Tonight on American Idol we hear from the 10 contestants who the producers have not-so-subtly decreed should not have a chance to win this year - so that a female will finally win again. Nonetheless, we still have to go through the exercise of hearing each of them sing one by one. So why get in the way of progress disguised as historical precedent? Here we go, the top 10 guys are up, my comments being uttered before I hear what the judges have to say...
Elijah: "Stay" - it's so cool - he's trying to get into that female vote consideration by singing a Rihanna tune. Unfotunately he doesn't have what Rihanna brings to the table. Big mistake with song choice and he has gone first. Soon to be forgotten, even the tweens can't save him on this one.
Cortez: "Locked Out Of Heaven" - Hmmm... pretty karaoke, which is too bad because to be able to imitate Bruno Mars in karaoke is very difficult to do, so it's a mean feat - but it doesn't really tell us anything about him or what he brings to the table that is unique. Except maybe for that last run.
Charlie: "Mama" - All the best freaks are here - it was really good and completely bizarre - boy does he know who he is. (more thoughts on this performance below after I heard the judges feedback)
Nick: "Iris" - Way to go Ryan to bring up his receding hairline--I mean, style choice wearing hats... eeek. I like this song, but man, he is Richard Marx-ing the crap out of it. And I like RIchard Marx! I understand why they have kept him, but it's not for me.
Burnell: "I'm Here" - I think this was a great performance, and yet at the same time it feels a little desperate to me. But even with that it's the best so far. Big shout out to musical theater playing a key role in the proceedings.
Paul: "Just a Fool" - Didn't he listen to them about oversinging?! And he picks a Christiana Aguilera song? Her middle name is over-singing - and it's not even one of her catchy songs. I don't get him yet.
Lazaro: "Feeling Good" - If he could get a real smile out when he sings, he would be a complete heartbreaker - as he is now, he's more moody and a little boring. It's like the whole time he's saying that he's Feeling Good but he's in pain while performing. But he smiled at the end after the song, and that's what he needs. He's gonna go through for sure.
Curtis: "I Believe I Can Fly" - yes, this is a perfect pick for him. Gospel music happens, even by R. Kelly. He just took everyone to church - it didn't exactly get all the way through the TV set though, so it will be interesting to see if the voting will reflect how powerful that moment must have felt in the room.
Devin: "It's Impossible" - I know that the judges have been high on him, but even with their favor, I think he is a dark horse who could knock out some favorites. But the bilingual routine won't work every week, so he's going to need to have another card to play. But he has a killer voice.
Vincent: "End of the Road" - I like this song but it is for multiple voices in my mind, so I don't like it as much as a solo artist trying to do runs over BGVs singing the chorus. This arrangement is rushed - too fast - then he did the acrobat note, and that was okay I guess. But his acapella run didn't work, and it was not nearly as good as Curtis, who I am comparing him to out of my own racism and depravity. I should say that he wasn't as good as Devin. oh wait. Now I'm confused.
Random Notes: Keith Urban loves everyone's voice.
Randy: "(the notes are) always a little under for me sometimes." come again?
Mariah continues to bring up past performances.
These judges are ridiculous to think that what Charlie did is any different from anything he has been doing this whole time.
Now everyone's going to try and keep Charlie from walking off a pier. Don't bully the awkward turtle, and also don't give him a microphone.
My wife Kristi about Charlie: "He may just be a tad emotionally unstable."
Nicki Minaj to Curtis: "You have a calling on your life to bless people and to do so much good." Preach.
Nicki's new song next year: "Spanish Ken Doll?"
My favorites after all was sang and done were Curtis, Lazaro and Burnell. What did you think?
Elijah: "Stay" - it's so cool - he's trying to get into that female vote consideration by singing a Rihanna tune. Unfotunately he doesn't have what Rihanna brings to the table. Big mistake with song choice and he has gone first. Soon to be forgotten, even the tweens can't save him on this one.
Cortez: "Locked Out Of Heaven" - Hmmm... pretty karaoke, which is too bad because to be able to imitate Bruno Mars in karaoke is very difficult to do, so it's a mean feat - but it doesn't really tell us anything about him or what he brings to the table that is unique. Except maybe for that last run.
Charlie: "Mama" - All the best freaks are here - it was really good and completely bizarre - boy does he know who he is. (more thoughts on this performance below after I heard the judges feedback)
Nick: "Iris" - Way to go Ryan to bring up his receding hairline--I mean, style choice wearing hats... eeek. I like this song, but man, he is Richard Marx-ing the crap out of it. And I like RIchard Marx! I understand why they have kept him, but it's not for me.
Burnell: "I'm Here" - I think this was a great performance, and yet at the same time it feels a little desperate to me. But even with that it's the best so far. Big shout out to musical theater playing a key role in the proceedings.
Paul: "Just a Fool" - Didn't he listen to them about oversinging?! And he picks a Christiana Aguilera song? Her middle name is over-singing - and it's not even one of her catchy songs. I don't get him yet.
Lazaro: "Feeling Good" - If he could get a real smile out when he sings, he would be a complete heartbreaker - as he is now, he's more moody and a little boring. It's like the whole time he's saying that he's Feeling Good but he's in pain while performing. But he smiled at the end after the song, and that's what he needs. He's gonna go through for sure.
Curtis: "I Believe I Can Fly" - yes, this is a perfect pick for him. Gospel music happens, even by R. Kelly. He just took everyone to church - it didn't exactly get all the way through the TV set though, so it will be interesting to see if the voting will reflect how powerful that moment must have felt in the room.
Devin: "It's Impossible" - I know that the judges have been high on him, but even with their favor, I think he is a dark horse who could knock out some favorites. But the bilingual routine won't work every week, so he's going to need to have another card to play. But he has a killer voice.
Vincent: "End of the Road" - I like this song but it is for multiple voices in my mind, so I don't like it as much as a solo artist trying to do runs over BGVs singing the chorus. This arrangement is rushed - too fast - then he did the acrobat note, and that was okay I guess. But his acapella run didn't work, and it was not nearly as good as Curtis, who I am comparing him to out of my own racism and depravity. I should say that he wasn't as good as Devin. oh wait. Now I'm confused.
Random Notes: Keith Urban loves everyone's voice.
Randy: "(the notes are) always a little under for me sometimes." come again?
Mariah continues to bring up past performances.
These judges are ridiculous to think that what Charlie did is any different from anything he has been doing this whole time.
Now everyone's going to try and keep Charlie from walking off a pier. Don't bully the awkward turtle, and also don't give him a microphone.
My wife Kristi about Charlie: "He may just be a tad emotionally unstable."
Nicki Minaj to Curtis: "You have a calling on your life to bless people and to do so much good." Preach.
Nicki's new song next year: "Spanish Ken Doll?"
My favorites after all was sang and done were Curtis, Lazaro and Burnell. What did you think?
RSS Feed