American Idol Top 12 Guys Perform
American Idol Season 10 (Few Days a Week, 8PM on FOX)
Last night we heard the Top 12 GUYS sing. It was a pre-taped, which is kind of a bummer (because I heard a couple of them got to do "re-takes") but I'm just excited to be at the voting portion of the season.
Remember, online voting will be in play for the first time EVER! So here's what happened last night, and don't forget to check out my rankings AND be back here tomorrow for the Top 12 GIRLS!
To kick off the night, Ryan introduced the Top 12 Guys, the judges and the new stage with (almost) 360 degree views. He then handed over an American Idol paddle for Steven Tyler to bleep himself when necessary.
Photo Credit - Mike Micelotta / FOX
Randy's in the anchor spot (which had me nervous) and Ryan complimented J.Lo's beauty... all is great in the Idol-dome. So let's get to the singers. I'll tell you what song they sang, the judges thoughts and then my thoughts and score.
5 guys with the top votes on Thursday will move on. That means over half of them will be sent packing, unless one of the judges picks them as their Wild Card. I was kind of in shock with this announcement. I guess I figured they'd whittle it down in increments like they've done the past few years. But then about 45 minutes passed and I started to reconsider...
Clint Gamboa: "Superstitious" by Stevie Wonder
Judges Thoughts - S.Ty thought it was good. J.Lo felt his nerves, but thought he did really well. Randy said it could have been karaoke, but no karaoke-guy can sing that well.
My Thoughts - I thought his mic was too low compared to the music and for me it WAS a karoake performace. And if I was in some bar, I'd totally think it was amazing. However, up on the Idol stage I've come to accept something more. Was he in tune? Yes. Will I remember that performance? Probably not. SCORE - 7.5/10
Jovany Barreto: "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty liked it, J.Lo enjoyed it saying she's glad America finally got to see him sing (compared to the clip of him taking off his shirt). But Randy thought it was too karaoke, and that he didn't bring anything original to it.
My Thoughts - I'm with Randy on this one dawg. (What am I say, Randy actually makes sense?! Amazing. When he's not trying to compete with Simon, he actually has valid opinions!) It was totally karaoke, and not even good karaoke like Clint's. He was wobbly at best in the beginning and barely got his footing in the middle and the end with the help of a few high notes. I'd be surprised if he made it through to the next round, and if he did, it wasn't because of this performance. SCORE - 6.5/10
Jordan DorseyYour text goes here: "OMG" by Usher
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty was confused, J.Lo asked if this was the kind of artist he wanted to be (his answer: no) and all of them agreed that this was possibly the worst song choice to try and showcase his "smooth R&B" voice. Jordan agreed (as if he chose the song, realized how bad it sounded, but it was too late to change it).
My Thoughts - The beginning was too low and breathy for his voice, the rest was too fast, yet not fast enough to sound anywhere close to decent. He tried to steer our attention to his dance moves, but the boy is no Usher Raymond. He shouldn't be a Top 5 pick, but for some reason I think he might be a Wild Card pick. He says he'll be better next time, but this was probably the worst time to pick the wrong song considering 7 guys will be sent packing AND you'll have a 3 in 14 chance of being picked as a Wild Card after that. SCORE - 5/10
Tim Halperin: "Come on Over" by Rob Thomas
He chats with Ryan pre-performance and says that the group is more supportive than competitive and the guys are like his brothers... awe. puke.
Judges' Thoughts - All three judges weren't impressed, citing another bad song choice, especially compared to his piano songs during the last few rounds which were much better. Randy even questioned his coolness to take on that song...
My Thoughts - I was excited when I heard the song choice, I love me some Rob Thomas, but the song seemed slowed down and things just didn't mesh from the get-go. I felt Tim was trying to catch up the whole time. Very disappointed. SCORE - 6.75/10
Brett Loewenstern: "Light My Fire" by The Doors
Judges' Thoughts - They loved it. They thought his voice was good, his stage presence unique and fun and thought his 14 hair tosses were great. Brett didn't even realize he was whippin' his hair and almost ran off after his voting numbers were read (he returned with a big Seacreast hug and an "I love you, Ryan")
My Thoughts - I thought the song choice was odd and the hair tossin' distracting. His voice is so unique, and I want to root for him, but this performance was all-sorts-of awkward. His stage-style kind of reminds me of Boy George, and not really in a good way. He has to get much more comfortable up there and be able to make eye contact with the audience and the cameras. SCORE - 7.25/10
James Durbin: "You Got Another Thing Comin'" by Judas Priest
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty commented that he thinks it's probably the first time a Judas Priest song was featured on AI and he loved the "over the top" performance. J.Lo said he always performs from such an "organic and real" space and Randy complimented him on the control of his high (scream) notes calling it "nice and tasty". They also talk about his soon-to-be signature look... the butt tail scarf. AND was the first to really kiss the audience's collective butt with a "Best audience in the world" shout-out.
