NoFace for Film

With four more contestants left in the competition, the clock is ticking down until we crown our next! American! Idol!

(cue theme music)

First of all, apologies for not putting out posts last week. I had a lot of things on my plate. But I’m back this week, here to provide you all with my brilliant reviews. Okay, maybe they’re not so brilliant. But they’re at least somewhat witty at times.

This week was Bee Gees Week, and Barry Gibb was the group’s mentor. I had no idea that Barry’s speaking voice sounds like Sean Connery. Since he usually sings with a falsetto, I’ve always been curious as to what he really sounds like. Not surprisingly, Barry will be performing tonight - most likely promoting some new album or tour. Since there are only four singers left, each person got to perform twice. Hey, the producers have got to fill up that hour somehow, right?

Let’s get started.

Most of the contestants crashed and burned during the first half of the show, some more than others. Let’s take a look.

Performance I

C

I like Blake. I really do. I think it’s great that he often puts his own spin on a song, making it his own. However, sometimes he overdoes it. Blake took “You Should Be Dancing” and beatboxed the living hell out of it. I thought he murdered Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name” last week, and he did it again with this song. I wish that Blake would quit picking classic songs and drastically altering them beyond recognition. None of the judges liked it. Paula said that he was off pitch, while Simon said that it was horrible.

B-

How odd for LaKisha to take what’s arguably the ultimate disco song and R & B-ify it. I applaud her for taking a risk, but this was a bit much. Indeed, contrary to what he normally says, Randy didn’t like that she made it her own. Paula thought that taking the tempo down brought the audience’s mood down.

B

Yes, even Melinda doesn’t get a good grade this time. Vocally it was stellar as usual, but I thought that the performance was meh, and the song didn’t really work for her. The judges pretty much said the same thing - great vocals, but weren’t really wowed.

A

Out of the four first performances, only Jordin’s really stood out. She sang “To Love Somebody”, which I thought was excellent. The girl is on her way to the finale. All three judges said it was the best vocal and best performance so far.

Performance II

Thankfully, most of the contestants upped their game during the second half of the show. However, two were still relatively weak.

B-

Blake sang some obscure Bee Gees song called “This is Where I Came In.” Even Barry was surprised that he picked this song and admitted that it was never a hit. You know things are bad when someone doesn’t like his own song. Although it was better than the first performance, it still wasn’t good enough. Randy said what I’m sure most people in the audience were thinking: Blake, you don’t have to beatbox at every song. I forsee Blake leaving tonight.

Like Blake, LaKisha’s second song was an improvement, but not a big one. She sang, “Run to Me” and the first half actually wasn’t bad. However, it got screechy halfway, and in fact she pretty much croaked out the last note. Yowch. Simon said that he feels she and Blake are the most vulnerable contestants this week, and I agree with him.

B+

Thank goodness that Melinda’s second song was infinitely better than the first. She sang “How Do You Mend a Broken Heart” and it was great, especially the second half of the song. In fact, Simon said that the second half may have put her in the finale. No, it’s the fact that she’s been consistently excellent during the whole competition.

A-

Jordin received a very high compliment from Barry when he heard her rehearse “Woman in Love”. He said that he’s heard about a hundred versions of the song (including Barbra Streisand’s), but he said that Jordin’s was the best ever. Wow. I thought she sounded great, but the judges weren’t as impressed. Randy said it was pitchy and Paula said it wasn’t her best. Simon said she sounded old-fashioned and the performance was “pageanty”, down to the ultra formal dress.

My thoughts:

I’m pretty damn sure that Blake is leaving tonight. He’s had a good run and is definitely one of the most unique Idol contestants ever, but the beat boxing got old really fast. Even Randy got fed up with it.

Who should be leaving: Blake

Who will be leaving: Blake