Ace: STINKS.
Kelly: STINKS.
Elliot: I love how much he loves Stevie. He’s got some great pipes that guy. What I like about him is his sincerity. He’s got a good voice, and I never feel like he’s up there trying to sell me a line of BULL SHIT, like some of the others. He seems sincere. But unexciting performance.
Bucky: Wow. The hair. Hmmm. Bad. I actually thought he picked the perfect song for his voice. Smart choice.
Kevin: Uhm. Wow. Embarrassing. The makeup job was atrocious. And I felt plain old UNCOMFORTABLE listening to him singing about being a “part-time lover”. Randy and Paula just blew smoke up his ass. This is why I love Simon. I know I can count on him to tell the truth – AND when he says “Good job” it actually MEANS something. Kevin’s a cute kid, it doesn’t mean he’s a bad PERSON – but send him home, please.
Katharine McPhee: In my opinion, she has the best voice on the show. Just in terms of a naturally good singing voice. But there’s something missing … I don’t know.
Melissa: She sucked.
Lisa: She made no impression on me – although I loooooooove that song. Simon said it was the best performance of the night – but that was before Chris performed.
Paris: This is sacreligious to some but I honestly don’t know what the big deal about Paris is. She’s cute, whatever. But I don’t find her voice pleasing to listen to at ALL. It’s screechy, she’s not at ALL in control of it – she goes for effects and CONSTANTLY goes sharp or flat … she’s young, fine, but plenty of young people have kick-ass voices. She does not. I like her PERSONALITY but that’s not what we’re judging here. I would NEVER buy a Paris album. I also just don’t like that type of singing, in general. The kind of singers who can’t hold a damn note simply but have to constantly go up and down the scales. Just not my taste.
Mandisa: Love Mandisa, I love her whole THING – who she is onstage, who she is off – beautiful – but she needs to work on her lower register – the beginning of her song BLEW. Once she gets up high in her voice, she’s great and exciting – but the first couple minutes sounded like unprofessional karaoke to me. Horrible. I wish they had called her on it.
Taylor: Someone needs to tell Taylor that “Livin’ for the City” is not a song of CELEBRATION – it is a song of rage. I love Taylor, and that was a perfect song choice for him, but his “interpretation” made me mad last night. It was too self-serving, he was smiling and dancing around – Dude. That’s wrong. Listen to the damn lyrics you’re singing. My two cents.
Chris: Far and away the best performance all night – and, in my opinion, all season. Go, Chris! I so want to own his version of that song – Simon’s right – I’d buy it. He, to me, looked like a PROFESSIONAL. Taylor did, too – I just thought his performance was stupid – but Chris looked like he already IS a star. He’s “got it”. He made everyone else look like amateurs.
More Idol posts
Sarah K – I always check in with her Idol posts – they’re awesome, totally stream-of-conscious – but also very perceptive
Ann Althouse (validating to see that some of her commenters agreed with me about Taylor’s poor interpretation of that angry song)
And Tracey!!
Woo hoo! I didn’t realize you watched the show!! I’m so glad I have another outlet for my addiction. :)
Okay, Kevin? SOOOOOOOOOO creepy. The song was horrendous but I really wanted to kick him in the face after he mouthed off to Simon. He thinks he’s so cute and charming. Ugh and that lisp. I hate him. It’s official.
I know a lot of people love him and I’m in the minority but do you know who else I can’t stand? Taylor. He’s got a good voice but he makes me very uncomfortable. I’m not a member of the Soul Patrol.
Oh and I kinda want to marry Katie McPhee. I’m completely smitten with her. Not sure she’ll win the whole thing but good God, she’s nice to look at/listen to. She has already been Googled, I’m not going to lie to you. ::swoon::
curly – yup, she is definitely a stunner!!
You can tell, too, that she has actually TRAINED her voice. Not that that means anything, but – it’s obviously a well-oiled instrument unlike some of the others. Like Melissa. Ew. She blew her pipes out – and then she sings like THAT?? And blows her pipes out even more? Katharine would have known how to handle a sore throat in a professional way.
No doubt…Katie and Chris to the finals.
Although I love Taylor to death. I will be the first one to buy his album, but he does need to calm down a bit and let all of who is out. I didn’t realize it until you wrote it but it’s so true. If he connected to that song in an angry way and let that part of his soulfulness out (if he has it) he might’ve blown America away. he had a great chance and he blew it. Good call Sheila.
You don’t like Ace? Why? I like him. But again I have to say you’re right, it’s Elliot who’s showing up, these other guys are still posturing. Ace does posture a lot but I do think there’s a sincere singer in there.
