American Idol Holds On: Week Ten

American Idol top ten performed last night, only nine more weeks until the finale of this not so fabulous season nine. Usher was the mentor for R&B week and he did a good job. Naturally he has an album about to be released, there is always a reason for the mentors’ appearance during the season.

Seacrest goofs about Usher’s constant use of sunglasses in the opening which was slightly entertaining. What is it with the wearing of sunglasses so many celebrities do at inappropriate times making them look ridiculous?

Siobhan Magnus’ lisp came out when she met Usher. Apparently she really was ‘wicked nervous’. Usher was kind to her and remarked she has a ‘true shot’ for becoming an incredible artist. I am not sure what thought processes she underwent in regard to her clothing ensemble but it was as disjointed and odd as her vocal performance. It looked like she was wearing a corset with mummy wrappings with some odd laced up boots. She was quite terrible last night, fell off pitch constantly resorting to overdoing her becoming cliche’ scream singing. To say she was difficult to listen to is an understatement.
Siobhan Magnus, “Through the Fire”

The judges all confirm they think she’s got the vocal capability but she was completely off the mark. Simon deemed she ‘killed it’ but meant it as more of a roadkill type of definition.

Casey James was up next, performing “Hold On, I’m Coming” the Sam & Dave & Blues Brothers hit. Again he used his electric guitar which, considering he’s quite good on it, I can’t fault. The fact I’ve a soft spot for guitar players, a given. He looked absolutely gorgeous and I adore his smile and upbeat vibe. I do think he’d benefit by not constantly smiling through each song.

Vocally, Casey sounded very good but, that said, he sticks to the same formula each week. Eventually he’s needing to come out with something brilliant and wild. If, and I mean IF he does that he’ll secure a top spot on the finale. At this point I could see him as making it to number five, if he comes out wildman, easily number three. Rewatching his performance this morning I am smitten with how very physically attractive this guy really is, pardon my fangurl.
Casey James, “Hold on I’m Coming”

RandytheBoBo loved him, Ellen thought he’s being generic, Kara wants him to show it all (I bet she does) and Simon actually liked him. I know I enjoyed him, how can you not?

You can’t actually fault Casey James for doing the same type of performance every week then praise Big Mike Lynche for doing the very same thing. Lynche performed “Ready for Love” a tune by India.Arie
Michael Lynche “Ready for Love”

The back lighting behind his head was odd and almost scary with his ears glowing red. I have to say too, I absolutely hate it when a performer has a guitar and uses it as a prop rather than actually play it. So why have it on? Presentation… for that I call fraud. It’s why you don’t see the instrument much during the performance because the guy’s not playing it.

Randy says he likes the guitar – placing TheBoBo crown back firmly on his head. Kara did not even know the song displaying her true lack of current musicality, Simon claims he can now take him seriously as an artist. Perhaps the wearing of the guitar as a prop was a good ploy afterall. Me, as you might note, I’m just not a big Big Mike fan.

Didi Benami has a meltdown in practice with Usher. She selected “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted” and made herself cry. I think it’s a combination of singing in front of Usher and the fact she’s a bit of a nut. He advises her to basically cry during the song, but instead Didi made everyone listening to her want to cry instead.
Didi Benami “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”

I think she’s going to be looking for someone to care enough to keep voting for her to stay on the show. Randy thinks she flatlined, Ellen said she loved her (we know) but ‘boo’ed’ herself a sure sign she hated it too, Kara said Didi overdid it and now has changed and sucks, Simon said listening to her was like swimming in jelly… Score one for Simon, unique descriptor of the night. He proceeds on a tangent to knock down other reality shows in the process of critiquing as well, so give him props in setting up his upcoming “X-Factor” show coming soon to American television.

Teflon Tim Urban was confronted by Ryan Seacrest with his new moniker, “Teflon Tim”, and handled it quite well. He’s also showing some spunk and a decent sense of humor. My fondness for Timmeh has grown tremendously after watching this performance. Tim’s meeting with Usher and his reaction to advice was entertaining and quite funny. Urban selected “Sweet Love” by Anita Baker and made it into a performance worthy of something you’d hear and see delivered by a young David Cassidy. I think Tim’s being misunderstood, considering his 1970’s hair, he’s just trapped in the 2000’s, a true child of a bygone era of teen idols past and the early days of Tiger Beat. One thing that can be said about Teflon Tim’s performance, he did remain in tune for most of the song.
Tim Urban “Sweet Love”

I give Tim props for getting RandytheBobo to sing, Ellen acknowledges that she reads VFTW referring to the drinking games. Kara was pathetically overly emotional, ranting and wavy her arms about; Tim laughed at her and I would have too. Simon gives Teflon Tim the nod for the fact that he’s still on the show and may continue to be on the show for quite some time. Tim’s laughing with Ryan about having his smile lambasted made me love him more, talk about smiling in the face of adversity. May the Teflon be with you Tim.

