IdolPhenomena

So I’ve been a little disgruntled with Idol since the public voted Pia Toscano off however, she clearly will be successful even if she is not this year’s winner. I also feel that Paul’s departure was the right decision I just hate the fact that he was one of a couple unique performers in the competition and now he’s gone. I do recognize that everyone’s talented but have a new take on the music scene. Since just recently going to X-Factor auditions in Newark I have developed an affinity for singers who aren’t your run of the mill cookie-cutter pop stars for example Adele and Lykke LI. I really don’t know where that came from and it’s definitely not because my audition song was Someone Like You by Adele. But X-Factor is for another entry on the Blog…

This week’s episode of Idol started off with a fairly decent group number done by the members of the Top 13 who have been voted off already. However there were some things about it that definitely did not fit and that was Paul McDonald singing So What along with the rest of the ladies… wrong song choice for mixed voices…. Idol FAIL. Oh yeah and Naima you didn’t need to throw your jacket at the camera or jump around the stage we already know who you are. In terms of groups numbers this was just blah…

Before each contestants performance this evening their fellow contestants took some time to say a few words about each other. For Scotty they all showed us how to hold a microphone the Scotty McCreery way. I know it’s almost like a signature for him I guess but it’s still awkward to look at. I do agree with Lauren Alaina he holds it like a flute. This week out of all the choices within the last decade Scotty chose Swingin by LeAnn Rimes. What would poses anyone to sing this is beyond me and yet Scotty definitely delivers an adequate performance. However, I do agree with Randy that was definitely a safe choice. This is definitely a time to take bigger risks like the judges will continuously express through the rest of the evening. For a great performance this week Scotty you get 2.75- Stars from me.

Following Scotty is James Durbin performing Uprising by Muse. His fellow remaining contestants discuss the scarves and the high notes. I agree with Casey who said it best, what’s up with the scarves James Durbin Stop it.-LOL. James’ performance was definitely theatrically like Jennifer praised for being however I did like it all that much. It was all show and very little substance but it definitely was a great song choice for him. So James that’s 3- Stars for your performance even though it wasn’t quite my favorite. Another contestant who picked a great song this week is Haley Reinhart who chose to take on Adele’s Rolling in the Deep. Obviously her fellow contestants discuss her attitude, her growl and low and behold that weird hand thing she does to accentuate what she’s singing. The song started off great and like Jennifer said there were moments where she brought Haley to the song however they were few and far between. I personally did not like her phrasing and the deviations from the melody she did to insert her signature growl. Rand Jackson is definitely right in saying that this is the perfect direction for Haley to go as an artist. For almost making me a Haley fan you get 2.5- Stars from me this week.
Next up was the DIVA Jacob Lusk performing Luther Vandross’ Dance with My Father. I feel bad for him for the technical glitch at the beginning of his song someone definitely lost their job for that-LOL. But Jacob I know this song hits you in a very emotional place but I felt like there was almost no real melody. You were always above or below the actual notes and I know you’re better than that. I agree with Randy do not hold back anymore, just go for it. Make a statement and prove you’re in it to win because right now for me you’re just a great voice. For being amazingly talented I give you 2- Stars this week.
Since Pia’s departure my remaining favorite is none other than Casey Abrams. Casey came out on to the Idol stage and made a statement. He made Steven swear and he even kissed Jennifer on the cheek. He was a true performer tonight. We got to see genuine artist/musician Casey on that stage. I want to see more performances like this. Maroon 5’s Harder to Breathe was definitely a great song for him to choose. 3- Stars for your performance this week Casey. I do also like how it almost looked like Casey was hitting the audience each time they reached out their hands.- PRICELESS. And I know Case had a beard joke about Ryan but was it appropriate we may never know-LOL.

The sixth performer of the night was Stefano Langone the self acclaimed ladies man as he is known by his fellow contestants. It was too funny how Casey said he had a hot quality. And I can’t believe Jacob said he would flirt with a piece of paper if it may have estrogen in it… AWKWARD. This was an awful song choice this week, Closer by Ne-Yo. However, Stefano definitely did the best he could and he definitely did not disappoint the females this week. I also like how his facial expressions have improved however this performance was all fluff and sexy faces with no real substance. Stefano will definitely need to have more depth if he wants to remain in the competition. I give him 2.5- Stars for fluff and no essence. Last but not least is Lauren Alaina who I agree with Jimmy when he said she has the potential to win it all if she just had the confidence to back her amazing talent. Performing Born to Fly by Sara Evans Laruen delivered a phenomenal performance compared to some of her earlier ones in the competition. Still not a big wow moment for me but she is definitely a contender for the Idol crown. For the potential wow moment I give her 2.75- Stars this week.

So with seven contestants remaining someone obviously has to go home so my bottom three based on this week’s performances would be…

Haley Reinhart……

Stefano Langone…….

Jacob Lusk………

So with that said I so want to say goodbye to Sister Mary Jacob a nick name coined by the amazing Michael Buckley however, I see elimination in either Haley or Stefano’s future….. My thoughts on this week’s results show, X-Factor auditions and CMT’s Next Superstar will all be up like I promised so keep a look out for them.