Grade: C+
Elliott Yamin. Sigh. Can you just come live with me in my Midtown-Manhattan apartment and sing for me all day? I could pay you, seriously. He's even looking hotter this week. Wait...ew, I felt a little icky calling Elliott hot. He does look a lot better with facial hair (takes attention away from those tragic chompers), but he still looks like an elongated Rumplestiltskin. All of that aside, his version of "Teach Me Tonight" was dessert for my ears. Vanilla Betty Crocker cake with cream cheese frosting and rainbow sprinkles. I don't know what other way to describe it. His voice makes any songwriter seem more brilliant than they really are. I don't care if he wins or loses, if he picks up a record deal, I will scrounge up every penny I have (which I literally did do when I bought Desperate Housewives on DVD which was really funny - I was holding a huge ziploc bag of 40 dollars worth of nickels and dimes--but that's another story) to go buy it wherever I can find it. Please, please vote for Elliott, people.
Grade: A
Kellie Pickler is back! I was so worried about her this week. Last week's snooze-fest also known as "Blame It On The Sun" really set Kellie back a bit, and fueled buzz about her talent not living up to her dynamic charming personality. I knew that if she didn't deliver this week that there was a chance she could be gone. And of course, upon hearing that the theme was the 50's, I was terrified. I imagined Kellie Pickler singing Bette Midler's "Stuff Like That There" (see Kelly Clarkson), and my eyes bulged out of my head in fright. But when I heard Kellie say that she was singing Patsy Cline, I was thankfully relieved. She sang "Walkin' After Midnight", and once again her innocently sexy attitude and her luke-warm but still powerful and edgy country-rock vocals pulled out a great performance and I was thoroughly proud. It seems as if Kellie has racked up quite a large anti-fanbase along the way, which alarms me but doesn't. I'm remembering these same reactions to Carrie Underwood last year, and she turned out just fine. Now Kellie is in no way as talented a vocalist as Carrie Underwood, true, but Carrie's personality can't hold a candle to Kellie's sweetness and charm.
Grade: B+
Ace Young closed out the 2 hour episode with "In The Still of the Night", and I have to say, I was concerned. As soon as I heard the song choice, I muttered "Oh, honey." First of all, group songs are just a no-no, and second, it's just not that great of a song to sing in general, especially for someone like Ace, who doesn't have the most versatile voice and needs to pick songs that work well for his style of singing. But I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. After Ace's popsicle melting "Father Figure" and orgasm inducing "Butterflies", I pegged him as someone with a pretty voice, but really knows how to make the performance work as a whole to cover up for the lack of vocal ability. But pretty-faced Ace showed off some belting in this performance and of course utilized that cotton-soft falsetto at the end that makes me melt like the Wicked Witch of the West. Still not as good as previous performances, but again, that more has to do with song choice. I don't think there's much chance of Ace re-claiming his frontrunner status, but he'll definitely be around for a little longer.
Article comments
1 - Jackie
Love your take on things. I too hope it's the end for Bucky Covington. I'm still holding my stance that I wanted Gedeon to be there in the Final 12, not Bucky! I disagree with you a bit on Lisa Tucker, but overall she won't win. As for Taylor? Heck, whether the song showed his vocals so much or not, he's SO entertaining to watch ... he's my outright favorite entertainer this season.
I think we're seeing American Idol grow more each season. It's gotten away from the would-be cutie pop stars who can sing a song taught to them and onto folks with actual insight into the music. People like Taylor, Chris, Mandisa and Katharine take it to the next level.
2 - Jim
I'm a big Elliott fan. He's going to be a big success no matter what happens with American Idol.
3 - Rem
I think Taylor is the Best of them
4 - Kerri
I am so glad Kevin is gone.. he voice was terrible and dont know how he made it this far. Chris is the best and I know so many people that would by his CDs if available at this moment. He will make it very far in this competition.
5 - chantal stone
Chris...if its too hard for you to admit then i'll say it...Elliot is HOT. he's got the stylists working with him now and he's looking good, that bit of facial hair he's growing in looks great and add to the fact that the boy can SING his ass off...all equals HOT in my book.
but alas...not as hottt as Chris Daughtry. *sighhh* i can't take it.
"I'm gonna need you to take off your clothes."
---you said it all right there...my sentiments exactly!
6 - Theresa
I am very sad for Kevin is vote off. Remember he is only 16 years old and he does have a beautiful voice and so cute for his age. People are so cruel to talk like that to Kevin and People just don't understand. I feel so bad for Kevin. I am a big fan of Kevin. I will not watch American Idol anymore.
7 - Rafael
I totally agree with you chris on your choices. But in all reality, this show is to show the different talents that most people have and what is out to be discovered. I know that You did not like Bucky, (as I Strongly agree with your thoughts on him.) But there are unfortunate numbers of people who kept him there as long as he was. Mandisa was a Hot Performer. The girl had pipes and really was the one to beat in the competition. She is a big inspiration to most people who put GOD first. Go girl!!! Of course the others left me thinking. Who the hell would want to keep these fools here??? Obviously many. I am someone who does not like to sugar coat my thoughts. Unfortunately, I too, do not agree with the top 2 left. Chris Daughtry should be in the top 2. I think that he is better off without American Idol cause he won't be stuck fulfilling the contract that ties them down to what the record label wants. He was surely shocked to see the results of him going home. He is of course an attractive young married man that looks good. But he had a door close on him. So others are opening windows for him now. Congrats Chris!!! Lisa Tucker...Where do we begin...very cute girl...Hated your vocals girl. Sorry...You can sing better with better song selection. You chose the wrong ones!!!!!!!!!! WHY!!!!!!!!! Kevin, Kevin, Kevin. Chicken Little you are a nice little boy who needs alot of growing up to do. I felt sorry for you when they put you on because they were setting you up to get hurt and of course no one deserves that. But you accepted. Brent Young aka Ace, you have the looks but you're toooooooo COCKY and no one likes that attitude. I would never buy your CD if you keep that crap up. SHOOT!!!!!!! Unfortunately Taylor, you are the Idol Choice I would pick due to not having a choice, Katharine's personality is too weird, don't get me wrong girl, you can blow, you have such a unique voice but I can't fathom the idea of you being the one. Taylor has a better chance at it due to having some experience in being in a band. Unfortunately no one will ever be better than KELLY CLARKSON, That Siren can sing anything. Even though she made me feel like a natural woman when I heard that song in the first season. WHOOO!!!!! I have not been wrong on any season... My feelings are for Taylor. Have a good one too!!! and Chris...If you need some help with the selections let me know!!! I am sure I can give a little hand. (I hope I didn't offend anybody. If I did I am sorry. But get over it!!!!!!!)