With a tribute to the tragedy that occurred on the campus of Virginia Tech leading off the show in a solemn way, let’s get this thing started…this is American Idol!

The show kicks off with the bit showing Martina McBride, this week’s guest mentor, helping the contestants get a feel for country music. I thought that Martina was very well spoken and seemed genuinely interested in the contestant’s success. We’re down to the Top 7, which really is now getting down to what we call the nitty gritty!

So without further adieu, let’s get into the meat of the review…leading us off, it’s…

Phil Stacey - ‘Where The Blacktop Ends’ by Keith Urban
So it’s time for Phil to lead the show off, and usually if you lead off the show, and you’re traditionally not a super contestant, you’re doomed. Phil is not doomed this week, although, as Simon says, it might not be enough to save him. I really thought this was one of Phil’s better performances, and it seemed he found a bit of a comfort zone with the performance. Nice choice of song, and well, he needed this. That being said, he has been in the bottom 2 or 3 the last few weeks, so he obviously needs to really tug the heartstrings of the American public to stick around.
Rating - 7.5 out of 10 Matties

Jordin Sparks - ‘A Broken Wing’ by Martina McBride
So Jordin takes on the mentor’s song here…and I have to say, I was looking forward to Jordin’s performance for a long, long time here. I knew she was going to nail it and boy was I right about it!! She was AMAZING here, and I know it sounds like I’m just echoing the judges here (especially Simon) but my goodness, she was superb. I think Jordin has just jumped into the top 2 in the competition, if she wasn’t already there. Outstanding performance.
Rating - 9.5 out of 10 Matties

Sanjaya Malakar - ‘Let’s Give ‘Em Somethin’ To Talk About’ by Bonnie Raitt
Okay, so Sanjaya has gotten by on people who really don’t have the best interests of the American Idol competition at heart for a long time. No longer! The judges finally took it upon themselves to make a statement about his status in the competition, with Simon even going so far as to say he really doesn’t belong. I don’t think it will do any good, because the people voting for him are really vehement about it, but nevertheless, this performance tonight showed why he doesn’t belong. It’s time to go bye-bye.
Raitting (get it) - 4.5 out of 10 Matties

LaKisha Jones - ‘Jesus, Take The Wheel’ by Carrie Underwood
For the last few weeks, it seems as if LaKisha has lost some steam behind her performances.  She really seems as if she might be getting tired, either vocally or just physically (or both).  And while I thought this performance started out okay, it did end with her being a big AHHHHHH screaming everything, and it wasn’t the best.  What’s sad for me is that in the beginning of this stage of the competition, I had her pegged as one of my favorites.  Right now, she might be in the bottom 3.
Rating - 6.0 out of 10 Matties

Chris Richardson - ‘Mayberry’ by Rascal Flatts
I do think that Simon has a point…nasaly sounding songs don’t really have a place on American Idol.  That being said, I don’t think Chris is a bad singer.  I just think there are probably 3 other candidates better than him at this point, and he’s been in the bottom 3 a couple of times, so he’s a threat to be gone after this performance.  I think the song he chose is one that’s better suited as a “studio” song (with lots of mixed in harmonies, etc.).  It’s not the easiest or best song to sing solo like he did.
Rating - 7.0 out of 10 Matties

Melinda Doolittle - ‘Trouble Is A Woman’ by Julie Reeves
This song almost seemed as if it was picked for her especially, since nobody seemed to know who it was that wrote it or performed it before she did.  Nice song choice for Melinda tonight, and finally someone called her out on the whole ‘aww shucks’ demeanor she’s been throwing out there after every glowing review.  Good song though, and I think Melinda helped herself tremendously this week…safe…for now.
Rating - 8.0 out of 10 Matties

Blake Lewis - ‘When The Stars Go Blue’ by Tim McGraw
This is tough for me…I like Blake, but I didn’t love this performance.  Tim McGraw has a unique sound, especially in his falsetto, and well, Blake’s falsetto in this song isn’t really up to par with Tim’s.  That being said, he’s still a stellar performer, and I like him.  But I wasn’t in love with the performance.  It’s sort of like a soulful guy tried to sing country and didn’t quite hit the mark.
Rating - 7.5 out of 10 Matties

And now, the rankings…from worst to first!!

7.  Sanjaya Malakar (c’mon America, do us all a favor and give this up!)
6.  Phil Stacey (decent showing tonight, but still not your American Idol.)
5.  LaKisha Jones (wow, LaKisha at #5…I’m still wondering if I’m wrong…and sort of hoping I am.)
4.  Chris Richardson (pretty good tonight and hopefully it’s enough to keep him in, he’s young, hip and has a nice voice when not trying to sing too nasaly.)
3.  Melinda Doolittle (Doolittle dropped the crap tonight, sang well, and helped herself tremendously.)
2.  Blake Lewis (The beat-boxer has brought it recently and is still one of my favorites.)
1.  Jordin Sparks (America, it’s time to get over the fact that she’s 17 and welcome this potential Idol winner into your hearts…yes…she is THAT GOOD.)

So there it is folks.  Remember to send me your comments… mattplanet (at) GMAIL dot COM.  Or simply reply to this post…results tomorrow night!!!