Well, the judges finally used their save last week somewhat confusingly on Matt Giraud. The good news is now that the save has been used, we don't have to endure any more of the awkward begging from the contestants at the end of the show. The bad news is that two people are getting eliminated this week. The worse news is that it's disco night.
In all fairness, though, this group is unlike most Idol groups in that they seem to do better with the more well-defined themes. When it's a free-for-all, like with the Billboard night, they lose their way and everything dissolves into chaos. Disco night just further proves this theory. With a few exceptions, the group manages to turn in vocally solid, interesting and original performances.
Lil Rounds "I'm Every Woman"
Lil Rounds has just fallen apart at the seams. She hasn't turned in a decent performance in weeks, and this is no exception. It's high-energy and should work, but it just doesn't. Her performance is exactly like the swan song performances that just-eliminated contestants give. I half-expect her to start crying at any minute. The judges are so over her. Randy says she was all over the place, Paula doesn't think she tapped into her inner goddess, and Simon just wants to put her out of her misery.
Kris Allen "She Works Hard For The Money"
Have I mentioned how much I adore Kris Allen? Because I do. He is my favorite in this competition, and this was hands down his best performance. Not only that, it is one of the best Idol performances I've ever seen-- because it is one of the most un-Idol performances I've ever seen. He took a song, flipped it and 100% made it his own. It wasn't flashy; it was just a solid, original performance. Paula may have called him a cross-dresser, but she loved it. Randy tells him that he's ready for the big time, and I couldn't agree more.
Danny Gokey "September"
Look, Danny Gokey is the best wedding singer ever. Beyond that, I really don't get his appeal. I love this song: it's a fun "get up and dance" song, and Danny did a perfectly acceptable job with it. However, he didn't bring anything new to the table at all. Randy, Kara and Paula are super into him though. Simon agrees with me and says that while the vocals were good, it didn't really have any star power.
Allison Iraheta "Hot Stuff"
Despite the fact that each week her outfits blind me more and more, Allison did a great job with this song. She took a super-cheesy disco song and made it all dark and scary. I totally thought she was going to fall over, but overall she made it work. Randy and Kara aren't thrilled with the arrangement, but love the vocals. Simon admits that she's an underdog with this theme, but tells her it was a brilliant performance.
Adam Lambert "If I Can't Have You"
I appreciate that Adam tried to change things up with the arrangement, but he took a fun disco song and made it into the climactic scene in Rent or something. It was a nice Broadway song, and I think Adam should have a great career on The Great White Way, but I don't see him as a solo artist. The judges, however, ate it up. Randy says that he's ready right now, Kara calls him brilliant, and I'm pretty sure Paula is actually lactating. Even Simon loved it, so I guess I'm all alone on this one.
Matt Giraud "Stayin' Alive"
Matt tackles a disco classic and basically looks and sounds like a low-rent and out of breath Justin Timberlake. He needed to do something really special tonight in order to make it another week, and he absolutely did not. I'll be surprised if he makes it another week and doesn't rule the judges' save completely ineffective. Randy didn't like the song choice or the arrangement, but complimented his vocals. Paula is convinced he's staying, but Simon completely disagrees, saying he's stuck in "Idol land."
Anoop Desai "Dim All The Lights"
I'm not familiar with this song, so I'm not sure how it's supposed to sound, but if I had to guess, it probably sounds a lot less R&B than his performance. His vocals are really strong, but this song choice and the arrangement are just confusing to me. Randy didn't love the arrangement on this either, but complimented him on his strong vocals. Kara tells him that he's hitting his stride, Paula compliments him on his ability to wear pink, while Simon disagrees with everyone and calls the performance "mediocre at best."
I've been talking about how much I love him for a while, but Kris Allen proved tonight that he is the dark horse to win this competition. He is just as talented and original as Adam (perhaps more so if you include the fact that he plays multiple instruments); he's just less flashy about it. When I see Adam perform, I think incredibly talented Broadway actor. When I see Kris perform, I think incredibly talented solo artist. If I had my way, Adam, Allison and Kris would end up in the top three, with Adam and Kris in the top two and Kris ultimately winning.
As far as who's going home, I think the sun has set on both Lil and Matt. Anoop will round out the bottom three, barring any surprises (like everybody assumes Adam is safe, so they all forget to vote for him). Since the polls here won't allow you to vote for two, let' go ahead and do a positive vote: who do you think is going to take it?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-22-2009 @ 5:08AM
E.R. said...
This is obviously a Kris Allen corner and it's really nice reading great comments about him. Well, I believe he will reach the final two and will end up the runner-up. Congratulations, Kris and to all his fans!
