Ugh. I never like America's Choice. I feel like we (America) never make good song choices. This feeling does not bode well for the night... I'm starting with cynicism.
Jennifer's Shirt
Oh, wait, that's a dress. Dislike. Dowdy.
Cologne
Ryan: "Somebody's wearing a lot of cologne. Who is that?"
Mom: "It's ME!" with hand raised... for like 30 full seconds.
Idol Top 5... GO!
Round Uno
Alex Preston – "Sweater Weather" by The Neighbourhood
"I've kind of gotten bad reviews in the past from changin' it up too much." Boo! I like it when he changes it up (too) much. Mom said that Alex sounded off-key at the beginning, but I assured her that it was just the tune with which she wasn't familiar. "In fact," I said, "it sounds exactly like the original." And that's why I'm disappointed. What I love about Alex is his unique perspective. With the exception of the first two seconds and a little run in the middle, this WAS the original. Alex sounded great, but I was missing what I love about him. Thanks, judges.
#IdolSelfie
I'm all for a fun selfie, but Idol is overdoing it.
Caleb Johnson – "Don't Wanna Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith
Ed is upset. He says this song is overdone. (In fact, he said the word "overdone" while I was typing "overdoing" up there.) OH MY GOSH, what is this madness? What is happening to our Caleb? This key is all wrong! Too high! TOO HIGH! It sounds so out of tune and bad. AND BAD! He knows it, too. You can see it in his stance. I don't even like the arrangement; it's too chill for Caleb. The performance is getting better, but nothing can overcome that HORRIFIC beginning. Was he channeling C.J.? Worst Caleb performance ever. He'd better drop something hot in Round #2.
Sam Woolf, Jena Irene, & Alex Preston –"Best Day Of My Life" by American Authors
It was cute. Harmonies were tight. I wish Idol didn't make the contestants worry about these cheesy duets and trios when I'm sure they would rather be focusing on their solos. Mom: "I love Sam. I absolutely love that kid. If I had a daughter, I'd want her to be with him." Um... "If I had a daughter"? You do... MOM. Oh, an available daughter. Gotcha. She knows Ed is the only guy for this daughter. :o)
Shaky. Very shaky. Until the big note in the middle, she sounded absolutely unsure of herself. Her message was heartfelt, but the vocal was so weak. Unless she does something amazing in Round #2, she's toast.
Sam Woolf – "Sing" by Ed Sheeran
Mom is laughing/coughing/crying because Ed joked that Sam would try to get Ariana to give him a high five so she'd raise her hand and her shirt thing would lift. Mom roused from her laughing stupor to note in disappointment that Sam wore the same shirt in his rehearsal that he did in the performance. As for that performance, it wasn't bad for Sam, even a little edgy for him. I thought he seemed more comfortable than I've ever seen him. That said, he still seemed somewhat stiff and a little intense. (Wendy, Keith just told Sam the higher notes of this song weren't in his wheelhouse.) Oh, man, Harry. "In the pocket." Hashtag stupid phrase.
Mom is laughing/coughing/crying because Ed joked that Sam would try to get Ariana to give him a high five so she'd raise her hand and her shirt thing would lift. Mom roused from her laughing stupor to note in disappointment that Sam wore the same shirt in his rehearsal that he did in the performance. As for that performance, it wasn't bad for Sam, even a little edgy for him. I thought he seemed more comfortable than I've ever seen him. That said, he still seemed somewhat stiff and a little intense. (Wendy, Keith just told Sam the higher notes of this song weren't in his wheelhouse.) Oh, man, Harry. "In the pocket." Hashtag stupid phrase.
Jena Irene – "My Body" by Young The Giant
All that conversation about movement being necessary, and I don't think it was. Necessary, I mean. I think she could've gotten the crowd energized without walking around the judges. I find that Jena always performs better when she focuses on the song rather than on the audience. That's why I started really digging the song when she landed on the stage from her sojourn to the judges. This performance was the best of the night so far. Great song choice from America, and a great vocal by Jena. "You have that signature phrase... what was it again?" Yes, very memorable, JLo.
Jessica Meuse & Caleb Johnson – "Beast Of Burden" by The Rolling Stones
OK. It was OK. I've had enough duets on competition nights. These are the presentations that should be happening on results nights. Mom noted that seeing Jessica and Caleb together in this performance brought forth images of Meat Loaf's "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" video. They resemble Meat Loaf and Meat Loaf Girl from that vid.
Jo's Round #1 Ranking
Round Dos
Alex Preston – "Say Something" by Great Big World
Again, Alex left this arrangement alone; but this time, I didn't care. It was beautiful. This song, done well, is a winner. Rearrangement would border on sacrilege. I found it very touching. I also found it very difficult to look at his face.
