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'American Idol' Top 10 Men Perform
After a week battling through the flu, I think I'm working at 65 to 70 percent as Tuesday (Feb. 26) night's American Idol performance episode begins. As I learned from Paula Abdul, though, you can't use poor health as an excuse. You have to go out there and be yourself (or somebody very like you), expose your true colors to the world and paint every doorknob with the flavor of your dreams. The results for the Top 10 Idol men will follow...
Singer: MICHAEL JOHNS
Song: "Go You Your Own Way"
My Take: I'm not saying that men shouldn't sing Fleetwood Mac, but this is a poor choice for Michael. After his "I love sport!" pre-song clip, everything feels too casual, too taken-for-granted tonight. Some of it has something do with his relentless rocking/bouncing around the stage, which is making me seasick. More problematic is the fact that Michael is sharp throughout each chorus. He sort of strolls through each verse, but in the process of trying to sell the familiar part to the audience, he pushes much too hard. There was no '70s rock anthem to which he could have done more assertive justice?
Yacko, Dot and Simon Say: Randy kind of liked it, but wanted Michael to let go. Paula thinks he's doubly consistent, that he's "already there." Simon thinks it was his weakest performance, coasting along. Simon didn't like the song choice, but Paula insists it was directed at the women. Then never mind my criticism, readers. Ladies love sharp notes.
Singer: JASON CASTRO
Song: "I Just Want To Be Your Everything"
My Take: Poor Jason, shocked by the discovery that being on American Idol isn't just about making music. He's compensating by making double-music, whipping out the guitar again this week. He's letting the backing vocalists do the hardest, highest notes on this Andy Gibb cover, which feels like cheating to me. It's an easy song if you only do the easy part. Really, he exhibited a range of maybe four or five notes. Last week the guitar was a helpful prop. This week it was a crutch.
Yacko, Dot and Simon Say: Randy's concerned that this is a vocal competition and that the guitar was carrying him, calling it "cute" and "charming." Paula thinks it was a clever choice, but she wants to see him put aside the guitar next week. Simon thought the song was too schmaltzy and that he didn't do himself any favors.
Singer: LUKE MENARD
Song: "Killer Queen"
My Take: Luke is better with this song than last week's bland track, because Queen lets him show off some more theatrical vocals. I'm not sure his falsetto is really good enough to carry an entire song and Luke's vocal range doesn't let him have much back and forth even when the notes get lower. Performance-wise, Luke doesn't have a clue what to do without six or seven guys behind him on stage, so most of his effort is put into smiling and trying to remember the lyrics, rather than having any fun with the song's wordplay.
Yacko, Dot and Simon Say: Randy raves about the degree of difficulty, saying he's closer to his vibe. Paula says it was the perfect song and that this is why she fought to get Luke in the Top 24. "You are always going to be judged with the original and the trouble is that the singer of that song had charisma and personality and you didn't," Simon says. Luke's just happy somebody liked him.
Singer: ROBBIE CARRICO
Song: "Hot-Blooded"
My Take: Robbie's going to have to protest his rock credentials as long as he's on the show, Constantine-style. At least he doesn't have a Bo Bice embarrassing him each week. He does a decent pop vocal on a Foreigner song that probably requires more vocal rawness than he possesses. There's no rasp or edge to his voice at all and this song seems to require something like that to be properly sold. Here's my argument: Robbie can say he's rock-n-roll if he wants to and that's his prerogative. Rock-n-roll can be in his hair and in his scruff and in his jeans and in his drag-racing car. Rock-n-roll can be in his flippin' soul. But it isn't in his voice and he'd go further in this competition if he played to his actual strengths rather than what he views as the embodiment of his essence.
Yacko, Dot and Simon Say: Randy says that there are different types of rock, but he isn't sure if any of them were on display, that Robbie didn't have enough "UNGNGN!" Paula says nobody knows who you are but you. Then she says he played it safe and that he lost his character, which is her way of saying she didn't buy the song on him. Randy adds that Rock is an attitude and Robbie agrees. Simon thought the vocal was OK.
Singer: DANNY NORIEGA
Song: "Superstar"
My Take: When it comes to American Idol covers of this song, Ruben Studdard pretty much closed the door forever. Danny goes back to the original, the Carpenters take. Unlike last week, Danny at least serves a reminder that he's a good singer, but it lacks the emotional hook when it gets to the chorus. It's a dramatic song and Danny ought to be better at selling drama. Boy, I'm still waiting for somebody to impress me this week, much less wow me.
