I have a feeling a couple of these judges will make it very difficult for me to win since they don't like good music...er...I mean...we don't have similar taste.
{Spoiler}He sent me a list of great songs and out of those I had to take some time to pick one, since they were all top notch type of music that I would also have chosen. At that conclusion with Connect/Disconnect (awesome) I suggested to J, that the England category we go for a choice with a style different from the one we picked from his list. His was fresh, new, sung by a female, more indie rock a style. So I suggested we go for something we liked that was a bit more classic which surprisingly hadn't been used before in Duran Duran.
This way, with the difference of style, in case one song didn't score well with a set of judges tastes, perhaps the other song would score better and vice versa. Otherwise I'd have probably picked something in the same style to J's, because we pretty much like the same music.
We are Honey & Nutella, because this duo has great taste. xD
I was happy to see quite a lot of those picks on the combined lists, for a variety of different reasons, but there was a pick that had me going yes x3.
I dunno if anyone picked up on what we did there, but I'm still proud of it
It was very clever and you pulled it off with excellent songs.
Knalsic, that was a brilliant choice, and the type of thinking that I hoped would come up big in this round. Fantastic artist that might not fit many rounds. Also, good job on picking a song of hers that wasn't Respect.
Anonymous, I'm glad to hear that a team used strategy in the round; it was the right way to go about it.
Stinger4christ, I don't know what to say, other than you are a great contestant and the cream will always rise to the top.
Post by pegasuswarrior on Mar 12, 2013 23:09:10 GMT -5
Hungry Like the Wolf- Duran Duran
One the best things about this song pick and band: you can totally tell they’re British. (Singing can be the universal voice, so accents are often difficult to determine on classically trained voices.) To me, it’s a song I would’ve gotten more behind if it didn’t suffer from overplay. It seems like every friend I’ve ever had in my life has cranked this song at some point, not to mention every radio station in my area. I know, it’s because it’s classic. Yes, it is. I enjoy it. If there is just as much of another classic out there, but one that hasn’t hit these eardrums quite as often, it might get the edge on this. But all in all, a very solid choice. Well done. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rock and Roll (Pt 1)- Gary Glitter
Cool choice. Love that video. Very familiar song that I wonder if many people in the States know who to trace it back to. Catchy, and it delivers on all levels of glam. And I don't even particularly love glam always. I dig the choice.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fear of the Dark- Iron Maiden
Epic rock much? P.S., Metallica, this is actually how you’re supposed to blend hard-hitting metal/hard rock vibe with that transcendent, uncomfortable gentle vibe at the same time. On the flipside, Iron Maiden could sometimes benefit from lyrical variety other bands incorporate much better. Little known fact: song inspiration was Kimmy Gibler. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Standing Next To Me- The Last Shadow Puppets
Love the video and minimalist approach. Very catchy tune that’s right up my alley. Kudos on the original song selection here, one that’s a surefire hit with me. Keep this vibe coming. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Going to California- Led Zeppelin
What a great flipping band. It always surprises me that I have to harp about how overused Queen is, yet it seems Led Zeppelin is the one that should be getting all the overplay in this game. I mark for this song, just saying. Some Led Zeppelin songs could’ve fallen a little flatter from overplay and because of the obvious nature of the category, but I truly mark for this song. One of the Top 5 bands of all time, easily. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last Night- Lucy Spraggan
This gal rules. I always stop for a minute to straighten out if this is her or Kate Nash (who also rules). No reason why this girl shouldn’t be bigger and more well known than she is. I like this choice, and I hope it can hold its own weight against some of the powerhouses we’ve seen so far in this category. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Land of Make Believe- The Moody Blues
Good grief. I mark so hard for Moody Blues. I dig that video too—very cool and unexpected to pair the song up with that. This round just went from difficult to way more difficult to rank. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- She’s Not There- The Zombies
Love the always smooth vocals of The Zombies. Not my favorite song of theirs, but it doesn’t keep this choice from solidifying what has been an ultra killer round for the England side. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Going to California- Led Zeppelin 2. Last Night- Lucy Spraggan 3. Standing Next To Me- The Last Shadow Puppets 4. Rock and Roll (Pt 1)- Gary Glitter 5. The Land of Make Believe- The Moody Blues 6. She’s Not There- The Zombies 7. Hungry Like the Wolf- Duran Duran 8. Fear of the Dark- Iron Maiden
