idolreview.net - Blogging American Idol

Welcome to the Nokia!!

Well, We have finally made it. Through all the bad auditions, the Danny Noriegas, the male strippers, and the Brooke White stop-and-starts, we have arrived.

This boxing bit is hilarious! Archie is drowning in his robe thing. And his gloves are as big as he is. Loves it! The theatre is huge, and the mosh pit has arrived from the tv set (boooo).

Archie won the coin toss, which gives him the advantage of choosing his very own pimp spot.

01. David Cook	Rating:	“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2 - That was a tall order to perform a U2 song. And I thought it was fantastic. Wow - nice way to kick it off Cookie!
02. David Archuleta	Rating:	“Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” by Elton John - He had some big Idol shoes to fill (I smell a CompShop) but it was amazing. I think it was the best this song has ever been performed on Idol. Wow - keep this momentum going, boys!!!

03. David Cook	Rating:	“Dream Big” by David Cook - Well, it didn’t have the appeal of the first song, but what can you do with a crappy song? He arranged it well and performed the crap out of it. But still.
04. David Archuleta	Rating:+1/2	“In This Moment” by David Archuleta - The beginning was crappy, the end got better, but that was because the song was crappy at the beginning. But better than Cookie’s song.

05. David Cook	Rating:	“”The World I Know” by Collective Soul - Wasn’t he supposed to sing this last week? Perhaps he wasnted to save the best for last. The performance was fantastic. I love that song and really enjoy collective soul, and I think he did it better than them. I disagree with Simon that he should have done something different–the competition is about progression and I think it gives people a clear idea of the album he wants to make.
06. David Archuleta	Rating:	“Imagine” by John Lennon - Well, I thought it would lose its luster the second time around, but I was so wrong - it still gave me chills! I do wish he would have sang a different verse or changed up the arrangement just to differentiate it from his original performance, but it really doesn’t matter. He rawked it tonight. Go Archie!

And at the end we get some live Studdard performance. To a montage of crappy videos.

SUCH a tough call regarding who will take the cake tomorrow. They both were on their A game. I am still rooting for Archie, and I think after tonight, he deserves the title if he gets it. I will throw a few votes for Archie tonight. But I can’t vote for too long because I am boarding a plane EARLY tomorrow to get there for tomorrow’s performance. (yes I am flying from Miami, and yes, that is a looong flight)

If you want to follow my LA adventure, I will be flickring and twittering throughout the day tomorrow via my cell phone. I will put a post up at the top of the page where all the updated info will be. Like if I get to meet Carrie Underwood or something. See you soon!

1 comment May 20th, 2008

The show brought to you by the number 3

3 contestants, 3 songs, 3 judges, 3 phone lines. (And Paula probably had 3 drinks). Let’s get to the singing!

01. David Archuleta	Rating:+1/2	“And So It Goes” by Billy Joel - It was really nice. I loved the a capella, I loved the strings. His voice really matched that one.
02. Syesha Mercado	Rating:	“If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys - Sidenote: the mayor of Sarasota did Syesha’s song choice announcement but she kept effing it up, so they had to put together this little texting thing. The performance was good, but somewhat predictable. She had a great vocal though, and I really do think she has the best vocals left. But there was no wow factor with this.
03. David Cook	Rating:	“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack - I enjoyed this rendition, and I agree with Simon that round 1 goes to Cook, but I am still left craving even more. Top 3, kids! Step it up!

04. David Archuleta	Rating:	“With You” by Chris Brown - I LURVE this song. I was singing it the car on the way home from work. And I love Chris Brown singing it. I did not love David on this so much for a few reasons–I was immediately distracted by his slight word fumble. I know it is a lot of words to get out in the lyrics, and I also think he was concentrating to hard. Which in turn affected his “dancing” which was more like bouncing. Also distracting. I guess I just have high expectations. Or I just love the original? Props for trying something new though.
05. Syesha Mercado	Rating:	“Fever” by Peggy Lee - It was good and very theatrical. Can she go be in Chicago or something? It felt very Chicago-esque. I agree that while she may not necessarily advance to the finale with that performance, she may have been using this opportunity as her Broadway audition? But as far as Idol goes, I agree that probably wasn’t the greatest. However, again a consistent, amazing vocal.
06. David Cook	Rating:	“Dare You To Move” by Switchfoot - Again, I’m not feeling it - it was a not so great arrangement, but the performance was pretty good. Not his best vocal though. Put pretty entertaining.

07. David Archuleta	Rating:+1/2	“Longer” by Dan Fogelburg - I liked this one for him. I think it was his best performance of the three. And I think that this is the type of song he might end up recording. I will be EXTREMELY curious what type of record he will come out with.
08. Syesha Mercado	Rating:	“Hit Me Up” by Gia Farrell - The beginning was good, young and very fun. But it got a little manic at the end. Again, the arrangement sucked. I don’t know. But there has been now wow from her at all tonight. Sad. Istill <3 you Syesha, but I think your road is ending.
09. David Cook	Rating:	“I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith - Best song of the night by far. And Dianne Warren liked it, so that must be good. The beginning was a little on the rough side, but the end was great.

