by Kylene Hamulak

American Idol will crown a new winner next week, so tonight's Top 3 better give it all they've got. They've each had their hero's welcome during their hometown visits, but there's still a lot of singing to do before anyone can claim victory.

Round One: Jimmy's Pick

Kree Harrison, "Perfect" by Pink

Kree's rendition of the song isn't quite perfect, but it's nice to listen to. I still love her voice and find it lovely to listen to, but it's a bit of a boring performance. Keith heard her signature country sound in the song, and he doesn't have much to say more than that. Honestly, it felt like he might've had more but pulled back after Kree throws the "I was thinking of my young niece as I sang it" card. Nicki tells her "the quality of your voice is always filled with so much quality." Uhhh...what? She wanted more from it but thought Kree seemed more comfortable onstage, and she suggests Kree try wearing flats instead of heels. So that's helpful. Randy didn't love the song and thought it was a little flat and lacking pizzazz. As a sidenote? He's got a huge R stuck on his jacket, so apparently he's joining Archie and Jughead's gang. Mariah brags about how she gets to only sing what she wants to and tells Kree she wants her to give it her all later in the show.

Candice Glover, "One" by U2

As soon as I heard this song choice, I thought Candice could have a moment. She didn't disappoint. She makes great choices in changing up her phrasing and notes. Nicki compares Candice's delivery to the cover by Mary J. Blige, saying, "That felt like I was at your show." Randy thought it was a great song choice, giving her room to grow and soar, and she gave it perfect emotion. Oh, she's in it to win it, in case you wondered. Mariah can't believe she's ever done anything but sing and is confused that Candice was a travel agent. Some of us gotta pay the bills, Mariah! Keith loves that she starts singing with so much power and felt every bit of the song. Fun fact: Candice has never heard this song. WHAT? NEVER HEARD THIS SONG? I just...how...I mean...NEVER?

Angie Miller, ""Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton John

Question: Can Angie wear something that is NOT black? I know she hates pink, but would it kill her to give us a little pop of color? Anyway...the singing. It's pretty good and she gets the full smoke and violins treatment on stage, but Randy asks her if it was hard for her to sing without being at the piano, but Angie insists it was fun to do. And it's pretty awkward. He really liked it anyway. Mariah thinks it was one of her best performances, but Keith says it might have even been better if she had held back a little more. Nicki calls it a stellar vocal, though it didn't hit her emotionally the way it sometimes does. Even so, Angie is "bringing it."

Jimmy's Critique: Jimmy thinks Kree was very good, Angie did a stellar (though not playing the piano was a mistake), and Candice did a great job. However, he thinks Kree and Candice may have missed a couple of opportunities to have "a moment" and declares Angie the winner of Round 1.

Round Two: Judges' Pick

Candice, "Next to Me" by Emeli Sande

Candice was worried about the rain at her homecoming parade, but the weather knew better than to spoil her trip home. She visits the travel agency she used to work at, rides a Vespa through the streets, and starts to cry when she sees her entire family for the first time in months. So...of course I start to cry too. "Next to Me" isn't her song, but it could be. She gives a GREAT performance. She's into it, and so is the crowd. Mariah thinks going home really rejuvenated Candice and sees nothing but very good things happening for her. Keith describes her performance as a conversation and praises her for her "melodic riffing." Nicki has a hard time finding her words - she's overcome with by her pride for Candice and says simply, "Congratulations." Randy gives a speech about coming from nothing and making it and then calls it amazing. And then he gives himself (and the other judges) another round of applause. At that point, Nicki finds her words and commends Candice for being confident in herself as a woman, which then gets Candice choked up, which then....gets me choked up. Such is life.

Angie, "Try" by Pink

For the first time since the attacks on her city, Angie is returning to the Boston area. She visits her old elementary school, rides in the limo with her close friends, and then performs for the crowd with her brother. Also? She does that clapping thing and irritates the hell out of me. She tries to rock out with "Try" but I'm not convinced. Keith is though - he thinks she's never looked so comfortable out from the piano. Nicki agrees with Keith and asks her what the difference was - Angie says the video package really refocused her. Oh, and then Nicki tells her she's Miley Cyrus's long lost twin, which I've been saying for months even without attending the Met Gala. Randy gives the judges another self-congratulations for choosing a great song and then declares her IN IT TO WIN IT. Soooo...that's two. Mariah "concurs" and calls her "festive." Festive apparently is code for irritating with the stupid clapping.

Kree, "Here Comes Goodbye" by Rascal Flatts

Kree's homecoming is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. As much as Candice and Angie had emotional visits, Kree's story has so much more that she's been through. Am I crying again as the parade makes it's way down the street? Yes, I am. Her hometown concert fills the arena, and it's clear she's making everyone proud. Especially after watching all of this, "Here Comes Goodbye" could not have had more of Kree's emotion poured into the performance. Any of the "pizzazz" she's been missing is found in this song. Nicki's critique breaks me. She tells Kree that going home helped her regain the emotion and then jokes about how much she loves Kree before telling her that her parents are seeing her now and how proud she is. Kree looks down trying to keep herself composed as Nicki calls it one of her best performances to date. Randy gives props to the judges (again) for their song choice and calls it "unbelievably beautiful." Beyond it being brilliant, Mariah is overwhelmed with emotion and the "purity" of Kree when she sings. Keith thinks it was the perfect song - "you sang it just right and you felt it just right."

Jimmy's Critique: Jimmy thought the song choices for Angie and Kree were perfect, but wasn't as impressed by Candice's song - he thinks it was a little too subtle for what she's capable of. He gives Round 2 to Kree.

Round Three: Idol Production Pick

Angie, "Maybe" by Emeli Sande

Angie's back at the piano, so at least the judges can shut up about that. It's not her best performance in my opinion - she sounds like she's breathless and yelling in some spots. Randy loved all her performances, saying she became a complete performer tonight. Mariah agrees and has nothing negative to say. Keith says she's finding her groove, and Nicki thinks she's come full circle. Her growth has surpassed Nicki's expectations. So there ya go. Apparently I don't know what I'm talking about.

Kree, "Better Dig Two" by The Band Perry

This song seems like it would be in Kree's wheelhouse, and she does have fun with it. It's not my favorite performance from her either, but it's better than Round 1. Mariah prefers raw emotion from Kree, rather than the angry rocker. Keith doesn't think the song felt right, and Nicki agrees that it's not Kree's comfort zone. She suggests that whomever picked that song should be stoned. Randy declares her a superstar, even though he didn't like the song.

Candice, "Somewhere" from West Side Story

If they had started the night with this performance, no one else would've had to sing. We could've called the night within the first five minutes. Candice is gorgeous in every way - looks, voice, and attitude. It's like she's performing at Carnegie Hall, and the audience is absolutely eating it up. As always, the performance is effortless and powerful, undoubtedly the best of the night. The judges - even Mariah - are on their feet. Keith doesn't even know what to say. "If you wanna vote for Candice, call the number on your screen. If you don't wanna vote for Candice, you probably don't have a pulse." Nicki counts out four words: "See ya next week." Randy says it was like a singing lesson. Mariah thanks her for singing that song and declares it "A-plus-mazing."

Final Thoughts: Candice had the best night of the three and should skate through to the finale, but stranger things have happened on Idol. Kree may be most at risk, but honestly? At this point in the competition, fan bases can make anything happen.

What do YOU think - who will be singing in next week's finale show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Catch American Idol every Wednesday and Thursday at 8/7C on Fox!

(Images courtesy of Fox)

Follow Kylene on Twitter @keepingupwithky!