The Idols Take on The Beatles

First thought when I realized it was Beatles Week: "I hate Beatles Week!" I may be one of the few who do NOT like the Beatles. I do like some of their songs, but I like them with a modern twist. Hopefully that's what we'll see tonight!



Kree Harrison: "With a Little Help From My Friends"
Every time I hear Kree sing, it just sounds so effortless. This rendition was just marvelous. The judges commented on her "Kree-ness" and her confidence.

Burnell Taylor: "Let It Be"
Burnell has the most unique voice ever. It sounds a little weird with this song. Not weird, just unfamiliar. It turned out pretty good.
-caress, raspy, smart choices, genuine, consistent, recognizable, soulful. Just a few words the judges used to describe the performance.

Amber Holcomb: "She's Leaving Home"
The beginning was a little rough and too slow for me, but once she got into the swing of things I thought it was beautiful. I liked when she hit the high and long notes.
Pretty much Randy said the exact same thing I did.

Lazaro Arbos: "In My Life"
His performance wasn't boring by any means, but there really was nothing special about it.
The judges critiqued him on his tone/range and attitude/confidence. They weren't too harsh in my opinion, but it looked like Lazaro was just bust out crying. He did shed a few on stage, but I bet he goes backstage and just starts bawling.

Candice Glover: "Come Together"
It seemed like everyone loved it, but I thought she was kind of screaming the song instead of singing. Apparently I don't know what I'm talking about because the judges are just going on and on and on about how wonderful her big voice is.

Paul Jolley: "Eleanor Rigby"
I thought this performance was really good and I could hear this on the radio.
Again, I'm different than the judges. Nicki hated it and said it was forgettable. Randy said it was only good when he hit the sweet spot, but it was too safe.

Angie Miller: "Yesterday"
Wonderful. That's the only thing I can say. While her voice doesn't sound at all like Adele, that song sounds similar to what Adele's album, 19, sounded like. I loved it, 100%.
Randy compared her to Haley from Paramore and that so makes sense.

Devin Velez: "The Long and Winding Road"
Got the goosies! In the intro Devin said he wanted to tap into Brian McKnight, well I certainly felt that! That almost made my stomach hurt I liked it so much.
Basically, they judges loved it.

Janelle Arthur: "I Will"
Janelle kind of gets on my nerves, but I thought that was pretty good. She sounded so modern and added her own little country flare to it.
Go figure, Nicki is OBSESSED with Janelle. It will the a special day when she isn't obsessed with someone.

My votes will be for: Kree, Angie, and Devin.
Who are you voting for?!
I predict that Lazaro will be going home.
We will see the final results tomorrow night!

Until next time, xoxo
Comment your thoughts! Let me know what you think of the contestants!

Remember to follow @AmericanIdol on Twitter and like the Facebook page.

(photos pulled from American Idol Official Twitter and Facebook pages)

Top 10: Songs of the Idols

I guess Wednesday's and Thursday's have not been a good time for me to sit and watch American Idol. I have not been able to see the show live in I don't know how long. This week I missed the performances because I went to watch the Columbia College Cougars play in Kansas City; a good choice on my part. Because no more basketball will interfere with the show, hopefully I will be able to watch and report again without having to wait a week to do so.

I still haven't see the show but have found another blog that actually has the performances on it! I think that is super exciting and I can't wait to find the time to watch them. ricky.org: Top 10 Performance Show

And here is a blog that showed the results: TV Line: Top 10 Results Recap

I am sad to see my fellow Missourian leave the show, but he definitely wasn't my favorite anyway.


Until next time, xoxo
Comment your thoughts! Let me know what you think of the contestants!

Remember to follow @AmericanIdol on Twitter and like the Facebook page.

Meet the Top 10

During last night's show we were introduced to Season 12's Top 10.

We will be seeing Lazaro Arbos, Amber Holcomb, Paul Jolley, Curtis Finch, Jr., Janelle Arthur, Candice Glover, Angie Miller, Burnell Taylor, Devin Velez, and Kree Harrison next week and also during the summer tour.

