I Am Noah James

Idol/Spec: Top 6 Performance Show – 4/27/2010

Last night was American Idol –  The Top 6. 

Here’s a quick recap:

This week was Shania Twain week.  I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into it, but she actually seemed really good at helping the contestants.  I think there’s added pressure when YOUR songs are being performed.

Lee Dewyze – “Still The One”

I really do feel like a broken record with this guy, but I just don’t see what others see in his voice.  The lower notes were absolutely horrible, and even in his “sweet spot” (as Randy calls it), it just sounded like crap.  And karaoke.  The judges simply are not being consistant with their karaoke call-outs.  I just didn’t like it at all.  I like HIM, just not his singing.  At all.  However, the judges love it; and he’s never been in the Bottom 3 – so what do I know?

Michael Lynche – “It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing”

I really loved it, and so did the judges.  It’s his usual R&B ballad.  His falsetto is great, his voice very technically talented.  HOWEVER – and I keep bringing this up – he needs to stop doing the same fake personality crap.  That is why he was in the Bottom 3 (and the lowest-vote getter, but saved), and that’s why this may be the week he goes home.  I think he thinks he’s acting gracious and a “lover of the people”, but it comes across very political and staged.  Simon this week said Mike’s performance seemed theatrical and staged – but I would argue that he becomes theatrical and staged after his song.

Casey James – “Don’t”

Last week he sang “Don’t Stop”, this week he sang “Don’t” – so maybe next week it will be “Do” somehow.  But I digress…

He actually didn’t hide behind his guitar licks this week.  It was a throw-back to his “Jealous Guy” performance – very raw, emotional, vulnerable – a place I don’t think he likes to be.  That said, for a Casey performance it was very good.  I would agree with Simon & Randy that this was his best performance ever.

Crystal Bowersox – “No One Needs to Know”

The judges hated it.  Well, they said they didn’t like it – but you could tell they didn’t like it at all even though they like her.

Screw’em.  I loved it.  I loved how it seemed like I was watching a music act performing at the CMA‘s, and I HATE country music.  It felt natural yet crafted, laid-back yet not a “safe” choice.  She sounded good, and seemed like the only true professional last night.  I laughed a couple times, just because I was tickled that it seemed like she could truly go on to bigger things. 

Aaron Kelly – “You Got a Way”

It wasn’t until this song where I realized that I was watching a different show than the judges.  The beginning was pathetic, the middle was abysmal, and the end was predictable.  Look, if this competition was to find the singer who is the best at holding out one note for a long time, Aaron would win.  However, if Aaron is forced to add more than one note to a song, he’s screwed.  The judges loved it, and I lost all credibility in them.  Color me confused.*

Siobhan Magnus – “Any Man of Mine”

Every week, she finds another reason for me not to like her.  This week, she’s added a weird hand gesture thing.  It’s hard to describe, but I’ll try – it looks like she’s doing the doggie-paddle while flashing the “I Love You” hand gesture with both hands.

On to the performance:  For the second week in a row, she went 95% karaoke.  The only different from last week is that the judges liked this week.  I wasn’t too thrilled about that, but at least Simon negatively commented on her scream.  I just can’t stand her performances, but since she’s never been in the Bottom 3, she probably won’t be for awhile.

So that was the show.  What did you think?  Agree/disagree with anything I said?

My picks for the Bottom 3:  Aaron, Michael, & Casey

Alternate: Lee

Going home: Mike (though I’ve been wrong a lot this season)

*Not soul.  That word is thrown around a lot on American Idol without using it correctly.  Taylor Hicks NEVER sang soul.  Ruben was the closest we’ve had in that genre.

**Do you think we’ll have a few month wait at the end of the season like Adam Lambert – or do you think it’ll be YEARS like Clay Aiken – before Aaron announces he’s gay?