Top 12 Guys

After being thoroughly underwhelmed by the ladies last night, I am really hoping that the guys learned from their mistakes and are ready to make tonight better. Simon's comments are not making me that optimistic, but here's hoping...

Todrick Hall - Does anyone else think he looks like Lil Bow Wow? Speaking of wow, what an interesting way to start off the night. I really admire his creativity and bravery to change a well known song, but I agree with the judges it was unrecognizable. Through it all, you can tell he has a good voice and definitely has the stage presence. I think he has the talent to stay around. Grade: B

Aaron Kelly - Holy shifting hands, Batman! For the first minute of the song, all I could focus on was him switching the mic between his hands. He seems very awkward and uncomfortable on stage. The vocals weren't that bad, but he needs to RELAX. I also like that Ryan felt the need to point out that Aaron is shorter than he is. Obviously that doesn't happen a lot. All things considered (age, experience, pressure) I think he did well. Grade: B+

Jermaine Sellers - Over the top rendition of Season 1's Justin Guarini's signature song. I completely agree with Ellen's critique that he had no connection to the lyric and was simply trying to show off. He does has an excellent voice, but he needs to find a good blend of vocal gymnastics and storytelling. Also, maybe I am just getting old, but I don't think his outfit was as "hot" as Randy did. Skinny slacks tucked into ankle boots, a black henley and grey tuxedo tails jacket do not spell fashion to me. Grade: B-

Tim Urban - Oy, I hate this song (Apologize)! Simon speaks the truth! He did not do well enough to be included in the phase of the competition. The falsetto was strange sounding and he was staring like a deer in the headlights at the camera. If they initially told him no and then invited him back, I don't know why they didn't bring back Thaddeus. He was far more talented in my opinion and the judges told him he couldn't have done anything more. Usually they only tell girls that they are pretty enough to get through. It must feel weird to be told they are not talented, but they are good looking. I get the exact opposite critique when I audition. Given the choice, I guess I rather it be that way. Anyway, I think he should go home based on that performance. Grade: D

Joe Munoz - Either I am going deaf, or my TV has a garble setting...I barely understood a word! His tone is nice and he looks like a hispanic David Archuleta. He seems very comfortable up on stage, but I agree with Simon that he needs to step it up if he stays around. Grade: B-

Tyler Grady - He has definitely carved out a niche for himself but I am nervous that he is becoming a one trick pony. Randy's comment of style over substance is completely right. I am curious based on the judges nearly unanimous conclusion that he is trapped in the 70s why they kept him in this stage of the competition. He seems like a pretend rock star and I wasn't impressed with his vocals. Grade D+

Lee Dewyze - I didn't think the song was as rough as Randy and Kara did. It wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be when Ryan first announced it. I am not the biggest fan of that song, but I thought he did a good job with it and tried to make it his own. If he had sung it like the original they would have told him it was boring and he didn't put enough of his own spin on it. He kind reminds me of a mixture of David Cook and Elliot Yamin. It will be interesting to see how he evolves on this show. Grade: B-

John Park - Ok, he won me over with his intro video. If you know my husband, you know I love a guy that loves older women. I was imagining my sister wincing through that performance. She hates it when non-jazz people sing jazz standards. While he was singing I did think it sounded loungey and I chuckled when Simon used that word to describe it. He may be in jeopardy with that performance. Grade: C-

Michael Lynche - I have been looking forward to hearing "Big Mike". I loved him during Hollywood week and I just wish he could hug me/pick me up. Even though I HATE that song, he did it well. It wasn't fabulous, but it was ok. He deserves to be in the competition but I would love to see him do something different. Grade: B

Alex Lambert - So I didn't hear the very beginning of his performance because I was washing my face, and then I heard a noise that may be interpreted as music so I shut off the faucet and came in to watch. AWFUL. I would never pay to hear him sing. I didn't hear the "thick, rich, tone" that the judges were talking about. It sounded whiny and uncomfortable to me. I also don't like his look at this site. Grade: D

Casey James - Perfect song choice for him. He has a very easy and honest style and I like him in the competition. I just wish my least favorite judge would move on from her initial attraction and treat him like a human being. The revelation that she is married is shocking to me. I would never act like that towards a young single guy if I were married. She is very bizarre...and creepy. You could tell his dad was not liking all the "sexy" talk. Can you blame him. In any case, Casey did very well, especially considering most of the attention was on Kara and not him. Grade: B+

Andrew Garcia - I have been eagerly awaiting his performance as well but I was left scratching my head with the arrangement of his song. He has a great voice and I think the judges are right that he bought himself some time with his rendition of Straight Up. I think he'll be fine until next week. Grade: B

What a weird blend of flavors tonight. I feel like I just left a ward potluck dinner. If I were to guess who is going home tonight it would be Tim Urban and then either Tyler Grady or Alex Lambert.

