Tuesday, March 30, 2010

American Idol 2010-03-30 Top 10

Watching this contest from the East Coast for a change, so all you West Coast folks, you may want to close your browser til you had a chance to watch the show.

Oh nice, it's Soul / R&B tonight. Usher is the mentor for this show. Ought to be a more unpredictable contest, that's for sure.

1. Siobhan Magnus

Singing a Chakha Khan number. Some pitchiness, especially in the higher registers, surprisingly to me. Not her best performance; perhaps it's the song choice. Even her Lambert yell wasn't up to her normal levels. Well, the final money note was better.

2. Casey James, Hold On I'm Comin

This is a good song choice for him. It really allows him to use that bluesy sound in his voice. Hmm, did he forget the words? Good sound and energy. Surprised that the girls weren't impressed.

3. Michael Lynche, Here Is Love

Such a slow safe song. Thankfully, he's opting for vibrato over his normal falsetto. It sounded good, but it was pretty dull and not exactly challenging. My they really love Michael's performance.

4. Didi Benami, What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted

Good look, though there were a more than a few pitch issues. It was pretty darn dull until the final money note, which itself wasn't so hot. Judges seem bored to tears.

5. Tim Urban, Sweet Love

Usher asked Tim to sing the love song to him... Interesting! The mike was underpowered at the start of the song. Tim's got his puppy eyes working the cameras. Much better and more sincere than last week. Not a powerful voice, but at least usually on pitch. Nails the money note.

6. Andrew Garcia, Forever

Tore the song down and rebuilt it really to a nice place. Seems a bit disconnected from us with his eyes closed. I like the sound, and I'm excited that he finally sounded good again for the first time in ages.

7. Katie Stevens, Chain of Fools

I like her voice, but why does she try to look like she's 20 years older than she really is? The sound is good except for the odd pitchy notes. OK money note.

8. Lee Dewyze, Treat Her Like a Lady

Good grief, he's performing with walking pneumonia? Oh wow, this is an exciting performance. So soulful and he really has a that David Cook sexy sound. If the boy just had a little more charisma.

9. Crystal Bowersox, Midnight Train to Georgia

Wow, what a different look for her. This is a smoking version. Girl! You go! I don't even know what to say because it was perfect.

10. Aaron Kelly, Ain't No Sunshine

Now, I thought Kris tore this one apart last year, so I'll be pretty picky. It was pretty good after a while, but the vibrato was not quite right. He certainly must be getting that teen girl votes.



OK - starting to see what my finals will be if I had my choice: Crystal vs Lee. Got my wish the last couple years, so wondering if they'll be able to continue wowing.

Crystal Bowersox #09
Lee Dewyze #08
Casey James #02
Andrew Garcia #06
Aaron Kelly #10
Michael Lynche #03
Tim Urban #05
Katie Stevens #07
Siobhan Magnus #01
Didi Benami #04









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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

American Idol Top 11

American Idol Top 11
Top Billboard Hits

OK, so last week we lost Lacey. Interestingly, the bottom three on the show were my bottom three. Wonder if I'll be on target again this week.

The mentor is Miley Cyrus? I guess age isn't the issue, since she's sold millions.

1. Lee DeWyze, The Letter

Well he's got a pretty hip look. I really like the quality of his voice. Still has a deer in the headlights look about him. Only one odd note to me, but the rest was great. Simon didn't like the song choice, but I think he overcame any limitations of the song.

2. Paige Miles, Against All Odds

With this song, I am expecting pitch problems. Yup, here they are. Not a good start. Why is she starting so breathy? She's ramping up, but it's not good. Ouch! And a very wispy ending. The judges are destroying her; Ellen did a Paula Abdul: "You look great. Next"

3. Tim Urban, Crazy Thing Called Love

I like his voice in this song, but it's an odd choice to me. Maybe he's trying to secure that cougar vote. He just slid across the stage. It was almost a Jagger crotch in the camera moment. He avoided the falsetto (smartly). The judges weren't very impressed, but to me it's because of the song choice.

