Ann Powers: Kris Allen beats Adam Lambert. A shock? Nah.

Minutes before Kris Allen was announced as the new American Idol, he and Adam Lambert sang “We Are the Champions,” the 1977 smash by the rock band Queen. As the pyrotechnics sizzled and a large choir (including this year’s other “Idol” finalists) backed them up, those two unlikely partners in bringing back heat to the long-running series had one last laugh together.

It was Lambert’s moment. It felt like his victory. Ever since he auditioned with an a cappella version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” fans of the fiery-voiced Southland native had been clamoring for him to sing a Queen song. And here he was doing it, leaning on guitarist Brian May’s shoulder, fitting right into the spot originally occupied by Freddie Mercury — one of the most sensationally gifted frontmen in rock history. Allen seemed delighted to be his wing man. And then, in a surprise that really wasn’t a surprise at all, he grabbed away the spotlight.

Well, sort of. When Ryan Seacrest announced Allen’s victory Wednesday night at the Nokia Theatre, the sweet-natured troubadour actually seemed a bit distressed. “It feels good, man, but Adam deserves this,” he said.

Did Lambert? Many critics — including this one, openly and with heartfelt enthusiasm — thought so. But Allen has his undeniable strong points. In terms of the music industry, he cuts a more contemporary figure than Lambert: Many stars now (specifically rock-oriented, male ones) tend to do better when they draw themselves to scale, offering songs that make fans feel warm and connected, not blown away.

Think Jack Johnson. Dave Matthews. Jason Mraz, who performed on the “Idol” finale. And on the country side, Keith Urban, with whom Allen did a spirited duet early in the show.

This approachable kind of pop figure is one that often naturally emerges from the “Idol” competition. David Cook, last year’s winner, is cut from this natural-fiber cloth. Performing “Permanent,” the song he has dedicated to the brother he recently lost to cancer, Cook epitomized what Allen will likely soon become — a crowd favorite, empathetic and touchable.

Lambert is another matter altogether. His two shining moments in the finale came during that Queen song and in an equally explosive turn with the pioneering pop-metal band KISS.

For a medley of songs with the latter, including “Detroit Rock City” and “Beth,” Lambert wore wiry black wings that updated KISS’ signature silver-and-greasepaint style.

Lambert took this chance to claim his place within the lineage of classic rock, a form that seriously needs a new star like him to refresh it. Sinking his painted fingernails into those worn-out Guitar Hero favorites, he renewed them.

But he still lost. Does it matter?

As a whole, the finale argued otherwise. This two-hour-long immersion in mainstream pop’s confetti pit happily asserted that one kind of music — or personality — cannot define or dominate American taste.

This was the variety show of the season, “Ed Sullivan” on whatever Manny Ramirez has been taking.

It had the Black Eyed Peas performing their new carnivalesque cyber-funk single “Boom Boom Pow” with a bunch of faux androids, and Cyndi Lauper playing dulcimer while she and “Idol” finalist Allison Iraheta sang the achingly intimate “Time After Time.”

It sought to please baby boomers with turns by Carlos Santana and Rod Stewart (who got the finalists’ parents dancing in the aisles) and hip-hop heads with one from Queen Latifah, who sang her new single, “Cue the Rain,” with finalist Lil Rounds.

It featured crass humor — the lowest point came when judge Kara DioGuardi cruelly demolished joke contestant Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell by out-singing her and then ripping off her dress to show her own hard body — and genteel tenderness, via (of all people) comedian Steve Martin, who played banjo as Idols Michael Sarver and Megan Joy sang his own sweet song, “Pretty Flowers.”

The show was a breakneck run through the vast landscape of current popular song. Though utterly fragmented and sometimes almost incoherent, it was thoroughly enjoyable.

More tellingly, it showed what pop is now: not a unifying force, but a thousand points of florescent light, with each style captivating some fans, alienating others and casually enjoyed by most of the millions.

This is the world Kris Allen and Adam Lambert enter now, as newly minted pop stars. It’s a world that loves a nice guy, clearly, but which has room for a challenging one too.