My take on this one is that there are very similar acts out there, and I tend to side with some of those other acts over this one. While there is certainly room for all kinds of talent out there, this just doesn’t come across—to me—as all that genuine or original. Maybe it would just take me a while to catch on, because I LOVE this style. Maybe I’m a bit defensive because I’ve yet to hear this song, and I’m already auto-associating it with some acts I don’t want to mention because I want people to choose them. I’m coming back to this one after taking some time off and seeing if I can bump it in the rankings. I like it; I just have to allow myself to like it more. *Hours later* SUCCESS! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chain of Fools- Aretha Franklin
I see what you were going for here. Much love and respect for Aretha Franklin, but this is one song that is the very definition of overplay/overkill from me. Every stinkin’ singing show on TV has to have someone ripping off this song, and it feels like every time I’m anywhere ever, I’ve heard this song. A bit much? Yeah, maybe that’s overstated, but so is this song’s timestamp on culture. I. Hear. This. Song. All. The. Time. Eventually, it just loses a bit of its edge. I can’t help it. What’s more is that every singer in the area I live in thinks that they have to sing this song when performing live. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Foggy Day (In London Town)- Frank Sinatra
#Swag . # Style . #Effortless . #Wannabes. Good grief. You got some mega flair going on here. I would normally shun an obvious Sinatra pick in a round like this, but you’re killing ‘em with this less than obvious selection. Unexpected and a nice fit with the rest of the mix this round. Defines a variety-filled round. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Long Day- Matchbox 20
One of my least favorite vocalists of the modern era. Everything is so strained, it seems. I like performers who have talents that seem like it’s so natural, but Thomas always comes across as someone who looks in the mirror and watches every mouth movement of every single note to make sure he’s grinding it out just right. So many times I just want to scream at my radio, “Just sing the song, Rob.” While I do have a couple of songs I can get behind from this guy, it’s songs like these of Matchbox Twenty that are bit of a strain for me to make it through. It tires me out to listen to him be so deliberate. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ignition- R. Kelly
Not a fan of the way this song comes across. I’m familiar with it, yes, and I appreciate the groove, but it’s not a favorite. Lyrical adjustments would make this much more appealing to me. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ocean- Sebadoh
On the plus side, I do think you chose a song that truly represents the band. I like what you went for here, but it’s not fully connecting on the execution side for me. I like the risk. I hope it pays off with some of the other judges, but I have to give to edge to a few other selections first. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I’m a Believer- Smash Mouth
I feel like if a band is going to do a cover, it had better do one of two things: a) be as good as the original or b)be so different from the original that you don’t automatically make the connection. This SmashMouth bit didn’t do either. I never understood this recording. They didn’t change it up all that much at all, and it’s a monumental task to take on the original. This is the same thing bar bands do all the time, and being as established as SmashMouth is, I’m surprised by the lack of liberties they took with this song. Did they just like the song and want to pay homage? OK. But why a single? Put it as Track 13 on the album or something and leave it alone. That’s just how I’ve always viewed this song. I understand the appeal ... of the original. I just never personally got what SmashMouth's intent was in just taking a good song and making it not quite as good. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Story Of My Life- Social Distortion
Wasn’t always the biggest fan of Social Distortion, BUT this is their best song in my opinion. I get behind this selection, and I say keep it coming! Just go ahead and win this thing, whoever you are. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Connect/Disconnect- The Action Design 2. A Foggy Day (In London Town)- Frank Sinatra 3. Story Of My Life- Social Distortion 4. Chain of Fools- Aretha Franklin 5. Ignition- R. Kelly 6. Ocean- Sebadoh 7. I’m a Believer- Smash Mouth 8. Long Day- Matchbox 20
Overall, the win goes to England. I would probably rank the Top 6 or 7 of the English picks over all of the American choices for the round. Didn’t have to be that way. But that’s the way it ended up.
Post-rankings/reveal edit: Also, Square, I messed up, but it did not have an impact on the overall scores. I've never done this before, but before I sent in my picks, I meant to bump Last Shadow Puppets one slot into 2nd place. I did not do that on my final submissions apparently, so that's one on me. So, just as a meaningless FAN Idol historical footnote, I would've put Last Shadow Puppets as a 2nd place score. Don't know why I missed that. Let the criticism ensue (but hopefully track record for being consistent will bail me out partially).
