Culturally Preconditioned

(Sung to the tune of Over My Shoulder - Mike and the Mechanics)
(note : this song is from the 90s, effing sue me)

Looking back over my shoulder
Nikki’s banner was flashing with lights
Songs from the eighties
Were what they’d deliver
I was ready to dance all night

Looking back at the disaster
I just shouldn’t held my hopes high
I was just hoping
They’d give us better
They don’t know the eighties, just say goodbye

First of all, let me just say I had an orgasm when I got tickets to this week’s concert (Thanks Joe! psst I got Marina’s picture - even though she shooed me away like I was a creepy stalker.. heh - so do I get more tickets? You gotta keep up your end of the bargain, man. Ha!). I was lucky enough to get tickets for the last concert, and I got some again for this week. And oh boy, I was so extremely looking forward to this week’s concert. It’s the EIGHTIES!! MY kinda music.

Unfortunately, I think I came a little too soon. The show was pretty much anti-climactic. In other words, I thought it sucked. Big time. Perhaps I had over-anticipated. Yeah, that MUST be it. But man, I didn’t come out of the studio with the same kind of satisfaction that I had after walking out of last week’s performance. *sigh*

I’m not sure if the camera caught Rydee and Fahmy sitting in the audience. But we caught up with Rydee before the show started, and she was such a great sport (and SO HOT in person and up close).

By the way, that’s one of my friends with Rydee. I was too busy stal.. I mean, chasing after Marina to get her picture. (That girl is camera shy, who’da thunk? )

Yes, that’s her on the left. ssts.

Anyway, this week’s theme, Songs From The Eighties. *sigh*

Nikki - Against All Odds (Phil Collins)
I was ready to criticize Nikki again after her.. mm.. not so impressive performance last week. But I was totally unprepared for this. She delivered the song beautifully! Honest to God, I thought she was magnificent, and I’m not just saying that because there was a huge Nikki flashing banner behind me. I have to disagree with the judges though. I thought she sounded brilliant for the low tones, even more so than when she hit the high notes. She sounded pure and.. well.. just beautiful. And for once, I think I will give a few votes to Nikki cause she totally deserves it. A 9.

Saiful - Milik Siapakah Gadis Ini (Sudirman)
Mm… hello? Saiful are you out there reading my comments? Just because I mentioned last week that I’d give anyone bonus points for singing Sudirman songs, doesn’t mean that you should sing it every week. LOL. Anyhow, this is MY favourite Sudirman song ever. EVER!! However, as sweet as the song was, I didn’t think it was Saiful’s best performance. Roslan mentioned that he sang it just like Sudirman but I REALLY beg to differ. I mean, it’s a shame. I think Shaiful’s got a unique voice, but I think he’s better suited for ethnic music (think Yassin, Sheqal etc) and not mainstream pop music. Sorry mate, you are the weakest link. A 6.

Jac - I Feel For You (Chaka Khan)
I was more than excited to see Jac get on stage. She looked magnificent, as usual. Her performance was very good, but yet, in the words of Randy Jackson “I’m not feeling it, dawg”. I can’t quite put my finger to what it was, but SOMEthing was missing. Maybe I was just expecting to get blown away like last week. But unfortunately it was just alright for me. An 8 and a half (Come on, it was still good)

Victor - Widuri (Broery Marantika)
Contrary to what most of you out there might say, but I think Victor really knows how to pick great songs. I already know he can sing Malay songs very well, so it came as no surprise for me. Performance wise, his was one of the better performances of the night, even though his pronounciation was a little bit terkucil here and there. Gee said it was dragging but I personally think it was less dragging than the original song. But whatever. It was a pleasant performance. A 7 and a half.

Vick - Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)
Again with the theatrics. But I gotta give props to him cause he knows that his ‘fans’ buy that. Well, to each his own, I guess. His performance reminded me of Adam’s performance of Smooth Criminal from Akademi Fantasia. I don’t think they’re the kind of songs that will showcase that you’ve got a good.. okay, DECENT.. voice. And his comments something along the lines of “You shouldn’t compare me to the original singer” sounded kind of hypocritical because wasn’t he trying to imitate Michael Jackson throughout the performance? From the white glove to the “ooooh”s and “ssssst”s? I was just surprise he didn’t do any crotch grabbing on stage. I thought it was a mistake on his part but that’s just me. A 6 and a half. And Vick lovers, please direct all the hate mails to mailto:idontgiveaflyingtoot@yahoo.com?subject=This. (I’m not called Harsh Izad for nothing). Thanks.

Dina - Janji Manismu (Aishah)
I was getting really hyped up again when Dina came on stage. I was hoping she’d salvage the night. Well, she started off really really good. At one point, she sounded EXACTLY like Aishah. But one third into the song, I don’t know. I was distracted. Just like Jac, I didn’t know what it was. Probably because I was hoping so much more from her. And I don’t know whether it’s her style and she was just doing it on purpose, but I noticed that she split that single long note into two different notes. I remember her doing this same thing in the first Workshop as well. I don’t know, it didn’t jive well with me. But it was still a good performance. An 8.

Andrew - Come On Babe (Air Supply)
I’m going to keep this one brief. Just like the Idol himself, Andrew’s performance was pleasant but borderlining on boring in most parts. A 6 and a half.

Zamil - Just Once (James Ingram)
For the first time ever, I was cursing to myself for a performance from Zamil, my pet favourite. I initially cursed when it was announced that he would sing this song. Sure it’s a beautiful song, but man, can you for once, pick a song that won’t put people to sleep. I was deeply deeply disappointed. ENOUGH WITH THE BALLADS, MAN!!!! I was even more frustrated midway through the song, because, well, as much as I’m rooting for him, he really didn’t sing it that well. I was so hoping he would pick a fast number from the 80s. I think Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up would be a great choice for him with his deep voice. But the damage has been done. Roslan said that his father and all the Datins will vote for him (the joke is, btw, is getting old REAL fast), but if Zamil keeps this up, the Datins WILL be the only ones left voting for him. Please please please please please pick a fast number next week if you make it through. A 7.

So that’s the show this week. The best performance of the night, which surprised me to no end, belonged to Nikki! I was really impressed by her performance tonight. She didn’t overdo her singing at all. I hope she will keep this up, and not go on a performance rollercoaster ride. The worst performance.. well I would give it a 5-way tie between Andrew, Shaiful, Zamil, Victor and Vick, but once I make my rankings (immediately after each performance), I stick to it.. so, it has to be Shaiful. As for who’s going out - I think all the guys are seriously in trouble. For all I know, Zamil or Vick or Andrew might be the one to go. I don’t care as long as the girls are safe this week. (but I do hope Zamil makes it to the next round).

In summation, this week’s 80s theme = wasted on them. Bring back Syima and her Careless Whispers any day, man. I should go to bed so that I would wake up in time for the movie preview and finish my magazine article tomorrow.

Izad - Out.

(After the dreadful show, I was half expecting this blimp to go down on us like the Hindenburg)