American Idol: Top 9
Um, maybe I missed when they stated tonights "theme," but I think it's anything they want to do (within the Idol constraints, of course). Old skool, contemporary, whatever. This could be interesting, because it would allow the contestants to really show they kind of music they think they should make... or something like that. Anyway, here we go... [Update -- they were to sing songs that make them seem contemporary.]
Anoop Desai sang Usher's Caught Up -- He's got the voice for the song, but he was a little off key in places... as were the bacground singers. Threw me off... and I wasn't exactly "caught up" in the performance. The judges are agreeing with me... they weren't thinking it was the song for him.
Megan Joy sang Bob Marley/Lauryn Hill's Turn Your Life Down Low -- She's super-cute, but I've finally decided that I do. not. like. her. singing. voice. I was undecided for a few weeks, but between last week and tonight, I decided I don't like her as a singer. She's got a different sound to her voice, and it just doesn't sit right with me. The judges seem to agree with me...
Danny Gokey sang Rascal Flatts' What Hurts The Most -- Love this man -- in a totally Idol way. I wish the background singers didn't back him up... sometimes I don't think they compliment the singer/song... but I digress. This guy is genuine. He might not always have the most awesome vocals, but he pours his heart and soul into everything he sings, and that earns a LOT of points in MY book. The judges LOVED him... as did I. Fantastic! Might have to download this one from iTunes.
Allison Iraheta sang No Doubt's Don't Speak -- She also played the guitar on this song (I didn't even know she played the guitar). She is like a combination of Pink! and Kelly Clarkson... and that's not a bad thing. I liked her take on the song... and damn if she doesn't have a set of lungs! The judges were a little confused with her outfit tonight, but they mostly thought she sang it well. They were rather distracted, though, by her outfit.
Scott MacIntyre sang Billy Joel's Just the Way You Are -- He is amazing on the piano and just for the fact that he is able to overcome his challenge. I must say that I think he channeled Joey McIntyre of the New Kids on the Block with his hair and black leather jacket. It actually made me laugh. This is a really good performance for him -- I think he sang the hell out of it. The judges agreed.
Matt Giraud sang The Fray's You Found Me -- Props for playing the keyboard out in the middle of the Swaybots (the chicks by the stage who spend the entirety of every song with their arms in the air) but I think his notes were more off than on tonight. That might have been because he was standing at the keyboard and also because he was distracted by the Swaybots. Not my most favorite of his. The judges agreed with me.
Lil Rounds sang Celine Dion's I Surrender -- I have to say that I have what you might call a mild dislike of Celine Dion. Despite that fact, I didn't especially like her performance. I felt she was shouting at me... and I didn't think it was the song for her. Celine is one of those people you don't really touch... The judges think it wasn't the song for her, but said that she can sing. Sounded like it wasn't their fave performance.
Adam Lambert sang Wild Cherry's Play That Funky Music -- This guy is quite the singer. He isn't always what you would expect and not everyone likes every one of his performances, but MAN, he can sing. He's a pretty boy, too... which is why he makes such a pretty 'girl' (in drag). Um, I think he has THREE PAIR of LUNGS in that body of his! The judges agreed with me, and I agreed with them -- I can't wait to hear what he's going to sing each week. Yet another download for me.
Kris Allen sang Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine -- Tonight he played the keyboard and sang the hell out of the song. I believe I'll be downloading this song. Need I say more? The judges agreed that it was HAWT.
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Bottom Three -- Megan Joy, Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, and Lil Rounds. (I know I picked four... but I think it's a toss-up.)
Going Home -- Megan Joy.