4. Aaron Kelly, I Don't Want to Miss A Thing

Oh no, he's got tonsillitis. I think it's more like he's hitting puberty. How cute, he has a crush on Miley. Mmm, he doesn't sound like he's toughing it very much. Silky voice; more sensitive and a slightly country compared to David Cook's rendition. Not bad all things considered.

5. Crystal Bowersox, Me and Bobbie McGee

She made a change up and was told by Miley to showcase her higher notes. Mmm, she's got a such a commercial voice. I like her upgraded look these past few weeks. Got more interesting as the song went on. I love it love it love it - she's so good!

6. Michael Lynche, When a Man Loves a Woman

It's a nice sound, but for the most part, to me, it was pretty safe and predictable. He does have a good stage presence though.

7. Andrew Garcia, Heard It Through the Grapevine

Really an odd song choice. Certainly had more interesting than any predictable derivative sound. He's definitely more mobile when he loses his guitar. Ouch, the judges are skewering him. Not sure why they're so rough on him because they're the ones screwing up his head.

8. Katie Stevens, Big Girls Don't Cry

Hey she finally did a youthful song. The sound works for her. She still sounds a lot older than her age, but she I hope realizes that she can do more young songs. More pitchy than usual though.

9. Casey James, Power of Love

Interesting choice of songs - the song's a couple decades old and pretty dated to me. He's just standing there like a wet noodle. He should be doing some strutting around. Heck, his backup musicians are more mobile. Kinda safe all around, as he never went for some risky notes. Thank you Simon. He's the only one who saw what I saw.

10. Didi Benami, You're No Good

She's got that attitude thing working again this week. I didn't care for it as much as the judges last week, but admittedly her voice is kinda fun (though pitchy) this week to me. Oddly, the judges didn't care for it this time.

11. Siobhan Magnus, Superstition

Siobhan is so odd looking but I really have grown to love her voice. OMG look at this look! She's a hot mama from the 80s all of a sudden! She's got such an easy stage presence. Night and day from some of the others. Her velvent voice had some pitchy notes. Hmm somewhat screechy money note. I like her performance overall though.



***************
* My Rankings *
***************
Crystal #5
Lee #1
Aaron #4
Siobhan #11
Michael #6
Katie #8
Casey #9
Andrew #7
Tim #3
Didi #10
Paige #2







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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

American Idol - Top 12 - March 26, 2009

1. Michael Lynche

Wow, what a bluesy start to Miss You. Shifts to a sexy R&B number. Some pitchiness, but it's entertaining, albeit with some odd dancing. Still not a fan of his falsetto, but everything else works.

2. Didi Benami

Playing with Fire. Starts out pretty boring to me without a hint of where she's going. Hint of a ramp up in power. She's grabbing the stage, though there are a couple odd notes.

3. Casey James

It's All Over Now. Power country sound, thank heavens. Maybe it's me but he's looking more feminine with each episode - what's up with that? Sort of a lesser-than expected money note. Good bluesy sound.

4. Lacey Brown

Ruby Tuesday. Odd arrangement. It's a little bit of a wispy start. Hmm, normally I like her but this isn't working for me. She looks good. Not happy with that money note.


5. Andrew Garcia

Gimme Shelter. It's a good song choice. He's letting his smoky voice take charge and he's showing that he does have some stage presence. Surprised he showed up without the guitar. Nice money note. I didn't agree with Randy that he was flat.

6. Katie Stevens

She's singing Wild Horses that comes across as a ballad. I don't ever recall a RS ballad. Katie is a sweet thing with a lush grown-up voice with few pitch problems. I like her, but am betting that rather than taking the youth vote, she's going to take the middle age vote.

7. Tim Urban

Here's cougar-bait Tim doing Under My Thumb. Odd reggae version made his voice sound reedy. He knows how to work the camera though. Smooth voice is his standard. Hmm, did he forget the words? Not a big wow for me, unfortunately.

