“OK guys, here we go.” The contestants are crammed in between some wood set pieces & the judges are huddling a few feet away. In a typically awkward moment, Simon kisses Ellen. What is this? Seriously, nine seasons in & what artistic development does this program have to show for itself. Not much I say.
I think we’re still chilling at this stage in the competition – top ten is still sorting the weeds out. And unfortunately there are a lot of weeds to sort out. Like 7 weeds. Maybe 3 non-weeds. Anyways, only one is going home tonight, so all tonight was was an opportunity for any contestant to separate themselves with a knockout performance – nothing else will carry through in the long run.
The theme for the night was “Soul and R&B” – who better to mentor the contestants than Usher? I don’t even care…I’ve hated Usher ever since his MJ “tribute” at the memorial service, where he said “Michael, you meant so much to us…especially me.” Good for you Ush.
Contestant: Siobhan Magnus
Siobhan sang “Through the Fire” by Chaka Khan. Siobhan pointed out in her video that she sometimes finds herself under scrutiny for what she wears…but honestly, anything a contestant can do to distinguish themselves is good at this point.
Unfortunately, Siobhan’s performance was awful in almost every way. It was surprisingly pitchy & weak, even though her voice always seems to be teetering on the brink as it is. Lying underneath the mess was a song that is plain boring & ineffectual. You could tell from the look on her face that she blew it.
But Let’s Be Real: Siobhan is still one of the frontrunners in this competition…she will not go home tonight. This song was just a waste of time. However, the bad performance mixed with the fact that she had to go first could put her in danger of landing in the bottom 3 tonight.
What It Is: D
Contestant: Casey James
Casey sang “Hold On, I’m Comin’” by Sam & Dave. I love this song, and I actually heard the vocal talent I hadn’t been recognizing up to this point. Casey showed a whole lotta range on this song, and broke out of the acoustic country genre I had shoved him into.
Overall, the performance only helped Casey, who was probably already getting plenty of votes as it was.
But Let’s Be Real: Casey takes a step up this week, and he’s beginning to show his artistic worth to the non-screaming girls that watch the show. Like me. I’m still not in love with him though…we’ll see what happens next week…
What It Is: B+
Contestant: Mike Lynche
I’m sorry, but I just don’t think Mike Lynche looks good with a guitar. I mean, he’s big Mike….get him a big guitar if he really has to play it.
His performance of “I Am Ready For Love” just served as another reminder that he is perhaps the only contestant that is truly excellent technically. I really enjoyed his song, but I didn’t really feel much emotionally from it. A heart-wrenching ballad like that requires a real emotional pull – it wasn’t quite there.
But Let’s Be Real: Mike’s technical excellence doesn’t mean he’s set to win…there is more to American Idol than the technical element. It does mean that he will have a lot more time to show us what he’s really about…he’s well on his way.
What It Is: B
Contestant: Didi Benami
Didi sang “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.” Usher advised to Didi to wear her heart on her sleeve during her performance – since it obviously means something to her (she cried after song in her intro video).
Didi almost got there with the song – she told a story & she was genuine. She was a little pitchy throughout, and she could have moved more dynamically (she was mostly at the same volume & intensity until the end). It wasn’t bad though
But Let’s Be Real: I think it was better than the judges made it out to be – which was crap. Even Ellen didn’t like it. Didi is not going to be in the top five this year, but I think she deserves at least one more shot. When the judges say she has lost her way, they aren’t being quite fair. I think the restraints of themed weeks are working against her, because they just don’t match her style
What It Is: C-
Contestant: Tim Urban
I don’t know where this came from, but Tim just had a creepy look on his face the whole performance – really weird. Tim just isn’t good enough for this. I mean he’s not bad, but he’s so amateurish. Awkward movements, technical and stylistic mistakes with every phrase he sings. Albeit, they are small mistakes, but overall it just doesn’t do anything.
But Let’s Be Real: Tim will stick around as long as the screaming girls think he is cute. After the rest of the country overcomes their numbers, he will peace out. Overall, Tim is just an average contestant, with a lot of appeal.
What It Is: C
Contestant: Andrew Garcia
HAHA Andrew is still here! It never fails to surprise! Anyway, I hope people cut it out with the voting for him, because he’s not a part of this competition anymore.
The judges seem to think he’s “back,” but to me, his performance of Chris Brown’s “Forever” was as lackluster and boring as he has been for the past 928 weeks. There was nothing special about it – just a slow & crappy acoustic version of song that never should be performed on American Idol at all – acoustic or otherwise.
But Let’s Be Real: The judges could affect the votes, but I think Andrew has no worth in this competition anymore. It probably would have been half decent to hear live, but on my little TV, it wasn’t.
What It Is: C-
Contestant: Katie Stevens
You know, I had thought that the magazines were kind of overreacting with the whole “American Idol is dying” stuff. But seriously, compare Katie Stevens to Kelly Clarkson (the Idol she’d obviously like to be). Katie is like 1/34th as good. And she is the only one left in the competition who is strictly pop. For real folks, Fantasia’s version was miles better than this. FANTASIA.
Her performance of “Chain of Fools” wasn’t bad, but she continues to come off as that annoying little girl who can sing pretty well. Nobody wants to see Katie Stevens in the final. It would be devastating to everybody in the world, also Mars.
But Let’s Be Real: I think Katie should go back to Pretentious High and be the title role in their spring production of Annie.
What It Is: C
Contestant: Lee DeWyze
Lee is already making him out to be this season’s David Cook. And if you think that
Lee sang “Treat Her Like a Lady” with complete ease & smooth style. He was completely on his game, and he is really starting to separate from the pack. He even had personality tonight! The stylists are making progress on the “American Idol Makeover” that transformed the likes of Clay Aiken & Jordin
But Let’s Be Real: I don’t know if it was more the producers or just Lee himself who transformer him into the top contender he is now. Either way, Lee did a terrific job this week.
What It Is: A-
Contestant: Crystal Bowersox
“Midnight Train to
But Let’s Be Real:
What It Is: A-
Contestant: Aaron Kelly
I had to question why they chose Aaron to go last this week…more and more the producers have been choosing the most promising contestants to go last. (No more pretending that it’s done randomly).
Aaron’s rendition of “Ain’t No Sunshine” sucked. Listen to Kris Allen’s version. I didn’t even think his was all that special, but it sure beats Aaron’s. His vibrato was all over the place, his breathing was off (like always), and there was hardly any artistic interpretation. There are redeeming qualities in his voice – his pronunciation of consonants in the middle of each phrase makes him out to be more of a pro
But Let’s Be Real: So he’s 16…big deal. It shouldn’t matter anymore. I don’t think he’s enjoyable to listen to & I don’t think he’s really going to get much better than he is right now. Not until he gets some major voice lesson action.
What It Is: C-
So yeah…the majority of contestants tonight were just silly. Silly contestants.
My Breakdown:
Lee DeWyze A-
Crystal Bowersox A-
Casey James B+
Mike Lynche B
Tim Urban C
Katie Stevens C
Aaron Kelly C-
Didi Benami C-
Andrew Garcia C-
Sibhan Magnus D
Bottom Line: My best guess is that Didi & Andrew will be the bottom two – with Didi getting the axe.
My Top Five Predictions @ the Top Ten (alphabetically):
Crystal Bowersox, Lee DeWyze, Casey James, Mike Lynche & Siobhan Magnus
In conclusion, bring Alex Lambert back.
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