Andrew Garcia gets a big fail right off the bat selecting girlfriend beater, Chris Brown’s “Forever”. The song has a focus on being on a dance floor and what does Garcia do? Sits on a stool and acousti-fies the tune. The show apparently wants to help him out as he gets box bongo, string instruments, etc. Everything about this guy bugs me. His Wayne Newton pompadour, his same singing voice in every song, his huge goggles. I give him a small amount of credit for his voice not being horrible but he can only sing in one style, one way. He’s a one trick pony.
Andrew Garcia “Forever”

RandytheBoBo loved everything, said Andrew was ‘dope’. I mainly think Andrew is a dope. Ellen and Kara, blah blah blah, something was said about ‘walking on the moon’… (what?) Simon called him boring. Andrew’s Mami rushes the stage wearing a zebra yattering in Spanish this staged as an attempt to display something of interest about Andrew.

Katie Stevens displaying even more evidence of a complete lack of knowing what she’s about selects the Aretha Franklin song, “Chain of Fools”; foolish choice on several levels. First, this song has been done a billion times on this show, second, it’s just a bad fit for her, third she looks a bit awkward in performance. Add to this her ensemble was completely horrible. Let me add, I was so uninterested I kept forgetting she was singing.
Snookie Poof Katie Stevens, “Chain of Fools”

Kara keeps pushing her to be an R&B singer, Randy likens her to Christina Aguilera, (what?) Ellen and Simon think it sounded old. Simon also nails another reality show and calls her performance “Star Search”.

Lee Lon Chaney Dewyze is at his attempted most sincere best with rocking out, ala watered down Nickelback with “Treat Her Like a Lady” a tune by Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose. Granted Lee’s voice is decent but the guy has the sparkle and shine on stage of a scuffed linoleum floor. The David Archuleta ‘Members Only’ jackets need to go, really. He continues to remind me of Lon Chaney in “The Wolfman”. Seems Lee’s got ‘walking pneumonia’. Does no one clean the American Idol quarters? Everyone’s been drastically sick in turns this season.

Everyone loved Lon, I mean, Lee.

Crystal Bowersox left behind her guitar and hippie chick wear and sat piano wearing one of Mariah Carey’s outfits. She sang “Midnight Train to Georgia” tottered about awkwardly in stillettos and basically keeps on winning this show.

What did the judges say? Take a guess. She gives a shout out to Gladys Knight so let’s see when it comes down to finals if she is not paired up during the sing with a real celebrity episode.

Teeny tiny Aaron Kelly misguidedly selected “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers, a song used last season by Kris Allen last season to win the show. He has a complete lack of stage presence. Interestingly out of all the contestants, most have about 5 to 6 vids up on the Youtube. Only found one of Aaron…

RandytheBobo thought it awight with him, Ellen said she thought he was eleven, Kara was vapid, Simon compared him to Lee and called him a cupcake. Indeed.

So, overall I think we may see any of these contestants in the bottom three, Didi Benami, Teflon Tim, Aaron Kelly, Andrew Garcia, and as a potential surprise, Siobhan with her tragically terrible performance.

Who I think should go home, Andrew Garcia but then I don’t always get what I want. After Teflon Tim’s brave performance I do hope he remains to sing another week. Slide, Timmeh, slide…

Just Because YOU Need to be Thunderstruck!

C’Mon everybody, pull out that Air Guitar, it’s The Weekend!
Thunderstruck!

American Idol Rolled over The Rolling Stones

That title was just too easy…

On an American Idol night that turned out pretty much as anticipated once it was revealed song selections were to be made from The Rolling Stones – the iconic tunes were rolled into a new life form by the season nine contestants. I’m not saying better life form, more like some odd oozing thing you might see in a SyFy B movie on Saturday night. I am figuring this season to go down in the history of the show in which none of the songs picked will ever resemble the originals; all will be reworked and in the case of the Stones, rerolled into a package that makes it difficult to decipher what the Hell it was to begin with.

Michael Lynche works “Miss You” into Michael Jackson meets Rolling Stones. He dons a wallet chain and wears either two watches or a bracelet and watch and once again tromps around the stage in what is to be a dancing but looks more like he’s opening for a WWE match-up.

The panel was mixed but Kara wearing some sort of Star Trekkian blouse liked it, Simon not a fan of the Big Mike stomp around dance routine thought he was desperate and corny.

Didi Bedami has a nickname for her mother, “MommyBedami” whom can’t watch her on the show. Didi picked “Play With FiYah” (apparently that’s how she read it..) and sang it pretty much like she sings everything, so no matter what the song is, when Bedami delivers a tune you know what you’re going to hear. Didi does get the orange light treatments and even her mic is lit up orange so it was easy for RandytheBoBo to come up with, “you’re on fire tonight!”. Ellen caught the double syllable treatment of the single syllable word and Kara babbled on for way too long once again saying Didi’s singing was something like dark chocolate. Or something. That’s what I heard, anyway. Simon thought she did a solid….

