American Idol Top 11

It was another week of Beatles tunes, but this one did not turn out quite so well. In fact, it was mostly boring, If I hadn’t decided to to review this episode, I would have got up and done something else.

Call it hubris week. The people who did really well last week blew it this week. The people who did badly, did better than last week, but not much better.

Amanda kicked off the show with “Back in the USSR”. She did another decent version, but it was like all her other versions. Frankly, I’m wondering why she didn’t pick Helter Skelter. Probably because, like a lot of these contestants, she was unfamiliar with the Beatles catalog. Some of them confessed to hearing these songs for the first time. Yikes! Well, they are 40+ year old tunes. The judges told Amanda to show us something new. She gave the impression that’s not what she intends to do. So be it. She’s probably safe though this week.

KLC, as I like to call her (Kristie Lee Cook) did “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”. I think I know what her problem is now. She’s stunning to look at. This season’s Katherine McPhee. She can sing, too. But like all pretty people, she hasn’t had to try that hard in her life. So she just floats through it all thinking what she does is good enough. Her performance was OK, but kind of on autopilot. She acted like she was reciting a poem in the 5th grade.There was no passion in her singing. Simon told her basically the same thing and she took it with a shrug. She will probably make it another week or so. But I don’t expect her to change any more than Amanda.

David Archuleta did a beautiful rendition of “Long and Winding Road”. His voice is a great match for this song, since Paul McCartney has a similar singing tone. It actually gave me chills at one point. Definitely safe.

Michael Johns did something really ballsy. He took on “A Day in the Life” A long, heavily produced song. He had to shorten it. And I actually like what he did overall. But the judges crucified him. I think he really tried, and the audience seemed to be with him. But once again, I think he has the same problem as KLC, He’s pretty, so he doesn’t try as hard as he can, or should. And so the results just aren’t what they should be. He definitely has the singing ability. Not many singers can do Bohemian Rhapsody. But I wonder if he will every live up to that Hollywood week performance of BR. I’d say he’s in the bottom 3 tomorrow.

Brooke White, all in yellow, sang “Here Comes the Sun”. I was expecting better from her, but it was just decent. She is very likable, so I think she’ll be safe again. But it was kind of just a basic cover with no real special something in the mix. She might be in the bottom three this week. But I think she’ll make it regardless.

David Cook did a rock cover of “Day Tripper” playing a guitar, using a voice box ala Peter Frampton. He was really trying to recapture that metal groove from last week, but it seemed like he was obvious about it this time. It kind of showed on his face. Simon blasted him for looking smug. The look in Cook’s eyes upon hearing that was priceless. Ice daggers were flying out of them. I think he did a good job, but not as special as last week.  Word on the street he’s a bit of a prima donna. Maybe that’s why Simon tried to take him down a peg. Still, I’d say he’s safe.

Carly Smithson took on “Blackbird”. a favorite song of mine. She did a very solid, soulful version of it. But Simon trashed it for some reason. It was surprising, really. The others liked it OK. She’s probably safe.

Jason Castro did a rather goofy (or should I say dopey) cover of “Michelle”. His interview didn’t exactly make him out to be Stephen Hawking. It’s a good thing he chose music instead of brain surgery. The judges were not thrilled,. Again, it was kind of blah. But I think he’ll be safe. He seems to have a fan base.

Syesha Mercado straitened her hair and wore a pretty green dress.  Her choice was “Yesterday” and sang it very well, with a soulful conviction. I think she should be safe, but she might not be since we’re getting to the point where the popular people are battling the talented. She’s a very good singer, but not big on charisma. She kind of emits a diva vibe at times. This week, she didn’t. So she may be safe. I’m just not sure.The judges mostly liked her performance. I liked it, but it didn’t thrill me the way it should have.

Chikezie pulled a similar stunt to last week with “I’ve Just Seen a Face”. He started off slow then turned it into a country jamboree. It kind of worked, but was also a mess. I think, if he had more time to hone the performance, it could have equaled last week’s. Simon called it gimmicky, which is probably right. I think it was good enough for him to be safe. The audience seemed to like it. He’s found a positive energy that will gain him fans. I also think he’s got one of teh best voices of the men,

Ramiele finished off the show with an early Beatles tune “I Should Have Known Better”. It was good, but again, nothing special. She also seemed to be just acting all cute and not really getting into it. The judges sort of gave her a pass, but weren’t impressed. I’d say she’s kind of put herself in jeopardy again this week. But it’s hard to be sure. A lot of the performances were pretty blah.

Tomorrow we’ll be “treated” to Kellie Pickler doing a Beatle’s song. Can’t wait for that one. Well, actually, I kind of like Kellie. Her CD is pretty decent country fluff. I know a lot of season 5 fans hate her, but I think she’s kind of original in her own way. I’m just not sure I want to hear her sing the Beatles. But it’ll probably be better than some of what we heard tonight.

UPDATE: It seems Pickler will be singing “Red High Heels” tonight and not a Beatles song.

SPOILER: So Amanda is Overmyer. Well, she was kind of a repeat act. I think she has something, just not for Idol. On a more interesting note, as I mentioned last week, my brother knows Carly Smithson. And he told me today he gave her one of my books a while back. The Psycho. I wonder if she read it. 

1. Really not impressed with this season’s singers.  I won’t be dialing the phone for any of them.
   I like Brooke, but her smiley rendition was so far off base.  I also like Jason, but he didn’t do a very good job last night.  I know they aren’t really given the opportunity to ‘pick’ the songs they want to sing, so I hate it when Simon says they chose the wrong song. 
   And when Simon said they all chose mediocre songs, I got a little pissed.  They weren’t mediocre songs, they were sung by mediocre singers.

   Posted by  on  03/19  at  10:08 AM

2. I’m about these guys’ age and I’ve heard of all these songs.  I wonder how many of today’s popular young singers/performers never heard of Beatles songs?  They can learn a lot from these songs IMO.

   Posted by  on  03/19  at  10:09 AM

3. Some of them probably think Fall Out Boy and Nickleback are great bands. Or that T-Pain and Little John produce music.

   Some of them seems to know something about music, such as Dave Cook.

   The Beatles music is so good because their songs were deceptively simple, yet they had a sophistication that transcended pop music. Few bands can make an album where every song is enjoyable on some level. Most CDs have maybe one or two good songs on them.  Just about every Beatles album is full of great songs.

   Yeah, Simon was WAY off base calling those songs mediocre. He’s been really pissy this season.

   Posted by  on  03/19  at  10:30 AM
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