Here we are, the first week of the American Idol finals. Not only is a top 13 a first, it's created an interesting problem for anyone voting for the last singer. As the linked article says, it will be interesting if the perceived producers' favorites will be in any spot but the last.
I'll start blogging with the first singer, husband-crafted sandwich in one hand ;) Refresh after the judging to see the latest.
BTW, did you know the new kiss-of-death song is a remake of Motley Crue's "Home Sweet Home" by Carrie Underwood?!
Simon is telling people not to forget the words, which pretty much ensures that someone will.
Tonight's twist: Because the top group is one person heavy, two people are being sent home tomorrow. Kinda saw that coming, didn't you?
Tonight's theme: Michael Jackson songs. What a nightmare...let's get started.
Lil Rounds, "The Way You Make Me Feel"
If anyone in this group wouldn't sound completely ridiculous tonight, it would be Lil Rounds. I think she has a great voice and attitude, but what is that on her shoulder? The others may have trouble matching her tonight. Randy says she gave it an old-soul vibe. Kara is wearing a worst shirt than Lil, if that's possible. Did Kara just say "dawg"?! Paula, of course, complimented the clothes first. Simon thought it was good but a lazy song choice. He hates what she's wearing, too.
Mention #1 of the extra special #13 number.
(LOL, Mr. Peanut the pirate.)
Scott MacIntyre, "Keep the Faith"
Yay, Scott's playing the piano! He seems much more comfortable behind the piano and is singing better than last week. A little off key here and there, though, and he's likely to get criticized for choosing a song most people don't know. The ending was a bit odd, too. Kara mentions that Scott just learned that on piano this week and actually complements that he chose a less-popular song. Paula said it was lovely. The composer of the song gives Scott props from the audience. Simon hated the song because nobody knows it, and he said there isn't room for being artistic on AI. *hee hee* Randy said the performance was too safe.
(My husband wants to see the new Nicholas Cage movie but is afraid that it will freak me out too much. I'm a bit of a fatalist, you see...)
(Dear Plurk, how will my Plurk buddies and I discuss AI if you KEEP CRASHING?!)
Danny Gokey, "PYT"
Backup singers = bad. Danny is really getting the crowd into it, even if it seems he's yelling most of the song. Again, though, another song with a small number of words sung over and over again. Wonder how long they'll keep letting him wearing the glasses? He made Paula cry, and she predicted he will be in the finals. Simon thought the vocals were brilliant and the dancing hideous. Randy said it was passionate, and Kara said it was joyous.
BTW, there's been some controversy about how much Danny mentioned his deceased wife. Notice he did not mention her tonight.
Michael Sarver, "Not Alone"
Michael seems like a really good guy, and he's got a pretty nice voice. He's a bit off key in places, but the crowd loves him. He picked a good song for him, and the last note was very strong. Simon said he's not the best singer but makes up for it with passion and heart. Randy said he was glad he did an R&B take on the song, and Kara said tonight proves he's a singer. Paula said he picked an instinctually good song for him.
(Aw, cute little Windows girl.)
Jasmine Murray, "I'll Be There"
Jasmine is another one with a good voice, but she doesn't pick the best songs. Since he's a teenager, she usually gets the "song is too old" comment, and probably will tonight, too. She was a little pitchy, too. Randy said she wasn't that bad (is that a compliment?). Kara said she sang it in too high a key. Paula said there were some pitchy moments. Simon said it was a good attempt but a little robotic. Oh, there it is, the "song is too old" comment!
(Hubby made dinner - turkey sandwich, small spinach salad, and gnoochi. Very yummy.)
Kris Allen, "Remember the Time"
Kris broke out the guitar, and I think he's totally underrated. Still doing too much of the John-Mayer's-little-brother thing, but he does have a good voice. Oh, no, he's going off key. At least the last night was good. Kara says the girls love him, and she likes that he played guitar. She also mentioned that he helped the other contestants all week. Paula said no one knows MJ's catalog better than Kris then immediately objectified him sexually. Simon said the vocals were okay, but the guitar was a little clumsy. Randy compared him to Jason Mraz.
