The top 11 and Miley Cyrus?

The night opens with a great glimpse of Kara in some fabulous knee high boots. Ellen is head to toe in white. I love Ellen, I think she is hilarious, but I don't understand her personal style. Thank God the show is two hours so that we can all take part in an uncomfortable segment where Ryan annoys the judges. While Simon tells Ryan to stay back after his bizarre comments about Simon's V-neck,Ryan continually is kissed or kisses Ellen. Surely there is some Idol gives back news or prior Idol winner news that could be substituted here? Simon reminds the contestants that this is the night that the top 10 for the tour are selected and basically that their career is over if they go home. The mentor is Miley Cyrus, but thankfully it is not Miley Cyrus night, and with years of number one billboard hits to choose from I have high hopes as the top 11 take the stage. My hat is off to the stylists tonight as these top 11 are looking quite put together (except for Tim Urban-I am pretty sure he picked his own outfit).

Lee Dewyze "The Letter"
This was not the exact vibe that I was looking for from Lee, I would have rather heard him sing a song like "How to Save a Life" or something more current, but from the first note it was a great vocal performance. He also seemed to draw energy from the band and the background singers, because it was his most relaxed performance to date. I love this guy, but I am kind of over this particular song and would have liked to have heard something different. Randy loved his blues quality and thought with this version he knocked it out of the box. Ellen tried to make a long story even longer, with some strange favorite pen analogy (okay who LICKS their pen?), but basically she loved it. Kara thought the progress he had made was remarkable. Simon was surprised at the song and thought it was corny and not current. I don't think he was corny at all, but Simon is right, I probably wouldn't download it.

Paige Miles "Against all Odds"
Oh my. In Miley's tape with Paige she says "if Paige can control her pitch, she will be fine". Guess what? She went from mildly pitchy a few weeks ago with Smile to only having a few notes on key tonight. It was awful, as in I could barely stand it. Worse, I had to watch it live and could not fast forward. I can't imagine one thing that the judges could say to give her any hope of continuing in this competition. Randy said it was terrible. Ellen said she was beautiful and then passed the singing critique off to Kara who said it was the worst vocal of the season. Simon asked her how she thought she did and she admitted that she was having trouble, but she sure didn't seem all that distressed by hearing that she sang so awful. Simon told her that she was in serious trouble after that performance. I am pretty sure Sanjaya did better than that.

Tim Urban "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"
This performance was so childish it made me uncomfortable. I can't really criticize his vocal, he actually sang the song well, it was just so embarrassing, especially the slide. He did look like he was having fun, in the way that some kids do who are into community theater. Randy thought it was bad karaoke. Ellen told him he has huge fans, but this was like an audition for high school musical. Kara was put off that he was touching the crowd like he had already made it when clearly he hadn't yet. Simon thought it was silly. Tim is lucky that Paige was so bad because he may get away with that song this week.

Aaron Kelly "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"
Aaron tells Ryan before the performance that he has laryngitis and tonsillitis. So then Ryan feels the need to write him a note asking him if he is ready. Guess what Ryan, YOU don't have laryngitis, and I am pretty sure that Aaron can hear. Before he ever started my Gary (giggle) was rolling his eyes. He is not a fan. I have a soft spot for this kid, he seems really genuine, so I am a little easier on him. He brings his country thing to this song, and he actually had a good vocal, despite the illness. It was just a little reminiscent of David Archuleta, which Ryan actually brings up after the performance. The only difference is, he did really seem perfectly connected to the song. Randy said "thank God you came on and started singing because the two before you weren't". Ellen said it was a perfect song choice and Kara said that Aaron always knows himself. Simon thought it was very brave and told him that although it was a little old fashioned, there was 0% chance he would go home after that.

Crystal Bowersox "Me and Bobby McGee"
What can you say about this girl? She was channeling Janis' soul in this perfect vocal performance. It was in a league all it's own this evening. Randy told her that she slayed it. Ellen told her that it was great, but she would love to see her give back to her fans by not being so shy or reserved, and that people want to share this with her. Kara told her that she could feel more from her this week, but maybe she should put down the guitar. Simon told her not to change a thing, that it was every bit as good as Pink's version. Note at this point Crystal has to sit once down once more. I really worry about this girl putting on a two hour show. I don't think she is in good health.