8. Siobhan Magnus

Painted Black. Dramatic staging, almost Adam Lambert-esque. Sultry start. Interesting, having a hard time ramping up the energy to this power song. Maybe because it started out so low. Hmmm, the money note was screechy to me. Takes it all back with a quiet ending. Very Adam Lambert - totally love the entertaining show.

9. Lee DeWyze

He's doing Beast of Burden? Ooh, took it apart into a lovely acoustic sound. Sort of what Kris Allen did much last year. I really love his voice. He could be more engaging on the stage. I think the judges were rough on him. I don't think he wasn't that boring.

10. Paige Miles

Honky Tonk Woman. Country sound? I think it's a bit low and too vibrato for me. She's got stage presence though. When she soars, she sounds much better. Wow, she had laryngitis this week? Then she did well with that considered.

11. Aaron Kelly

Angie. Here's the teen girl vote getter. He's starting with a boy-band look. I like that leather shirt. This is a good song for him. He'll get the youth vote with that one. This worked very well for me.

12. Crystal Bowersox

You Can't Always Get What You Want. Oh good, she's got the guitar. Nice country take with a some good riffs. I like the power ramp up. She really is seeming relaxed on stage. I just love her.


*********************
* Here's my ranking *
*********************
Siobhan #08
Crystal #12
Aaron #11
Michael #01
Lee #09
Casey #03
Didi #02
Andrew #05
Katie #06
Tim #07
Lacey #04
Paige #10







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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

American Idol - Vote for the 8 Men - 03/10/2010

American Idol - Vote for the 8 Men - 03/10/2010

1. Lee DeWyze
It's a nice good sound, though somewhat lacking in perkiness. I like his sound alot. There were some odd notes, but it wasn't overly distracting. It was clever and rockish.

2. Alex Lambert
Singing Trouble. He's got a really interesting tenor voice and he's doing a more country sound than I think he's done before. He's drawling all over the place, and it's kinda guy-sultry. I like the song choice, but it wasn't the most energetic.

3. Tim Urban
Doing Hallelujah, which I absolutely adore, so I'm nervous. Hmmm, so far it's kinda karaoke following the song a bit strictly. Ooh, so she changed it up some. It's quivering, but I like it because it fits. I like his performance look - he's marketable. Cougars must be liking this guy.

4. Andrew Garcia
Singing Genie in a Bottle. He's really taking the song apart. It's the oddest song to do, but it's fresh and enjoyable to me. Somewhat gimmicky to do, but I like what he's done to it. Ooh, nice ending!

5. Casey James
Interesting, he's doing Keith Urban. Mmmm, he's got a wonderful chocolate-sauce baritone voice tonight. I like I like.

6. Aaron Kelly
Oh no I don't like the starting vibrato. Is it nerves? OK, so he calmed down. Nice sound if vaguely pitchy and nervous. Most upbeat song tonight so far.

7. Todrick Hall
Doing Queen's Somebody to Love. The Falsetto is soooo wrong, flat and a weak reflection of the original. Ouch. I'm not happy here. Looking for my mute button. What are these judges smoking? They loved it? Egads.

8. Michael Lynche
Wow, he starts of with a serious falsetto. Hmm, he's going serious soul on this. It's good but not crazy about the arrangement or the falsetto. Not an off note though and with lots of power.


Here's the order!

1. Alex
2. Tim
3. Michael
4. Lee
5. Andrew
6. Casey
7. Aaron
8. Todrick








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Tuesday, March 9, 2010

American Idol - Vote for the 8 Women - 03/9/2010

American Idol - Vote for the 8 Women - 03/9/2010

Gonna rush through it tonight because I think it's only one hour.

1. Katie Stevens

No. Pitchy. Gotta stop now. Well, maybe it's good she kept going because it eventually got better. This song choice did nothing for me because it's not distinctive. She just sings like she's too old for herself. The judges keep saying she hasn't found herself yet. I disagree. She knows what it is, but unfortunately, it's not a good match with her age.

