Who knew that Rolling Stones week would bring out so many wacky interpretations? One thing I’m happy to see is that the performances are getting better with each week. Although I didn’t see any knockout performances, there weren’t any real stinkers either.
Michael Lynche: Way to run em back! “Miss You” by the Stones has never sounded funkier. It was if Luther Vandross was covering the Stones. Quite ballsy with the arrangement but I love this guy’s falsetto. Simon says he looked desperate, I say bull. Grade: A-
Didi Benami: Not bad. She’s got better pipes than I ever thought. She’s got the look of an Idol, still not sure if she’s the real deal. Grade: B+
Casey James: More of the same. See my comments from last week. I’m with Simon on this one. Grade: B-
Lacey Brown: Surprisingly, the arrangement wasn’t that bad. On the other hand, the vocals? ouch! I think she came back down to earth. Grade: C+
Andrew Garcia: This guy is officially “Bizarro David Cook.” Takes songs and turns them on their heads….except not in a good way, (“Straight Up” notwithstanding). What an awful arrangement. The vocals weren’t good either, despite the fact that he has a great voice. Ellen proves again why she has no business being a judge on Idol as she says it was his best performance so far….jeesh! Grade: C-
Katie Stevens: I thought it was ok. Not bad, not great. I don’t see her going very far, but it was an improvement from last week. Kara agrees. Grade: B-
Tim Urban: “Under My Thumb” Jack Johnson style? Not for me. I think a lot of these folks are taking personal interpretations a bit too far. To say nothing of the fact that the vocal was pretty limp. Kara gives him props for doing something different, but so what? Grade: C
Siobhan Magnus: Weird beginning and I didn’t like the look but I give her props for the voice, wow! Grade: A-
Lee Dewyze: Whenever I see this guy perform, I think of the guy that plays guitar and sings at Potbelly; good voice, but the winner of American Idol? I think he needs to get rid of the guitar. He seems too focused on his playing. Grade: B-
Paige Miles: Wow, I didn’t think I’d like it but it worked. She’s got the biggest voice in the competition and it was on full display tonight. The judges aren’t really feelin’ her, and I kinda see why, but man can she sing (laryngitis and all). Grade: A-
Aaron Kelly: Odd entrance. Not a bad performance. He’s better when the vocals are scaled down a bit. I was a bit bored, but it was infinitely better than last week’s performance. Grade: B+
Crystal Bowersox: After two weeks on top, Crystal finally came back to earth. Hardly damning as it was bound to happen sooner or later. I really didn’t like the arrangement, but whatever, I could listen to her read the phone book. Grade: B
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