Posted by Mattie in So instead of doing two separate posts regarding this week’s show and results, I’m going to combine the two into one long post. And I think you’ll see that my rankings and ratings aren’t based on anything that’s happened in the results show..well, not entirely anyway.
So this week was Neil Diamond Week on Idol, and with the contestants having to perform twice (that’s 10 songs total), Ryan was off and running right out of the gate with the fast pace. I was somewhat of a fan of the judging happening after the 2nd song, although obviously what Paula had to say throughout the show was a bit disturbing and confusing. I see what you all mean. And apparently we weren’t the only ones that noticed. Ryan stopped 5 minutes into the show to back-up his co-star and Paula seemed genuinely touched. I usually don’t have a problem with Paula even in her whacked out state of mind…but you have to wonder who was doing her notes for last night’s performance show…Gallagher?!?
So onto the review of the performance show already!
Jason Castro - “Forever in Blue Jeans” & “September Morn”
Wow, where to begin with Jason this week…I think the one word that best describes him this week is disconnected. He just felt disconnected all night long with his choice of song and his approach to the performances themselves. Another word I would use is disinterested. I can’t believe we had to listen to him do two songs while Carly Smithson was (as was pointed out in the opening segment) watching from home. C’mon…talent or no, Carly would’ve owned this night much more than Jason did.
Song One Rating - 7.5 out of 10 Matties
Song Two Rating - 7.0 out of 10 Matties
Total Rating - 14.5 out of 20 Matties
David Cook - “I’m Alive” & “All I Really Need Is You”
David’s got it in cruise control at this point. It would take a catastrophe of epic proportions to have this guy not make the Final show. He’s talented, he’s humble, and each and every week he brings something to his songs that the other contestants don’t…pure, unadulterated originality. Don’t get me wrong, I’m also a fan of Archuleta, but this guy is a self-made talent. He might be a step below Archuleta vocally, but he more than makes up for that in stage presence and charisma.
Song One Rating - 8.5 out of 10 Matties
Song Two Rating - 9.5 out of 10 Matties
Total Rating - 18.0 out of 20 Matties
Brooke White - “I’m A Believer” & “I Am, I Said”
Brooke just seemed ultra-stiff tonight…like the exact polar opposite of her usual gyrating self. Look, I’m not a fan of the wild on-stage performance usually, but you’ve got to move some. That first performance was just (to use a Simon’ism) ghastly. The second song was much more Brooke. She was vulnerable, personable, and very at home in front of the piano. That being said, she’s been in danger a few times in recent weeks, and well, tonight she could be in danger again.
Song One Rating - 7.0 out of 10 Matties
Song Two Rating - 8.5 out of 10 Matties
Total Rating - 15.5 out of 10 Matties
David Archuleta - “Sweet Caroline” & “America”
So I guess we probably knew that David A. was going to pick arguably the two most recognizable Neil Diamond songs tonight, right? Look, you can call it a safe pick, you can call it cheesy, you can call it whatever you like…David Archuleta has an amazing vocal instrument and he knows how to work it. He is never off pitch, he has great vocal timing with his runs, and he never, ever seems uncomfortable on stage (except when getting the comments from the judges…) David is the total package.
Song One Rating - 9.5 out of 10 Matties
Song Two Rating - 9.5 out of 10 Matties
Total Rating - 19.0 out of 20 Matties
Syesha Mercado - “Hello Again” & “Thank The Lord For The Nighttime”
There are fans of this blog that are going to hate hearing me say this…but Snoha has grown on me these last few weeks. I think it’s because she’s stopped trying to be the diva everyone expected her to be and she’s just being herself on-stage…a funky, kinda crazy Broadway stage performer with a great voice and great stage presence. I think she has found her niche’. I love the fact that she’s playing this side of her up…and even the non-fans of Syesha have to admit that in these last few weeks, she’s been pretty good. Of the two girls left in the competition, she has more talent than Brooke, so I expect that she’s safe this week.
Song One Rating - 8.5 out of 10 Matties
Song Two Rating - 8.5 out of 10 Matties
Total Rating - 17.0 out of 10 Matties
So there we go…packed tightly into 10 songs were 10 ratings and here are the rankings!
5 - Jason Castro (Dreadlocks, it’s time to go)
4 - Brooke White (Can she hang on for one more week?)