And I had to fast forward through Kevin. Enough’s enough already, I’m getting angry about it now and that makes me feel like such an asshole because obviously Chicken Little’s a sweet guy.
You need to keep posting these, I need your insights, they’re awesome!
David –
This is just a personal preference – but when they preen to the camera it REALLY makes me uncomfortable. Ace is Mr. Preener. It turns me off. Taylor rarely does that – he’s too busy PERFORMING. Which is a good thing. I know that they’re preening to their future voters – but I don’t like it. Ace is cute – but – I don’t know – something’s missing there. I don’t like his voice.
And David – yup, I think Taylor missed an opportunity. Can you imagine if he had sang that song and tapped into that anger? Amazing. I mean, I get goosebumps when I hear Wonder sing that song, and he lets that rage out … But nope. Taylor was too busy dancing around like a big happy idiot. Nope. He missed the boat on that one BIG time.
And hahahahahahaha I think a lot of people are getting angry at Kevin now! Get him off the show!! Come on, he’s got to go! He AND his eyebrows.
I don’t believe that Taylor ever taps into his anger. Seems like he pretty much always tries to either be happy soul or soulful soul. I thought he delivered a great performance.
However, I am really only familiar with Stevie’s really popular songs and those that crossed genres. So I really didn’t have much of an idea what the song was about. I just enjoyed it, which given my lack of context, was easy. I can see that knowing what a song is supposed to be can throw you off an an interpretation.
I really thought Paris was great last night. She brought in a jazzy, jump-hop to her voice that I think is reminiscent of her Billie Holiday audition (which I thought was great). Before last night I was ready to write her off.
While Taylor is still my fav., Chris … whew! Just blew ’em all away.
I thought FOR SURE that Kevin was going to sing “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” If Will had still been on the show, he so would have.
I have a problem with Katherine McPhee. Not her singing — her voice is phenomenal. But her whole, “Wow, you like me! You really like me!” thing is such bullshit. She’s good, she knows she’s good, and she needs to stop pretending it’s such a surprise.
Also, are you reading the recaps on Television Without Pity? They are so spot on and hilarious, although the recapper hates Bucky and I’m irrationally defensive of him.
Those eyebrows are second only to the lisp in terms of annoyance with me. What the hell?!?! OH, I HATE HIM. I think his cheeky turn last night might have lost him some granny votes (with any luck).
I don’t understand Randy and Paula (for many reasons) but the fact that they he’s cute and funny and praise him for that is SO wrong. Valuable space should not be occupied by a gimmick. For all his irksome quirks (to me), at least Taylor can sing. Kevin’s just a tool. His voice is better suited for 5:00 Mass on a Saturday, not prime-time television.
Cullen – Then Taylor shouldn’t have picked that song if he can’t tap into his anger. It’s one of Stevie’ Wonder’s angriest songs – and he’s a pretty positive guy. But in that one? He lets loose. Taylor’s joy was completely inappropriate in the context of what he was singing. In my opinion. There was a huge disconnect between the lyrics and his jumping around. The song is about how the city grinds you down, and the brutality of racism and classism.
A sampling of the lyrics:
His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floors for many
And you’d best believe she hardly gets a penny …
His sister’s black but she is sho’nuff pretty
Her skirt is short but Lord her legs are sturdy
To walk to school she’s got to get up early
Her clothes are old but never are they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city ….
His hair is long, his feet are hard and gritty
He spends his life walking the streets of New York City
He’s almost dead from breathing in air pollution
He tried to vote but to him there’s no solution
Living just enough, just enough for the city…
jess – “i’m irrationally defensive of him”
hahahahahahahaha
cullen – and yeah, I agree about Paris’ audition – just wonderful!! I just think she’s reaching now – All I see is the strain.
Whereas someone like Mandisa: all I get from her is how much she LOVES to sing and perform. It all seems EASY. (Except for those low notes! She needs to work on the low notes!!)
curly – Yeah, Kevin just NEEDS TO GO.
Who are these morons holding up signs in the audience??
I don’t know. His performance last night was ridiculous on pretty much every single level.
I also have a strange affection for Bucky. There’s something really down to earth about him. And gotta say: He picked a good song for himself – especially with not knowing anything about Stevie Wonder!
Someone in Dean’s comments said: “Chicken Little: A boy who looks like he’s 5, appeals to girls that are 10, singing ‘Part Time Lover.’
Even the morally bankrupt has to agree: That’s just plain wrong.”
How freakin’ apt is that?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Totally!!!!
cullen – like when he sang Starry Night and Simon told him it was “juvenile” and Randy and Paula stood up for Kevin: “He’s 16!!!” and Simon said, “Yeah, but that was about 11.”
hahahaha
Let’s get RID of this guy so the serious competitors can really get to work.
