Here's a new American Idol recap from Guest Blogger Daniel:
So, just to catch you up last week, Jessica Sanchez was the
low vote-getter and the judges used their one save on her. That means we have
yet another week of the top 7. Tonight, they will each be singing two songs. One
from then, an old song, and one from now, a current song. Not only is this a
lame theme but it is pretty similar to the theme we had last week. C’mon
American Idol! One more thing before I start. For their first performances, 5 of
the 7 contestants looked ridiculous. I’m not a big fashion guy but I know when
someone looks ridiculous, and they looked ridiculous. Below you can see a
picture and in the comments for the first performances I will not only discuss
the performances but how ridiculously they were dressed. Anyway, lets get down
to business.
Round 1: "Now" Songs
Hollie Cavanagh Rolling
In The Deep
Last week, Hollie got out of her slump and sang well. This
week, she sang amazingly. This was Hollie at her potential. Starting the song a cappella was brilliant. She really showed off her voice in the chorus and sang
the verses with a terrific intensity. Great job Hollie. It was kind weird
though to have the backup singers on the screen behind her. Anyway, Hollie sang
great but looked strange. She wore these weird billowy pants and her shirt
didn’t cover the side of her body. This might be the look she was going for, but
I thought it looked weird. Anyway, she sang great. A+
Colton Dixon Bad Romance
As you know, I am a big Colton fan, but during this
performance he looked terrible. He was wearing a weird jacket that fell behind
him like a cape, and he also wore red leather pants! He even put some red into
his hair! C’mon! Anyway, he took on a big song, but after hearing his song choices for the past
few weeks, flinching, and then watching the incredible performances that
followed, I didn’t get worried. Colton was nailing this one as per usual until
he got to the line “I want your love. And I want you revenge.” He went waaaay
to low there and couldn’t hold the note. While that wasn’t good, he still
totally nailed the chorus, especially when he sang
“whooooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOoo” and the “raaa ahhh raa ma ahhh” parts.
Overall while this was Colton’s worst performance on the show it was still
pretty great. A-
Elise Testone No
One
Elise was wearing a weird drape-y orange dress that made her
look like a gourd. Just terrible. Anyway, great song choice. That said, Elise
didn’t really do anything interesting with it. She sang it pretty well, it just
wasn’t especially interesting. It didn’t really have a sense of artistry. It
was like good karaoke. But she did sing well. A-
Phillip Phillips U
Got It Bad
When I heard Phil would be singing an Usher song, I was very
excited because it meant he was going to do some real creative re-arranging and
really put his stamp on the song. And it was good I guess. Surprisingly, it
wasn’t really special. He sung it ok, but even with all the changes, I wasn’t
excited by it. Still, I give him props for a solid performance and for
tremendous originality. Also, congrats on being one of the only contestants to
be dressed ok during their first performance. B+
Jessica Sanchez Fallin’
I found it sickening the way the judges rushed up onstage
after Jessica got eliminated, saved her, then practically told the world that
she was the best singer ever and that you should “vote for the best” and that
the best was her. IT'S OUR CHOICE LEAVE US ALONE. I actually wouldn’t have
minded seeing Jessica go home. She has been boring me a bit lately. Her
performances all seem kinda the same, and last week she was definitely the worst.
Tonight, Jessica was ok. She didn’t do anything special or anything we haven’t
seen before. It was kinda similar to her performance last week, but it was a
little better. While she wasn’t dressed badly, her hair looked atrocious. She
looked like she had just come out of a wind tunnel. B+
Skylar Laine Born
This Way
Skylar sang the country version of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way
and it was fantastic. She was totally in her element. She performed with a great
energy as usual and hit all the notes with a power that no other girl in the
contest has. This was an American Idol winner caliber performance. To top it all off, she didn’t look bad the way
most of the contestants did during their first songs. A+
Joshua Ledet I
Believe
Big song to take on, but Joshua did a good job. It showcased
his powerful voice and he was really in his comfort zone. Nothing new here
though. Nothing we hadn’t seen before though. Just Joshua singing the kind of
big song that he specializes in. And there was a little more emotion than there
usually is. Oh, and his fashion problem. 2 words: red jacket. A
Round 2: “Then” Songs
Phillip Phillips provided
one of the high points in round two singing “In The Midnight Hour”
Hollie Cavanagh Son
Of A Preacher Man
This was good-not-great and not as good as “Rolling In The
Deep” was. Hollie didn’t seem as committed to this song as she was to “Rolling
In The Deep.” Her vocals were still solid though. And still better than what
she was doing a few weeks ago. B+
Colton Dixon September
This is the Colton we know and love. Colton changed up
“September” and really made it his own. It was well sung and very sincere.
There was just something right about watching him sit at the piano and sing his
heart out. I don’t get why the judges didn’t like it. It was flawless. A+
Elise Testone Let’s
Get It On
This was just a mess. Terrible song choice and she didn’t
sing it very well. She was growling and squeaking and it just sounded awful. I
would say this probably puts the nail in the coffin for Elise. Nothing else to
say. C
Phillip Phillips In
The Midnight Hour
Phil did some really fantastic singing here. He put his soul
into this song and it showed. He didn’t growl too much, but he growled at all
the right times. Most importantly, he appeared to be having a ball up there, and
if the performer is having fun, the viewer has fun. Really great performance by
PP. A+
Jessica Sanchez Try
A Little Tenderness
This was pretty bad. I’m not sure what Jessica was thinking
when she chose this song. She shouldn’t be singing a song about young girls when
she is just a 16 year-old girl herself. Also she put on this raspy voice that
was clearly fake. Jessica is very talented, but this really makes me wish the
judges didn’t save her. Not even the judges could deny how bad it was, but
because they can't say anything bad about Jessica, instead of actually
critiquing they made long rambly comments that made no sense. After last week, I
know she won't go home, but after what she did tonight, I think maybe she should.
C-
Skylar Laine Hear
It Through The Grape Vine
This was good. Skylar brought her signature flair and
country twang to this often-covered Marvin Gaye classic, and the results were
good. She totally changed up the melody and sang the verses with fierce
passion. Skylar did a really good job. Also, I believe this is the only song to
be sung during a live performance on American Idol for the last three seasons.
In season 9 it was sung by Andrew Gracia, last year it was done by Casey
Abrams, and this year Skylar took a stab at it and managed produce a totally
original result. A
Joshua Ledet A
Change Is Gonna Come
Joshua sure has pipes. He has a truly fantastic range. He is
insanely talented. But the judges are doing him a disservice by complimenting
him incessantly. I think he really has a shot at winning (right now I have him
in 4th) but if he is going to win, the judges need to back off a bit.
A
Run Down
Skylar Laine’s “Born This
Way” was the best performance of the night
Best Performance Of The First Round: Skylar Laine, “Born
This Way”
Worst Performance Of The First Round: Jessica Sanchez,
“Fallin’”
Best Performance Of The Second Round: Philip Phillips, “In
The Midnight Hour”
Worst Performance Of The Second Round: Jessica Sanchez, “Try
A Little Tenderness”
Best Performance Of The Night: Skylar Laine, “Born This Way”
Worst Performance Of The Night: Jessica Sanchez, “Try A
Little Tenderness”
Contestant Who Had The Best Night: Skylar Laine
Contestant Who Had The Worst Night: Jessica Sanchez
What The Bottom 3 Should Be
Hollie, Jessica and Elise with Elise going home.
Predicted Bottom 3
Phillip, Hollie and Elise with Elise going home.
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