Jena Irene – "Valerie" by Amy Winehouse
Jena exhibited the normally-reserved-for-Caleb professionalism in this song. Her instincts reeked of experience. When I said earlier that she performs better when focusing on a song, this performance is an example of what I meant. Less "Yay, love me audience!" and more "I'm gonna kill this song." That said, I thought the arrangement was overly jazzy. I liked her first performance better. Go figure.
Sam Woolf – "How To Save A Life" by The Fray
Whoa, Sam, crazy faces won't make you hit the pitch. The opening phrases featured some bad, bad notes. As the song progressed, the little melody changes that Sam made suited his voice well. Those slight changes opened up the song for him. However, I'm just annoyed with his face. He always looks so clinical when he finishes a song. I think Jessica is going to go home, but I'd be happier if it were Sam. (Sorry, Mom.)
Jessica Meuse – "Summertime Sadness" by Lana Del Rey
Check. Out. That. Ink. High, high, high thigh! Those early, sultry notes were right on the bullseye. That technique drew me right into the performance. I thought she redeemed herself from the first flop. Her voice and emotion were synchronized and strong. I've never "felt" her like that before. Surely she connected with America after that performance.
Caleb Johnson – "Still Of The Night" by Whitesnake
All that conversation about movement being necessary, and I don't think it was. Necessary, I mean. I think she could've gotten the crowd energized without walking around the judges. I find that Jena always performs better when she focuses on the song rather than on the audience. That's why I started really digging the song when she landed on the stage from her sojourn to the judges. This performance was the best of the night so far. Great song choice from America, and a great vocal by Jena. "You have that signature phrase... what was it again?" Yes, very memorable, JLo.
Jessica Meuse & Caleb Johnson – "Beast Of Burden" by The Rolling Stones
OK. It was OK. I've had enough duets on competition nights. These are the presentations that should be happening on results nights. Mom noted that seeing Jessica and Caleb together in this performance brought forth images of Meat Loaf's "Paradise By The Dashboard Light" video. They resemble Meat Loaf and Meat Loaf Girl from that vid.
Jo's Round #1 Ranking
- Jena
- Alex
- Sam
- Caleb
- Jessica
Ariana
OMG, STOP TOUCHING YOUR HAIR. The unrequited fist bump was hilarious.
Alex Preston – "Say Something" by Great Big World
Again, Alex left this arrangement alone; but this time, I didn't care. It was beautiful. This song, done well, is a winner. Rearrangement would border on sacrilege. I found it very touching. I also found it very difficult to look at his face.
Jena Irene – "Valerie" by Amy Winehouse
Jena exhibited the normally-reserved-for-Caleb professionalism in this song. Her instincts reeked of experience. When I said earlier that she performs better when focusing on a song, this performance is an example of what I meant. Less "Yay, love me audience!" and more "I'm gonna kill this song." That said, I thought the arrangement was overly jazzy. I liked her first performance better. Go figure.
Sam Woolf – "How To Save A Life" by The Fray
Whoa, Sam, crazy faces won't make you hit the pitch. The opening phrases featured some bad, bad notes. As the song progressed, the little melody changes that Sam made suited his voice well. Those slight changes opened up the song for him. However, I'm just annoyed with his face. He always looks so clinical when he finishes a song. I think Jessica is going to go home, but I'd be happier if it were Sam. (Sorry, Mom.)
Jessica Meuse – "Summertime Sadness" by Lana Del Rey
Check. Out. That. Ink. High, high, high thigh! Those early, sultry notes were right on the bullseye. That technique drew me right into the performance. I thought she redeemed herself from the first flop. Her voice and emotion were synchronized and strong. I've never "felt" her like that before. Surely she connected with America after that performance.
Caleb Johnson – "Still Of The Night" by Whitesnake
Here we go. Redemption after that dismal Round #1. Caleb is back. The win is back in his sights. That note with the slide was killed. It was so killed, you can call it kilt. It was kilt. Once again, he put on a professional show. I would not be surprised to see an experienced rocker unzip his Caleb suit and step out. He is that professional. That last note? KILT.
Jo's Round #2 Ranking
- Caleb
- Jessica
- Alex
- Jena
- Sam
...was not up to par for a Top 5 show, though Round #2 was a great improvement on Round #1. We had some fun at Casa Cobb, but we made that fun ourselves. There were some good moments, but I was mostly McKayla Maroney again tonight... unimpressed. Jessica's tattoo and Caleb's finale were my favorite parts.
Jo's Overall Ranking
- Caleb
- Alex
- Jessica
- Jena
- Sam
Jo's Prediction of America's Ranking
- Caleb
- Jena
- Alex
- Sam
- Jessica
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