AI 8 4/21/09 or why do we care who shops in the women's department

The stakes are double, two will be heading home this week, and no one will be saved. THIS IS AMERICAN IDOL!

It is with much trepidation when I tune in for the Disco theme week. It was my era and for the last 7 seasons, it has usually been a train wreck. I am looking forward to this week more then any other show because we have some contestants this year who I think will really step up their game. Time will tell of course.

Oh my freaking god, there are no ridiculous introduction videos, no mentor, no filler, can it be true – yes it is, Ronald is doing his happy dance, the producers have finally heard all my bitching, my dreams have come true, tonight is going to be about the singing. What a novel concept for a singing competition.

Lil Rounds – “I’m Every Woman”

Well, well, well, Lil Rounds wants to find her inner Chaka Kahn by way of Whitney Houston. This was just a totally freaking bad performance. The band was excessively loud (this might be considered good as Lil was so off pitch) and it is sad when the back up singers have better pitch then the lead. Lil needed to blow us away this week and she did not. I noticed she had some horrible breath control issues as well. Week after week, she has blow away any advantage she had and struck out big time tonight. The only thing that was her redeeming quality is she was having fun. While her vocals were off her performance was hot because finally there was joy. It is too bad she could not combine them both. P.S. I hated the outfit she was wearing.

Randy – you got the party started, the song sounded too wild, you can sing, this didn’t let us know what kind of artist you would be or what type of vocal control you have

Kara – I think all of America including me has been waiting for you to do Chaka Kahn or an artist like her; I am not sure honey if it was worth the wait. I have to agree with Randy, you have been every woman on stage except yourself, you look great

Paula – I have to say I was with Lil yesterday and she was on complete vocal rest, I applaud you for where you came from

Simon – you look sad (Lil’s response – I was having fun out here), I am glad you had fun because I think this is the last week we will see you because there was no originality, it was very copy cat

Kris Allen – “She Works Hard for the Money”

Wow, what a truly inspired song choice! I loved the whole stripped down acoustic arrangement. This decision showed what a great artist Kris could be. Kris took a very big risk and he delivered a powerhouse vocal performance. The clarity of his tone was beautiful. Kris sold the song. This was pure and simple one of the best vocals from Kris. My only problem is he looked so sloppy in that tacky t-shirt. He could not bother putting on a real shirt or sweater. It was almost as if this was the only clean item left in his closet.

Kara – you took a real risk, it paid off big time, I am so impressed, this could go on your record today, props.

Paula – it had a classic Santana feel about it, many women shop the men’s department but not many men who will shop in the women’s department, you not only shopped but found the perfect fit, this was original, and shows why you are a contender.

Simon – I need a translation. Are you saying he like’s women’s underwear? This was the polar opposite of the first performance, it was original, well thought out, not karaoke, I do not care if you like women’s underwear, this was a fantastic performance.

Randy – you know who you are

Danny Gokey – “September”

Danny definitely stepped up his game this week. While I do not think, he took many risks he did not try to imitate the original, he put in enough of his own stamp to make it work. Outside of the horrible shrieking at the beginning this was an impressive vocal performance. Danny still cannot dance so most of the movement was awkward but if you close your eyes the vocals were stellar.

Randy – I was worried about the song choice, there really isn’t much melody but you turned it in to something, you worked it out.

Kara – incredible vocal, your pitch is right on, a very solid performance

Paula – every time I think you have hit the top of your range, you take it one step higher, you chose to show off your vocals versus changing the arrangement, you showed your ability and brilliance, as a woman I can say it, you have the sexiest voice ever

Simon – I agree with everyone else, you can’t fault the vocal but I didn’t see any star power, at this point we should be seeing something special, the performance was awkward and clumsy

Allison Iraheta – “Hot Stuff”

I just have to say the opening of her performance as she sat on the stairs, the way it was lit and her very mesmerizing first note was a brilliant piece of staging. There were some off notes in the transition from the slow to the up-tempo portion of the song but when she hit the tempo her rich, raw rock voice went higher then they have before. The last note was nothing short of amazing. I have two complaints, her diction was atrocious and what is up with her clothes. Who is dressing her? She is 16 years old; she should not look like she is performing in an S&M video.

