The weeks just go by so fast, don't they? We're down to the final nine contestants on this season's American Idol. I have to say that this week's theme is rather vague, wouldn't you say? Top downloads, top iTunes downloads - whatever it is. Any case, the contestants basically have free-reign to do whatever they want. The smart thing to do would to perform a song that's mostly current, like a few of the contestants did this week. However, if one of these contestants can turn a song from the past 20 or 30 years into their own, that could also pay-off quite well. We may be in for a few surprises this week as we get closer and closer towards that big Idol finale in May. But there's still plenty of competition left, so let's get on with this week's recap!
Anoop Desai - "Caught Up" : So after last week's snooze-fest, Anoop is going with a high energy song. Uh oh, following the judges (specifically Randy) advice! That doesn't usually work out the best. I think Brooke White said it best recently that it's always good to be yourself. Don't go trying to please the judges! And I'm not overly enthusiastic about this performance. His cheesy dance moves aren't helping either. It's just kind of middle-of-the-road for me. The song doesn't do Anoop any justice and what's worse is that he seems more cocky than ever! He's got to be careful.
Megan Joy - "Turn Your Lights Down Low" : Megan is performing a song she "absolutely loves." That makes me chuckle because that doesn't always work out, either! Like the judges commented, you might love a song, but that doesn't mean you sing it well. I am beginning to wonder if any of this season's contestants have watched the show in the past? Megan's performance is painfully bad. Her singing isn't terrible; basically just mediocre. But the song isn't giving her any love! I am finding it to be very dull and it does not fit her jazzy tone. And I have to ask, this song is current?
Danny Gokey - "What Hurts the Most" : Danny is toning it down and singing his heart out this week. This is the direction I wanted to see him go because I feel he hasn't met expectations the past few weeks. His performance is better than the previous two before him, but it's still nothing spectacular. I feel the judges over-praised Danny's performance - no surprise since he's the "chosen one." The front part of the song was actually quite enjoyable when he was much more controlled. However, I felt he was trying too hard with the back end of the song and over-shouted a lot. There were definitely some pitchy moments, as well.
Allison Iraheta - "Don't Speak" : Wow, Allison is going to be playing the guitar this week - I didn't know she could play any instruments. I am really digging the opening of this performance where she's more restrained and concentrating on playing the guitar. We get to hear her vocals better this way. Allison does her usual thing on the back-end of the song and it's as good as always. I don't particularly believe she had a "moment" like she did last week, however. There was too much criticism of her outfit and not enough discussion on her performance by the judges. After all, isn't this a singing competition?
Scott MacIntyre - "Just the Way You Are" : I bet Scott was just dying to get a chance to perform a Billy Joel song if he ever had a choice - and he got his wish! It's not a pitch-perfect performance by any means, as Scott tends to struggle the most with the higher notes in his registry. However, this is the best he's sounded in awhile. I like the arrangement of this performance where it's stripped down and he's just playing the piano. This should definitely spare him from ending up in this week's bottom three.
Matt Giraud - "You Found Me" : So far, this is the most current song choice by a contestant this week. I think this song should suit Matt well because the piano plays an integral part of the original version by The Fray. He's placed oddly in the audience with a keyboard - which was probably his doing. And the opening of the performance is terribly off-pitch. He's struggling to find his place with the song but he's finally able to recover. However, he reverts to making the song sound more like the original and not doing enough to make it his own. I wouldn't say it's as bad as his Coldplay performance, but definitely not his strongest.
Lil Rounds - "Surrender" : It sounds like Lil is doing everything she possibly can to pick a song that will please the judges. Well, she'll have to try again next week because she picked a song that does not suit her. She is seriously losing her edge in this competition and is falling back to being a middle-of-the-pack performer. I would tend to agree that this was a safe song to pick for Lil, however, she has to be able to hit the right notes in the song, too. She really seemed to struggle when she was building up to hit the big notes towards the end of her performance. Still not where Lil needs to be to be considered this season's winner.
Adam Lambert - "Play That Funky Music White Boy" : Wow, this is a pretty bold song choice for Adam. But then again, he's definitely one for the dramatics! I wouldn't perceive this song as being well-suited for Idol and for anyone else attempting to sing it, this performance would be a trainwreck. However, Adam really makes this watchable and doesn't do a half-bad job with it. He is definitely back to being a funky rocker this week. Whatever the case, whether he performs a ballad or an up-tempo song, he displays amazing control when he sings. He very rarely hits an off-pitch note.
Kris Allen - "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone" : Kris says he loves to make a song current and to make it his own. He's hoping to have a performance considered memorable. Well I think he achieved just that. I loved the stripped-down opening to this performance with Kris on the keyboard. Then the song opens up with more of an up-tempo feel and stringed instruments are added. Kris continues to play the keyboard and this is absolutely fantastic. He clearly made this song his own. And he's just oozing with confidence on that stage! What an amazing transformation from when we first saw him during the semi-finals. Great, great job.
And how do this week's performances rank? Well, here's your answer (from best to worst):
1.) Kris Allen
2.) Adam Lambert
3.) Allison Iraheta (actual bottom three - 4/2/09)
4.) Danny Gokey
5.) Scott MacIntyre
6.) Lil Rounds
7.) Matt Giraud
8.) Anoop Desai (actual bottom three - 4/2/09)
9.) Megan Joy (actual eliminee - 4/2/09)
This week I predict Megan to be sent packing. I think her time is up and with two sub-par weeks in a row, the American public won't look too favorably upon that. However, don't be surprised to see someone unexpected in this week's bottom three, either - especially Allison. The judges haven't done enough to support this girl and she could wind up in the bottom three again. However, I don't believe she'll be going home quite yet. I mean look at her, she's 16 years old and she's already like a pro. Her fanbase is still relatively weak, but if she continues to sing solidly week after week - and with more people getting voted off, her fanbase should gain members. One could only hope!
Don't forget to watch the results tonight - should be another good one!
(UPDATE: Megan is the one to leave American Idol this week.)
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