Quite honestly, for top 3 I expect better. No one was the best, no one was the worst. So I think tonight will come down to fanbase. Syesha will leave tomorrow, and the long awaited David-David finale will ensue. A little disappointing, because I always love a shocker, but it will be the first guy-guy finale since season 2, and will probably be as close of a race as that one was as well. See you tomorrow!

11 comments May 13th, 2008

Rock and Roll is here to stay

Ryan tells us that 3 of the 4 remaining contestants have been top vote getters in previous weeks. According to DialIdol, the person left out of that equation is Mr. Castro. But there is still tonight - can he be rescued from elimination? That remains to be seen.

Tonight, Rock and Roll night, has HUGE potential. And I am more than thankful that this week’s theme is not too pigeon-hole-ing. And in the words of Ryan, long live rock.

01. David Cook	Rating:+1/2	“Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran - It was good, not great. The vocal was great–even approaching fantastic–but the performance was nothing new from the original. So, all in all, kind of blah. Also, DC in the dead-man’s spot? It had to happen eventually. If anyone can overcome that, he can.
02. Syesha Mercado	Rating:	“Proud Mary” by CCR/Tina Turner - Excellent performance! The vocal was a little shaky in the middle, though, even bordering on shreiky. It was very entertaining, but I expect a better vocal from her. That notwithstanding, it was more entertaining than Dc’s first song. And I think she has a crush on the guitar player in the band.
03. Jason Castro	Rating:	“I Shot The Sheriff” by Bob Marley - Well, the dreds fit this one! It was ok, the performance was decently entertaining, but the vocals are just not strong. Unfortunately he is just getting played up at this point.
04. David Archuleta	Rating:	“Stand By Me” by Ben E. King - LOVE IT LOVE IT! And I love how he threw just a little Sean Kingston in there at the end - that was the best part. This is his best in weeks. And although I may have to call the fashion police to replace his pants, I may let it go because he (in the words of Randy) blew it out the box.

Paula Update: She is sounding fairly lucid tonight! Good job Paula, and thank you to her doctor for readjusting her meds.

05. David Cook	Rating:+1/2	“Baba O’Riley” by The Who - MUCH better! That was a more typical DC performance. However, I wouldn’t characterize it as once of his best (in his defense, that is a high bar). I am not sure. I am expecting blow-me-away performances, especially after Diamond Disaster ‘08, and I am not feeling it quite yet.
06. Syesha Mercado	Rating:+1/2	“A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke - Um, Fabulous! I can’t say that I loved the arrangement either, but the vocal…best one left! And i think that she is really starting to connect with these songs, which shows she is growing as an artist. And I think she could hold her weight with most of the big female vocalists from previous seasons as well: Vonzie, Trenyce, LaKisha, Kat McTaTas, etc. Way to bring it, Sy!
07. Jason Castro	Rating:	“Mr. Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan - I loved the acoustic! But the word mess-up was a pretty bad one, esp. for top 4. It was better than the first one for sure. But I don’t know if it is enough to hold him around any more.
08. David Archuleta	Rating:+1/2	“Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley - This song proves he is deserving of the pimp spot tonight. Nice vocal, Davey-poo!

Best Tonight: Davey-poo Archuleta, and in second, Miss Syesha
Worst Tonight: Castro, Castro, Castro

Tonight was much better than last week, but much worse than expected. Jason is clearly the weakest link, but could we have a Cook upset, not unlike Daughtry? I doubt that because David has been very strong in recent weeks. But I never doubt what the idol gods can do.

What do you think?

17 comments May 6th, 2008

They’re Coming to America(n Idol)

It’s the top 5, which means two for the price of one tonight. And it is Neil Diamond night, as well. So, triple bonus.

When it is top 5 and top 4 week, one is always fantastic, and one is always horrid. Almost never is there an in-between. So if tonight is horrid, next week should make up for the loss. Let the singing begin…

The judges only get one chance to comment (which means Paula’s ranting is left to a minimum!)

01. Jason Castro	Rating:	“Forever in Blue Jeans” - It was a very pleasant and enjoyable performance. He seemed comfortable on stage and singing this song behind his guitar (where he belongs…he is so much better with the guitar!) Not jumping out of my chair though. Also, very weird not having judges comments!
02. David Cook	Rating:	“I’m Alive” - I really enjoyed it, although it seemed really short. It never reached a climax for me, so I am not feeling the arrangement. But the sound was great - can’t wait for the studio recording.
03. Brooke White	Rating:	“I’m A Believer” - Oh Brooke, not good at all. And I love this song. To her credit, it picked up a little at the end, but the beginning was horrid. Better luck next song, Brooke.
04. David Archuleta	Rating:	“Sweet Caroline” - This is the requisite karaoke song in my repertoire. Because of that, I don’t know if seeing David sing this was great for me (I can only associate it with off-key drunkeness.) Again, good, not great. It was just typical David, and at this point, I think he needs to change it up a bit to catch people’s attention.
05. Syesha Mercado	Rating:	“Hello Again” - I’m telling you people, she is the best vocalist left. I don’t think she emoted, or showed too much personality, but i think her second song she may step it up.

