by Gina Scarpa

 

Tonight's live performance episode of American Idol started off with a surprise. I was expecting to see ten girls standing on the stage but instead saw the guys. Ryan informs us that Crystal Bowersox is mysteriously in the hospital and is not allowed to sing so the guys agreed to swap nights, in the hope that she'll be able to return tomorrow. That was nice of them! These guys had a rough start last week, but fortunately, it looks like most of them took their notes and came back better performers tonight. Here's how things went down.

 

Michael Lynche - "This Is A Man's World" by James Brown
Where as Michael took a few wrong steps last week with her performance of "This Love", he was totally in line tonight. Not only did he bring the stage presence and charisma that we've come to know and love, he had a fight in him, and he nailed it vocally. This is the way to start the show and this is a contestant I can definitely get behind. Way to go, Big Mike!

 

John Park - "Gravity" by John Mayer
Here's the good: I have to give John credit for picking a better song and one that suits him. Here's the bad: John has yet to really develop that presence that I was just speaking about when it comes to Michael. The actual performance of it fell a little flat but he sounded pretty good on it. As the judges would say, not as good as the original and as I type this, Randy says the same thing. Glad to know we're on the same page, dawg.

 

Casey James - "I Don't Wanna Be" by Gavin DeGraw
This song is so overdone on American Idol, it's not even funny. Just off the top of my head, I can tell you that Bo Bice, Chris Richardson, Michael Sarver, and Matt Giraud have all sang it in the past. What I can say about this is was that it was good... he played the guitar, he rocked the vocals... but I'm completely over "I Don‘t Wanna Be". I wish he picked something similar to it and rocked it just as hard. That being said, he should keep singing songs like this and he'll continue to evolve into a very marketable artist.

 

Alex Lambert - "Everybody Knows" by John Legend
First of all, what is he wearing? I just don't get this guy's sense of style at all. Alright, let's talk about his performance. After getting his butt handed to him by Simon last week, he returns to the stage tonight seeming more calm and at home accompanying himself on guitar. The judges take notice. Alex has grown by leaps and bounds in a matter of six days and has most definitely climbed out of the basement in this competition. Let's hope America notices, too.

 

Todrick Hall - "What's Love Got To Do With It" by Tina Turner
You have to give Todrick credit for taking risks, first by singing Kelly Clarkson and then by tackling Tina Turner this week. Whereas many of the men in this competition stick with artists similar to their own style, Todrick steps outside the box and if he's gonna go out, he can't say it's not because he wasn't attempting to be original. The judges don't want him changing anything up with his renditions (yet, they'll tell someone else that they didn't change it up enough). How is anyone supposed to understand what they want?

 

Jermaine Sellers - "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye
Listen to me, if you're going to take on a Marvin Gaye song, you. Better. Bring It. This is everything Simon is talking about when he uses the words "karaoke", "theme park", and "lounge singer". I feel like he thinks he knows more than the judges so he just refuses to take what they say into consideration and ultimately, that will be his downfall.

 

Andrew Garcia - "You Give Me Something" by James Morrison
Andrew leaves the guitar at home to take the stage alone tonight to let his voice speak for itself. Unfortunately, he doesn't hit a homerun with this one. The judges want him to bring the guitar back and be more Jason Mraz than James Morrison. Where as Todrick changes it up too much, Andrew needs to change it up more. Go back to "Straight Up" a la Hollywood week.

 

Aaron Kelly - "My Girl" by The Temptations
Last week, Simon told Aaron to gain a little confidence and that he did. The shake is still there in his voice but his poise and stage presence is a huge improvement. The kid can definitely sing and hopefully, as Kara said, he's going to get better and better.  The song choice wasn't great and the first half was better than the second, but overall, it was a solid performance and marked improvement.  Consider it a success, Aaron.

 

Tim Urban - "Come On Get Higher" by Matt Nathanson

Nobody got hit harder by the judges last week (especially Simon) than Tim.  If I were him, I would've curled up in the fetal position after that but Tim got up, dusted himself off, and came back as a more authentic performer than he was a week before.  He's still pitchy and he definitely needs work but you can't say he's not better than he was last week because he was.  Even Ellen couldn't be nice to him tonight and told him singing wasn't his thing.  Ouch.  The tears in his eyes broke my heart tonight.  I love him.  I can't help it.  On a side note, does everyone this season play the guitar?

 

Lee Dewyze - "Lips Of An Angel" by Hinder

I appreciate that Lee took the notes from the judges last week and went a little more rock but I kind of wish his wardrobe matched up with his voice and style.  He's still pitchy and underdelivers, though, and hasn't found the right song.  However, I don't know why but I have faith in this guy.  I think this is a serious learning process for Lee and if America keeps him around, he's going to learn and grow.  I hope. 

 

 

Tune in to American Idol when the Top 10 women hit the stage, tomorrow night at 8/7c on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

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