We Are the Fallen's Singer Not Watching Much 'American Idol' These Days

Posted on Apr 15th 2010 8:00AM by Allyson B. Crawford Comments
There have been a few 'American Idol' alums that chose rock over pop. Daughtry immediately comes to mind, and now you can add Carly Smithson to the list. The singer is now fronting rock act We Are the Fallen. Her band will release its debut album May 11. While Smithson is definitely looking forward in terms of her career, she's proud of her 'Idol' past but admits it wasn't all ice cream cones and rainbows after she was booted from America's biggest television show.

"It was a frustrating time for me after the show. I always had in my mind that this is the record I wanted, I just didn't know who to make it with," Smithson admitted to Noisecreep. "I got myself an apartment in L.A. and I gave myself a year. I was like, 'If in a year, this hasn't worked out for me and I'm no further than I am today, I'll hand back the keys and I'll go back to San Diego to my husband and I'll be a little pissed off. But at least I'll know that I tried and I didn't kind of beat it to death.' If you're on the biggest show on TV and you can't make it after that show in a year, then it's probably best to just go on home."

While Smithson is very candid about her expectations, she admits she never planned on giving up music altogether. She was going to retool and adapt. But, when her one year lease was up, she was signed to Universal Republic with the rest of We Are the Fallen, and her debut album with the band was nearly complete.

"I didn't want to be part of something that I didn't believe in just to be a part of something," continues Smithson. "And I was very happy that the day I handed over the keys, like last November, that I had a record that I was obsessed with in my hands; I had a band that I love and had a major label deal. I was like, 'Cool, I'm packing my things and going home and really stoked.' It was a good day."

But what about the current season of 'American Idol'? Does Smithson watch? She said, "I think I've seen maybe two [episodes], and it was literally in passing. To be very honest, I haven't been tuning in. I've been rehearsing for this tour and just coming up to the record being completed and everything. I honestly haven't had five minutes to really sit down and look at a show or even been in front of the TV everyday at that time."

We Are the Fallen are on tour with Finnish rockers HIM through early May.

Filed under: Interview, New Music

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dbiggs

I worry about Carly Smithson.

The year she was on American Idol, things always felt a little out of sync between her, the judges and the show. It certainly wasn’t because she didn’t have the goods. Her voice and range was/is undeniable. That was obvious from one week to the next, regardless of what the 3 boobs said after each song. It was more that Smithson didn’t fit into one of AI’s neat little pop package classifications. It seemed like she was out of their range of experience and understanding.

I worry because I don’t think Carly Smithson herself understands her own capabilities or what to do with the incredible gift she has to share with us. She’s a good soldier and I suppose she’s been doing what she’s been told or what she’s most comfortable with. Although I look forward to what comes from “We Are the Fallen”, I’m afraid it will only reflect a tiny slice of her abilities. It will certainly appeal to a small fraction of who she could be reaching.

I say that because if you listen to her recordings from AI or even if you go back and listen to some of her Hennesey-days songs, you’ll hear a vocal artist with a sensitive, yet powerful and amazing range. Every AI cover, she made uniquely her own. I’ve never heard a better “Shadow of Your Smile”. The weakest thing about these songs was the sometimes cheesy musical accompaniment from American Idol.

She’s got the kind of voice that should be considered for the next Bond movie. Her talent transcends one style or one classification. Yes, she’s kind of a throw back. It’s been awhile since we’ve had someone come along like her. The music industry just doesn’t know what to do with vocal artists like this. So the artist themselves must figure out a way to take control. It’s certainly been easier for men.

I’m not saying she’s the next diva, God forbid! There are a number of artist that can wiggle their voice around a melody and do one meaningless vocal run after another. I’ll go see Cirque du Soleil if I want that kind of acrobatics. But there’s only a tiny handful that can deliver a song and make the audience connect. All I’m saying is that to me, she’s one of those. And until the music industry starts to promote true vocal talent again as opposed to another overproduced package, an artist like Carly Smithson is going to have to figure it out for herself. What a colossal waste if we never hear from her again. That’s why I worry.

April 16 2010 at 2:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply