Thursday, April 14, 2011

American Idol 10: Top 8

A couple of questions: Why is Will.I.Am still on the show? Did the judges not hear any of the public feedback regarding the suckiness of their criticisms - or lack thereof? Are the judges paid to be just cheerleaders on the show? Where is Pia Toscano? Can a woman win this show? Is Randy Jackson becoming a caricature of himself (I know, it's redundant)? Why is Jimmy Iovine such a douche? Did Lee DeWyze really win last season? Yes, I intend to be obnoxious this week. Haha.

This week was SO strange. The overall show somewhat underwhelmed me, but I admit that I love the variety of the songs - and maybe the contestants. Casey Abrams and James Durbin were the perfect bookends of that. Jazz to heavy metal. I also liked how they had moments of rebellion against Jimmy Iovine. Haha. Epic!

But seriously, this episode was just all over the place that I'm beginning to think that Season 10 is just pure hype. I mean, sure, this season doesn't have one really terrible contestant like most seasons to bring it down, but it's turning out to be an entire show of mediocre performers. Where are the supposed "moments"? The water cooler performances? The show stoppers? The Billie Jean? The Mad World? The Heartless? The Summertime? The Alone?

Then we have the judges who were completely useless. At this point in the game, you really need a Simon Cowell to make these guys step up to the plate. He would have taken Lauren to town for her flat school kid performance, and Haley for smiling and prancing throughout that song, and James for picking a bad song and shouting to his ears, and Paul for.. well, being Paul and Scotty for not stepping up his game. Randy, Jennifer and Steven are all just cheerleaders!! With the judges' refusal to critique any of the performers, it has really made the show one-dimensional. What's their use then?

Oh well, here goes nothing..

DISCLAIMER: I am no expert, but this is my opinion - to each his own - and yours will be in the comments below! Haha. 

08. Paul McDonald
Old Time Rock N' Roll
Wait, Paul owns TWO hideous suits with roses on them? Seriously? Haha. I admit, I don't like this side of Paul - I mean, the chicken Paul - but he's far more entertaining and funny when he's dancing spastically on stage. Look at him go at it! Haha. But while he certainly had the energy, his voice sounded totally shot. Plus, he was extremely careless with his vocals - or probably the mic - that I didn't hear him in some parts of the song. The background singers didn't help as well. Also, Paul should have done something else to it because his version sounded dated and a bit karaoke. Lilly Scott, to me, was possibly the best part. I didn't know she can play saxophone. Haha. 6/10

07. Scotty McCreery
Cross My Heart
So, if it ain't broke, don't even consider fixing it? Really Randy? Unless you're Pia Toscano, then you have to sing uptempo songs? I'm not so sure if Scotty could be anymore dull. George Strait. Way to stay in your lane, Scotty! No, his performance wasn't bad, I actually thought he sounded pretty solid, but he seriously needs to change it up. Carrie didn't sing country every week, even when she could have. But what the hell, he's going to win. Everybody else might as well quit. Haha. 7/10

06. Lauren Alaina
The Climb
The dissing of Miley Cyrus was absolutely hilarious - considering that she’s been on the show at least twice before and a mentor just last year. Haha. Jimmy Iovine, I don't know what to make up of you anymore. Haha. Of course, anyone can sing way better than her, and I thought Lauren proved that. She sounded great and I enjoyed the changes she did with the song. That being said, I felt like she held back a lot with this performance. I didn't like the arrangement, the dynamics was odd and she needs to work on her breath control. Plus, where was the choir? The spotlight? The stool of drama?This should've been a lot better than it actually was. Just saying. 7/10

05. Casey Abrams
Nature Boy
Jimmy Iovine, you're an idiot! Seriously. This was a smarter song choice for him than the Phil Collins' song. Good for you, Casey. Save your friggen' soul! Haha. Sure, Nature Boy exposed, once again, his vocal weaknesses - some of his growls were out of place - but this was all sorts of cool. I admit that I don't know how much he changed the arrangement because I haven't heard the original, but it seemed unique, creative and pretty risky. I'm not sure though if the performance will resonate with people, but I thought it was good. Standing ovation, good? Debatable. 7/10

04. Haley Reinhart
Call Me
So, apparently the bus was aiming for Haley this week and it's going pedal to the metal. Seriously, judges? Of all the performances tonight to criticize, Haley's was one of the least worthy. I admit, the beginning was a bit off, but it ended up to be one of the most compelling performances tonight. Say what you want to say, but she sang the hell out of that song. There were a couple of pitch problems, but why the hell did they ONLY criticize Haley on that? Come on! 7.5/10

03. Stefano Langone
End Of The Road
I admit, I thought Stefano's a goner after this week, but he fought hard. Really hard. This, to me, was his best performance since If You Don't Know Me By Now. He totally sold that song. It started out rough delivering the Big Mike Ham and Cheese special, but he got pretty good at the end. He connected with the song surprisingly well and his vocals were solid. He still got a bit of an odd phrasing somewhere though. 7.5/10

02. James Durbin
Heavy Metal
Unfair! James, to me, has seriously been pimped more than any other contestant this season. Heck, they even got Bo Bice to play for James - oh wait, that's Zakk Wylde. Haha. I didn't care for the song that much, but I thought he gave an overall good performance. He was way too screechy on some parts, but at least he was vocally on pitch most of the time. The problem I had with this though was that half of the song was done by the guitarist. It seemed like he didn't sing that much. Haha. 7.5/10

01. Jacob Lusk
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Was I in bizzaro land? You all know that I hate Jacob with a passion, but he was actually good this week. Shocker! He was very reserved, he had great control and he sang it beautifully. There was too much vibrato on some parts, but I love the way he effortlessly cascaded from low to high and back again. Yes, he missed a couple of notes - especially during the key change - but it was mostly minor issues. I'm going to begrudgingly say that Jacob had one of the best performances of the night. WTF! 7.5/10

23 comments:

G said...

