Final 2

Ok, so this blog is going to be short and sweet because everything I have said through the entire season of this blog remains the same after the performances this week. Here is how I see it broke down:

Round 1: Contestant Choice

Lee - The Boxer. This was slightly better vocally than last time, but just as great overall and no much difference.

Crystal - Me & Bobby McGee. Just as great as last time.

Round 1 Winner: Tie. Nothing extra special from either one that we did not see when they originally performed these songs.


Round 2: Simon Fuller Choice

Lee - Everybody Hurts. This was a brilliant song choice for Lee. Fit his voice perfectly.

Crystal - Black Velvet. I absolutely love this song, but was not impressed with Crystal's version. This is the first time she has performed and I actually did not like it.

Round 2 Winner: Lee


Round 3: Winner's Single

Lee - Beautiful Day. Good song for him but I don't think it was edgy/gritty enough for him. He struggled vocally in parts but I believe that is mainly due to nerves and adrenaline.

Crystal - Up To That Mountain. Kelly performed this song when she appeared on an Idol Finale a few seasons ago (circa Season 6?) and I LOVED her performance of the song, which I had never heard before. Crystal's version, all though not as good in my eyes as Kelly's version, was still good and she was wholly immersed into the song and it was obvious. I loved her emotional performance.

Round 3 Winner: Crystal

So, based on my round by round winner selections, it seems to be a tie and that's not a real surprise. To be honest, this week did not highlight all that Lee has become. He had moments where he seemed completely confident but his vocals reflected his nerves. Crystal had her moments of greatness but she too had her rough patches (Black Velvet). I think these are the most deserving Final 2 that we have ever seen on a Finale and the race is going to be a close one. Either way, I am buying both of their albums and will be truly happy with either one winning. That being said, I believe that when the final results are announced Kris Allen will be succeeded by Lee DeWyze as our newest American Idol. I also believe that this is the best route for Crystal. I think she will have much more creative freedom being signed as the runner-up then she would the winner (a la Adam Lambert). Either way, both of these contestants will see great success and I look forward to purchasing both of their CD's on the day they release.

In a season that overall seemed sort of hum-drum, thank you Lee and Crystal for making it worth sticking around!

The Final 3

Here is the thing, it has been a given for me that Lee and Crystal will be the last 2 standing. This fact made anybody that came along with them for the ride a non factor, especially when that person was Casey. The only person I feel could have really challenged Lee or Crystal in the end would have been Siobhan. I know many of you that read this think that thought is ridiculous, but I still stand firm in that belief. Siobhan was the only truly dynamic performer on a season where we have had the majority of our contestants stuck behind a mic stand or guitar. 

As I watched last night and thought about this fact, I realized that this season was intended to be the "singer/songwriter" season. This season they were not looking for a "Pop" star. They were not trying to have a performer like Fantasia or crossover artist like Carrie. The goal was simple, a great singer who can write his/her own stuff and be the next John Mayer or Tori Amos or Ray LaMontagne. This was evidenced by initial choices made by the judges, choices some considered odd by normal AI standards, like Lilly Scott, Alex Lambert, Katelyn Epperly, Lacey Brown and Didi Benami. It was also obvious that this season the producers and judges were hoping for this type of performer in the female persuasion. The judges touted this as the "Girl's Season", and with the likes of Crystal Bowersox and Siobhan Magnus that seemed to be the case. Then something happened...something calm, cool and quiet. Something that did not make a big stink or try to be over the top in its existence, and that...was Lee DeWyze.Nobody knew who Lee was until he popped up in the Semi Final rounds singing "Fireflies". Even then, he was an underdog with no prior TV coverage and not much presence so nobody gave him a 2nd thought. Sure, his voice was unique and radio-ready and contemporary, but everyone was focused on Lilly and Crystal and Siobhan. I mean, this was a "Girl's Season" anyway, right?

Aside from all the female praising, we'd already previously had 2 consecutive male winners (David Cook & Kris Allen respectively) so it made sense by all standards that we would now crown a female to take the AI throne. However, the AI producers obviously forgot who their primary voting public is and decided to flood the selection pool with male "lookers" as the likes of Tim Urban, Casey James and Lee DeWyze. Certanly they know that the teenage girls are the mass voters and so of course they will vote for Tim or Aaron or Lee over Lacey or Paige or Didi! Ultimately, that is all fine and good because that helped weed out the unnecessary and left us with the meet of the competition (Crystal, Lee, Siobhan) at least for a while. However, we have 1 more to take down before my Final 2 dream can be realized, and after last night's performances I do not think that will be a difficult task. Let's see how the Final 3 did.

