This was an odd week for me. The “inspirational songs” theme is appropriate in light of the Idol Give Back campaign this week (which I love, by the way). But it led to some pretty lackluster performances, in my opinion.
The performances of the Big Four (Cook, Johns, Archuleta, Smithson) were just OK; the lower echelon of Syesha, Jason, Brooke, and Kristy Lee were all pretty good. I really have no idea who will go home Thursday. Here are my thoughts:
Best performance of the night: I can’t believe I’m actually going to say this, but I thought Brooke’s heartfelt performance of “You’ve Got A Friend” was head and shoulders ahead of the pack. She was pretty much the only performer who gave me the much ballyhooed “emotional connection”. If she goes home this week, it’ll be a travesty.
Worst performance of the night: Hard to say. I’m a David Cook fan, but his performance was pretty weak. Carly Smithson’s angry performance was rough, too.
Most needed performance: Kristi Lee’s rendition of Martina McBride’s “Anyway” may have bought her another week.
Bottom three prediction: Syesha, Kristi Lee, Carly. Might be Syesha going home.
already & not yet 
Excellent rundown. I agree.
watching a little late, Michael Johns was great until the end. Then…um…I don’t know what he was he doing.
Syesha up next…and I’m just not into the kind of music she sings. Started out okay vocally, but the 47 back up singers overpowered her. Then, she botched it at the end. I guess if I was into that style of music I would have liked it better, but I just can’t find a positive from her performance.
Jason Castro singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I actually really liked it. Is it a song that anyone could sing and make it sound good, or did he just knock it out of the park? I’m actually starting to like this guy. Good job.
I promise I’m not trying to monopolize your comments, but I’m bored.
Kristy Lee Cook- I’m not a huge country fan. But, she can really sing the country style. It may be enough to keep her around, again, for the 5th time.
What’s up with Paula’s dress?
David Cook is by far my favorite of the season. This performance…well, it was weak. Especially in the beginning. No reason for him to go out of his range into the lower realms, its just non existent. Just wondering what is up with his jacket also.Judges’ response: I agree with Simon. Hope he makes it past this week.
Carly- If you close your eyes, and listen to her, she sounds like one of those power ballad singers from the late 80s. I like her. I just don’t like the arm length tattoo, but that’s not we’re judging them on. I liked her performance, not her strongest, but I liked it.
Teeny Bopper David Archuleta- Dude is talented, no doubt. I do think, however, this was his worst performance. Maybe if he had spent time practicing the singing instead of the playing of the piano.
As I’m listening to the judges, I just can’t agree with them. I didn’t think he did that well. I would put his performance at the bottom of the night so far.
And finally Brooke White — my wife’s favorite of the season. Never liked Taylor’s song “You’ve Got a Friend”, but she knocked it out of the park. She’s probably the only performer of the season that I can feel her performance. Kudos to Brooke.
Bottom 3 Prediction:Wow. I think it will be Syesha, Kristy Lee, and (with head hung low) David Cook. I think Syesha will go home.
Sorry for all the comments. Hope you enjoyed.
I agree with your comments Lane. I thought that last night was pretty weak overall. I really did not like Jason Castro’s performance, but everyone else really liked it. Don’t know how Paula was still breathing at the end of the show with that dress on. I don’t know who will go home. It was just an okay night for me. No one really stood out and they all had their flaws.
Was that Tiny Tim singing Somewhere over the Rainbow?Jeff K
Lane, you just became the all-time comments champ over here at A&NY. I’m with you all the way. I like Michael, but his performance wasn’t great (I did like the falsetto, though). Syesha is a wannabe. I disagree with Sunny…Casto’s performance was just right. How many guys can hold an audience captive playing only a ukelele? Kristi Lee will have a country record out by this time next year. I think Carly could front a Heart cover band. But she’s better than that. I thought Archuleta was OK, but Brooke was clearly the best. Overall, the show was just a’ight.
It really seems like they’ve marketed this year as the most talented group of singers they’ve ever had, but they’re giving them terrible themes to choose from.
I was disappointed in David and David and Carly and Micheal. I was pleasantly surprised by Kristi and Jason Castro. I still can’t beleive Simon approved of the ukelele though. And I too would like to know what happened to the top half of Paula’s dress, if that’s what we can call it.
Yeah, I thought Simon would rip the ukelele, but he didn’t. I’m hoping next week’s theme will be better. Since the Beatles Week 1, they’ve all been duds.