Tall, blonde and way too pretty Casey James had a back story revealing that, as a baby he’d suffered some bad reaction to a vaccination, so that gives tall, blonde and gorgeous an out for his sometime vacant reactions. Casey comes across as a genuinely sweet and darling guy and I must say I absolutely love him. Or I would at least for one night.

Casey brings the Bob Wills feel to “It’s All Over Now” with a delicious country twang played his guitar, open-chorded, single handed. (Nice hand moves…) James needs start being a bit more lose on stage and not so stiff but he gave that tune a nice throw back vibe and I liked it.

Randy yo, yo’d and loved it, Ellen brought the Lesbian Blonde jokes and liked it – Kara called him a rock star, Simon is urging the guy to get more wild. I’m down with that.

Amarillo girl Lacey Brown stepped into the role of Tammy Wynette with “Ruby Tuesday”, I did not hate it but then perhaps I’m cutting her some slack, she being Texan and all, y’all. I thought her rushed “…stillI’mgonnamissyou” alteration of the song a bit odd. Randy said something, Ellen was moved somehow to declare Lacey’s like standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. (Yes, odd not a bad descriptor now is it?) Kara, Hell, who knows what she said, then Simon declared Lacey’s over-thinking the songs… Over thinking seems not the right words when it comes to Lacey.

Andrew Garcia gang banger’s folks gave one of the strangest backstories I’ve heard – and seen – in a while. Apparently Pops, who just cannot hold back the tears, ever, (perhaps Garcia should have selected “As Tears Go By”) thought his son had no higher aspirations in life than to be a custodian. Young Andrew had a key collection so Pops equated keys to being a custodian, it seems. Likely if Garcia can’t make a go on this show he may very well live up to Pop’s dreams. Where is his baby Momma and kid anyway? Just saying. Garcia’s mom was really strange, she sat there as if completely taking herself out of the picture, and gave me an odd mental image… Garcia brought the Michael Buble’ to “Gimme Shelter”.

In his story he talks about picking up the guitar from Pops then says that they never had money for a guitar… word to the rest, have your backstory make some sense… Oh wait it is Idol. RandytheBoBo declared his love but called him pitchy anyway, Ellen admitted to knowing nothing, Kara rambled on trying to give a song history lesson, Simon asked Kara if she wanted a tank on stage, the song to literally, to act out the song. Simon is obviously trying to save the guy for the tour.

Katie Stevens wearing one of her Grandmother’s old party dresses sang “Wild Horses” (of course) because, you know, wild horses could not drag her off the stage. Now lack of votes might but I doubt, with the tweenie contingency voting we’ll witness that happen this week. Her delivery felt off the beat, the song was nearly funereal march slow, she gave it the Idol old school treatment – kept lyrics simple and brought the melisma. I found it like something you’d hear at a school talent show.

At this point, The DMan said, “I bet Mick Jagger’s puking right now if he happens to watch this shit.”
The judges are irrelevant to me right now.

Tim Urban’s home video brings a first, showing him as a baby with what looks like barf all over his wee face. He brings the white-boy version of Bob Marley does “Under My Thumb” demonstrating why he is The Vote for the Worst pick. As he plays The DMan says “It’s not all right, you still look like a girl and you fucked up the song”. And that’s why I love HIM.

RandytheBoBo becomes white noise (again) and Ellen boos herself first then boos Timmy calling him a pina colada resort type singer, and Kara calls E a guy. We knew that was coming eventually. Simon understatedly commends Tim for doing something different but does not hesitate to add that it didn’t work.

Siobhan Magnus comes from a huge artsy family whom apparently like to play with construction paper. She sports the big geek glasses in the clip although perhaps she does not really wear glasses in real life. Listening to Siobhan, The DMan commented, “What the fuck are they all on quaaludes tonight?” Siobhan brings sort of this gypsy influence to the song that culminates into a strange, wild screech, harkening back to Adam Lambert.

RandytheBoBo thought she brought The Drama, The Jersey Shores reference from Ellen is oddly refreshing since it was so random, Simon thought it worked, he seemed to like the scream, saying some will like it some will hate it. The D voiced, “I really hated it” . Me, well it was not my favorite of the night.

Lee Dewyze and his Werewolf boy hair was next. Apparently paint now the theme after Siobhan’s song delivery. Apparently in his life before Idol he worked in a paint store, so after a faux question and answer session on paint names and colors that made Lee even more dull than watchin the stuff dry we get to hear Lee do “Beast of Burden” ala Dave Matthews.

Yes that was the equivalent of paint drying via song. It was ok by RandytheBoBo, E because as she’s already admitted, knows nothing, liked it, yet like a hospital gown, it did not come together, Kara celebrated his tremendous growth – so does that mean he was like a potted plant to begin with and now has advanced to paint drying interesting? Good on him, then. Simon, well he wants this one on the tour too.