I always enjoy reading your blog. I agree with you on the fact that no one had a standout performance. I'm so sad that Pia's gone because I feel like she's one of the best this season. My favorite performance this week was Jacob's. I think it's his first good performance in a long time.

Some Idol Fan said...

Judges were totally throwing Haley under the bus.. she's the only idol who got negative feedbacks, wtf?! she deserves more credit, i think she's the only idol who continuously shows improvement every week. although this was not her best, she showed versatility. I hope America gives her one more shot.

Fidel Antonio Medel said...

It's the end of the world! Dam put Jacob at #1. Haha.

Anonymous said...

I disagree totally and completely with how you ranked the contestants. In fact, mine is almost completely flipped. I do however believe that it is time for a male to leave the show. Leave Haley, Lauren and Jacob alone. OOPS I said it... Jacob, to me, is basically a female. But I would enjoy seeing him gone so I can focus on the contestants that actually have a shot at winning this. Wow, James did heavy metal... what a surprise! I really thought Lauren did a lot better with that song than Miley Cyrus ever could do with it. Scotty, he's just Scotty and I love him. As soon as Paul gets eliminated I will move my voting on to him. I didn't really think I would like Casey's performance and thought he should have gone with Phil Collins but after listening to it a couple of times I came around and think he actually did really really well. It was different and actually a real big surprise to me. I will always like Haley and I thought the song she did tonight fit her perfectly. Kudos, Haley. Hm.. am I forgetting anyone? Oh yes. Stefano. He did pretty well tonight, though I don't think he'll stay in the competition for too much longer. I will say though, he is the contestant I most enjoy looking at. Haha.

This is just my opinion and I am not going to come back and read the comments because I bet I pissed a couple people off by saying some of the things I just said. Anywho... it's up in the air as to who will be going home.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to see Stefano do a Bruno Mars number... I think he'd do really really great.

DAM THE NATION said...

G: Wow. Thanks! Yes, I miss Pia actually. :|

DAM THE NATION said...

Some Idol Fan: I totally agree! If they will criticize Haley, they should criticize EVERYONE. Not everyone did amazing tonight. They all had flaws and they only called out on Haley. WTF!

DAM THE NATION said...

Fidan: HAHA. I know right? It's the Opposites Day today, I think. It actually pains me to rank him that high, but I need to be objective. Plus, I ranked Pia #1 last week and she went home. Maybe.. HAHA

DAM THE NATION said...

Anonymous: Wow. That was long. To be honest, I had a hard time ranking them. Paul is the weakest, 5-7 are interchangeable and the same with 1-4. That's it. :)

DAM THE NATION said...

Anonymous: Stefano's first live performance was Bruno Mars' Just The Way You Are and he didn't get voted in the Final 12. Just saying.

Sendo said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

Sendo said...

oooh...excited for tonight. but.....PIA T_T

Some Idol Fan said...

I miss Simon though. If he was still in this competition as a judge, i'm sure he'll be %#@%^&#! the shit out of these contestants.

Steven T's the new Paula, JLo's meh, never liked Randy.

I'm really worried for tomorrow's result (too affected? - lol).
My predictions for the bottom 3: stefano, haley, paul
Eliminated: Stefano (please! he needs to go)

One thing i know for sure - Scotty is in the final 2. He's been consistently in the top spot at dialidol ever since. Teenage girls, country fans and more love him. I don't haha!

DAM THE NATION said...

Some Idol Fan: True. This is the moment I miss Simon! Sigh.

As for Scotty in Final 2, it's almost certain. I don't think DialIdol is as reliable as before just because it doesn't include the text votes and online votes. But yeah, AI demo loves him.

Anonymous said...

Lol for that Lilly Scott comment. That's all I'm going to say.

DAM THE NATION said...

Anonymous: Haha. Didn't you see Bo Bice on the show? He played for James Durbin. LOL. But Lilly Scott just killed it.

Anonymous said...

my faves Stefano and james

Anonymous said...

yeahhhhhh!!!luv Stefano

Anonymous said...

scotty is copycat,so boring and yikes

best for this week is Stefano

Carlos Jude Laron said...

after watching this last night I'm pretty sure that I don't care anymore except that I still want Haley or Lauren to win...they're going the road last season has taken, ya know....since after Pia was cut...I;m just scared for the girls, and im enraged that the judges are still sugar coating all the guys even tho they're not THAT great esp scotty & stefano!

MadAboutPia said...

Wow, I totally disagree with 95% of your rankings. About the only one I agree with completely is Paul at the bottom. Why is that waster of time still here and Pia (and Thia for that matter) is not?
My rankings:
8. Paul
7. Stephano
6. Jacob
5. Haley
4. Scotty
3. Lauren
2. Casey
1. James
Although, 3-7 are pretty interchangable since they were all pretty meh.
The finals SHOULD have been Pia and James. Now I'm hopeing for James and Casey... everyone else is just generic or awful.

Anonymous said...

no studio versions... :( please please please...

Anonymous said...

how i wish it would have been Jacob or Haley got the boot not Paul! ;( but honestly i really like this season because they are all great! its very unpredictable like what you've said! :D and oopps.. btw i always enjoy reading your blogs.. keep it up men! :D

-JP

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