Commentin'I have disabled commenting on this blog, not because I am a jerk, but because I want you to comment on the link I post on Facebook. I think some people were reluctant to comment, both because some people were unable to comment here, and because the comments were split into two places. Now, if you want to comment, you are forced to comment on the link posted on our Facebook News Feed. Bwa-ha-ha. <-- evil laugh
Ed-less
We are without Ed tonight. He is in Seymour with the BNL boys basketball team, practicing in the gym where they'll play in the Sectional Semis on Friday. Practicing for Sectional is more important than Idol? Psh. Whatever.
New Intro
I miss the "wha-wha" intro song. I'm dismayed.
Ryan's Tie
Mom gave it a shout out before JLo did.
Home Theme
Awfully wide. I like that the themes aren't so specific so far this year.
Idol Top 12... GO!
Jena Irene – "Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall
In her vignette, Jena said, "Me and my Mom," twice. I don't mean to be a grammar elitist, but that grated. However, this is not a grammar competition. This song is a favorite of mine. Though I wouldn't have minded a copycat version, I liked the style Jena chose for her version of this song. The performance had a nice upbeat feel, and she did things with the melody that made the song unique. Whoa, HCJ just took the words right outta my mouth.
Alex Preston – "I Don't Wanna Be" by Gavin DeGraw
Where are the socks? Compared to his performance last week, I wasn't wowed. However, I could find nothing wrong with it. It just wasn't that entertaining for me, perhaps because it didn't showcase that haunting voice that I love. The minor note at the end was my favorite. (Excuse me, "on the nine.")
Jessica Meuse – "White Flag" by Dido
The curls! We love the curls! I realize that Jessica's sound is unconventional and unique. She is truly talented. However, I thought she sounded nasal and pinched tonight. Her vibrato sounded out of control, and the notes were not struck with confidence. I believe the last notes were the results of emotion, so I can overlook those. Keith just concurred with my "not struck with confidence" analysis. I'm down with the judges tonight. I thought Jessica's comments after her "judgment" were very mature. Good girl. ;-)
Dexter Roberts – "Lucky Man" by Montgomery Gentry
He said this song is "something that means to me." It was a little word slip, but I think that statement could become a little catch phrase. The higher parts of the melody in this performance were sung with more strength than the lower notes. However, the key selection was made with the higher notes in mind. In its genre, this song was very well sung and performed... almost acted out. I really enjoyed it. Nonetheless, I'm not certain that twangy country is going to be popular with most of America.
Emily Piriz – "Let's Get Loud" by JLo
Aw. The boyfriend. She just lost every single American male vote. Also, Emily's top and Ryan's tie match. I don't know that this is the best song to showcase a vocal. It's light, fun, Latin, and hot. It just doesn't work well for a singing competition. I couldn't hear much of her voice, and what I could hear sounded out of breath and/or oversung.
Caleb Johnson – "Working Man" by Rush
Ed will be pumped when he hears that Caleb is doing a Rush song. My thoughts after the first note: HE IS A STAR. Every note, movement, and look backed up that assessment. This guy is a PRO. He knows how to move, how to sing, how to interact, how to PERFORM. He's the man to beat. Would've loved to have seen what he was doing at the end when the camera was on the contestants' couches. Funny that he ended up on the floor. HCJ: "You are always consistent." He shows his consistence with... consistency? Song I would love to hear Caleb sing: Meat Loaf's "Heaven Can Wait." Also, Meat Loaf's "For Cryin' Out Loud." Really, anything from the "Bat Out Of Hell" album.
MK Nobilette – "Drops of Jupiter" by Train
I would love to get to know this woman. She seems pretty cool. When she was talking to Ryan, I thought he said she was going to sing, "Train Song," (like, by Todd Snider), and I was FREAKING OUT. Oh... wait... a Train song... meaning a song by Train. Gotcha. MK could be the best singer in this competition if she would calm the heck down. She was SO NERVOUS, and it affected every note. She looked and sounded terrified. Speaking of Train, it was a train wreck. If she could just relax, she'd be a force. From Keith: "Just be... you know what I mean... like, much cooler." Thanks, Keith. Unhelpful. And insulting.
C.J. Harris – "Waiting On The World To Change" by John Mayer
I thought this guy would be voted off the show last week, but I'm glad to have him with us still. Throughout the song, his guitar was out of balance with the other instruments, and it distracted me. The verses were sharp. In the chorus, C.J. had better pitch, but sounded a bit slurred and almost drunk. I really want to like C.J., but he's not giving me much substance.
Sam Woolf – "Just One" by Blind Pilot
Second best performance of the night (so far). What a chill, laid-back vibe Sam brought to the scene. His performance reminded me of a barefoot, hand-in-hand walk with your other half on a comfy spring day. His liquidy voice filled the spaces between the words. Great voice, great vibe, great performance.
Malaya Watson – "Take Me To The King" by Tamela Mann
Mom said, "Boy, does she look different." I said, "With her hair straight?" and Mom replied, "...and her mouth shut." :-) All of her good qualities remind us of the original article, Idol Watcher Amber Williams, who is a new mommy TODAY! Congrats, Amber! I thought this performance sounded like a really good church performance, but not something that would be marketable pop. The end sounded screechy to me, but Mom said, "At least she screeched in tune." Amber Williams could sing circles around her here. That said, Malaya sounded much better than she did last week.
Ben Briley – "Turning Home" by David Nail
No one there for him. Sad face! Ben didn't sound as strong as he did last week, though I wouldn't call this a shoddy performance. Some of the notes felt forced. The music didn't flow from him like it did last week. It had a stilted feel that caused me to lose a connection with the song. I think the judges and I were saying the same thing in different ways.
Majesty Rose – "Fix You" by Coldplay
Brilliant song choice to be sung acoustically. She sounded GREAT in the beginning, but when she broke into those ending notes, Mom was looking for a blanket under which to hide. Those notes were SO BAD. So bad. She went for it, missed it, and tried to hang onto it with confidence. It just didn't work. Majesty backed off the mic and had a look on her face that said, "That did not go as planned." I still think she's one of the best singers in the competition.
Tonight's Show...
...was more entertaining than last week's show. On the whole, the contestants have gained maturity from experience. I anticipate that the shows will get better and better.
Jo's Ranking
No ranking yet. I'll start doing that around Top 8ish. Standouts for me were Caleb, Sam, Dexter, and Jena. Jessica, Emily, and MK were the weak links.
Jo's Prediction of America's Ranking
I think America's Bottom 3 will be MK, Jessica, and Emily with Emily going home. (I type Email every time I try to type Emily.) Emily just didn't shine. Jena is on the bubble. I loved her, but in the first performance position and with a relative unmemorable performance, she might be in trouble.
Who do you think will get to go back to his or her beloved home?
(Reminder: tomorrow's blog will be delayed due to a previous commitment, a performance of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.)
(Another Reminder: Comment on the Facebook link!)
