'Idol' Banter: ode to an Overmyer

Hey, “Idol” dialers -- if you’re voting for Amanda Overmyer, can you drop me a line? I’m really curious about her fan base. Overmyer is emerging as the biggest exception in “Idol” history, a contestant who continues to succeed despite her refusal (and in some ways, inability) to fit within the show’s parameters. She’s had her rough moments -- let’s not mention Kansas -- but tonight she applied her sandpaper voice to a Joan Jett rave-up and won everyone over, even Simon. Even then, his lavish praise brought only a half-smile to her deliciously deadpan face. It would be way too “Idol” for Amanda to act like she cares what the judges think.

Her cool -- which is very different than Danny Noriega’s nervous sass, or his BFF Ramiele Malubay’s "Gossip Girl" smirk -- is one quality that makes Amanda the most unlikely “Idol” finalist since Taylor Hicks. She genuinely does not seem to care what the judges say. If Simon skewers her, she shrugs it off; if Paula encourages her, she shrugs it off. It’s extremely believable that she’d be just fine getting voted off the show tomorrow.

Her stoicism seems half-connected to her unpretentious Midwestern background, and half about her commitment to old-fashioned rock 'n' roll hauteur. I once saw Joan Jett perform a club show in front of a crowd of jeering, gobbing Seattle meatheads; she only paused to flip an occasional finger. I’ll bet Amanda’s had similar experiences on the Indiana club circuit. At least Simon keeps his spit in his mouth.

Then there’s Amanda’s lifestyle, or what we know about it through the tattered veil “Idol” throws over its contestants. Nude photos are so passé, but repeated auto mishaps, at least one involving alcohol and jail time -- that’s rougher stuff. Overmyer’s not some starlet driving the wrong way down the 134 in her sports car, either; she projects the nonchalant steel of a career tough mama. While the other gals talked about second-grade crushes and church mishaps in the “Most Embarrassing Moments” segment, Overmyer chuckled about accidentally setting her deck on fire.

Is it really possible that we could go from virginal Jordin Sparks to this? And don’t claim Chris Daughtry’s the middleman. Daughtry was in a Christian rock band, Absent Element, before going "Idol." His role model is Live frontman and noted New Ager Ed Kowalczyk. Amanda, conversely, is totally old school; if she ran across those modern rock wusses, she’d smack ‘em down with a vinyl copy of “Exile on Main St.”

That pleasant image leads us to Amanda’s Keith Richards-esque singing, allegedly still the most important factor in the competition. This is where she really doesn’t fit. The prototypical “Idol” rocker, male or female -- and it is a category now, especially after Daughtry proved to the show’s producers that the role could be commercially viable -- boasts a broad vocal range and a clear tone like Carly Smithson’s, as suitable to Celine Dion’s catalog as to Queen’s. Grit cannot factor in; it would get in the way of the predictable pyrotechnics that late-season contestants must deliver.

But grit is what Overmyer does best, though her “Idol” turns don’t recall her heroine Janis Joplin as much as Vince Neil in Motley Crue circa 1988. That’s the amazing thing about Amanda: not only does she have a striking style that’s not even a bit pop, her rawness has only worked for a very select group of singers in hard rock. Overmyer’s taste may be more classic than au courant, but her singing is genuinely edgy.

Edgy singing can move the masses, as the work of the late, great Janis Joplin reminds us. (Imagine an “Idol” singer delivering a first note as ear-shattering and emotional as Joplin did on her version of the R&B chestnut “Cry Baby.” Simon would have a seizure!) It can turn bohemian cool into Top 40 fashion, as Rod Stewart proved in his whisky-voiced early days. It can introduce new ways to think about a genre, the way Macy Gray did for soul, or Tom Waits did for songwriter-oriented rock. But it probably can’t win “American Idol.”

Hard rock has always been a difficult field for women, and I can’t blame Overmyer for jumping the metal fence into pop’s biggest gladiator ring. I worry, though, that if she does ever listen to the judges, she’ll forget her past in bands with awesome names such as Steeleto and Ruinaces, and become the 21st century Bonnie Tyler. Remember Bonnie Tyler? She’s actually a good blues singer, but her fame’s mostly associated with songwriter Jim Steinman’s attempts to turn her into the female Meat Loaf. Amanda, that’s not what the world needs from you!

P.S.: Obligatory plagiarism shout-out -- Simon used the forbidden word, “original,” to describe Brooke White’s effective if vocally tinny acoustic take on Pat Benatar’s “Love is a Battlefield.” Well, Pat herself has been performing that song acoustically for years, accompanied only by her husband and longtime guitarist Neil Giraldo. And you know what? Even at 54, Pat still sings the daylights out of that song.

