American Idol 6 Top 12 Review/Recap
I don't know if you're watching this season Tori but if you are I'm still doing my reviews.
This one's for you:
To start off the show Ryan felt the need to inform us that we were in fact watching American Idol, I guess he thought some viewers might confuse him for the 4th Gilmore Girl. Then he welcomed us all to another amazing season of American Idol, his usual spiel at these beginning shows. He said something about finding a superstar and then he introduced the new, bigger band who are absolutely awesome. Then it was time to introduce the Top 12 and the judges, unfortunately or fortunately depending on your view on Seacrest tonight these intros were without cleaver commentary from Ryan. We did get a little blurb from each judge though. Randy said he hoped that the guys brought it tonight, they need to be "in it to win it." Paula said there's a great variety in the Top 12, I'd like to know what alternate universe she's living in but I doubt anyone will ever find out. Simon said that "it's a whole different ball game" as if he had experience attending them. After all that commentary we finally got the see the "OMG it's Diana Ross" montage, and we were of course treated to Diana's commentary. She said she had mentors who believed in her and she wanted to be a supporter for the Top 12. Finally Ryan officially kicked off the performances with his infamous "who will win your vote?" rhetorical question.
Singing first tonight was Brandon Rogers who chose to sing "You Can't Hurry Love." My first comment on the performance is that you obviously can't hurry talent. Parts of that vocal were absolutely painful to listen to. The performance as a whole was very generic and forgettable. On top of all that he also forgot the words making him very vulnerable. Randy reiterated that "you have to be in it to win it," he also called it boring and uninteresting meaning he felt the same as I did. Paula said that "it's not an easy transition" and that she didn't feel the need to point out what he did bad because he did so many good things which she also didn't point out to those of us who missed those things. Simon said it was predictable and a complete letdown. I'm with Simon and Randy.
Next came Melinda Doolittle who chose to sing "Home" because it fits her current situation. It was an excellent vocal as usual. Melinda just knows how to bring it. Once again I was wowed and amazed. There's nothing else you can really say about Melinda, she's just phenomenal. Randy said the vocal was really strong and that it was hot. Paula was crying because Melinda was crying and she said she had goosebumps and was excited for her. Simon laughed at Paula and laughed at Paula some more then he said that Melinda made a boring song good.
Chris Sligh decided he would sing "Endless Love," he also decided he would change it up in more ways than one. He changed the arrangement and made it horrid and changed his eye wear, deciding on none. I can't decide which was worse. It wasn't as good as he usually is but vocally it had good moments. The ending I particularly like. Randy said it sounded like Coldplay a bit and that he has a nice voice. Paula worries that he's trying to hard to be hip and cool and said he has a nice voice. Simon said that he murdered the arrangement and that it was both unemotional and uninspiring.
Gina Glocksen was up next with "Love Child" which she chose to sing because when she was little she didn't know what it was about but really liked it. Apparently Gina thought they said slab of beef instead of song because she pretty much butchered it. The chorus was particularly atrocious and it was nothing different from Gina's usual performances. I could also do without all the shouting. Randy thought it was pitchy and boring. Paula said it was a feel good song and she didn't do it well and that she's better than that. Simon said it wasn't terrible but it wasn't fantastic.
Just when I thought things couldn't get worse Sanjaya Malakar came to the stage. I wasn't expecting much but his "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" left me looking for a place high enough to hide from his potentially more horrendous performance next week. It was unbearable from the second he opened his mouth. The dancing was hideous, the hair was distracting and he really shouldn't be there. Randy was lost for words but managed to say it wasn't very good. Paula said he's the sweetest soul and then rambled on about something not related to his performance. Simon made some comment about a whale and Diana Ross that required further explaination and then said she'll freak when she hears his performance.
Next up was Haley Scarnato, everyone wondered if she would save our ears. She chose "Missing You" because she wanted to show some more emotion. There was lots of emotion but the performance was all over the place. She started off a little shaky but she definitely brought the emotion. She lost it at some point in the middle but was able to recover and end well. Her voice is beautiful and it came through in some parts of the performance. Randy thought it was a valiant effort but she looked nervous and was very pitchy. Paula used her usual I'm not really going to comment on your performance cop out and said she looked lovely. Simon disagreed with Randy and Paula a bit and said he thought people would remember the performance, said she looked like a star that her nerves were obvious but he did like moments of her vocals. I'm with Simon on this one.
Phil Stacey was up next and I finally figured out what Gina was shouting about. Phil looks like the lovechild of Pinky & The Brain. Aside from that his performance was just okay. The performance was boring and unoriginal but he too had vocal moments. Randy thought it was boring but said his voice is amazing/ Paula said the vocals were good but the arrangement wasn't up tempo enough. Simon said it was the right tempo but it was just okay and he tends to shout.
