Top Eleven Part Deux: This Is Gonna Be REALLY Difficult

No pictures this week - computer's being cray cray. But here's my recap anyway!

I love the footage from last week. I love Casey. Last week's results episode ruled. Casey almost died. American Idol, I'm loving you right now. Please don't change that tonight. ROCK IT, CASEY AND PAUL! DOOOOO ITTTT!

Heather Morris is in the audience! Man, I wish I were on a Fox show so I could go be in the audience and make Paul date me.

I really wish tonight wasn't Elton John night. Lame.

Dominic Monaghan IS young Elton John.

Idol finally has a segment with EW and it's the year Dalton Ross takes over? Michael Slezak FTW!!

I'm ready for songs now.

Scotty McCreery - Country Comfort
He has a natural elegance. Okay. Sure. We'll go with that. The words "One Trick Pony" are used. I agree. WOAH. Scottie plays guitar. Clever girl. Good choice, country boy. Can't be a real country guy if you can't play guitar. Playing the grandma card, are we? As much as Scotty doesn't do it for me, he's hands down the best Country contestant since Carrie Underwood. Great job. Especially with that last note. He knows what the audience wants.
Steven - Something about boots and grandmas. Did it again.
J-Lo - He has amazing instincts about performing and what's right for him. Encourages him to keep grounded and stay right there. Never doubt himself.
Randy - Thought he was at his concert like he was already there, so comfortable, so in the zone. That song could be on his record. Very nicely done.

Does Scotty have a crush on Scar-Jo? Never gonna happen, kid.


Naima - I'm Still Standing
Reggae spin! Okay, I could be into this. Naimia seems to be one of the only ones coming up with her own arrangements. Which I definitely commend her for. Oh she is MADE for this genre. This sounds like it's always been reggae. Pretty badass if I do say so myself. Sounds better and gets more interesting every week. Kind of into it. I'm allowing people in the room to vote for her tonight.
J-Lo - Loves her and her reggae swag. Wasn't sure the song was suited to it, but loved the way she performed. Respects that she took it where she wanted to take it.
Randy - Came off kind of corny, and she isn't corny, she's cool. Didn't quite work for him.
Steven - Boomshakalaka, good for her for picking a song that fits her.

We TOTALLY disagree with the judges. Thought she nailed it. Whatevs. Having never heard the original, I thought that was right on.

My brother just told me Haley and Casey are dating!!! First time in Idol history, right? EPIC! Love it.


Paul - Rocket Man
PAUL! He's so sexy. His band covered this song years ago. DO I HAVE THE SAME SHIRT PAUL IS WEARING IN THE VIDEO? Loving this. Love love love. Best he has sounded yet. SO adorbz. I love him. No back up vocals. YAY!
Randy - Couple pitchy moments. (DISAGREE!) He's here, he's got this, go further, they believe.
Steven - Loves his voice. Always does a little something. When he starts hitting every note, he won't like him anymore, loves his character.
J-Lo - More to his voice that he knows, he just has to go there. Wants him to push push push, especially in the upper register.

DON'T SAY BAD THINGS ABOUT MY PAUL. I thought that was great. He makes me giggly and happy.

More after the jump

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American Idol Top 11 - Okay, Something To Work With! But Stop Overproducing The Songs Please.

It's Motown night! All right, Seacrest, let's do this thing.

What the hell does "Steven Tyler, you're my mom's hall pass" mean? Is that a reference to the film Hall Pass? Was that a Fox film? Does that mean a freebie? Like a sexin freebie? I feel old.

Is this the same Motown clip package they show every year?

If this evening doesn't rule, I'm gonna be pissed. If someone manages to pick a bad song, I will begin to seriously question the functionality of his or her brain space.

NUMBER of hits, Randy. Not "amount." Number.

Casey - Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye
Casey, please return to the you of Awesome yore, if it's not too much trouble. Not loving the arrangement,  but am digging his voice, control, energy and little changes to the song.
Steven - Perfect entertainer
J-Lo - So specific in who he is, such an incredible thing, wondering if there is anyone like him out there right now and doesn't think there is
Randy - Definitely a true original. Takes chances, tells everyone who comes up there to just do them, and Casey can only do him and that him is great. Woah there, Randy, now.

Did Ryan just make some kind of secret bigamy joke?

The guitarist of Aerosmith gets a shout out, but the lead singer of Muse didn't. Still not over it.

