This week my idol friends, I am befuddled and confused. There are several singers that didn’t impress me after week one that came out tonight as front runners. One of my very least favorite performers from last week came out and amazed me this week, and one of my favorites left me cold. There are definitely some performers that should go, but as far as who will emerge in the top 6, it is anyone's guess. As the AI theme music plays, Ryan reminds us that from this simple stage a superstar will emerge. Randy tells the top 10 boys to "be in it to win it". Paula says that they all seem in their comfort level and she is expecting a great show. Simon says for the majority who didn’t measure up last week, simply, "be better". Let me say that tonight Simon seemed exceptionally surly. For a guy who loves to dish it out, he sure isn’t graceful about taking it. We learn that we have moved up a decade to the 70’s, and the competition begins:
Michael Lee Johns "Go Your Own Way"
Michael tells us that something we viewers might not know about him is that he is quite the tennis player. For some reason I start to picture Luke Wilson in The Royal Tenenbaum’s, but minus the wrist sweatbands. I do love to listen to him talk, but tennis not being my bag, I find myself drifting during his interview. When he starts to perform, however, I am ready to swoon but instead, I am a little bothered by the rhythm. It doesn’t seem fast enough. Once he reaches the chorus, it feels like Michael is struggling to reach a few of the notes. He’s a sexy man, but this performance is off. It almost seems like he is a little bored with it too. Randy said it was ok. Paula like it and thought it was a great way to start the show. Simon said he was coasting and that this was by far his weakest performance. I think he has built up enough of a fan base to remain another week, but there is way too much talent to take anything for granted.
Jason Castro "I Just Wanna Be Your Everything"
Jason tells us that he is really bad at interviews. He isn’t kidding. My husband Gary mocks him by saying "one time, at band camp…" and we are giggling through the rest of his attempt to talk on camera. When he starts singing, there is something very natural about him, and although this isn’t the most memorable song, I do enjoy his performance. Randy doesn’t like it and thinks his pitch is off. I disagree, not that anyone asked me. Paula tells him to lose the guitar for the next performance and "be vulnerable" (a phrase she likes to use every 10 or 12 numbers). Simon didn’t like it and tells him that he needs to step it up vocally. I think he is different and interesting enough to make it another week.
Luke Menard "Killer Queen"
Luke tells us that he has been part of a touring a cappella group named Chapter 6 for the last several years. He tackles a song that is technically challenging and for the most part doesn’t miss a note, despite what Randy says about the pitch problems he heard. I think it is a great vocal, and he seems in his element. I am not sure that I see a pop star, but he definitely has some amazing range and talent and it is much better than last week. Randy thought it sounded pretty good. Paula was happy for him. Simon thought it was whiny, theatrical, and an average imitation of the original. I told you Simon was surly this evening. Luke is a doll, and I am sorry Simon, but Freddie Mercury wrote the book on theatrical, and I think he would have been proud of that performance.
Robbie Carrico "Hot Blooded"
Robbie tells us that he has a passion for drag racing. He tells Simon that there are different kinds of rock music and maybe Simon doesn’t get that. I am thinking "are you kidding me?" You can say a lot about Simon, but the guy is a millionaire because he is a great talent scout. Robbie comes out with a pretty good rendition of the song, but the performance feels a little forced. I don’t know what it is about the song that didn't grab me, but it is just ok. Randy says that he is with Simon on the whole authenticity deal, and he thinks the song didn’t work for him. Paula thought Robbie played it safe. Simon told him to stop being so defensive, and that he thought the vocal was ok. It was definitely enough to get him another week, but he needs to just pick songs that match his fantastic voice and quit putting all this energy into this image he wants to portray. He is exhausting me with it.
Danny Noriega "Superstar"
Danny tells us that he was in a really bad punk rock band at one time. He comes out looking much better than last week and he picked a song that I actually loved by the Carpenter’s. He seems to struggle a little to stay in key at times, but overall it is much more solid, if a little robotic, performance. Randy and Paula give him some advice about how to relax and don’t think so much on stage. Simon said it was much better than last week, the camera loves him, and when Danny agrees with Simon about last weeks problems and apologizes for giving him the head and shoulders, Simon actually cracks a smile. Danny handles the criticism gracefully and earns a few points in my book. He is still definitely Miss Thing, but there is something about him that is sort of growing on me.
