American Idol: Top 40

This week is interesting. It’s Top 40 Week which just happens to mean songs that you can download from iTunes.  (Guess it is possible for American Idol to sell out even further).  At least it means a wide variety of genres and time periods. After a shameless plug for Ryan’s Top 40 countdown (what American Idol does best), we get to the real show.

Anoop kicks the show off with “Caught Up” by Usher. I’m underwhelmed as are the judges. He clearly has a great voice, but just because you can sing doesn’t mean you can be Usher or that you should even attempt it. Kara wants him to define himself and take more liberties. Randy thought the “vocal was hot,” but the song was a poor choice while Simon just thought it was a mess.

Megan looks all funky and earthy tonight. There is such a thing as too many necklaces, my love. Singing, “Turn Your Lights Down Low” by Bob Marley and Lauren Hill is a tough song to tackle. Both of their voices are so distinct and add great depth to the song. She sounds nice but nothing special and off at times. Kara wants her to sing something like “Chasing Pavements” by Adele and I agree. Paula jibber jabbers, basically saying Megan needs a stool. (What?) And both Randy and Simon thought she was boring.

I will say Danny picked a song I love. I’m not a country fan, but I do fall for certain songs like “What Hurts the Most” by Rascal Flatts. The beginning is a little shaky, but luckily it’s only for about four to six bars, and then he’s killing it. It’s interesting to hear the song not sung by a group with a crazy, country band in the back. He makes it his own in this way, and I still liked it which is a success in my book. The judges all love it of course. Plus, he sings from his heart, and I can always feel it.

The next one scared me a little bit at first. Alison tackles “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt, playing a guitar for the first time and sporting some crazy insane hair. I like her choice to slow down the beginning and tweak some of the notes and rhythms, but I can’t say this was my favorites of her performances. And she also looks like the outcast at an 80s prom. Her voice is still ridiculous. Randy thinks she rushed a little bit, “whatever, whatever.” Kara felt the performance was a little forced, and that she doesn’t have to try because she’s a natural. Paula loved the ax! Simon thought she was a “slightly precocious daughter, trying to dress like a rocker and sound like one.”

How weird is it to see Scott and his normal hair and then cut to this bouffant! Luckily, he can’t see what the hair stylist did to him! He’s still at the piano, and I’m okay with that. With “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel, he refuses to step outside his box which will be his detriment because it’ll bore me. Plus his vocals still don’t compare to his semi-final round performance of “Mandolin Rain,” and ironically he wasn’t even behind a piano then. Kara thinks he sings from an honest place and lies about how she loves the new look. Paula’s proud of him. Simon thinks it’s his best performance and a different Scott, and Randy even goes so far as to say its one of the best of the night.

Matt is the guy this season who’s always in the bottom, and should never EVER be there. He’s amazing. I think “You Found Me” by the Fray is a great choice, especially since it’s super popular right now. He’s a great performer and makes a really great choice musically, but his voice doesn’t sound that great. I just don’t know if he’ll ever find that connection with the audience, and the judges look SO bored. Really more bored than Scott’s performance? Come on! Paul thinks it was more of a sound-a-like performance. Simon felt uncomfortable. Randy thinks it was the song choice, and he should have picked something more like a One Republic’s “Apologize.” Kara thinks he’s flip flopping between the R&B and Rock sides of Pop, but she hopes he doesn’t go home.

Lil is up with “I Surrender” by Celine Dion. She look gorgeous on her reel, but I’m not feeling the bob on the big stage. I also don’t like that she choice Celine. It’s not her style or the type of single I envision her releasing. Okay, she had that one big note, but I’m still not ecstatic. Randy agrees with me that the song choice should have more swagger but she sang it well. “Young it up,” he says. Kara would have loved to hear Mariah, but says her upper register is effortless. Simon felt like she sang a safe song to make sure she stays in the competition.

Adam attacks Wild Cherry’s “Play that Funky Music,” while his hair should attack him for jelling it up like that. WTF, mate?!  I’m over him in case you can’t tell. I am already tired of having a completely different opinion from the judges. What an awkward choice, and stop swinging and grinding your hips. You’re not Elvis. The judges tiptoe around him like he walks on water. Kara’s always excited to see what he’ll come up with. Paula was on her feet about five seconds into the song, and although Simon doesn’t think it’s his best performance, he knows it doesn’t really matter and found it refreshing after the rest of the performances. Just because he’s original doesn’t mean I have to listen to it, do I? Please no.

Cutie McPie Kris makes an interesting choice by singing “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and he plays the piano as well. Multi-talented and good looking. He strips it down when he starts; i.e. no back up singers or instruments. I was afraid for him because he wasn’t picking a contemporary song, but man does he sound amazing and looks HOT. When the strings come in, I’m already drooling and ready to replay it. I never would have thought he had so much soul and artistry when such little attention was paid to him during the audition rounds. Randy was feeling it, telling him he’s “so in the zone” and just loving him. Kara screams, “That is artistry!” Paula gave the best compliment in saying he took an old song and made her feel like she’s hearing it for the first time. And Simon said he loved the arrangement and thought Kris heard Simon’s last week critique to be more confident.

THE RESULTS

Tonight, I had a small panic attack. And yes it had to do with the bottom three, that’s how invested I am in this season.

I’m already tired of the judges braggy braggart, walk-in introduction. And Ryan has easily stepped into the host’s brighter spotlight.

The contestants sing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” and it makes me smile and bop my head. Who doesn’t like this song? Come on, now. Don’t be afraid. We in the majority won’t stone you.

Megan is first and that doesn’t surprise me. Second is Alison, and again I’m thinking what does America see that I’m not seeing? Last is Anoop. Sad, but not unexpected. The whole time I’m just praying its not Matt, who I feel really just needs to find his stride.

David Cook is back and just as cute and sexy and growly as ever. But I’m really just waiting to find out who goes home.

Fortunately my chant of “Megan,” Megan,” “Megan” worked. She tries to calm the audience’s boos by saying she doesn’t care, and moments later she’ll be forced to eat her words.

When Ryan asks if the save might be used to save her, a very POed Cowell tells her off. Ooops. He basically says good riddance and tells her to sing her swan song. She will not be saved.

What a way to close the week with some drama, eh?

Season 8, Episodes 24 & 25: Top 9: Performances & Top 9: Results (originally aired March 31-April 1, 2009)

For more on American Idol, click here.

Photographs courtesy of Fox Broadcasting Company