The Top 9 contestants vying to be the next American Idol, took to the stage last night to perform songs from I-tunes' top downloads.After struggling during last week's Motown theme, which saw only few contestants successfully take on the task, this week should have been a week where everyone shined in their own right, given the musical selections featured an endless range of tracks from every genre.
Sadly, for a majority of the contestants, there was still very little spark and way too much fizzle.
Anoop Desai - "Caught Up"
Anoop started things off with Usher's "Caught Up", and tried to use the uptempo jam as a way to bring back his personality, that the judges' seem to think was missing from his prior two weeks. It was definitely a good attempt at him trying to spice it up and I give him an "A" for effort, but absolutely nothing about the performance was memorable or even the slightest bit original. In all honesty, Simon's comments were pretty much spot on, because overall the performance was a "mess" and it came off like he was trying to be something that he just isn't. Ballads are just his strong suit and contrary to popular belief, it does not take an uptempo song to show off personality, which Kris has proven more than once.
Megan Joy - "Turn Your Lights Down Low"
As I've stated several times before, Megan really does have a unique voice and at moments, whether during her rehearsals clip or performance on stage, I see how differently beautiful it is. The problem with Megan is that she has yet to deliver a solid performance and I still don't think its the song choices that are truly holding her back, but rather her nerves and lack of experience. Her voice is unique, but what it lacks is strength, which this disaster and all of her other performances during the finals have highlighted, and it just doesn't feel like she's genuinely trying her best.
Danny Gokey - "What Hurts The Most"
Taking in the judges' criticism from the prior week, Danny picked a Rascal Flatts' ballad that simply allowed him to show the beauty that lays within his voice. The song itself, is just stunning, so matching it with Danny's rich vocal chops, was pretty much a match made in heaven. It wasn't overflowing with originality and very much stayed in the song's original lane, but it worked and compared to the first two performances, it was just on a completely different level.
Allison Iraheta - "Don't Speak"
What I liked and respected most about Allison, was that I thought she knew exactly who she was as an artist, so it was very surprising to me that she tried to portray someone other than herself and conform to the traditional look of rock. Aside from her hideous attire, I also didn't think the performance was anything to boast about, which brings up another one of my tiffs about Allision, because at times her knowing who she is as an artist tends to make her come off as safe and boring. A little versatility never hurt anyone.
Scott MacIntyre - "Just The Way You Are"
Let me start by saying, if it wasn't for Scott's challenge, then he wouldn't be there and that is in no way meant to be harsh, but it's just the truth. That said, for the first time, I can honestly say Scott delivered a fully in-tune and controlled performance, which saw a personal best for him. I'm personally still not a fan and he's still boring, but this will definitely notch him another week in the competition.
Matt Giraud - "You Found Me"
Matt has it kind of tough, because he clearly wants to pursue the Pop/Rock genre, but the judges' continuously convey that R&B/Soul music is where he thrives. I personally didn't think the performance was that bad, but the problem with Matt, as Kara said, is he needs to fully commit to what type of artist he wants to be. He can't keep transforming back between what the judges want and what he wants, and expect America to conform. Part of me, wants to say follow the judges, not only because that's where you make magic, but also because you need them to win this competition. Then, another part of me, says follow your heart, because you don't want to look back, should you happen to be eliminated, and have regrets because you sacrificed who you truly are. That said, if Matt survives, which I think he will, then he needs to do some serious soul searching.
Lil' Rounds - "I Surrender"
When it comes to music, Celine Dion is just one of those vocal divas, along with Whitney, Mariah, and Patti, whose music you just don't touch, unless you can vocally match their prowess or change it up enough that you give the song some originality. Unfortunately, Lil' failed to do either of those things and, just as I thought it would be, the song was extremely to big for her voice. It makes me mad, because Lil' is so talented, but she's making some really bad decisions with song choices.
Adam Lambert - "Play That Funky Music"
After his monumental performance last week, Adam chose to spice things up this week with an uptempo classic. Honestly, at this point, Adam has completely set him self apart from the rest of the contestant and each week he takes to the task and doesn't do a carbon copy version of the original, but rather delivers originality. I didn't think the performance was great, but it doesn't really matter, he has a big voice, he's entertaining, and for his target audience, it worked.
