Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Week 9 Results

Sorry guys, but this is my last blog. I'm leaving for camp on Sunday. Yes, that means no more American Idol. Luckily I have DVR, but I will just catch up in August when I get home from camp.

The top four sang "School's Out" with Slash on guitar. Poor Danny and Kris. They are just not rockers.

Paula performed her new single. I thought this was rock and roll week not 80's throwbacks. Props for still doing her thing rather than just being a satisfied has-been judging others. But oh Paula, you are not a Pussycat Doll. Stop crawling around on the floor.

No Doubt performed "Just a Girl." I'm so bummed that I'm missing the No Doubt/Paramore summer tour. Oh well...camp will be worth it.

Daughtry performed their new single, "No Surprise." It's a really great song. i downloaded it yesterday.

Down to the results.
Kris is safe.
Adam is safe.
Danny is safe.

The boys take the top 3 as Allison heads home.

So, enjoy the rest of the season. I'll catch highlights from word of mouth and watch the last two episodes when I get back from camp.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Top 4

The theme tonight is Rock & Roll with Mentor Slash from Guns n Roses and Velvet Revolver. Unfortunately, the contestants didn’t get a dress rehearsal because the set broke. Tonight, they will also perform a duet.

Adam—“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin
Could he look any more homosexual? This is obviously where Adam wants to be as an artist. He was amazing, as expected, but I had a hard time understanding the words. Also, I hated the awkward a'capella ending. Randy said that no one would think about Broadway after that performance because it was pure rock and roll. Kara called Adam a "rock god" and Paula said his performance was perfect. Simon said "nobody can top that now."

Allison—“Crybaby” by Janis Joplin
I love Allison's hair! I'm jealous. I thought that Allison made a great song choice. "Crybaby" was in the perfect range for her. She was truly in her element tonight. The judges, however, weren't so keen on the song choice. Randy wanted a song with more melody. Kara like that Allison chose Janis Joplin, but would have picked a different song. Paula called Allsion fearless. Simon said she's come a long way, but she tried too hard to sound like the original.

Kris and Danny duet—“Renegade” by Styx
I thought the a'cappella parts and harmonies were great, but Danny definitely pulled off the rock song better than Kris. It was a fun performance though. Randy said that Kris and Danny "complement each other." Paula called it powerful and compelling. Simon said Danny was better than Kris.

Kris—“Come Together” by The Beatles
Kris got to play guitar with Slash. How cool is that? I wondered what he would choose tonight, but I thought he made a good choice in The Beatles. I think Kris was able to make this song his own while staying true to the song. I like that he dropped the octave to build intensity, but the ending was a little strange. Randy said that Kris stayed true to himself. Kara didn't like it and said he was trying too hard. Simon said Kris's performance was "like eating ice for lunch" and called it boring and safe.

Danny—“Dream On” by Aerosmith
When I heard what song Danny was singing, I wondered if he could top Michael Johns from last season (and doubted it). He has a nice rock edge, but I was nervous for him the entire song dreading the end. It was terrible. Randy said is was "alright" and gave Danny an A+ for effort. Kara said he took the swagger comment too far, but gave him credit for taking a risk. Simon said "the last note was like watching a horror movie" but thinks he'll still be safe this week.

Adam and Allison duet—“Slow Ride”
It doesn’t seem fair to pit the two rockers against the two non-rockers, but it was awesome. I really enjoyed their performance. Kara said they pushed each other to be better. Paula said they’re a perfect blend. Simon said they won the battle of the duets and that Adam gave Allison a chance to stay in the competition.

I didn't really have an outstanding favorite tonight…unless I can choose Adam and Allison’s duet. I don’t want anyone to go home. It's a tough call. Here’s my argument for how each of them could go or stay.

Adam was in his element tonight, but is he too played out?

Allison has been flying a bit under the radar, but that duet with Adam was amazing.

Kris is the season heartthrob, (and I thought he did well) but the judges thought he tried too hard tonight.

Danny is the only contestant who’s never been in the bottom three, but he destroyed the best part of that Aerosmith song.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Week 8 Results

I go to church on Wednesday nights so I always record the results show. However, I'm stupid and this week set my time record for 7pm instead of 8pm, thus missing the results. So I had to wait for it to be posted on the bootleg sites.

Simon said this is an open competition, which makes it fun. I agree. The show could totally go any direction from here. I think all of the contestants have a shot at winning.

The Ford video was actually really cool this week.

The group performed "It Don't Mean a Thing" and "I Got Rhythm." It didn't suck this week! Some of the solos were a little over-the-top, but I enjoyed it. The balance worked this week (finally).

Both Danny and Allison celebrated birthdays this week. I cracked up at the food fight video.

Ryan did the stage split results. He made Adam choose which group is safe. He actually made a decision rather than just sitting down like previous contestants did.

