Don’t even get me started about how glad I am to have Matt Giraud back again this week, and on top of that, I am THRILLED that we’re gonna get to hear some disco tonight. Why? Because I LOVE ME SOME 70s MUSIC. As along as it’s not “MacArthur Park” because, well, I just don’t get it.
Lil Rounds – “I’m Every Woman” – This song is a little tired as far as AI goes, I think – somebody sings it EVERY SINGLE YEAR. And once again, Lil didn’t really do anything to make this song her own. She just did sort of a fancy karaoke version, and it didn’t really blow me away. It was a’ight, but I’m not sure it was enough. However, she did seem MUCH more comfortable, and that was nice to see.
Kris Allen – “She Works Hard For The Money” – Oh my word – he totally put a Dave Barnes-ian / Matt Wertz-ian / Marc Broussard-ian groove on that song, and it was AWESOME. I loved the acoustic feel (RIGHT UP MY MUSICAL ALLEY, IT WAS), and I have to say that was one of my top five AI moments ever. Loved it SO MUCH. Good grief he’s talented.
Danny Gokey – “September” – This has nothing to do with Danny’s performance, but Earth Wind & Fire is one of those bands that just makes me HAPPY. Anyway. This song is totally Danny’s comfort zone – big vocal, lots of funky, and I liked how he interacted with the background singers. HOWEVER, as strong as his vocals were, he didn’t show as much originality as Kris. I don’t think that’s going to hurt him ONE IOTA in this competition, mind you, because he can flat-out sing – and I thought this was a really fun performance.
Allison Iraheta – “Hot Stuff” – I’m sorry, but when she sings lyrics that are way too mature for her, she loses me from the get-go. I don’t know if that’s fair entirely fair to her or not, but there’s just something that makes me uncomfortable about a 16 year-old girl singing those lyrics. Plus, I thought the arrangement was way too slow and as a result it felt like she never picked up any momentum. I just wish she’d done something a little peppier and a little more age-appropriate. KC & the Sunshine Band, maybe?
Adam Lambert – “If I Can’t Have You” – This was actually my favorite performance of Adam’s, and admittedly I have not been his biggest fan because I feel like he screams a lot. Tonight he didn’t scream as much, and I really liked the way he ended the song. I also liked that it was way more controlled than, say, what he did last week. So I say well done.
Matt Giraud – “Stayin’ Alive” – At first I thought that Matt singing this song was a really bad decision, but then he started singing and I decided it might be a good call after all. I loved the R&B spin he put on it, and I liked the arrangement. I still like Matt the very best when he’s sitting behind the piano, but his vocals were way better this week than last. However, he wasn’t as original as Kris and Adam, and this week, I think he needed to be. Don’t know if it’ll be enough to keep him in this thing for another week or not.
Anoop Desai – “Dim All The Lights” – I really liked the first part of this song when he did his Anoop-ish ballad-y thing – but when the tempo of the song got a little faster, it started to feel a little outdated to me. So while he was smart to highlight his strengths at the beginning of the song, he reminded us of his weaknesses in the last part of the song. This one’s a toss-up.
So for me the best of the night was Kris Allen – hands down. And I think anyone whose name isn’t Kris, Danny or Adam could potentially be in danger when they eliminate two people tomorrow night. It’s not that the other four aren’t good, but tonight, they weren’t nearly as strong.
What did y’all think?
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{ 39 comments }
Hi Boomama! AI was fun tonight, wasn’t it?! Those guys who make great new arrangements of old songs amaze me with that talent, in addition to their voices.
I cannot believe you referred to “MacArthur Park,” only the worst pop song ever recorded, because I did, too! Surely you are too young to remember this song. For us old timers, it was traumatic enough to make us hide behind throw pillows tonight until we knew we were “safe” with each performer.
We had the same title for our AI blog posts tonight. I know that’s not a huge surprise since we essentially are twins separated at birth.
Every time you mention cheese or bacon, I fall a little more in love with you, but I notice you seldom include those words in your AI posts. I think next week I shall compare each contestant with a type of cheese and challenge you to guess who is what cheese. Because I know you have so much disposable free time to play my stupid games.
I agree for the most part with what you said, although I liked Adam a bit less than you and felt like he was still sort of screamy in places. But he is controlled, experienced, and he knows what he needs to do to win. Kris was by far my favorite, and even though I usually just want to slap Paula, I actually cracked up and agreed with her “shopping in the women’s section” analogy. Lil? meh. She’s the weakest vocally of the 7 (and I agree with Randy.. strongest top 7 EVAH!). As for Allison, I’ve blocked out the age; she’s like a strange blend of Janis Joplin and Tanya Tucker that works, at least for me. It’s been an interesting season, to say the least (or the most, in my case). That’s all. Goodnight.
Great Post! I LOVE Danny, but Kris was the best performance tonight – awesome.
Thanks so much for doing this little linky party every week!
SO agree with you on this! IN fact, when Allison started singing the man said..”There is something really wrong with a 16 year old singing those lyrics!”
Hope you’ve recovered from your trip!!
Steph.
Yeah, see, I forgot all about Allison being 16 because she can just sell it. But on the other hand, I see your point about the lyrics. Funny how that sort of thing usually bothers me but with her it doesn’t.
And yes, Kris was AWESOME! Loved it.
I think I would like to see an all male Top 5.
But did you like Kris?
