4.29.11 Adam News & Info

Lol at David Beckham's OBE faux pas. I think he should get a pass though on the grounds that he is unfeasibly good looking. :D

Skylar,
I'll add my two cents just b/c I think it's not just a question of Adam's right to say what he likes, but of taking the time and effort to give a good, potentially helpful response.

I think Adam takes questions like this seriously and gave a candid, but thoughtful response. He has praised Pia's voice (and the AL stamp of approval on vocals is quite a prize) but here noted she had become a bit 'one-note' - which is a fair (and I think accurate) criticism. He credits Casey with vocal and musical genius ('such a talent') but adds oft heard concerns re his performance style.

Re Durbin: The author of the piece, IMO, did a very cheap thing in the way she intro'd the written para. She basically took things out of context to, I assume, spark controversy. (Seriously, if only some god of journalism would strike down 'writers' who pull this shit or use the verb 'opines'.)

"The constant comparisons of James Durbin to Adam have no doubt been a thorn in the side of both singers, but now the senior "Idol" says, he's "kind of over" James. "I think he's got talent and passion 100%, but I feel like he's trying way too hard," Adam opines"

That lead in is hers but she links it to a phrase she pulled from Adam out of context to give the impression Adam is over James in some sort of personal way. I hope people can see through that and that it was just Adam's way of saying his opinion of James' vocals/perfs changed w/successive performances. (Similar to Pia - loved the vocals in the beginning then no growth.)

He gives James far more credit than I would and says he has talent and passion 100% - even calls him note perfect (well okay Adam) on his metal song, but questions the metal niche (duh), pings him for trying too hard and not really YET showing himself as an original artist. But stresses that just b/c Adam hasn't seen it doesn't mean it isn't there. And yeah, James should be more thoughtful before blowing off the mentors. Iovine may be a douche, but look at his resume and maybe shut up and listen, THEN decide what to take away. (And Durbin's performances until the last one have generally been a hot mess so I do think Adam was kind.)

I genuinely can't imagine why anyone would see this as Adam eating the vulnerable or aligning with the powerful. (How would that even work??) Who is so fragile here and where is the cruelty?

Pia has a record deal and great support; Adam's comment is one he would readily make to her directly along w/praising her vocals as he has. Casey now has a built in audience for his jazz thing; per Adam he's a 'musical genius' who should limit the schtick for performance. And James has no shortage of confidence and is a strong front runner to maybe win; Adam called him talented and passionate but suggested he needed to watch his vocal control, be open to guidance, show who he is as an artist, and consider commercial viability. None of that qualifies as scathing criticism - and if any of them are 'crushed' by it (which I really doubt) they need to find a new profession. Seriously. I say if you are getting pointers from one of the best vocalists around AND one of the few to successfully launch from Idol, grab it with both hands and ask for more.

And yeah, Adam could have given the standard sound bite: "Haley's my fav, but they're all great." I just think he has too much respect both for his profession and for the kids to do that; he was blunt as a mentor as well. This was classic Adam - asked and answered but with enough encouragement to soften the constructive criticism. Frankly, the last thing some of these kids need in their Idol bubble is one more person telling them they're the best thing since sliced bread and nutella.

Re your question about his motivation. Nothing Machiavellian - he's Adam - when he answers a question (no slalom plz) he usually gives it straight up. (Maybe it's the mustache that led you to think his intentions were not pure?)

IMO The people throwing the kids under the bus for personal comfort/gain are the producer/judges on Idol who don't care about their long-term prospects, just ratings until May - and then a profitable tour - period.

(S8 was my first and only Idol experience, but I was there in New Hampshire for the last concert and the day after. Wow, the extent to which these guys were suddenly on their own was shocking. "Here's your plane ticket, find your way to the airport, later.")

That's my late night book - sorry

2011 ASCAP Pop Awards Highlights

skylar

I totally get what you're saying. And I was not trying at any point to defend Adam against your words. I know all of your concern comes from a good place. My skin isnt thick either.
But their skin has to be thick. Otherwise they simply wont make it in the music industry. Adam is the living proof of this.


ETA I hope you DONT think that this thing I wrote was directed towards you cause it was not. It was directed to the media.

Every one who thinks Adam cannot speak honestly fuck them.