Right side of the stage: Matt, Kris
Left side of the stage: Danny, Allison

Adam walked to the left side with Danny and Allison. Ryan then moved Adam to the right side with Matt and Kris to complete the bottom three. Yes, Adam was in the bottom three. Danny and Allison are safe, and both of their mouths dropped at that announcement. Happy birthdays to them.

Natalie Cole performed. Taylor Hicks performed. Jamie Foxx performed. Geez.

Kris is safe. [I'd just like to say that the three people I voted for last night 5 times each are the top three.]

Adam is safe. Matt is going home. At least he gets to go out with a bang rather than a crap performance that no one wants to suffer through again.

Top 4: Danny, Allison, Kris, and Adam (as it should be)
Next week is going to be insane if these four bring their best. Next week is Rock and Roll!!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Top 5

The theme this week is "Standards from the Rat Pack Era." I had very high hopes for tonight, and I wasn't let down. The competition is getting really tough, and the Rat Pack put out some amazing songs. The mentor this week was Jamie Foxx. Ryan joked about how it was difficult to pick a mentor because all the singers in the Rat Pack are dead. I'm curious as to why they didn't ask Michael Buble to be the mentor, considering he's brought back many rat pack hits and made them current. Jamie did a great job though. He had really good advice for the contestants.

Kris—“The Way You Look Tonight”
Jamie told Kris that if Idol didn't work out, he'd produce a record with him. (YES!) Kris just makes me swoon. It was a great performance, and for once I loved the fancy ending. Randy said it was Kris's best performance this season because he took his time and told a story. Kara said he set the technical standard high; complimented his phrasing, diction, rhythms, and timing; and called him a dark horse in this competition. Simon said Kris's performance was "wet." Yes, wet. Then he compared Kris to a cocker spaniel. I was very confused. Did Simon trade brains with Paula?

Allison—“Someone to Watch over Me”
I love that Allison picked a song with a higher range. It was a beautiful vocal performance, but she maintained her rock edge. It was definitely one of her best performances. Randy said Allison "sang like Pink but with 900 different octaves." Kara said that Allison isn't a one-trick pony like many people think, and that she won over some more fans tonight. Simon, however, thinks that Allison has been and will be overshadowed and in trouble this week.

Matt—“My Funny Valentine”
What was with the weird inflection Matt was using tonight? He sounded like he was trying to sing with an old time New York accent or something. I thought it was a good performance, but it wasn't worth all the hype. Matt, as a jazz artist, should have blown the other competitors out of the water, but he didn't. I enjoyed it, but I think his time is up on this show. Paula said his performance was "pure, simple, and really impressive." Simon called it "believable and authentic."

Danny—“Come Rain or Come Shine”
Just when I was thinking that I had nothing to say about Danny's performance other than "it was good as usual," he surprised me. Finally. The latter half of Danny's performance was incredible. The ending was powerful and amazing. Randy said that Danny could put out a jazz album. Kara said Danny has "Rat Pack swagger" and said he was took more creative liberty with tonight's performance than any of his others. Paula said he was "stellar." Simon called it "outstanding."

Adam—“Feeling Good”
I love this song, so I was pretty excited to hear Adam's take on it. The first verse was great, but Adam lost me in the second verse. Then he got me again with that long high note at the end of the song. Randy said Adam's performance was "too theatrical and dramatic" for his taste, but he credited Adam's talent. Paula compared watching Adam each week to watching Michael Phelps in last summer's Olympics. Simon said that this season is different because all the contestants clearly want to win.

My favorites of the night were Kris, Allison, and Danny.

I think that Matt will go home, but for once I have no clue about the bottom three. It could go many ways. I’m guessing Matt, Kris, and Allison though just based on the huge Danny-Adam fan base.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Week 7 Results

Double elimination. Here we go.

The Top 7 performed a a disco song together to which Paula choreographed a dance. They lip-synched, clear as day. This isn't a dance competition, it's a singing competition. As entertaining as it was to watch them dance (they were actually pretty good), that's not why I watch this show.

The Ford video vocals are getting worse and worse every week.

Weird results tonight. No bottom three?

Lil Rounds is going home, finally! All the judges stood for her after she finished singing. At least she went out with class.

Some people I don't know sang a medley of disco songs. It was terrible from the first note. The first woman was awful. I was afraid the second one was going to show more than we wanted to see with that dress. Then, KC from KC and the Sunshine Band performed with a bunch of dancers dressed like The Pussycat Dolls, and it made him look like a pedophile. There's a reason that disco died.

Back to the results. Thank God.

Safe: Kris, Adam, Danny, Matt

Bottom Three (minus Lil): Anoop, Allison

David Archuleta performed "Touch My Hand." Love him. He's grown as a performer since Idol last season. (P.S. David and Allison would be super adorable together.)

Anoop is going home. Allison is safe.

Top 5: Kris, Adam, Danny, Matt, and Allison

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Top 7 Round Two

Tonight's theme is disco. There is no mentor this week, which means no video beforehand so the show will go faster. All four judges are critiquing each contestant tonight. Good. No one will be robbed of Simon's opinion.

