American Idol Top 8
Michael Johns sings "Dream On"
Each week that Michael stays in the competition, I see more and more star potential. His voice sounded great, he seemed to be trying to lessen the mannerisms that have come across as poseur-ish in previous weeks, and I loved loved loved the screamy falsetto. He also seems to get better looking each week -- in the sense that he's "not my type" but he looks confident and sexy. I still think he has an exceedingly round head.
Syesha Mercado sings "I Believe"
I have never heard Fantasia's version. (In fact, the first time I heard Fantasia was a couple of weeks ago when she and Elliot Yamin went to Africa and they showed a brief clip of her singing some hymn. And I thought she sounded like complete and utter shit.) Having said that, I had nothing to compare this to, and I thought Syesha did a really good job of controlling her voice right up until the end when she totally screeched the high note, which literally made me cringe. I don't think it's fair that she got a choir because that can really boost a performance as well. But overall, I thought she did an excellent job, horrible high not notwithstanding.
Jason Castro sings "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"
Well, that was... underwhelming. It sounded to me like Jason was (again) holding back somewhat, and that frustrates me. Open your mouth and SING, Jason. I thought last week's performance was world's better than this one. The judges love this, which is just... what?
Kristy Lee Cook sings "Anyway"
Okay. *sigh* Jeez. Kristy gets the choir as well. And I actually think Kristy did a really good job with this song. Like Syesha, she improved significantly in controlling her voice (between the low and high sections), she didn't scream or screech, and there was a definite emotional connection to the lyrics. Steve Perry still hates you, Kristy.
David Cook sings "Innocent"
David gets the choir. And that was just... wow, really bad. I think maybe the key was too low for him at the beginning? And he just sounded way too low and almost out of breath during the verse. When he got to the chorus and threw his arm up in the air, I rolled my eyes and said out loud, "Oh, you've GOT to be kidding me." Coz I mean, So Indulgent. For the first time, I felt the Daughtry vibe, and I don't like it. I think maybe David is listening to and believing his own hype. I agree with Simon that it felt pompous.
Carly Smithson sings "The Show Must Go On"
Carly gets the choir, and Freddie Mercury rolls over in his grave. I cannot even express how much HATE I have for this performance. This is NOT an angry song. This is not a about FIGHTING. This is a song about struggle. And Carly could not have been further from the mark if she tried. Loud, bombastic, angry, screechy, and all around horrible. Worst of the night.
David Archuleta sings "Angels"
I thought he was off a bit during the low parts in the beginning (and yes, I agree with Simon, a bit nasally) but he nailed the chorus. However, I still think David needs a Big Moment to announce that he's still fighting for the top 2, and this wasn't it. He needs to wow us like he did with "Imagine", and that hasn't happened. To be honest, the show ended 7 minutes ago and I can't remember the tune of this song. So that's how memorable it was to me.
Brooke White sings "You've Got A Friend"
Vocally it was fine, but there was such a complete disconnect to the lyrics. She just doesn't seem to know what to do with her face... she smiles when she shouldn't smile (last week) and tonight she frowns when she shouldn't frown. And she did nothing new to the song, either arrangement or vocally, to make it different and "hers". I think I just don't "get" Brooke anymore.
My Predictions
Wow, it's really hard to predict who will be Bottom Three this week. I know who I would put there based on tonights performances, but there are things like fanbases to consider. How big IS David Cook's fanbase anyway? Are they the type to vote for the entire two hours? Hmmm.
Okay. I'm going with Carly, Brooke, and... wow, it's a toss up between David Cook and Jason, but I'm gonna go with Jason. Totally unconventional Bottom 3, and I'm probably completely off the mark, but I honestly think that this week Syesha and Kristy don't deserve the Bottom 3. As for who's going home, OH PLEASE LET IT BE CARLY.
ETA: I forgot to mention: I FUCKING HATE HOW MUCH CARLY LIES. She said in her intro package that she remembers watching Freddie and Queen during Live Aid. Live Aid was in 1985. Carly is 24. Which means she was ONE YEAR OLD in 1985. Yes, I'm SURE she remembers watching it. FOR CHRIST SAKE, AMERICA, PLEASE VOTE THIS PATHOLOGICAL LYING SCREECHY WANNABE SINGER OFF THIS SHOW.