I dunno if anyone picked up on what we did there, but I'm still proud of it
I caught up on it too, Roxie. I thought it was funny in that cheeky way.
There were other choices that I liked on the list too, such as your team's picks, among others ("Last Night", "Land of Make Believe", "She's not There", "Ignition", Aretha Franklin) but I figured if I kept saying I liked everything, then my compliments would lose their effect, haha.
Neither, the scores don't carry over, so everyone will be back at zero points.
However, the winners, SsnakeBite and fw91, will have an additional 5 points added to their scores for that round.
The rest of the game will work like this: all rounds will be grouped in pairs. The winner or winners of the first round will earn an advantage in the next round, which will lead to the elimination round. There will not be a running tally of the points. The format I adopted is taken from the show "Top Chef". There will be different types of advantages, however. Winners will either receive an additional 5 points, the ability to send in an additional pick for a round, or, as the duo round showed, the ability to effect the game in some way, like Moonie being able to choose his partner.
@ Tyger - Even though the points don't matter for some rounds except the 1st placers is a bummer, because some good or consistent music folk might have an unlucky round and get eliminated. I still really enjoy this new flavor and addition to the game. It's something different and fun, I like it.
Looks like people just need to keep on their toes (or however the phrase is) more often for every round now.
*Edit: There are only 7 songs listed in the USA scores category.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Going to California- Led Zeppelin
What a great flipping band. It always surprises me that I have to harp about how overused Queen is, yet it seems Led Zeppelin is the one that should be getting all the overplay in this game. I mark for this song, just saying. Some Led Zeppelin songs could’ve fallen a little flatter from overplay and because of the obvious nature of the category, but I truly mark for this song. One of the Top 5 bands of all time, easily. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zeppelin is one of my favorite bands ever and I concur with your great flipping band sentiment. Part of why I picked them
I dunno if anyone picked up on what we did there, but I'm still proud of it
I caught up on it too, Roxie. I thought it was funny in that cheeky way.
There were other choices that I liked on the list too, such as your team's picks, among others ("Last Night", "Land of Make Believe", "She's not There", "Ignition", Aretha Franklin) but I figured if I kept saying I liked everything, then my compliments would lose their effect, haha.
Thanks *Thumbs up* to your pick too!
Last Edit: Mar 12, 2013 23:22:13 GMT -5 by King Boo
fw91
Patti Mayonnaise FAN Idol All-Star: FAN Idol Season X and *Gavel* 2x Judges' Throwdown winner
With a fond farewell, the contestants left Jackrabbit Slim's after Round 4 scores were revealed. J. Slim wished them bon voy-a-ge (in fine Bugs Bunny style), giving the potential FAN Idols black leather jackets with the Jackrabbit Slim logo emblazoned on the back, as well as a year's supply of Jackrabbit Slim Jack-O-Burgers, Jukebox Fries, and Swingin' Soda Pop (five distinct flavors, including Mella Yella and Mingus Dew).
Returning back to the Madison Carter II, they found the airship strangely modified, looking more like a zeppelin than the sailing ship it once resembled.
Boarding the airship, they found the passengers attired in space suits, "FAS" for "Freakin' Awesome Space Suit" monogramed on the left breast pocket. jodana1281 carried an attache case with the word "Moonraker" stamped on it in black ink, moving a shifty eye among the various passengers and muttering "laser" to himself at times. Artificial Human asked a stewardess for a screwdriver and a clamp before dinner was served on board; to her surprise, the cyborg used the screwdriver to readjust the positronic brain housed inside his plastic skull, clamping down his left cybernetic hand for support. Seth Drakin seemed to violently quake at times and had to leave his seat and use the rest room. Space travel, it seemed, did not agree with him.
The airship continued to rise higher and higher, leaving the earth far below.
(used in a past competition and, heh, why not? Some space music)
The sky darkened and darkened and, a strange feeling washed over the contestants as they broke through into space. Untold moments passed and a feeling of weightless, of change, filled the contestants.
KingOrangeTyger: Behold. The Earth.
