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Okay, we’re opening just like we open every week. Ryan is telling us how the fate of the world is resting squarely on our shoulders, we pan the stoic faces of the final 8 contestants, and “THIS…. Is American Idol.”
Ryan talks about the jam-packed week we have before us (tonight’s show is only an hour long… thank goodness) and tells us our theme: “Songs that were popular the year you were born.” Hooray!
The judges are introduced and instead of coming out of the stage, as they’ve started doing this season, they are sitting at the judge’s table. To coincide with our theme, as each name is announced, we see a split screen of their baby photo. Baby randy has a bowtie. Baby Kara looks distressed (“it looks like Simon is babysitting me”). Baby Paula looks stoned, and Baby Simon is dressed like a policeman. Baby-bucktoothed-Ryan pops up, and we all ooh and ahh for a moment until finally the top 8 are introduced. Besides Matt’s idiotic fedora, everyone looks reasonably normal.
Danny starts us off, and we see pictures of the Gokey. He’s singing “Stand by Me” from 1980 (my birth year incidentally), and he’s singing it with serious nasal backing. It’s slow and lame for about 30 seconds, and then it picks up. When if finally does get going, he sounds better and Paula is on her feet. He does a respectable job, but it isn’t particularly memorable to me. Randy thinks the arrangement was bad, but the Gokey was good. Kara also didn’t like the arrangement at the beginning, but liked the final sounds. Paula loves everything and says lots of words like, “Wow” and “creative liberties.” Simon thought the beginning was good, the middle was lazy and the end was terrific.
Kris with a K is up and looking like his normal teenage deliciousness. Kris was born in 1985 and apparently Kris with a K wanted to be a taxi driver as a kid. His dad guffaws at this, and taxi drivers around the world collectively hate him. Kris is singing “All She Wants to Do Is Dance” and I don’t think I’ve ever heard this song. Kris is standing amongst a throng of teenage girls, guitar in hand. He’s doing a good job, but this song is not on anyone’s top anything list, and I can’t figure out why Kris would chance losing his teenage fan base by singing something that isn’t popular or cool. Kara jabbers about how much she has loved him, but she says this song feels like homework and as such lost its youth. Paula says something about changing up “melodically same note songs.” Simon says his three favorite words (indulgent, predictable, and forgettable). Randy says it was self-indulgent and that he lost Kris in the arrangement.
Lil was born in 1984 (Really? 1984? She seems older). We talk about Lil’s name for like 3 days, and then we find out that she’s singing “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” Ooooh. This could be good. Lil’s wearing black leather, and her extensions actually look like hair (which is a nice change). Her voice is perfect for this song, and she sounds really good and looks really good… the only critique I have is that it may be too much like the original to really make her stand out. Paula agrees with me (not enough originality). Simon says that they aren’t looking for a second rate version of Tina Turner… yikes. He puts the cherry on that cake by saying “you’ve got to start becoming original.” Randy says the same thing with different words, and Kara continues to beat the horse that Simon killed.
Here comes Anoop who is wearing the preppiest get-up in LA. He’s sporting a blue collard shirt with a peach loose-tie, and a lime green button up sweater. Anoop was born in 1986, and we see pictures of his little Indian self running around. He’s singing “True Colors” and he’s doing it sitting on a stool with his eyes bugging out of his head (his eyebrows are looking particularly Burt and Ernie-esqe tonight). He sounds much better this week than he has in prior weeks. He’s better with ballads than fast songs. I think that’s pretty apparent. It’s very good. Randy congratulates UNC, and says that Anoop was hot tonight. Kara says that he controlled the song. Paula says his phrasing was beautiful and magical. Simon calls him a singing yo-yo. He likes that he took the song and made it original. Everyone <3’s Anoop.
Scott was born in 1985. We talk about his desire to be a train engineer, but then move on to Halloween and his overall creepiness. Whatevs. Scott is singing “The Search is Over.” Scott is standing and has a guitar (although he’s not playing it… like, at all). Halfway through he starts to “play” chords (I’m not really sold on that though, since the camera won’t stay steady on his hands as he strums). I feel like he’s stretching on the high notes, and that the song just ain’t that good all together. Still, Scott is blind, so despite his poor singing, he gets an extra helping of sympathy claps. Kara says that the song was VERY difficult and doesn’t see him singing that song. Paula gives him credit for stepping away from the piano. She then compliments his sense of humor before bashing his screeching high notes. She wraps things up with a bravo (Paula does not want to bag on a blind guy). Simon suggests going back to the piano and says the song and guitar playing was horrible & boring. Randy says it was all just okay.
