American Idol 9 - Top 9

And this week, we take on the Beatles for the first time since the Top 12 and Top 11 of season 7 butchered the poor greatest band of all time. This year they have gotten the Stones for one week and the Beatles now. You cannot go wrong with these song choices, as you can make an epic blunder beyond belief. Given that we haven't had any massive upsets thus far, Tim and Katie should be fearful this week unless one of the mid-range contestants like Siobhan or Andrew lays an egg. And here we go...

Aaron - The Long and Winding Road - Aaron picks a sappy slow song that's not too powerful. He may not be missing the notes he intends to hit, but it sounds weird at certain points in the song. This is the type of performance that will make the judges beg him to go contemporary. This was an absolute yawn-fest and considering he leads off with it, it may have sent him home if there were not more buffer crap people.
GRADE: D

Katie - Let It Be - So both the 17 year old contestants decide to take the sappy slow songs and not change anything up to make themselves stand out. It's safe and it's not going to win this race. Katie at least does slightly more with her voice to show off than Aaron. She may surprise and stick around longer than we initially thought. This was good for her but still mediocre no matter what the judges say.
GRADE: C

Andrew - Can't Buy Me Love - Well bad news for the fringe contestants hoping this middle guy falls. This is not going to happen tonight. A good redone arrangement to update the song for his voice and a very well done performance. This is the kind of performance that may get him back in the mix against the heavy hitters.
GRADE: B

Mike - Eleanor Rigby - Mike picks a very good song because he loves it, but his voice does not fit the runs of the song to be frankly honest. And when he tries to do his soulful shouting at the end of the song, it feels overly forced. This is quite possibly Mike's worst performance of the competition. He will not go home by any means, but it is a chink in his armor. Kudos to Simon for being the voice of reason in judges infatuated with Mike.
GRADE: C

Crystal - Come Together - Wow, Crystal pulls out the diddgerido...cool choice if a bit weird. This is one of the hardest songs to do well because it requires a lot of range and an ability to change pace quickly. Crystal makes this song fit for her, which is what may distinguish her from big Mike at the end of the day. Easily the best performance of the night.
GRADE: A-

Teflon Tim - All My Loving - Well Tim is finally way out of his league and although I sent him home a week ago, I think the right time is now. His closest competition is Katie who did moderately well tonight. Randy says he is in his own category, which means he shouldn't be here anymore. At least he's enjoyable to watch. Bleh performance.
GRADE: D

Casey - Jealous Guy - Casey breaks it down from the electric guitar, which is his strength and goes acoustic tonight. This was not his best performance but it showed a good soft side to him. No better no worse after tonight, although Mike may have moved behind him tonight. Not a perfect performance though.
GRADE: B

Siobhan - Across The Universe - Siobhan goes with slow and sappy, but that's not something she has done a lot like some other contestants. She gives a very good performance and will avoid the bottom 3, perhaps sending Katie back to a quick in and out of the bottom 3. This was a nice change of pace, and no scream thank goodness.
GRADE: B

Lee - Hey Jude - Well the last time Lee had the pimp slot I thought he deserved to go home with a crap performance of a Hinder song. Getting the close-out spot was a good thing this week even though Tim is basically a buffer for all these mediocre contestants. But this may save Lee from the bottom three. As for the performance, it was pretty mediocre. The bagpipes were a bit over the top like Crystal was. In any event, the performance was good enough to keep him safe for now.
GRADE: C-

So they killed the Beatles again, but it's better when they wait for the top 8 rather than the chaff of a top 12 or top 11. We'll see what comes next week, but I suspect Tim will go tomorrow and the heat will turn right on Katie, Lee, Siobhan, and Andrew.

TOP PERFORMER - Crystal
BOTTOM 3 - Tim, Katie, Aaron
GOING HOME - Teflon Tim