I've actually been meaning to write about this season of American Idol, since it's the first time I've watched a season from the very first auditions episode. I missed the opportunity to blog about some great moments and performances, and it's a shame considering this has been a nice upturn after season 5 and 6's "kinda pitchy" finalists. Unlike those seasons, there's no one who's downright terrible. Well, tonight had the top 8 singing inspirational songs because this week is the second annual idol gives back charity event; poor countries in Africa get loads of money, and Ford and Coca-Cola make EVEN MORE on their ubiquitous advertisements and product placements. First up tonight was......
1. Michael Johns - "Dream On" by Aerosmith. I've been a fan of the Australian-turned-American ever since I saw him audition before the judges in Atlanta. He's got a great voice, performs well, and simply has...well...presence when he's moving/bouncing around on stage. After hitting a high point in Hollywood week with a stellar rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody", he kind of sunk into "good but not great" territory throughout the Top 24, and the first few weeks of the Top 12. Two weeks ago he got his groove back, and last week he set the bar even higher. This week, he didn't manage to top himself, but he managed to deliver the strongest performance of the night. He sounded great, he got to show off his rocker side (what is Randy's problem with Michael rocking out? Can Randy only handle him singing blues-rock-R&B? sheesh), and he even managed to pull off some of those insane high notes that Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler is famous for.
Grade: B+ (again, best of the night, which should give you an indicator of how "meh" the night was as a whole).
2. Syesha Mercado - "I can Dream" (or something like that). Once again singing a BIG song by someone with a BIG voice, I have to give Syesha credit: for once, I almost/kinda/sorta liked it. I still don't understand why Randy keeps lavishing praise on her vocals...she's really got a pretty tinny sounding voice (those high notes are painful). Even though it was her best performance, I still really think she just needs to go home. That, and I really wish she would stop with that obnoxious, self satisfied smile she always has on her face after she performers.
Grade: B-
3. Jason Castro - "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". The dread locked goofball's performance was probably the most puzzling of the night. I'm still shocked that SIMON called it "fantastic". It wasn't bad, but it came off as too lightweight, even though Jason did sound good. However, the eukalale (sp?) was really distracting (similar to when Brooke used it on "Love is a Battlefield"). He should be safe this week, though if he can't break his laid back folksy mould anytime soon, he'll be in big trouble.
Grade: B-
4. Kristy Lee Cook - don't remember the song. Once again, the bland white wonder chose to sing another Bible-belt pleasing country-ish song (the word's prayer and God were squeezed into almost every other verse) in an attempt to save herself. Like Syesha, she doesn't deserve to be in the Top 12, but it was one of her better performances. That said, at her best this girl is just so friggin' bland...it makes me wonder how she's survived week after week in the bottom three. America must be really desperate to give it's last remaining GWB (generic white bitch) of this season as many chances as possible...
Grade: C
5. David Cook - "Innocent" I started out not liking this grungy rocker at all. After one of his Top 24 performances I became a fan. Soon, he stole all of Michael's mojo and started turning in great performance after great performance....until this week. He didn't fall flat on his face, but he stumbled pretty badly. The song really didn't do much for me, and David spent so much time jumping from low notes to ear piercing falsetto that it was jarring. I don't mind when Idol contestants walk out into the audience, but David pushed it over the edge when he finished by raising his palm, where he had written, "Give Back". I had one of those sudden urges to just reach through the TV screen and slap him. I was even more disappointed when even Simon didn't call him out for the hand writing. Luckily, the judges did call him out. However, he's turned in so many good performances that his fan base will easily keep him safe for this one major blunder.
Grade: C/C- (gah...I hate having to write that about him)
6. Carly Smithson - "The Show Must Go On" by Queen. Another great song, but alas, for Carly is was well....so predictable. That and she resumed her attempts and winning the Vocal Olympics by throwing in unnecessary "oh yeeeeeeah!"s in between lyrics just to show off her voice. Only problem is, they felt forced, and her voice got really thin in her upper range. I don't think she'll go home, but she's been on a downward spiral ever since "Blackbird". Shame. She does have a good voice.
Grade: C+
7. David Archuleta - "Angels". The boy wonder took the stage with a piano this week, and even though he sounded good, the song did absolutely nothing for me. Of course, the judges fawned over it, and the fan girls squealed. David just kept licking his lips like he does every week (can someone get this guy some f-ing chap stick for Christ's sake!?). Anyway, second best performance of the night, song choice being the big error.
Grade: B
8. Brooke White - can't remember the song even though I've heard it a million times. I really like this singing nanny. She's got a really nice voice and she's done some great things with great songs, but this was not one of her bests. It wasn't awful but as Simon and Randy said, it was pleasant...it was nice....was it great or original?...not really...but it was nice. Hopefully she'll stick around next week.
Grade: B-
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