American Idol: No Dead Brain, No Cry
May 8th, 2008 | 5:30 pm est |
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Time was, Jason Castro was a refreshing contestant on American Idol as he didn’t fit in with the rest of the competition. As time wore on, his freshness faded, due entirely to the grind of the show and how it broke him down. For the last two weeks of the show he clearly hasn’t wanted to be here, and between the Ford commercials, phone Q&As, and trips to The Beatles: Love, who can blame him? As I said yesterday — the day when I called him Jason Cook, as the show has clearly worn me down, too — he’s done enough to have a career outside of the show and my money is that he will make an album about as good and true to himself (the ultimate Paula criteria) as David C.
To me, the real atrocity of last night was that group sing on “Reelin’ in the Years.” I have no problem with Steely Dan on the show, of course — if anything, the great Walter Becker and Donald Fagen would be my dream judges/mentors, rivaling that legendary episode with Quentin Tarantino as guest judge — but this was an outright embarrassment, with each line getting more ridiculous, culminating in David Archuleta botching lyrics once again. The only thing they can do to make up for this is to have a Becker/Fagen night next year, preferably early in the season when the show has enough contestants to be interesting to watch.
Also, it’s a shame that Bo Bice wasn’t allowed to play an instrument in the season he was on Idol — his very good performance last night showed that he was more comfortable with an axe than anybody this season, and more of a rocker too. But his Southern rock has never seemed more out of step with American Idol than it did last night.
Matt Collar
In answer to the phone in question of what was the biggest challenge each Idol had to overcome this season, the soon-to-be ousted Jason, pointing at his dreadlocks, responded with his usual deft hippy aplomb, “The dead brain.” And while no one would disagree with Jason’s own summation of his time on the show, in truth his actual Achilles’ heel was his voice. Dude just can’t sing very well. But at least he was a hundred times more interesting than the final three. Cook, Archie, and Syesha can sing quite well, but man are they dull. Syesha would be a shoo-in for the final two any other season, especially with the Idol tradition of having a girl/guy finale. But with Cook’s earnest rawk dominance and Archie’s Disney-diva-naïf chops, Syesha comes off as merely competent and that doesn’t grab you votes. Plus, I wonder if her votes are gonna get split by little girls who can’t decide whether they want to be Syesha or date Archie? And by date I mean like pass notes with check boxes in them, put stickers on his locker, see a movie at the mall, and stuff.
So true! I too was totally flummoxed by the decision to do Steely Dan. And how painful/funny was it to see Jason look like if he didn’t do it, they’d kick his dog?
Good riddance Jason Castro. The kid lasted 6 weeks too long. Oddly enough, he came closer to sounding like he was going to cry every time he sang than when he was jettisoned by the voters.
Castro’s extended stay proves beyond any doubt that the core voter demographic is 12 year-old girls. He’s a marginal talent that appeals to the single most important constituency there is for any contestant on Idol. This clearly makes David Archuleta the odds-on favorite to win - at least he has the talent to make the outcome acceptable - unfortunately he also has the personality of a wet dishrag. I think his lines are written by the same guy who writes the dialog for the Milhouse character on the Simpsons. Good luck to David Cook - but he probably already has what he needed from Idol.
Bo Bice was incredible last night. He revealed David Cook to be a poser. Bo was the highlight of the show.
Euphy,
Somehow, I don’t quite think Jason’s core audience is 12-year old girls. I think it’s the young adult audience, probably ages 18-22. Since he’s often compared to Jack Johnson, whom that age group seems to love and the younger ones generally don’t quite get, that makes much more sense.
Um … non-12 year old Castro fan checking in. Actually I think a lot of older fans like his retro 60’s kinda vibe. Hoping he gets a record deal.