3 - Syesha Mercado (No shame in being #3 this week…she did well again)
1a - David Cook (No #2 this week…these two guys are just too close)
1 - David Archuleta (It would be a crime of justice not to have these two guys locked in the finals)
Right on…so there you have it folks. I’m not sure how close I am to the results (well technically I do now, but as of this part of the post I don’t)…so without further delay, let’s get to my post regarding the results show!
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So it was Neil Diamond week on Idol, and while I was hoping for better performances and a bit less hectic of a pace, I thought the performances were really good. Interesting that Paula was mentioned in the first segment or two…interesting indeed.
The minute they brought Castro out, I had a feeling he was safe, and lo and behold, the first three contestants brought out were all safe….Castro, Cook and Archuleta. That leaves the Bottom 2 this week as Syesha and Brooke.
I gotta say I’m not entirely surprised, although I had Castro rated below Syesha. Brooke has flirted with elimination for a few weeks now, and while she’s managed to hang on…this week was not her week. Thanks to the DVR cutting off, I didn’t manage to see the entire performance of her song, but the tribute was touching and it was nice to see the rest of the Top 4 surround her on stage for comfort.
Brooke will be missed…
And so now we’ve got the Top 4 as Syesha, David A., David C., and Jason Castro…and it’s Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame Week on Idol next week. I guess each contestant will get two songs just like this week…so it’ll be interesting. It might be that the judges pick one song and the contestants pick another…who knows?? All I know it that we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty, America!
So what are your thoughts on this week’s Idol?!? Whose performance did you love? Whose performance did you hate?! Did Brooke deserve the axe?!
Let me know your thoughts!
One comment that the judges had latched onto this week was “in the zone”. At this point during the competition, I’m surprised to see that only 3 of 5 people are there (David C., David A., and Syesha). Brooke and Jason weren’t. I like the phrase “out of their element” better.
Let’s start with Brooke. She seems like the singer-songwriter type. I don’t see her in concert. I see her playing at a coffee shop. Quaint, peaceful, and intimate performances. She has talent but she only shines when she is giving off the “coffee shop performance” vibe. After two restarts (”Every Breath You Take” & “You Must Love Me”) and a few agonizing performances, she was the right person to go.
Jason. I like his style. It’s Jack Johnson-y. The problem is, his lack of charisma won’t sell tickets to a large concert. Honestly, I don’t know where he fit’s in. Nice guy and all, but like I said, not very charismatic. So he won’t sell out the Staple Center, but he’d do well at a small venue. I think that makes him ineligible to be the American Idol. Jason is gone next week. (I was really hoping he would find an opportunity to sing a couple Bob Marley songs - namely “No Woman No Cry” & his version of “Waiting in Vain”. I think his voice would fit very well and he’s got the dreads to boot.)
Sorry for the novel. After all, this was my first post on Matt’s blog. I had to make up for my lurking. =)
PS: Matt - Your comments on Syesha finding her niche? Spot on, my friend.
I liked Brook, but she was lacking a certain “star quality”. That may have been what I liked about her. I think I’m bored with this season in general. Maybe because we now know that you don’t have to win to make it big and even if you do win you aren’t guaranteed to make it big. Or maybe the contestants (minus one David Cook) are just not as exciting. I believe if Michael Johns and Carly had stuck around it’d be a much better final 4. They kept my interest. Oh well. . .
I’m not too surprised by this week. I’m surprised Jason wasn’t in the bottom 2 with Brooke, but I’m not surprised Brooke went home. I agree with Jill though, I’m a little bored right now. We all know the two best singers are the Davids so I vote we skip the next two weeks and go straight to the finale with the Davids…that way So You Think You Can Dance can come back on sooner! =-)
I’m expanding my comments on Randy’s critiques. Not only are Randy’s comments time-delayed by one week, so are America’s votes. The week Carly was horrible (inspirational song week), she was safe. The next, when she was STELLAR (”Jesus Christ Superstar”), she’s gone. Last week, Brooke was dreadful (”You Must Love Me”), yet safe. This week, she was only partially dreadful, partially quite good, but gone. I dunno, maybe there’s something to it. So, hopefully, that means that Castro, who sucked this week (and the week before), will redeem himself next week, and then promptly be sent packing. It’s all too true: Carly and Michael Johns should totally be standing where Syesha and Castro are, but it matters not one bit. The Davids are the two finalists, both have careers ahead, and there’s not a darned thing America’s inept voting can do about it.
I am very, very bored with this season… I miss Carley and Michael…
But, whoever mentioned So You Think You Can Dance… SO excited it is coming back on soon!!
ditto on the so you think you can dance comments