Paige Miles was next, she’s been sick with laryngitis but the show must go on. Paige’s back story is about how her Pop died when she was a girl and MommaMiles had to raise her and siblings alone. She too, spent much time singing in church. She brings the honky tonk sound to “Honky Tonk Woman”.

RandytheBoBo liked it ‘awright’, Ellen thinks Paige has star quality, Kara hmm, I forget, Simon thought considering she had laryngitis that she did quite well.

Aaron Kelly is from a small town called Sonestown and he was adopted. He countrifies “Angie” because, well Aaron is aiming to be a country artist, I think we viewers all realize that by now. He’s not toss him out horrible although his song entrance was a bit sad.

RandytheBoBo said something about Justin Timberlake, Ellen thinks they have the same hair, Kara thought he connected and called it ‘very great’. Simon thought it would be an absolute disaster, thought it was the right song for him to pick.

Crystal Bowersox’s dad was always supportive of her music and from the sound of his story, he acted pretty much as her roadie. Apparently she’s been playing since she was ten years old, singing and writing her own songs. Daddy got a song written for him which notably touched him, he’s a crier like Garcia’s Pop. She says since ten she knew this is what she should be doing. Crystal may get what she wants, unlike the song she picked, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and brought a decent performance of Janis Joplin does Idol Crystal is pretty decent and out of everyone tonight, one of my favorites. Thing is, now the show is aiming for a Siobhan vs Crystal show down.

RandytheBoBo was moved to Yo, awright yo, listen I LOVE YOU!!! Ellen said she sings with such ease, born to be onstage, thought Crystal was bringing some personality tonight, told the kids at home to ‘not think’ and Kara thought Crystal had been a bit arrogant, Simon wants to talk about over thinking which gets Crystal babbling about pressure to support her family. Simon tossed the gauntlet down that Siobhan beat her tonight.

Game on, apparently. So who do I think will leave tonight? My choice for bottom three, Katie Stevens, Lacey Brown and Andrew Garcia. Who I think America will select in the B3, Paige Miles, Lacey Brown and Tim Urban.

Who do I think will go home tonight? I’m picking Lacey, but I’d love it if Garcia went. (I must retain the optimism that VFTW will champion Timmeh.)

Siobhan Magnus: The CapeCast Guy Coverage

The CapeCast Guy, Eric Williams, has created videos shedding more light on the roots and person behind reality karaoke show contestant, Siobhan Magnus. He brings information and tidbits of background that we’d likely not see during the American Idol coverage.

Apparently Siobhan’s Pop is also a singer, he’s featured in this video shot in Parker’s Shipwrecked Tavern. (Shades of our guys’ band and what has become our usual haunt, The Main Pub, come to mind.)

Alan Magnus sings “Simple Man” and “House of the Rising Sun” (…so that’s why she selected that song). The Cape Cast Guy likens them to the “Van Trapp Family” (Sound of Music) because of the family group band atmosphere but apparently, according to her sister, Emily, it’s more like The Adams Family.

Stephanie Gianno, of Marstons Mills, one of Siobhan’s best friends who has travelled to studio with her brother and Siobhan’s boyfriend, Joe speaks out about her friend in this exclusive video.

This video, shot in February of this year by The CapeCast Guy at Morrison’s Glassworks Shop; as viewers all ready know, Siobhan was apprenticing as a glass blower.

Shop owner, Brooks Morrison reminds me of a few a cousin of mine who specializes in wood works, wooden Indian flutes, in Utah. All the vibe talk, auras, sounds like family. I like Brooks’ response to the question posed by Eric Williams about American Idol, “I hate the show” – he’s all right by me.

Lest you think that The CapeCast Guy is only about Siobhan Magnus and American Idol, check out his site in which he presents stories in his humorous, articulate and visually enticing ways, daily in The Cape Cod Times.com. Any further information that The CapeCast Guy might be able to ‘fish’ up such as more info on her band, Lunar Valve, their music, would be greatly appreciated.

American Idol 9: Siobhan Magnus “Dark Horse” Indeed

Siobhan Magnus, for me, is the most interesting character this season on American Idol. It seems she has an intense backstory that she’s not exploited for sympathy or attention witnessed from many of the contestants, historically (and sometimes near hysterically) on this karaoke reality show. I hope you take a few moments, review this contestant’s youtubes and see for yourself what an absolute authentic jewel she is for the show this season.

Oddly during Hollywood week, Simon Cowell had called her a ‘dark horse’ in this competition and she had no idea what he meant by that. Perhaps she was thinking it a bit early to declare dark horse status or she’d never heard that terminology before. Either way, she is quite likely one to watch in the weeks ahead. In her on-line biographies information about her home life and her real life background scarce with the exception of:

“She sings for the band Lunar Valve and graduated from Barnstable High School in 2008. Oddly enough, Magnus is a glass-blowing apprentice and enjoys scary movies.