Also I really am disliking his whole arrogant thing going on right now.
When he hugged those two girls with the sign, a shiver went down my spine. So gross. The same people who find him sexy are the ones who threw their undies at Clay Aitken. I do realize I’m one of the gays and not exactly the go-to source on men’s sex appeal and allure but still… WTF?!?
Totally WTF.
My favorites so far are Elliott and Mandisa. I really like the smoothness in Elliott’s voice and Mandisa’s got the total package: entertainment skills and a great voice.
My runnner-ups are Paris and Taylor, though I wish Taylor would tone down the tics and stop squatting when he sings.
I hear where you’re coming from with the Living For The City commments, it is definitely an angry song, but I still have to disagree about Taylor’s performance. I think that was a great song for him, and I don’t think that tapping into his anger for it would have helped him with the American Idol voters.
As for Chris, I just don’t see what everyone is so excited about. I can’t enjoy him because I just can’t get with the whole watered down rocker thing. I’d rather see someone do a great pop performance than candy-ass rock performance – I don’t think there is really a big record buying public out there waiting to buy pseudo-rock records. People who like rock want to ROCK! People who don’t want singer-oriented pop music.
And when he said he picked Higher Ground because of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and didn’t really know/like Stevie Wonder, I was seeing red!
Matt – then I have to reiterate my main point about Taylor: If tapping into his anger wouldn’t go over well with American Idol voters, then he shouldn’t have picked that particular song. It’s a song of RAGE – and interpretation is PART of what makes someone a great singer, and his “interpretation” sucked. What was his interpretation? “I’m happy to be on American Idol?” Ew.
Now I say all this as a Taylor lover – Love the guy. He totally missed the mark last night in my boat.
eeee! thanks, red! *you like me! you really like me!* ;D
Chris, Mandisa, and Taylor are my tops, but i now have to watch Taylor with my eyes closed. well, not watch him, but you know what i mean.
hahahahahaha
I’ve always liked you, sarah – you’re so dern funny! :)
Matt, I don’t understand what you mean by pseudo-rocker. He’s a pseudo rocker because he can actually sing?
And why see red because someone is unfamiliar with someone’s stuff? So what? He knew the song through RHCP and rocked it out better than they did. So the guy’s got a range and has very good control over his voice … that means he can’t sing rock. Guess Freddy Mercury never sang rock.
Or Robert Plant.
Or Sting.
Or etc.
cullen – I thought he rocked it better than Red Hot Chili Peppers, too. And I like his voice. It’s like Eddie Vedder if Eddie Vedder could stay on tune for more than 1.3 seconds at a time. hahahaha
To me – he puts his all into it. He obviously just feckin’ LOVES singing – and loves being up there. I RELAX when Chris sings. I relax when Taylor sings too – he seems like he’s in charge of what he’s doing – so does Mandisa. I trust them. The rest of the contestants I worry about … it’s like I can’t really chill out when they’re performing.
I trust them. The rest of the contestants I worry about … it’s like I can’t really chill out when they’re performing.
That is a fantastic point. I feel the same way. With every other contestant I feel like, “Okay, what are they going to do this week. Is it going to be any good? How often will I cringe?”
With Taylor and Chris, and Paris and Mandisa, and mostly Katharine, Lisa and Elliot, I just enjoy them and even when they’re not on, it’s still fun listening to them.
Totally!! It’s painful to watch someone strain for an effect and not succeed (of course that’s part of the fun of the show – these people are works in progress – and some are just farther along or just flat out more talented than others).
Tron : America wanna see us live, not work. Look at me America, look at how Tron [breaks into song]is livin’ for the city. [holding up a wad of bills]
Curly, you said UNDIES.
The Young Ones:
I think Paris’ rawness is playing against her now. She’s not ready. It’s been obvious (to me) for a few weeks now. The hoopla and fame of it is getting to her. She was always a raw open vessel and now she’s losing herself in it. She has a tenous grasp on who she is already (My God, I still don’t know who I am and I’m almost 40) and she’s getting caught up in something that isn’t her.
While Lisa Tucker seems to have enormous poise for her age, she’s lacking some of that rawness and this is now playing against her as well. They just don’t know who they are yet and it’s starting to show.
Kevin might’ve known who he was, the nerdy, little, lisping kid with a sweet voice and a heart of gold that will make some woman a great husband and some kids a great Dad, but now, unfortunately, he’s thinks he’s a sex symbol and he’s screwed for life. Get him off the show while he still has a chance to gracefully sink back into obscurity and follow his destiny.
