Thanks for all this detail. I'll probably be voted off the website for admitting this, but I watch Idol religiously--though I keep my finger constantly on the TiVo fast-forward button, because most of the vocals are unlistenable. They've dealt with Carly's album for about 10 seconds total (compared to the five minutes or so that have been devoted to her tattoos and her recent work as a San Diego barmaid).
I'm guessing that Carly's support (and some of Idol's) might dry up if a significant number of viewers knew all this info, and recognized that Carly doesn't precisely fit the "undiscovered talent" credo. (Even though 478 copies sold doesn't exactly qualify her as "discovered," the major-label deal and the millions spent on signing, recording and promoting her certainly distinguish her as more professional than your typical contestant.
Personally, I'm just surprised that Carly isn't a better contestant, considering she's been through the machine once already. She should be singing circles around everyone else to this point, and she's really not.
Eric S.
· 1 year ago
I agree. She really hasn't set herself apart with her performances. It took me a while to figure out she was the "professional" after I heard the story. Plus, the guys seem stronger than the girls this year.
WHarrisBullzEye
· 1 year ago
I certainly don't begrudge you for watching the show. I mean, even though I really don't get into it, even I admit to tuning in to watch some of the auditions. And your point about how Carly should know better and should be kicking more ass than she has been is valid as well. She almost seems intimidated at times, and that's the last thing I would've expected from her.
Elaine
· 1 year ago
I've been watching. She doesn't seem poised, as some breakthrough artiste or anything else. T
Elaine
· 1 year ago
After listening to these cuts, I stand by my lack of enthusiasm for her on the show. There's something missing and I'm not sure what it is.
"All Kinds of People" has that super-layered, airy production that reminds me of the Tasmin Archer song, or Seal from the 90's. The singer in that and "You'll Never Meet God" doesn't sound like the same one on American Idol. I recognize her in "Blow Your Mind." It's the best of the three. She sounds like an Amy Grant with better vocal ability in that one.
Jerry
· 1 year ago
The real irony here is that if Carly wins Idol, they'll hook her up with a bunch of hacks who'll force her to make a safe, cookie cutter album nowhere near as interesting as this one.
Gotta love the record industry.
DwDunphy
· 1 year ago
I can't stand and do not watch AI. That's just me. I just can't follow the National Assignment.
That said, Carly has every right to be on there... as much as that David Archuleta dude who, apparently, has made all of the talent show circuit including "Star Search".
I think there will come a day when even I will wind up liking an AI star for their music. It just hasn't happened yet.
newradical
· 1 year ago
Far superior Gregg Alexander tunes out there from Sophie Ellis Bextor ("Murder on the Dance Floor") Ronan Keating ("Lovin' Each Day") and Melanie C. ("On the Horizon") ... all have that same sound even if they never crossed teh pond. Difference is these are vocalists with more personality than Hennesmithson.
Derry
· 1 year ago
downloaded the mp3s a few days ago, finally had a listen and realised that I knew "I'm gonna blow your mind", the song was played a fair bit on Irish radio, nice tune
360sound
· 1 year ago
The reality is that the Hennessy story is a daily occurrence in the music biz - this one just happened to be highlighted in WSJ, for some reason. Why didn't it sell? I think you are on the right track with the idea that a 17-year old singing Alanis-themed music wouldn't work at Radio Disney or on NIckelodeon. Subsequently, a post-tweener wouldn't get added to the local Alt-rocker, either. Translation: record companies are often shockingly stupid, and spend enormous amounts of money in the process (wonder how much they spent on the Danielle Brisebois album, recorded right after New Radicals, that sits unreleased in the vaults at RCA?). It's a shame, too, as this is a great record, as you mentioned. "Need A Little Love" is a terriffic cut, especially.
Jeff H
· 1 year ago
Will - I noticed that this album is now at # 124 at Tower Records. Have you heard this album is suddenly being purchased online and downloaded quite a bit? I can see the top 200 at Billboard.com but I bet it is creeping up there.
All Comments
I'm guessing that Carly's support (and some of Idol's) might dry up if a significant number of viewers knew all this info, and recognized that Carly doesn't precisely fit the "undiscovered talent" credo. (Even though 478 copies sold doesn't exactly qualify her as "discovered," the major-label deal and the millions spent on signing, recording and promoting her certainly distinguish her as more professional than your typical contestant.
Personally, I'm just surprised that Carly isn't a better contestant, considering she's been through the machine once already. She should be singing circles around everyone else to this point, and she's really not.
"All Kinds of People" has that super-layered, airy production that reminds me of the Tasmin Archer song, or Seal from the 90's. The singer in that and "You'll Never Meet God" doesn't sound like the same one on American Idol. I recognize her in "Blow Your Mind." It's the best of the three. She sounds like an Amy Grant with better vocal ability in that one.
Gotta love the record industry.
That said, Carly has every right to be on there... as much as that David Archuleta dude who, apparently, has made all of the talent show circuit including "Star Search".
I think there will come a day when even I will wind up liking an AI star for their music. It just hasn't happened yet.