AMERICAN IDOL: Top 9 Performances

It’s Tuesday. Allison’s hair is still shocking pink. Simon’s hair is still hideous. And despite what they want you to believe, Paula and Kara still hate each other. THIS is American Idol.

Move over Coke and Ford, tonight’s gratuitous product placement is ingrained into every minute of the show.  This week the popsters get to sing anything they want as long as it’s on the Popular Downloads list from iTunes….and if they got the rights for the song.  I can’t seem to find this elusive ‘Popular Downloads’ list.  Where is it?

As I do every week I’ll be blogging away as I watch and sharing my opinion as I go.  Then the judges will weigh in.  And then it’s your turn to break down each performance in the comments.  Are you ready? Let’s do it.

Anoop Desai
“Caught Up” by Usher
1-866-IDOLS-01
My Take: Way to pimp start the show Anoop. Loved his entrance with the background singers. Can’t say that I loved the arrangement.  I kept feeling that Anoop wanted to have a little more fun with it but he was held back by the band. There was a certain energy lacking.  He sounded good, but the performance overall didn’t quite have the pop it needed. Anoop was channeling some bizarre Michael Jackson thing in his performance tonight…leave it behind next week Anoop Dawg.

Judges: Randy didn’t think it was the right song but the vocals were good. Kara thought he played it safe. Paula thought he needed to work on his performance and the arrangement more. Simon thought it was a complete and utter mess. He thought Anoop came over as a wannabe.

Anoop had a little too much ego and attitude tonight and that’s going to cost him some votes.  Why don’t these Idol wannabes just shut it?

Megan Joy
“Turn Your Lights Down Low” by Bob Marley
1-866-IDOLS-02
My Take: I’m so seriously over Megan. Yes, this song fit her vocal style a bit more than songs she’s chosen in the past but she still doesn’t have the vocal fortitude to pull it off.  She was all over the place with the notes.  Sharp then flat. And that’s when her voice wasn’t cracking. It was a mess and I hope the judges recognize that.

Judges: Kara thinks Megan is in trouble. She condemned her song choice but also her vocal approach to the songs.  She wants something more like Adele’s “Chasing Pavements” (more on this comment in a sec).  Paula suggested Megan digs a bit deeper and babbled something about sitting on a stool. Simon thought we have lost the Megan that we had at the beginning of the competition. Randy ripped on her performance too suggesting, like Kara that she should go after Duffy, Amy Winehouse, Adele, etc.

Ok, this is what I don’t truly understand about the judges. They bring Megan into this competition because of her uniqueness, and then they are telling her to sing songs by artists that have a similar vocal style to her own.  Do they want her to be a cookie cutter?  They praise the contestants for taking risks and singing against their comfort level yet they’re telling Megan to stick with songs in her style.  Now I’m not a fan of Megan but I’m also not a fan of the judges giving out this generic advice.  Sorry but they are worthless.

Done.

Danny Gokey
“What Hurts the Most” by Rascal Flatts
1-866-IDOLS-03
My Take: A very powerful performance from Danny tonight.  But please don’t tell me I’m the only one that realized that Danny was out of tune the entire song?! Seriously listen back, he’s sharp from the very first note. I was actually cringing in spots.  Did he not have his ear piece in? He was so anxious to get to the belting section (Danny loves to belt) that he rushed through and went even more out of tune. The depth was there and I liked for the most part what he did with the song itself but there was a bit tonality problem tonight.

Judges: Paula loved him.  What?! She wants to hit repeat in the car.  Simon LOVED it and thought it was his best performance ever. Is the sound off on my TV or something? Randy and Kara were both effusive with praise.

Update: I just went back and listened for the third time and still heard major pitch problems. Looks like I’m out numbered tonight. I just call ’em like I see/hear ’em.

Allison Iraheta
“Don’t Speak” by No Doubt
1-866-IDOLS-04
My Take: Allison picked one hell of a song tonight.  Her voice was so beautiful in the beginning that I wished she kept it an acoustic performance, it would have made for a special performance.  Bravo for the control of the chops.The first half was much better than the second but overall I thought it was a fantastic performance. I think more than anyone else in the competition this 16 year old knows exactly who she wants to be as an artist. The look was a mess, but I can forgive it.

Judges: Randy skipped over the vocal critique and focused in on her clothes. Kara also commented on her look saying she didn’t need to have the look to let us know she’s a rocker…her voice does that. Kara wasn’t really feeling the performance. Paula loved it. Simon too was fixated on the clothes. I guess the judges and I aren’t on the same page tonight. It happens.

Scott MacIntyre
“Just the Way You Are” by No Doubt
1-866-IDOLS-05
My Take: Scott is singing Billy Joel. I can’t. I can’t take it anymore.  This guy is NOT relevant. Why aren’t the judges calling him out on it?  And tonight he’s singing Billy Joel?  I love me some Billy. I’ve seen the guy 17 times in concert. No lie. I’m a big fan.  But a new artist coming on to the scene trying to be like Billy Joel just isn’t going to cut it. And as for the performance itself, it wasn’t good. He doesn’t have the vocal chops. It’s the same thing week in and week out.  I’m going to go make some tea. I’m bored.