More after the jump

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American Idol Song Suggestions Of The Day

Because why not? Take a listen and try to tell me I'm wrong. JUST TRY.

Paul, with nothing but his guitar, connecting to the audience with his cute face and cute everything and cute siiiigh love heart, singing Faithful, by Eric Anderson. Classic folk. Classic Awesome.

As for Haley, who needs to be more focused on blues and rock, I think Linda Ronstadt's Long Long Time would be PERFECT for Haley's pitch perfect, unique, huge voice.

For Pia, her voice definitely suits large ballads best, but so help me if she sings Celine Dion or Whitney Huston ever again. Maybe she could take on Randy Newman's Feels Like Home, most recently and most famously covered by Chantal Kreviazuk? I also would LOVE to hear her sing I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt

Would love Casey to use the fact that he has a great jazz/soul voice when he uses it correctly and plays five instruments to tackle Amos Lee's Soul Suckers

Agree? Disagree? Think I should stop wasting my time thinking about this? Yeah. I agree. I should. See full post

American Idol Top 12 --- I'm A Little Confused Too

The judges are being bizarrely awkward while trying to raise money for the Red Cross. Or at least Steven was. Not a time for Blue Steel, Tyler.

Seacrest reminds us that Ashthon was a contestant. We lament her getting the wild card while people like Tim didn't even get a chance. Oh well. America, here's your top 12!

I didn't know Pocahontas was competing this year...

Naima - What's Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner
Her family earns her 10 points. Loving them. Not loving the song right away, but I'll give it a chance. As long as she dances. Dancing! I see dancing! Where's the reggae rap? Not great or even very good, but she's interesting enough for me to want her to stick around.
Steven - You got a sorcerer's grasp for melody.
J-Lo - You bring yours to everything you do. Gave her a pass for the pithiness last week, but now sees she is consistently pitchy and it's hurting her. Makes J-Lo worry about how her performances will hold up, needs her to concentrate and work on that. Flavor is crazy so she needs to bring it together.
Randy - Watching her performance last week thought it wasn't great at all. Vocals are kind of a mess. All over the place.

Paul - I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues by Elton John
Love his family even more. Oh my god. I love him. NO! HOARSE VOICE! Ohmygod I love him so much. He is making J-Lo sing along! Love it! He sounds great and is absolutely adorbz. I can't stop clapping. I love him.
J-Lo - She feels him. Sounded good, he has so much soul and star quality, he overcame not thinking he was doing his best. He made it happen though.
Randy - Was pitchy sometimes but he really makes it his own and reminds him of Ray LaMontage. Tells him to get the notes right.
Steven - He goes off a little bit. He defines a cool dude in a loose mood. Way cool swagger. He's turning into that guy who you turn on the record and you know who you're listening to.

Paul is the BEST

Thia - Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas
Thia was maybe the cutest toddler. So far at least. Since she was 6 in effing 2001, she could record a studio level track then. Hilarious. OF COURSE she is singing this song. Knew she was dressed as Pocahontas. She can't quite hit the higher notes. Still digging her tone. But...that's it.
Randy - The vocals were okay, but the problem he is having she's been singing ballads every week, felt very boring, like she is at a pageant. Randy tells her to dig a little deeper and I think she should sing that song from The Princess and the Frog
Steven - He thinks she sings beautifully, but asks if she thinks that's who she is. She says she knows ballads aren't her.
J-Lo - Loves her tone and quality, but they need to see her break out and can't tell if the vibratto is nerves or natural. Needs to get out of the box.

More after the jump

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American Idol: Season 10 - IT BEGINS!

We're baaaaack.

The show opens with the Season 10 opening credits, which once again remind us that Lee Dewyze won last season of American Idol. Yay. And by yay I mean UGH.

Ryan asks the crowd who their favorite choice is. The clear winner is Vrrahaay. I mean, that's what I heard. Is there not a contestant named Vrrahaay? Don't start trying my patience this early in the season, Seacrest.

Our top 13 is re-introduced and I am reintroduced to the fact that this season SHOULD be strong. Which means it probably won't be. Oh boy.

Theme: Personal Idols.

To the performances!