The clips:

Rod Stewart YouTube clip

Bonnie Tyler YouTube clip

Janis Joplin clip

Pat Benatar YouTube clip
From "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn"

--Ann Powers

Photo courtesy of Fox

Comments

[virtuous]

Well, I voted on and off for Amanda last night for two hours. Why? I really like her singing style. I am 50 years old and a nurse also, and in my youth liked Joe Cocker and Janis. As far as her lifestyle issues, I am sorry that she has made those choices. I was on that same road until I became a Christ-follower as a teenager. I truly hope and pray that she turns her life around in those areas. But as for singing, I would much rather hear her passionate singing and watch her great performance skills than the cookie-cutter kids that often grace the Idol stage. I am totally with Simon on his appraisal of her, and LOVED hearing MR. GROUCHY try to get her to smile. She, also with Jason Castro, is making this season interesting to me.

[intheknow]

I like Amanda in the same way I loved Taylor Hicks. Both got their own styles that are different and they aren't changing for nobody. I hope she makes it to the end and. This fan is looking foward to Mr. Hicks next blues/soul offering. Should be absolutely unbelievable from what I'm hearing about it.

[Bret W]

Hi,

I'm one of Amanda Overmeyer's fans on this show, and the thing that attracts me to her is her down-to-earth, "this is who I am" attitude (well, that, and her ability to rock a song like no one I've ever heard on TV before). Unlike other wannabe divas who populate this and other so-called "reality" shows, Amanda simply CANNOT be something she is not - notice how she crashed and burned so spectacularly last week in her hyped-up hairdo and outfit, and vocally butchered the MOR rock of Kansas. Amanda, for better or for worse, was struck to do blues/rock. Now, I don't listen to blues/rock at all, but seeing how fresh and edgy she is when she's "on" is a breath of fresh air in this wasteland of Whitney/Mariah wannabes - not only does she deserve to be on this show, I would argue that she's the only true original on the Idol stage this year.

[MAC]

..."curious about Amanda's fan base..." OK, I'll bite. I'm a white late 50's female, mom, college degree in music & for whatever reason, I like her. I also like Janis Joplin's "grit" and inimitable soul singing/shrieking. The chances of Amanda winning are nonexistent, but according to Zaba results, she just may make the tour.

[Jay]

I am over 60 and have been voting for Amanda Overmyer. I think she is really good, but think she will be voted off because she does not have what Simon constantly refers to as "enough personality." She is only a singer, not an entertainer, chich you have to be to be a successful American Idol.

[amyjones]

i'm probably not a typical idol fan, being over 50. (anything over 18 might not be a typcial idol fan!) but i love Amanda for her rawness, and her difference from the other contestants. too many blonde, sound-alike girls! i don't believe Amanda will stay in the competition to the bitter end - not enough teen votes - but she will be in for a while and that makes me happy . . . that i can hear her for a few more weeks. meanwhile, Carly is also great and i do expect her to go to the top three.

[Dani]

Well, I'm a fan and I'm dropping a line :) I'm not sure what else you might wanna know.

[Stratoblogster]

Overmyer is a lethal weapon with the right song in the right pitch range.

With that said, she may also have the tightest margin for failing. But when dialed in on the right wavelength, she's a dynamo. Carly Smithson has tons more range, melody and plenty of power, but NO EDGE.

Somewhere between Overmyer and Smithson lives a killer Rock diva. I'm rootin' for Amanda, but if her stuff ain't on the money, it can be pretty rough. That Kansas thing was pathetic.

Baby please don't go!!!

[ender]

Im an Amanda fan - It's a Midwest thing - never complain , never explain. Im female, 47 yrs. old.

[Carl]

I am an 18 year old male student from England and am currently watching (and loving) American Idol, especially Amanda! I absolutely love her style, it's completely unique and real, you can really tell that she loves singing and isn't in it for the 'vintage rock' label. Her voice harks back to Janis, a total legend who was snatched way too early, and in Amanda I see a latter day rock female, which the market is really missing out on!

Love Amanda, I'm not sure how American Idol works (Not seen it before) but if it is anything like our 'X-Factor' or 'Pop Idol' absolutely anyone can win, not just the 'typical' winner. Hopefully Amanda will come out triumphant as I cannot remember an American Idol winner who I thought different since Kelly Clarkson.. Correct me if I am wrong, as I may be!

[firebird]

Thanks for the great article.

