Apparently the theme for tonight’s show is “Songs of the 21st Century,” and I’m guessing that’s just a fancier way of saying “songs that are somewhat current.” For what it’s worth, I’ve had a feeling all day long that Scotty McCreery is going to sing a Dierks Bentley song (“What Was I Thinking,” maybe?), but I’m guessing this hunch is pretty much completely inaccurate considering that I’ve never been very skilled at, you know, PREDICTING THE FUTURE.
Anyway. Top 7. Here we go.
Scotty McCreery – “Swingin'” – Before LeAnn Rimes recorded it, this song was some straight-up early-80s John Anderson goodness, and I know that because I recorded from the radio to my sah-weet red Panasonic tape recorder so that I could listen to it over and over and over. As far as Scotty’s performance, I thought it was okay – but a little boring, maybe? I liked when he dropped down to a lower key, but as far as wowing the audience, that didn’t happen. It felt safe and predictable, but it wasn’t interesting.
(You know what would have been interesting?)
(A DIERKS BENTLEY SONG.)
(I’M JUST SAYIN’.)
James Durbin – “Uprising” – Much to my surprise, I sort of loved it. It was interesting. The touch-o-drum line was clever, and even though I didn’t really know what to make of the riding crop, I thought James did a great job (with the exception of a couple of really screechy parts – but I’ll forgive the screechy since he sounded so good on the other parts). Super creative.
Haley Reinhart – “Rolling in the Deep” – This was the PERFECT song choice for her (I had high hopes that this week would be better after watching her hit it out of the park during last week’s duet with Casey), and I think she did herself a whole bunch of favors by playing to her strengths tonight. It wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I don’t think it had to be. I especially loved how she changed up parts of the song to make it her own, and if she makes it through to next week, I would just like to say: YES. MORE OF THIS, PLEASE.
Jacob Lusk – “Dance With My Father” – The first part of the song sounded a little strange to me – almost like he had a little bit of a frog in his throat (which is totally possible – it’s a super-emotional song). And while the rest of the song was better, I kept thinking that the problem with singing a Luther song is that you’re singing a Luther song. Big shoes to fill.
Casey Abrams – “Harder to Breathe” – I’m starting to think that Casey has the musical equivalent of my home decor problem: I like everything, so it makes it very difficult for me to stick to one “look.” Casey seems to like all sorts of music, and for that reason we can’t ever predict what he’s going to do when he hits the stage. On one hand that’s fun, but I wonder if America is going to be patient with him? Don’t get me wrong: I thought his performance tonight was great and fun and wonderful – I’m just curious to see how people are going to react to it.
Stefano Langone – “Closer” – Um, did Stefano attempt to break it down about mid-way through the song? Because I’m pretty sure that he tried to break out some moves. It was definitely the most animated he’s been in terms of interacting with the audience, so that’s good improvement, but he didn’t blow me away with the vocals. It wasn’t bad – it just wasn’t my thing.
Lauren Alaina – “Born To Fly” – I LOVED the arrangement, and I thought Lauren was darlin’. I feel like she’s sort of locked in the country wheelhouse – and there’s nothing wrong with that – but I’d love to see her step outside of her comfort zone and sing something unexpected. I feel like she needs A Moment – for her confidence as much as anything else. She has no idea how talented she is.
Best of the night: This is a tricky one, but I’d say Haley or Casey
Might have cause for worry: Scotty (sang first), Jacob, Stefano
Favorite moment: JLo’s make-up – it was spectacular
What did y’all think?
That’s too funny. I just said to myself the other day, “Lu, you really should probably watch Idol as 1) everyone else seems to and 2) if nothing else we (me and I) could check out JLo’s hair and makeup on a regular basis”.
Now I’m sold.
Your three “Might have cause for worry” were my picks. We’ll see what happens tomorrow night. Oh, and Dierks Bentley would have been great. When are they going to ask you to sit in with Jimmy? You’d be great at it!
LET’S SEE…UM YOU DIDNT’ EVEN TALK ABOUT HOW HORRID HORRENDOUS THE OPENING SONG WAS…WHAT WAS NIAMI DOING…SERIOUSLY..ANTS IN THE PANTS SISTER?
I LOVED CASEY TONIGHT…
STEFANO YOUR 15 MINUTES OF FAME WAS OVER ABOUT 30 MINUTES AGO!:)
I USUALLY LOVE STEVEN TYLER..BUT I DIDNT APPRECIATE HIM DROPPING THE F BOMB ON TELEVISION:(
My biggest concern was the red mark on Steven Tyler’s left cheek. It bothered me the whole night.
I have issues.
Ok, they’ve GOT TO CUT the group numbers-we have Glee now. . .that was awful!
Scotty makes me crazy -and I love country music.
James-surprised how much I enjoyed it!
Casey-what a musical mystery. Never no what he’s going to pull.
Lauren-wanted to HUG HER NECK and tell her it was going to be ok! I would love someone to get her out of those ‘mall’ clothes and help her step it up a bit because I think she COULD do it!! (and I’d love to rock her hair but I think I’m to old. Stink.)
Hope you’re feeling better!
Wasn’t my favorite week. Probably cause I’m not too current on the song choices tonight. Loved James! My favorite of night. Safe Scotty was, uh, safe. Lovely Lauren will win it all if she can find that confidence they are talking about, whatever that is. She’s rather confident in front of a few million at 16 or is it 17? Scotty too shoes. I lost interest tonight w/ judges. I read Luke 16:31 before I got on the treadmill to watch and I was a mess! Had to get off the treadmill when Jacob sang—sobbing again. That guy really touches something in me. Bottom 3: Jacob, Stefano, Haley. Stefanoisgone.