My Thoughts - Could America be ready for a real ROCK star on AI? I'm not sure. I thought he had great stage-presence, his vocals were solid (I actually like his lower register more than his high) and he's definitely unique in this competition. Is his style my cup of tea? Not really, but I get the appeal. SCORE - 8.25/10
Robbie Rosen: "In the Arms of an Angel" by Sarah MacLachlan
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty said he can "sing a ballad like nobody's business", J.Lo liked the choices he made with the song, they were better than Sarah's (I think NOT) and he always puts emotion into his songs. Randy however thought his performance was iffy, noting the note-changes to the falsetto and overall pitchiness.
My Thoughts - I thought Randy was spot-on. When Robbie was shifting into his falsetto the notes were cringe-worthy. Once he was up there, it was fine, but overall I think it was sleepy and boring instead of emotion-inducing like J.Lo thought. SCORE - 7/10
THIS IS THE POINT WHERE THINGS STARTED TO LOOK UP IMO:
Scotty McCreery: "Letters From Home" by John Michael Montgomery
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty loved it (what doesn't he love?!) AND J.Lo said "You were made for this, for country music... this is what you were born to do". Randy agreed, liking that he kept it "old-school country" instead of trying to be a pop-cross-over act.
My Thoughts - I was pleasantly surprised by youngen Scotty with this under-stated country song. I think he looked relaxed and comfortable on stage and his voice hit all the right notes, plus he had the right emotion depicted to match the lyrics. Bravo, fellow NC'er. SCORE - 8.25/10
Stefano Langone: "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty loved it, J.Lo called him "a beast up there" and Randy thought it was entertaining (minus the one sharp high note). They also thought he brought something extra to it (really?!) and it was a good song choice for him.
My Thoughts - It was pretty good. It was energetic and mostly on key (besides that one high note). He worked the stage and the ladies in the audience. But I don't think he brought much originality to it (it was pretty karaoke in my opinion). SCORE - 8.0/10
Seacrest asked if he was singing that song to someone, and he said "Yes...it's for all the ladies. I love you just the way you are." Collective Butt-Kisser # 2.
Paul McDonald: "Maggie Mae" by Rod Stewart
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty loved his "McDonald two-step" and his voice. J.Lo was mesmerized by his bright smile and Randy loves that AI has embraced such a "quirky" dude.
My Thoughts - "Quirky" he is. He seems unbelievably comfortable on stage in his weird, do-what-I-want-no-matter-what kind of way. He stammered all around the stage singing his original audition song and had me utterly confused. I think I like him and his unique voice, but I don't want to get too attached to him yet until America casts their votes. (See my love of "quirky" Lilly Scott from last season, cut well before her time).
SCORE - 8.5/10
Jacob Lusk: "House Is Not a Home" by Luther Vandross
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty said "it was divine intervention that brought you here" and his rendition brought a tear to his eye as well as wanting to "bathe" in whatever makes him sing like that. J.Lo stated that her favorite artist was Luther Vandross, and although he's gone she's glad that "now we have you." Randy agreed saying he though Luther would be proud of his rendition.
My Thoughts - I was surprised by his performance to be honest. I thought his rendition of "God Bless the Child" was vocally good, but way too over-the-top in terms of performance. I was expecting this performance to be the same, but he completely toned it down and let the lyrics and his voice do all the work. I really, really enjoyed it. The best of the night in my opinion. Maybe he can upset the AI-gospel-stigma. SCORE - 8.75/10
Casey Abrams: "I Put a Spell on You" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty loved it. J.Lo confirmed "You're Sexy, Casey... the fire, you took it, you ate it." and Randy just screamed in delight "Yes! Yes! Yes!" (I'll have what he's having!)
My Thoughts - He was my favorite going into this week, and he stays near the top. I think he went a bit overboard with some of the growls and the whole thing bordered on being a parody of an AI singer, but it's highly entertaining, looks like he's having a blast on stage AND is on key. SCORE - 8.5/10
With Seacrest, he was asked who he was singing too in the audience, and he replied "I dunno, some girl." and brushed off his stint in the hospital last week due to stomach pains (including a mock-farting gesture in Seacrest's direction).
So who were your favorites?! If I had to pick the Top 5 guys it would be...
Should be Sure Things - Jacob, Casey, and Paul
Should be Duking it Out - Stefano, Scott, James
