi-finals, DeGeneres sat on Simon Cowell’s lap at the beginning of the show. When Seacrest introduced the show’s rule, DeGeneres was still touching Cowell flirtingly. Based on these things, we can see that American Idol has changed from an entertaining singing competition to an entertaining singing-competition show. No matter whom they are, contestants or judges, only if they can entertain audiences, can they be put on air. There has a fresh memory from the last season, Abdul took out some crayons and gave them to Cowell in Kodak Theatre, saying that it was for child, and it was on air. This has never happened before. It seems that anecdote among judges could also be the tricks to attract audience.

Of course, little teasing among judges could not show how entertaining American Idol now is than before. Inviting a great amount of superstars performing on the stage is the only real deal. None of the season before can invite three superstars performing in the first week of the final: David Cook, Ke$ha, Orianthi. In the first week of the semi-finals on Season 8, the guest performers were Kanye West and Kelly Clarkson. Same week on Season 7, the guest performers were Katharine McPhee and David Foster. Furthermore, the number of guest performers has increased season by season: only 15 performances were in the final of Season 7, 6 of them were performed included former contestants in American Idol; 26 performances were in the final of Season 8, 11 of them were performed included former contestants; 29 performances so far were in the final of Season 9, 8 of them were performed included former contestants. According to the data above, we can see that American Idol put more effort on inviting stars outside the show to perform on the stage. Particularly in Season 9, more artists outside the show were invited than before.

People think it was DeGeneres who caused this situation. They believe as a host in a famous talk show, DeGeneres has great relationship with a lot of celebrities since most of them were on her talk show before.

I think this really could be a reason. Why did the producers select Ellen DeGeneres to replace Paula Abdul? She does not have strong music background, to some extent, she does not even have a connection with music. The only reasons I can think of are her eloquence and vast friendship with celebrities. Just to know, the number of viewers of American Idol decrease every year, when Cowell leaves the show next season, the ratings could drop to the nadir. In this case, the show needs someone like DeGeneres to keep the audience. The way to keep them is to make use of her relationship with celebrities. Try to imagine, if more celebrities perform in the show, even though there has no judge like Simon Cowell or contestant like Adam Lambert, audience would still choose to watch American Idol because it has so many celebrities.

Indeed, American Idol was not always a sheer singing competition,entertaining factors were always the elements of the show. The producers now just make it more entertaining. Just like the name of Adam Lambert’s debut album, the show is only “for your entertainment” in prime time.

How about the contestants? After all, there have 8 American idols already; who cares who the next American idol is.