Well if this is a week to miss Idol live, this is it. No offense to good charity efforts, but Idol Gives Back just makes me want to yawn. Especially when the Idol producers you cannot get enough of a good thing and makes the Idols pick from a cheesy song list. After the double elimination, there are a couple of contestants who still do not quite match up as frontrunners, but anything could happen. Teflon Tim is still around AND getting good comments from the judges (kiss of death in all likelihood), so anything is possible. Oh and we're quickly down from two hours two weeks ago to one hour shows now. So that's one plus!
Casey - Don't Stop - Casey actually finds a decent song in the songlist for his musical tastes, and is able to throw a little electric guitar in there to remind us why he will likely have a better future than former Idol David Cook. Casey still kind of strikes me as a Huey Lewis kind of artist, which may be sellable again now that the 80's are long in the rearview mirror. Casey gives a soulful rendition with not a lot of challenge in my opinion. Solid start to the show, but nothing new.
GRADE: C+
Lee - The Boxer - Lee played to the camera for the first time I think in his long stay here on Idol, as he's usually off in space. This song is one of the classics and I don't remember anybody else taking it on in recent years. Lee does OK with the verses and very good with the chorus, if you can call the wordless chorus a chorus. I think Lee will be safe with this performance, but this is not the kind of performance that wins Idol down the home stretch.
GRADE: B
Tim - Better Days - Teflon Tim was a late addition to the Top 24 and has made the most of it all the way to the Top 7 after having a disastrous first week. This was literally boring and a step back for someone who has admittedly shown improvement. however, Tim is way out of his league now compared to the other six. Goo Goo Dolls are not a band to move you on, and Tim is in legitimate trouble.
GRADE: D
Aaron - I Believe I Can Fly - Aaron picks something from his lifetime, and definitely one of the cheesiest songs of my lifetime. This is the kind of song choice that Aaron needs to use to knock teen-favorite Tim out of the spotlight and take his place as a co-frontrunner, in my humble opinion. Oh and for the record, it's nice to see an Idol actually wear blue jeans...it's more normal. Aaron does not have the chops of other young Idol contestants, but he was solid on this song and picked well, despite the cheese. He's for sure safe.
GRADE: B+
Siobhan - When You Believe - Ahh Siobhan brings the weird outfit flavor we've been missing most of the season thanks to it being a guy-dominated season again. This song is strong but it starts off at a low register and Siobhan honestly needs to stay away from that as much as possible because she's nasal and annoying. Once the song picks up she has a nice glory note that is not quite shouting, and this was actually one of her least offensive performances for someone who hates shouting singers. Zero star power tonight.
GRADE: C
Mike - Hero - Mike picks a good contemporary song by the lead singers of Nickelback and Saliva, totally not what I expected from him which is a good thing after he bored me to tears playing it safe last week. This was a nice take on a song originally sung my people with a southern type of twang. I thought he could've actually gone more dramatic at the end, but it was a nice change of pace and perhaps puts him back into the top 4 again. Solid job.
GRADE: B
Crystal - People Get Ready - Crystal takes her first opportunity to go instrument-free this week, which could be risky for the Janis Joplin type of singer. She left the instrument behind but she put her voice on massive display singing a stronger song than usual for her. This just proved what we suspected all along. Crystal knows what she does well and she can do well with songs outside her comfort zone. And then at the end of the song she broke down crying which ruined what was a solid A performance. Nevertheless, in the money slot this was how it is done.
GRADE: A-
So actually it was better than I originally expected, and the top 4 from my semifinals take on the top 12 appear to be coming true as Crystal, Casey, Aaron, and Mike separate themselves a bit. It will be interesting to see if Lee and Siobhan, or even Teflon Tim can break the stronghold this season. For the final time, your bottom 3 (goes to 2 this week or next week).
TOP PERFORMER - Crystal (making a habit of it)
BOTTOM 3 - Casey, Time, Siobhan
GOING HOME - Tim
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