American Idol – Top 12

So I just started watching, and I’m intrigued by Ryan Seacrest’s declaration that there’s “a whole new look.”

But now that I’ve seen it? WAY COOL. Love the band being up high…and I also think it’s great that the audience is up so close.

And I’m sure that you, you know, CARE WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE SET AND ALL.

However, I do not know what to make of Simon wearing a white shirt. All I can guess is that his closet was in a hot mess and he accidentally picked up a shirt that wasn’t black.

Also: I see we have us a Beatles theme night.

(I am refraining from mentioning how I don’t love The Beatles because that seems to raise all sorts of ruckus whenever I mention that. And I would hate to raise a ruckus.)

(Peace and love, all you Beatles fans. Peace and love.)

So here we go.

Syesha Mercado – “Got To Get You Into My Life” – I just think she’s adorable, and her smile is contagious. I didn’t love her version of this song, mainly because it felt a little bit like a wedding reception to me. And it would be a great song at a wedding reception, but if the goal at this point in the competition is to be super-memorable, she missed the mark a little bit.

Chikezie – “She’s A Woman” – Since I haven’t been blogging during the top 24, I haven’t gotten to say this on the blog, but I ADORE THE CHIKEZIE. HE MAKES ME HAPPY. I’ve loved him since the auditions. And I TRIPLE LOVED his version of this song. Chock full-o-personality. And while granted, it wasn’t exactly the most controlled performance I’ve ever seen and / or heard, it was loads of fun. And I still adore the Chikezie. FOREVAH.

Ramiele Malubay – “In My Life” – HELLO, Sassy McHighlights! Methinks Miss Ramiele has a Hair Wizard of her very own. And as for her performance, I was a little disappointed that she didn’t sing something a little showier, mainly because she has such a big, wonderful voice – and she didn’t really get to use that big, wonderful voice on this song. I thought the last half of the song was better than the first, but again, like the first performance, it was nothing super-memorable. I felt like she was holding back, playing it a little safe – and I wish she had done something a little more FIERCE.

Jason Castro – “If I Fell” – I find young Jason to be utterly charming and talented and delightful. Tonight’s performance had a decided Jack Johnson-ish vibe to it, and my problem with that it didn’t do anything to give me a stronger sense of who Jason Castro is. I just know that he can sing like Jack Johnson. And I think it’s time for him to maybe stretch a little more so that we get a better idea of how unique and wonderful Jason Castro is instead of being reminded of other musicians when he sings.

Carly Smithson – “Come Together” – Would it disturb you to know that I would like for Carly to come live with us just so I can listen to her accent all day long? Because I am FASCINATED by her Irish accent. I just felt the need to share that. And remember when I said I wish Ramiele had done something a little more fierce? Well. Carly was FIERCE FOR DAYS. Phenomenal. She was so confident and commanding and dead-on. Loved it. And as a sidenote, I would just like to add that her eyes are gorgeous, thank you.

David Cook – “Eleanor Rigby” – I SO LOVED IT. And honestly, I was a little worried when I saw that he was performing without the guitar, but he did not disappoint. It was the first song tonight that I would pay cash money to download from iTunes…I thought it was brilliant.

Brooke White – “Let It Be” – She may well be the most likeable person I’ve ever seen on television. And I had goosebumps the whole way through her performance tonight. She seems to sing straight from her heart…I think she’s the real deal, no doubt about it.

David Hernandez – “I Saw Her Standing There” – I love that he has a big voice and isn’t afraid to showcase it. This song isn’t my favorite, but he certainly made it fun. But it didn’t really go past “fun” for me – it just wasn’t in the same league as what Brooke or David or Carly did tonight. It felt like a really good number in a high school musical review. and that’s fine – but probably not enough to make the top four or five on AI.

Amanda Overmyer – “You Can’t Do That” – First of all, I AM WILD ABOUT THOSE PANTS. Second, this was such a fun performance. I don’t think her vocals were the strongest of the night, but she is really fun to watch, and I enjoyed her a whole bunch.

Michael John – “Across The Universe” – I think he seems so sweet and warm, but he hasn’t really blown me away yet. I keep waiting – because I know he has it in him – so I have big hopes for next week.

Kristi Lee Cook – “Eight Days A Week” – I think the whole country approach was a little bit of a miscalculation on this song. It almost seemed like she couldn’t keep up with it. I have really enjoyed her in the previous weeks, but she wasn’t nearly as strong tonight. I don’t know that the outcome would have been any different if she’d sung a straightforward version of this song; I think she probably just needed a different song.

David Archuleta – “We Can Work It Out” – Oh y’all. I wanted to crawl through the TV screen and hug him. But you know what? He sang those ad-libbed lyrics better than most people sing the real ones. And I know he’ll bounce back next week. He is so unbelievably talented – he just had a little bit of an off week.

Should go: David Hernandez – For me, he was the weakest of the bunch.

Will go: Kristi Lee Cook – I’m not sure she can bounce back from what happened tonight.

Best of the night: For me, it was David Cook – with Carly a close second.

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