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4-22-2009 @ 5:20AM
Gabi said...
Adam was great! He always is, I just prefer the wild, crazy and super cool performances like Born to Be Wild instead of his softer side. But I still liked it. What I liked most was that he went in the opposite direction of what everyone thought he was gonna do for disco night.
I do, however, start to worry a bit that he chooses these slower songs just to please the judges, and especiially Simon. Simon always seem to like these types of songs, unlike Paula who like everything he does.
He needs to start thinking more about what HE wants to do for HIM and his FANS, not what Simon might say. This was the only performance from him that I felt was a bit 'safe', and he can't keep doing that. B/c the reason we all fell in love w/ him from the beginning was b/c he was different and had the courage to be himself.
Remember what Paula said about him being brave, I totallt agree w/ that. Hopefully he won't tone himself down now towards the end b/c he wants to win more people over. I say, sing for the ones who already love you a f-k everyone else. If they don't like you now they never will. Be crazy and wild and brilliant Adam!
Sry, just had to get that out :)
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4-22-2009 @ 5:35AM
Jeffrey.Kinderdietz said...
I listened to Kris's performance again after reading this review on the off chance that I missed something. I did miss something, whatever you saw in that performance. He literally went so pitchy in the middle of that song I winced. You must be loving his look and his tight pants because you could not have seriously been listening to that performance. Also, is he the stupidest person ever to be on Idol every time Ryan interviews him I feel like I am watching some god awful idiot show. Why did you pick this song Kris, She works hard for the money? I picked this song because it was about a woman who works hard for the money. Well that explains it... Uh yeah. Idiot, unarticulated and pitchy what's not to love... oh I forgot about the tight pants sorry.
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4-22-2009 @ 7:01AM
Jimmy said...
Good-bye, Lil ... finally.
Good-bye, Matt ... again.
The remaining eliminations, in order: Anoop, Danny, Allison and Kris.
Adam has been amazing from the start; he is obviously in a league of his own.
Danny peaked too early. He picks bland songs every week and treats them all the same. I think Allison (who is younger and has more raw talent) will outlast him -- by a week.
With Kris: I'm a little over the Dave Matthews/John Mayer/Jason Mraz thing, but honestly, he is the one who most embodies the intent of the show: an undiscovered talent who picks interesting songs, "makes them his own" and actually shows growth week to week.
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4-22-2009 @ 10:51AM
rick cokely said...
ding ding ding! You win one internets. I agree completely with what you said.
4-22-2009 @ 7:40AM
Xina said...
The song Anoop did is actually a sort of Disco R&B song. To be honest, I think of all the contestants, he has the best voice, I just dont' think he knows what to do with it!
I was NOT a fan of Adam's song. HIs arrangement was just a hot mess if you ask me.
Couldn't agree with your more about Matt. He is really playing up that slight resemblance to Justin Timberlake.
Lil needs to go...sorry, but she does.
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4-22-2009 @ 9:31AM
Carole said...
Okay, I am totally baffled. I agree with your comments. I definitely think it is Lil's week to go home. Dial Idol has her on the top with Allison and Kris on the bottom? I thought they were the best of the night. Adam is good, but he is too perfect, I agree that he needs to be on Broadway, or perhaps he could redo the Elvis movies?
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4-22-2009 @ 1:19PM
Dan said...
The Dial Idol site seems weird this week. Lil can't be in first with Allison in last...
Kona, this is the absolute best review of Idol I've seen. Everything you said is right on. Kris is the most talented, Adam is right behind him (but because of his broadway flashiness and flamboyant personality, he's more popular on the show) and Allison behind them. The rest of the group is not at their level.
I felt like I was at a bad wedding (why do people always get married in the same party halls with the same playlist at the same boring party?) when Danny was singing. How those three morons (can't believe I'm actually calling Simon "smart) could still be gushing about Danny is beyond me.
Finally, if Danny and Jamar were such great friends, where's Jamar been this whole time?
4-22-2009 @ 12:25PM
CMG said...
DialIdol themselves agree (http://www.dialidol.com/asp/news/news.asp) - the results are so skewed, they're essentially throwing in the towel this week and not making an official prediction. It's the busy signal percentage - for some reason, Lil's line seems to be busy an inordinate and inexplicable amount of time.
4-22-2009 @ 9:40AM
xillip said...
Adam is so gonna win. They need to have a gay idol.
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4-22-2009 @ 9:40AM
Jimmy said...
I wasn't particularly impressed with the performances this time around; no one was all that great. After wowing me last week, Adam Lambert was kind of mediocre. I certainly didn't think he deserved as much praise as the judges gave him. He's this year's David Archuletta (except more talented and less annoying).
