AI 8 5-5-09 Let us rock the house not tear it down

Adam, Allison, Kris and Danny are your top four. Tonight they have a new genre, a new mentor and another chance at stardom. This is rock week and THIS IS AMERICAN IDOL!

Tonight’s episode will be interesting as Ryan explains there was a bit of an accident earlier in the day and shows one of the American Idol glass towers lying on its side. It appears it blew up and shattered glass all over. One stage manager was injured. Ryan explains the contestants were not able to have their final dress rehearsal and I cringed but it is the reason it is live television just as I enjoy live theater. You just never know what may happen.

Ryan explains that tonight we are going to have duets so we will hear six great songs and the contestants will still have two numbers. I normally do not usually bitch so early in the blog but I just have to say while I understand duets and performing together is important we are looking for an IDOL not a DUO or GROUP! It is the frigging time constraints with four judges, which are fouling up my favorite few weeks. I realize I am digressing.

We have to cue the montage about tonight’s mentor, Slash. These video montages are a waste of time because I just want to hear the contestants sing. Can I say Slash cannot enunciate, he mumbled the entire time he was speaking and what is up with those stupid sunglasses?

Let us get on with the dish.

Adam Lambert – “Whole Lotta Love”

Rock is clearly a great genre for Adam where he can combine all of his talents. Hate or love his theater background but the training of the show must go on was evident with or without a dress rehearsal. This was a very seasoned performance. It was like being at Adam’s concert. Adam brought power, edginess and fantastic vocals to this performance. I will give Slash kudos for telling Adam to use her lower register. Adam took his advice and it was fantastic. I thought it was an inspired choice to do the bridge a capella and he pulled it off. This was a first rate performance.

Randy – This is the Adam I love and no one can call you a Broadway singer after this performance, you are a rock star, you are ready, you and Slash could record together, it was hot.

Kara – Adam is more than a rock star he is a rock god. This is what you should be doing classic rock songs from the 70s or glam rock from the 80s. You have the vocals, you will kill it.

Paula – You are a “whole lotta perfect”.

Simon – This performance was a little understated, just kidding. I have to agree with the other judges, this has been my favorite performance you have given; my only criticism is no one will be able to top that.

Allison Iraheta – “Cry Baby”

Allison was shining tonight. For the first time this season I totally loved her outfit, it worked and was actually age appropriate. The killer boots were fantastic along with her vocal performance. I personally thought Allison showed incredible confidence and swagger. The natural raspy quality of her voice was made for this material. There were some beautiful moments especially when she was growling the title line and the ending was very powerful.

Randy – you can definitely sing anything but I would have preferred a different song. This did not give you enough to reach the top of your range and there was very little melody. I did not love it.

Kara – Janis was the right choice for you but I would have gone with “Piece of My Heart”, were you nervous and Allison indicates she is always nervous. I think you are transformed when you come on stage and I saw your personality come through.

Paula – you are fearless and if they do a Janis Joplin bio pic the part is yours

Simon – The difference between Allison tonight and Allison eight weeks ago is staggering. You showed confidence and had great vocals. My problem is it was too copycat.

Kris Allen and Danny Gokey – “Renegade”

Oh good heavens the start to this was bad to the bone, both Kris and Danny were off pitch and it didn’t even seem like they were having fun but it did improve when they were harmonizing. Danny was having some enunciation issues and Kris just looked uncomfortable. Both of their solo parts were not good but when their voices came together, there was some magic.

Randy – I like the harmonies, your voices compliment each other, the individual solos were okay.

Kara – The sum of the parts didn’t work but when you were together it did. There were some pitchy moments.

Paula – it was powerful and compelling

Simon – Danny was better than Kris

Kris Allen - “Come Together”

I think Kris provided just a little too much information when he said he almost peed his pants when jamming with Slash. It appears Kris wanted to do another song and given how Carly Smithson totally rocked this last season he should have gone with something else but overall I liked this performance. I thought Kris sounded good and his enunciation was excellent especially given all the words in this song. I would have preferred a more scaled back version of the song but overall Kris allowed some inner rock to show through but still added some of his own touches. Since he was playing the guitar, he did not do all that damn playing with the mike stand, which I hate with a passion. There is no way he can compete with Adam and Allison but he did a better job then I thought he could.

Randy – I appreciate how you can always be yourself. I liked the vocals and I really loved you playing the guitar, enjoyed it overall

Kara – you are definitely the softer side of rock but for me this was not a great performance. You were trying too hard. This was not the best song, you could have done more.

Paula – You took a risk and as an artist you delivered, your signature was all over it, it was compelling but you needed more energy.

Simon – I didn’t like the performance, it was like having ice for lunch it leaves you nothing to remember, it was safe, like a jam.

Danny Gokey – “Dream On”

I have to say Danny is taking a big chance because Michael Johns did this song last season and he was eliminated after the performance. Danny was not very good. I am not sure if it was because of no rehearsal but the opening of this song was very rough and his transitions were pitchy and his enunciation sucked. The middle portion of the song was the best part of the entire performance. The ear-splitting screaming note at the end was so over the top bad, it was my fingers down the black board moment. I thought this was Danny’s worst performance ever.

Randy – Once again, this was not your genre, it was just all right for me but I give you A+ for effort.

Kara – you added edge and swagger after listening to us but you took it too far. You took a risk and I saw it and I appreciate that.

Paula – it was not the right song, I am a big fan

Simon – the last note was like watching a horror movie, the over the top worked for Adam but not you. I still think you will be safe tonight.

Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta – “Slow Ride”

Now this was a duet to remember. Adam and Allison brought joy to that stage along with some killer rock vocals. They were having so much fun together and they nailed this number. They sounded just plain awesome.

Randy – you guys are two seasoned performers, you could have this duet on an album, it was da bomb.

Kara – we have the rock god and goddess, this was the right kind of duet because you both pushed each other to be better

Paula – unlike Simon and I you were the perfect marriage, your voices blend well together, it was a beautiful thing

Simon – in the battle of the duets, you two win, and Adam I think you gave Allison a chance to stay


I am ticked off about the duets versus more songs for each contestant but I thoroughly enjoyed tonight’s show.

There is no doubt that Adam and Allison won the evening. I think Danny was the worst with Kris coming in a close second.

I had rehearsal again last night so I only had an hour and a half to vote but with two numbers and three phones I managed to get in 1,115 votes. All my votes went to Allison and Adam.

Danny and Kris should be in the bottom two but I fear it will be Kris and Allison. Danny should be going home based on that performance but I believe Kris will be making that trip tonight.

I am excited about the results show because No Doubt is performing along with Chris Daughtry (on the night he was sent home during his season) along with Paula Abdul (be afraid, be very afraid).

Until tomorrow…