American Idol Top 9 Perform Rock & Roll
American Idol 10 (Wednesdays & Thursdays at 8PM on FOX)
Steven Tyler voiced-over some of the intro about this week's theme... ROCK & ROLL. Gwen Stefani was there for a split second to dress the girls in her L.A.M.B. collection and Will.I.Am was there to help guide the contestants with Jimmy Iovine this week.
But, really, let's get to the performances shall we?
Photo Credit - FOX
Like always I'll give you the down-low on each contestant, their song, the judges' thoughts, my thoughts and score.
Jacob Lusk - "Man in the Mirror"
Intro Clip - He was going to sing Luther Vandross' "Let's Get it On" but decided it didn't fit his moral code and that he could more emotionally connect to Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror". But then he said this,
"It'll be 'cause everyone in America wasn't ready to look at themselves in the mirror."
Ah, dude. That's ridiculous.
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty shouted out the background singer as the writer of the song. And the rest of the judges loved the performance calling it "beautiful", "perfect" and "hot".
My Thoughts - I wasn't as thrilled with the performance as the judges. I thought it was a solid performance, he didn't go too over the top with the vocals, but it wasn't something spectacular for me. Plus I found his hip-thrusts to be contradictary to his "moral code". It was just okay for me dawg, I wasn't jumping up and down. SCORE 8/10
Haley Reinhart - "Piece of my Heart"
Intro Clip - The judges have been comparing her to Janis Joplin so this was her time to show up or shut up and do one of her songs. Will.I.Am told her she just can't sing the lyrics, she's got to pretend the camera is an ex-boyfriend she's pissed at. Good advice.
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty called it "beautiful", J.Lo told her she's a "contender" and Randy really liked the run at the end.
My Thoughts - I thought it ws a good song for Haley's voice, but with that said I thought she screamed most of it. And although Ryan thought she was "pissed" during the performance (which she should have been), I didn't really see it, at least not consistently.SCORE 8.25/10
Casey Abrams - "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?"
Intro Clip - He changed his song to this Creedence Clearwater Revival tune, so he could play his up-right bass.
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty says he's not just a singer, he's a musician, J.Lo thought this was right where he should be and Randy CCR would be proud and that he's making the upright bass cool.
My Thoughts - This was the first time I realized that I don't think Casey would make a good/successful American Idol. I think on a big stage, he's lost. He was much more intriguing on the small stage, having to do things without the back-up of a full band and back-up singers. Although it was a perfectly nice performance, I just don't think it sparks votes. SCORE 7.75/10
Lauren Alaina - "Natural Woman"
Intro Clip - Will.I.Am dubbed a term for Lauren that was Country and Soul... C-O-U-N-T-R-O-U-L. Way to help the texting youth learn how to spell more sh!t wrong, but whatever.
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty called her a "natural born woman", J.Lo called her "amazing" and Randy thought she took a tough song and did a good job with it.
My Thoughts - It was a good vocal. A tough song to sing, being Aretha Franklin, but I think her vocal was really nice, but emotional connection was not on point. I remember Kelly Clarkson covering this song, and it was like you believed that someone was making her feel like a natural woman... I didn't believe that with Lauren. SCORE 8.25/10
James Durbin - "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
Intro Clip - He wanted to slow it down this week, and wouldn't waver when Jimmy wasn't all for the switch-up. (But I like that he sticks that firmly to his guns. I also think he heard Jimmy, and made adjustments to the ending... which I also like to see.)
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty shouted out the fact that James was weeping. J.Lo and Randy both liked seeing the other side of him, the more vulnerable side.
My Thoughts - I thought doing a ballad was the right idea. Do I think this song packed the punch I was hoping for? Sadly no. I'm glad he told us via his interview with Ryan how much this song means to him. I thought it was sleepy and sometimes flat during the beginning, but I liked his end note. It was a mixed bag for me, but I find him exciting to watch week to week. SCORE 8.25/10
Scott McCreery - "That's Alright Mama"
Intro Clip - We got a flashback of mini-Scotty dressed up as Elvis, but no one's telling Scotty what to do.
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty told him he did it well. J.Lo called him funny (but in a good way) and liked the flavor he brought to it. Randy said he's "in it to win it".
My Thoughts - I thought this song was perfect for him to show off his vocal range. The "That's Alright Mama" line, he really had great tone. He had fun on stage. It was a good/solid performance, perhaps one of his best to date. But for me the way he holds the mic needs. to. change. SCORE 8.75/10
Photo Credit - FOX
He had a bunch of tween/teen girls rush the stage. They tried to play it off as spontaneous, but no way it wasn't. Nigel Lythgoe.
Pia Toscano - "River Deep Mountain High"
Intro Clip - The judges wanted up-tempo and Pia is going to give it to them.
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty called her a "murderer", J.Lo said she was amazing and proved she can sing up-tempo, but that she needs to study performers and emulate them more on stage. Randy said she delivered up-tempo, but needs to find her movement.
My Thoughts - I agree with the judges completely. Pia can sing anything, her voice is that amazing. But she doesn't look as comfortable on stage as she could. I think she's getting there, but she needs time to get there. I think she's a star in the making, and I'm okay watching her get there. SCORE 8.5/10
Stefano Langone - "When A Man Loves A Woman"
Intro Clip - He was glad to be singing a song he really loved. Will.I.Am tries to convey how to build a moment.
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty said he has an amazing range and had passion. J.Lo said it had another layer to it, it was magic. And Randy liked it but wasn't jumping up and down.
My Thoughts - I was with Randy. I thought the first part, his falsetto, wasn't right. But this was the first time I at least half-believed he understood the lyrics he was singing. It was just okay for me. I'm worried for him this week. SCORE 8/10
Paul McDonald - "Folsom Prison Blues"
Intro Clip - He's taking on Johnny Cash, and Jimmy and Will.I.Am want him to really cut loose and be crazy with it.
Judges' Thoughts - S.Ty called him "a perfect imperfect boy", J.Lo thought it was the "perfect way to end the show" and Randy "loved it!"
My Thoughts - I think coming from the Bottom 3 last week, Paul really wanted to step up. I still have the same problems I had last week... I find it hard to actually understand the words coming out of his mouth, but this performance was more fun and overall showed his quirkness in the right light compared to being just quirky.SCORE 8.25/10
So how's going home? I have no idea. I have 4 favorites that I wouldn't want to see go home at this point. They are Pia, James, Lauren and Scott. Any of the other 5, I'd be okay with parting ways. We'll see.