Be sure to follow their official Idol Twitter handles:
@LazaroAI12
@AmberAI12
@PaulJolleyAI12
@CurtisAI12
@JanelleAI12
@CandiceAI12
@AngieAI12
@BurnellAI12
@DevinAI12
@KreeAI12

And sadly we have to say goodbye to Elijah Liu, Aubrey Cleland, Nick Boddington, Adriana Latonio, Breeana Steer, Cortez Shaw, Zoanette Johnson, Charlie Askew, Vincent Powell, and Teena Torres. Luckily one of these people will be lucky enough to go on the summer tour with the Top 10.

 

I'm not totally thrilled with the contestants that made it through, but most of my favorites got in and I think this will be a good season. I am going to go out on a limb and say that I think a girl will win this season. It's been 6 years since a girl has won, so it's long overdue. I would like to see Kree win. Seeing that the few past winners have been kind of folk-y, country-ish, and rock-ish. Kree has infused those three into one and I think that is just the perfect combo. But, we will see in 10 weeks who the winner is!

 

Until next time, xoxo
Comment your thoughts! Let me know what you think of the contestants!

Remember to follow @AmericanIdol on Twitter and like the Facebook page.

(photos pulled from American Idol Official Twitter and Facebook pages)



The One that Counts: Road to the Top 10

Of course another week where I missed the girls night! I can't catch a break! I'm just too busy supporting my college basketball teams, ok? Their games cannot be DVRed and replayed like Idol can. =)

--But on with the show--

Elijah Liu: "Stay" by Rihanna
one word: boring.
The judges were not in love with the performance, but liked it a whole lot better than I did. His performance and singing was flat and just bland.

Cortez Shaw: "Locked Out of Heaven" by Bruno Mars
Not the best performance, but he looks like he is having a ton of fun which really translates to the audience. Not as good as Mars' because it wasn't as raspy, but it was good nonetheless.
All of the judges agree that they really like him, but that was not the best song choice to suit his style.

Charlie Askew: "Mama" by Genesis
Ponytail???? This kid never ceases to amaze me, whether good or bad. I don't know that song, but I think he did good. He was very into it.
Well, obviously I don't know what is going on because the judges were just confused, didn't like it, and felt disconnected.

Nick Boddington: "I Just Want You to Know Who I Am" by the Goo Goo Dolls
I honestly didn't know what this song was when he first started singing, but I really liked it after he got into the chorus. Bravo! Sounded like a real-life, I-can-hear-this-on-the-radio song.
The judges all commented on the piano and how he was in a comfort zone. Some liked it, others didn't. For me, I did; I loved it.

Burnell Taylor: "I'm Here" from The Color Purple
From the first glance, Burnell looked like an 80's hip hop guy with his jean jacket. But, whoa, he has a super duper, soulful voice! That was so inspirational and really good!
The judges loved it and Keith gave him a standing O.

Top Row: Elijah Liu, Paul Jolley, Nick Boddington, Cortez Shaw

Middle Row: Devin Velez, Curtis Finch, Jr.

Bottom Row: Burnell Taylor, Vincent Powell, Lazaro Arbos, Charlie Askew

Paul Jolley: "I'm Just a Fool" by Christina Aguilera ft. Blake Shelton
I think that he has a good voice, but just like always he tried too hard. He said he wants to be the guy version of Taylor (Swift). I now dislike him on principle.
The judges were all over the place. Keith didn't think it was believable, Nicki loved it, Randy like the beginning and the low/soft voice and disliked the ending where it was too forced, and Mariah was just Mariah and didn't really say anything of importance and just rambled.

Lazaro Arbos: "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone
Oops, I was on the phone during this performance. From what I could hear, I was REALLY good.
Each of the judges loved it, and Randy even said, this early in the game, he is in it to win it.

Curtis Finch, Jr.: "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly
Nothing beats the original version. Curtis always brings his gospel background to every song he sings. If that's what you like, you'll love him. For me, it's a bit much.
Everyone loved it. Especially Nicki. She gave her two cents about needing the Lord and how Curtis has a calling.

