Hello all! Yes, yet again, I got the ejected contestant wrong last week. I thought for sure the Vote for the Worst guys would keep Megan around another week. But she did suck, after all.
The theme this week is songs from the years they were born, which means that, sadly, I'll remember when each and every song came out. There should be at least one complete train wreck, as well.
Vote for the Worst is picking their new "favorite" during the show, so I'll keep an eye on their site.
Refresh after each singer unless, of course, you don't wanna.
(Hey, Typepad will let me autonotify Twitter when I post. Of course, I didn't notice it until after I started this post.)
Did y'all see the weird guy from Fringe in the audience? My husband is so happy that show is back this week. They're showing baby pictures of the judges, and Kara looks like a whiny butt back then, too. They're starting with the oldest contestant, which is...
Danny Gokey, "Stand By Me" (Mickey Gilley, 1980)
Okay, Danny, you look weird without glasses. What's with the flat notes everywhere? A boring performance so far, although Paula is getting into it. The last repetition of the chorus was done with an R&B kind of feel, which improved the song tremendously. Randy said he made him like a bad arrangement. Kara said he killed it at the end and turned it on it's head. Paula said all she could say was wow but then preceeded to drone on about chord substitutions. Simon said the middle was lazy but the end was good.
(Somehow I don't think a free sandwich with a meal is going to get Denny's the same response as a free meal.)
Kris Allen, "All She Wants to Do Is Dance" (Don Henley, 1985)
Well, he definitely doesn't sound like the original, which I really don't like. I'd much rather listen to Kris' version. The arrangement was good, and Kris is always on key. Kara said it was like jazz class homework, but Kara's an idiot. Paula said he did a good job of changing up a monotone song. Simon said it was indulgent and boring. Could someone get that man a thesaurus?! Randy said he was lost in the arrangement. Ryan said Simon's critique was indulgent and predictable!
Lil Rounds, "What's Love Got to Do with It?" (Tina Turner, 1984)
Lil's mother explains that Lil is short for Lily and Lil's actual given name. Lil has a bad habit of not enunciating her words, which makes the song sound muddy. Of course, about the time I got that sentence typed, she started singing more clearly. She sang okay, but the last big note was weak. Paula said she needed to lead the song instead of letting the band lead it. Lil doesn't look happy. Simon said it was a second or third rate version of Tina Turner. Randy said she isn't listening to the judges and Tina is not her. Kara said the "artist" word, again, and that Lil doesn't have a good lower register.
Oh, please tell me Ryan doesn't mean Anoop is going to sing True Colors!
(Hey, when was the last time Matthew McConaughey had a hit?)
Anoop Desai, "True Colors" (Cyndi Lauper, 1986)
Anoop started with an apology for sassing the judges last week, which makes me think his lovely parents gave him hell when they talked to him last week. I love this song, so he better not screw it up. He has a nice song and does well with ballads, and I like how he's singing this. He's giving it a slight R&B feel, which surprisingly fit the song. Oh, he ended it with the falsetto the judges like so much. Randy said that it was a very nice vocal. Kara said he controlled the song instead of letting it control him. Paula said it was beautiful and magical. Simon said he's a singing yo-yo, doing better this week than last, and gave him permission to talk back to the judges.
Anoop is back!!!
(The VISA aquarium commercial completely freaks out my husband. Looks like someone was on an acid trip when they came up with the concept.)
Scott MacIntyre, "The Search Is Over" (Survivor, 1985)
Scott breaks out the ax - who knew? He manages to pick the last song anyone would ever associate with 1985, though. Wow, he's getting screechy, too. You can't fault him for enthusiasm, but his voice is forever shaky. Kara said it wasn't his best peformance with moments that were over-ambitious. Paula, like Kara, gave him credit for playing guitar but said the high notes were screechy. Simon suggested he go back to the piano and said the song choice was bad. Randy said it was just okay and didn't show him as a star.
Allison Iraheta, "I Can't Make You Love Me" (Bonnie Raitt, 1992)
Now this is a great song choice! Not only is it a great song, it is perfect for Allison voice. It allows her to show a ballad side while still having a rock feel. She's doing a good job and, again, sings like she's wise beyond her years. Paula loved her tender approach to the song. Simon said it was very good but that she needs to be more likeable. He said her personality isn't coming across. Randy said she reminds him of Kelly Clarkson and agreed that she needs to show her personality. Kara said she could make a record of now.
(I wish AT&T's service was as good as their commercials.)
Matt Giraud, "Part Time Lover" (Stevie Wonder, 1985)
Geez, was everyone born in '85? I'm not a fan of this song at all, so he can't make it any worse. Looks like he took the judges advice to go to the R&B side. The arrangement is different than the original, and he even tried some scat singing in the middle. Randy said it was vocally one of the best of the night. Kara said it was unbelievable. Paula gave him a standing ovation. Simon said it was a million times better than last week. They must be running out of time since they all gave him one sentence advice. Or maybe they're just saving time for their favorite.
(Domino's pizza would be good for dinner...hmmm...)
And, in the pimp spot, the judges favorite...
Adam Lambert, "Mad World" (Tears for Fears, 1982)
Okay, I love my in-laws, but I still cannot believe they didn't think Adam was gay. I mean, come on! Of course, Vote for the Worse helped me burst their little Adam bubbles ;) I wonder how many people have even heard of this song (I have!). It's Emo Adam! And, not to disappoint, it is quickly followed by screechy Adam. I wonder if this is the first Tears for Fears song on AI. I like this song, and I'm still bored. Ending sucked. Simon gave him a standing ovation. Oh, please.
So, who do I think will get kicked off? More importantly, who will Vote for the Worst support this week?
Well, according to their Twitter account, Scott is VFTW pick, so my pick for person being kicked off:
Lil Rounds
And she had such promise, too. Tomorrow night will tell, however. My husband, on the other hand, is mad that AI ran over into Fringe time.
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