Bottom Of The Barrel

Idol Top 12: The Morning After

For the first week on the big new stage, AI gave the contestants the Lennon/McCartney songbook to pick from. Most of us would just refer to that as The Beatles but the week did not include all of The Beatles songs because some were not written by Lennon/McCartney. So I take this moment to thank George Harrison for songs like Here Comes the Sun, Taxman and While My Guitar Gently Weeps, which all could have been great choices. Lastly before I get to each Idol, I have one question: What was with Ryan's Hair? In the immortal words of Thomas R. " Tommy" Callahan III - He's got really weird hair.

Syesha Mercado | Got to Get You into My Life

Syesha's take on this song felt like the Beatles meets disco or as Randy called it an Earth, Wind and Fire arrangement. The song gave Syesha a change to show off some wind, I mean vocal talent but it really lacked the fire which would make it a great performance.

Chikezie | She's a Woman

This song choice may have been the best of the night. From the O' Brother Where Art Thou opening to it's up-tempo finish, Chikezie looked like he was having a ball on stage and showed pretty good range. Overall I thought this was not only an awesome cover but it was my favorite song of the night.

Ramiele Malubay | In My Life

Ramiele has been praised for having such a big voice for a small person but last night was just so-so. The vocals were solid and her voice sounded good but I didn't hear the big notes and agree with Paula that this just was a safe song for Ramiele.

Jason Castro | If I Fell

His voice felt whispery and couldn't fully reach the high notes, which might not be his particular style. He also seemed a little off beat to the music but I like Jason and think is he picks songs that fit his style he could go far. Oh and no Paula I did not feel Jason's heart on this song.

Carly Smithson | Come Together

The judges have been praising her voice for a while but this was the song that I felt it really shined. Great song choice and arrangement. This kind of performance could land her in the finals. I actually thought that Amanda was going to pick this song. Maybe her roommate is rubbing off on her a little. PS Ryan stay out of student's rooms.

David Cook | Eleanor Rigby

Started a little shaky in the low voice beginning but came through tight on the chorus [and a little Daughtry-esque] and the second half of the song. I liked that he was sans-guitar and looked a little more frontmanish. At this point, I think David could be the the Idol to beat - both this season and next year when the Idol's albums begin to drop.

Brooke White | Let It Be

Brookes look very comfortable in front of a piano belting out a heart felt rendition of Let It Be. She has a unique voice with a small country twang to it which I like. I would have maybe added more of the band into it earlier bur overall it was good. By the way, I loved the We [heart] Brooke (but miss our nanny) sign!

David Hernandez | I Saw Her Standing There

As he began to sing I actually said "Yikes" out loud. This was by far the worst song choice of the night and David might be better off with a country slant to his songs - not that he might have another chance. He took a fairly simple song and made it into a runny mess of falsetto's which were all over the place. I'll say it again, Yikes.

Amanda Overmyer | You Can't Do That

At first I was mesmerized by her stripped pants but I can to when she began to put her trademark southern/blues/rock take on the song. I thought she sounded good and the song was at a good tempo for her style. Although I think her limited range will only take her so far.

Michael Johns | Across the Universe

First let me say I loved the picture of him as a kid in a Vegemite t-shirt. Men at work would be so proud. I liked his straightforward cover of this classic song with a minimalist approach to the arrangement and felt this was his best song since getting to the top 24. He will need to take his next song to another level if he wants to become more of a frontrunner.

Kristy Lee Cook | 8 Days A Week

I liked the whole mega violin thing to start the song but when the rest of the band jumped in I felt the song was going a million miles an hour. Just way too fast. Kristy sounded like she was trying to keep up and at times rushed like she was covering a Jay Z song. Overall, though, I liked her vocals when she slowed down for the chorus. On a side note, the 80's called and they want their jeans back.

David Archuleta | We Can Work It Out

For the first time, David looked completely lost on the stage. He looked so uncomfortable with the song and maybe the bigger venue. Stevie Wonder is a musical genius in all but this was Beatles week, stick to more Beatle-ish covers. And N E V E R forget your lyrics. That is the one unforgivable thing [to me anyway] on American Idol.

I was surprised the judges didn't give him a harder time on that point and if it were only up to me, he would be done because of that alone. But it is not and he will probably stay but this does show he has weaknesses and may not be the Idol to beat.

Cream Of The Crop:

1. Chikezie
2. Carly Smithson
3T. David Cook
3T. Brooke White

Muddling In The Middle:

1. Michael Johns
2. Amanda Overmyer
3. Jason Castro
4. Ramiele Malubay

Bottom Of The Barrel:

1. David Hernandez
2. David Archuleta
3T. Kristy Lee Cook
3T. Syesha Mercado

Should Go Home: David Archuleta

Will Go Home: David Hernandez

Do you have some thoughts on last night's Idol? Please add them into the comments on this post. Now back to work... She loves me yeah, yeah, yeah...

Labels: American Idol

posted by TheWino @ 7:42 AM