Allison was born in 1992 (WHAT? So that makes her what? Sixteen… wow ). Allison’s interview makes me want to deck her. Why does such a great singer live in such a twit’s body? She ends up singing “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” She looks pretty good from the waist up in a black leather jacket, although from the waist down she’s wearing a weird frilly black thing that looks like she’s wearing a trench coat underneath her clothes. She sounds good. It’s not mind blowing, but her voice is nice and I like it. It may be so understated that it could be lost in the shuffle. Paula thinks you can’t put a price tag on being Allison. Simon thought it was good, but she needs to be made more likable (amen). Randy says Allison can sing her face off (and reminds him of Kelly C.). Kara says that she made the adult content in her song young. They all loved Allison.
Matt is up and he was born in 1985 in Michigan. We see him dressed as an angel and giving lines in some play. Yay. He’s singing “Part Time Lovers.” He’s still wearing that stupid hat (trying to channel his inner JT). He’s got on a leather jacket and like 5 gold bands on his right ring finger. He’s funky and fresh and despite my desire to rip the hat off his head and burn it, he does a really good job (Paula’s dancing and wriggling around Simon to show how she likes it). Matt scats a little to finish things off, and shows us he can funk it up. So far, best of the night. Randy says that vocally it was one of the best of the night (see?). Kara says it was unbelievable. Paula says standing O. Simon says it was a million times better than last week. Hooray!
Adam is up, and we see his parents who (surprisingly) look like normal, functioning humans. They talk a little about what Adam liked to do as a child, and what he didn’t. With more remorse and shame than a father usually admits he says, “Sports… not so much.” Shocker. Adam talks about stuff he did like as a child: capes, hats, and dressing up like grown-ups. Adam was born in 1982, and he’s got a rendition of “Mad World” for us. He’s sitting center stages on (what looks like) a ray of blue light. So far it’s quiet and completely awesome. He switches up the phrasing, and takes the vocal to very new (and very high) place from the original. It’s blisteringly rad. The judges are going to be so busy wetting their pants that I doubt they’ll be able to speak. It’s controlled and as close to perfect as anything we’ve heard on this show in recent memory. Sorry Matt. Adam just destroyed every other performance of the night. Simon, due to time constraints, is the only judge that will speak, and ironically he says nothing. He just stands and claps. The other judges join him and we have a 4x standing ovation (told you).
So, that’s it tonight. Here are my predictions for tomorrow’s show:
Best contestant: Adam. No contest.
Worst contestants: Scott and Lil.
Ugliest Jacket: We’re cool on jackets tonight.
Bottom 3: Lil, Scott, the Gokey (based on just tonight, Kris with the K should take Gokey’s place, but Kris’ teenage fan base won’t have it. He’ll stay).
Going home: Scott. You had a nice run Scotty, but you’re gone.
Let me know what you thought of tonight’s show, and make sure to come back tomorrow for our Elimination Recap.
Tags: American Idol
First of all Jeff – please change the title of this article to TOP 8.
Now I’ll read it and comment.
Was anyone else worried that for the year-of-birth show, Allison was going to sing Ace of Base – The Sign, or Marky Mark – Good Vibrations?? I mean, WHAT ELSE CAME OUT IN 1992??
In all seriousness though, I’m glad she dug up the Bonnie thought because I LOVE that song, and she sang it superbly.
Kris with a K. What was that? What song was that? Did you write it yourself from the womb? Because while you have a great voice, that performance blew ass-chunks.
And I feel really bad for Lil. She just can’t please the judges. Every week she changes directions and it’s still not the right direction. She’s running out of directions. Shame.
Adam – I voted for you a dozen times. Scott – See-ya. Matt – you’re amazing, but that clip of you in the MEGACHURCH play made me think you’re kind of a god-wierdo.
Yeah Evan, sorry about that… I have 9 stuck in my head for some reason. We’ll change it, but for now pretend it says 8.
