Idol Review – Blogging American Idol 2011 » 2010

Archive for April, 2010

CompShop: When You Believe

Here is Lil Archie from Mariah Carey night two years ago, vs. the glass blower’s Inspirational choice. Who wins?

Archie:

Siobhan:

Add comment April 21st, 2010

Are You Inspired?

The kids are singing “inspirational” songs tonight. Since this is clearly a subjective matter, it should be renamed “Pick whatever you want, so long as people donate to our charity” night.

01. Casey James		“Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac – He has some awesome guitar chops, but the vocals were just average. Casey, you better start stepping up!
02. Lee DeWyze		“The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel – This is my favorite S&G song, and I loved this performance. THere were some places where the phrasing was kind of funky, but I appreciate the artistic liberty taken. This guy is kicking ass–could he win the whole thing?
03. Tim Urban		“Better Days” by The GooGoo Dolls – Ugh, the vocals were terrible on this. It is really too bad he is not better, because he has potential. The whole not-singing-on-pitch thing really ruins it for me.
04. Aaron Kelly		“I Believe I Can Fly” by R Kelly – A Kelly doing R Kelly? Why do they keep letting him pick songs that are too big for him? Can someone help the high school student with song choice, please? He had slightly better vocals than Tim, but Tim pulled it off better, honestly. I didn’t like anything about it, and I think he will be heading home tomorrow.
05. Siobhan Magnus		“When You Believe” – I actually liked her vocal tonight when she didn’t push too hard. The arrangement was a little weird in the middle and it didn’t really go anywhere. Also, it sounded in rehearsal that she was hitting a bigger money note than she did in the performance. Unfortunately, I think she has already hit her peak, so from here on out, it is all downhill.
06. Mike Lynche		“Hero” by Nickelback – Well, it definitely wasn’t as good as last week, but it was ok. And in comparison with the mediocre performances tonight, it actually ranks in the top half! He could have picked a much better song, though.
07. Crystal Bowersox	+1/2	“People Get Ready” – Wow, it was obviously not her best vocal, but what a heart-felt performance! So much emotion – I love it! I love the mic stand, too – tres cool. I didn’t like the glam look from her, however. She should stick to the hippie look.

I think Aaron is the odd man out tonight. His cuteness has run its course, and his vocals just don’t get it done onstage. I have a feeling, though, that Casey could make a surprise appearance in the bottom three. That dead-mans spot is, well, deadly.

Crystal and Lee take the top spot again! Everyone else just pales in comparison.

IGB is tomorrow, otherwise I would expect a “Huff”-ing for sure, with Crystal as the Huff-ee. With the jam-packed two hour show, however, I don’t think there will be time for Seacrest antics.

Add comment April 21st, 2010

Belated Predictions

I know – this is really cheating because we have a much better sense of how the contestants will fall. Admittedly, I wrote this before last week’s results show, so without the Big Mike save, I would have already been off to a bad start. However, I think this list will be pretty accurate.

9. Andrew
8. Aaron
7. Katie
6. Tim
5. Mike
4. Siobhan
3. Casey
2. Lee
1. Crystal

I think Andrew and Aaron will definitely be out this week. Although Katie has been surviving, I think most of the teen girl votes go to Tim, so he should survive longer than her. Tim, like so many before him (Pickler, Constantine, etc.), will be a random contestant who, to everyone’s dismay, lasts until the six spot.

Mike’s save should help him last a few more weeks. After that, Siobhan, who may have peaked too early, will be out in the four spot. That will leave Casey, Lee, and Crystal to visit their hometowns. I expect to see Crystal and Lee in the finale, and Crystal to be crowned champ–the first female since Jordin.

So, what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Feel free to argue with me.

3 comments April 14th, 2010

CompShop: In The Ghetto

At the request of my mom, I am posting a Comp Shopof In The Ghetto: Taylor vs. Big Mike.

Taylor:

Mike:

Add comment April 14th, 2010

Hunk-A-Hunk-A Burning Idol

Elvis Night. We previously had Elvis night back in Season 5, in the fateful week that Mr. Daughtry was voted off (sigh). Hopefully this week will not produce any shock eliminations (go Bowersox!)

After the surprise save of Big Mike last week, we have a top nine redux. I hope they all know how much is at stake, and BRING. IT.

01. Crystal Bowersox		“Saved” – This is great! I loved the energy, I loved the electric guitar. I mean, what else can I say?
02. Andrew Garcia		“Hound Dog” – Yikes, the video package threw him under the bus, because it showed him and Adam talking about speeding it up, but he didn’t end up doing it. The arrangement was ok, and the performance was ok, but I agree with Glambert in that it was boring. Blah.
03. Tim Urban		“I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” – Ok, not bad, Tim. Two weeks in a row you didn’t suck! Congrats! Like Andrew before him, he didn’t take Glambert’s flasetto voice advice. But it turned out ok.
04. Lee DeWyze	+1/2	“A Little Less Conversation” – I love his voice and the performance was great, but I still think he could show more energy on the stage. It is good he is smiling, though. And hopefully he will get the performances there, soon.
05. Aaron Kelly		“Blue Suede Shoes” – He looks a little uneasy on the stage, still. He has a really great voice and it showed towards the end–but I think he might be in trouble tomorrow.
06. Siobhan Magnus		“Suspicious Minds” – I think Siobhan has hit a major speed bump. She lost the energy and excitement she had a few weeks ago. This was just boring to me.
07. Mike Lynche		“In The Ghetto” – Aw, nice, Big Mike! I loved that performance! It was soulful and felt authentic. His voice was clear and I really liked the tone. Props to the big guy!
08. Katie Stevens		“Baby What Do You Want Me To Do” – I like the upped sas-level, but she has to be careful that it doesn’t come across as snobby, and as Simon likes to say, precocious. But she has a few good weeks left in her, and I do think she is getting better.
09. Casey James		“Lawdy Miss Claudy – The audio mix was off, I think, because his vocals seemed drowned out. It was frustrating because I can’t really decide if it was good or not. So I give him the benefit of the doubt with a big smile. I suppose he is allowed one bum week every once in a while.

Ryan scores one for the Dunkleman Jokes! LOL – maybe Dunkleman should be a guest judge. Or replace Simon. I mean, there are so many possibilities!

I loved Big Mike tonight. And Crystal, obviously, but she is in my favorites list every week. Lee was pretty good, as well.

Andrew is definitely going home tomorrow. Maybe Aaron, too. Big Mike should survive one more week.

Glee Out!

Add comment April 14th, 2010

CompShop: Come Together

I really have been neglecting my fave thing this year, so here are three performances of Come Together, a personal favorite song of mine. All solid performances: Irish, Boy-next-door, or dreds? What is your preference?

Carly Smithson: