AI 10 3-1-11 The Top 12 Guys

We have combed the country looking for the best talent. Our three industry icons have completed their job and now it is up to you America. Only five will make it through. Vote for your favorite. This is AMERICAN IDOL.

The judges get their big entrance again as our three-industry icons take the stage. Wait, who is that booming voice introducing our host Ryan Seacrest. I have ranted about this for the last two years, these openings with the judges and Ryan is ridiculous. I will say though I was totally digging the new stage including the cool balcony.

Ryan explains the top 12 guys will sing tonight, the top 12 ladies will sing tomorrow and on Thursday, America will send five guys and five ladies as the top 10 while the judges will add two wild card picks. Each contestant will be able to sing a song of his or her choice.

Before our contestants sing, Ryan must first chat with the judges. The only high point is the new prop Ryan hands to Steven Tyler, which is a cardboard American Idol bubble he can use in case of swearing as we get an example of the “bleeps.”

Let us get to why we are here which is to provide thoughtful critics of our contestants.

Clint Jun Gamboa – “Superstition”
Clint with all the songs available to you why oh why would you pick this overused song. Oh wait, you sing in a karaoke bar. I thought this was a very poor song choice. I personally find Clint’s vocals to be a bit whiny and I heard it again tonight. He started a little rough but picked up towards the end. I think he throws in way too much vocal gymnastics trying to show off which hurt him in the end. There was a whole lot of screaming but very little singing. I will give Clint some kudos for his showmanship. The man knows how to command the stage.

Steven – “You just proved to me everything I’ve seen in the last couple months. That was brilliant. You started and ended strong, brilliant.”
Jennifer –“You got the jitters out given you were first on the stage. It was good but I expect a lot from you.”
Randy – “There is no karaoke singer in the world that’s got that kind of vocal talent.”

Jovany Barreto – “I’ll be”

I will be happy when this performance is over. This was just downright horrible. Jovany’s weak/thin voice was off key and he never connected to the music. This was Boring with a capital B!

Steven – “Holy shipyards! You brought it. This was another beautiful performance.”
Jennifer – “That was beautiful. I am happy because people got to see you for the first time – really, really see what you can do.”
Randy – “I did not really get it. It was just very karaoke. If you are going to do a cover, (please someone else has performed every song chosen) you have to bring something different and unique to the mix. This was just okay.”

Jordan Dorsey – “OMG”

Song choice is key and once again, a contestant has chosen the wrong one. This is not a singing song, even Usher cannot really sing this well. The performance was cheesy with the awkward movements and stripping, really. The vocals were all over the place. The vocal gymnastics jumping from the lower register to the upper register were horrible. This performance was cringe worthy.

Steven – “You had the moves but it wasn’t OMG for me.”
Jennifer – “I’m not sure that is who you really are. Is this who you want to be as an artist?”
Randy – “It was pitchy and you paled in comparison to Usher.” (Not really – I do not think Usher is much of a singer either.)

Tim Halperin – “Streetcorner Symphony (Come on Over)”

I like Tim but this performance was painful to watch and listen to. Tim was off key and off the music, which was attempting to overpower his vocals. His attempts at the falsetto were horrible. The performance was dull and his movements very awkward.

Steven – “I don’t think that song did you any justice man. You let me down because you can sing so much better.”
Jennifer – “I don’t think that’s your strength. I would hate to lose you over that before America can see you as an artist. I want them to hear the beautiful voice we have.”
Randy – “It wasn’t your best try. You did not bring anything new or exciting to it.”

Brett Loewenstern – “Light My Fire”

I am not sure this was the best song choice for Brett. On the other hand, the kid can sing and he is just full of joy when he is performing you cannot help but smile. I thought he started a little rough but once he hit the bridge he was able to kick it in to high gear. I think he has excellent control when he is in the zone. I will agree with the judges that if he moves on a head band or haircut would be in order. The hair flipping will get old very fast.

Steven – “You did it again. You are on fire.”
Jennifer – “That was more hair-tossing than me and Beyonce put together! You need a fan. Seriously, I loved the performance.”
Randy – “I counted 14 hair-flicks during your performance. Your vocals were a little pitchy but you are fun and bold. You’re going to do whatever you want, whenever you want to do it and I appreciate that.”

James Durbin – “You Got Another Thing Comin”

This was a rocking great performance. Finally, James learned a little control over using his signature screams. They were not overdone and used in just the right places. I enjoyed this from start to finish. I liked that the hair was finally styled appropriately but on the other hand, the outfit was crazy and what was up with the tail? I was laughing hysterically while the tail was moving.

