American Idol: Kris Allen and Social Mood

by David Capece, Managing Partner

History will look back at 2009 as a year of transition.  Great financial experiments are being conducted in labs known as Citibank and Bank of America.  Rising instability is mounting around the globe.  The Obama era is underway and change is in the air.  Beyond the shifting global landscape, the American mindset is rapidly evolving (maybe even transforming).  One of our favorite financial blogs, Minyanville, has gone in depth about the importance and implications of changing social mood.

Tonight’s American Idol victory by acoustic teen heart throb, Kris Allen, is a significant milestone amidst a groundswell of change.  Yes, Kris Allen’s ballot box resembled that of Barack Obama’s 69 million votes last November.  What’s the big deal?  Let’s take a quick look back at music history and its correlation to global events, the economy, and social mood.

1970s
How fitting that Adam Lambert sang tonight with Kiss, a classic American Rock band that formed in late 1972 and came to prominence with the mid 1970s in the midst of a difficult economy, staglfation, and an oil shock.   35 years later, America seemed primed to embrace a rock act with a show.

1980s
In the early 1980s, the US was in a state of flux with a new president (Ronald Reagan) facing high inflation, a hostage situation, and a recession.  Upbeat disco of the 70s was dead and gave way initially to New Wave and Artsy Punk.  As America worked her way through challenges, more upbeat music, including pop soul, ruled the day.  Madonna and Cindy Lauper joined Michael Jackson as Billboard’s hit-makers.

1990s
Again in the early 90s, with the first Gulf War and another recession, the sound of music turned deeper and dirtier.  The Grunge scene exploded with Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and Woodstock was revived.  Nine Inch Nails and industrial rock marked the peak of the edgier social mood.  By the end of the decade, bubblegum pop, led by the Back Street Boys, Nsync, and Ricky Martin dominated the charts.  The high energy music reflected the go-go mood as the dot come bubble inflated.

New Millennium
As we follow the trends into the 21st century, we see the same pattern.  Linkin Park emerged as the nation struggled with 9/11 and the mini-recession of 2001.  However, the real estate bubble quickly gained steam and saved us from a darker day.

Now, in 2009, storm clouds rule the day.  Social mood is in a transformational stage.  Tonight, Americans had the choice of voting for Kris Allen or Adam Lambert.  A vote for Kris Allen, a teen idol who carries an upbeat tune in-line with music of the past 10 to 15 years, represents a vote to hold onto the familiar optimism of our past.  A vote for Adam Lambert, a creative rocker with an edge, represents a vote to challenge where we have come from, and push courageously into a period of change.

Obama won on the promise of change from a system that wasn’t working.  While Adam Lambert delivered a new and inspiring voice that struck a new chord, Kris Allen received the votes.  At Sparxoo, we have written extensively about emerging trends, the future of America, and even the colors of economy.  Tonight’s victory by Kris Allen signals that America wants a breather from the storm clouds.  We need the comfort of a smiling, familiar face.

What does this mean for you?  We are in the heart of a recession that is redefining our culture and our icons.  Yes, you should embrace creativity, innovation, and experimentation (the key ingredients for Lambert).  Show courageous leadership (the key ingredient for Obama).  But beyond this, we are human and want a charming smile to help us navigate these tough times.  America’s vote for Kris Allen signals that we want to restore confidence and return to an upbeat, happier time.  We were surprised that Lambert lost.  Does this signal a quicker recovery and the return of optimism in the second half of 2009?

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