I agree with you, 2nd Cup Linda, & Dave Barry – so it’s unanimous: MacArthur Park is the weirdest song there is. Of course now the cake out in the rain is going to be going through my brain.
Just may have to go listen to some BeeGees instead!!
I like MacArthur Park even though I don’t understand it either. But …. it was in “my era.”
I thought it was going to come down to Danny & Adam at the end, but now I’m not so sure. Kris is just awesome!
LOVED KRIS
My #1 man is Danny, HOWEVER, Kris brought a whole big truck-load of it tonight! LOVED HIM!!!! Enjoyed your post, as always!
Loved Kris!!! Glad to have Matt back one more week, but I’m not sure he won’t be going home tomorrow. I liked Adam better, but he always has to scream somewhere in the arrangement.
I enjoyed Kris, Danny and Adam (of all things).
Paula makes me uncomfortable with her facial expressions and comments. It’s like I want to hear it and don’t want to hear it–all at the same time.
So with you on Allison. I wish she would have chosen something fun and funky–”Funkytown?”
I like Allison but I told Scott tonight that I would NOT be happy if Harper was 16 and up there singing that song. Inappropriate. Pretty much every song she sings has been for her age.
And Kris is a worship leader here in AR – so he is TOTALLY Dave Barnes-ish! He’s my american idol!
SO LOVE KRIS ALLEN!!!!! Danny is still my fave. Adam (dangit) did good as well.
With ya Holly on Paula…we use the ff button to get through her.
I can’t believe Adam didn’t sing “I’m Coming Out.”
That’s all.
I think that if Lil doesn’t go this week, I’m gonna pull my hair out. That’s what I think.
That and Kris (AKA SEXY BOY) RAWKED!
Blah. It was all just kinda blah for me tonight.
Man, Lil did look really sad, didn’t she? I sat on the couch and shouted, “LOOK HAPPY IN THE EYES, GIRL!!! STAGE PRESENCE!”
She didn’t hear me.
I liked the scruffy Anoop.
I’m done with Lil. Had my fill.
That’s all.
I agree. Kris is the clear front runner. Clearly we know what’s best, right?
Wasn’t Kris awesome?! (And Danny, of course.)
I’m still undecided, as to who I think was the best tonight, so I’m going to have to watch it again. As for Adam…he is very creative and extremely talented, but tonight’s performance just didn’t grab me. Maybe it’s just that I’m so irritated by the fact that he always has to do that same screamy thing in every song. I think that killed it for me, but I can’t deny how talented he is!
My least favorite is Lil.
Kris blew my socks off with that performance! I didn’t want it to end! Surprisingly, I thought Adam did well tonight… But I still don’t like him. And I think Lil and Matt will go home. Still love my Anoop, but the first part of the song was definitely the best. Did I mention that Kris was freakin’ awesome?! Whew, that boy’s amazing!
Though I am not a Matt fan and would have been happy to see him go, I could not agree more about Kris. He was incredible and I can hardly wait to download the whole thing from itunes!
I am so excited to see you mention Marc Broussard in this post – I heart him!!
I totally agree with the ‘mature’ lyrics that Allison sang, it totally turned me off.
And may I just say, WHAT IS UP with Anoop’s eyebrows??? It seriously looked like he ENHANCED them last night somehow!!!
As Simon would say, you were “spot on.”
Kris – Amazing
Danny – still in for sure
Allison – WAAAY too mature for a 16 year old. I told my 15 and 17 year olds that if they were on AI, there is NO WAY they would come out singing a bejeweld wet suit and singing about how much you want you-know-what. Good grief that was uncomfortable for me.
The saddest thing to me is that, since audition, I’ve had such high hopes for Lil. I want her to do so well, and each week, expect that she will–only to be disappointed. I think she’s gone. I certainly hope she’s gone over Matt.
K.R.I.S.
I could not stop smiling during Kris’ performance last night. I hate to admit it, but I thought it wasn’t going to go well, seeing is though it is disco AND Kris — together. He blew me away.
If all is right with the world, Lil and Anoop will go tonight.
Thanks for these great posts, Boomama!
I thought Kris was great last night too! I loved his arrangement.
I also thought Adam did a great job. From a marketing standpoint (my hubby is in the business), I can see why people love him. Out of all the contestants, he would be the easiest one to sell, hands down. He already has the whole thing down… voice, image..
While I like Matt, he sounds to me like he is trying to be a blend of Justin Timberlake and Jason Mraz. Unfortunately, I don’t think he is as good as either one.
I look forward to reading your coverage of AL!!!! Go Kris!!!!!
YAY Kris!!
Buh-bye Lil and Anoop (or Matt….I hate to see either Anoop or Matt go bc I REALLYREALLYLIKETHEMBOTH!).
I loved Kris……..
Enough said…
I hope Lil goes home tonight. I can hardly stand to hear ALL of the judges talk about how she does NOT have talent.
I 100% agree about Kris, Danny and Adam . . . I think they should be the top 3 — and I really want Kris to win. He’s just so stinkin’ talented — and cute.
Hoping it is Anoop and Lil this week. I am so with you on Allison. There’s just something about her that turns me off.
Adam is surprising me more and more. But I don’t want to like him.
Danny and Kris are my favs, with Matt in close.
Danny gets another A++ for JACKETS.
DANGIT I love his jackets.
JACKETS JACKETS JACKETS
seems like a pretty safe bet that Danny and Adam will duke it out in the season finale
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