What did you all think?

Top 12 Girls

So for those who follow this blog or care, sorry I have been M.I.A. for the last two weeks. I've had RS meetings and other commitments so I have had to catch up myself via my parents' DVR. But, I am back now eagerly watching the top 12 girls' performances tonight. I was SHOCKED with some of the cuts the judges made during Hollywood week, so I am interested to see if I agree with their choices.

The opening intro sequence with the judges was awkward at best and even though I love Ellen, this is the sort of thing I was nervous about happening when she signed on with the show. The whole "Simon's into me" thing was lame and wasted time that should have been given to contestants. I was watching it thinking, "Come on, lady, we've got 12 people to get through tonight...don't waste our time." Hopefully the time hogging won't last all season. So anyway, on to the performances.

Paige Myles - My first thought when she was announced was, "Who the heck is Paige Myles?" She hasn't been featured very much this season so far, so I was already nervous for her going in. She doesn't have as much built-in audience support behind her. I agreed with Simon that it was a bad choice of song for her, and I disagreed with all the judges in thinking she was the best singer in the competition. I just wasn't blown away. I thought her song had very poor diction and I couldn't understand most of the words. Even though the judges think she'll definitely be around next week, I have my doubts. If I watch Idol every week and was not that familiar with her, will the people that are just tuning in really vote for her? We'll see. Also, thanks Ryan for sharing that TMI moment about her being sewn into her 80s prom dress turned into shorts with a white obi belt. Way to make her feel comfortable. Who just sang? Oh yeah, the girl who hasn't peed in five hours. Grade: C

Ashley Rodriguez - Going into tonight, she was one of the people I was most looking forward to hearing. I loved her audition in Boston and think she is GORGEOUS. I also love that she is not afraid to rock a blazer and she went to Berklee which gives her cred. That being said, her song was shaky and I agree with Simon's critique that she sounded clumsy. During the verse in her lower register it sounded like she was scraping to get the notes out and I didn't know why she didn't sing it in a different key. She seemed relieved to get to the big notes in the chorus where she is obviously more comfortable. I really hope she stays around so I can hear her sing again with a different song. I agree with the judges that she needs to pick a song that she won't be compared to the original artist. Grade: C-

Janell Wheeler - For once in my life I agreed completely with Kara. Mark this day in the books. The song (What About Love) was WAY too big for her and she definitely should have picked something else. I think sometimes that contestants think if they pick a well known power ballad it will showcase their voice better, but if you don't have the goods, it will only make you sound worse. I think she is a pretty girl and I really liked her performance during Hollywood week . I would like it if she picked more songs like that. Grade: B-

Lilly Scott - To be honest, I have not been Lilly's biggest fan up to this point. I really did not like her Lullaby of Birdland performance during Hollywood week and the fact that her hair was lavender was not helping either. It seems like the stylists have at least brought it to platinum for this performance instead of it being so icy against her skin. That being said, I thought she did pick an interesting song and made it her own. She is not my cup of tea, but perhaps my opinion of her will change with upcoming performances. Grade: B

Katelyn Epperly - I liked her performance tonight WAY more than her others. I thought she picked an excellent song and I agree with the judges, there is something about her that makes me like her. I am not sure what it is. I also liked in her intro video that she didn't talk about her parents' divorce since I thought that was kind of weird when she did that in her original audition. Grade: B

Haeley Vaughn - Along with Ashley, I was very much looking forward to hearing the country girl tonight. I didn't think her rendition of I Wanna Hold Your Hand was as bad as Simon thought. I thought it was upbeat and age appropriate and I was impressed that she was brave enough at 16 to play and guitar and sing and make the song her own. Like Katelyn, there is something inately likeable about Haeley and I hope she is back for another week. It is funny to see her and then hear her talk. It almost reminds me of a movie where someone's personality is trapped in another person's body. She is by far the whitest black girl I have ever seen. When she came out wearing all white I admit, I chuckled. Grade: B

Lacey Brown - Wow, way to bring the show to a grinding halt. I really liked Lacey in the audition rounds and during Hollywood week, but her version of Landslide was painful and slow. I felt bad for her because I could tell she was at least trying to make in different, but her pitch was all over the place. Grade: D