Lauren Alaina - Shania Twain - Any Man Of Mine
Wait, Laura Alaina is a county girl? I mean I know she sang country last week, but...really? How did I miss that in the auditions/semi-finals? Laura looks adorbz and has approximately zero fear. And damn. Girl can sing. Not anything particularly new or exciting, but she's cute, confident, country AND has a shit load of talent - she is already the complete Disney package.
Steven - Wished the song was more kick ass, but loves her voice
J-Lo (Yup. Calling her J-Lo) - Always sounds so amazing, wants her to kick it into high gear. Loves her anyway.
Randy - Sang it well, but she needs to show off that she can sing anything and let herself shine beyond belief. Doesn't think she even knows how talented she is herself.

Moar after the jump!


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LEARN HOW TO STAND

Oh hey, I'm just a dude. Just a dude hanging around with my hands in my pockets. Ugh. #irrationalanger. See full post

I Has A Sad!!!!

I apologize for my lack of updates lately. Here's the thing. I'm in mourning. I'm in mourning for two reasons.

1. Lost is over and I wrote 57 posts about Lost, so I'm pretty upset there will be no more Lost for me to write about and love :(

2. American Idol proved America continues to be filled with idiots. I didn't bother recapping the final two performing. I just tweeted about how OBVIOUS IT WAS THAT CRYSTAL WAS BETTER. But then Crystal didn't win. Much like last year, the safe choice won over the better choice. At least last year, the guy who ended up winning also happened to be incredibly talented and my husband. This year, it's just some schlub, who, yes, I like, sure, but HOW DID CRYSTAL NOT WIN?! HONESTLY?! Plus, that finale show was the absolute strangest two hours of television I've ever seen and the whole thing confused & disappointed me. If Lee & Crystal fall in love and become each other's constants, maybe I'll forgive this whole mess. Maybe.

Update: Crystal & her boyfriend broke up. Go Leystal! Go Cree! Is there any way to create a not horribly shitty shipper name here?

Obviously, Lost is having a much bigger impact on me than Idol is, but like, seriously? And to cap it all off, there are people who hated Lost and loved Idol.

I need to go buy an iPad and call it a day. Or better yet, begin Red Dead Redemption?! See full post

American Idol Top 3 - We Have Ourselves a Race

FUTURE WINNAR?! OMGZ.

Well, it's top three week. Which means, in this case, contestant choice & judge's choice. Here's what we learned: Casey James is a goner, Crystal has to BRING IT next week and Lee Dewyze is effing sexy, people. There. I said it. Here we go!

Casey James - Ok It's All Right With Me

Fine, cute, looking good, sounds good, but you know, just kind of fine, nothing to write home about

Randy - "Kind of all right with me."

Ellen - Summary = eh

Kara - Summary = eh

Simon - Most important night of his life, lucky, cause compares that song to the salad portion of the dinner. Sounded like busking. Daft song choice.

Casey - Daughters

Just guitar and piano is good, but ultimately he doesn't sound as good as John Mayer, so...eh. Much better than his first performance, but he's not winning anything. Nice note hitting and nice guitar playing. But overall? Not better than Crystal or Lee.

Randy - Good direction, really, honestly

Ellen - Beautiful for him, really good

Kara - Good job

Simon - Much much better song choice than the first one. Was a bit of a lazy arrangement. Thinks there should have been more vocals in the arrangement. Kara & Randy disagree. He says he DID sound very good on it though.

Crystal Bowersox - Come Through My Window

Love the harmonica opening. Kinda wish it was just her & the guitar. Not her best. Not sure she should have picked a song by an artist she is too close to. Didn't really hit one of the notes or two. Definitely not her best. 

Randy - Didn't love the arrangement, but did like her vocal on it. Rose above the arrangement, all worked in the end

Ellen - And I totally missed what Ellen said...sigh. I was in a room filled with like 12 people, it was inevitable.

Kara - She is capable of a moment and hopes she has one

Simon - Wasn't the most stunning version of the song, but liked that she was herself, honest performance, made the right choice, congratulations

Crystal - Maybe I'm Amazed

I hate the sparkles. Sounding great. Didn't change the words, WIN! "Baby I'm a man." Hitting the notes. Sounds awesome. She looks nervous. Slightly flat overall, but still awesome.

Randy - Great song, great vocals, in it to win it

Ellen - Did it

Kara - Didn't change it up that much, but showed parts of her voice they hadn't heard before tonight, really pushed, no instrument - huge risk. Risk paid off.

Simon - Was surpsied with songchoice, but noe he gets it. Proved that she has soul, worked outside of her comfort soul. May be thanking Ellen for putting her in the final. 

