Post by uptowndragon on Feb 20, 2009 5:05:45 GMT 7
Episode 5: OIAM 3 Top 12 (Live)
Prelude to Episode 5
(This is NOT the Episode 5 review, only a PREVIEW for episode 5)
Time flies doesn’t it. It only seems like yesterday that I was flying off to Kuching to cover the very first auditions at the Merdeka Palace Hotel. And now we are down to the best top 12 ever in OIAM whom are all set to take on Sri Pentas 2 and show the rest of the country what we at Rentak Sejuta have already discovered over the many months of selections & eliminations.
We are happy that we have been there from day one of the competition, as we trudged along with the rest of the 8TV crew in search of the one with their very own voice. In a few more hours, the rest of Malaysia will appreciate what has been unearthed over those exhausting period of sifting through so many talented people who wanted to be discovered too. The debate will still go on, on whether so many celebrities deserved to be in the competition, while many undiscovered talents are left by the sidelines licking their wounds from being struck down indiscriminately by the uncompromising judges, for not being able to measure up to the higher standards set by them this year.
Even the producers of the show have been uncompromising on the quality, and have invested substantially, in ensuring that the best 12 get the best preparation before being presented to a maturing TV audience who expect exactly that and more. Well we are glad to say that it certainly will and has paid off already as we see a finely polished set of hopefuls emerging from the initial raw ones that made it to the final 12. And the good news is that all of them seem to be fighters and are showing signs that they are not going to give in to anybody and are absolutely determined to take home the grand prize at the end of it all. They are well armed and ready for action, and will certainly not be taking any prisoners. Whether they can hold it together during the live shows, will eventually determine who will stay and who will be leaving.
Although every single one of the contestants this year seem capable of taking the crown, few have stood out from the rest, from at least our initial observations. Not only do they have the actual talent, but also the confidence, determination and perseverance to go the distance, and most of all, they know who they are and what they want to be.
Here’s an initial take on the top 12 from our point of view:
I met Aweera at the Penang auditions and, actually saw his audition performance. As soon as he opened his mouth, we heard the most musical scream we ever heard in ages. His fate was decided in no more than 10 seconds, as the pre judges (& me on the sidelines) were simply blown away at this old school styled rocker. Malaysia had found a replacement for the aging Awie Wings & Amy Search. It was quite obvious even then that he was going to be in the top 12. At 17, with gorgeous Arabic looks and a great sense of style, and a confidence beyond his age, with talent to match, and a laid back and decent guy on top of that, there was nothing going to stop him from reaching for the stars. Whether he wins this or not it doesn’t really matter, a star is already born. The girls will be swooning, or so will some of the guys, that’s a guarantee. We see him in the top 6 at the very least.
Also in Penang, I met Simon Michaels, who actually tried out for season 2 and only made it to the top 20. I believe he was one of Paul’s favourites back then but somehow he let his confidence get the better of him and self destructed when it mattered the most. Eight months later and he was back at the Sunway auditions, but only to give moral support to his club duet partner Camelia who referred to him as her “sifu”. By then he had managed to write, produce and record a Malay (yet unreleased) album with the help of a Swiss music label. I suggested he should give it a try again, as I believed he had an original voice, and I also felt he would get some mileage for his album even if he didn’t make it to the top 12. I believe some of the producers even spoke to him to convince him to try out as they felt he had the talent and should give it a go again. We are glad he decided to try out and are pleased to see him in the top 12, this time around. This is a very different Simon, who is beaming with confidence, and is determined to win OIAM. He is certainly not here to prop up the rest. When asked in a TV interview how far he wants to go in this competition, he said without an ounce of hesitation that he intends to win the RM 1 million. It may just happen. From the recent listen I had at the Press Conference to reveal the top 12, it was clear that he had the voice that will easily reach out and tug you at your heart strings. It was the most moving performance I have heard in a while and if this is what he dishes out every week, he will have the audience eating out of his hands. But the reality is that raw talent will never be enough and if he fails to build a fan base rather quickly he will have his dream shattered. As for us, based on what we have seen so far, he should be heading for the final three.
