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Back from Houston and a surprisingly smooth and pleasant trip. Good weather (hot), nice hotel a block away from the arena, and we got there early enough to walk over and get a glimpse of the American Idols. It was a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am trip, so we didn't visit anything else, but maybe later on in the year we can make another visit to the city of INSANE DRIVERS (and I thought SA was bad).
So, the whole experience was mostly good. We walked over to the arena in the afternoon and, after waiting a bit, half the idols came out. Cook was only there briefly, but Castro and Brooke worked the line for quite some time. Carly, Archuletta, and Kristy Lee also came out. Bless JP and his tallness/long arms, because he was able to take plenty of pictures and get some signatures.
We also witnessed some poor girl in the midst of a meltdown (I think because she couldn't see or meet Archuletta?) - she was crying on the phone to her dad and telling her mom that she hated her. Now, I know being a teenage girl SUCKS, but if I had spoken that way to either of my parents? I would have gotten slapped and taken home and grounded for all eternity. Forget parties or dates or even sunlight. I saw her at the venue later and I believe she was crying again. Damn, I'm glad I'm not that age anymore.
The concert itself was pretty good and went by in the blink of an eye. We were in the center section, 8th row. Huzzah! Since I didn't have time to unload my extra set of tickets, JP ran up to the nosebleed section, picked out a worthy-looking family, and offered the original floor seats I had purchased. Once the parents decided JP wasn't a pervert or weirdo, they let their two daughters take the tickets. It made their night, let me tell you. Hooray for good deeds and good karma and all that shit!
All the idols sounded great, although I think Jason's voice is blown. He sounded rough in his set, but his version of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy was pretty awesome. Chikezie didn't get enough love, I thought. He was FABULOUS - very energetic and voice was ON. Ramiele did a lot better than I thought she would, although I wasn't a big fan of her song choices. Michael Johns looked great and sounded great and came across much more likable in a big arena than he has previously in interviews and on TV (I can't help it - I just get an arrogant/irritated vibe off him sometimes. Maybe it's just an oversized personality).
Kristy Lee got a lot of love (not a big surprise - a country girl doing well in Texas) and her set was okay. I have to admit I cry every time I hear that damn God Bless the USA song, no matter who sings it so boo hoo. Carly also seemed to get some really loud cheers. She has the most awesomely LOUD voice I have heard in awhile. It sounded like she was singing in a higher register than I am used to hearing, so that was kind of weird. Her cover of Evanescene's Bring Me to Life was very cool, even though I prefer Amy Lee's haunting vocals.
Brooke was darling and sounded great. Her Feist cover was just...strange (and I like the song), but her version of Yellow was divine. I'd love her to release it as a single. She played barefoot! LOL... The group number right before intermission was kinda ho-hum. If you are going to cover U2, be fabulous or don't even bother. After the break, Jason came out and was very mellow. Then Syesha graced us with her presence. For real, she has a great voice but I cannot like her. And, hello? Boobies! Where was she hiding those puppies all season?
When Archuletta came came out, I went deaf momentarily as thousands of teenage girls shrieked in such piercing tones, that I swear dogs howled in pain all over the city (and possibly beyond). The kid was goofy and aw shucks and AWESOME. His voice is very, very beautiful. And if he doesn't turn the corner into creepy (seriously - how many 17-year-olds do you know that act like him?) he will be very, very big. He's got the looks and the pipes and even standing there being a dork? Very adorable.
And of course, when Cook came out, the yelling was also overwhelming (and thankfully, of a slightly deeper timbre). He looked tired, but he gave it 110% and sounded fabulous. He had five songs, and even on the wonderfully loud My Hero, his voice just soared above it all. The money notes on Billie Jean have to be experienced - I can't describe their sheer awesomeness.
He worked the audience, talking easily and obviously just basking in the love. He stalked around the stage while singing. JP called it predatory machismo. I would have called it something as well, but I had lost all thought faculty. Oh yeah, and he looked damn fine. Loved where he climbed on the side rails with his guitar, thrusting his hips out. Hello! Just all alpha male and attitude. It was great to see him in his element, doing what he loves. The smile on his face at times...just warmed my cold, dead heart.
The last song of the night was cute, with Jason and Michael Johns play-boxing and Cook and Johns getting on their knees and...dancing? Mock-riding a horse? Impersonating chickens? Kinda hard to tell. And then at the end, when Cook and Archie were at the very front and Cook got on his knees and motioned towards Archuletta while the youngster tried in vain to get him to stand by yanking on his jacket collar? Cutest thing EVAR!