Lee Dewyze - Simple Man 

Was kind of hoping Ryan was gonna say "Crosby, Stills and Nash" instead of Lynyrd Skynyrd" but we can't always get what we want, can we? Please just be him and the guitar. Damnit. The rest of the band just came in. Oh well. He's still doing a great job. The non-Idol watchers in the room have dubbed him their favorite and some even have crushes. 

Randy - Somebody here is feeling like they could win this. He's ready.

Ellen - That's what we're talking about. Took it seriously. So proud of him.

Kara - He did what the contestants need to do, showed them everything he's got. Round 1 goes to Lee.

Simon - That song was absolutely on the money. Blew the other two out of the water.

Lee - Hallelujah

Really?! Hallelujah? I don't know....here we go. Just him playing the guitar. Like it so far. STRINGS?! OK! Choir. Not sure it needs choir. Doesn't need the band, but he still sounds good. Shit. Lee. Is. Rocking it. Uh oh, Mamasox. My oh my. Methinks Lee won this night, no? Wow.

Randy - Been waiting all season to see who is gonna throw down the real gauntlet to win the whole thing. Biggest moment at the biggest time. Unbelievable.

Ellen - That was stunning

Kara - What the show is all about. Starts in a limp place and ends up here tonight. Heart of the show this season, owned the entire night.

Simon - Very very very proud of him. Proved that he is a fantastic singer, a great person, and Simon hopes he makes it through. 

Damn. And suddenly Lee is the front runner. Hmmm. Funny how much this resembles Katherine McPhee/Taylor Hicks, Blake Lewis/Jordin, Sparks Archie/David Cook, Adam Lambert/Kris Allen around this time, huh? I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Lee pulled it out in the end, though at this point I still really want it to be Crystal for being pretty consistent week to week, for being totally awesome, for being unique, for being unlike any other winner (or contestant for that matter!) and so on and so forth.

I'm nervous, you guys.

Going Home: Casey, or something is wrong with the world

Grades:
Lee (overall) A-
Crystal (overall) B
Casey (overall) C+

See full post

American Idol Top 4 - Duets FTW!

What a strange evening. A bunch of mediocre solo performance and randomly awesome duets. I mean, no one brought the house down Adam/Allison Slow Ride style, but they did a pretty damn good job. 

Lee Dewyze - Kiss From A Rose

From the moment the song starts, I wish it was just him and the guitar and no stupid backing band ugh. No longer in it to win it, Lee? Oooh, but someone got tan this week. Not the best he's ever sounded either. Better in the chorus at least. Stop fucking up your moment, Lee. UGH. I'm annoyed. 

Randy - For him, he did nothing with the song, was just okay, pitchy in spots, was just okay

Ellen - Could have been more done with the song. That being said, Lee is so good and sang the song so well. 

Kara - Had a great week last week, everyone loves him, but one of the most difficult songs to sing, and he got lost by using the backing band, but he is still great

Simon - So many brilliant movies, songs and opportunities to find a song and make it original, that was verging on karaoke

Michael Lynche - Will You Be There

Most people should never touch an MJ song, but actually Mike can totally pull this off. His voice is good enough and I always feel like every song he sings is distinctly Big Mike. Damn, he has a great voice. One of our viewing party says that arrangement wasn't right for the song. I'm not a fan of most of Big Mike's arrangements, but you can't deny the quality of his voice.

Randy - Doesn't quite know what's going on tonight. Didn't love it for him, wanted an R&B song. Just all right.

Ellen - Was a fan of the choir. His goal should be to win, not be in the top three. Consistently good, always sounds good, was just a little bit predictable.

Kara - Wanted something more like Ready for Love or Woman's Work. She wants goosebumps tonight. Didn't feel that from him and knows he has more. Wants him to go back to those moments.

Simon - At least he gave it 100% and kinda felt that he meant it

Lee & Crystal Duet - Falling Slowly

OH THIS BETTER BE AWESOME.

Ok, kind of loving it. Yeah. I'm loving it. Wish they were interacting with each other more or one was at the piano like in the movie, but whatever, I'm into it. YES. Downloading it.

Randy - Great song by two great singers, could be a hit right now, amazing. That's how you do it.

Ellen - The new Captain and Tenille. God that was great!

Kara - One of her favorite moments of the entire season. Loved the interaction, the chemistry, the support, brought out the best in each other

Simon - A fantastic song (but...they didn't write it, Simon)

Casey James - Mrs Robinson

Oh god, please be good and don't use the backing band. MANDOLIN?! Effing awesome. Still has goat bleat, but ITS A FUCKIN MANDOLIN. Loving his take on this. Bleating aside. Good idea, good execution!

