Is American Idol a way to actually find stars?

[GoneOffShore]

Just watching some American Idol - Waiting for Top Chef to come on - and I realized that all the singers have good voices but deal in "vocal pyrotechnics". All of them are clones of one another.

So forthwith

[begin_within]

1. Well, they did put Bo Bice in the spotlight, who I think is great.

[johnnie]

2. Underwood just joined the Grand Ole Opry

That's pretty cool.

I know people think that every single person who sings on American Idol `has absolutely no talent, but that's just ridiculous. Some of them actually have good voices. It's not quite my type of "art", but I really like to hear other people sing.

There has been a lot of singers through the years that didn't write their own music and are regarded as talented. I think people like to rag on the people because it is the hip thing to do. It makes them look like rebels..LOL

[GoneOffShore]

3. I'm not trying to be a rebel here

As I said, some of them have good voices, but it's the display of "vocal pyrotechnics" that ticks me off. Sure, I know it's a singing style that's very popular at the moment.

And you're right there have been lots of singers who didn't write their own stuff - Ella Fitzgerald, Susannah McCorkle, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Emmylou Harris (though she now writes), Diana Krall and lots more - but the people who end up on American Idol are one hit wonders with very little staying power.

The show completely discounts anyone who doesn't use all the vocal tricks of pop singers. Anyone who sings with a pure tone or with true feeling is regarded as being flat. I think it was Fritz Kreisler who said, although in relation to the violin, "Vibrato is not a true indicator of feeling."

Maybe my biggest complaint about the show is that it elevates really bad music.

[johnnie]

5. Honestly, the whole vocal acrobatics thing seems to have gone away

I didn't watch the first few seasons, but I remember when I did see it I felt the same as you do. That whole style you are talking about bugs the crap out of me too. These days they seem to have realized that not everyone should be Whitney Houston.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think it is the end-all of all that is music nor the best show on TV, but it isn't as terrible as people make it out to be if you want to hear "unknowns" sing some tunes.

[undeterred]

4. There are 2 or 3 really good ones each season

and the show has gotten better over the years. Also, some of the talent has improved over the years. Its not all bad or all good- its works in progress. Some good ones this year though.

Kelly Clarkson has a good voice
Fantasia Barino " "
Clay Aiken " "
Kerry Underwood " "