I don't think "disappointing" is the accurate word choice for this round ... I guess I would go with ... "unexpected" as my adjective of choice. I didn't have any pre-requisites before this round, but I was just generally expecting three contestants with what they thought to be the "best songs ever" that still fit under their respective umbrellas of "songs that [the contestant] loves." Maybe that's exactly what took place in this round, but I just had the feeling that you might have held back slightly in a round that opened the door for you to choose anything in world music library.
Double H, you had a heck of a run. Be proud of what you did in this game. I hope it was fun for you.
The two that I thought might make the finals since around 5 or 6 rounds ago are indeed now in the Finals. I'm really looking forward to it.
Sudden Rush, my advice: just don't bring any Canoe Club to the table (see comments below, and I hope you know that I'm just being funny with that last comment). You've got a pretty wide range of taste, and that has been a strength. It seems that you also know that "fun" and "sorta popular" songs are still great songs, yet I haven't really seen you delve into songs that pose as "fun" and "popular" yet simply have the effect of getting on music critics' nerves. So yes, that's a very good thing, and I thank you for it.
Stryker, my advice: keep with artilery that blazed your way to the finals. You are a risk-taker, and it seems you have won me over in a couple of rounds with some of your risky choices. Of course, not all risks are rewards, so take the advice lightly, I guess. I don't want to be blamed for giving you the "wrong advice"--haha. You're the type of player that I really can't wait to see what you're going to come up with next. Like I said, sometimes it's a hit with me and sometimes it's not. But the good thing is that you always have me ready for that "Stryker pick," wondering what's going to be pulled out of your hat next.
Here's what I thought of last round (and it appears Jazzman isn't as predictable as I once thought, at least in terms of things I think he likes--I still seem to be pretty good at pegging stuff I know I'll think is good that he'll probably hate). It's been really fun working alongside both judges in this game. Thanks for making it so fun. And THE Baldy Kendrick is an ideal host in a lot of ways. I appreciate his dedication to this game as well.
Ok, yeah, my running comments as the songs were listened to ...
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"Let's Get Retarded" - Black Eyed Peas
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT62F8JqgSYWow. Someone did NOT play it safe here. Part of me wants to say, “Extra good job for taking that leap of faith.” I guess a lot of people are still familiar with this version? I dunno, I assumed “Let’s Get It Started” was the only one people really knew. I love the song (in the “less shocking” form especially) so there’s no shame to my game in saying very good start to this round, as far as I’m concerned. It’s probably a little unfair that I’m judging on association with the radio edited version. Still, people should know what the unedited phrase really means by now. Lingo is lingo.
"American Pie" - Don McLean
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpvXPz9u4ZcOk, I was a little bit poised to hear the same ol’, same ‘ol from this song’s studio version, but you surprised me with this live version (which I’ve never seen before). This sorta reinvented an already great song for me, and I think it’s a great definition of how to do a live performance. It was fresh and wonderful for me. This song is like the never-ending train … it just chugs along and chugs along and it gains such a momentum that you as the listener sometimes just gasp at it and marvel at seamless it really is all the way to the last slow-down. Effective, effective, effective. This is such a gem of a song right here, and I’ll tell ya what: this particular version just got “favorited” on my computer for later listening.
"If You Wear That Velvet Dress" - Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra feat. Bono
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yihwgEazFj4Well, at least I know one thing (or do I?) … I feel like I know what Jazzman’s number one pick is going to be—I love speculation about the other judges as we play this game too. For me, however, it will remain to be seen where this one stacks up. I think it’s a good song and a good pick, BUT with plenty of songs left to go, I don’t know it’s one of *the* songs out there out of all the songs left to choose from that will run the gauntlet to the end. Still, a whale of a song right here.
"Just Along for the Ride" - Canoe Club
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rer1GbyPivwWell, it’s not difficult to tell who chose this one. So I hope I’m forgiven when I say that out of the first four songs in this round, I find this one lacking. Although I don’t know the song, it’s not getting punished for that. It’s the kind of song I could hear 40-50 times, and honestly, I still don’t think it would be getting any favors from me or gaining any ground on the previous three I’ve heard. Sorry. It’s the Semi-Finals, and out of everything in the world out there for us to judge, this isn’t exactly the song I think that cuts it. I fear that this song’s chooser is going to have to make up a lot of ground with his/her other two selections after selecting this one. We’ll see.