Randy - Starts making jokes about how the song is about Kara. Thought he sounded cool, wasn't jumping up and down, cool, laid back version of the song.

Ellen - Liked that he did something different, was hoping he went further, but liked that he changed it up, really smart, liked it

Kara - For her, this is him fighting to stay in the competition, cause he has difficulty being vulnerable and up front. Good choice. 

Simon - Personally, didn't think the song or the performance had the substance required on this important night, a little bit lazy. Could have made more of an impact. Gonna be tough. But have been some strange song choices tonight and that was one of them.

Crystal Bowersox - I'm All Right

This is already awesome. Love her. Oh god, do I need to vote tonight? I just want Crystal to win, that's all I really care about at this point. She gets so into it and is so good and come on, is the only real artist this season, let's be honest. Bongos breakdown! Badass. 

Randy - Definitely an artist. Wasn't his favorite performance, but she switched it up, made it fit her

Ellen - That just got Crystalized! Took the song and made it better.

Kara - Completely agree w/ Ellen. Made the song better, ARTIST.

Simon - Crystal is back in the game. 

Casey & Mike Duet - Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman

Casey doing the solo, awesome. Everyone playing a guitar tonight! How do the judges get to watch this? Odd. Mike sounds good. Damn. Yeah, he can out-sing Casey in his sleep. Harmony! Yay! Casey is so good at the guitar! Loves it! I MAY download this, it's possible. Very possible. That was cool!

Randy - Sounded really good, nice one

Ellen - Lesbian joke! Awesome!

Kara - Duets tonight were incredible. Better than all of the solos, was great.

Simon - Duets should have artist t shirts, a million times better than the solos, really well done

Favorite: Crystal

Least Favorite: Lee

Want to go home: Casey

Prediction for going home: Mike (but hope not!)

Grades:

Crystal B+

Casey B-

Mike B-

Lee C

Crystal/Lee A-

Casey/Mike B

See full post

Getting Down To It - American Idol Top 5 Recap

Fox doesn't have an effing group picture of the top five, so I have no photo to headline this week's recap. THIS IS WHY WE AREN'T FRIENDS, FOX.

...I'm only half serious. You're cool sometimes.

Anyway, this week's installment of American Idol was Sinatra themed and it was actually a pretty good decision. For the first time, it was made clear to me that certain contestants actually CAN sing and certain other ones, as much as I like them, just can't. And others can sing just fine, sure, but need to go home already cause they bore me. On to the recap!

Aaron Kelly - Fly Me To The Moon
Competant, sounded good enough, sure, whatever but I don't care
Randy -  Looking for who is in this to win it. Was worried but he did a really good job
Ellen - Also was worried, but cannot believe she didn't hear any country, felt like he really pulled it off, beautiful vocals
Kara - Good. Not as strong as last week. Thinks he will be here again. Needs more charisma.
Simon - Was a mouse to Frank Sinatra's lion. Corny vocals at the end. Didn't have the conviction. But a good thing is people like him after he performs.

Casey James - Blue Skies
"Sometimes its not about the lyrics, sometimes it's about the groove" - HCJ
Sounds kind of off at the beginning, let's see how this goes. But the sheet music on an ipad or whatever is effing awesome. Casey is so darn cute, but this proves that vocally, he just isn't THAT strong. Nice final note. Eruditechick says the performance is "God Awful."
Randy - Worst performance, pitchy until the last note, out of his element, knew it would be tough for him, about intricate melodies and singing with the band.
Ellen - Felt very stiff, no cool, not effortless, agrees with Randy and is sorry
Kara - Took him a long time to warm up into the song. But at least he held some notes, she's never heard that before. But he kind of sounds like a lamb sometimes, with the vibratto - YOU COULD HAVE TOLD HIM THAT AGES AGO!
Simon - He wasn't fantastic. Came over a bit embarrased and awkward. Didn't feel comfortable. Jokes about him getting kicked off. Yikes.

Harry Connick says he sounded better in rehearsal and it's hard to hear on the stage, but he did kill it two hours ago. Awwwe.