Yacko, Dot and Simon Say: Randy's a fan of Danny, but that his slow vibrato and over-thinking marred the performance. Paula agrees with Randy and tells Danny to just perform and to block everything out. Simon thought this week was better than last week, but that he tried too hard. He adds that Danny stands out in the crowd and looks terrific.
Singer: DAVID HERNANDEZ
Song: "Papa Was a Rolling Stone"
My Take: It's been such a poor night so far that I'm actually groovin' on David tonight and not just because it's my favorite song choice thus far. And this was a song that needed salvaging after getting raked over hot coals on the freakshow that was Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie-Ann. David has good vocal tone, enunciates nicely and he doesn't over-sell the growl when he brings it out. He seems like he's having fun and like it isn't a competition with the band, that they're there to assist him. Totally average last week, David moves into the upper half this week with authority.
Yacko, Dot and Simon Say: This is the David Hernandez that Randy fell in love with, that was both hot and an instructional manual on how to lay it down. Paula thought some of the notes were amazing and that his personality came out. Simon agrees that it was the night's best vocal.
Singer: JASON YEAGER
Song: "Long Train Running"
My Take: Poor Doobies. Jason's goofy smile, goofy gestures and goofy blonde-streak do nothing to help his performance. It's also hilarious the way that when he stops being able to hit the high notes in the chorus, he just changing keys mid-chorus and then I think he even shifts down an octave by the end. It's a shambles and he closes with a conniption fit that would do Joe Cocker proud. With Amy Davis out of the competition, Jason is our weakest vocalist by a wide margin.
Yacko, Dot and Simon Say: Randy doesn't think it was a good song choice, pitchy and karaoke. Three people in the audience boo. Paula's glad to see this side of him, but she does think the song had many notes in it (and Jason couldn't hit what notes there were). "The simple truth is last week was boring, this week was just awkward and ordinary," Simon says. Jason protests that like the Doobies, he's all about the soul. Ryan needs to understand that Jason is a grown man and doesn't need to be coddled.
Singer: CHIKEZIE
Song: "I Believe"
My Take: This is a vast improvement vocally over last week for Chikezie. There are songs that only Chikezie has the vocal tone to pull off of this season's contestants -- the judges picked a pretty vocally homogenous crew, sad to say -- and this is one of them. There isn't much to the stage-craft other than the shout-out to himself, which fits perfectly with the lyrics. I'd like to keep Chikezie around because he mixes things up.
Yacko, Dot and Simon Say: Randy welcomes Chikezie back. Paula's pleased. Simon vows to call him "Chi," calling it a million times better. Chikezie can't leave well enough alone, mocking Simon's repetitive fashion choices. Even his Chikezie's mother is praying for her boy to shut up and take his compliment.
Singer: DAVID COOK
Song: "All Right Now"
My Take: I hope David knows bigger words than he was trying to show off for the camera, because otherwise he must get really frustrated with his crosswords after, say, Tuesday. But I'm sure there's a girl sitting at home saying, "Wow, he's balding and he knows 'juxtaposition.'" David isn't just bringing out a guitar this week. He's going electric. I'd prefer that David never wink at me again, but for this performance the guitar is an asset. This isn't a chance for him to show off his guitar chops, but it boosts his confidence and gives him some added swagger. It's also a distraction from the fact that until the last verse he doesn't do anything really original with the song. He's also better this week and, unlike Robbie, this is something he can pull off.
Yacko, Dot and Simon Say: Randy thinks David's the show's real rocker this season, that he believed him. Paula thought it was smart, fun and relevant. Simon still thinks he's lacking in charisma, but he calls David solid. David mouths off that he doesn't have to win over Simon with his charisma. Simon doesn't take the back-talk kindly -- David smirking all-the-while -- and Ryan leaps to David's defense. Next time David gives him lip, Simon should mock his comb-over.
