American Idol: 4.20.10

Oh, Inspirational Songs... such drivel.  Here's hoping it doesn't suck.  Why can't we have some upbeat happy songs?  Please?

Crystal looks sparkly, and Siobahn looks like she's getting ready for a run in A Midsummer Night's Dream.  Can't wait to see what they bring to the stage.

Call 1-866-IDOLS-##

Alicia Keys is the mentor.


01) Casey James (Don't Stop, by Fleetwood Mac) Alicia wants him to be present in the song.  The Fleetwood Mac song works with his bleaty voice, and there is no doubt that the guy can play the guitar.  He's like a very talented sheep.  Randy called it a good performance, but thinks that Casey should bring something new to the stage.  Ellen appreciated his guitar playing, but wants him to be great, and doesn't think anyone will be talking about it tomorrow.  Kara misses Jealous Guy.  Agreed.  Simon is amazed at his song choice, saw zero emotion, and thought there was no originality.


02) Lee Dewyze (The Boxer, by Simon & Garfunkel) There is a mishap in cuing up the tape, which was amusing.  Alicia had Lee speak the lyrics for her, so that he kept sight of the song's meaning.  I love this song, and Lee looks confident and connecting more.  I'm digging this.  It's rougher around the edges than Simon & Garfunkel, and that's ok.  I mean, really good.  I got chills.  Yay for not sucking! Randy thinks that Lee is a great artist ready to make big albums.  Ellen loved his song choice, and loved the soul and depth in his performance. Kara thinks that this was his Moment.  Simon thinks that was the best of the night, two songs in, and thinks that the difference between him and Casey was staggering, and thinks that he made the song totally current, and called it absolutely brilliant.  Yes.  Good job, Lee.


03) Tim Urban (Better Days, The Goo Goo Dolls) He is singing very softly, and he doesn't have the strength behind it to support it.  It was out of key all over the place, and when he gets louder, he's worse and there was no feeling.  Randy said it was ok good karaoke and it just laid there. Ellen called him the soup of the day that she sometimes likes and sometimes doesn't, and this is soup she didn't like.  Kara thinks he's in the right place, but it wasn't his best performance.  Simon thinks that they would have been impressed if it was the first time they had seen him, but he just didn't believe the performance tonight.  Agreed.  Although I have really never been impressed with Tim.


04) Aaron Kelly (I Believe I Can Fly, R. Kelly)  Oh, oh, oh, I hate this song.  He is shakey and all over the place and just ... really not good.  Cringeworthy.  Truly.  He needs to go.  It was terrible.  He thinks he did wonderfully, of course.  He's all smiles.  Randy thought the arrangement was a little funny, but thinks Aaron has pure vocal talent and did a good job.  Ellen said there was a brief time in the 70s when she believed she could fly, and thinks that he did a good job at it.  Kara thought it was rough in the beginning, but he took off at the end.  Simon likes Aaron, and thinks he gave it his all, but thinks if that song was on the radio, it would be turned of in 10 seconds.


05) Siobahn Magnus (When You Believe, Mariah Carey) It sounded rather old fashioned, though she sounded lovely, and looks like she went through a butterfly garden.  Randy thought the song choice was just ok, and thought Siobahn was just ok. Ellen thought it was confirmation about why she is there, and liked it.  Kara thought technically it was very well sung, but worried it was a musical-caliber performance.  She wants to hang out with Siobahn, but doesn't want to buy her music.  Simon was distracted by the "leaves" on the dress (they are butterflies), and thought the song was old fashioned and found the arrangement odd.  Siobahn loved the song and didn't want to be scared away of a song just because of who it was by.  She was excited to be there to have a chance to sing the song.

06) Michael Lynche (Hero, by Chad Kruger) Pretty good, and I liked it better than a big ol' love song.  Randy was a bit worried about the song choice, but thinks that he held his own.  Ellen thought he did a great job.  It was not Kara's favorite, and thought he doesn't have the tone for the song.  Simon thought he sang it pretty well, but thought that a song about Spiderman isn't exactly inspirational.  He thought it sounded artificial.


07) Crystal Bowersox (People Get Ready) Silhouette Crystal started the song, a capella, and she is without an instrument tonight, except for her fantastic voice.  She's astounding, and in a different league.  She got very emotional and started crying at the end.  Wow.  Randy thought it was unbelievable and stood up for her.  Ellen thinks she looks beautiful and thought it was fantastic.  And the funky mic stand is Crystal's personal stand - it looks like a lamp.  Neat.  Kara thinks she just schooled all of the other contestants.  Simon thought THAT was inspirational, and thought it was in a completely different class.  Agreed. 

My favorite of the night is hands down Crystal.  Lee was second.  After that, I did like Siobahn, thought not as much as I wanted to.

Mike was ok for me, as was Casey.

Suck fest?  Tim. Aaron.  They both can go.  Now.

How about you?