Crystal Bowersox - Summer Wind
Crystal is totally classic jazz singer omg her interaction with Harry is amazing.
She jumps into any genre they give her, she's badass. Ohmygod is she gonna cry again? Nice performance!
Randy - One of her more subdued performances, was okay, a little sleepy
Ellen - At first seemed like she was swallowing the words, then really started singing, wanted her to loosen up a little bit more, she has so many different sides, totally impressive
Kara - Out of her element, but she kind of liked it. Liked her phrasing. Showed that she could hold her own in that department.
Simon - Felt a little bit indulgent. First half too jazzy, second half a lot better. Wasn't one of her strongest performances. Has had two okay weeks, needs to go back to be in it to win it.

Big Mike - The Way You Look Tonight
Someone who can really sing! Yay! Oh this is good. Oh, we're grooving. Yeah I said grooving. Yeah. He can sing. Damn. Totally committed to the style. Awesome.
Randy - Mike is in it to win it. This is what he's talking about. Always sings it interestingly and well. Threw down the gauntlet.
Ellen - Seems to have the most comfort on stage. Showed that tonight, looked the part, sounded the part, really good
Kara - Found the drama in the song, took us on a journey, did everything right, but didn't lose himself.
Simon - Brought himself back in the game. Listened. Seemed like everyone worked together. Fantastic.

Lee - That's Life
Oooh, sounds good. In Lee's power zone. Continues to get cuter every week. I'm serious. Lee is having sex with someone. And he wasn't 3 weeks ago. I'm telling you. Oooh! I like this! Approve.
Randy - Loved it.
Ellen - If this was the last night of performances, he would have just won this whole thing
Kara - Asks if he thinks he can win. He says yeah. Says he needs to go home and write "I can win this thing" he needs the confidence, he can win this thing
Simon - Harry brought out his personality and confidence, loved that he gave it 110% and was by far the best performance of the night.

Did they totally forget about Mike?!?!! Who just went? And was awesome? Confused.

Top Two

 
Bottom Two

Going Home: I'm pretty sure it's gonna be Casey, but I WISH it was Aaron. Aaron doesn't deserve to be in the top 4. Casey isn't THAT great of a singer, but I like him and whatever, shhh.

Grades:
Lee A
Big Mike A
Crystal B
Aaron C-
Casey D+ See full post

American Idol Top 6 - Shania Twain Not A Terrible Idea After All?

 I was skeptical about this Shania Twain business, but you know what? I take it back. Everyone improved tonight. Does that mean I suddenly like Aaron Kelly and think he deserves to be in this competition? Absolutely not. Also? Mamasox continued to prove that she's a fuckin badass. ONWARD!

Lee - Still The One
Confused by how he is singing this. Off key? Or just weird? Still not a HUGE fan of his voice, but actually it's not terrible. And his look continues to grow on me. Not sure he needed the whole orchestra to come in. Kinda killed the whole "Lee making it his own" vibe for me. But still solid overall.
Step sideways - Still solid
Randy - One of his favorite songs of all time. Started out pitchy, but mid-way, found a way to make it his own & found his sweet spot
Ellen - Better than a pretty good job. Always makes it his own. Never a sound alike. Couldn't look cuter.
Kara - Sound of his voice makes it sound so relevant. Liked how he was feeling the song. Good job.
Simon - Agree with everyone. Absolutely the perfect song for him.

I just decided Lee looks kind of super sexy tonight. Did someone get laid between last week and now? .... What?

Mike - It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing
He can definitely sing. Probably Definitely my favorite tone of the remaining guys. Not sure I'm a fan of the arrangement, but Mike *always* sounds great and tonight is so exception. And he definitely made it his own, very him. He even made Shania Twain cry!
Step Forward
Randy - In the zone
Ellen - Felt like Luther Vandross, felt his emotion, beautiful
Kara - Always feels his connection to his songs, what she appreciates most. Melody is so beautiful and loved that he didn't change it TOO much, but changed it enough to put his mark on it
Simon - Agrees about Luther Vandross analogy, spot on. But performance was a little bit "wet". Randy doesn't know what Simon means. No one does. Simon clarifies that he means it was a little bit girlie. Um...okay, Simon.

Sidenote: When Shania Twain speaks, she sounds like she is French. That is all.

The rest after the jump!

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American Idol Top 7 - Let's Just Call It For Crystal Now, Yeah?

Wow. Well that was a terrible episode of Idol, wasn't it? Thank god Lost and Glee were in top form tonight. Damnit, Idol.