OK, I just went back and watched Taylor’s performance.
(First of all, a moment of self-humiliation is in order. I would openly judge and scorn people for watching this show when it came out, and now, I just went downstairs to watch someone’s performance again in order to discuss it more freely. I’m an ass!)
But, he was angry when it started and this line > he nailed. But then something happened and he saw someone in the audience and smiled and he lost the spirit of the song and ended it jovially. But if you go back and watch him, the first two verses were awesome.
I did say “undies”… and I’ll do it again. Wanna throw down, Jess? Let’s go. Besides, it’s not like I said “underpants” or “panties.” Ew, panties.
From American Idol to underthings. I love this place.
Sheila,
To me, your objection to Taylor’s performance is on a moral level that I totally agree with. Still, from the perspective of American Idol as a contest, it was a good choice because I think it will get him votes. I don’t think it will alienate most Taylor Hicks fans the way it alienated you.
Cullen,
The pseudo-rocker comment has nothing at all to do with his ability as a singer. All those people you listed are great and are true rockers. I just don’t buy it with Chris. I feel like he’s playing at being a rocker and I don’t think his voice is that great. The way in which you and Sheila feel relaxed when he sings is the exact opposite to how I feel.
Maybe it is unfair to judge him because of the Stevie Wonder comment, but he crossed a personal line with me.
I’m so upset I honestly don’t know what to do. I’m teaching on Tues and Weds and I CAN’T watch my IDOL!
I hate my life.
Well, that’s fair Matt. I didn’t mean to insult your opinion, but I didn’t understand it until you put it into that context.
Matt – good Lord, I’m not “alienated”. I’m critical of his lack of interpretation in that particular song. I didn’t like him jumping around full of happy juice when he’s singing about dirty feet and making a dollar. He’s better than that – I think he could have kicked the SHIT out of that song, and he didn’t. Too bad.
I have said a gazillion times I’m still a fan of Taylor. I just didn’t like his performance last night. I’ll still buy his album – whenever it comes out – which I imagine is inevitable!
David – Damn, I need instant replay!!
And about Chris:
I will just admit this as well: I find the guy smokin’ hot. There is definitely a pheromonal influence at work here. I’m not ashamed to say …
David – Oh, and I am also late to the American Idol party – I am late to every party, when it comes to stuff like this. But I got into it last season – and now I’m kind of hooked. 3 nights a week is definitely WAY too much of a commitment for me to make – but I try to watch at least ONE of those shows. Love it. LOVE IT.
So who do you all think is gonna win??
Hope = Taylor
Most likely = Chris
Dark horse = Mandisa
Sheila, you’re dead right about Mandisa’s low notes, but man, that woman can sing! also, love the fact that she lost her shoes to do it.
Katharine was really rather good, too, and she’s definitely trained her voice, and trained it well.
regretfully, i missed Chris’s performances the last few weeks with studying, and last night, i missed it for a floor activity. *sighs*
i know they made the Chicken Little reference about Kevin, but he reminded me of someone/something last night, and everyone watching with me agreed — but now i can’t remember! if i do, i’ll share..
amelie – Oh, the whole shoe thing with Mandisa was just SO endearing!! I fell in love with her a little bit. So not a diva. And how she just burst out laughing when he threw them into the audience – she was shocked, but she just loved it. Beautiful.
i know, i know! she just bubbles over — and not in a fake, flake way. she’s just .. warm. simon got one of the shoes. i love how she willingly admits to the shoes hurting, and gladly has them removed — they aren’t what makes it work to her, she goes for comfortable, and you know, she still looked great.
…and yeah, the only way ace is sticking around is that he’s a crowd pleasing pretty boy. his voice has got nothing on chris or elliot.
First Cullen, now Sheila – makes me a little upset that I’m late to the Idol party. The Ladybug’s got me tuning in this season, she’s been a fan since the get-go.
Kevin should have been gone weeks ago, he’s clearly out of his league, but those bastiches at “Vote for the Worst.com” are busily spoiling everyone else’s fun. I can’t STAND that – they’re the type of punks who sit outside the movie theater and tell everyone the twist to the film they’ve come to see. Just let everyone else enjoy it, and go back to your blargin’ Babylon Five cosplay.
Amen!!
Oh, and WORD to Chris being smokin’ hot. Lordy. I’d throw my undies at him.
ok, red, i’m a little embarrassed. i didn’t recognize the “Living for the City” song too well… and i didn’t listen to the lyrics, so i really loved the performance. it wasn’t until i read your deal today that i thought about the lyrics. i should pay attention! especially if i’m trying to pretend i know something about music!
one thing i do know that’s the honestest of truths, Kellie Pickler sucks.
sarah – I adore your contempt for the Pickler. Keep it comin’.
She’ll be gone in a couple of weeks, don’t you think? Her performance last night was especially bad.
I think we’ll be seeing The Pickle for awhile. They’re doing that whole thing where they’re giving her more time than the other contestants to let her personality shine through, and I think people are totally buying it. “To tell you the truth, I can’t recall how she sounded, but that whole thing with the calamari? Adorable!”
i normally like lisa but i thought that performance was BAD last night. i thought her falsetto was bad and her performance was totally uninspired. i was SHOCKED that allt he judges, esp. simon, gave her a thumbs up. i was totally confused. i really like melissa’s voice. she has that mariah (HEART) raspiness. catherine is great. she totally is my fave for the girls. for the guys, i love elliot. i think he has a killer voice. and taylor totlaly misinterpreted the song, you’re right but i kind of love him. it’s like…he is so not what you expect to see when you think of “american idol” but he’s doing hiw own thing with his harmonica. love it!!
siobhan – I love that every time you write Mariah’s name on this here blog, you always follow it up with “HEART”. Or something along those lines. I LOVE THAT!!! I “heart” Mariah too.
I do like this group actually, in terms of what you said – I mean, Bucky? Elliot? Both have MAJOR dental issues. But there they are … making it this far … pretty cool. Taylor: grey PAGEBOY???
I mean, what? It is kind of cool. And their talent is all so DIFFERENT. That’s another cool thing – it’s not just a bunch of Kelly Clarkson wannabes.
I just can’t get over how beautiful I think Mandisa is. I mean, she just has something the others don’t, something that comes from deep inside and shines outward.
She didn’t sound great at the beginning, true, but she sure made up for it as the song went on, didn’t she?
And Ace — Ew. Something cloying about him. “Dammit! Look at me! I am VERY pretty and you WILL love me!” This year’s Constantine.
And please, what the hell is your REAL name, dude?
Yes, Ace is totally this year’s camera fucker! Those faces he makes! Ew ew ew. And speaking of ew… Constantine! Even though he was on last year’s show, I still become quite volatile at the mere mention of his name. If I picture him and that stupid chin and the greasy hair and the protruding tongue, I become severely agitated.
Clearly, I become unhinged far too easily.
“severely agitated”
hahahahahaha Not NEARLY as agitated as I was today when you sent me that photo of Michael Flatley holding a medieval battle-axe.
I am STILL upset about it.
Ha! Ace singing, Flately dancing! Hoff posturing! All to the tune of Knights of the Round Table! Get that image out of your head.
Let the record show that it ’twas Cullen — not I — who mentioned first The Hoff. However, I totally cop to sending Sheila this picture of The Flatley. Proceed at your own risk.
Good lord, he looks like he’s about to lose his head to Ray Park.
red, i don’t think the contempt for Kellie Pickler will ever stop. she’s a complete phoney who can’t sing worth a big pile of my dog’s crap. and i hate the dog’s crap.
sarah – In that case, I hope she’s on until the final episode – just so you can keep being comedically hateful about her. :)
Ace=dumb ass name
Taylor= like a cross between Spiccoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Joe Cocker. But, still I love him!
Mandisa=sheer, liquid joy. Sure she has some things to work on, but I’ll wait for her!
Kevin= Shreek from “Saved by the Bell”. eww.
Kelly P. is SAFE??? Sarah K/J is gonna go ballistic.
Melissa goes home. Sad, I liked her. But I predicted it. She sucked last night and deserves what she got.
I’m more baffled that Kevin remains. I’m happy that Kelly stays, because I enjoy Sarah K’s vitriol.
I’ve been staying a bit silent on Kellie … I like the Pickler. I mean, I bought into the whole innocent country girl act — and by now, I’m pretty sure it’s an act. But she is beginning to wear thin.
I think VoteForTheWorst must have came through for Kevin. Which, if true, is really going to have some effect on the better singers when we lose a couple of more candidates. That or there are a lot of 10-year-old girls voting.
And what’s funny about that is that my 6-year-old girl doesn’t even like him. But she swoons over Ace. Dammit.
I admit at first I got caught in the Kellie drama with the whole Daddy in jail bit, maybe it was pregnancy hormones that morphed me into a hapless sap. Her audition wasn’t great, wasn’t bad. But man, since then she gets more and more grading and aggravating. She’s not as bad as Chicken Shit, he has to go ASAP. Although I agree with Sheila, there is something to keeping Kellie just to read the awesome venom from Sarah.
sheila —
i thought of it. kevin vaguely makes me think of Radar, from M*A*S*H. except Radar is much, much cooler.