Top 7 (Part 2): Performance Results

Another week down, another performance episode to critique. I was not a huge fan of this weeks theme or performances, much like I anticipated yesterday. It's such an awkward genre. I understand that you have to narrow down the field each week so everyone is singing relatively the same type of song, but I'm sure they could find a better option than Disco. Anyway, it's time to nitpick our Idols song choices again, since most didn't follow my advice. On to the review!

Lil Rounds - Chaka Khan "I'm Every Woman"

Called it! A correct pick feels good after a week where I went 0/7. I actually liked this song much more than the judges did. I thought she had the confidence back that made people originally fall in love with her. Sure, she didn't do the song complete justice, but it is Chaka Khan people- one of the Disco Divas. Of course it was going to to fall somewhat short, but it was her best performance in a long while. It was fun and had lots of energy. This is not to say that I was gaga over it, but just slightly more impressed than the judges were. I'm not sure how this will translate into the results show tonight, but I think that she definitely put herself even with Matt. I think that one of them is gone and one of them stays. She has a 50/50 shot in my mind.

Kris Allen - Donna Summer "She Works Hard for the Money"

Yesterday I said that Kris was on the cusp of overthrowing Danny from the second place spot on the power rankings. I think he did just that with this song. This was a tie for my favorite performance of the night. Everything the judges said was spot on. Original, daring, and extremely entertaining. As one who is partial to acoustic sets, I thought it was brilliant. But I also think that even an ear that isn't as privy to acoustic arrangements would like it. With an actual coherent reference, Paula said that it had a very "Santana-vibe," which I loved. The Latin feel added another dimension to this song that most people might not have attempted. Kris is the real deal, folks. Even if he doesn't win this shebang, I think he will still be pretty successful post-idol. The combination of his talent with his image and personality makes him extremely marketable, so I think we will be seeing more of him to come in the future, no matter what the outcome of the show is. P.S. If Paula had said the "he likes to shop in the women's section" to Adam, it would have been "controversial," but it was hilarious for Kris.

Danny Gokey - Earth, Wind & Fire "September"

In order for Danny to have kept his grip on the number 2 position in the competition, he needed to blow me away this week. He did not. Were his vocals solid? Of course. He's a great singer, so that should be a given. But the song did not do anything for me. Though vocally solid, he continues to use the same recipe for his performances. He has not shown me one new dynamic from his repertoire since the first time we saw him sing "I Heard It On The Grapevine" during auditions. Everything is consistently the same, with no variation whatsoever, and it's now officially become boring. At this point, he should be bringing something new to the table every week and WILLING us to vote for him, not just remaining complacent with where he is by constantly choosing safe songs. Are there any Gokey fans left out there? The people I know who where high on him at the beginning of the season have shifted to other contestants. Rep your boy if you disagree with what I'm saying and convince me otherwise. Obviously safe, but not a lock for the finals like Paula claims. P.S. Sexiest voice ever?! Pleeeeaaaase...I'm glad the girl in my apartment last night thought Paula was smoking a crack pipe, too.

Allison Iraheta - Donna Summer "Hot Stuff"

Vocally- very solid. I liked how she started it as a ballad and let it grow into the up tempo part. The judges were in disagreement on the arrangement, but I liked it. I think it made it much more modern and DEFINITELY much more Allison. She messed up the end, since she was supposed to break, then hit her last baller note, but she still pulled it off without too much harm done. I know Randy comments on it all the time, but I really CAN'T believe this girl is so young. She has more poise on the stage than most of the other contestants, easily. What DID bother me a bit was the lyrics. "I want some hot stuff, baby, this evening. I want some hot stuff, baby, tonight." Allison, you are a KID! You can't be singing songs like that! Yes you act older than you are, but you still aren't that old really. I'm surprised the judges did not pick up on that tidbit and run with it. Allison has the potential to move up in the rankings from 4, but she would have to do much more to overtake Danny than Kris did.