We also witnessed some poor girl in the midst of a meltdown (I think because she couldn't see or meet Archuletta?) - she was crying on the phone to her dad and telling her mom that she hated her. Now, I know being a teenage girl SUCKS, but if I had spoken that way to either of my parents? I would have gotten slapped and taken home and grounded for all eternity. Forget parties or dates or even sunlight. I saw her at the venue later and I believe she was crying again. Damn, I'm glad I'm not that age anymore.
The concert itself was pretty good and went by in the blink of an eye. We were in the center section, 8th row. Huzzah! Since I didn't have time to unload my extra set of tickets, JP ran up to the nosebleed section, picked out a worthy-looking family, and offered the original floor seats I had purchased. Once the parents decided JP wasn't a pervert or weirdo, they let their two daughters take the tickets. It made their night, let me tell you. Hooray for good deeds and good karma and all that shit!
All the idols sounded great, although I think Jason's voice is blown. He sounded rough in his set, but his version of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy was pretty awesome. Chikezie didn't get enough love, I thought. He was FABULOUS - very energetic and voice was ON. Ramiele did a lot better than I thought she would, although I wasn't a big fan of her song choices. Michael Johns looked great and sounded great and came across much more likable in a big arena than he has previously in interviews and on TV (I can't help it - I just get an arrogant/irritated vibe off him sometimes. Maybe it's just an oversized personality).
Kristy Lee got a lot of love (not a big surprise - a country girl doing well in Texas) and her set was okay. I have to admit I cry every time I hear that damn God Bless the USA song, no matter who sings it so boo hoo. Carly also seemed to get some really loud cheers. She has the most awesomely LOUD voice I have heard in awhile. It sounded like she was singing in a higher register than I am used to hearing, so that was kind of weird. Her cover of Evanescene's Bring Me to Life was very cool, even though I prefer Amy Lee's haunting vocals.
Brooke was darling and sounded great. Her Feist cover was just...strange (and I like the song), but her version of Yellow was divine. I'd love her to release it as a single. She played barefoot! LOL... The group number right before intermission was kinda ho-hum. If you are going to cover U2, be fabulous or don't even bother. After the break, Jason came out and was very mellow. Then Syesha graced us with her presence. For real, she has a great voice but I cannot like her. And, hello? Boobies! Where was she hiding those puppies all season?
When Archuletta came came out, I went deaf momentarily as thousands of teenage girls shrieked in such piercing tones, that I swear dogs howled in pain all over the city (and possibly beyond). The kid was goofy and aw shucks and AWESOME. His voice is very, very beautiful. And if he doesn't turn the corner into creepy (seriously - how many 17-year-olds do you know that act like him?) he will be very, very big. He's got the looks and the pipes and even standing there being a dork? Very adorable.
And of course, when Cook came out, the yelling was also overwhelming (and thankfully, of a slightly deeper timbre). He looked tired, but he gave it 110% and sounded fabulous. He had five songs, and even on the wonderfully loud My Hero, his voice just soared above it all. The money notes on Billie Jean have to be experienced - I can't describe their sheer awesomeness.
He worked the audience, talking easily and obviously just basking in the love. He stalked around the stage while singing. JP called it predatory machismo. I would have called it something as well, but I had lost all thought faculty. Oh yeah, and he looked damn fine. Loved where he climbed on the side rails with his guitar, thrusting his hips out. Hello! Just all alpha male and attitude. It was great to see him in his element, doing what he loves. The smile on his face at times...just warmed my cold, dead heart.
The last song of the night was cute, with Jason and Michael Johns play-boxing and Cook and Johns getting on their knees and...dancing? Mock-riding a horse? Impersonating chickens? Kinda hard to tell. And then at the end, when Cook and Archie were at the very front and Cook got on his knees and motioned towards Archuletta while the youngster tried in vain to get him to stand by yanking on his jacket collar? Cutest thing EVAR!
There are also pictures!
So all in all, a great time. Wish I could relax, but it's three 10-hour days and then off again! This time to Animefest. Hurrah for vacays!
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Date: 2008-08-27 11:23 am (UTC)From:BTW I used to be montiac712 on TWOP. Am waiting to see if I can get a new ID (under a different email) and rejoin the fray. Stupid bastard ass Jacob.
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Date: 2008-08-28 12:20 am (UTC)From:Oh, hey! I was wondering where you had gone off to (I am getting scared to post on that thread...everyone is getting banned). Hee, hee...
Do you mind if I friend you here? Always looking for fellow Cookie lovers...
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Date: 2008-08-28 03:12 pm (UTC)From:BTW I'm waiting to get posting privileges for my new TWOP identity. So if you see squeeemish over there in the near future, that's me.
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Date: 2008-08-29 06:12 am (UTC)From: