IdolPhenomena

Jacob Lusk

Song Choice: Oh No Not my Baby

My Thoughts: This song definitely had a catchy beat. I was just not impressed I apparently expect more out of Jacob.

Rating: 2.5/3- Stars

Lauren Alaina

Song Choice: Where you Lead

My Thoughts: Lauren’s performance was just okay tonight.

Rating: 2/3- Stars

Duet #1

Haley & Casey

Song Choice: I Feel the Earth Move

My Thoughts: This was absolutely ear-wrenching. The solos were good but the harmonies were truly something to be desired.

Scotty McCreery

Song Choice: You’ve got a Friend

My Thoughts: This performance was incredibly good. You just get on stage and do your thing; you make it look so

effort

less. He definitely made the song his own. I just don’t know if a country singer should win.

Rating: 2.5/3- Stars

James Durbin

Song Choice: Will you Still Love me Tomorrow

My Thoughts: This performance was phenomenal. In my mind it was flawless… great job. Definitely American Idol material.

Rating: 3/3- Stars

Duet #2

Soctty & Lauren

Song Choice: Up on the Roof

My Thoughts: Their solos were okay and the harmony was just ehhhh.

Casey Abrams

Song Choice: Hi-De-Ho

My Thoughts: This performance was absolutely amazing like the judges said Casey is such an amazing musician and he truly puts himself into each of his performances. His vocal style is so you unique however I’m not entirely sure it’s American Idol material.

Rating: 3/3- Stars

Haley Reinhart

Song Choice: Beautiful

My Thoughts: At the half way point in this entire competition Haley has finally started becoming an artist. It’s definitely the type of performance I’ve been waiting to see from her I especially liked how it exuded personality. However, wtf kind of head band thingy was in her hair… really?

Rating: 3/3- Stars

Duet #3

Jacob & James

Song Choice: I’m into Something Good

My Thoughts: This has got to be the most awkward pairing but these two definitely aced the duets tonight.

Results….

They opened the show with another god awful medley. Crystal Bowersox performed … what I don’t even remember and Bruno Mars sang The Lazy song. This was all followed by Casey Abrams elimination it’s about time this happened. But he definitely closed the show with a high energy performance of I Put A Spell on You. Great Job.

Top 5: Songs From Then & Now

James Durbin

1^st Song Choice: Closer to the Edge by 30 Seconds to Mars

James owned this performance. He is such a natural performer.

Rating: 3/3- Stars

2^nd Song Choice: Without You by Badfinger

My Thoughts: I loved the real emotion in your performance. I totally felt every word you sang, amazing.

Rating: 3/3- Stars

Jacob Lusk

1^st Song Choice: No Air by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown

My Thoughts: This is such an awkward choice do something like this. Plus you’re not anywhere near Chris Brown vocally and you make an awful Jordin Sparks. You butchered this song… this was a little too different.

Rating: Epic Fail!!!

2^nd Song Choice: Love Hurts by The Everly Brothers

My Thoughts: Better than the first performance.

Rating: 2.75/3- Stars

Lauren Alaina

1^st Song Choice: Flat on the Floor by Carrie Underwood
My Thoughts: You’re definitely no Carrie but you make a great Lauren. Like the increased level of confidence, Lauren has great potential as a performer.

Rating: 2.5/3- Stars

2^nd Song Choice: Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers

My Thoughts: This was a great vocal I’m not sure I liked the arrangement.

Rating: 2.75/3- Stars

Scotty McCreery

1^st Song Choice: Gone by Montgomery Gentry

My Thoughts: Great job. Great personality. Scotty just keeps growing as an artist each week. Loved the energy.

Rating: 2.75/3- Stars

2^nd Song Choice: Always on My Mind by Elvis

My Thoughts: Good vocal lacking a level of emotion that I felt in the other performances throughout but found near end.

Rating: 2.5/3- Stars

Haley Reinhart

1^st Song Choice: You and I by Lady Gaga

My Thoughts: I loved how you harnessed your inner artist tonight. You did phenomenal.
Rating: 2.75/3- Stars

2^nd Song Choice: House of the Rising Sun by the Animals

My Thoughts: Absolutely amazing way to close the show, you truly slayed it. I loved the ominous feel of the vocal.

Rating 3/3- Stars

Results….

All I have to say is that thank you America for eliminating Sister Mary Jacob.

Top 4: Inspirational & Leiber and Stoller Song Book

James Durbin

Inspirational Song Choice: Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey

My Thoughts: Wasn’t my favorite James performance but he’s going to be a star. He puts on a great show each time he’s on stage. However, he needs to shave that goat beard chin thing.- LOL

Rating: 2/3- Stars

L/S Song Book Choice: Love Potion No. 9

My Thoughts: This was an amazing way to close the show. James you’re such a pro at putting on a show.

Rating: 2.75/3- Stars

Haley Reinhart

Inspirational Song Choice: The Earth Song by Michael Jackson

My Thoughts: I thought that this performance was a lot of dramatic screaming. On the verge of screaming with style-LOL. But great song choice.

Rating: WTF??? No Stars for You!!!

L/S Song Book Choice: I Who Have Nothing

My Thoughts: I can’t help but agree with judges that Haley had a moment tonight. She definitely deserves to move into the Top 3.

Rating: 3/3- Stars

Scotty McCreery

Inspirational Song Choice: Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning?) by Alan Jackson

My Thoughts: Very relevant with the news of the past few weeks. Great choice I could tell that it meant something to you.

Rating: 2.75/3

L/S Song Book Choice: Young Blood

My Thoughts: Great show good vocal.

Rating: 2.75/3- Stars

Lauren Alaina

Inspirational Song Choice: Anyway by Martina McBride

My Thoughts: This performance was just so honest and real. I agree with Steven that Lauren truly has the whole package.

Rating: 2.75/3- Stars

L/S Song Book Choice: Trouble by Elvis

My Thoughts: Lauren great job tonight. You had confidence in yourself and performed with such drive and determination. Keep it up.

Rating: 2.75/3- Stars

Before the results I find it necessary for someone to find Steven Tyler a Thesaurus because if I hear him say beautiful one more time I just might throw something at the television. Plus my dad thinks its cool to use Tylerisms, what is this world coming too????

Results….

Apparently everyone is shocked, but I’m not. But first that was an absolutely amazing performance by Jordin Sparks, wow. So obviously we said good bye to James Durbin at this elimination…. Dare I say it right now we could possibly be looking at an all female finale. What do you all think? Leave some comments if you like :-)

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.

So last night’s results show like any other results show with a group song. The twelve Idol finalists took to the stage with a mash-up of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way and Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf. There were the usual vocal stand outs; Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Thia Megia, Casey Abrams and Pia Toscano. However there was something awkward about the track I felt like it was glitch at parts like Naima and Jacon had technical issues with their microphones. Then I remember something about the group songs being pre-recorded and lip sync so does that mean they were intentionally bad or was there a glitch in the TV sound??? Who really knows? That was followed by another one of those Ford commercials we all love, -LOL

This year marks 10yrs of American Idol so that means that you need to take a moment and check out the 10 Yrs Anniversary Compilation CD. Check it out [here] on iTunes. This album features tracks by significant Idol alumni like Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Clay Aiken, Fantasia, and Adam Lambert just to name a few. After Ryan so kindly pitches the CD and tells the audience to check under their seats for their free copy we get to learn a little more about the Idol contestants, for example Pia’s dog likes to sing with her and that Thia does a mean impression of Lauren Alaina – LOL. And next some results.

The first three contestants called center stage are Jacob Lusk, Lauren Alaina and Casey Abrams. As Ryan goes through a recap of the previous evening he talks about Jacob’s performance and about how the Judges thought it was outstanding. I don’t know what planet they live on but that has got to be the worst Jacob performance to date. I would also have to agree with Randy’s comment that Lauren should have a cold each week because I think it made her try twice as a hard it also made her voice slightly more raspy/husky. Typical America votes all of them through to the next round even after Casey’s wild performance of Smells like Teen Spirit. Next are Haley Reinhart and Paul McDonald both of whom delivered somewhat average performances last night compared to the rest of the contestants. I consistently agree with the Judges about how Haley needs to be more natural and about how she needs to find out who she is as an artist. I’m starting to think that she is a great karaoke singer but doesn’t have any true potential to be her own artist. Even though Paul was dealing with a cold and gave his worst performance ever the other night he still manages to escape the bottom three. So that means Haley is in the bottom three again. – I can’t imagine what that does to one’s confidence being in the bottom three on a somewhat consistent basis.

Lee DeWyze premieres his track Beautiful Like You. It is a great track off of his album Live It Up. However I felt Lee’s performance was like some type of essence on stage last night. It was almost like he was nervous until the last view bars or the song. Lee leaves the remaining contestants some great advice.

Just remember why u tried out in the first place and at the end of the day no matter when you leave you’ll still love music and your still gonna keep doing it so u guys are fine no matter what happens.

So, on a side note who doesn’t love flash mobs. I want to know how many of you want to see Mobbed in two weeks???-LOL ;-). The next group of contestants called center stage is Scotty McCreery, Pia Toscano, and James Durbin. Scotty is of course safe after devliering an authentic country performance. Pit a gain delivers a flawless vocal which earns her her safety and James is safe. However, I feel like both myself and Steven Tyler know that James is not going to be in the finale-LOL. Or maybe I should bite my tongue because you never really know with this kind of thing. –LOL. Stefano Langone and Naima Adedapo are called up next. Stefano needs to connect with audience more aka. open his eyes more and Naima needs to work on her pitch. Even though Steven Tyler enjoyed Naima’s energy on stage America agreed with Jennifer and Randy about her performance’s lack of melody and she is the second finalist in the bottom three. Last but not least is the results for Karen Rodriguez and Thia Megia. At this point I think Karen has it in the bag. Taylor Dayne’s Love Will Lead You Back has earned each contestant a prize winning elimination every time it has been sung on the Idol stage I feel like this instance wouldn’t be any different. I loved how Tyler loved Karen’s ethnic what it is-ness and I would have to agree that Thia has much more to give then she’s show America thus far in the competition. Because like she said she is more than just a balladeer.
So like I predicted Karen joins Haley and Naima in this week’s bottom three. Now it’s time for an awful performance by the Black Eyed Peas. Just Can’t Get Enough was really really bad. I still remember a time when Fergie I mean Stacy Ferguson could actually sing like back in her Kids Incorporated and Wild Orchid days. – I Miss Stacy. Naima is first to earn her safety. Now it’s down to Karen and Haley and like expected Karen is the one that will have to sing for the Judges save. Karen chose to perform Hero by Mariah Carey. It was a very emotional performance and she truly gave it all. I can’t help but think that it’s just a little too late for her to be outstanding now. Randy delivers her the news that she will not be saved however their decision was not unanimous…. What??? Rewind that for a moment their decision was not unanimous. I thought the decision surrounding the save had to be completely unanimous- or am I wrong. Obviously I’m not going to argue with them but that was kind of odd. But as she leaves I know she has a bright future ahead of her and that she will still find away to achieve her dream of becoming a singer. Don’t forget to look for more IdolThoughts next week as the remaining eleven finalists prepare to take the Idol stage with Motown Classics, finally a real theme. I wonder what they will choose???

Tonight the Top 12 Idol Finalists took the stage singing songs from their birth years. As usual there were some outstanding performances; some okay performances and some what happened to the melody kind of performances. Where do your favorites fall in?

Up first tonight was Naima Adedapo performing Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got to Do With It? I love how every week Naima gets on stage and does her thing even if it’s not incredibly amazing. Rodney Jerkins modernized the track for her tonight which is one good thing about this season, the contestants working with the producers. However, I feel she was always singing something else; her melody didn’t quite match up. It wasl almost as if she was singing the old version against the new accompaniment. Tonight you get 1.5/3- Stars from me. I know you got that amazing voice in there; you just need to bring it out more and find that comfort vocally to match your confidence on stage. Next Paul McDonald tackled Elton John’s I Guess that’s Why They Call It the Blues. Paul was just okay tonight. It didn’t feel like the normal Paul onstage tonight. I do agree with Steven Tyler we all think your swagger is way cool. So that would be 1.75/3- Stars from me this evening. Pick something that suits you better, I personally would have loved to hear you sing Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen. Highlighting that unique rasp and character in your voice you would have definitely been able to move around to that without a care in the world. ;-)