Judges: Kara continued to placate Scott. If that was anyone else singing the song they would have ripped him apart.  Paula went out of her way to say that she wasn’t heaping praise on Scott because he’s blind, but then she praised him for making her forget he’s blind.  Which one is it, Paula? Simon said it was his best performance by a mile. Randy was right there praising him too.

I’m so sick of these judges.  How about you judge his performance at face value.  Don’t start him higher on the scale because of his challenges. It’s rude and wrong.

Matt Giraud
“You Found Me” by The Fray
1-866-IDOLS-06
My Take: Please do good. Please do good. Hmm. I can’t say that this was my favorite performance of Matt’s.  The second half really lifted the performance but it wasn’t all that great. Interesting to see him playing in the middle of the audience.  That was a nice change of pace. I thought the vocals were a bit too shaky tonight. There were definitely some pitch problems. I liked that he sang something so contemporary but I think it could have been better.  I really don’t understand how he landed in the bottom two after last week’s performance, but in case it wasn’t a fluke, I’m worried that this won’t be enough.  Please let it be. As soon as I post this review I’m off to go vote for Matt for a few hours.

Judges: Paula thought he aborted all the things that the judges loved about him.  Simon thought it felt very uptight and uncomfortable. Randy thought it was the wrong song. Kara said that Matt was going back and forth between the rock side of pop and the R&B side of pop and he’s going to have to commit for everyone to know what kind of record he will make.  I actually get that comment and agree with it.

Lil Rounds
“I Surrender” by Celine Dion
1-866-IDOLS-07
My Take: Here’s something telling – I forgot Lil was in this competition.  I was thinking about who hadn’t yet performed and I couldn’t for the life of me think of who I was missing.  Yikes.  Tonight was a big performance for Lil.  Taking on Celine isn’t something you do lightly. The first half was a little shaky, but she belted it out in the middle.  It wasn’t flawless but it got my attention.  And I know I probably seem a little Debbie Downer tonight, but I have to be honest…there was something missing from Lil tonight.  There was no life in her eyes. I don’t know if she was nervous or what but that spark was missing. Oh, and despite my weeks watching, I don’t think I would have been able to pick Lil out of a line up.  She looked so different tonight.

Judges: Randy still didn’t love the song but applauded the vocals.  Kara had more of the same.  David Spade looked bored.  You can’t tell me he’s a fan of IDOL.  Ryan walked into the shot (love live TV). Paula says she doesn’t want to see an adult contemporary Lil Rounds (OH MY GOD! Scott MacIntyre!!!). Simon thought she was singing to stay in the competition (rather than to win it).  Again all the judges suggested she sing Mary J. (Ok I think she gets it). Simon noticed that her spark was gone.

Ok how adorable are Lil’s kids?!  And when the little one climbed up into Randy’s lap?  Too cute for words.

Adam Lambert
“Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry
1-866-IDOLS-08
My Take: Uh oh. It’s only the pre-video and I’m already dreading Adam’s screaming. Wait, is the Elvis look staying? I thought that was a one week look.  This is one of my least favorite songs. It’s right up there with House of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’. But Adam did it really well. I liked the soulfulness he brought to the beginning of the song.  It made me pay attention to hear such a familiar song performed with distinction. This guy can sing!!!!  But I have to be honest…all the screaming at the end? Ugh and ugh.  We know he can scream. He’s done it.  To channel Simon, I think it’s all a bit self indulgent.  Adam has an amazing voice and I’d rather hear him actually sing than screech. But another unique and solid performance from Adam tonight.  This kid has got it!

[And was that Marco from ‘Privileged’ standing with Adam’s family?]

Judges: Paula already wrote her critique of Adam even before he performed.  It was her big moment as she finally got to say her overly rehearsed speech comparing him to Jagger and Tyler. Oh Paula, you are a train wreck.  Simon thought it wasn’t as good as last week but that it doesn’t matter because he’s setting himself so far apart. Randy heaped more praise. Kara is always anxious to see what Adam does and she loved it.  She also said it was like “Studio 57” in the place tonight.  Huh?  Loved that as they pulled away Simon was correcting her…it’s Studio 54, Kara.

Kris Allen
“Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers
1-866-IDOLS-09
My Take: My favorite performance of the night!!!!! Was that enough exclamation points for ya?! Kris’s performance was smokin’ hot! He took a very well known, older song and completely transformed it into something so very new.  I can’t wait to download this performance off of iTunes tonight.  Again, Kris is a bit of an underdog but he’s doing more for me than most in the competition.  After that performance I have a new favorite IDOL wannabe…Kris Allen.

Judges: Randy loved the performance. Kara gave us another word count tonight: “This is artistry.” Hey Kara, I’ve got five words for you: “Come up with something new!” Simon thought it was a great arrangement and Kris’s best performance so far.  YAY!

• Based on a whole lot of everything, I’d give MY top three votes to:  Kris Allen, Matt Giraud, Adam Lambert
• My bottom three predictions: Scott MacIntrye, Megan Joy, Matt Giraud
• Going home? Megan Joy

Talk to me.  What were your favorite performances of the night?  Any stand outs?  Who are you ready to send home?  Vote below and then tell us more in the comments.