One of my friends is going to be mad at me for saying this, but I don’t feel like Stefano Langone should have been chosen from the Wild Card round. I kind of forgot he existed, until finding out he had made the Top 24. I thought he had an okay vocal performance Tuesday night, but it was nothing special. I didn’t think he did much better during his Wild Card performance. Unless he works out the kinks in his vocals, especially when he reaches into his falsetto range, he’s going to have some issues. In comparison to the rest of the guys in the Top 13, he doesn’t have anything that makes him stand out from the pack.
I have mixed feelings about Ashthon Jones being in the Top 13. She can sing, but I can see her song picks tripping her up throughout the competition. Even her Wild Card song pick was boring and predictable. If Jones wants to be this season’s diva, she’s going to need to show that she can do more than hit huge notes in some ballad. She needs to pick songs that highlight her personality and her talent. The ballads aren’t going to cut it.
The biggest snub from last night was when the judges chose not to advance Robbie Rosen into the Top 13. He sounded fantastic. I would have easily put him in the Top 13 over Stefano or even Ashthon. I think a big reason that Rosen wasn’t picked, is because he’s more of a singer-songwriter type and not a pop star type. I feel like if the contestants musicians within the Top 24 had been allowed to play an instrument, we’d have a much different Top 13 on our hands.
In other Idol news, Adam Lambert will return to the stage during next Thursday’s results show to perform an acoustic version of his song, “Aftermath.” You know you’re excited.
So Idol fans, are you happy with this season’s Top 13?
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Article comments
1 - Butch
Biggest snub of the night for me: not letting Lauren Turner have a chance at wild card. She was easily a highlight among the girls, and the judges loved her. I was very pissed about that, I wish they had least given her the opportunity.
I really thought Clint Gamboa was worth a shot at wild card. He ended up being punished too severely for his behavior early in Hollywood week. The voting public ignored him based on his personality. I would take his singing over numerous guys in the top 13.
I really don't get the Paul McDonald love. I guess because I'm a guy. I couldn't care less about his looks. (I wouldn't ever vote for a girl based on her looks either - well, okay I'll admit to throwing a few to Haley "Hot Legs" Scarnato, but that was a one-time moment of weakness.) Word of advice to McDonald: stay in the closet for the full season, you'll lose fans otherwise. (Remember when the Claymates tried to sue poor Clay for "false advertising" long after his season?)
Kirsten, totally agree with you on James Durbin. 100%. Also totally agree with you on Jacob Lusk.
2 - handyguy
James Durbin and Jacob Lusk's "overdoing" it actually creates a lot of excitement, and if they can channel their excesses and show some versatility, they will go far. They both have phenomenal, powerful voices, but they have to use them effectively.
Scotty is adorable, deep voice and all, but he has been doing such a narrow range of material. Can he sing anything else? If not, he could begin to seem monotonous.
I do agree with Kirsten and Butch that Tim and Lauren Turner were the two most unfortunate losses. Robbie was the most surprising omission, but if he's a "singer-songwriter type," he kept that well hidden in his two performances this week, coming across boy-band bland with too many annoying vocal mannerisms. He may return, however, being so young, and maybe he will have improved by then.
3 - Rob
Naima is the only contestant the actually makes me feel every song she sings. I can here pain and hardship in every word of every song. I love that style. I agree that Lusk is over the top in his performances but, in my opinion has the most gifted ability of all 13. The problem is, he behaves so awkward after every performance. He seems to be a bit of a drama queen.
Ashthon Jones, seems to have too much attitude in the song. She seems to be more about herself than the song she sings. When she is swinging around showing off her attitude, the vocals often suffer. Example: when she ran up the stairs, you could here her steps in her voice as if someone is running while talking.
Clint.. Well I know it's singing contest not a personality contest, but it was clear that America will never vote him as an Idol, so why not give someone else a chance. You cant make a cute kid Cry on national TV and expect people to support you. Worst career move ever.
Karen's performance of Hero was more like a wedding singer performance. I'm confused as to why she made it to the final 13
Thia made the excellent decision to sing to a single piano in pure filipino style. Other than Charice, there aren't many filipino artist with strong powerful voices, but are masters at sweet melodies. In America Idol, strong voices are required, I give her little chance to survive to the final 5.
I would love to see James Durbin calm down and just sing a great song. We get it... He can hit the high note.
This is the strongest lot I've seen in the history of American Idol.
4 - Kirsten Coachman
handyguy: Based on Robbie's Hollywood audition and his final audition before the Top 24, where he got to sing while playing the keyboard, he's definitely has that singer-songwriter vibe.
With Idol not allowing the contestants to use instruments every week, it's forcing the musicians out of their comfort zones.
I thought Robbie's Wild Card performance was really good, passing on him was the one decision that really bummed me out.
5 - Butch
handyguy: so far, Scott has demonstrated no more of a limited stylistic range than Durbin or Lusk. It's just that he's more subtle within his chosen genre.
People may well get tired of Scott's delivery if it remains the same week after week, but no more or less so than Durbin's "heavy metal" screaming act or Lusk's histrionic gospel caricature.
Both Durbin AND Lusk has "phenomenal" voices only in the context of American Idol. So far they have demonstrated a disturbing lack of taste and restraint.
Scott - old school country as he may be - has the potential to actually sustain interest after the fanfare of the competition.
6 - Butch
Rob #3: "This is the strongest lot I've seen in the history of American Idol."
While we're all entitled to our opinions, that statement begs the question: is this the first season of Idol you've watched?
7 - Sherry
My biggest disappointment was Lauren Turner not getting a second chance. I was surprised she didn't get voted through in the first place, and then the judges not picking her for a wild card chance just doesn't make sense to me. I went back and checked their comments after she sang and they were so positive. I have to wonder if it comes down to her not having the right look.
8 - Kirsten
Sherry: I was very surprised thar Lauren didn't get through, based not only on the judges' comments, but also on fan's comments that I read after her performance.
I would hate to think that they didn't put her through for an aesthetic reason, but thinking back on Jennifer's comments about Ashthon after her performance, I think that may have been a legit reason for not picking her for the Wild Card. And that sucks.
9 - handyguy
The general level of talent is very high this year. There were few if any downright embarrassing choices in the Top 24. And it was therefore inevitable that there would be widespread disappointment after 11 people got cut in one night -- no way to please everybody.
Many of the singers were very competent, but rather bland, and this is especially noticeable in the female half of the draw [what a difference Lauren Turner might have made!].
Among the guys, only Stefano fits the established Idol cliche: appealing personality and looks, but musically a snooze. All the other five, especially Casey, have distinctive styles, and hopefully that will keep the season interesting.
Except for Naima, the girls risk being bland, even though they all have good voices, and at least two, Lauren and Ashton, both from Georgia, have personalities that really rev up an audience.
Song choice and calculated risk-taking will make all the difference.