Naturally with her background in theatre, she’s gaining a comparison to last season’s Adam Lambert. There is a huge difference between she and Lambert, notably not the sexual differences but rather their back drop stories…. more to come.

Siobhan in a high school musical production:

Siobhan Magnus in the role of Belle in high school production of “Beauty and the Beast”.

Cape Cod Idol, the Siobhan support at the pizzaria with her high school choral teacher interview:

Her Hollywood week performance of “Living for the City” definitely shows some reason for the viewers’ assimilation comparison to Adam Lambert’s styling.

Bar video of one of Siobhan’s shows with her band, Lunar Valve in CapeCast. It may be that this CapeCast guy be rather like the WOOO Radio push Taylor Hicks’ enjoyed during his early days on the American Idol 2006 season run…

Granted not the best video/sound but it’s damn difficult without professional equipment to capture the live vs the tape during band performances.

One blogspot established to bring more Siobhan news can be found HERE or at her fan facebook feed HERE.

American Idol 9: So Close and Yet So Far

This week’s American Idol top 16 was a lesson in finding the funny. Seriously, people are we really still thinking this show is all about the music? Let me hit you then with a dose of high reality about this reality show. We can’t even say American Idol has jumped the shark because that would be giving this highly rated karaoke contest some credit for being everything that FOX has wanted it to be, yet it’s not.

Opening the Top 16, Tuesday night we see Ellen Degeneres smoozing up Simon Cowell. Why? To dispell the rumors that started this season that she and Cowell did not get along. Plain and simple. Remember Ellen use to be an actor in a popular evening sitcom so she remembers how to play it Straight… Seriously though, Portia I don’t think you’ve anything to worry about…

Katie Steven the previously thought of Idol favorite once again bombs out on her song. See, people, we can’t go by all the hype coming into this crapfest, it’s all designed to get you to tune in – that or the girl originally came across much better before the show actually started on television. She picks Kelly Clarkson’s hit, “Break Away” and she started way too low and flat and simply floundered pitifully through the rest of the tune. Sadly to top off her dismal vocal performance, she wore a pair of the fugliest pants I’ve ever seen. What were they some sort of camoflage? Seriously, she needed camoflage to fade out of sight after that song. Randy called it karaoke, but that was being way too kind. Simon said she sucked the life out of it. Still he made it clear they still want her on the show. Why? She’s only 17!!!

Siobhan Magnus selected the old classic, “House of Rising Sun”, an old tune I actually like and I like her. She’s so different, odd and rocks originality. She sang it accapella and while it was no Bo Bice “In a Dream” performance it wasn’t terrible. Since the show keeps yanking this season’s contestants’ vids shortly after they hit the Youtube, I’ll put up Bo Bice and his accapella performance instead.
Bo Bice “In a Dream”

Randy gives the best advice this season, “don’t listen to us”. She’s seemingly become the contestant Simon wants to kill off the most, all he can say about her is she’s odd and wierd… I see potential VFTW in her one day.

Lacey Brown did better this week, she performed a song that fit her voice and personality but she’s just not doing much for me at this point. I think she looks much like Nikki McKibben. That’s all I got on Lacey.

Katelyn Epperly tried to make the Earth move with a Carole King tune, she played keyboards. It made absolutely nothing seismic happen in the studio or for us at home. Big bomb for Epperly and is she going for the Howard Stern look? Check it: (Epperly) – the hair and the song a big Mistake.

Didi Benami played her guitar to the Fleetwood Mac song, “Rhiannon”. It was kind of cool, but thing is, Didi sings every song in the same way, identical vocal treatment. Can you imagine listening to that track after track on a CD? The only thing that changes up a Didi Benami performance, the lyrics. My favorite judges’ comment, Ellen’s ‘yes indeedidi’.

I have to pause to comment that Kara must be trying to fill that Paula Abdul void, that or Pauler has some voodoo channeled at Kara and randomly takes over Kara’s body. It’s odd. The hanging next to Simon, her increasingly over the top emotionalism…that wild glazed gleam that shines out from her eyes. Sadly she’s a mere imitation; brought me to the realization that the real Paula does seem to be sorely missing this season.

Anyway, we see the faux crying from Didi, I think at least one tear was shed. I really hate her now. Fraud, fraud, fraud.

I found it ironic Paige Miles picked “Smile” for two reasons, one being Miles and Smile sound similar (yes, I know how first grade of me) and that she nearly wept through the entire song.
Oh look this video still up on Youtube: Paige Miles “Smile”

Randy gives an interesting comment with Paige’s review, “beef, chicken or shrimp” comparing her to a banquet singer. Kara was her bitch face self and well we need not cover them any further.

Crystal Bowersox performed “Give Me One Reason” giving the at-home audience a good reason to pick up their phones and dial. She did a good job. So good in fact, Simon felt the need to get mathematical and rave something about one million billion per cent in the top 12, claiming she’s The One.

