Elanso

Tonight, the American Idol contestants will be singing songs from the year they were born.  Should be good!  Geez - I originally listed this as the Top 9 because I forgot all about Kristy Lee Cook.  Ouch…

Videos and pics coming later tonight :)

Ramiele Malubay sang “Alone” (from 1986) and I’m always nervous when people sing this on the show because Carrie Underwood’s version from season 4 was sooo good.  I know she chose this so that she could “belt it out” but it sounded a bit like yelling to me.  Randy said that it wasn’t the right song choice and it was a little pitchy (he also mentioned that Ramiele is a little under the weather), Paula gave her credit for trying to sing that song while she is sick and Simon said it wasn’t as bad as Randy said and that she will probably get through this performance.  Ramiele clarified that she doesn’t have the flu or anything but that her voice just disappeared.

Jason Castro was born in 1987 and is singing “Fragile” (one of my fave songs by Sting) and it was good until the end.  I love that he chose to sing Julio Iglesias’ part in Spanish.  Randy said he thought it was alright but not a jump out vocal performance, Paula said he is staying true to who he is and Simon said Jason has had two bad weeks and thinks he should take this competition more seriously.

More after the jump!

Syesha Mercado was also born in 1987 and she is singing “If I Were Your Woman.”  It was really good, in my opinion.  Randy said it is the best he’s ever heard Syesha sing (not sure I agree with that, however), Paula said that this is the moment when Syesha became a real competitor and Simon said it wasn’t as good at the end as Randy said and that there is a limit on Syesha’s vocal and that the song stretched it.

Chikezie was born in 1985 and he is singing “If Only For One Night” and his voice sounds smooth and strong but I’m not sure about the song choice.  Randy said that the song sounded too old school and he didn’t love it, Paula disagreed and said that he did a great job and Simon said that he sang the song well but found the performance very cheesy.

Brooke White was born in 1983 and is singing “Every Breath You Take” and she stumbled a bit on the beginning note but recovered.  She is accompanying herself on the piano and it was okay.  Randy said it was interesting and the beginning was good but wished she had kept the band out of the arrangement, Paula said she enjoyed the performance much more than last week’s and likes her uniqueness and Simon agreed with Randy and wished she had stayed by herself on the piano.

Michael Johns was born in 1978 (just like me!) and he’s singing “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions” and I kind of wish he hadn’t sung these songs but I think he’s done better than he ever has.  Randy said it was Michael’s best performance, Paula said he finally found the right song and Simon said it was the first time he saw star potential in Michael.  Simon also said it was the only memorable performance of the night.

Carly Smithson was born in 1983 and is singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and it’s really good to me.  Randy said it was an interesting song choice and thought it was just okay, Paula said that she disagreed with Randy and loved what Carly did with it and Simon said that something didn’t really quite work and said that he didn’t enjoy it as much as he thought he would.  He thinks she needs to lighten up a bit.

David Archuleta was born in 1990 and is singing “You’re The Voice” and I think it was a bad song choice.  Randy said it was a strange song choice but that he sang it very well.  Paula said she was trying to figure out the song choice but that he could sing the phone book and we’d fall in love with him.  Simon said he didn’t like the performance at all and found it reminiscent of a theme park performance.

Kristy Lee Cook was born in 1984 and is singing “God Bless The USA” and I did not like it.  I’m sorry.  That modulation at the end was sloppy and didn’t help.  I think she’s cute and has a future but I think she should go home.  I think she used this song to try to stay around.  Randy said he loved that song and he thought it was a very nice performance.  Paula said it was a good song choice but said she had seen better performances from her.  Simon said it was her best performance by a mile and that it was a clever song choice.

David Cook was born in 1982 and he is singing “Billie Jean” and it’s a super different arrangement.  WOW!  I really liked it a lot.  David has grown on me in a crazy way.  Randy said he is the most original, bold contestant they’ve ever had.  Paula said he is smart, brave and willing to stretch the boundaries and thinks he is brilliant.  Simon said it was brave and said it was amazing.

image courtesy of FOX

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