Top 9 - Grumpy Old Man Edition

I will admit that I had a rough time watching this week. Having no narrow themes that shoe-horn these contestants into uncomfortable genres is always welcome. I did not even mind the blatant shout-out plug to Apple by choosing “top iTunes downloads”. But, I must admit that I must be getting old and getting harder to please in each passing week. Or, maybe these contestants just stunk. Anyways, for this week, I will revert back to an old format of “The Good, “The Bad”, and “The Ridiculous”. We shall return to the “Best Chance to Win Countdown” format next week.

Scott SHOULD Go
Allison WILL Go
Megan MUST Go (Default position until it finally happens)

THE BAD

ANNOP DESAI, “Caught Up” by Usher – So, there is “Anoop Dog” in his bad-boy silly jacket, popping his collar and chest, and snarling his lips like he imagines Usher must do it. I will repeat from earlier weeks: I believe this dawg can sing really well. That’s not his problem. My issue with him is that his personal self-image was formed with his nerdy but too-cool-for school frat friends and is wildly divergent from his reality. Even down to his pitiful mustache that he is now weakly trying to grow in. This is just getting sadly comical (Full disclosure: there is photographic evidence of me at that age trying to grow the same mustache. It is just as comical). Combine this with his performance slot in the “death spot” of first, and I guarantee that, at best, he is in tonight’s bottom three.

MEGAN JOY, “Turn Your Lights Down Low”, by Lauryn Hill – And, speaking of sadly comical. I now feel genuine pity for Megan. She is embarrassed to have to nervously go out and try every week, knowing that she has no prayer of winning. I will give her this: her voice does have a unique quality about it (I do mean that is a complimentary way). But, she has no idea how use her voice to sing. And, those kindergarten dance moves? I can’t pile on any longer (this week). I’ll just say that I will give the judges the benefit of the doubt that with general prettiness, her quirky personality, and novel voice she could have been a “diamond in the rough”. However, trying to polish that diamond painfully in front of world is unfair to her, the viewers, and the ousted Alexis Grace. She could survive yet another week though due to her strong “Vote for the Worse” voting base.

SCOTT MCINTYRE, “Just the Way You Are”, by Billy Joel – Even before Scott played and sang his first note, I was through with him. Of all the Joel songs to go with it, he goes with the one so bland that Billy Joel refuses to sing it anymore (true story, look it up). Combine that with the silly Joel circa 1983 hair and my sadness for my early favorite is reaching critical mass. Did he at least sing the song well, RAD? As well as Scott can sing any song, I guess, but I have been crying out for him to get better every week. The unwarranted effusive praise from the judges should carry him for another week, and there were worse performances tonight.

MATT GIRAUD, “You Found Me”, by The Fray – Simple rule: ban all songs by The Fray. Not just on American Idol but EVERYWHERE. I don’t know what Matt was thinking. Showing us a different side? As Judge Kara implied, “…remember when you tried to show us a different side with “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay? How did that work out for you?” And, the playing in the Girl Pit was just annoying to me (I’ll admit that could just be some minor laden jealousy). But, he was also missing notes all over the place. After having this guy in my “if the season were to end today” finale, can you tell that I am a little disappointed? Kara is right again, though, when pleading that he shouldn’t go home.

LIL ROUNDS, “I Surrender” by Celine Dion – I blame this on the judges. In their unfair criticism of Lil during Motown week, they repeatedly exclaimed that she was The Diva and should “diva-it-up”. So, now she brings the Celine Dion out of the closet. Ugh. This is not her style and she knows it. She can have some “diva moments”, but, please, no diva songs. These songs are only about hitting the big notes. They are boring otherwise. Lil can’t hit the big notes (at least not like the usual suspects: Whitney, Mariah, Celine, Christina). And, I curse Ryan for using Lil’s kids for no reason other than to be stupid.

ALLISON IRAHETA, “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt – This pains me, but I saw it coming. She is too young not to stumble, and this was a bad stumble. Not a bad song choice, but the decision to try and show her musical versatility by playing the guitar was a huge mistake. She was too nervous, couldn’t keep up with the rhythm of the song, and it caused her to lose track of her vocals and the words of the song. She tried to recover in the second-half with her always strong vocal and performance presence, but, unfortunately, the damage was done. And, the outfit? She is in deep trouble. This could be the “Judge’s Save” night.

THE GOOD

DANNY GOKEY, “What Hurts the Most” by Rascal Flatts – I don’t know if you knew this, but Danny’s grandfather passed away this weekend. They were very close, and he is grieving. And, there is still the sadness of his wife. This guy packed it all into this song and was emotionally and vocally brilliant. For the first time, I am a big fan. Kudos to him and American Idol for not mentioning his tragedies even once last night as well. Surely, they will mention it tonight on the Results Show, but I am impressed they didn’t even allow possible sympathy votes.

KRIS ALLEN, “Ain’t No Sunshine”, by Bill Withers – I don’t take back anything I said about him, but he was very interesting last night. Very good indeed actually. Luckily, I did not take the bathroom break I promised myself on his performance slot last week. I still think he has no chance in the end, but, after this week’s possibly upheaval, who knows?

THE RIDICULOUS

ADAM LAMBERT, “Play that Funky Music” by Wild Cherry – And, the promised return of Mr. Shrieking Over-the-Top is here. I didn’t miss you at all. Look, once again, this guy is the most polarizing contestant they have ever had. He is also maybe their most creative. You either love him or hate him. You choose. One more thing: Judge Kara…it’s not Studio 57, it’s Studio 54! Was she kidding or just being a doofus? Hmmm.

Could this be Megan’s week? Once again, she is daring America to do it. But, I have my doubts. Allison, get ready to sweat…and possibly “sing for your life”.

I need your comments Thanks!