Top 10 Perform

I thought last night's show was way better than last week, thank heavens!! Usher was a great mentor and actually gave them sound advice which I think helped a lot of the contestants.
and Where is the Danny Gokey this season? We need that fun personality and confidence from anyone...anyone?
Let's discuss:

1. Siobhan Magnus - I still wanted her to tone it down more than she did. I want an emotionally raw performance without any yelling. For the first time I felt that she was really off key a bit, sometimes sharp. I felt bad for her as she was almost in tears at the end of the judging. I am sure this week will shake her up since she has always been praised. I liked how the cameras showed us more of the behind the scenes than we have ever seen before. It sorta showed the camaraderie (yes I had to look that up to spell it right) between the contestants.
   
2. Casey James- I really like his confidence and the growl of his voice,, however, the constant smiling while singing is sorta irritating. Do you ever see Daughtry or David Cook smiling away while strumming the guitar?? No,,, ! He's gotta put some grit in his face to match the grit in his voice. Kinda get into the guitar a little bit,,, I don't know... just maybe work on really performing. I agree with Kara in that he does stay in the same range for most of his songs,,, the chorus was sorta repeat the whole time.
   
3. Mike Lynche- He brought out the guitar again and sang a deep emotional song. I really liked it and generally Mike doesn't do it for me. It felt real to me and not 'cheesy' or silly. He connected to the song and had great vocal control. This was one of my favorites of the night. He felt like a true artist last night.
   
4. Didi Benami- What happened to you?? She used to be one of my favorites and I just feel like she's sinking FAST. She is honestly on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and yes she is so reminiscent of Brooke White. The blonde hair, the tilted head smile when Ryan asks her a question, and the tears of emotional turmoil are just so similar. She was wearing a horrible sparkly evening gown, her hair was not happening, and I didn't feel the connection with the song. I sure hope to heck that she is able to pull it together and find better songs for next week, if she's still here.
5. Tim Urban - Why oh Why are you here week after week?? Just GO AWAY! Stop voting for him people!! He sings with no conviction- so sick of his little eyes looking into the camera with his head tilted, the way he smiles honestly does urck me, it's so fake and put on, he will never EVER have a career in this business. I just want him GONE!
6. Andrew Garcia- Guess who's back? Back again - Andrew's back! So, he finally lived up to the hype, 2 months later!! He took a good contemporary song- no oldies here- Forever by Chris Brown and made it super fun to listen to. He had swagger, confidence, and a smile on his face. It felt real and I really enjoyed listening to it.
7. Katie Stevens- I still feel like she's just acting and over thinking every aspect of the performance. A true artist just makes us, the audience, feel like it is true and natural. She did have a great vocal performance, but the attitude and everything she tried to portray is so fake. She did need to pick a younger song.
   
8. Lee Dewyze- He is finally performing like a star. His vocals were amazing and I really enjoyed the song arrangement. Lee does need to start owning it though, he has great chops, but it's just his personality and star quality that needs some polishing. One of my favorites of the night.
   
9. Crystal Bowersox- So she has heals and can play the piano,,, hmm? Was it necessary? I don't think so, but I do like the change from the birkenstock's and flower dresses. Great song choice and I thought she did great. She'll be here for sure.
   
10. Aaron Kelly - I thought to myself,, "Why tackle this infamous song?" since it was one of the shining moments from Kris Allen last year. Ain't no sunshine I think needs to be hung on the shelf and left alone. His vocals were alright, but there was no conviction on this song. Not my favorite from him. But he'll be safe.
    

So there we have it. My power rankings for the top 10:

• Lee Dewyze
  
• Andrew Garcia
• Mike Lynche
• Crystal Bowersox
• Casey James
• Katie Stevens
• Siobhan Magnus
• Aaron Kelly
• Tim Urban
• Didi Benami

So what happened to the girls this season? Wasn't it supposed to be a girl's year? I'll tell you what happened,,,,Lilly was kicked out way too soon. Ticks me off,,,, oh well. Bottom three will be Katie Stevens, Tim Urban, and Didi Benami..... Tim will go home!!! Can't wait to see Usher perform,,, I really do enjoy him.