The first ballad of the night was done by Thia Megia as she took to the Idol stage with Vanessa Williams’ Colors of the Wind from the Disney Movie Pocahontas. It was a great Idea to choose a ballad like that; I personally loved the guitars and strings on stage with you. However I would have loved to hear you sing something that highlighted the uniqueness of your voice since you were compared to having and Adele type voice back in your Milwaukee audition. You keep trying to sing something out of a cookie cutter repertoire but I feel you have such incredible potential that you are just not yet tapping into. Don’t be afraid to take risks. For your average performance you get 2/3- Stars from me. Following Thia is James Durbin with I’ll Be There for You by Bon Jovi. I agree with Randy that you made the song your own. Great job 2.5/3- Stars.

I like how next contestant Haley Reinhart can take each challenge given her and consistently deliver a good performance. However, we still don’t know who Haley is as an artist and I feel that at this is important not only for the viewing audience but for the contestants as well. It will allow her to find a niche in the music industry. Tonight she delivered a good performance of Whitney Houston’s I’m Your Baby Tonight. 2.25/3- Stars from us and by us I mean me here at IdolPhenomena. Like several other bloggers out their tonight I wanted to hear Stefano Langone perform If You Don’t Know Me by Now by Simply Red. When he delivered his performance tonight he was by far the best compared what came before him. He’s outstanding I definitely feel he is a dark horse in this competition. I’m starting to see him become more and more Top 5 material even though I have envisioned him leaving before that portion of the competition. For your amazing vocal tonight Stefano you get 2.75/3- Stars from me.

Pia Toscano is up next with Whitney Houston’s Where Do Broken Hearts Go? Amazing as always tonight Pia brought a new spin to an incredible ballad. It was nice to see her tackle something more upbeat. As viewing audience we got to see another side of her as a performer. Rodney Jerkins did a great job making this song more current. I truly think she’s the one to beat, 3/3- Stars absolutely phenomenal job tonight. The great performances keep on coming as Scotty McCreery takes the stage with Travis Tritt’s Can I Trust You with My Heart. And in thousands of living rooms across the states there are girls replying yes, yes you can.

After Scotty’s amazing vocal Karen Rodriguez takes the Idol stage with Taylor Dayne’s Love Will Lead You Back. I can’t help having flash backs of Carmen Rasmusen of Season 2 and Mikalah Gordon of Season 4 both girls sang this the night before they were eliminated. Dare I say that this is a precursor for Thursday night’s results??? Karen is incredibly talented but and I do agree with Steven I love it when you break into your ethnic what it is-ness. I just don’t feel America is rooting for you but I still love you and wish you the best of luck in this competition 2.5/3- Stars from me. We are now down to the last three performances of the night. Up next is Casey Abrams with Nirvana’s Smells like Teen Spirit. Tonight for the first time ever, I was disappointed with Casey’s performance. The whole time I wanted to know why he was allowed to play an instrument at this point in the competition and nobody else did would have loved to see Paul because he’s in his element more with it in hand or even Thia pick up a guitar to change it up. Nirvana was definitely a risk for Casey it was just okay for me tonight 2.25/3- Stars tonight.

Lauren Alaina takes the stage with Melissa Etheridge’s I’m the Only One. She does an incredible job tonight way better than last week. Lauren is now headed in the right direction to being the contender they saw in her back at her audition in Nashville. Like Steven Tyler said you are a shining star. You have crazy star potential I can’t wait to see how the competition unfolds for you. 2.5/3- Stars this evening you still haven’t wowed me yet ;-). Last but not least Jacob Lusk has chosen to perform Alone by Heart. Why? God only knows. For the judges this performance was outstanding, but for me I just wasn’t feeling it tonight. There was just something awkward about the vocal that just wasn’t in tune. I was left wondering what happened to the melody in that tonight. However for giving it all you’ve got you get 2/3- Stars from me tonight.

So IdolPhenomena followers how did your favorites fair in tonight’s portion of the competition. I foresee the bottom three contestants being Karen Rodriguez, Naima Adedapo, and Thia Megia with Karen potentially being eliminated. What do you all think???