Allison Iraheta, "Give in to Me"
Allison is the resident rocker on the show (no, Adam does NOT count), and she's rocking out the song. The bridge was a bit off key, but I couldn't tell if it was her or the backup singers. She definitely didn't sing like anyone else so far. Paula said she's a rock star and has great hair. Simon thought it was a very good performance but that she should lighten up a little. Randy said she's just got it. Kara said she should keep being a rocker.
(Don't get the shoe infatuation, DWS or otherwise. I guess I didn't get that sex-linked gene.)
Anooooooooooooooooop!
Anoop Desai, "Beat It"
All the girls holla for Anoop! ;) You gotta like a guy that says "y'all," and his parents are so cool! Has he picked the right song, though? He's trying to look a little tough, but he's singing well. His voice cracked a little, but my husband thinks he did well. Paula said the song is untouchable and shouldn't have been chosen. Simon said it was horrible and lightweight. Randy also criticized the song choice. Kara said the biggest problem was the song didn't show his strength. I hope someone else does really badly.
(I'm new on Twitter, and just started following some fellow AI fans.)
Jorge Nuñez, "Never Can Say Goodbye"
Jorge is okay, I guess, but I don't think this was a good song choice. Was he even alive when this song was originally released? It sounds very dated, and he was a little off key in the middle. I will scream if they criticize his accent, though. Randy said the song was too old fashioned. Kara didn't like the song choice, and neither does Paula. When Paula asked him why he sang this song, he couldn't explain his reasoning well. Simon said it was corny and that the arrangement was awful.
P.S., the song was released in 1971, approximately 18 years before Jorge's birth.
(I'm a sucker for the Liberty Mutual pay-it-forward commercials.)
Megan Joy Corkrey, "Rockin' Robin"
Oh, goodness, Megan, why did you pick this song?! She's doing a jazzy take on it, but it's still a silly little song. (Yeah, it's a classic, so shoot me!) I want to kill the flute player, and I played flute for years. Was that a bird call?! Kara said it was "so Megan." Paula likes the quirky, unique tone of her voice, but the song didn't show them. Simon said it was a stupid song choice and clumsy, awkward performance. Randy said the song choice didn't allow her to be Megan. They then asked Gordon Ramsey, who was in the audience. He didn't have a mic, so I don't have a clue what he said.
Word of the night: clumsy.
Adam Lambert, "Black and White"
I don't like Adam, and I hate this song. Anything else I'd say would be completely biased, so why bother? The crowd went nuts. Paula said Adam is the most comfortable contestant ever on AI. (WTH is that bracelet?) Simon said it was a totally different league than everyone else and had terrific vocals. Randy said he is the most current and "right now" contestant. Kara said he hit notes she didn't know existed.
So, who ends up with the #13 slot of death? Poor Alexis :(
(Really, does the world need another Osbournes show?)
Matt Giraud, "Human Nature"
I think this is probably the only Michael Jackson song I like, and it sounds more current than the most of the songs people are singing tonight. Matt is doing very well, and his version doesn't sounds like a copy of the original. Sounds kinda cool, actually. Did I just say that about an MJ song? Randy said it was a really good performance. Kara said he is talented, and Paula agrees, adding sexy to the list. Simon said it was a solid, meat-and-potatoes performance.
Mention #2 of the super secret #13 phone number.
Alexis Grace, "Dirty Diana"
Alexis has a very good voice, but I can't help looking at her and wishing she didn't feel like she had to dress like a streetwalker to win. OMG, I'm turning into my mother! Again, another rocking woman who is really good! The ending a little odd, but otherwise great. Kara said it was fantastic, and Paula said she oversang a little. Simon said it was over the top, and Randy said it was good. Her number is 1-866-idols-36; wonder how many people will screw up and dial the sex line.
Apparently, there's a rule change involving the judges they will announce tomorrow night. Who thinks they're going to let the judges overrule the public if their favorites get voted off? Change the rules to be more like Dancing with the Stars?
Here's my predictions for the two getting kicked off tomorrow night based on the rules as we know them now:
Jorge
Megan (but not if Vote for the Worst has their way)
Yeah, I know, it's probably Anoop, but I'd rather think positively than be right. We'll see tomorrow night.
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