Kris Allen - "Ain't No Sunshine"
Kris went into the performance saying he wanted to create a memorable moment, and that's exactly what he did. Everything about the performance was just exceptional, it had a great arrangement, his vocals were tender and dead on, and it single-handily proved that no matter how old a song is, it can be revamped with new life that it hasn't previously seen. Best performance of the night and a personal best for Kris.
PREDICTIONS:
Bottom 3: If America gets it right, then Megan Joy, Anoop Desai, and Allison Iraheta, will be in the bottom three. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if Lil' Rounds or Matt Giraud, somehow ended up there.
Who's Going Home: Megan Joy
As I've stated several times before, Megan really does have a unique voice and at moments, whether during her rehearsals clip or performance on stage, I see how differently beautiful it is. The problem with Megan is that she has yet to deliver a solid performance and I still don't think its the song choices that are truly holding her back, but rather her nerves and lack of experience. Her voice is unique, but what it lacks is strength, which this disaster and all of her other performances during the finals have highlighted, and it just doesn't feel like she's genuinely trying her best.
Danny Gokey - "What Hurts The Most"
Taking in the judges' criticism from the prior week, Danny picked a Rascal Flatts' ballad that simply allowed him to show the beauty that lays within his voice. The song itself, is just stunning, so matching it with Danny's rich vocal chops, was pretty much a match made in heaven. It wasn't overflowing with originality and very much stayed in the song's original lane, but it worked and compared to the first two performances, it was just on a completely different level.
Allison Iraheta - "Don't Speak"
What I liked and respected most about Allison, was that I thought she knew exactly who she was as an artist, so it was very surprising to me that she tried to portray someone other than herself and conform to the traditional look of rock. Aside from her hideous attire, I also didn't think the performance was anything to boast about, which brings up another one of my tiffs about Allision, because at times her knowing who she is as an artist tends to make her come off as safe and boring. A little versatility never hurt anyone.
Scott MacIntyre - "Just The Way You Are"
Let me start by saying, if it wasn't for Scott's challenge, then he wouldn't be there and that is in no way meant to be harsh, but it's just the truth. That said, for the first time, I can honestly say Scott delivered a fully in-tune and controlled performance, which saw a personal best for him. I'm personally still not a fan and he's still boring, but this will definitely notch him another week in the competition.
Matt Giraud - "You Found Me"
Matt has it kind of tough, because he clearly wants to pursue the Pop/Rock genre, but the judges' continuously convey that R&B/Soul music is where he thrives. I personally didn't think the performance was that bad, but the problem with Matt, as Kara said, is he needs to fully commit to what type of artist he wants to be. He can't keep transforming back between what the judges want and what he wants, and expect America to conform. Part of me, wants to say follow the judges, not only because that's where you make magic, but also because you need them to win this competition. Then, another part of me, says follow your heart, because you don't want to look back, should you happen to be eliminated, and have regrets because you sacrificed who you truly are. That said, if Matt survives, which I think he will, then he needs to do some serious soul searching.
Lil' Rounds - "I Surrender"
When it comes to music, Celine Dion is just one of those vocal divas, along with Whitney, Mariah, and Patti, whose music you just don't touch, unless you can vocally match their prowess or change it up enough that you give the song some originality. Unfortunately, Lil' failed to do either of those things and, just as I thought it would be, the song was extremely to big for her voice. It makes me mad, because Lil' is so talented, but she's making some really bad decisions with song choices.
Adam Lambert - "Play That Funky Music"
After his monumental performance last week, Adam chose to spice things up this week with an uptempo classic. Honestly, at this point, Adam has completely set him self apart from the rest of the contestant and each week he takes to the task and doesn't do a carbon copy version of the original, but rather delivers originality. I didn't think the performance was great, but it doesn't really matter, he has a big voice, he's entertaining, and for his target audience, it worked.
Kris Allen - "Ain't No Sunshine"
Kris went into the performance saying he wanted to create a memorable moment, and that's exactly what he did. Everything about the performance was just exceptional, it had a great arrangement, his vocals were tender and dead on, and it single-handily proved that no matter how old a song is, it can be revamped with new life that it hasn't previously seen. Best performance of the night and a personal best for Kris.
PREDICTIONS:
Bottom 3: If America gets it right, then Megan Joy, Anoop Desai, and Allison Iraheta, will be in the bottom three. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if Lil' Rounds or Matt Giraud, somehow ended up there.
Who's Going Home: Megan Joy
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