Adam Lambert - Yvonne Elliman "If I Can't Have You"

Adam continues to hold to Brent's theory of the "one for you-one for me" song choice recipe. This week he went with a very original, slowed down version of "If I Can't Have You." What is different about this song in comparison to his other slow songs is that this is the first true power ballad that he's sung all season. Being slow in tempo does not mean a song is a ballad, but rather, the emotion that the song conveys. As I have stated previously, what Adam is so good at is selling his songs. Sure it helps that he has the vocal talent to pull off most arrangements, but it is his connection with the audience that is separating him from rest of the group. His comfortability in doing this can definitely be attributed to his musical theater background. Some might say that this puts him at an advantage over the other contestants, but I don't see how it is any different than Kris using his guitar or Matt, his piano. The contestants are allowed to use skills that they have learned in their past to amplify their performances once on Idol. Adam is doing this well. Another thing that Adam was able to do in this performance was show his range in a very controlled and reserved manner, instead of shrieking through the high notes like he sometimes does in his faster songs. This is another side that we haven't seen before. Adam maintains his lead on the pack because he is continually bringing new ideas to the table and showcasing himself in different lights. The other contestants would do well to take note if they want to have a chance in catching him. P.S. That review was completely objective and factual.

Matt Giraud - Bee Gee's "Stayin' Alive"

Matt G. merited the coveted Judges Save last week, but this week's performance made me think that he might not have deserved it. Yesterday, I stated that Adam would be the only contestant who could do this song and pull it off. I hold true to that statement. I thought that this rendition was clumsy and amateur at best. You could not understand what he was saying in the choruses, the dancing was very gimmicky, and the falsetto was excruciatingly bad. That last note made me slam my head against the window repeatedly. I also hate when he tries to emulate Justin Timberlake, musically, as well as fashionably. He does not look right with skinny ties and fedoras. He looks like he is playing "Wannabe Pop Star!" He just does not seem like he knows who he is, as a person or an artist, as was also evident in the video posted on Monday's entry. He is in the same boat as Lil is, in my opinion, with a 50/50 shot of going home. The favor might be SLIGHTLY in his favor, however, given that he was saved last week and his fans (and Idol producers) might get him through another week. This way, the judges don't look like complete incompetents for saving him. But Simon was correct last week. There is absolutely no way he can win this competition.

Anoop Desai - Donna Summer "Dim All The Lights"

Poor Anoop. Whereas Lil and Matt get 50/50 shots at going home or staying, I'm giving Anoop a 100% shot at going back to Chapel Hill. There is no doubt that Anoop is a good singer, he is just not a good performer, and he proved that again last night. Granted, there was little that Anoop could have done to remain on the show. He would have had to have done a song that channeled Adam's theatrics, Kris' tone, Danny's soulfulness, Lil's power, Matt's piano and Allison's presence, all at the same time. I would be very shocked if he made it past this round, but I guess stranger things have happened. P.S. He didn't buy his jacket from the “God-Awful, Ridiculously Ugly Jacket Store,” but he still wore a jacket, keeping true the frat-boy theme he has been pushing. Does anyone know if he is actually IN a frat?

Again, this week, two contestants are being sent home due to the Save last week. I have a feeling that those two contestants are going to be Anoop and Lil, with Matt rounding out the bottom 3. Don't be surprised if Lil stays and Matt goes, though. Like I said, the gap between them is incredibly small right now. I wouldn't be surprised if the difference in votes for the two varied by as little as 10,000. I have a feeling that this is going to turn into a very vanilla cast for the rest of the season.

Power Rankings:

1. (1) Adam Lambert
2. (2) Kris Allen
3. (2) Danny Gokey
4. (4) Allison Iraheta
5. (5) Matt Giraud
6. (7) Lil Rounds
7. (6) Anoop Desai

A little bit of movement at the top and at the bottom, but it really does not matter at the bottom since two are leaving. Kris has finally passed Gokey, but needs to continue to do big things to keep him in his rearview mirror.

There you have it folks. Hope you all enjoyed. Have a great day doing whatever you are doing. Hopefully it's better than what I'm doing.

Your American Idol Junkie,

Billy