Lee DeWyze ♪♪♪♪♪ - As you know, the first 5 Note rating of the season went to the combo of Lee/Crystal for their duet last week, but this is the first 5 Note rating for a solo performer all season! Lee definitely earned his place this week. His first song choice was right on the money for his style and voice and he showed every nuance of who he is as an artist with this performance. His second song, chosen by Simon, was meant to be a moment before he even stepped on the stage. I knew Lee would take this song and run with it, and that is exactly what he did. The whole night belonged to Lee!

Crystal Bowersox ♪♪♪♪ - Crystal's first song was ok for me. She was a little screetchy and seemed to go off pitch a few times, but the girl performed with multiple instruments, so kudos to her! I knew the judges would not really be big on that performance, and I was right. Her second song, chosen by Ellen, was spot on for her voice and style. She didn't use any instruments and just let her voice shine. The song really stretched her vocally and showed us some other, higher nuances to her range and it was awesome!

Casey James ♪♪♪ - Technically, Casey is a decent singer, but he is a poor song chooser. Casey has just become too plastic for me. He stands, strums and smiles while he sings a technically great vocal, but there is no meat. His second song, chosen by Randy/Kara (Ellen gets to choose on her own by the 2 music guru's don't? lol) was Daughters. Terrible. You would think 2 music minds working together to choose a song would have done much better. I knew as soon as I heard this was the song that it was going to be to Casey's demise, and it was. It was a terrible song choice and Casey did all he could with it, but it was not enough. 

As I said, the night belonged to Lee and the person we will say goodbye to is Casey. Anything other than this will be the biggest upset of this season. A Lee/Crystal showdown next week will be one of the best, in my opinion, since Reuben/Clay. I am 100% on the Lee bandwagon but I would not cry if Crystal won either. However, I think it would be to Crystal's advantage to not win so she can have more freedom in the type of music she puts out. We'll see how it all shakes down!

Final 4: The Almost Dream Team

So, we came very close to realizing my Dream Team for the Final 4, sadly Siobhan Magnus was cut too soon and that 4th spot ended up going to Michael Lynche instead. However, I have to say he has done a decent job of filling the spot.

This week we had songs from movies and Jamie Foxx as a mentor. Is it just me, or is Jamie Foxx a one trick pony with his "mentoring techniques". Basically he gets right in the contestants face and makes them "seduce him" as they sing. Yes, he did this last year too. The new twist? He gave them a shirt that either said "Artist" if they were good or "Contestant" if they were bad. Kudos to Big Mike for not accepting the "Contestant" shirt. I mean, really Jamie?? I truly hope the rumors that Jamie is a contender to take Simon's spot as a judge next season is NOT true. I could not handle him every week. Overall, though, I think some poor choices were made for songs for the individual performances, aside from Crystal. However, the duets pretty much made up for that. I don't have too much to say this week, but let's take a look at the night and see how everyone fared.

Individual Performances:

Crystal Bowersox ♪♪♪♪ - Crystal has reclaimed her top spot in my list. This performance as ever true to her style and the type of artist she is. I agree with the judges, she made this song better than the original. I am sure this is the type of stuff we will see on her album.

Lee DeWyze ♪♪♪ - Not a good performance from my man Lee. He struggled with the notes and pitch and it did not do a great job of really showing off his unique vocal qualities. Lee seemed to hold back a little, most likely because of the continual back and forth between his upper and lower register. I will give him props for choosing that song because that is some tough stuff to do in a song. But, not a big fan of this performance.

Michael Lynche ♪♪♪ - Again, solid vocals but boring and predictable and anticlimactic performance. He said his goal was 3rd and I think he has done enough to achieve that, so he should be proud. Plus, we get to rep St Pete if he makes his goal which will be huge for the town! If nothing else, I am rooting for that! lol

Casey James ♪♪ 1/2 - Not a fan of this performance. Boring and almost apathetic. After last week Casey needed to really come out with something strong. Perhaps he is over being a contestant and doesn't care to advance any farther; at least that is how it sort of comes across to me. I think, if that if the case for him, he will probably get his wish this week.

