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Thursday, March 12, 2009

American Idol Top 12...err...13


So, another season of American Idol is upon us and the real competition started on Tuesday with the top 13 singing Michael Jackson songs. As always there were some performances that wowed everyone and some that were just ho-hum. My opinion of who was great and who wasn't differed from that of the judges, but that is normal.
Danny and Anoop had the fun performances, the ones that got everyone up and dancing. Allison and Alexis were showing off their talents with big vocals although, I found Alexis's performance to be a bit frantic. Adam's rendition of "Black& White" was too over the top for my liking. He has great vocal range but just because you can hit some high notes doesn't mean you have to use them all the time. The judges loved it and I just wanted it to end. Jorge...poor Jorge. I like him, I really do. I think he's a great singer but we just didn't get the chance to hear him in his comfort zone. Everyone else has gotten to perform in their comfort zone but this week he had to choose a song that he didn't know, in a language that isn't his mother tongue. It had to be difficult. If he would have been able to sing in Spanish I think he would have been amazing. Jasmine and Megan gave decent performances but they were nothing spectacular. Jasmine had good vocals but a boring performance, Megan had a fun performance but "Rockin' Robin" isn't very challenging vocally.
Kris gave a performance that Simon and I agreed on...it was clumsy. Or, sounded that way at least. The arrangement was strange and the guitar sounded off, as in he was playing it out of sync with the band and it almost sounded flat. He also does weird things with his jaw when he sings and I find it very distracting...but that is just a little thing that annoys me about him, it has nothing to do with his singing ability. Scott, though not the best singer, he is a good singer and when he has his piano he is wonderful. I don't know if it is because he can hear the notes he needs to sing when he is in front of the piano, or he is just more comfortable, but when he plays and sings he is better than when he is just singing. I like him. Lil Rounds is a great singer but I just don't find her to be the amazing talent that the judges think she is. She reminds me of a combination of Anita Baker and Fantasia... which I haven't decided is good or bad. Matt gave my favorite performance of the night when he sang "Human Nature" on the piano. I would like to see him do some Maroon 5 in the future...if possible. Oh, and then there was Michael...the roughneck that sings kind of okay. I forgot about him. I guess that shows how much he stands out to me. I don't even remember what song he sang. I hope he goes next.
Speaking of who stays and who goes, Jasmine and Jorge didn't receive enough votes to continue on, which I understand but I think that Michael should have gone over Jorge.
Ever since season one I have been one that only votes for someone I really have faith in, and I usually don't vote until at least the top five. So, I have my opinions now and I know who I would like to see win but I will keep that for future entries.