05/11/11
Haley, Scotty, Lauren and James - These are the four left standing on American Idol. Tonight, they performed in two rounds. In Round 1, the IDOLs picked songs that inspired them. In Round 2, they selected songs from the Jerry Lieber & Mike Stoller Songbook. Mentoring the contestants tonight for Round 2 was Lady Gaga. Let us break-it-down:
ROUND 1
James Durbin - "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
- Thumbs Up. A good performance by the resident rocker. Steven says "You did it right." Jen says "Great song. Great job. Great performance." Randy says "That was the highest degree of difficulty and you did it!"
Haley Reinhart - "Earth Song" by Michael Jackson
- Thumbs Down. An ambitious song choice for someone who has been doing good lately. I think she took a step back tonight. It seemed a bit overdone, forced at times and not as "natural" as she usually is in her vocal ability. Jen says "You have to think about raising the bar when choosing a song. That's part of competing." Randy says "To me, it confused me with who you are as an artist, because the song doesn't really suit you or fit you. It felt like you were just screaming at the end the same note over and over. I didn't like it. I thought you were screaming." Steven says "They're both wrong. That song showed me that you can. You nailed it with feeling."
Scotty McCreery - "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning?" by Alan Jackson
- Thumbs Up. Another good country performance. A little sleepy for my taste, but a solid performance delivered. Randy says "That's a great amazing song. I think it's the perfect song choice. I think you have set your mark on this stage, this season." Steven says "I ditto what Randy says. That was beautiful." Jen says "I am in love with you, what you stand for and what you bring to your music. It is the mark of someone that is meant to do this. I'm glad we're here to witness it."
Lauren Alaina - "Any Way" by Martina McBride
- Thumbs Up. Another excellent powerful vocal performance by Lauren. Steven says "You did it again. You broke my heart. Your voice is so pure and perfect. You're the whole package." Jen says "That was very good. I'm so proud of you. That was exactly what we are talking about. It was a great vocal performance." Randy says "That was hot. That was everything. That was amazing and there was absolutely nothing wrong with it."
ROUND 2
Haley Reinhart - "I Who Have Nothing" by Jordin Sparks
- Thumbs Up. A nice recovery from Round 1, she sound much more in her element and delivers a good performance. The judges give her a standing ovation. Jen says "Look what you're capable of. You are that amazing. One of the best performances of the year." Randy says "Everybody needs a moment tonight. You just had a moment right here. One of your best vocals ever." Steven says "That was beautiful."
Scotty McCreery - "Young Blood" by The Coasters
- Thumbs up. A good upbeat performance not as sleepy as Round 1. Randy says "I think we just saw both sides of a Scotty concert. I think he's ready." Steven says "It was good. I liked it. I loved the humor." Jen says "I think it was really great. It seems like you really hit your stride and now it's a sprint to the finish line."
Lauren Alaina - "Trouble" by Elvis Presley
- Thumbs Up. Solid performance. Steven says "That was well done." Jen says "Some serious good performance there. Vocally it was really really great. We saw some maturity in your performance that we had not seen before." Randy says "Nice one."
James Durbin - "Love Potion No. 9" by The Drifters
- Thumbs Up. Nice rock version of this classic song. Good performance. Jen says "It was a really great performance." Randy says "You are peaking at the right time and I love it." Steven says "What you can do with your voice, you did tonight."
Two weeks shy of the Finale, one of these will take home the prize. But one will fall tomorrow night. Here are my predictions:
Top Pick: Lauren Alaina
Bottom Two: Haley Reinhart & Scotty McCreery
Going Home: Scotty McCreery
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