Randy – two things – I did not like the arrangement (it was overindulgent) but you are one of the best singers in this competition, I love you

Kara – I agree with Randy about the arrangement, you picked the right song, you are one of the best singers, just from a vocal perspective I would give it a 9 out of 10.

Paula – compromise is not in your vocabulary, your edgy and authentic, that last note was off the chart

Simon – you came into this show as the underdog – it was a brilliant performance

Adam Lambert – “If I Can’t Have You”

Did you see the Saturday Night Fever poster someone had on a stick with Adam and Paula’s face pasted over John and Karen’s, too funny!

There is not much you can say about this stunning vocal rendition. This was just a beautiful emotional performance. Adam has such vocal range and he knows how to control his voice. Adam is bar none the best contestant this show has ever had. This song along with Kris and Allison is already on my iPod.

Paula’s crying was over the top but Ryan’s comment afterwards sent me into a pool of laughter – “Adam, you melted her into a Poola Abdul”. I do not know where it came from but it was one of the best puns ever.

Randy – you are ready right now, we have a hot one tonight

Kara – what more can I say but brilliant, every week you up your game, this was the most memorable, you look like a cross between the guy from Saturday Night Live and Clark Kent. This was very emotionally inspiring.

Paula – I have such a visceral (oh my god, Paula used a big word and correctly) response to your singing, you took disco and did not make it a cliché, I felt your pain and vulnerability, you are fascinating, brilliant, we will see you in the finals

Simon – I would have bet $10,000 you would have gone with Donna Summer but you did the unexpected, I loved it, it was original, you will remember it, and the vocals were immaculate.

Matt Giraud – “Staying Alive”

Matt was definitely sending out the Justin Timberlake vibe last night including the hat. The opening note of this performance was utter perfection. I enjoyed the arrangement and the performance. I loved how he really engaged with the back up singers. My only complaint was his falsettos were falling flat last night but there were still moments of greatness in his vocal performance. Matt was singing from the heart and overall it was the most disco song of the night but the R&B vibe felt right.

Randy – I didn’t like the song choice or the arrangement but you can really sing, this is the most talented top 7 we have ever had

Kara – you brought disco back, the vocals were very good, solid performance

Paula – you pick songs like I bowl, you throw some gutter balls but then you have strikes, this was a strike, last week the judges saved you, this week you saved yourself.

Simon – I have to disagree, I didn’t like the performance, Matt you need to leave Idol Land, this was a bit desperate, the vocals weren’t good, there was no originality,

Anoop Desai – “Dim All the Lights”

I was not impressed by this performance. I thought it was boring. Where was the emotional connection to the song? Anoop was not selling this song. This is a seduction song and there was no way he would succeed in his seduction with this vocal. The vocals were lackluster and his transitions were lazy. There was absolutely no energy in this performance and his attempt at dance moves was stupid. Do not get me started on how bad his last note was. It was my fingers down the chalkboard moment.

Randy – that was a rough note at the end, I didn’t love it but you can sing, nice, very nice

Kara – great song choice, I think your performance last week and this week is your best two

Paula – you look fantastic, real men know how to wear pink, you need to smile more

Simon – I disagree, your worst performance by a mile, it was mediocre at best, horrible version of the song


Overall, I thought this was one of best disco theme nights. Given how most contestants were original and tackled the songs in a different way helped immensely. I also thought there were some inspired song choices as well.

It was a strange night to say the least where Paula made sense and what was up with all that 5 o’clock shadow for all the male contestants, is Fox so poor they can’t spring for a shaver?

Once again, I had rehearsal last night so I watched the show via tape as I was voting. I managed to get in a respectable 1237 votes. All my votes went to Adam, Kris, Allison and Matt.

It is getting tougher to pick someone to go and we have two going. My prediction for the bottom 3 is Lil, Matt and Anoop.

I believe Lil and Anoop will be heading home tonight.

David Archuleta is singing tonight.

Until tomorrow…