Singer: DAVID ARCHULETA
Song: "Imagine"
My Take: David, who has had Kelly Clarkson's seal of approval for five years, has the pimp slot tonight. I don't know this particular arrangement, but David does it well. And I'm going to give him kudos for mostly erasing his showman's smile to give a serious look that I'm sure the little girls are gonna find smoldering and thoughtful. I don't think he hit all of the notes, but it's the night's most complete performance, I'd say. The squealing in the crowd suggests that the studio audience likes it.
Yacko, Dot and Simon Say: Randy calls it one of the best vocals he's ever heard on the show, dubbing it "Brill-iant." Says she wants to squish him, squeeze his head off and dangle it from her rear-view. Yes. That's what she said. She also calls it one of the most beautiful performances she's ever heard. Simon says he's the one to beat "and there are 19 miserable contestants sitting here tonight." They're words mean a lot to David.
TONIGHT'S BEST: I'd put Davids Archuleta and Hernandez in the top group along with Chikeze. I'd put the third David, Cook, close behind.
IN DANGER: Jason Yeager was the night's worst. I'd think he and Luke Menard are probably in some trouble. I also thought Michael and Jason Castro were pretty poor, but neither of them will probably need to worry this week.
What'd you think? Agree? Disagree?
And check out all of our Idol coverage on Zap2it's Guide to American Idol.
I have to say I didn't think that Jason Castro was really that bad, I really enjoyed his performance. But David Archuleta, blew the house down tonight, his version of Image, brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful for a kid so young.
Nancy | Feb 26, 2008 6:46:07 PM | #I know everyone is saying that this is a weaker group overall, but I think there are actually fewer bad singers than usual. I think that, while they may not be that distinctive, those who make the top 12 will all be good singers. No Sanjayas in the group.
I would like to have a reason not to like David A, but frankly the kid is spot-on and seems honestly moved by any compliments he receives. (Of course, at this moment he's filing a restraining order against Paula who wants to squeeze his head off and dangle it from her rear view.)
I haven't watched this show with any regularity since they ousted my fave Jennifer Hudson (whatever happened to her? LOL) a few years ago. Maybe it's the dearth of new shows, but I'm really enjoying this season.
Sam | Feb 26, 2008 7:21:35 PM | #I agree with Simon: David Archuleta is the one to beat. I think everyone is on a certain level but David A. is way above all the rest. Not only does he have the voice, but he has the stage presense, performance skills, and killer smile - plus the camera loves him. Believe me, judging by the screams of the girls in the audience there, it's an uphill battle for the other 19. I would be shocked if David doesn't win this year. In fact I'd go as far as to say that the competition is over - the rest are playing for 2nd, 3rd, etc.
Celia | Feb 26, 2008 7:29:34 PM | #I really dig Jason Castro. He's like no one we've seen on idol. I also felt the same way about Sanjaya so go figure. Danny also brings a different vibe. The davids will bring it every week, the wannabe daughtrys will not, especially with the attitude. MJohns will have to keep living up to his hype. Buzz can backfire, which will also happen in carlys case. The guys are much better than last year though as a whole and Simon seems to be having a ball. The Jacuzzi thing was classic, and those moments and the other sizing up make this crap still fun.
Aaron | Feb 26, 2008 8:14:13 PM | #I believe that you, Daniel Fienberg, have the most spot on commentary on the AI perfomances that I have ever read so far. I have to check out other articles that you have written and will look for more to come.
Polo | Feb 26, 2008 8:14:28 PM | #Also agree that little David will win this thing. No one matches his youth and charisma. He's clay aiken without the awkwardness. This show has been looking for him for 6 years, since Kelly C. He's the male version of her; bubbly, personable, confident and talented. If he doesn't screw it up by letting it go to his head then he's got a clear path to the finish line.
Aaron | Feb 26, 2008 8:29:00 PM | #There is a Sanjaya this year, and his name is Jason Castro. He stinks!
After I wiped away the tears, I stated that David Archuleta has just won the competition. Even after 11 PM, when I tried to finally get some votes in, his line was still hard to get through to.
David H, David C, and IMHO, Robbie were all excellent tonight too. Danny and Chikezie were very good, the other 4, including overrated Michael, were not very good. I disagree that Jason Y is the worst though, Jason C is much worse!
Crafty Matthew | Feb 26, 2008 9:01:35 PM | #As far as I am concerned, Michael Johns can walk right now and still win! If this was a contest limited to the votes of 25 years old and up, he'd be the next American Idol. He would make a great lead vocal singer in a band. Come on...look at him, then close your eyes and listen. Cool guy!