Sad to see Jason finally go. I agree that his non-stellar performances are his undoing but his recent weeks’ singing has made him a sad grotesque. I like him better than any of the Davids but I guess his slacker ways are not the stuff for the show’s rat-race pace. Nice to see Syesha score another upset by making it to the Final 3. I have grown to like her status as perpetual cannon fodder in the show. Her continued survival is an ironic up yours to the show, the producers, the non-fans. Throughout the show last Wednesday, David A. was probably bewildered and unable to process the weird machinations of the grown-ups in forcing him to be the poster boy of a marketable pop music product. Which means I’ll probably not hear him sing a song by Jandek or Syd Barrett. David Cook might be the next Daughtry (in terms of success) but then again, maybe he’ll disappear in the radar just like Blake Lewis. Side notes: The group song “choreography” was awkward at best. Bo Bice was quite good and I like the subtle and graceful swipe he made for the two Davids. Maroon 5 is like an alien entity in the Idol stage, and Adam Levine’s androgyny briefly skyrocketed my mind to totally unconnected places and time: Weimar-era Berlin, British glam-rock, Stargate, etc.
I have to agree that Jason fans are mostly young adults, what with the recent trend towards acoustic, simpler music - think Colbie Caillat, Jack Johnson, etc
Jason clearly isn’t up to the grind involved with AI. As much as he’s not an extraordinary singer, by the end of the show last night I actually started to feel sorry for him. He really did seem overwhelmed by the whole thing, and I can’t fault anyone for that.
The Steely Dan choreography was just ridiculous. “Are you reeling in the yeeeeeears” (walk, walk, turn, stop). No matter how hard they try, it always looks forced and painful; especially Archie’s pointing to the guitarist walking out from behind.
First thing I remember from the show last night was indeed the lousy choreography and singing during the intro song. It looked like a performance you see in kindergardens. But then again thats nothing new, all group performances this whole season, especially the medlies, sucked beyond imagination.
Second thing was the 2nd song performed by teddybear David A.
I hope David C. wins though he seems to be most original and talented. His attitude sucks though…
Dear GOD what was with “Reelin’”???? I loved STE’s idea - a Becker/Fagan mentor night would be AWESOME, but those horrid dancesteps!! And when backdrop on the stage opened, I was hoping Skunk Baxter was walking out but instead, it was just the IDOL GUITARIST! WTF????
On the bright side, I thought Bo Bice showed the most genuine ROCK AND ROLL performance of the entire Idol series. LOVED it.
Yes! When Archuleta pointed to the guitarist right before the solo, a part of me died inside.
I was in my car with my 60 year old Aunt, playing a CD of Jason’s studio recordings that I had downloaded. She fell in love with his voice without ever having seen his pretty eyes, and without being a 12 year-old girl. Jason’s appeal is broader than people think. I hope we hear more from him. He has a great recording voice.
The declining interest in Idol seems to be reflected in the fact that the number of AMG editors commenting has also been steadily declining. It’s really only fun to watch earlier in the season, when there are enough wackos and freaks to make it interesting. Once those get eliminated, the remaining contestants are the most bland pop corporate product imaginable.
Little kids love Jack Johnson, FYI - Curious George soundtrack.
In what sense is David Cook original? He sounds like another cookie-cutter pseudo alternative corporate “rocker” to me.
Castro is a frat boy stoner poser who probably learned “I shot the Sherriff” from “Legend,” which he most likely believes to be Marley’s only album. Shave off the dreads and he would have been gone months ago.
I will be 60 next month and I love Jason. Halleulujah and Somewhere Over the Rainbow were wonderful. He’s different, refreshing, and talented. The judges wanted him off the show because they wanted a David/David finale. They treated Jason very badly on several occasions and I don’t blame him for wanting to leave. I’ve never heard them say such hateful things to anyone else. Jason didn’t have the experience before Idol that most of the others had. At least he is real and stayed true to himself. I admire his courage and I think he will be very successful.
Like Fran, I will be 60 this year…..not a teeny bopper as so many harsh Jason critics vow continually. Jason was unique, courageous, and was remarkably un-swayed by the American Idol machinations. He actually did have a lovely, pure voice. He didn’t belt…..oh my goodness…what a crime. I liked that. Who needs screams….to me that’s NOT music. I believe that it’s a good thing that Jason didn’t make it to the top three. Many people realize what that means so I shall not reiterate.
His fans (I include myself happily) wish him only the best!!!!!