Casey James - Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac
Sigh. He's cute, but the performance is boring and the same old same old. He sounds good, he looks good and his guitar is awesome, but I always just think about Back to the Future when I see when perform now. Thanks Huey Lewis song. Except when he sang Jealous Guy. Do that again.
Step backwards.
Randy - Complains we see the same thing every week, needs something else, something different
Ellen - Great guitar playing, you have to be GREAT and he is consistently good but no one will be talking about that tomorrow
Kara - Praises Jealous Guy. Calls tonight's performance "Jam Band," making himself like everyone else, but she still believes in him
Simon - Didn't think it was inspiring, zero emotion, just stood there & sang the song pretty much like the original. Lazy song choice

Lee Dewyze - The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel
Lee's high in honor of 4/20! What, he's not? Oh, that's just how he always looks? Cool. Our room got quite nervous when we heard he was The Boxer, cause we love this song. His vocal is all over the place, but you can tell he loves the song, which is kind of sweet. So I didn't hate it. Does anyone else get the impression that he doesn't have a lot of experience with women? Just saying. He has virginal face. Hmm. He's kinda hot. But that's neither here nor there. OR IS IT?
Step sideways - backwards for me, forwards for the judges
Randy - This season, the show is about artists and he's a great artist ready to make great music
Ellen - Beautiful song choice, soul & depth to him that we are seeing more and more of, better and better from him
Kara - Thinks he had his "moment" tonight. (We don't agree.) Advice - keep picking things you connect to
Simon - Best performance of the night! Of two. ... Sincere, emotional, inspirational, made it sound like it was written a week ago, absolutely brilliant

Tim Urban - Better Days by the Goo Goo Dolls
My is he pretty. Oh the notes that are off! Look at them go! I thought it worked for like a half second, but then he went back to being classic Tim, full of suck again. Valiant effort, sure, but his voice JUST ISN'T THAT GOOD.
Step backwards
Randy - Okay/good karaoke, didn't do anything with it
Ellen - Have liked his soup before, but didn't today
Kara - Found lane, he's in it, but a new Tim, but where he belongs (what are you saying?) but execution wasn't great but sometimes commercial but wasn't his best performance
Simon - If this was his first performance, they'd be quite impressed. Confused about who he is and thinks this week was a step too high, but he has improved over the weeks. But a little bit of a letdown.

Aaron Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly by R Kelly
I laughed when he first came on camera to sing. I laughed out loud. Because he looks little and silly and I want him to go home. He starts out sounding pretty shitty, then it gets moderately less shitty, technically, in some points, but WOW don't I care. Ugh. Just go home already. Poor man's David Archeleta INDEED.He could sing your face off, High School Student Aaron Kelly. Best part is the end, but it's still an annoying karaoke stupid arrangement poop.
Step backwards UCK
Randy - Good job with a giant song
Ellen - Big voice, tough song, handled it real good [sic]
Kara - Hit it in the middle and got it flying, by the end, he got there
Simon - A MAN OF REASON. Knowing him, liking him, having the guts to take the song on, he gave it his all. But in the real world, if it came on the radio, he would turn it off in 10 seconds cause it wasn't very good. He kind of made it good.

Siobhan Magnus - When You Believe by...don't know don't care but Mariah and Whitney sang it TOGETHER so WHY are you singing it. She explains that she just wanted to sing it, so why should she stop herself just because Whitney and Mariah sang it. Look. I saw the list of song choices this week and there were MUCH better options than this stupid ass song. She sings it half on, half off, all awkward. I loved Siobhan, so I don't wanna give up hope yet and her high notes were gorgeous. But...oh that was just awful. Who IS she as an artist?
Step backwards
Randy - Arguably picked the toughest song of the night. Was okay.
Ellen - More confirmation why she's here
Kara - Technically, really well sung, but it's not a musical and it started to feel very dramatic and starts to feel like she'd rather hang out with her than buy her record
Simon - Not the right song, old fashioned arrangement, too much happening too quickly, doesn't like the leaves/butterflies. (Siobhan rambles on about not being afraid of singing the song and blah blah, get better please NOW)

Michael Lynche - Hero by Nickelback
LOVE the opening with Big Mike and the guitar! This is nice! I love his voice and it's refreshing to hear someone actually hit all the notes! WOW!!! This is very Seal, isn't it? The cord progression even reminds me of Kissed by a Rose.

