AI 9 3-10-10 Elimination Round 3 - The Guys

Eight left standing. These are the guys and they are ready to deliver because this is AMERICAN IDOL!

Let us hope tonight brings more excitement then the performances from the women. I am happy we are letting go of the introduction videos for the sake of time.

Time to gossip about the performances, wait, I mean provide instructive criticism.

Lee Dewyze – “Fireflies”

I absolutely adore this song. Lee brought a decidedly alternative rock take and gave one of his best vocal performances so far. There were a few sharp notes in the middle. Lee looks comfortable on stage for the first time and genuinely seems to be having fun. This was a lively performance.

Randy – This was a strange song choice. There were some pitch problems. You made it your own and worked it out.

Ellen – You made it rock. I agree there were some pitch problems but it does not matter. You were great.

Kara – You look confident. You stepped it up and actually made the song better. This was not your best but still a solid performance.

Simon – The performance was nothing to rave about because there was no moment. You have made progress and I am glad you are here but you are better than that.

Alex Lambert – “Trouble”

Overall, I thought this was a decent performance. I think Alex’s vocals were good but not perfect. While still nervous, it is not as evident and he has definitely lost the deer in the headlight look. Alex needs to have lessons in movement to add some energy to his performing.

Randy – This was a good song choice. I liked it but there is no wow. It was too fast and you should slow it down.

Ellen – You are becoming a mushy banana. You are ripening so fast. You are consistently getting better and better each week. I love your innocence. You are real and honest but you need more confidence without getting cocky.

Kara – You can sing but you are still too stiff and not in the moment. The only thing standing in your way is you.

Simon – You are too still and concentrating on trying to deliver. You need to relax and have a good time. You have a good voice.

Tim Urban – “Hallelujah”

Another song I like and the cover Justin Timberlake performed in the Haiti relief show was spectacular. I downloaded it off iTunes. I think Tim delivered on the song. He was able to sell the song and the meaning. I really enjoyed the performance.

Randy – This is a great song and you had some big shoes to fill. This was a pretty good job.

Ellen – I have been really harsh on you, which is why I am going to give you a big hug and tell you this was fantastic. You sounded good.

Kara – I thought you were going home two weeks ago but now you could be one of the top guys. You were into it. This was an honest interpretation of the song and you sold the emotions.

Simon – I feel responsible for you doing well. You showed confidence and you made a very smart choice. I have heard better versions but it is easily your strongest performance so far.

Andrew Garcia – “Genie in a Bottle”

I found the arrangement terrible and the vocals were not up to par at all. I understand why Andrew made this choice but it did not work for me at all. If the vocals were, better, I might have bought it but this was just a total disappointment.

Randy – This was an interesting song choice. It was a good idea but it did not work. It was pitchy and there was only a three-note range.

Ellen – This was a great song choice but the performance was not good until the very end when you surprised me.

Kara – I think you peaked too soon. You were fighting the melody with the guitar. I am disappointed. This was not great.

Simon – I am with Kara. This was a little bit desperate and you over thought it.

Casey James – “You’ll think of me”

Good heavens is that someone sitting on a stool with a guitar? Did these men not learn anything after last night? I thought the beginning of the song was very rough but the vocals improved by the ending. It was nice to see Casey spending more time on the vocals versus the guitar playing but this was a safe and boring performance. I have to borrow one of Simon’s favorite comments: it was very forgettable.

Randy – This was a safe choice.

Ellen – I thought it was great. You seem very comfortable and I enjoy your vibe. You sounded great. I really like it.

Kara – I am starting to get back on the Casey train. It was better than last week. It was honest and you were singing from the heart but I am missing a spark from you. This performance is going in the right direction.

Simon – This is your second best performance. It made you sincere and you sounded great but no one will remember this in 24 hours.

Aaron Kelly – “I’m Already There”

This was a train wreck of a performance except for that glory note at the end. The vocals were shaky throughout. Aaron was the only contestant tonight with mush mouth as his enunciation sucked with the majority of the words very incomprehensible. These kids never learn the lesson about how important song selection really is.

Randy – You have the making of a great man. It was good once you hit the power zone in your lower register. This was a job well done.

Ellen – I love you and I do not feel like you are posing. You sounded better but I think it was too much song for you.

Kara – Every week you come out and give it your all but this song is not relevant to you.

Simon – I think Kara’s comment is complete and utter rubbish. I thought it was the right song. This was not the best vocal but it had emotion.

Todrick Hall – “Somebody to Love”

Queen, are you kidding Todrick, why would you choose one of their songs? Queen songs are very tough songs to sing because Freddie Mercury was a fantastic artist. You will always pale in comparison. The beginning of the song was very rough and Todrick missed several notes at the beginning of the chorus. The band and the back-up singers were not helping him. Adam Lambert could pull of the theatrics where as Todrick could not. I think he worked it out by the end but I just hated the entire performance.

Randy – Todrick is back. This proves you can sing. This is the best vocal of the night. (Randy what are you drinking.)

Ellen – You are a brave young man. I like the gospel take on the song. You did a good job.

Kara – We cannot listen to that and not call it great singing (I certainly can and did). I did not know whether to laugh or not at times but I still loved it.

Simon – It was good in parts but you are more of a Broadway star then a recording artist. This was American Idol the musical doing Queen.

Michael “Big Mike” Lynche – “This Woman’s Work”

Outside of the initial too sharp falsetto start, this was a freaking awesome performance. Once “Big Mike” dropped into his more natural voice this song soared. This was a very moving performance and the booming vocal finale spectacular. “Big Mike” is a powerhouse and has a chance to take it all.

Randy – This was really, crazy dope. This was an unbelievable performance. Where did that last note and chord come from?

Ellen – Oh my god that was beautiful. You are the one to beat.

Kara – It is amazing, you are amazing. It is your life right now; it is your respect for your wife, what you have gone through. It brought me to tears. I have never cried like this. You made it relevant I felt the emotions. Even though I do not have children, myself I could relate. (It was good but Kara’s reaction was a bit over the top.)

Simon – We needed this tonight after so many boring performances. This is a difficult song to sing and you 100 percent nailed it. This was not just the best performance of the night; it was the best performance of all these live shows so far.

I have to admit the guys brought a little bit more excitement to the stage then the women but at this point of the competition as we are about to crown the top 12, one of whom, will be the next American Idol I am not very enthusiastic with the majority of the contestants.

The worst performances for me were Aaron, Andrew and Todrick.

It is challenging trying to predict who will go home. Is America voting because of the contestant’s looks and personality versus talent?

Andrew and Aaron should be the two going home but I suspect it is going to be Todrick and Tim going home instead.

Until tomorrow…