LaKisha Jones was next on stage and the next fashion disaster. The dress looked awful and drew attention to all the wrong areas. The performance for me was just boring. There's no denying she can sing but my problem with her is that all her performances are the same. Great vocals, nothing more. She leaves much to be desired. Randy thought it was the perfect song choice and said it was sensational. Paula said she has a beautiful voice and looks beautiful. Simon said she's got it and that she performance like a star.
Another one bringing some changes tonight was Blake Lewis who made the song his own on his computer. He's really just an okay singer. He's another one for me who I find boring just because he does the same kind of thing every week. He changes up the songs but performs the same. He's really not the same league as the real singers in the competition. Randy said he's a huge fan of Blake's and that it was modern, hip and cool but sometimes classics can just be classics. Paula said there's a difference between what Blake did and what Chris did, how she came to that conclusion I don't know, I guess Blake's hotter. Simon didn't get it and felt it didn't work and didn't sound good.
Then came Stephanie Edwards another one riding the same train. She was wearing a hideous dress and her performance was more of the same. We already know she can sing now I want to see her sing and perform differently. She has yet to entertain me. There's tons of girls who can sing in this competition, if she wants to stand out and be a contender she really needs to step up her performances. Randy said it's been an interesting night and said it was nice vocal and she had a strong finish. Paula said the vocals were strong but she should strive for better. Simon said she teased people, that it was an odd arrangement and that she needs to be much better.
Second to last was Chris Richardson who was very nervous meeting Diana Ross. He chose to sing "The Boss" and he rocked it. He performed well and obviously had fun which in turn made it more fun for me to watch. He connected with the audience and the vocal was excellent. I loved the performance, in that respect he was the best of the nice. Randy said it wasn't his favourite but some of the runs were hot, he called it half & half. Paula said he nailed the blend, whatever that means. Simon thought the vocals were dreadful.
Closing the show was Jordin Sparks and tonight they saved the best for last. She showed her softer side with "If We Hold On Together" and it paid off. It was simply amazing. She changed it up again and entertained me more than anyone else tonight. Her voice is amazing and she showed it off in the best possible way on the song. Two thumbs up indeed. Randy said he's been a fan of hers since day one and that he was so impressed. Paula said she's a breath of fresh air. Simon thought it was a little bit gooey but beyond that he vocal was very, very good.
Overall it was a pretty good show. Once again I thought the girls did much better than the guys. Vocally they all pretty much brought it. Some of the guys out performed the girls but I'd definitely give the edge to the girls tonight. In the bottom 3 tomorrow should definitely be Sanjaya, Brandon and Phil. However it probably will be Sanjaya, Brandon and Haley.
This one's for you:
To start off the show Ryan felt the need to inform us that we were in fact watching American Idol, I guess he thought some viewers might confuse him for the 4th Gilmore Girl. Then he welcomed us all to another amazing season of American Idol, his usual spiel at these beginning shows. He said something about finding a superstar and then he introduced the new, bigger band who are absolutely awesome. Then it was time to introduce the Top 12 and the judges, unfortunately or fortunately depending on your view on Seacrest tonight these intros were without cleaver commentary from Ryan. We did get a little blurb from each judge though. Randy said he hoped that the guys brought it tonight, they need to be "in it to win it." Paula said there's a great variety in the Top 12, I'd like to know what alternate universe she's living in but I doubt anyone will ever find out. Simon said that "it's a whole different ball game" as if he had experience attending them. After all that commentary we finally got the see the "OMG it's Diana Ross" montage, and we were of course treated to Diana's commentary. She said she had mentors who believed in her and she wanted to be a supporter for the Top 12. Finally Ryan officially kicked off the performances with his infamous "who will win your vote?" rhetorical question.
Singing first tonight was Brandon Rogers who chose to sing "You Can't Hurry Love." My first comment on the performance is that you obviously can't hurry talent. Parts of that vocal were absolutely painful to listen to. The performance as a whole was very generic and forgettable. On top of all that he also forgot the words making him very vulnerable. Randy reiterated that "you have to be in it to win it," he also called it boring and uninteresting meaning he felt the same as I did. Paula said that "it's not an easy transition" and that she didn't feel the need to point out what he did bad because he did so many good things which she also didn't point out to those of us who missed those things. Simon said it was predictable and a complete letdown. I'm with Simon and Randy.
Next came Melinda Doolittle who chose to sing "Home" because it fits her current situation. It was an excellent vocal as usual. Melinda just knows how to bring it. Once again I was wowed and amazed. There's nothing else you can really say about Melinda, she's just phenomenal. Randy said the vocal was really strong and that it was hot. Paula was crying because Melinda was crying and she said she had goosebumps and was excited for her. Simon laughed at Paula and laughed at Paula some more then he said that Melinda made a boring song good.
Chris Sligh decided he would sing "Endless Love," he also decided he would change it up in more ways than one. He changed the arrangement and made it horrid and changed his eye wear, deciding on none. I can't decide which was worse. It wasn't as good as he usually is but vocally it had good moments. The ending I particularly like. Randy said it sounded like Coldplay a bit and that he has a nice voice. Paula worries that he's trying to hard to be hip and cool and said he has a nice voice. Simon said that he murdered the arrangement and that it was both unemotional and uninspiring.