Lil Rounds—“I’m Every Woman”
Lil chose an annoying song and she was all over the place vocally. It was awkward and dull. As comedian Michael Buckley said last week, "another week, another weave." Randy said it sounded wild. Kara said that Lil picked the right song, but it just "wasn't worth the wait." The judges repeated their mantra of not knowing who Lil is as an artist. Simon said Lil's performance was a mess, and this was her final shot.

Ryan asked Lil what she thought of their critiques. Really, Ryan? No one cares what she thinks.

Kris—“She Works Hard for the Money”
As soon as I hear what song Kris was singing, I knew he was going to be amazing. Tonight's performance is exactly why I adore Kris. He turned a disco song into a Latin acoustic song. It was incredible. Kara said he took a risk and it paid off big time. Paula said it had a "classy Santana aspect" to it. Simon called it the "polar opposite to Lil's performance," and said that it was "original, well thought out, and a fantastic performance." Randy said that Kris is ready for the big time because he knows who he is as an artist.

Danny—“September”
Danny got to dance around again. It was a good performance as expected. Danny is a solid vocalist, but he doesn't surprise me like Kris and Adam do. I just want him to "wow" me. Kara said he is an incredible vocalist and that his pitch is always right on. Paula said that Danny has "one of the sexiest voices ever."

Allison—“Hot Stuff”
Allison turned a disco song into a rock song. I actually liked her take on it. The end was great. I love when she goes into her higher range. Kara said that Allison shouldn't have slowed down the tempo. I agree. Simon called it a "brilliant performance."

Adam—“If I Can’t Have You”
Adam looks like a stud tonight. (Sorry Ladies, he likes studs himself.) It was a great vocal as always, but is it possible to "connect" too much? Adam was so emotional that it didn't seem sincere. Kara said that Adam is "brilliant" and "inspiring." Paula cried and said that she "felt his pain and vulnerability." Simon said that he "didn't quite feel the pain," but he said that no one expected that song from Adam tonight and called it "memorable."

Matt—“Staying Alive”
I had banked on Adam picking this song, but it was a fun choice for Matt as far as the lyrics go. Matt mixed it up this week by ditching the piano and singing a fast song. I was torn by his performance. I liked his interpretation of the chorus, but the verses were just too fast. That fancy ending he tried was awful. The judges looked really disappointed. Kara said he "brought disco back" because everyone else had changed the arrangements of their songs. Paula called it a strike in her weird bowling analogy and predicted that Matt will be sticking around. Simon called it desperate and said it lacked originality.

Anoop—“Dim the Lights”
My first thought was "shave, please." Anoop has such a pure voice; it really is beautiful. He had a shaky ending but overall I thought it was a good performance. The applause he received was notably quieter than that of the other contestants, however. Kara said Anoop made a great choice by choosing a ballad with a beat. Paula said that "real men know how to wear pink" and said he should smile because he was "beautiful teeth." (Really, Paula?) Simon hated the beat and called it mediocre. He also thought it was Anoop's worst performance, with which I totally disagree.

My favorite of the night was Kris by a mile. Adam, Allison, and Danny also delivered solid performances.

I predict that Lil, Anoop, and Matt will be in the bottom three, with Lil and Anoop going home.

Can Paula go home too?

Overall, I was impressed by tonight's performances. It was not the disaster I was expecting from disco week.

David Archuleta performs tomorrow night!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Week 6 Results

The Ford video was annoying again.

The Top 7 performed "Maniac" together. Anoop tripped down the stairs. They were off tempo a little bit. It was much better than last week's group song though.

The contestants got to go to the premiere of "17 Again." I'm sooo jealous. 2 days! Zac Efron was in the audience tonight. Love him.

Safe: Allison, Adam, Kris (Simon said he was brilliant), Danny

Bottom Three: Anoop, Lil, Matt

Jennifer Hudson performed. She's amazingly talented and so beautiful.

I think it's the right group overall for the bottom three, though I will admit that personally based on this week alone Allison and Anoop should switch places. But I wouldn't want Allison to go home.

Anoop is safe for another week. Good. Based on last night, he deserves another chance.

Miley Cyrus sang "The Climb." I love this song. Miley, not so much. Why was she headbanging? Her hair was a complete mess by the end of the song. She never smiled either.

Simon said he would consider saving one of the bottom two (Matt or Lil).

Lil is safe.

Matt is going home unless the judges use their save. If he sings the melody straight, the judges may save him. The crowd chanted "save him." He definitely doesn't deserve to leave before Lil. The judges used their save. Matt is in the competition for another week, which means that two people will go home next week.

Seriously though, Lil is starting to be like Sanjaya. She's never received a positive critique from all four judges. I can't remember a single performance of hers, and she just isn't a competitor in this contest. Why is she on the show still? I know why, but still. Enough is enough.

Top 7 remain. Next week's theme is disco. It's going to be a tough week.