Lilly Scott did “I Fall to Pieces” and whereas I did not want to fall into pieces listening to her song delivery (while playing mandolin) she did it interestingly enough. Thing is she continues to remind me of a cross between The Corpse Bride and Cindy Lauper and her songs, like Didi’s all sound alike. Too I think ‘quirky’ a word becoming way overused this season. Someone send the panel a Thesaurus.

Wednesday night opener had Ryan doing some sort of strange pretend military type scene with walking in front of the guys and shouting their names into their faces. Only Alex Lambert seemed to acknowledge the ridiculousness of this and could not stop giggling.

Lee Dewyze picked that horrible song that is being overplayed on the radio, “Firefly” by some band named Owl or something. (Google is your friend.) He was stiff, and sounded pretty terrible on my end. I did get a chuckle out of his seemingly earnest delivery of such a stupid song. I find him dull and lifeless with a complete lack of personality or spark of any kind. I could care less what the judges had to say, did not write it down so can’t recall.

Giggling mullet-boy, Alex Lambert has an interesting voice but please, after Taylor Hicks did Ray LaMontagne’s “Trouble” during his season on the show, Alex should not have gone there. Thin imitation of the song and Hicks still rules it for the show.
Taylor Hicks, “Trouble” (Alex’s version needs not be posted.)

The Vote for the Worst pick, Tim Urban, found a bit more of a voice this week and did the song that helped make Jason Castro so popular on the show, Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”. Tim played acoustic guitar, (which seemed the rage tonight) and delivered his best vocal yet. Best thing about the night so far, Ellen pulled a new judge trick and actually rushed the stage. The look of near fear on Timmy’s face hilarious. Good TV moment.

Gokeycia, aka Andrew Garcia peaked too soon, Kara said. Hell I think he was just a fluke this entire time. Had his best moment in Hollywood week and it’s been down hill ever since. He tried to do to “Genie in a Bottle” (Christina Aguilera) ala the “Straight Up” Paula Abdul tune and failed miserably. It was beyond terrible and I hope he goes home soon or we’ll see his goggled mug on the VFTW banner before this season ends. He continues to show he has no vocal range, tone, melody or personality.

Thank the music gods Casey James left that Jessica Simpson look behind, he came out with messy ponytail, acoustic guitar and did a Keith Urban song, “Think of Me”. I’m not a Keith Urban fan so not familiar with his music but I thought Casey did an excellent job, excellent, especially after what I had endured previously. He still needs to let it go and set himself free on that stage. Man, find that inner wild man spirit, I know it’s in there someplace…

Girly boy Aaron Kelly was up next, looks like he’s trying to grow out those previously over plucked eyebrows. He sticks to his usual country type vibe and does “I’m Already There” by Lonestar. Now regarding Lonestar, all I know is that Hallmark has a Sound card out with one of their songs, saw that at the local Walgreens when birthday card shopping last week. He’s quite terrible.

Good Singing? Yes that’s what was said of Todrick (Fraudrick) Hall’s weak yet theatrical Adam Lambert impersonation during his song choice, “Somebody to Love”. Funny comment from the judges’ panel – he sounds so Broadway. Hello, back in the initial auditions he told them he had done Broadway in that musical Fantasia was in, so no revelation here, they knew what they were getting from the start.

Big Mike, Michael Lynche, styled himself donning a suit ensemble on the top of his torso ending with jeans and sneakers. He was by far the most entertaining of the night.

Michael Lynche definitely showed some range in his vocals, but I’m not sure if that was a good thing. Big Mike went from vocals that sounded like dolphin cries, in “This Woman’s Work” to bellowing out the big low long notes ala Reuben Studdard.

RandyTheBoBo slobbered all over himself, Ellen declared OMG!!! Then we had the beauty that was Kara crying as if she’s in the midst of a hormonal surge combined with too many shots of Tequila. Simon could barely speak with Kara’s watery mess next to him. Now that was entertainment.

My picks for going home, Aaron Kelly, Fraudrick, Paige Miles and Katelyn Epperly.

Oh Good, More Questions We’ve All Ready Heard Before

Come, sit with me and imbibe a beverage or ten as I, for reasons not truly understandable to myself, dissect the recent interview by Kate McCaffrey on Taylor Hicks.

Sit tight folks, here we GO. (psst, hit that link…)

Technical Difficulties… The Bowersox Factor

My rambling and I know, important opinion of last night’s show is in edits. While working it up somehow the site had a malfunction, or I had a malfunction and it’s needing dire edit surgery,something I’ve not time for this morning. Instead, for now, I’ll just put up a few of my favorite moments/performances from last night.

I have decided to blame Crystal Bowersox and her tiny bag of trinkets on my tech issues , I think the hoodoo mommah zapped some whammy in my writing so let’s start with Bowersox and her return from Horrible Illness:

She was quite good.