2. Siobhan Magnus

Sings House of the Rising Sun. I really like her luscious long notes. That was a sexy arrangement. The judges seem to agree. Well, not Simon - he was bored.

3. Lacie Brown

Sort of a quirky sound to this song. Some country vibrato, which I didn't expect. She's really indulging in those falsettos. Admittedly, they're on key. Surprised she sounds pretty good to me, in comparison to past weeks.

4. Katelyn Epperly

She's singing I feel the earth move but man, for me the earth didn't move. What a weird song choice. It didn't impress at all and she didn't seem like she was trying.

5. Didi Benami

Another boring song. What's up with all this slowness? Isn't anyone interested in pumping us up? She sounds good, but I'm not particularly jazzed. Unlike previous seasons, I hardly agree with Simon this year.

6. Paige Miles

Singing the absolutely depressing Smile. Is she nervous? She sounds horrible uncomfortable and wispy. The key change sounded like a mistake.

7. Crystal Bowersox

She definitely upgraded her looks. Interesting, she started slow but worked up to a much more powerful performance, the most energetic one of the evening. To me, she's the most distinctively and consistently enjoyable performer this season. I'm a fan.

8. Lille Scott

Patsy Cline? Really? I Fall To Pieces... I am soooo not as smitten with her as the judges because this made no sense to me. It just doesn't make sense. And she was pitchy too. Well she she changed it up at the end, but still was a weird song for me.



So here's my list



Crystal #07
Siobhan #02
Lacie #03
Katie #01
Lillie #08
Didi #05
Katelyn #04
Paige #06







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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

American Idol - Vote for the 10 Women - 03/3/2010

American Idol - Vote for the 10 Women - 03/3/2010

1. Crystal Bowersox
She's a twin, she's recovered from last night's stay at the hospital, and she's pretty sentimental. She's going to do Credence tonight with just one instrument, the guitar. Ooh, pulling out the gospel stops. Man, I like her voice. She's got great money notes and wow a wonderful humming ending. Wow they're gushing, thank heavens. She's the most talented person this year to me.

2. Haeley Vaughn
Her secret is that she's bubbly? She'll be singing Miley's Climb. She's got a real a good sound, but wondering how copycat it might sound. Not sure it's a good song choice at all. It's not pitch perfect, and largely dull and listless. Too bad.

3. Lacey Brown
Her hobby is antiquing and refurbishing. She's doing Kiss Me. Still has some pitch problems. But definitely better than last week's disaster but could be better. The judges seem rough with her, but they're largely right on. She needs to step it up because she's not showing any star quality.

4. Katie Stevens
She can say "give me a kiss in 6 languages"... Okay... She's doing "Put your records on" tonight. I like the sound of her voice and she's pretty. Katie grabbed a youthful song on the advice of the judges, but umm she made it sound old fashioned. The falsetto was pushed and there were some pitchy notes, but she's got luscious low notes. Judges don't like her older sound.

5. Didi Benami
She was a middle school mascot before she became a cheerleader. She's doing "Lean on Me" and she's much more comfortable in her higher registers. Not sure that was a good song choice. Hmm the judges seem to agree. This isn't as bad as they make it sound.

6. Michelle Delamor
She's a kid's choir director at church. She's doing "With Arms Wide Open", and she's definitely giving us unchurchy stares. She's doing a diva turn on this song. It's voice doesn't sound strong or deep enough to do a diva. Even that money sounds short-changed. I'm glad they didn't crucify her because she wasn't as bad as they made it sound.

7. Lilly Scott
She's a musician. She's doing Sam Cooke with her guitar. I like this much more than last week, because I can actually recognize the tune. Her voice is surprisingly delicate given her tough look. Not sure about some of the ways she handles low notes. She handles her scales well.

8. Katelyn Epperly
Had been studying to be a sound engineer. She'll be playing the piano. Ouch flat on the 4th note. She has a nice sound and she's pretty. It's a pretty good song for her to come on strong. Nice money note.

