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Let me rant about 21st century music for a moment if I may. and no, I am not that old. I was born in the 1970's and do appreciate everything from Gregorian chants to Big Band to Swing to hard rock.

But look, let’s be honest. Music of today is just plain horrible. Grunge music started the downturn into the abyss of horribleness and guys like Eminem took it another level culminating in the OSCAR honored "IT's HARD TO BE A PIMP".

Granted, there is a good song now and then, but in general most everything is bad. Weird chord changes, poor song structure, the incessant “runs” that are unecessary and annoying, songs that go on for 5 minutes that don’t ever have a chorus or any type of phrasing and have 100 different chord changes, and on and on.

How about what is called “Rock” music of today, its all about minor keys and screaming as loud as you can. Just great. Anyway. Had to get that off my back.

Here’s another example, talking rock music now….Has there been a song as good as “Whole Lotta Love” or “Ramble On” by Zeppelin, or “Back in Black” by AC/DC done in the last 15 years. Not even close.

Pop music? Virtually any Beatles song they ever put out is better than the crap that passes for hit songs nowadays.

Sorry, and just one more rant. When I heard beforehand that Taylor was doing “Takin’ it to the Streets” by the Doobie Brothers, I thought why?… That song wasn’t a huge hit for them when it came out, and I always thought that frankly it was just o.k. That song done by The Doobies, was a hundred times better than any song last night and Taylors performance of it was a Hundred times better.

Last night Taylor sang a song that had STRUCTURE and MELODY and CHORUS and was written like a normal song. He sang it perfectly of course. He had virtually nothing to choose from if he’s going to sing a song from the last 6 years.

He should have been able to sing one of his own songs from his self-produced CDs. They are much better.

IMHO Taylor is a real talent. Chris can sing with any rock band of today, but then there are just too many of them already.

Tonight Taylor made a uniquely brilliant choice in material. Selfishly I want to hear him belt out a gravely voiced blues number and knock everyone’s socks off but I know now is not the time for that approach. Choosing something relatively UNFAMILIAR to most people gave Taylor a chance to showcase his vocal range without the song getting in the way.

Tonight he introduced the uninformed to yet another side of his amazing musical spectrum. I believe this performance was closer to the material on Under the Radar, than any he has done on American Idol so far. It also gave America a chance to see where he “fits” into today’s music scene.

Personally I don’t care about “fitting in” with today’s music as I’m sure many other people don’t, but this is American Idol and that’s the name of the game. In the last few years there has been more attention paid to a young crop of singer/songwriters who are not cookie cutter commercial music video stars but real working musicians. People like Ray LaMontagne, Amos Lee, Marc Broussard and now Taylor Hicks.

Thanks for allowing me to rant.

:::STANDING OVATION::: For your rant.

Personally I don’t care about “fitting in” with today’s music as I’m sure many other people don’t, but this is American Idol and that’s the name of the game. In the last few years there has been more attention paid to a young crop of singer/songwriters who are not cookie cutter commercial music video stars but real working musicians. People like Ray LaMontagne, Amos Lee, Marc Broussard and now Taylor Hicks.

I just have to thank Taylor for bringing to light the real music that is out there today. I am ashamed to say that I had not heard Marc Broussard and he's a local boy. I don't listen to the local radio stations here because they suck.

I have bought more music this past week after checking out the suggested song selections for Taylor to sing this week than I have in years. He's definitely needed in the music scene. For once Paula got it right in that he is teaching the younger generation about great musicians.

Thanks for allowing me to rant.

I liked your "rant," SirLinks, and agree with what all of what you said except one thing. I don't think the music of this decade is quite a total wasteland. There are some really good songs out there, but perhaps AI couldn't get permission to use some of the best ones.

Regarding Taylor, as I mentioned to Jonny, he's starting to edge ahead in my search for my personal favorite contestant this year. I really, really didn't like Taylor in the beginning of the season. But he's gradually impressed me more and more as the weeks have gone on.

Just for fantasy fun, here are some excellent contemporary songs I would have suggested:

If Mandisa wanted to do a song with religious/gospel overtones, she could have done 'Believe' by Alan Jackson.
Kellie badly needs to do something of substance instead of the fluff she usually chooses. She might have tried 'Arlington' by Trace Adkins.
Chris needs a really good pop-rock performance to show some flexibility and depth. Green Day's 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' would have been good for him.
Katharine needs to stop trying so hard to be ethereal. She is not Sara Brightman and never will be. I would have liked her to try Kelly Clarkson's 'Since U Been Gone.'
Lisa really needed a breakout performance. I think Kelly Clarkson's current hit, 'Walk Away' might have worked for Lisa. It's a young, fun, sassy pop-rock tune, perfect for a girl Lisa's age.
The songs Bucky, Elliott, Taylor and Paris chose last night were good for them, so no suggestions there.
Which brings me to Ace. Now Ace probably could do Sara Brightman.

Has there been a song as good as “Whole Lotta Love” or “Ramble On” by Zeppelin, or “Back in Black” by AC/DC done in the last 15 years. Not even close.

The song "Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down popped into my head. I think that's a great rock song. Maybe no virtuoso instrumental performances there, but very solid with good lyrics (positive message). Bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Foo Fighters are still clinging to rock roots. (I believe that the guitar-solo-driven songs have had their day. Maybe that's the sound you are pining for).

Rock as a genre has been overshadowed by rap/hip hop for too long now. Maybe it's time for a revival, all things being cyclical.