by Gina Scarpa

 

Maybe it’s for the best that, on American Idol, the contestants are allowed to pick any old song to sing.  Forcing them into genres, like country or motown, is just asking for people to end up in the bottom three who normally wouldn’t be there.  This week, if anyone ends up in the bottom, there are no excuses.  You picked the song, you tried to show America who you would be as an artist, and you’ll either sink or swim.  With that said, let’s get to tonight’s performances.

 

Anoop Desai - "Caught Up" by Usher

Guess what, dog?  I’m sick of Anoop Desai.  Like I’ve been saying, I never got what the big deal was and all he did tonight was annoy me, from his performance of the song to the way he accepted the feedback from the judges.  He’s certainly not Usher on the best day of his life and, though he can sing, he’s never going to be an artist that’s going to sell out a venue.  That’s his harsh reality, but fortunately for him, America is looking to get rid of some others first.

 

Megan Joy - "Turn Your Lights Down Low" by Bob Marley/Lauryn Hill

True, I’ve been tough on Megan over the weeks.  Finally, she found a song that fits her vocal style and pulled it all together for a solid performance.  Megan is a pretty decent singer, but she’s no powerhouse.  After having landed in the bottom last week, it’s not lookin’ good for Miss Megan Joy and this performance, though decent, is not going to be enough to get people to pick up the phone.

 

Danny Gokey - "What Hurts The Most" by Rascal Flatts

Don’t ask me why but I would not have thought that Danny would choose country to sing tonight, especially considering he just had to sing country two weeks ago.  It’s not my favorite Danny performance, but the judges are really disagreeing with me here.  In fact, Simon raves, saying it’s his best performance since hitting Top 13.  Wow, alright then.  Believe me, I’m a fan of Danny so the longer he hangs around, the happier I am.

 

Allison Iraheta - "Don't Speak" by No Doubt

I am confused at this point, because I thought they had to sing current songs… or at least semi-current.  Clearly, not the case, since Allison is singing one of my favorite No Doubt songs, one that came out when I was in high school.  Paula better not say anything about how great she looks tonight because this may be, hands down, the worst outfit of the season. Allison is the same as always: a strange girl who can really sing.  I don’t get her.

 

Scott Macintyre - "I Love You Just The Way You Are" by Billy Joel

Fine, Scott should be singing Billy Joel songs because he’s clearly in his element.  I still think he needs to go home.  Scott is the same every week, no matter what he’s singing.  He sits at that piano, sings a song without any power behind it, and makes me wish the 2 or 3 minutes was up already.  I recognize he has fans, but there is seriously not enough money to get me to go to a concert of his.  America, PLEASE boot him off tomorrow night!

 

Matt Giraud - "You Found Me" by The Fray

Finally, a contestant I can get behind.  The fact that Matt was in the bottom last week is absolutely ridiculous and I’m still steaming about it.  I’m a big fan of The Fray (just bought their album and my tickets to see them in concert this summer) so I’m hoping Matt is able to pull this one off without much of a problem.  Ah, if only that were the case.  The judges slam him and Paula actually says, “You aborted the thing we loved most about you.”  WHAT?!  Is that even necessary?  Sometimes, I think the judges are sneaking pills from Paula’s bag.

 

Lil Rounds – “I Surrender” by Celine Dion

I’d like to see Lil stick around for a while.  She’s a strong singer that has made some bad choices in the last few weeks.  Not that I love me some Celine Dion (okay, fine, a couple of her songs) but Lil made a wise choice this week.  She decided to show America, and the judges, that she can really sing and she deserves to be here.  The judges like her vocals, but not the song choice.  Fair enough.

 

Adam Lambert - "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry

While I am constantly in awe of Adam’s vocals, because no human being should be able to sing like that, I’m starting to tire of his bravado.  He struts around the stage like he already won the competition, and perhaps he has.  As I’ve said, I appreciate a little humility.  Yes, we know Adam is the best singer in the group this year but I don’t think wailing on every song is necessary.  I’m still a fan, but I’d like to see him tone it down.

 

Kris Allen - "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers

I think this is just the season of the male contestants, with the exceptions of Scott and Anoop.  I’d like to see Danny, Adam, Matt, and Kris go all the way to Top 5 (with Lil rounding things out).  I’m loving what he did with the song tonight, playing piano, then strings to back him up.  He tends to get overshadowed by some of the other guys in the competition, but true music fans (not the ones who vote for Anoop) will appreciate this guy and keep him around.

 

Bottom 3 predictions: Anoop Desai, Megan Corkrey*, Scott MacIntyre

  * predicted to go home

 

 

Tune in to American Idol's results show tomorrow night at 9pm ET on FOX.

 

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