David Hernandez "Papa was a Rolling Stone"
David tells us that he was a gymnast during his teen years and won several awards. The minute he starts to sing you can see he is much more comfortable on stage this week and that he is over the whole nerve thing. He delivers a very passionate performance, and I am totally drawn in to his story. Randy is thrilled that David is back. Paula says "your notes were really in the pocket (?)". Simon says that it is the best vocal of the night so far. David is so gracious about the praise they are dishing out that he moves up a notch in my list of favorites.
Side note: there are three David’s in this competition. Yes, I am just noticing. It could get interesting if they all make it to the top 12, which is definitely a possibility after tonight.
Jason Yeager "Long Train Runnin"
Jason tells us that he is self taught in piano, guitar and drums. He comes out trying really hard and although he sings it fine, I have to close my eyes at times. The performance is pretty corny, and he is just not a natural dancer (as in I wish he would stop). I feel really sorry for this guy. He seems like a great person who has a lot of talents, just not that allusive "it factor". Apparently Jason has spent some time as a performer in Branson. Maybe that is why it doesn’t work for me. Randy said it was not a singer’s song and it came off karaoke for him. Paula said she enjoyed seeing this side of him. Simon tears the guys heart out by saying that he looks awkward and ordinary and that the ending was horrific. He adds insult to injury by interrupting Ryan’s interview to tell them that this was getting like the Oscar’s and they needed the music to put an end to it all. All of it was brutal, and I don’t know how Jason will survive another week.
Chikezie Eze "I Believe To My Soul"
Chikezie tells us that he is Nigerian and gives us the correct pronunciation of his name. I have already forgotten it. Apparently it is easier to just let everyone butcher it. He was my least favorite singer last week, and I have to say I had no expectations. He dresses younger, and looks better, but the big difference is a soulful performance that sounds professional. He is so much better than last week and the judges tell him how hot and smart his performance was. Chikezie tells Simon (in so many words) that he can’t wear the orange suit from last week again, not because he didn’t love it, but because only Simon wears the same stuff on TV more than once. Simon tells him he is obnoxious and shows the first signs of being put out by these mouthy contestants. I actually thought Chikezie was pretty clever with that comment, and he did apologize. There is no way he is going home after that.
David Cook "All Right Now"
David tells us he is a word nerd and that he loves crosswords and puzzles. He comes out with his guitar and rocks the house. The song is a great fit with his voice and personality and I think he looks darling. Randy loved it. Paula tells him he has got "it". Simon said it was solid and believable but that he doesn’t have a lot of charisma. David hits a nerve when he interrupts Simon to say that all he needs to worry about is impressing the audience, not Simon. Simon becomes petulant and visibly annoyed. He tells David that in his opinion, the word nerd video did not help further his popularity. David did a great job, but typically America doesn’t care for these little exchanges with the judges. One great week doesn’t guarantee your safety in this group, so I think he needs to be careful that he doesn’t come off arrogant.
David Archuleta "Imagine"
David tells us that he sang for the Season One AI contestants when he was 11 and it was a huge honor for him. "Imagine" is my favorite song of all time, and I am instantly worried. I don’t like when people alter it, and no one ever measures up to John Lennon for me. I needn’t have worried. The minute the kid opens his mouth he is in a different league altogether. Maybe I am getting old and emotional, but I have tears in my eyes by the end of the performance. It is pitch perfect, and I feel the song and believe it, and I am not even bothered by his arrangement of it. I have been reserved in my praise of David because he is so young, but now I can’t picture a season 7 finale that this kid will not be in. Randy is blown away. Paula has snot running out of her nose. Simon tells him what we all already know. He is the one to beat this season.
I am very excited to see what the girls do with the 70’s. I will be talking to you all in 24 short hours….
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