Then there’s this, Siobhan Magnus. She’s genuinely and completely wonderfully strange. Mohawk and lip tricks and all. I fell in love with her last night.
Siobhan Magnus, “Think”:

That scream at the end, full of win. There was something oddly reminiscent of Taylor Hicks in her ability to just let it all out.

Lilly Scott, “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke on acid.

I picked a video slightly off on purpose. Adds to the effect. When I watch Lilly I can’t help but think of The Corpse Bride. Tell me you see the same thing.
The Corpse Bride:

Well then, at least last night was marginally an improvement over Tuesday’s not even worthy of Karaoke, night.

It’s Guy’s Night: The Bowersox Sick Switch-Up Sucks

It seems American Idol gal contestant, Crystal Bowersox was ill last night so the show – carrying forth their seemingly evil plan to trip up the guys, switch nights. From what I could tell as I valiantly attempted to remain awake, they could have used 24 more hours to work on their acts.

Rather obvious too, it seems likely that who ever it is behind the scenes, giving them all the very worst advice imaginable on song selection. Or perhaps because they are guys, many can’t put a shirt paired with tie together on their own, they’re left dangling in the breeze to slowly strangle themselves on their own mixed-matched selections.

In what looked like perhaps the night might be decent, Michael Lynche takes the stage decked out in a manly monotone colored suit ensemble. Some odd inane banter ensued with Ryan about who can sound the most masculinely effeminate, (I know that sounds so ‘oxymoronish’ of me…) Big Mike had a pedicure, but Ryan Seacrest had a MAN-icure.

To prove Real Men Get Their Nails Done, Big Mike proceeds to bench press a wildly giggling Aaron Kelly whom I imaging rather enjoyed it. Sadly, I could not find a Youtube of this, anyone out there have it, pass it on.

Big Mike goes with a James Brown song, and mind you, I’m going by what the show’s telling me, not in the mood for in depth research right now. He’s wearing a nice dark monochromatic suit but my kiddo feels the need to deride the man, saying as she’s texting one of her eleven year old tweenie pals, “Wow he has such a small head for his big body…” Minutes later she, rolling around on the sofa asks me, “How long is this song? IT is soooo boring”. When Mike finishes the song, he ends it with this sort of squeak and Darling Daughter giggles, “I just texted he sounded like he farted. Did he mean to do that?” She’s a world weary little sixth grader.

RandyTheBoBo of course, fearing Big Mike will come over and start pumping him over his head babbles with positive sounding gibberish.
Ellen, showing more symptoms of being as ADD riddled as I, cracks wise about inventions. Darling Daughter and I look at each other blankly.
Kara with her hair, styled by what seems to have been her three year old nephew, if she has one; it’s pasted back from her face in an odd, quite terrible way, says “I did not get it until tonight!” Then in her best homie affectation with turkey neck action, said something about his ‘owning it’, blahblahblah… how he wasn’t the same guy…
Simon tells Big Mike he went from pussy cat to lion in one week.
Apparently the show helping the man out since he’s moving wifey Chrissy and newly born kid out to the show’s location.

John Parks comes out with his best John Meyer impression singing “Gravity”. Sad song selection for John again and I hate to see him leave, he’s a nice looking man, but boring as all Hell. Apparently he too is in a home-grown band called Purple Haze and the band guys want him to do badly so he will return to them. After his dismal performance, I think they’ll get their wish. I can’t recall what the judges said, it’s irrelevant, he’s out.

Darling adorable hunk of hot blondeness, Casey James confesses to having been raised by neglectful parents who would not let him vegitate in front of the television during his childhood. Seems lightening smacked their house, put out the lone television and Mom and Pops said no more TV for them. Darling Daughter was completely agast at the thought of a house with one television then no television. She said, “was he poor?” I am NOT raising her right at all.

I was rather pleased to hear he’s bought his own house and renovated it. Imagining him wearing only shorts and a carpenter’s belt or no shirt and paint smears… was quite a treat… loved how he called it his ‘tiny ‘lil house’.

Sadly Casey James came out with Jessica Simpson hair again but paired it with an electric guitar matching his blue eyes – surprise – he can play decently giving a smidge lick of Jimi Hendrix into the tune he selected, one that Bo Bice sang way back when on Idol, “I Don’t wanna Be” by Darwin McGraw. James told Ryan “A lot of these peoplel are better than I am” and his goal to make Top Ten. His singing wasn’t horrible but he needs let loose more because he’s coming over too smiley, too Jessica Simpson and while I like my guys ‘stiff’ he’s being stiff in not a good way.

RandyTheBoBo easily picked up on the Jimi Hendrix vibe, liked his guitar playing.
Ellen praised the song, thought he sounded great and loved the guitar. I think she is just drawn to his girly hairdo.
Kara trying to regain her dignity after all these past weeks of slavering over him and obviously hating the ‘cougar’ title gave himsome tough love. It’s obvious she thought she needed to crack that whip.
Simon, went on about something involving sand, dirt and standing out. Mental image, gardener…

Alex Lambert sat with his guitar this week as his safety blanket, he admitted to pre-performance vomiting and that he oddly creates his own language. Likely too he was one of those kids (raises hand) who also had imaginary friends like talking horses to keep him company. He does a John Legend song I’ve never heard, “Everybody Knows” likely everyone knows this tune but me since I’m not big into John Legend.

