American IdolTop 9
Original Air Date: March 31, 2009
Patricia Morris Buckley — Associate Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com
Once again, only one singer really stood out — and it wasn’t Adam Lambert this time. Last to perform in the “pimp spot,” Kris Allen not only played piano instead of his usual guitar, but also recrafted a song in a way that made it totally new.
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[photo: FOX]
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American Idol
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Original Air Date: March 31, 2009
Patricia Morris Buckley — Associate Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com
Once again, only one singer really stood out — and it wasn’t Adam Lambert this time. Last to perform in the “pimp spot,” Kris Allen not only played piano instead of his usual guitar, but also recrafted a song in a way that made it totally new.
At this point, it seems as if the remaining nine singers can be put into three groups. First, there are the ones that don’t make all their notes and have little artistry: Megan Joy and Scott MacIntrye. Then there are the good singers who just don’t do enough to make it their own: Anoop Desai, Lil Rounds and Matt Giraud (who would be in the last grouping if he just picked the right song). Then come the four that probably will be the last (we hope) to be voted off: Adam, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta and Kris.
This week’s theme, Top iTunes Downloads, brought a wide variety of songs.
ANOOP: Caught Up
I thought Anoop was smart enough to get that America wants to hear his voice in a ballad — not some sort of bombastic R’n’B song. His performance is just OK.
Randy liked the vocals but didn’t think the song choice was right. Kara thinks he played it safe and asked if the frat guys dared him to sing this Usher song. Paula loves his playful side and Simon called it a “complete and utter mess with no originality. It gave me a headache.”
MEGAN: Turn Your Lights Down Low
Her voice is shaky and drowsy. Perhaps her looks won’t be enough to save her because this performance is a new low for her.
Kara thinks she’s in trouble while Paula wants to see her without the big band behind her. Simon calls the song boring and notes that all the things he liked about her are disappearing. Randy compared it to watching paint dry and reminds her that just because she likes a song, doesn’t mean she needs to sing it.
DANNY: What Hurts the Most
The song lets him show what’s interesting about his voice. It doesn’t “wow” me, but it’s solid and pleasing.
Paula says he leaves her wanting more. Simon compliments the song and says Danny sang it brilliantly. Randy says it’s very nice and Kara points out that he moved everyone in the room.
ALLISON: Don’t Speak
This is the first time we’ve seen her play her guitar, although she stops playing halfway through. Not her greatest performance, but there’s no denying she has a killer voice and no matter what happens in this competition, she is going to be a major recording artist.
Randy points out she was ahead of the beat and hates what she’s wearing (it’s sort of a Cyndi Lauper look). Kara calls her a great singer who doesn’t need to dress like a rocker. Paula says she has the vocal prowess of someone double her age. Simon can’t ignore the outfit, saying it’s “out of the Addams Family.” He also says she shouted the song.
SCOTT: Just the Way You Are
Great new hair cut. He misses some notes while hits others spot on. He makes the song his own, and it’s his best performance yet — although he just doesn’t have the voice to go much further.
Kara calls the song a smart choice. Paula is proud of him not because of his challenges, but because of the things he does to make her forget those challenges. Simon calls it Scott’s best performance by a country mile — “it’s a different Scott.” Randy calls it one of the best of the night.
MATT: You Found Me
He plays the electric keyboard with a crowd surrounding him. It’s a nice performance, but not memorable.
Paula says his performance aborts the things the judges like about him. Simon says Matt sounds as if he’s trying to be someone else and the result is uncomfortable. Randy doesn’t think it’s the right song choice and Kara says he doesn’t deserve to go home.
LIL: I Surrender
The more I hear of Lil, the more I wonder why she was ever considered a forerunner. She adds nothing original to her songs and she’s not hitting all the notes. This is a show stopper of a song, though. Ryan has one of her kids hug Randy and you can hear the tally of sympathetic votes coming in.
Randy says it wouldn’t be his song choice for her but she sang it well. Kara is impressed and “this is the singer who wowed us.” Paula wants her to sing more contemporary songs. Simon says: “this was you trying to stay in the competition, but it sounded like a wedding singer. This was so old fashioned that all your personality was being sucked out of you.”
ADAM: Play That Funky Music
Rumor has it that Adam heard on Monday afternoon that his song choice hadn’t cleared and he needed to pick and practice a new song for Tuesday night. That explains the odd song choice. He’s slicked back his hair again, but returns to his bombastic vocal style. Adam acknowledges the band when the arrangement is praised — very classy.
Paula calls him a true genius who shatters expectations. Simon thinks the song choice was brave but thinks Adam won’t be as popular as he was last week. Randy says he’s in the star zone while Kara says that every week, she can’t wait to see what he’s doing next.
KRIS: Ain’t No Sunshine
This what the judges mean when they talk about artistry. It’s a beautifully controlled, memorable performance.
Randy says he’s slaying the competition with the best performance of the night. Kara adds: “That is artistry.” Paula commends him on taking a 30-year-old song and making it sound like we’ve never heard it before. Simon says it’s a great arrangement and it’s Kris’ best performance to date.
My prediction for the bottom three: Megan, Anoop and Matt, although Lil might be there instead of one of the guys. My pick for going home: Megan.
What did you think about how so many of the contestants were feisty to the judges? Doesn’t that influence your voting choices? Who do you think gave their best performance to date? Who do you want to see go home?