Michelle Delamor - Very pretty girl (she looks like the love child of Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce) and she did better than I thought with that song (Fallin) I actually thought they banned that song from the show. She does have a very pretty voice and I wouldn't mind hearing her again. Grade: B+

Didi Benami - I was grateful in her intro that she said she wouldn't be crying anymore because she was making me nervous in the audition rounds that she wouldn't be able to handle the pressure. When she stepped out onto the stage wearing an afghan vest I literally winced. She is a pretty girl and doppelganger for Brooke White...embrace it and look cute for goodness sake! I was SO glad Simon said that everyone is trying to sound like Estelle and Duffy. I was feeling the same way and am glad I am not crazy. I also agreed with Randy that the performance was sleepy. The general rule of stage performance is start and end strong. That last note...painful. Grade: C-

Siobhan Magnus - A for effort and trying to take an odd song choice and make it right. I knew she was going to pick something weird because she has been weird the entire competition to this point. Odd hair, odd dress, odd shoes. She can really sing so I would like to see her sing again because she is very talented and a wildcard. I hope her song tonight was enough. Grade: B

Crystal Bowersox - Ok, I may be unpopular for saying this, but I really didn't think she was that great tonight, or in any of the other performances I've seen her in. I was very surprised that Angela Martin didn't make it into the top 24 and in my opinion, they could've given Crystal's slot to her. I don't get what is so fascinating about her. She looks like someone who would be singing at a subway station not on the biggest stage in the world. I feel like she got included to fill out the cast of characters so there would be something for everyone. I just don't think she has much versatility and ability to change it up. She just doesn't seem that in to it either. It feels like she is just going through the motions. Again, she is just not my cup of tea. Grade: C

Katie Stevens - I thought the judges were being rather harsh on her. She has a beautiful tone to her voice and I thought she was rather brave to choose that song and I thought she took risks in her performance as well. Sometimes I feel like the judges have no patience for people who happen to be young and like older music. My sister and I often joke that we are both a 40 year-old trapped in a 20 somethings body. At the Monterey Jazz Festival concert we went to a few weeks ago, we were definitely in the minority, but we loved the music and really wanted to be there. I just don't think just because you are young you can't sing an "older" song. Last I checked, Michael Buble isn't "old". I know he is not the first person to sing that song, but he has interpreted it and made it cool for a younger audience. Why do the judges not acknowledge that? And, other than Taylor Swift, what "young" music is out there that is worth singing? (I know I am really sounding old) Ok, rant over. I thought she did well. Grade: B

So tonight it was hard because I thought most people did reasonably well, and those that didn't I wished they had done better. No one blew me away but I think that is because they were playing it safe. If I had to pick the two people that I would like to see go home it would be Crystal Bowersox and Lilly Scott. Neither did that badly tonight though, so they will probably be around another week. My guess is Paige Myles will go because not enough people know her and are not invested in her story and Lacey Brown because her performance was rough.

What did you all think?

The Road to Hollywood

Amanda Drama girl (didn't get her name...I was on the phone) who kinda reminded me of Carnie Wilson had a good voice but I completely agree with the judges that she had no connection to the song. I don't know why she was trying to blame it on being a theatre major. You are taught to connect to anything you are performing -- monologue, scene, song. I didn't feel that was a valid argument.

Lee Dewyze reminded me too much of Elliot Yamin from seasons past and I did not like his interpretation of Ain't No Sunshine.

Crystal (Piece of My Heart) is what I would have called in high school a wookie. Total hippy dippy granola, earth mother I-don't-brush-my-hair-or-teeth weirdo. I HATE when girls sing Piece of My Heart and I am not sure why it has had a resurgence lately among the contestants. Ugh. She got through and I don't know why.

Lacey Brown - I was glad to see her get a second chance especially since she lost out to Megan Joy Corkerey last year. Yuck. I like her much better than Megan.

Stephanie Fisher - I was most blown away with Kara telling her that she was a really smart girl. Uhhhh....when I think of really smart girls I don't picture an overly tanned barbie doll look alike with a bumpit in her hair, wearing a sequined leotard, fishnets and spectator shoes. I am actually more than confident if you walked around an ivy league campus you would not see one girl wearing such a ridiculous outfit. Oh yeah and did we forget the fact that she can't sing and she keeps showing up each year even though she is told again and again not to come back? How does that make her really smart Kara? Sometimes, ok most times, I wish Kara wouldn't talk.

Genesis Moore - Did anyone else notice how FLAT she was on I Told You So? Painful. I was SHOCKED that they put her through.