Top 11 Perform

Um, last night was awful! Is this what we are really subjected to listen to for the next 2 months? Honestly... a lot of disappointments, including Miley Cyrus as the mentor??? gack.... She hasn't even had a #1 hit, and that was the theme last night. (changed from teen idols last week) Let's discuss -

1. Lee Dewyze I thought had a lot more charisma than he has showed in week's past... maybe cause he didn't have his guitar on? Whatever it was, his voice is rockin' and is so ready for the radio...
2. Tim Urban is on my hit list. He is so stiff, boring, and never ever gonna make it in the industry.
3. Paige Miles,,, what the heck happened to you? You used to know who you were and sing with such confidence. This was the WORST performance by far. She is so history tonight.
4. Aaron Kelly did a really good job, but he is always singing the power ballad. He wasn't that bad for even having laryngitis and tonsilitis.
5. Crystal Bowersox of course was the best of the night. She is effortless, but I agree with Ellen. She does need to act like she is accepting all of the fanfare. Maybe she's a shy person,,,? but I don't think she is. I wonder if she's gonna tackle Melissa Etheride at all this season.... wait, has she already? I can't remember.
6. Mike Lynche was just another big teddy bear ,,, err,,, Ruben Studdard,,, I know he'll go far, but he won't win.
7. Andrew Garcia is really in need of a serious good performance. I was hoping he would give us one last night, but he sang I heard it through the Grapevine. I am not sure why so many of them chose to sing really old songs and not change anything about them. It really was a blah performance. He's in the bottom 3.
8. Katie Stevens finally got rid of her beauty pageant-esque style of singing and wardrobe and sang some Fergie. She got into the song and for the first time I felt her. It was her best performance. I'm thinking they need to cut her hair or something.
9. Loved Casey James last night, even with his ode to Huey Lewis. He's an awesome musician and he is just fun to watch. I wonder how he would be without the guitar though.
10. Now this one confused me. I thought Didi Benami did really well last night. I like her voice and so what if she was changing up her character. Isn't that what performer's do? I mean Adam Lambert was someone new every single week last season. And Siobhan has been someone different too. They have given her so many different judgements the poor girl is probably second guessing every move she makes instead of just doing what she wants. I hope she figures it out cause I like her.
11. Siobhan Magnus had a great look last night and was totally comfortable on stage. She has had 3 really powerful weeks with the big scream at the end,,, so next week I'd like to see her tone it down a bit. Her very first performance in the 24 she sang that Chris Isaak song and I fell in love with her then. I think she needs to tone it down for next week to show her vulnerable side.

So the rankings for last night's performances are as follow:

• Crystal
• Siobhan
• Casey
• Lee
• Didi
• Mike
• Katie
• Aaron

Bottom 3 are

1. Paige

2. Tim

3. Andrew

I honestly don't care which of these three go, but my guess is Paige is packing her bags!

Results!

As was predicted, Lacey Brown has left the building. The bottom three, Tim Urban, Lacey, and Paige Miles were expected, but I still think that Paige Miles is better than what we've seen from her. It was fun to see David Cook again. I'm really not that into this Ke$ha character,,, what is she all about?? Anyone out there liking her yet? Hmmm,,, is she trying too hard? I think so, her whole performance was blah! And the Australian chic who wails on the electric guitar, Orianthi, she is AMAZING! She was the guitarist going on tour with Michael Jackson. If you haven't checked out "This is it" yet, go rent it now! She is incredible on that dvd, horrible song last night though.

Next week the theme is "Teen Idols".... so expect a lot of crappy songs from the younger ones. I hope the older contestants make the songs a little 'older' for the adults out there. Stay tuned! We could be listening to some Hannah Montana or Justin Bieber,,, oh goody,,, (accented with HEAVY sarcasm)

Top 12!!!

I have misseed three weeks of blogging! Shame on me - and shame on my computer - and shame on my constant vacationing this month. So I'm back, let's hit it. Can I just say that America totally got it wrong when they sent Lilly home last week!!?? She was unique and different and way more interesting than Katie Stevens. Katie is going to get lost in this competition, and just doesn't deserve it. I am not a fan of Aaron Kelly, he is too young and has no star presence about him at all, he sorta reminds me of that Kevin Covais (chicken little) from like 3-4 years back. I liked the Alex Lambert character, even though he was a bit shy - I think he might have broken out of his shell with more experience.