"Riverboat Song" - Ocean Colour Scene
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdnJbN5KEUgYeah! Alright, I’m digging this. I’m totally lost in this song when it plays. Pretty much groovin’ and a little bit funky and a lot awesome. Yeah! Unexpected selection and a sleeper for this round so far. Way to dig this one up and catch me offguard.
"Pain" - Three Days Grace
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts6CKH7TovsFor the first time this round, someone has hit my “Feathers Ruffled” button. In the Top 3, I wouldn’t have expected to get a selection that gives me such a negative reaction. In other words, I think Three Days Grace is quite bad to be honest. So, true to form, this song follows in its band’s footsteps. Sorry.
"The Ballad of Kitty Jay" - Seth Lakeman
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw6dPKorOBsI’m sorry, but when the intro to this song/video said to expect dark and brooding, I expected dark and brooding. If it wasn’t for that setup, I think I could take the song a little more seriously, but this guy’s stares and the faux intensity reek of “trying too hard” for me. I had to click away from the video and try giving the straight up listen a try. (I’d almost always rather do that anyway, but I also give credit to the fact that people spend time looking for just the right video, so I always watch and listen because of that reason.) Well, overall, I’m going to say not bad, and then I’m going to spend some time away from the rankings to give the video a chance to flee from my head and let the song try to resonate a lot more with me. But as I listen after having spent some time away from the aforementioned problems I have with it, there really are some lyrics in there that sort of equal the cringe-worthy faces/stares of the video.
"There and Back Again" - Daughtry
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQeosbQBSqoDaughtry, he really has arrived in terms of popularity, hasn’t he? Well, not my favorite in the musical sense, but I’m glad for the guy, no doubt about it. Personal connection with the guy aside, let’s look/listen at the music. Take a listen at any number of bands in today’s modern hard rock scene and there really isn’t all that much difference in the vocal stylings and tone, unfortunately that includes Daughtry (and somehow, I don’t think I can say they’re all copying *him*). The musicianship is distinguished from each other, sure, but the vocals are just so cookie cutter in a lot of ways. Add to it that I don’t think this is one of his best songs and we have a bit of a recipe for disappointment. I’m sorry about that; I don’t hate Daughtry by any means, but the Three Days Grace pick (which already has some negative connotation from me) didn’t do this pick any favors this particular round.
"Coffee and Cigarettes" - Michelle Featherstone
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dOZLnzkNYcNiiiiiice. Nice way to end the round. I like this song, and I like that you had the guts to go mellow on us here. This doesn’t always work, but this song works for me, because there is that fine line between sincere and maudlin. This feels niiice to my ears. Good job.
1. "American Pie" - Don McLean
2. "Riverboat Song" - Ocean Colour Scene
3. "Let's Get Retarded" - Black Eyed Peas (3 through 5 could possibly swap slots, but I'm giving "fun" the advantage for the time being)
4. "If You Wear That Velvet Dress" - Jools Holland's Rhythm and 5. Blues Orchestra feat. Bono
5. "Coffee and Cigarettes" - Michelle Featherstone (hmm, maybe deserves a little higher)
6. "There and Back Again" - Daughtry
7. "Just Along for the Ride" - Canoe Club
8. "The Ballad of Kitty Jay" - Seth Lakeman
9. "Pain" - Three Days Grace
As bad as I hate to say it, the lower portion of the rankings for me after “Coffee and Cigarettes” left a lot to be desired. I made the comment earlier in the list of comments that one of our players left the door wide open for others to take advantage, and quite honestly, there wasn’t a song thereafter (save one) that really took advantage of the open door to swoop in a push that contestant to the bottom (which is where I expected him/her to end up).
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By the way, has U2 already been used? It seems like they should have been, but I didn't remember it while judging. And I'll be honest, I didn't go back and double-check any of the songs or artists in this round. I figured there were three players here that know the game inside and out, so they probably wouldn't test the "
'I WILL rank you last' theory."