While I'm not a Lil Rounds fan, I thought her performance was much better than any of the judges gave it credit. I think the Judges have written her off and just wish America would vote her off. In my opinion it will be Lil, Anoop, and Matt in the bottom three. Matt did his best, but I'm not sure it will be enough, and I don't think he has the fan base necessary to keep him alive. Anoop, a technically good singer, gave a very boring performance that may get him, and his eyebrows, sent home.
I also disagree with what Randy said last night: this is not the most talented group they've ever had. Season 7 contained far more talented singers at this point. By the time we reached the top 7 last year I hated seeing any of the group leave -- except for Jason Castro, who I couldn't stand. With this group we could lose Lil, Matt, Anoop, and Danny before I would really start caring.
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4-22-2009 @ 9:50AM
vernie said...
Adam Lambert belongs on Broadway, he's a musical theatre singer/actor. He has professional (off-broadway) experience in that area. He is talented and creative although I find his screeching a bit much.
Allison has the most potential as a solo artist. She could do rock, pop or R&B. She certainly is as good and potentially better than Kelly Clarkson.
Kris is versatile because he plays different instruments but his vocals are limited. Adam, Allison and Kris are the top three. Danny is just doing the same routine over and over. Not bad vocals but the same songs.
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4-22-2009 @ 10:20AM
Jim Kosmicki said...
I don't know what the rules are -- if they HAVE to choose from the heyday of disco in the 70's, but I so wanted Adam to do Scissor Sisters or Mika or somebody more current who still works in the disco vibe.
Adam is Broadway in that he's an actor -- he's a chameleon who will groom himself and perform the song in whatever way he's supposed to. But the only time that I ever really got the sense that he was performing the way he really wanted to was Ring of Fire. Kris, on the other hand, really seems to be thinking the songs through and trying to do something that he finds interesting.
as for Danny, your wedding singer comparison is apt, as he is a worship leader for a church. If you are familiar with worship leaders, you will recognize pretty much everything that he does with just about any song. you'll also recognize the type of songs as similar to what you hear on contemporary christian radio (and worship services).
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4-22-2009 @ 11:00AM
Kona Gallagher said...
I totally agree with you re: Danny. I could definitely see him having a strong Christian radio career, and if that's the path he wants to take, I wish him all the success in the world. As a mainstream solo artist though, he does nothing for me.
4-22-2009 @ 10:26AM
Ryan said...
I agree with EVERY SINGLE THING you said. Might've been the first time. But still awesome.
Kris was my favorite tonight. And since Adam is already the default finalist/winner, I am hoping that Kris and Allison round out the top three.
The other singers are good, but they give me nothing to be excited about.
But going back to Kris. YES. He is just as talented as Adam but you hit it right on the nail, he isn't just as flashy as Adam. No matter what happens this season though, I think Kris will be one of the first non-winners to get signed. Maybe even Simon himself. He clearly likes him, as he should.
Don't put too much faith on dialidol all. Kris was LAST last week while Lil was fourth. So who was in the bottom three and who wasn't? Though it does give me pause that both Allison and Kris are the in the bottom. So sad.
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4-22-2009 @ 10:52AM
Cherrie said...
Diol Idol is a lame duck this year. It seems people are voting using their cell phones (which doesn't register with DI) instead of land lines. I never believed that website anyway. They claim they are accurate when they predict a contestant will be voted off, even if they aren't showing in the bottom two. This year, almost everyone has been in danger of being voted off as the results on Diol Idol are too close to predict.
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4-22-2009 @ 11:28AM
Bill said...
Mark my words...
Adam Lambert will be another Taylor Hicks or Clay Aiken. Yes, he's great on the show, but he will not sell records. He's much more visual. You need to see him perform to appreciate him. Like someone else said, he's more cut out for Broadway. Kris or Danny should be the winner.
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4-22-2009 @ 12:20PM
Scott said...
Somebody needs a hearing aid. LOL And a pair of contact lenses. And perhaps a spoonful of sugar to counter the effects of all that bitterness. :)
4-22-2009 @ 12:35PM
Bill said...
Trust me Scott I hear quite well. If you like the shrieking of Adam Lambert, good luck to you. He's got a great voice, the shrieking is so unnecessary. Do you disagree that he's much better when you can actually SEE him?
4-22-2009 @ 1:53PM
Dan said...
He might be saying you need a hearing aid for thinking Danny should win. Danny is terrible, and the only people I know who like him are the people who listen to the "easy listening" and "light rock" stations that play elevator music and that cliche wedding party crap.