Adrian Chandichi- Did anyone else think he was a woman? Especially after the blossom analogy? Ok, and then after he sang I Can't Help Falling In Love With You? And then after noticing it looked like he was wearing a white woman's maternity top? WOW!

Michael "Big Mike" Lynche - Good voice...very smooth and he gave a confident performance. I don't think if I had just heard the voice I would remember him beyond the night, though. In my mind he is still the guy with the big arms and the ok voice. Hopefully he can change that and really do something special during Hollywood week.

Didi Benami - I can respect the fact that she is trying to make the song her own, and she was singing for her friend, and she was in tune, I just don't really care for that "style" of singing. It again reminds me of Megan Joy. Side note: seeing AvLav again with those silly devil horns on her hoodie made me want to run up and yank them off her head. How easy do you think it is to sing to someone like that. If I were auditioning I would find it incredibly distracting. It's not about you, Avril!

Aaron Kelly - I really liked his back story(I'll admit it, I was tearing up) and thought he had an exceptionally good voice for his age. He had a really great tone and control of his voice. I winced when he announced he would be singing Miley Cyrus, but I agree with Simon it was a good choice for him. I hope he does well in the next round.

Kimberly Bishop - I kissed a girl in a tiny black nightie...oops they had to censor me. I really wished she could have sung Katy Perry's song to her. That would have been even more funny.

I felt bad for Shania especially after her mom told of the vision she received that her daughter could sing. She is a cute girl. Maybe she can get better at something else because she is truly tone deaf.

Hope Johnson - I really liked her back story. I am a mess tonight with the little kid stories. Just thinking about kids not having enough food is enough to melt the heart of even this grump. Even though I Hope You Dance is not my favorite song, I think she did a good job with it and she does seem to have a special energy about her. I like her.

Phew! We are through with the freaks and geeks phase of the competition. On to the real contest!!! YEA!!!

What did you all think?

The Mile High City

Mark Labriola - I wasn't as blown away by his rendition of Tempted as the judges were, but I think his backstory is what intrigues them.

Mario Galvan - hahahaha. His nervous laugh was annoying enough before he started singing and I was hoping that he wouldn't have a good voice so we wouldn't have to deal with that for nearly an entire season (ahem, Tatiana from Season 8). Thankfully my hopes were realized and he really did not have talent. A-hahaha.

Kimberly Kerbow - Cute girl. Cute daughter. Her voice was pleasant although I kept wondering while she was singing if she was wearing a wig. Then, I heard the judges talk about it and I didn't feel so crazy.

Danelle Hayes - Great control of her voice although she made me very nervous with all of the crying before she even sang. I hope that she does well in the successive rounds of the competition, but I have my doubts. She seems to not deal well under pressure, but who knows? Maybe she only had a couple hours of sleep and will fare better now that she knows the judges like her.

Casey James - "Dance Monkey, dance!" Add this to the many reasons why I don't like Kara. Since she was so offended by Bikini Girl last year, definitely the way to respond is to do the same to some poor guy this season. It really offended me that they made him take his hair out and his shirt off to get through to the next round. They would be outraged if Simon or Randy did that to a woman.

Tori Kelly - I guess the technique for getting through is bringing your kids/sister in to sweeten the judges. Because I watch the show each week I guess I am just getting hardened to that reality. I wish the judges would also adopt my annoyance, but alas, 16 year old Tori gets sent through. I don't think she will last long. Her voice is ok, but I wasn't overly impressed. Posh and Kara are more interested in changing this into a looks competition instead of a singing competition, and this is what happens.

Austin Paul - I can't stand people that have a high opinion of themselves and no talent to back it up. If anyone has seen the amazing documentary Every Little Step, this guy reminds me of Tyce. I was SO glad they did not put him through.

Kenny (didn't get his last name) - Painful and I felt bad for him that he really thought he was good. SO repetitive! Ugh!

Nicci Nix - Her speaking voice seems VERY nasally so I am already nervous for her. Her singing voice was better and she is cute so I knew she would get sent through. Maybe I am just not hearing right tonight, but so far, I have been underwhelmed by the talent. I really think she could have picked a better song that would have showcased her "range" a bit better. I think that song had four notes. But, as Posh said, she has beautiful skin so, 'nuff said.

Haeley Vaughan -Well as soon as I write that I wasn't impressed with anyone, in walks Haeley Vaughan. The thing I liked most about her, was not her backstory about being a preemie. I really like the fact that she wants to be a "black-pop-country-mainstream artist". Lofty dream, but I like her motivation and I thought she picked a tough song to sing. I hope she does well in the next round.

What did you all think?