Step sideways - Didn't improve, didn't get worse

Randy - Was nervous for him, but it worked out
Ellen - Did a great job
Kara - Not her favorite performance, all over the place, song was unrecognizable
Simon - Sang it pretty well, but why did he sing about Spiderman? (Love Big Mike's reaction to all of this) Thought he was sensational last week, so this week didn't quite gel, but thinks he will stick around to next week

Crystal Bowersox - People Get Ready by The Impressions
Damn this girl is ballsy. A Capella opening followed by BAM in your face SINGING, actually ditching an instrument and just fuckin going for it. I mean, yeah, there's no question, let's just give her the trophy now and spend the rest of the reason creating fun duets, combining seasons. Or just invite Kris Allen back to be dreamy, siiiiiigh. Oh also, the ending emotion was effing awesome and proved me right that the clips from their performances are from dress rehearsal, kthxbye

Step Forward

Randy - That is how you do it, unbelievable, standing O
Ellen - Have never looked more beautiful, keep evolving and growing and getting better and better (ZOMG she brought her own mic stand from home!)
Kara - Thanks her for taking a risk, on another level tonight, schooled all the other contestants
Simon - THAT was inspirational. Happy to see her emotional cause she has closed down, but they all felt that the song meant something to her and she sang it fantastically, in a different class from everything else they heard tonight

Only *one* step forward tonight. Wow. Good work, guys. I'm disgusted with myself for even watching this show at this point.

Top Three

Bottom Three

Who do I WANT to go home? Aaron. I'll also accept Tim. Who do I think WILL go home? I fear a surprise early exit from either Casey or Siobhan. I feel like Crystal, Mike and Lee are safe. We're really getting to it at this point - your guess is as good as mine.

Grade Em!
Crystal A
Mike B
Lee C+
Casey C
Siobhan C
Tim C-
Aaron Kelly D...I really fuckin hate this kid See full post

American Idol Top Nine - Lennon/McCartney NOT Epically Destroyed?!

Lennon/McCarney night on Idol and it wasn't a TOTAL disaster. Hooray! I think the song choices could have been heaps better for a few people (Siobhan, Lee, Aaron, Andrew) but thought others absolutely nailed which song (and arrangement for that matter) would best suit them (Casey, Tim, Katie). Once again, I predicted the winner of last week's show (Lee) would get tonight's pimp spot. Next week's pimp spot will either go to Katie or Casey, but it really should go to Casey cause he...changed things. ... I can't stop thinking about Lost. I have to stop typing now. To the recap!

Aaron Kelly - The Long and Winding Road
This arrangement makes me wanna strangle someone. Sounds like the ending song on a Disney movie. And this is a great song. Ugh. He is sounding kinda off in parts too. Boring. Step backward.
Randy - "Ahhh here we go." This is one of the ones that needed to be changed up, country version, something differerent
Ellen - Big song to take on, felt long and winding.
Kara - he's been delivering good performances, but he needs to great and he isn't on that level yet, feels like every performance is the same, wants tempo next week. He says he has something planned for next week
Simon - Wants to know why he picked the song and stuck with the arrangement. (Aaron DID change it, he made it worse.) Old fashioned, boring, got to become young and relevant, doing the same thing every week, needs a moment and some risks. Should have done research on that song.

Katie Stevens - Let it Be
Looks cuter than normal. More comtemporary, even if it means she had to raid a Wet Seal. She prostitutues herself for votes. Katie often does the single ladies dance in the house. Someone in our room over here observes that the show makes us think of the contestants as family, then kills them off, following the structure of a slasher film. Agreed.
HER WITH LET IT BE? OUT OF EVERYONE? NOOOOO.
Oh, she at least sounds good. This is actually...quite beautiful...dare I say it. Actually incorporating some of the ATU style I was hoping for. I still am not a huge fan of the tone of the voice, but this is probably her best performance. Big Step Forward
Randy - Best performance ever. Reaffirms to everyone watching that she belongs in the top 9. That was hot.
Ellen - Perfect example of changing it just enough to make it her own without disrespecting her song
Kara - Bottom three two weeks in a row, come on stage, no excuses, make the song her own, blossoms on stage. Her attitude is great, she's confident tonight, which is amazing considering she's been beat up for two weeks. Never looked or sounded better. Tearing up.
Simon - Got it right. Got it right because she was absolutely leaning in the direction Simon is hinting at, country. The other judges disagree that it was country, say it was more r&b.Seemed like she was actually singing about somebody, not being a robot.

The rest after the jump

See full post