American Idol – Top 9
So this week’s theme is the Lennon/McCartney songbook. This category is always rough, the originals are so familiar that it can be dangerous for any one other than the most talented singer to change them. I think we all know by now that despite the pre-season pimping this lot is far from the best. Tonight before each contestant performs we will be treated to some of the other contestants thoughts about them.
- Aaron Kelly – The Long and Winding Road – Everyone likes Aaron and they tease him about being Yoda. He had a few good moments but overall it was flat, boring, and predictable. He really needs to do some younger material and he needs to act younger, he’s only 16 after all.
- Katie Stevens – Let It Be – Surprise, surprise Katie is everyone’s little sister, and she loves to dance. Wow, this is by far the best Katie vocal in just about forever. She has a pretty voice, and when she does something within her comfort range she can really shine.
- Andrew Garcia – Can’t Buy Me Love – Everyone says he is the comedian and the contestant with the most personality, despite what the judges say. Andrew’s look this week gives me flash back to the movie Can’t Buy Me Love staring a very young, incredibly geeky Patrick Dempsey. The performance wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t anything spectacular either. He really does seem to have a very limited range vocally, which has to limit what he does.
- Mike Lynche – Eleanor Rigby – Big Mike is a giant teddy bear and just a little goofy. This is miles away from David Cook’s version of this song which is a good thing for Mike, but I’m not sure I like it, I may need another listen. He definitely knows how to perform though and he is always willing to take a risk.
- Crystal Bowersox – Come Together – Mamasox is original, kind, sincere, mothering, an artist, and everything else wonderful. The didgeridoo is too cool and even with a cold she is still the best overall performer in this group. She is the bright spot in each week’s line up, and she proves everything the others said when she calls the didgeridoo player out on stage.
- Tim Urban – All My Loving – Everyone loves Tim’s smile and Tim is always smiling. This is better than many of his performances, but as Randy says we are only basing this on “Tim Performances”. He is still just either weird, boring, or both. I have to wonder if the judges aren’t being a little overly nice in an attempt to make the voters complacent and hopefully get him knocked off.
- Casey James – Jealous Guy – Casey is the movie star of the crowd and everyone enjoys making up names for him, he also has a really big laugh. This song highlights the bleaty vibrato I dislike so much in Casey’s voice, totally the wrong choice from that perspective. I did see that he invested a lot more of himself in the performance it just didn’t work for me vocally.
- Siobhan Magnus – Across The Universe – Siobhan is unique, amazing, one of a kind, and has an amazing voice. The whole thing was a little boring and a bit too understated, but at least she didn’t screech during this one. The outfit is a whole other matter, she just truly marches to the beat of her own drum and for that I congratulate her. I could have done without the sobby bit at the end.
- Lee DeWyze – Hey Jude – Lee is a worry wart, always thinks he is the one going home, and is super close to Andrew. Not entirely sure what to think of this one, it had good moments, but the bagpiper was a wild bit of distraction in this one. He is loosening up on stage but I’m still waiting to see more from him. I’ll be interested to hear what they do with the studio version of this one.
I’d like to state the the backstage after clips are beyond annoying. My bottom three would have to be Tim, Aaron, and Andrew; no idea who will actually go home. Rihanna, Jason DeRulo, and David Archuleta will perform during tomorrow’s elimination show. Something to look forward to or not, me I’m just going to check out clarks shoes while I wait for my supper to be done. See you tomorrow when one more gets sent home.