Gayle | Feb 26, 2008 9:29:00 PM | #"overrated Michael" -- what he said! Go your own way outta here
Kris | Feb 26, 2008 9:34:47 PM | #Obviously in the minority, but I really didn't like David Archuleta tonight. He way oversang "Imagine." If anything it made me realize once again what a far superior show "Rock Star INXS" was since Jordan Unga did a truly amazing version on that that blew David's aways. And what happened to her? Yup, never heard from again.
Maddie | Feb 26, 2008 10:35:46 PM | #Daniel _ I don't understand your comment about aguy singing Fleetwood Mac songs. The original was sung by Lindsay Buckingham, a man.
The problem was that the song has much more prominent backing vocals by Stevie Nicks and the Idol back up singers were not up to Stevie's level of vocal and coolness. So the song was a little lacking.
Jason Castro- I don't believe he was at his best tonight. I don't understand the song choice. Andy Gibb. Why not a cooler BeeGees song. Or maybe Cheap Trick - Surrender. That would work great with the guitar. I don't think the guitar is a crutch, That's just how he wants to perform. I don't believe the guitar can be a crutch in rock. Problem was he wasn't playing a rock song. I would have also maybe have liked to see him do a simon garfunkle song. I wish I knew the song choices.
Now for David Archuletta - I don't get it. He made one of my favorite songs completely boring for me. First, I couldn't believe they got rights to a Lennon song. But then that pretentious arrangement. The boys got a great voice but part of that songs brilliance is it's subtlety.
I was prepared for a tongue bathing but I wasn't prepared to the extent they lathered that kid up.
I still see Jason Castro as the contestant with most commercial appeal in the real music business.
Oh Does anyone else think Luke looks like Bruce Campbell.
I believe Jason Yeager and CHickezie go home.
Daniel, they should have you on as a guest judge, you are so spot on. Don't forget the catty comments though!
I happened to really like Jason Castro's performance tonight. To me, he's a breath of fresh air in the contest. Can he really sing as well as some of the others? Well we don't really know yet, because Idol never showed us his auditions. Maybe he will toss away the guitar next week and we'll find out. I'm not buying David A's b.s. about his self-esteem and this "aw shucks" attitude; the kid was singing on Jenny Jones when he was 12. He knows he is talented. A good performance tonight, for sure, but in the bag already? I wouldn't say that. Nice that the producers put him last. No, this isn't set up to favor anyone. Chikezie needs a wardrobe makeover, stat. I think Luke was awful; so was the fake rocker guy. Interesting that he was a boy-bander, I'd like to hear him sing in that mode. The real rocker's combover has gotta go. I'm still hoping Danny will blow me away like he did in the Hollywood round. I thought David H. was great tonight.
Walt | Feb 27, 2008 12:13:41 AM | #I guess the thing I don't like about David A. is that he doesn't understand what he is singing. Last week he was so happy singing an unhappy song, and this week he was so serious singing a hopeful song. If he actually understands what he sings he may be a good performer but to me right now he is bottom 3 performer. He clearly can coast for a few shows though so nothing he does actually matters probably until the top 5 or 6 then he may actually have to give a good performance.
Rishi | Feb 27, 2008 12:31:34 AM | #As impressed as i was with David A's performance, his reply to Randy about why he sang the 3rd verse proved his connection to the song and the reason he will be this year's American Idol.
James | Feb 27, 2008 12:45:38 AM | #David A. is going to be the last man standing, barring some massive screw-up. I'll have to see the women perform again, but if none of them stand out, the smart money is on David A. as the American Idol this year.
And, assuming he gets to the very end, who else thinks Kelly Clarkson is going to make an appearance? Maybe duet with him or something.
Sean | Feb 27, 2008 1:37:49 AM | #Is it just me, or does Simon really not know who Freddie Mercury is? Seems like this is not the first time that he has referred to the queen frontman as "that singer".
Again.....let's LOSE THE FLAMER, AKA DANNY NORIEGA. Geez, come on already....does he want to be a man or a woman? Is he competing with the men or the women? This flaming ball of estrogen is still awful to look at. It makes vomit come up into my mouth.