Mike Lynche "When a Man Loves a Woman"
Mike is compelling to watch because he has so much charisma. He has a really great vocal, but that being said, this is not a song I would probably feel the need to revisit. If I heard this version on the radio I would probably search for something else. Because I have gotten to like Mike and know his story, I gave him my attention, but without looking at him, I am not sure he would have the same effect. Randy loved that he knows who he is. Ellen thought it was safe but amazing. Kara thought it was technically really good, but at parts got a little "loungy". Simon said it was like ordering 1 scoop of ice cream and getting 11. He thought it was old fashioned, but that he has a great voice.

Andrew Garcia "Heard it through the Grapevine"
This performance was absolutely painful. From the pointing at his ear and the odd dancing, never mind the issues he had staying on key, I found myself working on this blog and not watching him at all. Unfortunately, an interesting voice is not going to take Andrew much further if he is unrecognizable as an artist. Randy said it wasn't good. Ellen said she loved him, but that it wasn't enough to get people to vote. Kara said she felt so bad for him, like he was chasing that moment but had gotten so far from it she had no words to help him. Simon said he had, at this point, enough weeks to figure it out and he was starting to question whether or not they had blown the "Straight Up" performance out of proportion. After all Simon said, it wasn't like it was Beethoven, it was a cutesy Paula Abdul remake.

Katie Stevens "Big Girls Don't Cry"
What is up with the pitch issues tonight? I will start with the positives, she looks fantastic and she seems back in the game as far as confidence and connection to the audience. I am not sure if it was the key choice, but this song is sharp when it shouldn't be, and in her lower register it sounds like there is some junk in her throat, like a really large bubble. All in all, if I want to hear this song again (and I DON'T) I would rather hear Fergie do it. Randy thought it was pitchy but could tell she was listening to them. Ellen thought it was great (Really?) Kara thought this was her vibe, R & B, and that even with the mad pitch problems she was taking a step in the right direction. (again, really?) Simon thought she did much better but should still explore country because there is less competition in that genre.

Casey James "Power of Love"
Casey starts off in the chair with Ryan, which has proven to be quite a useless bit of time this evening. He tells Ryan that for 11 years he has performed in very small spaces and he needs to make use of this big stage. He proceeded to move even less than he has in any previous performance. I am probably going to bother some of you younger readers, but I grew up in the 80's and the only thing this song conjures up for me is the wacky professor on Back to the Future. He sang it almost identically to Huey Lewis, but WHY? While we are questioning things, could I get some proof that this was a number 1? This song was stupid when it was semi popular, and Casey didn't make me like it any better this evening, even though he did have an awesome vocal. Randy loved the blues in his voice (Randy has like 3 recurring critiques). Ellen thought it was the best vocal of the night (are you kidding me?) and Kara thought he could go cut a record with that song. Thank God for Simon, as I was starting to feel unnecessarily harsh. Simon thought it wasn't relevant and wondered how he and Kara heard the same song. He chalked it up to being English.

Didi Benami "You're no good"
I love Didi, and although I am struggling with the song choice (I would have picked about 20 other songs that would have showcased her gorgeous voice before this one) she has a really good vocal. It just isn't something that I would want to obsessively listen to over and over until I was sick of it (which is what I do when I LOVE a song). That being said, she is growing in confidence on that stage, and I am still a huge fan. Randy thought it was pitchy (Randy is nuts). Ellen didn't like the song choice. Kara thought it was like playing a character and she was confused by it. Simon thought it was like she was bad acting in a musical. They are so mean to this poor girl. Even though it wasn't the song I would have picked for her it was MILES better than Katie!

Siobhan Magnus "Superstition"
I am always intrigued by this girl, and tonight was no exception. She has a really great voice and she is just odd enough to keep me attentive. I thought this vocal went pretty well up until the last note. Again, for the purpose of finding an American idol like Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood,or Chris Daughtry who actually sings something I want to hear on the radio, I wasn't feeling it on this one, although I did enjoy her performance. I am so frustrated with this entire evening that I think the build up for Siobhan left me wanting something better, and that is not necessarily her fault. If more than three people had sung well tonight, I probably would have been cheering for her. Randy loved it. Ellen wanted to see more. Kara was impressed by "the note". Simon thought "the note" wasn't as great as she thought it was, and that perhaps she needed to move the placement of "the note" in the next song. Is it me, or was this just a ridiculous conversation?

Bottom three: Paige, Andrew, Tim
Paige should be out based on that horrible vocal, but it would not break my heart to see any of these three go.
Tune in for the kick off...