Duets:

Lee & Crystal ♪♪♪♪♪ - This, in my opinion, was the "moment" of the season and the first 5 Note earner of my blog! The idea alone of a Lee/Crystal duet is awesome enough, but then they knocked it out of the park with their performance! At first, I was nervous that they were doing "Falling" after Kris Allen did it last season, but they took it and ran with it! I cannot wait to download this on iTunes!!! Seriously, this was awesome! Best performance of the whole season!!

Casey & Mike ♪♪♪ 1/2 - In short, Big Mike saved this performance. Casey created a shaky start but Mike's smooth vocals came in and made it all better. Quite a contrasting pair, seeing as they have extremely opposing types of voices, but like there was any other choice; the judges were not going to pass up putting Lee & Crystal together! lol

Not the best show this week, other than the Lee/Crystal duet. Results should be pretty cut and dry. I'm going to say Mike & Casey are the bottom 2 and we say good bye to Casey tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed for no "shocker results" tonight. If everything goes as planned, let the mayhem in St Pete begin! lol

Final 5

I had other obligations that kept me from watching this week's performance show live, except for catching Lee at the end and getting a brief review of the night. So, I had to wait and watch the performances online. This week was "Frank Sinatra: Big Band" theme week. Apparently no guitars were allowed per the Idol producers and all the songs were arranged and accompanied by this weeks mentor, Harry Connick Jr. Let me say that HCJ proved to be a great mentor in all capacities, aside from the fact that he really helped liven up the show. He is quite a humorous man, aside from being an uber talented musician. I don't know what it was about this week's performances, but I really felt a shift happen this week. Let's take a closer look.

Lee DeWyze ♪♪♪♪ 1/2 - Last week I placed Lee 4th, but this week he was back to his old self! Watching Lee this week I thought to myself, "This is the moment he takes the lead away from Crystal". I really feel that after his performance this week there was a shift, and has great potential to take the crown. This was the best we have seen him, especially without his guitar.What else can I really say about Lee that I have not already said. I'm looking forward to his music career after Idol.

Crystal Bowersox ♪♪♪♪ - First off, I have to say there is something uncommonly sexy about Crystal. She is gorgeous and she just seems to have a glow about her that draws you in. This week she looked amazing and really sorta played up the part of the week's theme in her performance. I agree with Crystal, she does not have to do "power note's" in every performance. Sometimes subtle and enchanting goes just as far, and Crystal was just that. I really think she can take any theme and make it her own effortlessly.

Michael Lynche ♪♪♪♪ - Big Mike did a good job of not show-boating it again this week and keep the reigns in and just delivered a solid vocal. No doubt he has a nice voice and this week's theme just fed right into his niche. Nothing super special, but definitely stayed away from the cheesy territory he usually travels into, so that was good. The question now is just how strong Mike's fan base will remain. We saw them falter before, and they have been coming close again recently. Mike's life in this competition is held by the exuberance or complacency of his voting fan base.

Aaron Kelly ♪♪♪ - This was somewhat of a better week, vocally, for Aaron but that is not saying much based on his current run this season. Although I don't think he should still be in the running (especially over someone like Siobhan, R.I.P.) unfortunately, a lack luster performance by Casey is only going to bolster Aaron's ill-fitting stay (see below). Hopefully the judges giving him decent feedback will cause his fan base to ease up, but they have not proven to do that in the past, and with the fact that Aaron most likely acquired Tim's fan base, I don't know that we will see him go just yet.

Casey James ♪♪ - This one hurts. I like Casey and he was even in my Dream Team Final 4 (which is quickly crumbling). However, this week was not good. He was without his guitar, which was the first nail in his coffin. Aside from that, in the last few weeks his vibrator has become somewhat annoying to me. Now, I too am someone who has a natural vibrato in my voice, but his has become more and more goat-like and strained sounding and, for me, has become a distraction. I don't really know what to say about Casey other than he was completely disconnected this week. I stand by my statement last week that he will flourish as the lead singer of a band, but as a solo artist I see him seriously struggling. I'm nervous for him this week.

Seeing as we are down to the last 5, I think we will now see a bottom 2 versus a bottom 3. At this point any pairing of Michael, Aaron and Casey are what we SHOULD see in the bottom for the next couple weeks. All have spent their share of time there but with Mike having visited the bottom last week and Aaron having not, I think we will see either Aaron or Casey leave us this week. My fingers are crossed that Casey's voters worked just a little bit harder than Aaron's. We shall see!