American Idol is back this week, and it's the final four! The theme this week is "California Dreamin'" which basically means that we may had to persevere through some Beach Boys covers, some Mamas and the Papas, and maybe some Red Hot Chili Peppers. And then there are songs that the contestants "wished they had written." We'll see about that. Here comes my take on things, written, as always, before the judges say what they say. And away we go!
Phillip: "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" - Welcome to the stage Phillip Phillips, and that blonde chick with the saxophone wearing a bright white tank top. Well, the surfers in the background have convinced me that this song is all about California. Eek. Probably Phillips' worst song pick and performance. I hope he skips the middle man for his second song and chooses to perform a song that he has written. This was brutal.
Hollie: "Faithfully" - Well, I'm on board from the moment the piano starts. I'm such an 80s junkie. I love that she didn't change the lyric "lovin' a music man" - And while she did a respectable job on this song, ultimately what makes this song impressive is the key it is in when a guy sings it in the stratosphere. Which, she is not in. But those last notes were cool. Cue Randy referencing when he played bass in Journey. Go.
Joshua: "You Raise Me Up" - I don't know what it is about this, but I'm not completely buying it early on. He's amazing, and by the end, he got to the notes he needed too in order to payoff the moment, but in the earlier moments, I was kinda wondering why. Until the very last chorus it was not fantastic, but that last rung was worth it in the end. I do think he's stronger when he transforms a song and turns it into a gospel number than when he reinterprets something that is already gospel.
Jessica: "Steal Away" - So I guess they are choosing not to learn the lesson of the 16 year old singing above her age? Sitting on the piano like a fabulous baker boy/girl? I guess at the end of the day it doesn't matter, because she slayed this. Wow. That was a fantastic vocal.
Phillip & Joshua: "This Love" - With those pianos out there, why aren't they breaking out some Ebony & Ivory? I would kill to hear this duo sing "Say, Say Say" - but I will settle for this. This isn't great, but it is so miles above last week's duet that I will take it to the bank.
Jessica & Hollie: "Eternal Flame" - Swings? Swings? This was fine, but again, in a two hour show, I can totally take it or leave it. The song is as catchy as hell though.
Top Four: "Waiting For a Girl Like You" - I love this song. So I'm okay with them butchering it.
Phillip: "Volcano" - This thing was staged in the sixties. Well in my mind, this redeems his earlier performance, the only disadvantage he has in this case is that this is not a well known song. But this is the kind of thing I want to see from my Phillip Phillips. Cool and cool.
Hollie: "I Can't Make You Love Me" - A great song, and I appreciate the correct pronunciation of the word "patronize." - The only problem here is where is the build? The forced key change isn't going to do it, I don't think. I would be surprised if she survived after this.
Joshua: "It's a Man's World" - This dude is incredible. Are you kidding me? That was fantastic. And even as he offered that last high note just a touch flat, it just didn't matter. That was unbelievable.
Jessica: "And I Am Telling You" - I'm kind of over this song itself. again, how does a 16 year old get away with the depth of these lyrics? Seriously. We passed notes in class, and I am telling you I am not going? Nonetheless, she sings the "you know what" out of it, Randy. But compare this with Joshua, and I think that this is essentially a facsimile of something, whereas what Joshua has is completely his own.
Random Notes:
What is up with Steven Tyler's hair? He looks like Pippi Longstocking getting out of the shower. Not that I know what that looks like.
Kudos to Phillip and Josh for taking on the swings after that duet.
Anyone want to go see ROCK OF AGES?
Quote of the night: "I'm just laughing, 'cause I ain't got your phone number…" - Joshua to Jimmy Iovine after he told him to just give him a call.
So, who is going home? I can't imagine that it wouldn't be Hollie. But, hey, I've been Daughtry'd before…
Phillip: "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" - Welcome to the stage Phillip Phillips, and that blonde chick with the saxophone wearing a bright white tank top. Well, the surfers in the background have convinced me that this song is all about California. Eek. Probably Phillips' worst song pick and performance. I hope he skips the middle man for his second song and chooses to perform a song that he has written. This was brutal.
Hollie: "Faithfully" - Well, I'm on board from the moment the piano starts. I'm such an 80s junkie. I love that she didn't change the lyric "lovin' a music man" - And while she did a respectable job on this song, ultimately what makes this song impressive is the key it is in when a guy sings it in the stratosphere. Which, she is not in. But those last notes were cool. Cue Randy referencing when he played bass in Journey. Go.
Joshua: "You Raise Me Up" - I don't know what it is about this, but I'm not completely buying it early on. He's amazing, and by the end, he got to the notes he needed too in order to payoff the moment, but in the earlier moments, I was kinda wondering why. Until the very last chorus it was not fantastic, but that last rung was worth it in the end. I do think he's stronger when he transforms a song and turns it into a gospel number than when he reinterprets something that is already gospel.
Jessica: "Steal Away" - So I guess they are choosing not to learn the lesson of the 16 year old singing above her age? Sitting on the piano like a fabulous baker boy/girl? I guess at the end of the day it doesn't matter, because she slayed this. Wow. That was a fantastic vocal.
Phillip & Joshua: "This Love" - With those pianos out there, why aren't they breaking out some Ebony & Ivory? I would kill to hear this duo sing "Say, Say Say" - but I will settle for this. This isn't great, but it is so miles above last week's duet that I will take it to the bank.
Jessica & Hollie: "Eternal Flame" - Swings? Swings? This was fine, but again, in a two hour show, I can totally take it or leave it. The song is as catchy as hell though.
Top Four: "Waiting For a Girl Like You" - I love this song. So I'm okay with them butchering it.
Phillip: "Volcano" - This thing was staged in the sixties. Well in my mind, this redeems his earlier performance, the only disadvantage he has in this case is that this is not a well known song. But this is the kind of thing I want to see from my Phillip Phillips. Cool and cool.
Hollie: "I Can't Make You Love Me" - A great song, and I appreciate the correct pronunciation of the word "patronize." - The only problem here is where is the build? The forced key change isn't going to do it, I don't think. I would be surprised if she survived after this.
Joshua: "It's a Man's World" - This dude is incredible. Are you kidding me? That was fantastic. And even as he offered that last high note just a touch flat, it just didn't matter. That was unbelievable.
Jessica: "And I Am Telling You" - I'm kind of over this song itself. again, how does a 16 year old get away with the depth of these lyrics? Seriously. We passed notes in class, and I am telling you I am not going? Nonetheless, she sings the "you know what" out of it, Randy. But compare this with Joshua, and I think that this is essentially a facsimile of something, whereas what Joshua has is completely his own.
Random Notes:
What is up with Steven Tyler's hair? He looks like Pippi Longstocking getting out of the shower. Not that I know what that looks like.
Kudos to Phillip and Josh for taking on the swings after that duet.
Anyone want to go see ROCK OF AGES?
Quote of the night: "I'm just laughing, 'cause I ain't got your phone number…" - Joshua to Jimmy Iovine after he told him to just give him a call.
So, who is going home? I can't imagine that it wouldn't be Hollie. But, hey, I've been Daughtry'd before…
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