Siobhan Magnus ♪♪♪♪ ½ - I think this is the highest rating I have given a contestant so far this season. I was excited to hear Siobhan was doing “Paint It Black” because I LOVE that song, and then she knocked it out of the park with her performance and her kickin’ vocals. LOVED the money note and everything about her performance! This girl is trying to win and I love it. Seriously, Simon said she could be a dark horse and I am starting to believe it. She is definitely one of my picks for the Final 4. This was a definite “moment” in my book for Siobhan. Watch your back Crystal, Siobhan is coming for your spot!
Lee DeWyze ♪♪♪♪ ½ – I think I am ready to announce that my new favorite male contestant this season is none other than Lee DeWyze. Sadly, Andrew Garcia has dethroned himself for this spot in my books. Seriously, and I found myself saying this about quite a few of the performers tonight, this was THE best I have ever heard Lee’s vocals. Seriously, it was spot on and he delivered. Was this his “moment”? No. But I think this is just a glimpse of what is to come. I think Lee is finding his confidence and settling in to being on stage and although he was apparently extremely nervous, it did not show one bit. Bravo!
Crystal Bowersox ♪♪♪♪ - Crystal in the “pimp spot”? WHO WOULD HAVE GUESSED? Lol Personally, this week, I would have given this spot to Siobhan, but Crystal still held her own. Momma Sox did her thing and she did it well. She is truly an artist, you can tell she is not about the whole “reality show crap” and is just there for the music. I see what the judges mean about her laid back style though, when singing comes effortlessly to someone, it can look like they don’t care or are not putting everything into it. We did see some personality come out tonight though and from the sounds of it, Crystal is aware of what she needs to do. Smart girl.
Casey James ♪♪♪♪ – He lives in COOL, Texas…love that! However, the “Bucky Hair” is back; I thought the stylists had gotten over that. Bleh. Anyway, his voice was strong, he picked a great song and put his stank on it so it came off a bluesy/southern rock vibe. I really liked this from him and he should keep choosing songs like this.
Michael Lynch ♪♪♪ ½ - Great voice and solid performance as always from Mike. Totally lost points for the dancing and I totally called it that Simon would comment about that in his comments. Mike is a solid singer but I am still waiting for a wow moment from him. Hey, if nothing else he is reppin’ St Pete and that definitely gives him a boost.
Didi Benami ♪♪♪ ½ - Best I have heard from her to date (said it before Randy). Great song choice. Sounds like she is having a little bit of vocal problems, especially at the last note, sounded like a catch in her voice. Yea, she dropped a couple of the lyrics but she is nervous no doubt and it happens, but still a great job! She really gave a glimpse of the colors of her voice with this one.
Paige Miles ♪♪♪ - Ok, I will admit I was INFURIATED when Paige Miles took one of the 12 stools last week, especially over Lilly Scott and Katelyn Epperly; but I am mature enough to admit that she sort of redeemed herself in my opinion tonight. This was her best vocal I have heard from her AND with laryngitis! You go girl! Do I think it was enough to keep her safe this week? That remains to be seen. We have seen it before, a contestant struggles a couple weeks and survives then has a good night and goes home that week. This could be the case for Paige, although the health issues will certainly boost the efforts of her fan base who has already proven to be strong, thus her in the Final 12.
Lacey Brown ♪♪♪ – Lacey definitely has a niche voice and I believe she has to be more careful than others with her song choices. Tonight was the best I have heard her sing. She did a good job and chose a good song for her voice. I love her style and she is sweet and finding out she is a Christian will definitely help her pull a fan base too. Also, her eyes are captivating and that don't hurt none! haha
Tim Urban ♪♪ ½ - Not a terrible performance, but not on par with some of the others in any way. I do not know the original version so this take on it did not freak me out like it did the judges. I was too busy thinking to myself, “Tim has decided to be the new Alex Lambert…smart move my friend”! I mean, come on, this performance had Alex written all over it, but with not as good singing. However, Tim’s vocal styling and the whole vibe was completely unlike something he has done before, BUT something I have no doubt we would have seen from Alex. I’m just saying, the kid might be smart enough to devise such a plan. Either way, it was solid enough and combined with the fact that the kid is being voted through by teenage girls with huge crushes on him, I have no doubt he will be safe this week.
Aaron Kelly ♪♪ ½ - Aaron wised up and did not try to do a song with power vocals..good move, because he is not a power vocalist. He kept it in the pocket and his voice sounded steady. There were moments when I actually really liked the tone of his voice. However, what in the world was up with his hair? Total distraction…anyway, not sure it was strong enough to keep him out of danger this week though.
Andrew Garcia - ♪♪ - Yikes, this is not how Andrew should have started his run in the Finals. This was boring and uninspired and he struggled with pitch. I’m really rooting for this guy because I liked him in the very beginning but he seems to be going backwards. We need to see his creativity. I love Ellen, but seriously, his “best performance to date”? Ummmm..better than the infamous “Straight Up”…no no no Ellen, tonight was a total let down. I think Andrew is in trouble.
Katie Stevens ♪♪ – I love this song but I was not a fan of Katie’s interpretation. It was rough in the beginning because it was too low for her, but once she got into her upper register it got better; not great, but better. It was an improvement from her previous weeks during the Semi Finals, so kudos for that, but she REALLY needs to do a fun song if she is around next week. However, this was one of the most forgettable performances of the night for me. Will America agree?
This season is already proving to be a difficult on to make predictions. Based on my ranking, Aaron, Andrew and Katie should be the bottom 3. I also made a case above for how Paige could be a "surprise" elimination this week. The same could also apply to Lacey. However, I am going to go out on a limb here and say we see our first "shocker" elimination the first week of the finals and say good bye to Andrew. I just think his "Straight Up" fuel has run out and I think he might get lost in the awesomeness of some and forgotten by those who are voting to "save" other people they feel are in trouble. We will see!
Dude, I gotta say that I was disappointed to see Lacey in the bottom three, then shocked that she was sent home. She's been inconsistent at times, but at least she showed promise as an artist. I was expecting the bottom three to include both Paige and Katie (with a nod to Tim being down there as well). But I really thought it was time to send Katie home.
ReplyDeleteShows what I know.
I agree, though. Lee is the man to beat. Right now, I think he's in the lead overall, as well.