I liked what Allison sung, but I kind of like the idea of her singing Ace of Base. HA! Kris with a K may to well to let her pick his songs from now on, because what he came with was weak.
I agree with what you said about Lil, Evan. Her biggest problem may be that she’s trying too hard to do what the judges want, at the expense of her real self. She better pull it together and fast or she could be next out the door. There aren’t many obvious weak links left.
Does anyone else feel like we should just hold a mass elimination next week and just declare Adam the winner? He’s looking pretty dominant right now, and has yet to have a bad week (a weird week, yes… “Ring of Fire”, but a bad week, no).
Ok, what is the deal with Adam??? Maybe I am becoming deaf in my old age, or just old, but I didn’t get it last night. I thought Matt was way better than Adam. Danny definitely had an off night and Scott better be on his way home. I would put Kris in the bottom before Danny, but you just never know with those teen girls and their voting.
But will someone seriously explain the Adam thing to me, I mean he is a good singer but I just didn’t get it last night.
Jeff, you know I respect and admire you as a music guru, but I gotta say this is 2 weeks in a row where you haven’t heard of a song and I say, “seriously?” You’ve never heard “All She Wants to Do is Dance” and last week Usher’s “Caught Up”? Really? (still mounds of love & respect for you, friend…)
Does anyone else feel bad for everyone in this competition whose name isn’t Adam Lambert? There are some good ones (Gokey — though I’m with you that he could be the next Taylor Hicks, Kris, Matt) but Adam is delivering head and shoulders above the rest every week. It’s like the other guys don’t have a shot against him. I much prefer the show when it’s tight and there is no clear front runner. I want to see Adam be bad just to get the drama back.
Poor Scott. I really like you as a person, but I think you’re Gonesville.
Okay I know Kris with a K wasn’t his best last night, but lets not forget that every week prior he’s been awesome! I heart Kris big time
Also, I think Kris is more marketable than Gokey. Gokey seems like a nice guy and has a good voice, but if I think about who’s record I’d buy…definitely Kris and not Gokey for me. I also like Matt and think he’s very talented.
That all said Adam is crazy good. There is something inside me that really doesn’t want to like him, but he’s just so dang good that it’s impossible not to. I’m actually going to download last nights performance I liked it so much. Something I’ve only done one other time during all of the American Idol seasons. So to Melanie who didn’t get last night’s performance…I don’t know what to tell you other than maybe you need to get your ears checked.
Okay DC Diva… I get it with Usher. I’m not an Usher guy, but I probably shouda known that song. BUT, “All She Wants To Do Is Dance?” I just watched the video and I actually wished that I could’ve had those four minutes back. HAVE YOU SEEN IT? Do you know that they use a keytar (A KEYTAR!!!!) and light up floor IN A CAVE? Keep your Don Henley… I don’t want it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KtMPZUMtAQ
Ming – the “something inside you that really doesn’t want to like” Adam is your subconscious homophobia. You should get that checked out
Jk. but not really. but really. but not really.
Ming – the “something inside you that really doesn’t want to like” Adam is your subconscious homophobia. You should get that checked out
Jk. but not really. but really. but not really.
Word. Ha!
Evan & Luis: First off do we even know if Adam is gay? Second, it’s the creepy faces, makeup & black nail polish that are throwing me off. Not his sexual orientation. I have many close gay friends and I think that your quick-on-the-trigger assumption that I don’t like him because he may be gay makes you heterophobic… or something?
Jeff — not saying “All She Wants to Do is Dance” is GOOD (although it does get points for nostalgia for me), just sayin’ I’m surprised you’d never HEARD it. But now you have. As for the keytar and cave… hey man, it was the early 80s.
Jeff- I think you are mostly on the money as far as your AI comments for this season go so far…. other than the fact that there were no ugly jackets this night. Every jacket seems to be an ugly one this season, and if there were none this night, Randy sure may up for it last night. That being said, why have you not had anything to say about Gokey’s never ending eyeglass wardrobe and I could have handled even a bit more Pickler bashing. Uggg, she is worse now than when she was on AI as a contestant.
Oh- We did manage to get by birth year week without anyone attempting Whitney Houston. This bums me out, I love Whitney.