Guys take a stab at it. And I didn’t want to stab myself. Progress!
It was the guy’s turn to have it out on American Idol and a big improvement over last night already, and I’m only one performance in.
These are my MAC notes as I watched:
Lee DeWyze is up first and I liked the rock/folk guitar vibe he put on that song. It was exactly the kind of up tempo fun I wanted last night and, other then Crystal, didn’t get on any level. So, nice start!
And we segue right into cutie patootie Alex Lambert, singing Trouble. Which made me cringe a little, as it’s been done already. This season. Alex. And while it wasn’t profound or water cooler chat worthy, it was a nice fit for his voice, and he seemed more confident about the choice. He’s still a cutie patootie who can stick around for another week.
OMG. So Tim Urban is really going to test just how devoted America is to keeping the Jonas Bro hair guy regardless of any actual singing talent. Whatsoever. By singing Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah. Tim. Did you NOT see my lovely woodland forest creature sing this during the David Cook season? Where you absent that day? Because, honestly, you wanna talk MOMENTS? It was the high point of Jason Castro’s entire season. And that is the thing you want to deliver to us this evening? Sigh. So, I listen. And, okay. He doesn’t suck. And for him, this is high praise. I wasn’t on the same love train as the rest of the judgery, but I think that was mostly explained as vast relief of the lack of complete suckage. Especially on this song. So, golf clap, Tim Urban. But don’t mess with the Castro again.
So now, on the heels of Tim, my Sure Thing for going home this week, which apparently ain’t gonna happen now (sigh) we get Andrew Garcia, who, two weeks in, should have been enjoying the comfort of being the shoo in, and instead is teetering on the brink of disaster…and he’s up next. After that. So, keep the love train goin’ is all I’m sayin’ Andrew. Don’t fail me now. He’s going to change up XTina’s Genie in a Bottle, and I’m praying with everything I have that it’s another Abdul Straight Up Moment. Please. Okay, so I was on board with how he led us into the song, but when he got to the chorus, he went straight with it…and my confidence, it began to waver. I’m curious what the judgery will say. Not as strong as it could have been. Wish he’d have changed up the chorus more. It got better at the end…but I’m afraid he’s used up his last chance. We’ll see how the other five do tonight…
So, everyone is bringing the guitars tonight…and I’m likin’ it! Even better, is Casey James bringing his guitar and the cuteness with a Keith Urban song. I don’t even care if he has A Moment. I get three minutes and twenty six seconds of Casey Time. Shhhh, now. And pass the umbrella drinks! Aaaaand, deep, very appreciative sigh. Clearly the most at ease playing and singing together, and that was a lot more honest than I’ve seen from him, far more connected. Dare I say it, a Bowersox Worthy Moment. My joy…it grows. Well done, CJ. (Shut up Randy. Stop harshing my buzz.)
We go right into Aaron Kelly, and it’s all slow and warbly and not in my wheelhouse at all in terms of what I listen to. But he’s adorable and being all poignant and then with the Big Finish and when the kids get done voting for Tim, they’ll spend some time voting for this guy, too. Which means Andrew might want to get really, really nervous right about now…
So, now we’re going to find out what it’s like to go for the superstah moment as Toddrick reaches pretty dang huge going for Queen’s Somebody To Love. This could either carve out his place in this competition, or carve out his place on the Silver Stool of Doom next to my buddy, Andrew. Which will it be… He goes all gospel with it, and…I’m not loving the back up singers being all in this high key — he needed the whole chorus of gospel singers, they were far too lightweight for this duty — which isn’t helping him get everyone into it. But he went for it, and I think he pulled it out, in this case despite the singers. And? Killer sweater, dude. Mostly, bless you for not singing another ballad. Superstah!
Closing the show is Big Mike, in a tailored suit. From the waist up. This Woman’s Work is the song, and we start in a falsetto that scares me a little. Maybe more than a little…but he manages to hang on to it. And then he sinks into the richness of the song and I feel like I did the first time I heard Teddy Pendergrass. Which is to say really, really good. I loved this. And I’m not a fan of this music genre in general, but that sweetness? Was purely made of win.
And you know what I also loved? Up on the Balcony of Boredom, as the other singers watch their hopes slide a bit more deeply into a hole, everyone’s face is all concerned. Except for Casey. He is smiling, and enjoying this, and truly happy to see someone perform and perform well. And that is why I want it to be Crystal, Casey, and the Big Guy in the final three. Siobahn might round that out if it’s a foursome. Or Lee. Can we just move on along to that?
So…sticking around? A lot longer list than the Danger List. In fact, Andrew is almost a sure bet to be outta here tonight and I can’t say I’d go a different way. A shame, I like him. But comparatively? He’s the weak link. And, after Big Mike’s knock it out the park performance, I’m afraid Toddrick might be in danger, as it kind of eclipsed the wave he had going in his direction just before that.
On listening to the playback clips, taking them just for themselves, it was interesting to me. Lee sounded great. Then both Alex and Tim sounded off (and yes, I get it’s out of context somewhat, but I don’t care…it was jarring and discordant to me in this context) and then Andrew sounded shaky, but Casey’s clip was all smooth confidence and goodness. Aaron had a power note, Toddrick was rocking the gospel, and Big Mike was just laying down the law. So…based on that? It would be Alex and Andrew in danger, with Tim knocking on the door. Which won’t be the case at all…but interesting anyway.
Who do you think is heading out? For the guys? For the ladies? Who is your fave? Is Big Mike knocking on Crystal’s door? I think that as a finale showdown could be awesome in terms of mad singing skills. Because Crystal v Casey in the end is going to be decided by who’s bringing the pretty (because we’re shallow like that) but that’s where I see this headed. One of those scenarios. Lee could be the dark horse in there. I don’t think any of the other ladies will hit final two. I just hope it’s not Aaron or Tim there in the last two weeks of the show in the versus Crystal slot. Because we already did that. Last season. And the one before that. Varying on the winner, but still. That needs to stop.
What say you, Blog Babes? After you get done entering this week’s Free (very sweet) Stuff Friday contest (rules in Monday’s blog) come back on over here and give us your DISH!!


