I'm a 43 year old lifelong musician/rocker, and am excited to see someone of her ilk get this major exposure on idol. I would bet that other musicians are also taking notice. I really like the fact that she is totally unpretentious. I hope the PTB know they've got a golden nugget, if only they will allow her the freedom to be who she is like they did Daughtry.

[Apt. 803]

I love Amanda precisely because she doesn't give a damn and she is who she is. Instead of pageant monkeys like David Archuleta or failed wanna-bes like Carly, Amanda is really an amateur trying to make it big. Sure her voice isn't for everybody but do we really need more Beyonce and Daughtry clones?

[Sunny]

I have liked her since the auditions - she's unique, different and doesn't seem to give a care what is expected of her. Group photos with the other contestants cheesing it up have Overmyer gazing at the camera like, 'No, I'm not gonna act like that'.

She's one cool cat.

[jtohline]

I'm 50-something and have never written a fan letter. In this case, however, I'm so enthusiastic about Amanda! I love the throwback to Janis Joplin. Amanda has proven, too, that she can sing smooth - even though the judges didn't like her performance that night. Okay... she's proved that... time to get on to what she really enjoys. I think her performance Wednesday night spoke several things. 1) She's tired of trying to fit in, and has (hopefully) decided she doesn't fit in - and won't try. 2) She went back to what she loves - and she fits so wonderfully. Now... If she'll step back from 'trying' to dance it up, she'll be tops.

[LisaTn]

Man, when I first heard Amanda sing it was like listening to my favorite from yesteryear Janis Joplin. I was born in 1967 and missed the show in that era but have always felt I belonged to it. Janis Joplin’s music rocks and I think Amanda can be just as good if not better with time, perseverance, and a good backing in the music industry.
I am not completely sure why Amanda seems so off put, she is very pretty when she smiles and will reap the rewards of her talent if she injects a more positive personality into her work. She does not need to change; just shine a little more is all.
As for all the gossip about nude photos, who cares? People do things everyday that leads to their past history which is exactly where it should stay. Rock on Amanda, this experience can take you far, you have the talent, and hopefully you have the consistency to prove all the naysayers wrong. Good Luck…I will be waiting to buy your first album so hurry up and just get it done!

[jen]

I am so glad to finally be reading a positive write-up for Amanda. I appreciate your point about how her voice does not fit comfortably with current hard rock standards but is a throw back to the older days of blues rock and hard rock. I too think she is a refreshing presence of AI which has year after year delivered a smooth, clear voiced singer with good range. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just that there is a lot more music out there than that, and there's a bunch of us hungry and willing to pay to hear someone like Amanda.

On Brooke White's cover of Love is a Battlefield, I think it sounds similar to of Jann Arden's cover of the song on her new album Uncover Me, only acoustic. Jann Arden also covers You're so Vain, the song Brooke did last week, on the album. Nothing wrong with that. All the contestants on AI do this. I only wished the judges, producers, or someone on that show would know more to stop labeling things original when they aren't. The only one most likely to make an original performance is Amanda and not because of some new arrangement or take on it, but because her voice is so different, we probably never heard someone with that type of voice singing the song.

[Reba723]

I'm a white female aged 60. My husband (59) and I both like Amanda and hope she sticks around long enough to appear in the concert. Simon will turn on her if it appears that she may knock out one of the potential pop gold mines, and she'll be gone once the field narrows. However, if she continues to perform as she did this week, those of us that like a change of pace will be able to enjoy her for a few more weeks.

[Trixi]

I'm a 47 year old female. As some of the other posters have written. When she finds the right song, she is awesome. But when she doesn't sing the right song (Kansas) she is terrible! I agree she needs to keep it blues/rock. Also, please don't do the bride of Frankenstein hair again.

As for someone saying let her be herself like they did with Daughtry. WTF? I guess they never saw pictures of the old Daughtry? They made him into this rocker dude, with guyliner, leather and studs. Give me a break. I liked him on AI, but I don't care for his Daughtryback sound now.

[Bluesy]

I'm a 48 year old executive in the transportation industry and I am a diehard fan of Amanda's. I love her gritty vocals, stage presence and how real she is. She's brought a true passion for rock music to American Idol to share with all of us!

[firebird]

"As for someone saying let her be herself like they did with Daughtry. WTF? "

I don't know how much Amanda writes but I was referring to the fact that Chris penned a majority of the tunes, and look how it went down. His heavy stuff is fresh to me. The Nickelback influence is there, but they aren't they only ones he likes. And I happen to like the guyliner :)