-- Ann Powers

Related: Best and Worst: 'American Idol' finale

Photos: Top - Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Ryan Seacrest.  Bottom - Adam and Kris sing along with fellow contestants and Queen.  Credit: Fox

Comments

[Deele]

I'm sick over the results, heading for a depression with maybe black thoughts on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Adam was my favorite even tho I admit that Kris came along really strong at the end and probably appealed more to the masses. To console myself I think these evil thoughts:

Adam is far too glam to be sitting on the back of a Ford Fusion in little hometown parades. Look at the bright side. He will never sing at any venue associated with Disney. He would have been crucified by the press for his style and difference. He will go on to great things! I'll support him with my wallet rather than my redial finger.

Kris will do well--he's the more homespun boy, and he's perfect for the idol bobble-head car dummy. And I don't mean that disrespectfully--this turned out alright, I guess???

[GMcE]

Its not about religion, its not about sexuality, it about talent and clearly Adam has the most versatile voice...and I am willing to bet on it!

[LL]

"Think Jack Johnson. Dave Matthews. Jason Mraz, who performed on the “Idol” finale. And on the country side, Keith Urban, with whom Allen did a spirited duet early in the show."

Talk about a booorring group of folks. That's why we love Adam Lambert. Rock lovers NEED him! Considering that all the talk about Kris' win is about how Lambert didn't win, I'm not really sure this is any big loss at all for Lambert. He'll get just as much attention, maintain a little cred, and not have to sing the horrific first single. I've never been an AI fan, but I bought a ticket to go see Lambert live this summer. Can't wait!

[jordynn]

hehee!
i was wanting adam to win, but i loved kris too, so yeah. :)
and that first picture is the cutest thing everr! loll

[Kyuu]

Ann, thanks for writing about Adam all of these past few weeks and bringing positive energy and light to the dark and cynical media surrounding him. Your eloquent and well-thought articles were truly charming to read. If you have the change - especially considering how much you seem to enjoy Adam - I hope to read your articles following his career as well.

[Dave Cruikshank]

They are both very good in their own different way. Kris is a good singer / musician who will do well. Adam is an incredible entertainer / singer who will go the way of Daughtry and be a smashing success. As the past has proven you need not be the title winner to do well, and just getting the title does not guarantee success. The have been winners who are hardly ever heard from again. Reuben may be the velvet teddy bear but he's not been a commercial success. Clay Aiken came in as number 2 and has been a commercial success ever since. He may not be on the radio everyday, but he has a strong following and sells out personal appearances. The original Idol Kelly Clarkson has been a Star since winning and Justin who? fell into the abyss. I got to see Kelly with Reba McEntire last summer. She was incredible. Clive Davis may not have liked "My December" but it became a Gold Album for her. The "Somewhere over the Rainbow Girl" , Kathryn McPhee, got over there and has not been heard from since. Then you have standouts like Ms. Jennifer Hudson and incredible breakout stars like Carrie Underwood. And who knew Kellie Pickler would have a career. Not winning will probably be the best thing ever to happen to Adam, just like it was for Daughtry. Even more than Daughtry, Adam got the publicity and exposure to ride it out all the way to the end. He got the car, he Will have a contract, and he wont be confined to the box that is the Idol and have to sing the dreadful song. Kara having written many hit pop songs, I expected we would finally get a decent song. With all the Millions if not Billions by now that Idol, 19 entertainment makes by now you think they could buy a hit song. Back to Adam. He may end up being THE Most Successful Idol Contestant Ever. He can sing, he has commanding stage presence, he can do Broadway, and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see him in film. You can't say that of many other Idols. He has great Crossover potential. His songs are already The Most Downloaded on Itunes of any Idol this Season. He could release "Mad World" tomorrow and it would be a Radio Hit, and has the potential for a very cool Video. My Mother-in-law who is 68 just melts we she hears that song and sees him in his trench coat. She said she hasn't been this excited about a singer since Elvis died. So he has a pretty broad fan base. So don't cry for Adam. Now to Kris, I'm glad he got the title. He worked very very hard, and came up from behind like an underdog horse in the derby. Plus he seems like a genuine nice guy. He too will do very well. The biggest problem for him will be the strain it will put on his still new marriage. Seems just like they forgot, Adam wasn't batting for their team, all the Tweenster girls who voted Kris in overlooked he's still a newlywed. Having once been an early something newlywed, all those hours apart can be brutal. I waited 7 years to marry my high school sweetheart, and working 80 hour weeks, killed our marriage after just one year. I hope and pray that Kris and his wife have a strong relationship. He will have girls throwing themselves at him for a long time. Finally Gokey & Allison will get the recording contracts they deserve, as will a few of the others from season 8. I felt that Allison didn't have a fair chance since Tween Girls are the majority of voters running up their cell bills. She has an incredible voice for a 17 year old girl. We have not seen the last of her. And Gokey deserves success. Not because he's a widower, but because he has talent, pulled himself up from a devastating blow, and kept winning with class all the way. And yes because of his convictions and acts, he has God on his side. I have tickets to see the tour in Reading PA on Sept 8th. If summers got to end, that's a beautiful consolation prize to look forward to. Dave