Steven – “That was “bleeping” crazy good! I love it that you’re over-the-top, man!”
Jennifer – “I love the way you perform, it is so organic and real. It just comes naturally. This was insane crazy good.”
Randy – “This is how you do it!”

Robbie Rosen – “Angel”
Poor Robbie pales in comparison to the high-energy performance, which came before him. This was a very subdued performance, i.e. boring. Robbie has an excellent voice and I have enjoyed listening to him throughout the auditions but this performance sucked the big goose egg. I thought his pitch was horrible, his falsetto moments were cringe worthy, and he could not hit the high note. On top of it, he was not selling the emotion of this song.

Steven – “You can sing a ballad like nobody’s business.” Really, were you listening to the same performance, as I was Mr. Tyler?
Jennifer – “You are one of those very special people where when you sing, you feel every word. All your notes weren’t perfect, but you made choices I liked better than the original.” What are they putting in those Coke cups?
Randy – “I have to differ here. I do not think it was a great performance. The high notes were pitchy. You never seemed quite comfortable in it.”

Scotty McCreery – “Letters from Home”

I found the performance boring but I will give Scotty credit, his vocals were superb. Clearly, his niche is country music and I suspect he will go far but if all he does his country songs in this boring manner I am not sure he can make it in this competition for long.

Steven – “I don’t think you could’ve picked a better song to represent who you are. I love it, so beautiful.”
Jennifer – “That is why we did not cut you; you were born to sing country music.”
Randy – “You are a real throwback country guy.”

Stefano Langone – “Just the Way You Are”

As much I wanted to enjoy this performance, Stefano let me down. I thought the key was way out of his range and he struggled through the whole song. It just got worse and worse. His attempts at the high notes were terrible. Another contestant is taken down by the wrong song choice.

Steven – “I love it, you brought it again. I love the way your voice cut through. You are so good.”
Jennifer – “You are consistent.”
Randy – “You can be on the radio right now.”

Paul McDonald – “Maggie May”

Paul is definitely someone having fun on that stage. I am not sure his movements are well executed but the guy can sing. This is one of my favorite Rod Stewart’s songs and I liked the choices Paul made. Excellent job.

Steven – “You’ve got a real character about your voice.”
Jennifer – “I love the way you move. That smile lights up the whole place. You bring joy.”
Randy – “You are unique and different from anything else we’ve had. It’s quirky and bodes well for the show.”

Jacob Lusk – “A House is not a Home”

I really like Jacob but the performance was not as wonderful as the judges were raving. The beginning was very rough and shaky. Now once he made it to the chorus then he worked it out but there were still some very sharp notes throughout the entire song. There is no doubt that he loves to perform and he certainly can sell the emotion of the song. The audience was eating it up.

Steven – “It’s divine intervention that brought you here. I’m honored to be in your presence. You make me cry when you sing! I don’t know where you get it from, but I will bathe in it.”
Jennifer – “I loved Luther Vandross and this is what is so right, he is gone but now we have you!”
Randy – “Luther would be so proud of you. I don’t think there is anything you can’t sing.”

Casey Abrams – “I Put a Spell on You”

I say let us just save some time and crown Casey the next American Idol right this very second. Oh my freaking god, this was just one kick ass rocking performance from start to finish. This was as close to perfection a vocal can be. I loved every choice Casey made and he has fantastic control of his voice, modulating from the lower register to the awesome falsetto and then the soft closing. Ronald was smiling and doing his happy dance. There is some talent in season 10. I freaking loved this. ITunes here I come.

Steven – “You are in your mind and out of your mind unreal. This is as good as it gets. Crazy good.”
Jennifer – “You’re sexy, Casey. You’re gonna redefine what this whole thing is. You came out like a fighter and ate it all up.”
Randy – “I love the way you transformed yourself. You are so different and unique. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins is up there standing and clapping.”

For the most part, there is some pure raw talent within this group of men. I have to say I like some of the changes this season. This is going to be interesting in making such drastic cuts immediately to get us to our top 12. I think there were several of the contestants if they had a couple more weeks might have made it through.

I still enjoy the dynamics of the new judging panel and the fact they are genuinely having fun their comments were not that insightful and many times I disagreed with them. It also appears our judges are falling into old traps. For a second there I thought Kara had returned given all the comments about “find the artist you want to be.” There was just a lot of it was “beautiful”, “crazy good”, etc. for my tastes. I hope we find a better groove going forward.

Now we have the tough part in trying to pick who will be going on. My prediction for the top five men is:
1) James
2) Scotty
3) Paul
4) Jacob
5) Casey

Time will see if I am correct.

Tomorrow we listen to the women.