Jason Castro just looks like a freak, not just because of the dreads, but also his facial expressions. It's like he's on pot ALL the time or something, and this week was a weak performance out of him.
Robbie can just go on home at any time now, as he can't hold a candle to Michael Johns or David Cook....and he's got too much attitude as well.
I think the VanDerBeek/Luke Perry look-alike Luke Menard did better, but probably not enough to save him. Jason Yeager can also go home now....he looked completely lost last night, like he was trying way too hard.
David Archuleta, for a kid his age, was incredible and Simon's right that he's the one to beat right now. The teeny-bopper girls out there will keep him around a LONG time. Fortunately for him he has the talent to deserve that.
Rico | Feb 27, 2008 3:22:29 AM | #The two Davids, H. and A. were good. Chikezie was good enough to get thru. The rest had me saying "They passed up Josiah Leming for this guy?" And what's with Simon's weird body language - thumb in his ear, palm out? Overall, the guys are a pretty weak group IMHO.
Barb L | Feb 27, 2008 4:06:35 AM | #Any predictions on what 70s songs the girls will play tonight?
I'm hoping Carly does an uptempo heart song from the 70s. Any of the hits would work Barracuda, Magic man, Crazy On You. She was already great on Alone. But she needs to be exciting this week and alone is an 80s joint anyway
I'd like to see Brooke do a Stevie Nicks Fleetwood Mac song like Dreams or Rhiannon. Use her hippie vibe.
Amanda I would like to see play one of the Heart songs Carly doesn't play. Or possible she could do a version of Imagine or another John Lennon track.
I think either Alaina or Kady should do a Blondie song. Maybe country up Blondie.
Jason | Feb 27, 2008 4:19:35 AM | #Vote for the Worst.com already has a posted listing of which girl is singing which song on tonight's show.
Toto | Feb 27, 2008 4:21:37 AM | #David H went way up this week. Jason Y (who can go home) looks like Lance Bass when he smiles. Bad two weeks for him. Luke is like Kenny Loggins, don't know. Danny N is coasting and can do better as is Michael J and Jason C. I still like David A, but he may not win if it's like a Daughtry thing where one bad performance kicks you out, and his "good? what? who me?" routine has got to go. Just say thank you and move on. Imagine was good but it was no Bo Bice "Whipping Post" kind of performance. Chizikee needs to shut up and just sing. Right now, I think Davids A and H, Johns, Jason C, and Robbie are locks for top 6 with Danny N, combover Dave, or Chickezee being the 6th.
John | Feb 27, 2008 6:15:21 AM | #I picked David A. from Hollywood week as the front runner, I haven't seen anything from anyone else up there that even compares.
It's a lock, but I've been disappointed before by the US voters, so who knows.
Hot, baby, FIRE !!
Wow - someone's attacking Danny's sexuality - how original! Did you think of that all by yourself? Or did you read it on some Focus on the Family website? Calling him a woman. HA HA HA HA! You're brilliant. I have literally never heard that comparison made before.
But seriously folks. Danny needs to relax just a touch and his vocals can match anyone's there - yes, even David, who, it's been pointed out, doesn't understand his songs - I'm reminded of Diana DeGarmo from a few seasons back. Note-perfect without a shred of human emotion. You can almost see the puppeteer stage mother pulling the strings. Don't get me wrong - he seems like a nice kid and has a great voice, but he might be a little overprocessed. Otherwise last night was pretty dull all around I think.
Nonnie Muss | Feb 27, 2008 6:25:17 AM | #I know it's too early to tell but I'll be shocked if David A. doesn't win the whole shebang. That said, I much prefer Jason Castro. There's more to being a musician than being able to sing the loudest: I'd rather listen to Norah Jones purr than Christina Aguliera howl and Castro appeals to me in the same fashion. Another shock: I found Randy Jackson's comments last night to be intelligent and accurate. Dawg...
Bea | Feb 27, 2008 6:33:23 AM | #Some people will never grow up. Who cares if Danny is Gay or Not. He is a MALE and singing with the MALES. Get over it. I think he was much better this week and Randy was right, he does have a good voice and he needs to use it. I think he is fun to watch. Being that young and comfortable with yourself is GREAT!!! I bet you don't know how hard it must be for someone that young to be out and on national TV. I give him credit for that!!
Jay | Feb 27, 2008 7:11:09 AM | #
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