So apparently, Paula has been in kahoots with Hiro Nakamura, because she already traveled in time a half hour ahead and has seen both performances. Yikes. I love how while she is talking everyone is on damage control. Ryan is looking at Nigel, like what should I say. Randy and Simon are like what do we do. Thank god Simon just cut her off…wow. Meds! Get the woman some meds!

06. Jason Castro	Rating:	“September Morning” - The performance was pretty blah, honestly. Plus being in the dead-mans spot is not doing any favors. Ouch. I think he’ll be in trouble tomorrow.
07. David Cook	Rating:	“All I Really Need is You” - Loved this! I think he could record this as his own. Best performance so far tonight.
08. Brooke White	Rating:	“I Am, I Said” - Brooke already warns us that the lyrics are a problem. She seemed to pull it off though. I love her with the piano. Her vocal has a lot to be desired, although after hearing her itunes track last week, her recording voice is fabulous. With this performance she may have just saved herself another week.
09. David Archuleta	Rating:	“America” - What, is he pulling a KLC with the patriotic number? Um, again, like the first, it was a great vocal, but what else? Now is the point in the competition that I want something a little different to pique my interest all the way through. Don’t pull a Doolittle, Archuleta - ride this wave home (my predictions reputation depends on it!)
10. Syesha Mercado	Rating:+1/2	“Thank The Lord for the Night Time” - Thank the Lord for the Night time…And for second songs. Finally, Syesha becomes a performer, and let me tell you, I have waited for this for quite a while. This+pimp spot = one more week. Go Syesha!

Best Tonight: David Cook
Worst Tonight: Castro, and Brooke’s fist song, but her second song was good, which makes her a wash.

Overall this night pretty much sucked (with the exception of DC’s second song). Does this mean a rockin week next week?

I read on Wikipedia that Syesha is now tied with Nikki McKibben for being in the bottom the most times. The poor girl does not deserve to be categorized with Nikki McKibben, so for that reason alone, it’s worth sliding a couple votes her way in between your votes for David squared. Right? Ok, no more vote soliciting I promise. Now it is your turn…..what did you think of Diamond Disaster ‘08?

10 comments April 29th, 2008

Even idol is going green

Ryan tells us Idol is going green. Plus they are helping children with Idol Gives Back — such the giver you are, dear Idol?! So will you finally give me my Wednesday night group medley? That is the biggest question of all.

It’s Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber night, which means a full on orchestra by conducted by Rickey Minor himself.

Personal Anecdote: Joseph-A-T-A-T-D was the first Broadway musical I ever saw when I was 13, and I was absolutely hooked on theatre after that. I still know every single word to that musical, and I have to say, I <3 ALW.

01. Syesha Mercado	Rating:	“One Rock and Roll Too Many” from Starlight Express - OMG. That was beyond fantastic - I even think she mixed in a little Bob Fosse moves at the beginning. I loved every single thing about that performance. From standing on the piano, to dancing with Rickey - I love that she took a more obscure song from Starlight Express, and really did it up like it should be done. This girl needs to go to Broadway immediately. And that is NOT at all a bad thing!
02. Jason Castro	Rating:	“Memory” from Cats - My favorite Jason quote ever:”I didn’t realize a cat sang it.” Dude its from Cats! LOL. It was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It was actually pretty good, really. I like that he never tries to be any more than simply himself. I wonder, however, that traditionalists may scoff at his version…he’s obviously no Betty Buckley.
03. Brooke White	Rating:	“You Must Love Me” from Evita- The last time she stopped and started she had the wrong pitch - understandable. This time she forgot the words. Unforgivable. Brooke - so not cool. Her voice was very shaky - I’m not sure about this song choice for her - though I really don’t have any other suggestions. This is a tough week for her. I am a big Brooke fan most of the time, but she is in trouble.
04. David Archuleta	Rating:_1/2	“Think of Me” from Phantom of the Opera - I am disappointed that he didn’t sing something (anything!) from Joseph, or anything in a more theatrical way. But I must say I loved his version of this song! He is a pop star, what can I say!
05. Carly Smithson	Rating:	“Jesus Christ Superstar” from (you guessed it) Jesus Christ Superstar - Aside from a wussy band cut-off at the end (and a little word miff - oops!), it was fantastic! A great song to begin with, of course. I loved that she rocked out, and I loved the dress, too! I think she finally got back to where she was when she sang Come Together in the top 12.
06. David Cook	Rating:+1/2	“Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera - The rocker is not a-rockin tonight! OMG - Is does he have a towel attached to his belt? Like Corey Clark? I am NOT comparing him to Corey, though. I love that he has a background in theatre, I love that he has the chops to pull off this song! Ha - go Cookies!

Best Tonight: Syesha! Carly! Syesha! Carly!

Worst tonight: Brooke (again)

The performances tonight really ran the gamut from incredible to incredibly bad, and everywhere in between. I have to say that ALW was the BEST. MENTOR. EVER. His raw honesty was unparalleled by any previous mentor, plus he is hilarious! If Simon ever had to go on vacation, I want ALW to sub for his spot.

That’s all I got - short show tonight! Comment away!

17 comments April 22nd, 2008