To the AMG staff, I disagree and agree with you. I’m not that 12 year old girl you critics keep labeling us as Jason fans. Your definition of “singing well” is a different definition to me. I am proud to say that I love Jason’s voice. He was the reason why I watched and voted on American Idol. He was the reason I dusted off my Ipod and learned how to download his songs. I’ve never paid any attention to the show nor any contestants before. And if American Idol do not recognize that this is a good thing, it is too bad. Maybe this is one reason why their ratings are dropping. I agree with you that Jason was a hundred times more interesting than the final three. The show will go back to its boring self.
Let me chime in too! I am a 46 year old mother of two and adore Jason for his music, his soft and beautiful vocals, his uniqueness, style and personality. He was an enigma on Idol and he had many of the shows finest moments (Hallelujah, Daydreaming Boy, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Travelin’ Thru). He seems to be a terrific guy, very grounded and unjaded. I hope he stays that way and puts together a CD of music he would enjoying making. If you haven’t heard some of his own music (So Fast, etc.) go to Youtube and check them out. He’s fantastic!
I’m a 58 year old woman, not quite a 12 year old teen who adores Jason Castro. While the show may have worn him down and into believing he might not be up to par with the rest of the chosen few, to me he was the bright light at the end of the tunnel.
To state that Jason can’t sing well is to have a tin ear. Jason was one of the few who was always in key. Can’t say the same about Archuleta nor Sayesha. Even Cook, both of them floundered at times.
His sweet melodic voice and spirit kept me glued to my television every Tuesday and biting my nails every Wednesday.
He will be sorely missed but I look forward to any success he has in the future in whatever medium it is.
Yes, he’s not a diva R&B/Broadway belter. Nor a loud yelling rocker. Nor a pop Disney Tweeny bopper.
And I thank my lucky stars he isn’t. I love him just the way he is…Jason Castro.
I agree with both of the staffers. As for Matt Collar saying that Castro doesn’t sing very well though- I am not so sure I agree. I would argue that he doesn’t have the range to do every pop song ever written. Within the style of music that he is comfortable with, he does have a good voice. It is kind of unique, and if his album had some songs with good lyrics I would probably be most likely to buy his. I agree with STE that he will probably make a better album than any of the others. At least it won’t be some soulless pop dreck.
Anyway, I really dislike American Idol. But I do watch each performance on the internet only so I can understand what the AMG staff is talking about on this wonderfully snarky blog.
I agree with kimconmom, MK, sillyme and others. There are so many different kinds of music out there. I LOVE what Jason does. I LOVE his voice. What I LOVE most is what he said in one of his exit interviews. About not having the time to connect with the songs he was having to sing for the show. This young man feels the music. He needs to feel the music and that adds a quality to his selections that most just don’t have. I am sure that whatever music and songs he chooses to do from here on out will be just as awesome as his earlier AI performances. I for one will be standing in line to purchase his CDs. Oh, by the way, I am not a teeny bopper. And my husband enjoyed Jason the most this year too.
I doubt I will watch the rest of American Idol. Although the final three are all really talented, I am not interested in watching three professionals compete for the top spot. (Yes, Cook, Archuletta and Mercado have been entertaining long enough to be called professional.) All have had vocal coaches and/or record deals. Jason Castro is a diamond in the rough. He has a real sense of himself and is an innocent soul. I love how tender he sings and much prefer that to the styles of the other three. It is unbelievable how some people try to tell others what voices they should prefer…. It is a personal choice. By the way, I am 49……my teenage daughter loves Archuletta, my college son likes Cook and my husband likes Mercado. Which one of us is “right”? Thank the Lord for diversity.
Jason is HOT!!! and SEXY!!! I predict he will be the next Jimmy Buffett.It’s your time to shine Jason-Illuminate us!
51 year old here who totally enjoyed every one of Jason’s performances. I think the Davids are good, but not they type of music I would purchase. Looking forward to Jason’s first of many CDs
52 year old husband, 50 year old wife, 21 year old son and 14 year old son voted every tuesday or 2 hours for Jason ONLY!!!!!!
“I Was Thinkin’ Jason Castro!!!!”
52 year old husband, 50 year old wife, 21 year old son and 14 year old son voted every Tuesday for 2 hours for Jason ONLY!!!!!!
He brought a ray of sunshine to the whole AI season. Studio recordings are excellent. He has “IT” and he will do great. Think MTV “MUSIC VIDEO”.
“I Was Thinkin’ Jason Castro!!!!”
