American Idol: B+
I've been missing the prospect of Allison all week. Sigh. Well, with no girls left, it's a total sausagefest on Idol leaving Ryan positively dizzy! Two songs each and it's judges' choice! Get ready to wreck yourself, fellas! And we're off!
Danny - Terence Trent D'arby's histrionics should suit Danny well. Unfortunately, this song was boring and instantly dated when D'arby himself released it. It doesn't help that Danny has no idea how to move his body on stage. The fat guy with the horn has more physical charisma and he's just standing there. The whole thing is belted out and fairly mediocre. Paula embarrasses herself by throwing her dance credits on the table and congratulating Danny on his moves. The fix is in! How could the judges like this?
Kris - Where did this accent come from? Why blue nail polish? Oh Kris. You are a boy of mystery! We haven't seen a piano on stage since the blind guy and I'm not liking the association. Sure enough, the Curse of Scott's Piano affects Kris causing his vocals to be breathy, off beat, and makes him miss the only note in the entire song that most people recognize. Poor Kris's voice spends its time cracking, sliding, and failing all the way through. And his weird faces are in FULL EFFECT. Holy shit, the judges resort to physical violence! Simon is wrong though: It's Kris's responsibility to figure out an attractive arrangement. Sorry, Simon.
Adam - The Blue Spotlight is back! Now THIS is what Kara was talking about. Adam makes this song relevant to who he is but it invokes the original in the best possible way. That said, I am not a fan of this arrangement although he sung it very well, of course. You ever notice how Adam's boyfriend is never in the audience? Are Ryan's goons keeping him out? It's hard to believe that Adam and Danny are in the same competition. This was far and away above the two performances I have already seen.
Danny - I'm feeling unsettled. Something's missing. Oh! It's a stool chat! I was unsure from note one. But I can't believe I'm going to say this, it was pretty good. I've gotten so used to shouty Danny that I didn't realize how much control he has over his voice. I think I'm finally seeing what the judges have been lying about all these weeks. I wish he had been singing like this the whole time. Perhaps he has been trying to outsing Adam? This was the stroke Danny needed to put the final nail in Kris's coffin.
Kris - I've given Kris a hard time these past months but the truth is that he has the potential to be the most successful of the remaining contestants. When he's in his element like tonight, he make it looks effortless. Kris, like Allison, could put out a record that would immediately be relevant as opposed to Adam and Danny who have some musical decisions to make. In a better world, Danny would have been out and Allison would be in.
Adam - FINALLY! The last stool chat of the season! Why does Adam keep getting the pimp slot? The song choice is perfect and it's already in Adam's pocket. Did someone throw hot water on the backup singer? Why is she shrieking? Keep it down, sister! Thank you to Adam for delivering yet another stellar performance and being the most consistent contestant that this contest has ever seen! I will see you in the finale!
Omg, it's almost over! I've noticed that Randy tends to get confused when Simon's critique is more complicated than, "Yo, that was the bomb!" Carrie Underwood is a sweetie but did she look uncomfortable during the forced photo ops or what? After all the brouhaha of hometown parades, we see none of it. Fire this director! If Adam is voted off, prepare for the most inconsequential finale ever. If it's Kris, prepare for the most embarrassing.
Best Performances: Kris (Heartless), Adam (Cryin'), Danny (You Are So Beautiful)
Worst Performances: Kris (Apologize), Danny (Dance Little Sister), Adam (One)
Going home: Kris
giddy