Second Negative | Soul Patrol

Soul Patrol

Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006

Filed Under: Entertainment/ 12 Comments

I normally shun reality shows, but I’ve watched every season of American Idol since the last few episodes of season one. I usually watch a few of the terrible auditions, skip the Hollywood group rounds, and then come back for the top twelve.

In all the seasons I’ve watched the show, I can’t say that I’ve ever really had a favorite to win it all. I’ve liked some of the singers better than others, but I didn’t exactly rush out to buy their debut albums. But then came this year, and Taylor Hicks. I’m pretty sure at this point that you either love him or you just don’t get it, because I haven’t encountered a lot of middle ground. I wasn’t sure what I thought about him for a while but put me down as a member of his oft mentioned Soul Patrol. Has anyone ever had more fun on stage than Taylor Hicks? This guy knows what it means to put on a performance and that’s a special quality. I find myself smiling when he’s singing. I want him to do well.

Although it’s down to the final two this week, and he’s more than likely to win, some people are wondering if he’ll be able to sell albums. Will the stage show transfer? He has certainly proven that he can stand there and sing and sing very well, when he chooses to do so. This grey haired young old man Taylor Hicks, who grew up loving Ray Charles and Otis Redding beat the odds to even get on the show.

Reader Commentary

Bitch, bitch, bitch, that's all you are.

Nik — May 23, 2006 @ 11:05 AM

word up, g. i didn’t know you were a closet idol watcher. good for you! i bet it’s gonna be ruben/clay close but i really don’t care who wins because i like them equally and they will both make albums anyway. should be a fun two nights!

Ian — May 23, 2006 @ 12:57 PM

…and he’s from Birmingham, which is another plus! ;)

Jorgeq — May 23, 2006 @ 4:58 PM

I’ve also been a faithful American Idol viewer since it’s inception and this year, it’s no different. I have to say that when Chris was voted off, I was like “oh well”, but it was tough to see Elliot go.

If I had to choose someone, it would have to be Katherine. Taylor is good too.

Greg — May 23, 2006 @ 6:29 PM

Ha…I guess I am a closet idol fan. But I did write a post about it way back in 2004. It may be close, but I’m not necessarily buying that it’s as close as they say. But yeah, they’ll both make albums, as will several others. Winning may actually be a curse considering the cheesy song they usually saddle the winner with.

Ian, I thought you were dead. You don’t call, you don’t write. Birmingham pride. I think they said Birmingham has been home to three finalists now. Impressive.

It was tough to see Elliot go Jorgeq. I know he’s going to have a lot of success though. He’s a really likable guy with a great voice. And kind of dorky. The anti-Ace. Thank God.

Nicole — May 23, 2006 @ 6:47 PM

I’m the HUGEST Taylor Hicks fan and have been from the very beginning. I’m so happy that he has made it this far, and win or lose he just makes me smile! Whooo…Sooooooooooul Patrrrrrrrrrol!

trench — May 26, 2006 @ 7:50 PM

I had hoped that girl would have won. Her rendition of Somewhere over the Rainbow gave me goosebumps.

Greg — May 27, 2006 @ 10:19 AM

You wanted her to win based on one good song? I didn’t even think it was that good. Eva Cassidy did the best version I’ve ever heard.

Katharine just never really seemed to feel the music, and she seemed uncomfortable with every other song she sang. Kelly Pickler admitted to butchering a song or two, but Katharine did it just as often. The judges weren’t picking on her, she was just wildly inconsistent.

But to be fair, I’ll admit that I also don’t care for Katharine because I read that behind the scenes she was a huge bitch. I usually can’t forget stuff like that.

Ian — May 28, 2006 @ 6:50 PM

Not quite dead, Greg. Just busy making some transitions into a new APT, new job, and graduate studies…add to that the huge amounts of spam I was receiving from idowens.com and I didn’t have much patience…hence the site being temporarily down. Sure I’ll be back soon…after all, I’ll need something to do while at work ;)

trench — June 02, 2006 @ 5:20 PM

Guess Im just not a fan of guys with white hair singing soul music. lol. He sounds good though.

At the marketing standpoint I just think the girl would do better overall.

It is in fact the American Idol. You have to have a good voice, but the sad truth is that looks count for alot also.

Greg — June 02, 2006 @ 10:55 PM

I guess I don’t really understand what you’re saying. I mean, I thought you were saying you liked the girl better because of Over the Rainbow, but now it looks like you’re saying you think she would sell more records. I’m confused.

It is American Idol, but why does that mean that the winner has to look a certain way? That’s one of the things I liked best about Taylor. He won even though he didn’t fit the mold. Most people don’t look like Katharine.

trench — June 05, 2006 @ 3:44 AM

Katherine’s rendition of somewhere over the rainbow sold me on her. It was that song that finally made me believe that she would be a star. She had the voice and stage presence to take her to the top. Taylor has a great voice, but doesnt have the look. He also looks pretty dorky when he dances. I dont know.. Just not too appealing.

Again, Im not saying that Taylor doesnt deserve to be American Idol. He did great and the fans of the show thought so also. Obviously. I just dont think he’ll be one of those artists that will last in the industry. I personally thought Katherine had a better chance. Im sure she’ll land a record deal though.

trench — June 28, 2006 @ 3:24 AM

Do I have a camcorder? I sure do. On my cellphone and a small handheld!

Linked

Their Brand is Collapse"...it's entirely possible that [McCain] knows as much about our economy as Sarah Palin knows about The Bush Doctrine."
Certified, for what exactly?I read this a few years ago, but was thinking about it today. I don't think that certifications are worthless, but their usefulness is limited. And now more than ever.
No Cat FightSo, Wolfson says there won't be a cat fight between Hillary and Palin. Whatever you want to call it, that would have made for a great veep debate.
Obama Needs Better AdsGreat ideas. Especially the pork.
l337 Eye ChartLook, an eye chart for the kidzz. Noob.

People, Places, etc.