Rocker Sting isn’t mincing words when it comes to his opinion of “X Factor” – the British version of “American Idol.” He says that the singers are all bland and derivative and blasts the show for promoting such empty music. I’ve only seen snippets of “X Factor,” but I would absolutely agree with Sting if he were talking about “American Idol.” To the best of my understanding there’s no significant difference between the two shows other than their judges (though Simon Cowell is on both), so Sting might as well be talking about “Idol.”

He’s usually the one meting out the criticism, but this time it’s Simon Cowell who’s on the receiving end of some particularly harsh words about his talent – from Sting. The rock star heaped criticism on Cowell’s British version of American Idol – The X Factor – describing the show as “appalling” and promoting bland, soulless music in an interview with the London Evening Standard.

“It’s a preposterous show, and you have judges who have no recognizable talent apart from self-promotion,” Sting, 58, said. “Basically I was looking at televised karaoke where they conform to stereotypes. It is a soap opera which has nothing to do with music.” One of those judges, of course, is Cowell, 50, who offered a riposte to Sting’s stings on Saturday’s live X Factor show.

“Talking about these contestants being a bunch of karaoke no-hopers … I thought it was pompous,” he said, before inviting Sting to come on the show as a mentor. On Sunday, Cowell followed up again on The Xtra Factor. “Someone has got a little bit grumpy,” he joked with his co-judges. “We’d like a Sting week.” But he later admitted: “He hasn’t called yet. We’re waiting!

Don’t hold your breath, Simon. In his interview, Sting made it clear he had no interest in setting foot on the X Factor stage. “I wouldn’t get on The X Factor because I don’t sound like anyone they’re after,” he said. “I sound like myself. I think they are basically aping pre-existing stereotypes of what singers should do and they’re not being themselves.”

[From People]

I was nodding along to all of this like a bobblehead doll. I agree with every word Sting’s said. “American Idol” has churned out some of the most generic, bland, soulless pop music ever created. They make the boy bands and bubblegum pop of the late nineties look innovative. It’s only once the singers start doing more on their own (often leaving American Idol’s management team, 19 Entertainment, behind – which has caused some controversies) that they break out and have their own sound. Carrie Underwood would be an exception, since they let her go country and she was more hands-on and in control of her music from the beginning.

It sucks for the singers because a lot of them clearly have talent. Some of the best music has come from the second, third, and fourth place choices who have gotten music contracts outside of “Idol,” and thus done well from the beginning. They’re not massively famous, but Elliott Yamin and Chris Daughtry both come to mind.

Sting’s basically just slamming “X-Factor” – which I don’t blame him for – without offering a solution. And he’s totally right, there’s no point in his going on the show because he doesn’t have a sound or style the show would aspire to. I think a decent solution would be to let the singers take more control over their music from the get-go. Sure they’re not industry veterans, but neither are a lot of singers their age – and that’s who usually dominates the chart. Give them some encouragement and guidance, but push them to form their own sound and style.

Or just be Justin Guarini.

Here’s Sting in London on November 4th, and Simon Cowell with “celebrity hugger” Tania McIntosh on November 11th. Images thanks to WENN.com .