AMERICAN IDOL – Top 10 Guys Perform

With Garrett Haley and Colton Berry serving as the first two casualties for the guys this season, the remaining ten having something to prove tonight. With an overall weak first performance from almost all of the guys, here’s to hoping things take a turn for the better as the guys perform hits from the 70’s.

First up is Michael Johns, who takes on “Go Your Own Way”. He looks the part, and proved in the auditions that he has the voice, but his performance tonight was weak. He was straining his voice and barely reaching some of the notes. And I’m pretty sure he forgot the words in the middle. Are you kidding me? I have my TiVo on pause so I can write this before the judges comment, and if they give him high praise then I’m going to lock them in a room and make them listen to Paula’s new single over and over again. Randy and Paula gave him praise even if it wasn’t glowing. Come on Simon, back me up here. Simon thought it was his weakest performance and said it was just ‘ok’.  1-866-IDOLS-01

Jason Castro is up next and I hope I like him as much tonight as I did last week. I wish I could tell you the name of the song he is singing, but I think it’s by the BeeGees although I’m not completely sure. Jason once again has his guitar up there. Overall I thought his performance was charming. I like the texture of his voice. I don’t think it stood up to last week’s and I’m a little bummed about that, but personally I would take his performance over that of Michael Johns. As for the judges – well Randy wasn’t happy and said the vocals were weak. Paula liked him better than Randy and suggested that next week he not play the guitar (which I don’t really get because I don’t think the guitar detracted from his vocals). Cowell didn’t like it at all and called it ‘schmaltzy’. 1-866-IDOLS-02

Taking the stage next is Luke Menard, and takes on Queen. And for the very first note his performance is better than last week’s. He is a bit shaky when he goes up the upper range, but I thought the song fit his tenor voice. Luke needs to watch his performance as he’s a little cheesy. I appreciated the performance but I don’t think it was a real crowd pleaser. I have no idea what the judges will say about this one. Randy thought it was pretty good and definitely better than last week. Simon thought his performance was a mistake as he lacked the performance of Freddy Mercury. Hmm. Ryan just referred to Luke as “Dawson’s Creek”, and OMG he does kind of look like The Beek. I might have to vote for him just for that. 1-866-IDOLS-03

Robbie Carrico and his nasty long blonde hair is up next. At my friend Whit’s baby shower this weekend, my friend Deb said that she agreed with Simon and didn’t buy Robbie as a rocker. She thinks he’s good but should maybe return to his boy band roots. Seacrest Ryan asked about being a rocker and Robbie insists that’s who he is. Tonight he’s taking on “Hot Blooded” and I gotta say that I thought his voice sounded really great. He wasn’t as raspy as he was in his previous performances. Overall I think it was a good night for Robbie. Randy didn’t quite agree and thought it was just ok. Paula defended his performance but asked him to up the ante. Simon thought overall the vocal was good. That’s not too bad then. 1-866-IDOLS-04

Danny Noriega is taking the stage and I hope it’s one hell of a vocal performance because I really can’t stand this kid. I find him completely annoying, but he has a hell of a voice. So again I’m not sure of the song he sang, but I definitely know Rueben killed it in S2. Danny had a softer arrangement, and one that suited his voice better. There’s not denying the kid can sing, and sing well he did. I just don’t think he has that star quality. I can’t imagine people standing in line to get tickets to a Danny Noriega concert, can you? Randy, Paula and Simon all applauded his vocals for the most part and encouraged him to think less and perform more. 1-866-IDOLS-05

The aforementioned Deb and I are both fans of David Hernandez, but I’m not sure the judges are. He’s all kinds of boy band and I’m loving it. I think we shared a moment during his performance of “Papa was a Rolling Stone”. David really went for a few big notes tonight and he nailed them. I really, really liked his performance. Those judges better not ruin my David Hernandez lovefest. Yay…Paula and Randy thought it was hot, and showed mad love. Simon admitted he wasn’t a fan but tonight’s performance really turned him around. He thought it was by far the best performance of the night. Can I get a holla!! 1-866-IDOLS-06

I’ll tell ya, I was a bit surprised that Jason Yeager got the votes he needed to stick around. Not having really seen much of him in the show thus far, he was at a real disadvantage. Last week’s performance was lacking but he has the chance to redeem himself tonight. The Jason Yeager we got tonight was nothing like who we saw last week, but I don’t know if that’s a good thing. His overall look is much better, and the song allowed more of his personality, but the vocals and stage presence were still a bit cheesy to me. Really no clue what the judges will say. Randy was not happy with it, and Paula told him to pick songs better suited for his voice. Simon was really harsh in his displeasure. Not a good night for Jason. Jason looked absolutely defeated. 1-866-IDOLS-07

Chikeze (I guess he’s like Cher and Madonna now) is taking on Donny Hathaway. I wasn’t too impressed by Chikeze’s attitude last week so I’m hoping to see something special tonight. This week’s performance was definitely better. Way more enthusiastic and believable. Not sure what he was wearing, but that’s not here or there. Chikeze had a hot night. As for the judges, well the threesome all really dug it. Once again there was a little verbal exchange between him and Simon and Chikeze became a bit obnoxious. But as Simon said he really can’t help it. 1-866-IDOLS-08

David Cook was one of my early favorites, but he didn’t overly impress me last week. This week has has his guitar which doesn’t seem to be working in favor of the contestants thus far. I’ll tell ya, I think this guy is way more of an authentic rocker than Robbie. Oh wow, Randy just said the same thing. Paula showed the love. Simon praised the performance but said he lacked charisma. David gave a little lip back to Simon and I have to say that I really don’t like that. I think it makes the contestants look petty. Simon knows what he’s talking about (for the most part) so listen to him and just learn from it. 1-866-IDOLS-09

Well our little teen idol is closing out the show tonight. There’s no question who the ladies in the audience are liking as the mere mention of David Archuleta‘s name elicits shrieks. David is taking on John Lennon’s “Imagine” tonight but his arrangement was new.  Wow, I just got a chills.  That was a fantastic performance. Why am I crying?  David’s voice is so rich and sweet.  It wasn’t perfect, but the arrangement was so fresh that as the judges say, I could imagine it on the radio today. Randy thought it was the best performance ever.  A teary eyed Paula said “David you are ridiculous.  I wanted to squish you, squeeze your head off and dangle you from my rear view mirror” and although it sounds odd my friends know exactly what Paula said.  Oh god, David’s father is crying and so am I again.  Simon said that David is the one to beat and the other 19 contestants in this competition should be worried.  Damn, that performance deserves a rewatch on the TiVo.  Dude, even Seacrest has a crush. 1-866-IDOLS-10

Time to Vote…
So that’s it.  The girls are up tomorrow night.  My votes are going to David Archuelta and David Hernandez tonight as they had the best performances by far.  I’m also going to throw out a vote to Jason Castro because I want to see him stick around.

See ya next week: David Archuleta, David Hernandez, Michael Johns

Safe but you better step it up:  Chikeze Eze, Robbie Carrico, Danny Noriega

We might be saying goodbye to: ,Luke Menard, Jason Yeager