9. Paige Miles
She's into coloring with markers. Hmm... She's doing a Kelly Clarkson song, which I think is always risky because the judges adore her. Some pitchiness tonight, so it's not as good as last week for me.


10. Siobhan Magnus
She had a mohawk. She's doing Aretha's Think. Oh, she's got a lovely voice and pretty low register but that falsetto wasn't great. I like her look and she's definitely entertaining and relaxed out there. Mmm, awesome money note.


Here are my rankings:

Crystal #01
Lilly #07
Siobhan #10
Katelyn #08
Paige #09
Didi #05
Katie #04
Michelle #06
Lacey #03
Haeley #02








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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

American Idol - Vote for the 10 Men - 03/2/2010

American Idol - Vote for the 10 Men - 03/2/2010

Wow, big change. Crystal Bowersox evidently is at the hospital and cannot perform tonight. So, because of that, the men are performing tonight instead of the women.

One thing is striking me about the men so far... "Where's the star quality?" The reason I was bummed by them last week I think was that they lacked some of the confidence that top men have had in the past.

1. Michael Lynche
Impressive muscles on him in the pre-song interview: he was doing bicep curls with Aaron Kelly. He's singing "This is a Man's World" and he's clearly trying to own the stage. A little theatrical but he's got good chops. For the title of the song, he's doing a Diva turn and he's making it work. Judges are drooling.

2. John Park
John learned English in 10th grade. It's sort of a slow John Mayer tune, but sung with a lot more passion and resonance than his performance last week. He sold his money note there. Judges seemed to think he was better than last week but still seemed to undersell himself.

3. Casey James
He grew up without tv - that's his interesting story? Oh interesting, he's playing a hard rock number on his guitar. He's kinda doing a Constantine with his looks and rock motif. Wondering if the cougars will enjoy watching this performance. Some of his vocals aren't as strong as they've been in the past. I agree with Ellen: he's a touch stiff. Kara said he's going backwards.

4. Alex Lambert
As a kid, made up his own language, which makes sense because he's such a nervous wreck. He's singing "Everybody knows" with his guitar. He's much more comfortable than last week. He needs to let his natural boyish charm get into his music. I like his voice, which is quite pleasant. Interesting, went for the falsetto money note. Randy likes his package.

5. Todrick Hall
Started out as a danger in live theatre. He's doing Tina Turner? His voice crackles and has some pitchiness. At least the melody is discernable this week. Hmm I did not enjoy that money note. Randy liked it though. The judges seem to be trying to get him to do something different.

6. Jermaine Sellers
Not sure I get the "onesy" outfit that he's pushing in the pre-song interview. He's doing Marvin Gaye's "What's going on". I like the song but there's definite pitch problems for me. It got better as it went on.

7. Andrew Garcia
He's also a break dancer. Tonight he won't be playing his guitar. Gonna do a ballad - this kid has a voice that's so smooth and clean. I'm not happy about the song choice but he's sounds much better than last week. A couple of odd notes there for me. Boy he must have set the bar high because they keep referencing his performance of a Paula Abdul song.

8. Aaron Kelly
He's also an amateur photographer. He's doing "My Girl". Oh yeah, he looks much more relaxed this week. He's a ton of vibrato in his voice. I like his twists on the tune, similar in some ways to what David Archuleta used to do. Oh hmm not a strong finish to me.

9. Tim Urban
Comes from a big family. He's playing the guitar this week. Looks reasonable attractive and carries himself better this week. His voice is much more on track this week. Nice long note. Still some strength missing in his voice. Ellen said he might be better as an actor. Simon hits it: he's much better this week than last.

10. Lee Dewyze
Sounds like he had a roughneck youth, as he made many "wrong decisions" apparently. Gonna sing Lips of Angels without a guitar. I love the sound of his voice, which is commercial and very Cookish. Couple odd notes, but good to watch and hear.



My rankings:

Michael #01
Lee #10
Alex #04
Andrew #07
Andrew #08
Casey #03
Tim #09
John #02
Jermaine #06
Todrick #05









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