[Derek O'Brien]

A shame Adam lost, but not a surprise. Middle America wasn't likely to vote for someone like him. My girlfriend is deeply disappointed, but I take the view that at this stage, he isn't likely to be consigned to obscurity after this.

[Kerry Kolsch]

Do not insult anyone's intelligence by claiming Kris won. He stole this contest from the man who deserved to win. It was the 38 million votes from Arkansas that put him over the top. The rest of the country must not have thought much of him. Rigging elections seems like a national pastime, just as Dr. Ron Paul. Please do not add legitimacy to this theft. Your sappy evaluation only adds to this disgrace. Why don't you step up to the plate and be a journalist instead of a windbag!

[hort]

yup--adam was robbed.... but that's ok cause now he can do his own thing. the lucky loser doesn't have to record that mediocre kara song. adam are you listening? i cannot wait to buy your cd!

[Taylon]

i think that kris did good but adam should have won.i just kept seeing him win in my mind it just shocked me.my whole family thought he would win.it must have been close in votes though.

[thatgirl]

Thank God Adam didn't win. It means freedom from the binding Am. Idol contract, freedom from corporately written lousy songs, freedom to do whatever the hell he wants with his amazing talent. Good for him!
In a year people will say, "Kris who?" How many Krises are out there? Adam is a legend material. Kris is a cool karaoke singer.

[Ally Rae]

I was disappointed that Kris won tonight. On his part, he was a great singer but with a generic sound, similar to the Fray, OneRepublic, and Jason Maraz. I don't blame him for doing his job though, but I blame most of the fans. I know that many voted for Kris solely on his charming looks and killer smile, yet were prejudice when it came to Adam. It just goes to show that the country isn't ready yet to accept people of all walks of life despite their sexual orientation or what they wear. It's a talent competition, not a beauty patent, and Adam certainly (in at least my opinion) is the more talented artist .

[sidewalkstory]

The only thing that saved me from tears tonight was watching Adam have the time of his life on stage. The fun was so contagious that I didn't know what hit me when it all came crashing to an end. I still don't believe it. Adam can be credited with waking up that whole show and bringing the competition to new levels. And this is how it ends? What wrong with America? I am appalled.

[D R Taylor]

I can only make myself feel better about this in knowing that that CRAPTASTIC song that Kara barfed up won't besmirch the beginning of Adams career. Definitely won't have to be on his permanent record.

[DA in LA]

"Middle America wasn't ready." You seemed to have missed the many voices who kept saying Adam was an awful musical theater singer and not much more.

Now you know. Nothing to do with his sexuality and everything to do with his voice.

[Scott]

Ann Powers you always hit such great points "in theory," but in practice they're often not realistic. I cannot argue that there's a void in rock where glam rock used to be. But whether you love him, like him, or dislike him, Adam Lambert will not and cannot do anything for rock.... at least not anytime soon. As an American Idol contestant he will be banished from the rock radio kingdom for some time. Daughtry and Cook are still waiting for spins on LA's alternative rock stations KROQ and KYSR (98.7 FM) and on powerhouse active rock stations such as Philly's WMMR. These stations exhibit huge amounts of rock snobbery and simply will not play Idol winners or runners-up. Period. At least not for several years. If they get spins, they are limited and really don't chart big. Adam will need to find a way to get onto Hot AC (Adult Top 40) with his rock, but he will then have to dial it down and be more accessible, like Cook & Daugthry. It's a sad fact of the music world. Not saying Adam can't or won't do that, or even end up on Top 40 (although in LA you need to be R&B, Hip Hop/rap or ultra-produced pop (like Katy Perry). Just saying that idealized rock route - hard, glam rock a la Kiss, Gary Glitter, Queen or even general hard rock like Led Zeppelin - won't happen for an Idol.

