‘American Idol’ top 8 preview: Why Burnell Taylor, Angie Miller need a change
When we heard about all of the drama between Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey prior to this season of “American Idol,” we never imagined that “boring” would be a word that we would have used to describe this season at all. However, it’s quickly turning out to be the way in which this season has progressed. With some of the entertaining wild cards (Charlie Askew, Zoannette Johnson) fizzling out due to some poor performances, we are left with a group of mostly-great singers that also have one major flaw: they seem to be largely convinced that you should just stand in the center of the stage and sing a ballad.
Wednesday night’s new episode is Motown-themed, and to be frank, we don’t think that we have enough knowledge of the catalog to really give song suggestions as we have in some other weeks. So with that, we’re going to hand out some more general suggestions for all of the eight remaining performers.
Amber Holcomb – Make sure you let the audience know what kind of singer you want to be. This at the moment is the only thing really separating Amber from the other ladies, since the talent in there.
Angie Miller – Have fun, and speed things up! This is something that will be a broken record on this page, but she has ventured into dreary and theatrical territory so much lately that she’s slipping from her once-established perch at the top of the pack.
Burnell Taylor – He doesn’t necessarily have to speed things up, but he does need to find some of that goofy energy that he had all the way back during his auditions. He’s almost gotten to the point where he takes himself too seriously.
Candice Glover – Vocally, don’t change anything. Just make sure that you pick songs that you can connect to, and not ones that have weird lyrics that you don’t particularly seem to like.
Devin Velez – See Angie’s advice above. Devin is not theatrical, but he can venture into lounge territory, which is never good for a singer who wants to exist in the modern day.
Janelle Arthur – Janelle has already sped it up once, and the main thing she really needs to do is listen up. You can see in all of her performances how much she wants this, and that’s admirable; however, you also have to make sure in the process that you don’t lose the whole purpose of being on stage: to sell yourself to the world.
Kree Harrison – Stay hungry. She’s been the smartest performer thus far when it comes to song choice, and we would be willing to guarantee her a spot in the finale if she continues to mix it up.
Lazaro Arbos – If you say that the internet is weighing you down, stay offline. Find your own confidence, and just make sure that you stay true to yourself and have fun the rest of the time you’re in this competition. If you are going to go out, make sure you do so on a high note.
What do you think the eight remaining singers need to do to improve their chances? We want to hear your thoughts below, and you can see where we’ve ranked all of them over at the link here.
Photo: Fox
Richard White
March 25, 2013 @ 10:31 pm
Jeffery, If you want to hear some wicked high notes from Angie. Go to youtube and type her name in and look for Angie singing Skyscraper or Who You Are!!! Your jaw will drop to the floor when you hear the high notes Angie can hit. And there is one of her singing the star spangled banner. No other singer can top her vocals on that one. And I would not be surprised at all if she can sing even higher then those videos!!! Angie is so spectacular!!!! There has never been anyone on Idol quite like Angie!!!
Jeffrey Wehrle
March 25, 2013 @ 8:49 pm
Burnell is really cool he has a great thing going . Don’t change anything if you win You deserve it too just like Angie. Burnell is a nice guy it’s refreshing to see a young singer like him not doing the crummy rap and hip hop junk. If he sticks to pop songs and jazz and smother rock tunes new and old he will shine.
Jeffrey Wehrle
March 25, 2013 @ 8:43 pm
Angie needs to do a song with a couple runs I’m interested in hearing her ability more there not over doing them mind you like some do say on a whole song.Angie looks much better with curly hair leave that alone and do some dancing a little on the next few song walk around some too . Lazaro won’t last he has no range and Kree yeah a little too sure of herself she sings ok but she’s Not The singer Angie is and Angie is a Writer and Good Piano Player.The others are good but I’ll be voting for Angie only people who are jealous of her won’t vote for her.
Liz
March 25, 2013 @ 3:02 pm
Angie is boring – replayed last week a few times, it was like a high school theater show. Candice is not personable/likeable, that whole thing, but her voice is good. She has seemed freaked out and nervous at times, listened too much to Curtis Fince and showed some of that attitude, and I think she is afraid to be herself because she so wants to stay, but we don’t see her fully, and that is a risk for her. Kree may also be a little bland, but she is a really good performer. Burnell and Amber should losen up from whatever is pressing them lately, and both should do a fun, active number this week. Devin has a good voice, but he isn’t exciting in his performance, and something needs to shake up. I’d like to see the guys in leather jackets rocking something for Motown week, really sure of themselves, singing out, having a blast. That will let us see some good singing. My top 3: Amber, Kree, Lazaro (if he can shake off his nerves and just sing). I’d next take Burnell or Candice, but I think either Candice or Angie are at risk for getting some low votes one of these weeks, just because it seems like we’ve already heard everything they’ve got, and it’s not interesting anymore. If it ends up all girls pretty soon, I don’t think we will even turn on the TV for it.
logan sweeney
March 25, 2013 @ 12:39 pm
The only singer who I find exciting and the whole package is Angie Miller….Kree Harrison sounds the same all of the time and she lacks charisma…..I do not think Kree will be in the finale…..Candace Glover has the best voice in the contest—but she is boring and obese….All of the men left are mediocre singers…..My three favorites are Angie Miller, Janelle Arthur and Amber Holcomb……..I am 99% sure that Angie Miller will win AMERICAN IDOL this season….
Richard White
March 25, 2013 @ 11:57 am
Hi, I highly disagree that Angie has to change what she is doing!!!! She is still at the top of the pack, Every performance she has done since the beginning has been sensational, and the judges agreed. The greatest singers in the world are those who sing with passion, and real emotion to get the audience to connect with the person singing the song, Whitney, Celine, to name a few!! And Jimmy wants her to cut out the dramatic.. He does not know what he is talking about. If you do that, you will take away the passion and emotion and the singer will not be able to connect with the audience, and to be winner of Idol, you must connect with the audience. Jimmy is 100% wrong I do hope Angie’s next song is uptempo, but Angie’s version of “Yesterday” Is unbeatable. .Angie is a superstar already and is in a class all by herself!!!!.