Amylea Azizan knows exactly what she wants, and she is on course to do exactly everything it takes to get there. She is also probably the most prepared of the contestants and knows her new found direction to the T. When I first met Amylea, it was at the KL main auditions at The Gardens Hotel. When I sat down next to her to interview her, I was not even slightly aware that it was Amylea from AF3 (amazing huh, especially since I always thought she should have won AF3). Here was an Amylea we had not seen before, totting a guitar, and dressed in a simple long blue sleeved tee, black vest and denims, looking more like a hippie singer songwriter, than a typical mainstream singer. After our conversation, it was clear that Amylea has always been more of a Colby Caillat rather than what AF has potrayed her to be, and we are so glad that she has decided to resume her own direction, and we absolutely love it. We have no doubt that she will be one of the strongest contenders. Her freshly baked subtly sweet, melodically soothing vocals, will surprise many of the audience. We are quite certain she’s going to create a lot of believers with her new found voice, and she is unlikely to head anywhere else except the finals.
Another contestant at the KL main auditions was sweet seventeen year old (now 18) Anith Aqilah, who is a dead ringer for a young Siti Nurhaliza. I don’t know what was it was about her that made me feel that she will somehow end up in the top 12, and the amazing part was that I had never ever heard her sing at that point of time. Must be some kind of premonition I guess. Or was it the aura of stardom? Although young and inexperienced, she is reasonably talented and has vocals that will grow in time to match even the mighty Siti, but maybe not just yet. Whatever the case Anith seems like someone who normally gets her way, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this pretty lass who always airs her confidence and vibrancy on stage (but often gives the appearance of fragility offstage), may wrangle her way to the top. But the reality is, she may just end up being one of the early casualties.
Without a doubt the powerhouse vocals belong to 21 year old club singer, Esther @ Elizabeth Chin, from Sabah. Right from Central Eliminations it was crystal clear that she was one of the main contenders, and she confirmed it when she nailed her top 20 performance with near perfection. It was full of soul and came straight from the heart. Every single syllable was accentuated to rip at our heartstrings, and she was indeed the storyteller that could ignite feelings deep within us. She is indeed the real deal and I believe nobody will dispute that vocally she is the best of the lot. How far she will go in the competition is another thing though, as the world is much too obsessed with the packaging rather than the contents, which the judges have continuously amplified throughout the competition. Even Paul took her to task for looking older than her actual age. But that’s okay, cause we realize that Esther is a true fighter who is determined to prove everyone with a shallow mentality, wrong. I see her winning over hearts every week and look forward to her making the final three. And I am sure Anita Baker would be proud.
I didn’t know much about the well packaged Tomok until I met him at the main auditions, although I had heard of his band, New Boyz, previously. With decent vocals, a good sense of style and heartthrob looks, the new Tomok would certainly be every A&R guys dream come true. If he picks all the right songs and continues to connect with his loyal fan base, he could pretty much sail through this competition. A sure bet for the top six, but the only problem I have with Tomok, is I cannot remember his singing and have to continuously refer to my videos of his performances to refresh me. To be fair his singing is impeccable and he does have a nice tone, but unfortunately I never remember it after. I do remember the hair and that warm smile though, and I bet that will help win a lot of votes.
Nine, on the other hand is vocally unforgettable. Who could possibly resist that sweet yet smoky tone of his, and the Indonesian pop style phrasing when he performs? It is fluid and endearing, and I believe he is going to corner the votes from every single teenage girl who watches OIAM 3. He looks like he may be one of those with a golden ticket to the finals. But then again, stranger things have happened.
I like the new demure, stylish & very slim looking Pija, which is a far cry from her Mentor days. My first encounter with her was at the main auditions, where she and her sister both tried out. I am not a big fan of mainstream reality shows such Mentor or AF, but I did watch her in the finals of Mentor when she won. She was the best of that lot and deserved her well earned victory. Vocally she is as sound as can be and has a reasonable range, and is leaps and bounds ahead of her Mentor days. Unfortunately, she does not excite me as much as some of the others in the competition, and she may find it difficult to entice the more urban based audience of OIAM. Let see whether she adapts to the new ball game fast enough. After all she has declared that she is no longer Pija Mentor …she is now Pija OIAM. However, even a top six finish may be an uphill task for her.
The trio of Rehana, Fify & Ayu have been flying under the radar, for me, since the auditions, and I never really noticed of any of them until the top 20. It was almost like suddenly they appeared on the scene, although, I know I even had conversations with them throughout Central Eliminations. I guess there were too many unique & much more vibrant personalities (amazingly many of whom were vocally incompetent) around to overshadow the three of them. Bintang RTM 2007 2nd runner up Rehana @ Han certainly has the chops, but not something that stands out and bites you in the rear. Although Syafinaz does not think she has a powerful voice, I actually believe she does. The only thing I do not see in Rehana is any colour in her vocals. If only her cheery, cheeky, vibrant personality somehow manages to translate into her voice, she would be right there stepping on the heels of Esther. Unfortunately I do not see that happening, and expect her to be another early casualty as well.
