Bottom Of The Barrel

Idol Top 11: The Morning After

Ryan called this week The Beatles [not the Lennon/McCartney songbook] so will we hear something actually not written by the prolific duo? Let's see...

Amanda Overmyer | Back In The U.S.S.R.

Our resident rocker goes for another classic rock track. Unfortunately Amanda was drowned out by the band and showed almost no melody on the vocal bridge. Her vocals sound pretty much like every other song she has done so far. Paula predicts Amanda will "continue to go up"? I'm not so sure.

Kristy Lee Cook | You've Got To Hide Your Love Away

Singing a song she had never heard before? Risky. Started really good but fell a little flat on the chorus and once the band joined in. It might have been better to run the whole song completely stripped down. Finished strong and was much better than last week [and apparently looked gorgeous - thanks Paula].

David Archuleta | The Long And Winding Road

Welcome back to the show David. He returned to his bread and butter with a tight ballad. David gave us a very melodic performance but I am wondering if he can actually win it all win a whole season of sugary and cute ballads? Not sure but maybe if he continues his "master class" he can.

Michael Johns | A Day In The Life

Michael sounded a bit high pitched on the first section but it got it back together for the remainder of the song. Found him to be a tad boring as a performer. The whole good looking/above average singer will only go so far. And Simon was spot on, that is a very complex song which really can't be compressed that way.

Brooke White | Here Comes The Sun

Ahhh a George Harrison song and it felt like such a prefect fit for Brooke. Psss Mr. Archuleta here comes Brooke. I liked the vocals and thought, again, she connected with the song. Yeah she looked a little uncomfortable without her piano and the dancing was odd but that's ok. Her sunny yellow dress looked good.

David Cook | Day Tripper

Great song choice and the crunchy guitar work was really current. The vocals were great however the full on chorus and voice box work felt, in the words of Simon from 2 season's ago to one Chris Daughtry, a little indulgent. Maybe it is time for him to pull a Jason Castro and get all sensitive on us.

Carly Smithson | Blackbird

Sung in the style of Sarah McLachlan, but not nearly as good. It was a good vocal effort until the last 3rd where she took the song big where it really calls for the steady vocal - again as Sarah did it. I like her range of style she can sing and that could take her a long way [as long as she picks better songs].

Jason Castro | Michelle

MeeShell or is it Michelle? Anyway, for most of the song I felt like Jason was over shadowed by the full band. I really liked his french, which adds a level of difficultly to this song, and the end sounded good. I agree with Randy, which is out of the normal, that Jason looked very disconnected with the song. At least he has a face for tv!

Syesha Mercado | Yesterday

It's about time someone did this song. At least 2 people said last week this was their favorite Beatles song. Unfortunately Syesha took an amazing song and slowed it down [to far] and drew out each word beyond the great guitar notes. For once, I have to totally disagree with the judges and this might be Syesha's last week with us, which is a shame because I really like her.

Chikezie | I've Just Seen A Face

Not sure what happened to Chikezie last week but suddenly he is having a ball on stage and sounding pretty good at the same time. Great arrangement with solid vocals and decent harmonica work, for a guy who never played one before. Hope he makes it to country week to see what he does to an actual country track.

Ramiele Malubay | I Should Have Known Better

Ok, now that's how you play the harmonica Chikezie! I know she wanted to go for an uptempo track but this one felt too big for her. Not sure she could ever sing melodic song like the Beatles did. I will say it finished pretty good and it was somewhat better than last week.

Looking like finalists:

1. David Cook
2. David Archuleta
3. Brooke White

And not so much:

1. Syesha Mercado
2. Kristy Lee Cook
3. Ramiele Malubay

Should Go Home: Ramiele Malubay

Will Go Home: Kristy Lee Cook

Ok your lurkers [and you know who are - Kym & Kim] let's have your comments.

Labels: American Idol

posted by TheWino @ 8:17 AM