Last night's performances were a bit drab for me. Two really stood out for me and those were Siobhan's and Crystal's. Where is Adam Lambert when you need him?? Let's discuss: (and I hate to admit this, but I'm not a big fan of the Stones, I don't know why I never got on that band wagon, I don't hate them, just don't know their hits as well as a true blooded American - or Brit- should)
Big Mike Lynche: Well he wowed America and Kara last week with his rendition of "This Woman's work",,, but I am just not feeling it for this big dude. Sure, he can sing and perform, but honestly, can you see him at the Grammy's or the likes?? He performed this week "Miss you" and it was a good solid performance. He's gonna make it far in the competition because he actually has a real personality!!

Didi Benami: Just saying her name for some reason makes me smile,, say it with me now! ha. So she sang "Play with Fire" and I thought she performed better than she has in weeks. She was one of my favorites in the very beginning. She just seems like she's about to break though. Remember Brooke White? She was the same way, just an emotional wreck. I want more from her.
Casey James: First off, his hair is styled way better than it was a few weeks ago... ug,, what was up with the little girly blonde curls. He's a rocker man, not a cheap suzy dollar store doll! So he sang "It's all over now" and did a decent job. I felt he was very still, scared, and not really into the song. He smiles when he sings, which I like - a solid performance from him.

Lacey Brown: She's a pretty girl, has some decent talent, but I'm not feeling this at all. I used to like her, but she is sleepy to me. Meaning, no pizzaz, spaz, or raz-a-ma-tazz! She sang "Ruby Tuesday" and had on a crazy concoction of stripes, lace, and a little some'in some'in that wasn't working for me. Her hair is cool though. I can totally see her singing some Cranberries,,, I'm thinking she's hitting the road tonight.
Andrew Garcia: Well he's just about done on this show. I just am so sick of hearing the judges talking about his hollywood week performance of Straight up! Maybe he's just not all that good if he pulled out his best song ever about 5 weeks ago! Grr,, anyways, tonight he performed but it wasn't the right song for him, it just didn't fit at all. "Gimme Shelter" is not suited for his voice type.

Katie Stevens: I used to like this little girl, but she is a balladeer, and that's it! This song, "Wild Horses" fit her just fine and it was probably her best performance thus far, but she's just a plain old regular girl next door with no star quality.

Tim Urban: Well that sure was a crazy arrangement Mr. Urban. The only reason he made it to Top 12 is this, and only this - crazy teenage girls think he's cute. Man oh man, let's hope he's gone soon or, let's hope he MAJORLY steps it up. "Under My Thumb" should have been "Under my foot"! Siobhan Magnus: Finally!! Someone with some drama, performance, and guts! She took the song "Paint it Black" and really went out there to win it tonight. She was not sheepish at all and really just is herself people! I was waiting all night for a performance with a little umph, and she gave it to me. Most fun to watch of the night. And, I like that she's weird!

Lee Dewyze: Here's another name I like to say for some reason... So hey, I really like his voice, it's a total radio voice, but as Simon said - he is lacking in the personality department. America likes to become attached and connected to their idols, right? So he needs to really work on that. He sang "Beast of Burden" and I thought he did a really good job. I like him, just want him to smile a bit more, joke around, etc.

Paige Miles: Finally that big old voice is back! She does have a great vocal prowess and I think her eyes are pretty. I can't wait to hear her sing a different theme in the upcoming weeks! She sang "Honky Tonk Woman" which was a weird song. I've never even heard it before. Hey, laryngitis, go away!

Aaron Kelly: The judges gushed over this pre-pubescent kid and I just did not get it. His version of "Angie" was so boring!! I don't know what else to say, so I won't!

Crystal Bowersox: I always look forward to her performances, so that must mean she is one of my favorites! She sang "Can't always Get What You Want" and did a good job interpreting the lyrics and meaning of the song. She is going to make it far in this season!

So, here are my rankings of last night's performances.

1. Siobhan Magnus
2. Crystal Bowersox
3. Didi Benami
4. Casey James
5. Paige Miles
6. Lee Dewyze
7. Mike Lynche
8. Andrew Garcia
9. Katie Stevens
10. Aaron Kelly
11. Lacey Brown
12. Tim Urban

We'll see who gets the boot tonight!