[Deborah]

Ann you are the most insightful critic. You see everything the way it is without prejudice or cynicism. Thank you and write on!

[Lulu]

BOOOOOOO!!! HISSSSSSS!!! ADAM LAMBERT IS THE MOST TALENTED OF THE TWO. It is a singing competition and he clearly outshines Kris. Though Kris is likable, he's just not as talented vocally. I WILL BUY any CD/DVD or go to any CONCERT/SHOW that features ADAM - the true winner!! :)

[def]

Question: What does the winner of American Idol "Win" that the looser doesn't get?
I am sixty-three years old, I voted for the most talented.
I am amzed that this country finally elected a non-white non-senior to lead America but wouldn't pick one "who hears a different drumer" to win an entertaining, but dumb-downed TV show.

[TedyM]

People, be serious.
This is a REALITY show, not an actual talent contest.
The producers control what happens, right down to the results.
It is PLANNED and ON PURPOSE that Kris won over Adam.
Only by doing this do they get 2 high-selling artists instead of just one. Like Daughtry, Adam will go on to sell millions, everyone already knows this, and he IS under contract regardless (the top 12 all are). So the AI producers double their sales by having someone ELSE win (has been done many times before) and give the "Idol Winner" title boost to someone who needs the title for the extra sales. Stop being so gullible.
TedyM

[barry]

Well, I'll buy any album Adam makes when it comes out.

And I'll buy any album Allison Iraheta's makes when it comes out.

And I'll buy the album with Adam and Allison singing together, when it comes out.

I won't buy Kris' album. I already have enough Kenny Loggins albums, and every time I hear Kris sing, it makes me think of Kenny Loggins, only not as good.

[diankh]

the reason why "American Idol Winners" are almost always out shined by the finalist is because they just won cos of STUPID VOTES and NOT TALENT.

Side by side singing with Queen, we could totally tell how far more talented Lambert is (thats if Allen has any talent to begin with). I am absolutely SHOCKED and DISGUSTED how Adam was ROBBED of this victory.

Well, two years from now I bet he'll still be making history. As for Allen? Pfft. We'll forget his name by then.

[SUSAN]

Adam will not be held down by the restrictions of AI. Adam Lambert will be an INTERNATIONAL STAR. hE HAS THE ABILITY TO DO IT ALL, INCLUDING ACTING. You will be seeing what Elvis was and Adam will show you what Elvis could have become, if he had kept grounded. Kris needed to become American Idol, but Adam would have had to hold down his creativity until after his contract ran out with IDOL> This is a blessing in disguise. He will blow away all records on concert attendance. He will be able to sell out a stadium, in minutes. I only hope that close to him will be those who look after him. He is electrifying.

[PB]

Dear Anne,

You are right, that popular music has difference facets and that the American Idol winner has to be the most palpable and acceptable .

Because Adam is The VOICE , I and my family, had wished for him to gain the credit that he is the best in Season 8. But you are right it does not really matter.

By the way, I am very curious to know the I-Tunes sales for the Season 8 Idols downloads. Would anyone know what the figures are ?

Because I think, sales would be the best indicator as to whether the artist is truly acceptable .The one with the highest sales would be the true winner.

Thank you for this shared experienced of American Idol Season 8. It has been exhausting for me as I never thought I would get invested in any contestant. I think Adam Lambert has found a fan for life . My family and I are eager to hear of his album releases so we can continue with our Adam Lambert music collection . We have already downloaded all of his American Idol recordings. As we are not from America, we will be among the first to buy concert tickets when he comes to Asia ,even if we have to travel.

Once again thank you and goodbye. This is our first and last last American Idol involvement.

Cheers to Adam ! You are our winner.
You have won our hearts. Keep on.

[G]

Adam Lambert Adam Lambert Adam Lambert HAHAHA. It's All About Him This Year And Also Allison C'mon Those Two Will Be The Best Out Of All Of Them And We All Know That. Voters Don't Always Vote For The Best. Remember GWB.