I have to say Mullet-Vomit-Boy has a nice vocal tone, he exhibits a knack for phrasing and I rather enjoyed the jazzy tone of his delivery.
RandyTheBoBo loved his ‘package’ which amused me.
Ellen referred back to her last week’s banana moment and said someone must have put him in a paper bag to ripen this past week. Nice. Nothing like being continuously compared to fruit while being the only person ever on the show to wear a mullet hairdo. She did say something about Sam Cooke at him as well.
Kara fawned over him, I’m thinking in an attempt to make Casy jealous, praising his voice as being ‘recordable’ and possessing a talent yet clueless about what to do about it. I’m thinking, well here’s her next cougar snack, she’ll gladly take young Alex and mold and shape him …
Simon gets mathematical telling Alex it was a million times better than last week, but Alex needs develop some sort of killer instinct. With Alex’s soft doey eyes it’s hard to imagine the boy entertaining killer instincts of any kind, but then he did create his own language.

What is it this season with some of these guys anyway? Did they go casting this group with height in mind? Several of the guys this season are making wee Ryan Seacrest look quite tall, that or Ryan’s standing on a box.

Perhaps by the fact Ryan looking a bit tall this year, Simon can’t contain himself and they launch into their “I love you, you love me” banter complete with Ry referring to Simon as “sire”. Mental image from that distressing.

Toddrick the Fraudrick Hall up next and he absolutely murders Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to do With It”. Apparently he’s as clueless as he looks and cannot quite grasp that his approach is one big fat fail. He’s all conflicted about whether to dance, not to dance and to change a tune or not to change a tune. Really who can blame him, the judges have been playing him like a marionette. I can’t feel any pity for him though as I still hate him. I did like his silvery leather looking jacket though. Want it.

Again at this juncture, with this contestant I could care less what the judges had to say. I just want him to leave. Hell Simon’s just as over him as I am and flubs his name calling him, Tondrick.

Jermaine Sellers swishes out singing “What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye. It’s dirge-like slow, if you were not familiar with the song you wouldn’t know what it was. Darling Daughter commented, “I can’t even understand him…what IS that song?” He’s horrible and likely gone this week. I did find him at least entertaining – in his bio he rocked a green onesie and really who would actually do that and let it shown on television? By the way, the judges all hated it.

Andrew “Gokey” (Garcia) is up next and he’s beyond boring and his vocals getting worse. I paused a moment wondering if he’s asthmatic, out of breath trying to sing while sitting on a stool? Man go work your chubby ass out. He and Alex Lambert have a similar tone but Alex showed tonight, he is actually much better. I don’t care what Andrew Gokey sang or what the judges had to say, he was just abysmal. I want to stomp his goggles.

Aaron Kelly, the next Carrie Underwood want-to-be sings “My Girl” with his country spin. Darling Daughter asked me, “why are the guys getting to sing sooooo long, when is this over?” She looked tortured, I felt like a bad parent having her endure this whole night. The judges were mixed with Simon of course, the only one who made any sense, called it ‘all over the place and backwards’. That is why he gets called ‘sire’ I suppose. I liked Aaron more when Big Mike was using him as a dumbell.

At this point Darling Daughter and I become transfixed with Kara’s witchy hair again and begin speculating on how it got so terrible.

Tim Urban is looking to become the next Sanjaya, he’s just that odd. He disappoints me with his proclamation of being really a Christian musician at heart. Pandering likely to all those God-fearing Churchies who love this show for its wholesome family fun. Too, likely with all the Vote for the Worst photos of him running around in bathing trunks he’s trying to ‘goodie’ up his image. He was bland as last week, but Simon throws the monkey wrench in the mix, joins the Worster side and actually gives the boy praise. Once again we get to see Tim’s shock-face after Simon’s positive review. I think actually Simon has enjoyed the bathing trunk pics as well.

Lee Dewyze is obviously picking the Chris Daughtry slot this year and does “Lips of an Angel” by Hinder. He wasn’t a bad Daughtry wannabe and Darling Daughter commented, “wow that was short” After Lee sidled up to Seacrest, I said, “wow, he is short”. Apparently Dewyze was a bad little boy and is in the process of turning his life around. He was provided heaping amounts of praise from the judges and Simon gave him the green light through to another week, in fact on into the finals, it seems.

Going home Thursday, likely John Parks rejoins Purple Haze and I think Jermaine will waltz on out too.

Dial Idol results for what they’re worth. CLICK
Any typos, too bad, I’m not fixing them. Tonight providing Bowersox emerges from doctor’s care, we should see the girls perform.