The quiet but bright, anime eyed Fify on the hand has so much colour in her voice that it simply overflows musically. It is no wonder that she has won heaps of trophies. She may seem laid back offstage but the stage simply adores her when she is on it. This refreshing and vocally immaculate talent was certainly born to sing and entertain. I don’t think anyone will be able to take their focus of her when she takes command of the audience and dictates her terms to them. Right now, I think she is a sure bet for the top six. If she makes it to the finals, she may just clinch the million.
Ayu may be small & petite but she certainly has a big voice (and large Sailor Moon eyes) that will easily get your attention. She will effortlessly give AIM nominee Elyana a run for her money as demonstrated on her rendition of “Tarik Tali” during the Top 12 Reveal Press Conference. And it was nowhere as pitchy as Elyana’s live version. In fact it was rather well communicated, and had the audience enjoying her vibrant performance. Vocally she is more than qualified to be in the top 12, but I am not sure how far her journey will take her. My fear for her is that she may just slip under radar once more and escape the voting public’s attention. If I was a betting man, the odds are against the repeat of a similar name in the final outcome. But then again, I am not.
To be brutally honest, I am rather surprised that Redzuan @ Rizu made into the top 12. It’s not that he cannot sing, in fact he sings well enough, and has a very big voice, as everyone is well accustomed to. But unfortunately that is all he really has, and after the second listen it becomes rather tiring, even exhausting. No doubt he won Best Male Newcomer at AIM 2007 for that enormous voice, but for me it was still an over rated decision. I didn’t like it then, and I still don’t. Surprised? How can that be? For starters Rizu has very little dynamics in his delivery, and there is hardly any natural sweetness to his tone. It borders on blandness and occasionally becomes nasally or raspy. There are no subtle nuances and the phrasing is rather rigid. And worst of all, as a performer, his facial contortions are very VERY annoying, and is quite unpleasant to watch. Paul Moss was absolutely spot on about that but incredulously still put him through to the top 12 at the expense of others. If Rizu wants any chance of moving forward in the competition, he really needs to reinvent himself. But I doubt that will happen, and feel that he may just be the very first casualty of the season.
That's it, thats our opinion for the moment. It may change as the season progresses. Many of you may not agree with it and some of you may be downright furious. Everyone is of course most welcome to debate its merits. Maybe you can even convince us to change our minds.
Prelude to Episode 5
(This is NOT the Episode 5 review, only a PREVIEW for episode 5)
Time flies doesn’t it. It only seems like yesterday that I was flying off to Kuching to cover the very first auditions at the Merdeka Palace Hotel. And now we are down to the best top 12 ever in OIAM whom are all set to take on Sri Pentas 2 and show the rest of the country what we at Rentak Sejuta have already discovered over the many months of selections & eliminations.
We are happy that we have been there from day one of the competition, as we trudged along with the rest of the 8TV crew in search of the one with their very own voice. In a few more hours, the rest of Malaysia will appreciate what has been unearthed over those exhausting period of sifting through so many talented people who wanted to be discovered too. The debate will still go on, on whether so many celebrities deserved to be in the competition, while many undiscovered talents are left by the sidelines licking their wounds from being struck down indiscriminately by the uncompromising judges, for not being able to measure up to the higher standards set by them this year.
Even the producers of the show have been uncompromising on the quality, and have invested substantially, in ensuring that the best 12 get the best preparation before being presented to a maturing TV audience who expect exactly that and more. Well we are glad to say that it certainly will and has paid off already as we see a finely polished set of hopefuls emerging from the initial raw ones that made it to the final 12. And the good news is that all of them seem to be fighters and are showing signs that they are not going to give in to anybody and are absolutely determined to take home the grand prize at the end of it all. They are well armed and ready for action, and will certainly not be taking any prisoners. Whether they can hold it together during the live shows, will eventually determine who will stay and who will be leaving.
Although every single one of the contestants this year seem capable of taking the crown, few have stood out from the rest, from at least our initial observations. Not only do they have the actual talent, but also the confidence, determination and perseverance to go the distance, and most of all, they know who they are and what they want to be.
Here’s an initial take on the top 12 from our point of view:
I met Aweera at the Penang auditions and, actually saw his audition performance. As soon as he opened his mouth, we heard the most musical scream we ever heard in ages. His fate was decided in no more than 10 seconds, as the pre judges (& me on the sidelines) were simply blown away at this old school styled rocker. Malaysia had found a replacement for the aging Awie Wings & Amy Search. It was quite obvious even then that he was going to be in the top 12. At 17, with gorgeous Arabic looks and a great sense of style, and a confidence beyond his age, with talent to match, and a laid back and decent guy on top of that, there was nothing going to stop him from reaching for the stars. Whether he wins this or not it doesn’t really matter, a star is already born. The girls will be swooning, or so will some of the guys, that’s a guarantee. We see him in the top 6 at the very least.
