I hate Top 4 week. Period.
For most of the previous seasons, this has been the week where the obvious weak link pushes out a front runner and spoils the whole mix.
Tamyra Gray. LaToya London. Anthony Federov. Chris Daughtry. These are the folks that SHOULD have moved on to the Top 3 but didn’t. Folks with strong vocals and performances that could have made their fan bases relax at time when every vote was crucial.
The spoilers? Nikki McKibbin. Jasmine Trias. Vonzell Solomon. Katherine McFee (even though Elliott Yamin eventually came in third she was weak link that week). Folks who may have had a stellar performance once in a while but had fans who mobilized at the last minute because they knew it was now or never.
Have we learned nothing from Idol history? Guess not, because we are once again poised to see a worthy competitor bounced due to the dialing and texting frenzy of a misguided fan base trying to get their Idol to go-all-the-way – even though they don’t deserve to. Hummph.
I HATE Top 4 week.
Having said all that, let’s proceed on to that view from my comfy red leather couch for this dreadlock dreadful week:
David Cook
Hungry Like the Wolf – Duran Duran
Solid vocal performance but I didn’t feel any UMMMPH behind it. It was like he was just strolling through it. Notice how Simon used the phrase “copy cat” rather than using the “K” word so he wouldn’t be so harsh on him. I have a feeling that the Brit would be more comfortable promoting him than any of the others so he won’t be jinxing his chances of winning at this point if he can help it.
Baba O’Reilly – The Who
Oh man! I wanted to hear the WHOLE song – that was just a taste of what I know he can do with that number. I guess I’ll finally get out my shopping cart at iTunes and pick me up a download of the full song. The arrangement was not-so-hot but he did his best around it for sure. Better than the first song and more of who he is as a performer. He needs to get past this week to make it to the finals. Here’s hoping we don’t experience another Daughtry moment but I’d be afraid…VERY afraid…
Syesha Mercado
Proud Mary – Ike & Tina Turner / Credence Clearwater Revival
This is a tough song to try and make your own but I think she did a better job just trying to avoid sounding and looking like Tina Turner, even though she did do the hair flip. She gave it her own vocal spin but stayed true to the song and the girl can certainly shake her booty! She continues to ride the wave she created back on ALW night.
A Change is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke
Very controlled, very vulnerable performance with a killer vocal ending and not as many vocal gymnastic tricks as there COULD have been. Kudos to Simon for not slamming her after Randy did, which I thought was uncalled for. She certainly has been the most improved contestant this season and has literally matured before our collective eyes. If Brooke’s fan base wanders over to her side she just might have a chance of getting to the Top 3, which she truly deserves to do.
Jason Castro
I Shot the Sheriff – Eric Clapton / Bob Marley
Unfortunately, he chose the reggae version over the more familiar Clapton rendition and completely lost me along with probably most of the viewing public. The judges slammed him big time and they were right to do so because at this stage of the competition that performance was unacceptable. I wonder if he is trying to see how far he can go without really trying hard – or is he simply bored with the whole process and ready to go home?
Mr. Tambourine Man – The Byrds / Bob Dylan
If this boy doesn’t go home tonight it will be a crying shame. Now he’s forgetting the words on top of singing just so-so? Can you say Sanjaya? Both performances tonight were sub par at best and his attitude was truly unprofessional. I don’t think he’s taking the whole experience seriously or could be believing his own press. It’s time to call it a day, Spicolli, and go “party on” somewhere else. Please don’t be this year’s Nikki McKibbin!
David Archuleta
Stand By Me – Ben E. King
Vocally the best of the first round by a long mile. The pipes on this child are amazing and he showed that all that bedroom-in-front-of-a-mirror practicing can pay off. The Brit thought he struggled at the end while I thought he was a tad nervous and started off a little weak – no matter – he connected emotionally and vocally and that’s what all of them should be doing at this point.
Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley
Kudos to the kid! Sensitive, warm vocals with an endearing performance that left my hubby wanting to hear more (and that’s saying something!). Not since Clay Aiken has there been a contestant this consistently good but would winning be the best thing for him? Clay certainly has benefited greatly by NOT winning so I’m not sure what I would wish for this talented young man. In an event, unless his fans haven’t benefited from history and become complacent, he should glide into the finals.
I hate this. The only one I feel deserves “das boot” this week is Jason Castro but I can’t shake the fact that a shocker could be in the works. I won’t even venture a guess as to who that could be from the other three but I’m really hoping that America and the PRODUCERS get it right for once in seven years and send the least deserving home at the right time. Please?
Carry on!
J
I thought that it was intriguing that 3 of the 4 have been #1 in the weekly voting at some point or another. It makes you wonder whom and when. Anyway…
DAVID COOK
“Hungry Like the Wolf” – As an 80’s teenager, I remember this one. He gave it a slightly harder, rockier edge. Solid, but just okay. Good enough to advance but not out-n-out brilliant.
“Bob O’Reilly” – Never heard of it. Then again, I couldn’t name a Who song if I tried. I know that I have nothing to compare it to, but it seemed that a few of those notes were under pitch. Nobody said anything though… were they supposed to be? Other than that, good.
SYESHA
“Proud Mary” – I like the fact that she sang it and did less (for the most part) of the shouting so many do when they perform or record this song. She did put her own voice on it and had fun… but is still likely in danger due to the larger fanbases of the others.
“A Change Has Gotta Come” – Nice dress. Nice blues/soul sound. Good power, good control, good vulnerability. The only bad part was the one shouty note. If she gets sent home this week, we’ll know that this is either 1 rigged, or 2 a popularity contest. Especially after the tears.
JASON
“I Shot the Sheriff” – Definitely a stretch for him, he had fun and he seemed more confident… but it was a painful rendition for me. His pitch was all over the place. If he wants a confidence building for the next song, then I offer the following: Be your own unique self, so that even when you fall you can still hold your head high for doing it your way.
“Mr. Tambourine Man” – This song was a smarter choice for him as his style fits the folk style better. Bad karma to forget the words at this stage of the game, but he dealt with it as well as he could with the riffs within the folk style. Nice cover-up, but it’ll probably still bite him in the butt and put him in the bottom two (no pun intended). Please… send this boy home. Syesha does not deserve to be sent home in his place.
DAVID A
“Stand By Me” – There was a touch of reggae vibe to the background, and he put his own vocal stamp on it as well. Finally, someone brought their A-game!
“Love Me Tender” – Disclaimer: I still prefer Clay’s version. That said, he had a good arrangement with solo piano and a slow gospel sound. That vibe also came out in his voice, including the falsetto near the end. Definitely the top performer of the night… and I will agree that tonight he did crush the competition. Worlds above the rest tonight.
My ranking as to how they ACTUALLY performed… David A, Syesha, David C, and Jason goes home.
What’ll actually shake down… the two Davids get sent to the safe couch, and it’ll be a matter of whether Syesha’s true talent is enough to overcome Jason’s zealous fanbase that decides which of those two gets sent home this week and which gets sent home next week.