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Not that I don't like listening to dozens of people sing, but I'm glad that the crop of "American Idol" contestants is finally getting down to a manageable size - and there is a manageable number of hours of "Idol" on TV this week!
Tonight, we saw eight girls sing, and if there's any justice in the world, there are two of them who have to go home Thursday night: Katelyn Epperly and Paige Miles.
The adorable Katelyn just didn't bring it this week in her rendition of "I Feel the Earth Move" by Carol King. She had the hair, the keyboard and the cute look, but her performance was boring and flat, and it just didn't wow me. Her voice is good, and her performance may have been enough a few weeks ago, but with this excellent crop of girls this many weeks into the competition, the contestants need to be on every week or they'll be off the show faster than you can say "Seacrest out!"
Paige also didn't wow the judges, or me, or the coworker I was watching "Idol" with, with her rendition of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile." It could have been a cool song to sing on "Idol," but a combination of a bad arrangement and a lounge singer-esque performance puts Paige firmly in my bottom two.
The boys better watch out when the genders combine (next week, I think!), though, because the remaining six girls are excellent. I wouldn't be surprised if none of them are voted off for a while.
My predicted top six, in performance order:
- Katie Stevens, who sang "Break Away" by Kelly Clarkson. Stevens was a little bit pitchy, dawg, and sounded nervous, but I think she'll get through because she's cute and a good singer. Though, she could be ousted and be the saving grace for either Katelyn or Paige.
- Siobhan Magnus, who sang The Animals' "House of the Rising Sun." Holy crap, this girl was good. She started out with a haunting a capella, and eventually was accompanied by stripped-down instruments. It was a risk, and even though Simon Cowell didn't like it (he said it was "weird"), I though it was an excellent choice. This girl just might win this year, if she keeps knocking it out of the park with her unique arrangements!
- Lacey Brown, who sang "The Story" by Brandi Carlyle. Lacey's voice has a bit of a weird quality to it, but the song was cool and suited her well. She's definitely a different sound than many cookie-cutter pop stars, but I wouldn't mind hearing her on the radio!
- Didi Benami, who sang "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac. Didi fell flat last week, but she was back to her old tricks for this song! As Ellen DeGeneres said, "Yes indeedy, Didi!" She has a clear voice, and is incredibly marketable. I liked her a lot and think she'll be around next week! She can't get complacent, though!
- Crystal Bowersox, who sang "Give Me One Reason" by Tracy Chapman. She sang it while playing guitar, and kicked butt as usual. Crystal was my top pick coming into the voting phase, and she still is one of my absolute favorite singers. However, I think she has an intense competitor in the final singer of the evening ...
- Lilly Scott, who sang "I Fall to Pieces" by Pasty Cline. Wow. She accompanied herself on the mandolin, and it was great. It was an old song, but it was a contemporary, original spin on the song, and she did wonderful. Lilly Scott definitely a competitor to watch.
I'm very, very ready for the genders to combine and start competing against each other. I feel like the women are overall doing much better than the men, and I think that once they combine the guys either will step up their game or be sent home. (Either option is fine with me!) I'm also looking forward to theme weeks. I think it's nice to have a recording artist direct the singers, because right now the singers are stumbling in the dark. Although, with the wide theme of the past few weeks, we have heard some pretty unique songs, and I have enjoyed seeing what strange songs the "Idol" contestants have dreamed up to sing.
What did you think of tonight's "Idol?" Who's going home? And are you as ready as I am to combine the genders and get on with the show?
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