Naioma (or however you say it) cracks me up with her jumping. I like what an earlier commenter said about having ants in her pants. I also enjoyed the contestants making fun of each other.
I’m with Jessie – bothered me the.whole.time. But I agree with you totally and I think Stefano NEEDS TO GO!!
I am so old. I recognized two of the songs: The one Scotty sang (because it was a hit in the 80’s) and the Adele song that Haley sang (I heart Adele). Having said that, I loved Casey! It was a cool song and he made it sound original. I loved Haley as well, because, as you said, she made it hers as well.
Everyone else: boring. They all looked really nervous – I think the gravity of “I could go home” finally hit them.
And yes, that first number was aw.ful. It looked like a Six Flags/SNL Parody. I’m looking forward to seeing Pia on DWTS next week. Perhaps it will erase the memory of that horror currently burned on my brain.
Staying: Casey, Haley
Going: Stephano
Judges: I so agree about J-Lo’s makeup, but I didn’t like the hot pants; Steven Tyler’s daughter kissed him and left the mark. Is that weird? And I was distracted by Randy’s shirt: Were those ruffles?
thanks for the re-caps. I have been so busy this season- I have YET to watch one Idol. I can hardly believe it myself becasue I LOVE idol. Oh well- I get to enjoy it through your blog posts!
I LOVE Lauren, but I thought that song was terrible. It was so boring! I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, and it never did! Jimmy needs to make her sing Faith Hill or something DIFFICULT (I totally agreed with Steven Tyler on those points)! That song was anything but difficult! I agree with Angie–I also love country music, but I CANNOT handle Scotty (the holding of the mic, the raising of the eyebrows….ugggh!) I think this is Stefano’s week to go, or maybe Jacob. I voted for Jacob because I don’t want him to go yet!
I was just relieved that other people have observed and recognize the craziness that is Scotty holding a microphone. Drives me bananas.
Oh my lands, Brenda you’ve saved the day. I must have missed the father/daughter smooch when I was putting my Littles to bed. Now that I know what that was I am very relived. I even asked my husband if maybe S was in a bar fight that nobody wanted to talk about……
Funny how different people hear different things.
Scotty – I liked it, but there’s nothing he does I don’t like. Even the microphone holding, albeit odd, doesn’t really bother me. It’s just him. Nonetheless, it was boring and predictable and (GASP) first. “Up On The Ridge” would have been spectacular. Blake Shelton’s “Hillbilly Bone” could have been tremendous. I think Scotty will make it through, but I don’t even want him in the Bottom 3. He is Top 3 material, just not this week.
James – James crossed over the weird line with me tonight. The clothing ensemble was just too much. He’s flirted with my weird-line a couple of times, but tonight was it. Creative it was and I think he’s safe. Also Top 3 material.
Haley – Not only did I not love it, I didn’t even like it. Plus, she’s forgotten to dress to impress the male vote. What was with that polka-dot, bow dress? I was thrown back to the early 80s, not the early 2000s. Bottom 3
Jacob – God love him. He did fine, but not great. There was no Moment and he’s not one of the strongest contestants remaining. Simply because there has to be a bottom 3, he’ll be in it.
Casey – MY WORD. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. If he keeps this up, he may knock Lauren Alaina out of the third Top 3 spot, but he’s got to stay away from performances like last week. Way away.
Stefano – I’m now on my knees begging America to STOP VOTING FOR HIM. Pretty please? Absolutely the weakest contestant still standing. The bottom of the bottom 3.
Lauren Alaina – She’s got talent and potential. And, in my opinion is battling Casey for that final Top 3 stop. But, she’s got to S-I-N-G and P-E-R-F-O-R-M. She was good, but not great. She’s got to be great on a more consistent level than Casey to beat him out.
Looking forward to tonight. My inner cougar can hardly wait to see (and hear) David Cook perform. Ahhhh.
I loved the first song by all the girls…but I always love a tough-chick song.
Loved the “packages” before each person sings about how they all get along.
Jennifer’s hair and make-up and earrings etc…sooooo gorgeous and her whole personality is just cool. When Steven leans over and uses her mic (what’s up with that!?), it never seems to bother her, she has a lot of grace and poise.
Stefano is probably going home but it seems like it’s gotten to that point in the season where people know they are gonna have to go and it’s a lot more okay with them than it would have been 2-3 weeks ago b/c they know they are going out on the road with the tour. I think some of them know they have made it…I mean come on…Scotty’s definitely going to get a country label to sign him…Lauren will too, tho she doesn’t seem as confident. James has got Steven Tyler saying he will sing with him and bands like Muse are tweeting about him. Jacob can go the Broadway route for sure, if he doesn’t go on his own. Hayley could go country or alternative. Stefano…idk…he has had it rough before coming on idol but he can definitely sing so I think this means more to him than the others but I don’t know what he might do in the future. I LOVE a tenor, tho, and he’s a cutie. And Casey…he could go so many ways with singing, acting, or studio musician…super talented. I’d pay for one of his concerts right now.
K, that’s what I think….you asked…
I thought it was time for Stefano to go, but I think he would be good in Jersey Boys playing Frankie Valli. He’s always seemed a little Broadway to me.
I’m a big Lauren fan. I hope she ups it a notch next week.
anyone else out there driven cra-zee
when haley and james go so far
into screamville (or, growlville)??!
enough already: we know you can
do the adam lambert scream!!
and haley could do with a touch of
lauren’s humility, i think. she’s
gotten a tad too full of herself.
this week was my least fav. week…..
(my friends said the same) and can’t
wait to see what the remaining six
do with carole king songs.