I do agree with a lot of what’s been said on here - to me jason was by far the most interesting contestant left, and one of the most interesting out of the top 10 (along with, in my opinion, mj and brooke).
As far as his vocals go granted, he’s definitely not the most technically perfect singer/belter but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Nothing bores me more on idol than watching some try-hard shout notes - good on them for putting effort in, but I still wouldn’t listen to it. Jason’s voice had subtleties and a tone that I would actually go out and buy a cd for. I’m sad jason’s gone cause I pretty much watched idol for him, but I’m glad he left before the idol machine wore him down some more.
I don’t know how many times we have to say this, but Jason’s fan base is NOT 12yr old girls! That’s DavidA’s base. Most fans range from 20-60 women AND men. As a diehard dreadhead, I read 1,000s of comments in the forums. Most started the same way, “I’m no tweeny bopper & I never voted on Idol before but I LOVE Jason…” Same thing over and over. Too bad the producers could never figure that out. They offended most of the fan base with their asinine comments every week.
Jason readily admitted he “was the most raw & inexperienced” and yet he had the ability to completely blow people away, and almost never failed to move people. He was more of a storyteller than a belter. And people loved him for that. They loved his genuine personality and the fact that he could draw people in. And although he definitely lacked experience on stage -he was a natural in the studio. His studio recordings are stellar and show off his considerable range.
What he said in his exit interviews made sense -it was the time constraints of Idol & the older genres that affected Jason more than anything else. As the son of immigrants, he didn’t grow up knowing older American songs, & wasn’t used to learning songs so quickly. But when he found a song that fit his style, and he had some time to get inside the song, he could make grown men weep.
Now that he will be able to work outside the contraints of IDOL he’s going to do really well. I will be one of those waiting anxiously to buy every CD he makes. Oh, and by the way, I’m 40 and my brothers are 35 and 46. We all love Jason. Never voted on Idol before this season. And probably never will again. As far as I’m concerned, Jason is my Idol…
But, wow. Didn’t Jason look happy when we was singing his farewell song? He was ecstatic, and it made me happy for him.
Jason Castro was the best thing to happen to Idol in all the years it has been on. He is anamazing talent and has a hugh, hugh fan base. Will he ever be a rocker, NO he will not and that is not the kind of fans he has. I too have read 1000’s of comments and Jason has fans from every age group and background, but most of his fans are form the 60,70,80’s music, and they are loyal beyond words. We can not wait for him to put out his first CD and I agree completely with nancy. This was the first time I had ever voted for a contestant on Idol and it was my last, I doubt I will watch the show again mostly because of the treatment Jason received. Totally uncalled for the judges were so afraid of him because they could not change him, but it backfired on them because that is one of the reasons we love our Jason!!He will always be true to the man God has made him.
I too am not a tween, I am a 49 year old Nana of 5 mother of 3 and I adore Jason. The best talent ever shown on AI and I have watched all seasons. Now, after the shameful way they treated Jason, I will never watch it again (unless Jason is going to have a guest appearance) but that would be the only reason. I have bought all his songs on itunes and cant wait to buy his albums. His fans arent just kids and sorta paraphrazing from fried green tomatoes: we are alot older and we have alot more money to spend - and we will support our Jason
WOW! So many Jason supporters. So that I don’t get totally demolished for my comments, everyone is entitled to their opinions and their own taste in music and I respect all of the folks who have commented and their individual tastes and opinions. That being said, I don’t think that Jason has that great of a voice and I don’t care for his style. But then, I don’t like any of the contestants that are left, especially David (stick to that formula) Archuleta. I think he will likely win, and then quickly drift into oblivion. I think Carly had the best quality voice in the competition this year. It’s a shame that she made such bad song choices. Funny, I watch this show every season and get hooked in every time, even though I really consider it a prime example of what is so very, very wrong with music today. Hook me once, shame on you. Hook me this many times, shame on me… heaping loads of shame! Oh no! Now, I’m even commenting on a blog. Is there no end to my shame? Shoot me please!
I love AI! I can’t believe they banned his dad. lol.
Here’s some cool pics of the top 3 finalists in their hometowns. I hope David wins!
http://thebiz.fancast.com/2008/05/photos_american_idols_final_3.html#more