Also in Penang, I met Simon Michaels, who actually tried out for season 2 and only made it to the top 20. I believe he was one of Paul’s favourites back then but somehow he let his confidence get the better of him and self destructed when it mattered the most. Eight months later and he was back at the Sunway auditions, but only to give moral support to his club duet partner Camelia who referred to him as her “sifu”. By then he had managed to write, produce and record a Malay (yet unreleased) album with the help of a Swiss music label. I suggested he should give it a try again, as I believed he had an original voice, and I also felt he would get some mileage for his album even if he didn’t make it to the top 12. I believe some of the producers even spoke to him to convince him to try out as they felt he had the talent and should give it a go again. We are glad he decided to try out and are pleased to see him in the top 12, this time around. This is a very different Simon, who is beaming with confidence, and is determined to win OIAM. He is certainly not here to prop up the rest. When asked in a TV interview how far he wants to go in this competition, he said without an ounce of hesitation that he intends to win the RM 1 million. It may just happen. From the recent listen I had at the Press Conference to reveal the top 12, it was clear that he had the voice that will easily reach out and tug you at your heart strings. It was the most moving performance I have heard in a while and if this is what he dishes out every week, he will have the audience eating out of his hands. But the reality is that raw talent will never be enough and if he fails to build a fan base rather quickly he will have his dream shattered. As for us, based on what we have seen so far, he should be heading for the final three.
Amylea Azizan knows exactly what she wants, and she is on course to do exactly everything it takes to get there. She is also probably the most prepared of the contestants and knows her new found direction to the T. When I first met Amylea, it was at the KL main auditions at The Gardens Hotel. When I sat down next to her to interview her, I was not even slightly aware that it was Amylea from AF3 (amazing huh, especially since I always thought she should have won AF3). Here was an Amylea we had not seen before, totting a guitar, and dressed in a simple long blue sleeved tee, black vest and denims, looking more like a hippie singer songwriter, than a typical mainstream singer. After our conversation, it was clear that Amylea has always been more of a Colby Caillat rather than what AF has potrayed her to be, and we are so glad that she has decided to resume her own direction, and we absolutely love it. We have no doubt that she will be one of the strongest contenders. Her freshly baked subtly sweet, melodically soothing vocals, will surprise many of the audience. We are quite certain she’s going to create a lot of believers with her new found voice, and she is unlikely to head anywhere else except the finals.
Another contestant at the KL main auditions was sweet seventeen year old (now 18) Anith Aqilah, who is a dead ringer for a young Siti Nurhaliza. I don’t know what was it was about her that made me feel that she will somehow end up in the top 12, and the amazing part was that I had never ever heard her sing at that point of time. Must be some kind of premonition I guess. Or was it the aura of stardom? Although young and inexperienced, she is reasonably talented and has vocals that will grow in time to match even the mighty Siti, but maybe not just yet. Whatever the case Anith seems like someone who normally gets her way, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this pretty lass who always airs her confidence and vibrancy on stage (but often gives the appearance of fragility offstage), may wrangle her way to the top. But the reality is, she may just end up being one of the early casualties.
Without a doubt the powerhouse vocals belong to 21 year old club singer, Esther @ Elizabeth Chin, from Sabah. Right from Central Eliminations it was crystal clear that she was one of the main contenders, and she confirmed it when she nailed her top 20 performance with near perfection. It was full of soul and came straight from the heart. Every single syllable was accentuated to rip at our heartstrings, and she was indeed the storyteller that could ignite feelings deep within us. She is indeed the real deal and I believe nobody will dispute that vocally she is the best of the lot. How far she will go in the competition is another thing though, as the world is much too obsessed with the packaging rather than the contents, which the judges have continuously amplified throughout the competition. Even Paul took her to task for looking older than her actual age. But that’s okay, cause we realize that Esther is a true fighter who is determined to prove everyone with a shallow mentality, wrong. I see her winning over hearts every week and look forward to her making the final three. And I am sure Anita Baker would be proud.