The contestants and their host stared at the wondrous site for a full minute in silence. Then the judges walked to the front of the ship, where one judge wearing a stylized brain helmet took out a folding map of the world and pinned it to a board.
KingIronTyger: Contestants, the theme for this round is...
World Tour
Choose 1 song from an artist or group hailing from a country that is not the United States or England. As always, the song can be from any time period, genre, level of professional accomplishment, etc. The song does not have to be recorded in a Non-English language. When sending me your pick, please include the song's country of origin. fw91 and Ssnakebite will both receive +5 bonus points to their song's total this round due to winning Round 4. Remember, the world's a big place, so I know that I'll be looking for some creativity in terms of picks and I'd love to see people take chances here, not that a lot of you haven't already wowed me with your ingenuity. Though I doubt this will raise any confusion, unlike using the same artists, we can have multiple artists from the same country. No problem whatsoever in having seven Egyptian musicians, for example, if they are all different and are represented with songs that haven't been used before.
Songs are due by Saturday 12 am
Last Edit: Mar 14, 2013 0:59:31 GMT -5 by Deleted
fw91
Patti Mayonnaise FAN Idol All-Star: FAN Idol Season X and *Gavel* 2x Judges' Throwdown winner
Post by Brainbustaaah! on Mar 13, 2013 0:11:57 GMT -5
UK: 1. "Fear of the Dark" - YES! YES! YES! I was HOPING someone would up the Irons here, and they didn't disappoint. Fear of the Dark is an amazing song, by an amazing band, and this is a perfect pick as far as I'm concerned. Bravo. 2. "Hungry Like The Wolf" - My inherited weakness for 80s New Wave strikes again. It was a tough struggle between this and the #3 spot, but this barely won out by being the better song out of the respective band's catalog. 3. "Going to California" - Almost made the #2 spot, but out of Zeppelin's entire catalog this only ranks as an average to slightly above-average pick. Of course, given that it's Led Zeppelin that means that it's a damn good song. 4. "The Land of Make Believe" - Very soulful. You've got yourself a fan. The Moody Blues are an artist I wouldn't mind hearing a lot more of in the future. Just not in this competition. 5. "Standing Next To Me" - Reminds me of The Animals, actually. I like The Animals. Bonus points there, and it's a solid song on its own merits. 6. "She's Not There" - Not a bad song by any measure, just dealing with some loaded top choices and a few songs I liked a bit better. 7. "Rock and Roll (Part 1)" - The difficulty here is separating the song, which is okay but nowhere near as iconic as Part 2, and the man who put out the song. Gary Glitter is a reprehensible human being, but I need to divorce myself from that and look at this as a work of music...honestly, Part 2 is the more recognizable part for a reason. 8. "Last Night" - I didn't like Last Friday Night, and I don't like this either. Sorry, folks.
US: 1. "Story Of My Life" - Awesome! Social Distortion's got a few tunes that just go straight to the warm fuzzies with me, and this is one of them for sure. Excellent pick. 2. "Chain Of Fools" - Aretha Franklin is one of THE best vocalists of all time, bar none, end of story. Good choice, and not as obvious as some other songs in her catalog. I'm very, VERY happy to see this one here. 3. "A Foggy Day (In London Town)" - VERY clever pick here. Ol' Blue Eyes is a surefire crowd-pleaser, and he certainly pleases me. The fact that I was playing through Fallout: New Vegas recently doesn't hurt. 4. "Connect/Disconnect" - Surprise of the round. This one is almost completely sold on the singer's voice for me, but luckily I happen to REALLY like her voice. Nice pick. 5. "Ocean" - Not a bad song. Unremarkable, but not bad. 6. "Long Day" - I'm not a big Matchbox Twenty fan, but this is an above-average offering from them. Not bad, but still not great. 7. "Ignition" - Not a good song. Remix or original, not a good song. Sorry. That's just the way I feel. 8. "I'm A Believer" - FECK OFF, SMASHMOUTH! Now, if this were the Monkees version you would have scored major points with me. As it stands...I really do not like Smashmouth, and I do not like this song as performed by them.
FAN Idol XII Runner-Up King of the Gimmick Matches Winner of Tough Enough Season 2 Winner of the Pop Culture Scavenger Hunt