Gina Glocksen was up next with "Love Child" which she chose to sing because when she was little she didn't know what it was about but really liked it. Apparently Gina thought they said slab of beef instead of song because she pretty much butchered it. The chorus was particularly atrocious and it was nothing different from Gina's usual performances. I could also do without all the shouting. Randy thought it was pitchy and boring. Paula said it was a feel good song and she didn't do it well and that she's better than that. Simon said it wasn't terrible but it wasn't fantastic.
Just when I thought things couldn't get worse Sanjaya Malakar came to the stage. I wasn't expecting much but his "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" left me looking for a place high enough to hide from his potentially more horrendous performance next week. It was unbearable from the second he opened his mouth. The dancing was hideous, the hair was distracting and he really shouldn't be there. Randy was lost for words but managed to say it wasn't very good. Paula said he's the sweetest soul and then rambled on about something not related to his performance. Simon made some comment about a whale and Diana Ross that required further explaination and then said she'll freak when she hears his performance.
Next up was Haley Scarnato, everyone wondered if she would save our ears. She chose "Missing You" because she wanted to show some more emotion. There was lots of emotion but the performance was all over the place. She started off a little shaky but she definitely brought the emotion. She lost it at some point in the middle but was able to recover and end well. Her voice is beautiful and it came through in some parts of the performance. Randy thought it was a valiant effort but she looked nervous and was very pitchy. Paula used her usual I'm not really going to comment on your performance cop out and said she looked lovely. Simon disagreed with Randy and Paula a bit and said he thought people would remember the performance, said she looked like a star that her nerves were obvious but he did like moments of her vocals. I'm with Simon on this one.
Phil Stacey was up next and I finally figured out what Gina was shouting about. Phil looks like the lovechild of Pinky & The Brain. Aside from that his performance was just okay. The performance was boring and unoriginal but he too had vocal moments. Randy thought it was boring but said his voice is amazing/ Paula said the vocals were good but the arrangement wasn't up tempo enough. Simon said it was the right tempo but it was just okay and he tends to shout.
LaKisha Jones was next on stage and the next fashion disaster. The dress looked awful and drew attention to all the wrong areas. The performance for me was just boring. There's no denying she can sing but my problem with her is that all her performances are the same. Great vocals, nothing more. She leaves much to be desired. Randy thought it was the perfect song choice and said it was sensational. Paula said she has a beautiful voice and looks beautiful. Simon said she's got it and that she performance like a star.
Another one bringing some changes tonight was Blake Lewis who made the song his own on his computer. He's really just an okay singer. He's another one for me who I find boring just because he does the same kind of thing every week. He changes up the songs but performs the same. He's really not the same league as the real singers in the competition. Randy said he's a huge fan of Blake's and that it was modern, hip and cool but sometimes classics can just be classics. Paula said there's a difference between what Blake did and what Chris did, how she came to that conclusion I don't know, I guess Blake's hotter. Simon didn't get it and felt it didn't work and didn't sound good.
Then came Stephanie Edwards another one riding the same train. She was wearing a hideous dress and her performance was more of the same. We already know she can sing now I want to see her sing and perform differently. She has yet to entertain me. There's tons of girls who can sing in this competition, if she wants to stand out and be a contender she really needs to step up her performances. Randy said it's been an interesting night and said it was nice vocal and she had a strong finish. Paula said the vocals were strong but she should strive for better. Simon said she teased people, that it was an odd arrangement and that she needs to be much better.
Second to last was Chris Richardson who was very nervous meeting Diana Ross. He chose to sing "The Boss" and he rocked it. He performed well and obviously had fun which in turn made it more fun for me to watch. He connected with the audience and the vocal was excellent. I loved the performance, in that respect he was the best of the nice. Randy said it wasn't his favourite but some of the runs were hot, he called it half & half. Paula said he nailed the blend, whatever that means. Simon thought the vocals were dreadful.
Closing the show was Jordin Sparks and tonight they saved the best for last. She showed her softer side with "If We Hold On Together" and it paid off. It was simply amazing. She changed it up again and entertained me more than anyone else tonight. Her voice is amazing and she showed it off in the best possible way on the song. Two thumbs up indeed. Randy said he's been a fan of hers since day one and that he was so impressed. Paula said she's a breath of fresh air. Simon thought it was a little bit gooey but beyond that he vocal was very, very good.
Overall it was a pretty good show. Once again I thought the girls did much better than the guys. Vocally they all pretty much brought it. Some of the guys out performed the girls but I'd definitely give the edge to the girls tonight. In the bottom 3 tomorrow should definitely be Sanjaya, Brandon and Phil. However it probably will be Sanjaya, Brandon and Haley.