I didn’t know much about the well packaged Tomok until I met him at the main auditions, although I had heard of his band, New Boyz, previously. With decent vocals, a good sense of style and heartthrob looks, the new Tomok would certainly be every A&R guys dream come true. If he picks all the right songs and continues to connect with his loyal fan base, he could pretty much sail through this competition. A sure bet for the top six, but the only problem I have with Tomok, is I cannot remember his singing and have to continuously refer to my videos of his performances to refresh me. To be fair his singing is impeccable and he does have a nice tone, but unfortunately I never remember it after. I do remember the hair and that warm smile though, and I bet that will help win a lot of votes.
Nine, on the other hand is vocally unforgettable. Who could possibly resist that sweet yet smoky tone of his, and the Indonesian pop style phrasing when he performs? It is fluid and endearing, and I believe he is going to corner the votes from every single teenage girl who watches OIAM 3. He looks like he may be one of those with a golden ticket to the finals. But then again, stranger things have happened.
I like the new demure, stylish & very slim looking Pija, which is a far cry from her Mentor days. My first encounter with her was at the main auditions, where she and her sister both tried out. I am not a big fan of mainstream reality shows such Mentor or AF, but I did watch her in the finals of Mentor when she won. She was the best of that lot and deserved her well earned victory. Vocally she is as sound as can be and has a reasonable range, and is leaps and bounds ahead of her Mentor days. Unfortunately, she does not excite me as much as some of the others in the competition, and she may find it difficult to entice the more urban based audience of OIAM. Let see whether she adapts to the new ball game fast enough. After all she has declared that she is no longer Pija Mentor …she is now Pija OIAM. However, even a top six finish may be an uphill task for her.
The trio of Rehana, Fify & Ayu have been flying under the radar, for me, since the auditions, and I never really noticed of any of them until the top 20. It was almost like suddenly they appeared on the scene, although, I know I even had conversations with them throughout Central Eliminations. I guess there were too many unique & much more vibrant personalities (amazingly many of whom were vocally incompetent) around to overshadow the three of them. Bintang RTM 2007 2nd runner up Rehana @ Han certainly has the chops, but not something that stands out and bites you in the rear. Although Syafinaz does not think she has a powerful voice, I actually believe she does. The only thing I do not see in Rehana is any colour in her vocals. If only her cheery, cheeky, vibrant personality somehow manages to translate into her voice, she would be right there stepping on the heels of Esther. Unfortunately I do not see that happening, and expect her to be another early casualty as well.
The quiet but bright, anime eyed Fify on the hand has so much colour in her voice that it simply overflows musically. It is no wonder that she has won heaps of trophies. She may seem laid back offstage but the stage simply adores her when she is on it. This refreshing and vocally immaculate talent was certainly born to sing and entertain. I don’t think anyone will be able to take their focus of her when she takes command of the audience and dictates her terms to them. Right now, I think she is a sure bet for the top six. If she makes it to the finals, she may just clinch the million.
Ayu may be small & petite but she certainly has a big voice (and large Sailor Moon eyes) that will easily get your attention. She will effortlessly give AIM nominee Elyana a run for her money as demonstrated on her rendition of “Tarik Tali” during the Top 12 Reveal Press Conference. And it was nowhere as pitchy as Elyana’s live version. In fact it was rather well communicated, and had the audience enjoying her vibrant performance. Vocally she is more than qualified to be in the top 12, but I am not sure how far her journey will take her. My fear for her is that she may just slip under radar once more and escape the voting public’s attention. If I was a betting man, the odds are against the repeat of a similar name in the final outcome. But then again, I am not.
To be brutally honest, I am rather surprised that Redzuan @ Rizu made into the top 12. It’s not that he cannot sing, in fact he sings well enough, and has a very big voice, as everyone is well accustomed to. But unfortunately that is all he really has, and after the second listen it becomes rather tiring, even exhausting. No doubt he won Best Male Newcomer at AIM 2007 for that enormous voice, but for me it was still an over rated decision. I didn’t like it then, and I still don’t. Surprised? How can that be? For starters Rizu has very little dynamics in his delivery, and there is hardly any natural sweetness to his tone. It borders on blandness and occasionally becomes nasally or raspy. There are no subtle nuances and the phrasing is rather rigid. And worst of all, as a performer, his facial contortions are very VERY annoying, and is quite unpleasant to watch. Paul Moss was absolutely spot on about that but incredulously still put him through to the top 12 at the expense of others. If Rizu wants any chance of moving forward in the competition, he really needs to reinvent himself. But I doubt that will happen, and feel that he may just be the very first casualty of the season.
That's it, thats our opinion for the moment. It may change as the season progresses. Many of you may not agree with it and some of you may be downright furious. Everyone is of course most welcome to debate its merits. Maybe you can even convince us to change our minds.