Devin Velez: "It's Impossible (Somos Novios)" by Armando Manzanero
Even though I have no idea what the hell he is singing when he sings in Spanish, I could listen to it all the day long. Way good.
Nicki said it was muy bein and gordo... but actually not fat. Randy said he loves Devin's tone, and he NEVER says that. Overall, the judges loved it.

Vincent Powell: "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men
He sounds like he is the long lost Boy from Boyz II Men, sounds just like one of them. And did you hear that high note?
The judges didn't think it was so good, and said it wasn't his best performance and overdid it. =(

Tomorrow night we will see who goes to the next round, back to Hollywood. 5 will go, 5 will stay.

Until next time, xoxo
Comment your thoughts! Let me know what you think of the performances, too. Who do you like, dislike, or just want to "have their babies" like Nicki? I want to know!

Remember to follow @AmericanIdol on Twitter and like the Facebook page.

(photos pulled from American Idol Official Twitter and Facebook pages)

Guys' Sudden Death!! (Week 2)

     Well this has been a very hectic week and, of course, I missed the live shows AGAIN. Thank goodness I was able to have my good ol' parents DVR this week's shows. I will be writing about just the boys for this week. Instead of giving a recap of what the judges think, I will be giving you a little insight to my family's opinions as they watch with me.

Mathenee Treco: "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis
   This guy is definitely an entertainer. His vocals were not the best I've ever heard, but he had so much energy and feeling! All in all I thought it was great! My mom, Tricia, totally agrees with me and thought it was very good.

Gupreet Sighn Sarin a.k.a. "The Turbanator": "Nothing Ever Hurt Like You" by James Morrison
   When he came on the stage Mom said "I can't take him seriously" and my dad, Richie, said "It's time for him to go." I agree. It was: very karaoke, flat, and boring. Now, I said I wasn't giving the judges opinions, but Hello! Both Randy and Nicki told him he sucked, basically. I would bet he doesn't go through.

Vincent Powell: "Because I Love You" by Lenny Williams
   Vincent is a worship leader and it sure shows. This had so much soul and passion. But at one point his notes were so high I didn't even know what he was saying. Mom goes, "this can't get over soon enough." At first I thought it started out well, but by the middle, I was with my mom.

Nick Boddingtion: "Say Something Nice" by Donna Summer
   This has been a better performance than the last two, but it's very boring. It was very easy to listen to, but it wasn't great. As Randy would say, "there weren't any moments." However, my mom wasn't as nice as me because she didn't like it at all.

Josh Holiday: "Better With You" by Josh Holiday
   Well first of all, I love a boy that can play the piano so that makes him good automatically. Even though Josh was trying to make it in Nashville, I think he sounds very pop-y. But that's ok. I think he sounds like Ferras. I thought that was fairly good, but the very last note was AWFUL. I don't think my mom liked. She started fast forwarding through it during the middle. Of course I yelled at her.

Top Left: Josh Holiday, Bottom Left: David Oliver Willis, Middle Gupreet Sighn Sarin, Top Right: Mathenee Treco, Bottom Right: Bryant Tadeo

David Oliver Willis: "Fever" by Peggy Lee
   The look is so 1970's, but the sound is so...not. I've never heard this song performed with a guitar like this. I know that is so vague, but I have no idea about musical terms. My apologies. I do think this is a very original arrangement though. I am very on the fence about this performance. Mom thinks the same and says "I'm just not very interested in it." I think my dad lost interest (in the show not particularly this song) because I hear him snoring.

Bryant Tadeo: "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel
   Three notes into the song I hear "I love it already." Best performance by far, I actually got the goosies (aka what previous judge, Jennifer Lopez, called goosebumps). That was just such a wonderful, smooth, easy, beautiful performance. And during the last three notes I hear "That was almost perfect." I do agree, Mother, I do agree.

Burnell Taylor: "This Time" by John Legend
   His voice sounded very young to me, but overall I thought it was pretty good. Like I keep saying, I don't know much about music, but it must have been good because the whole audience gave him a standing ovation. I think he has a fair shot at going through. It wasn't a smooth, buttery performance like some of the other competitors, but it had a lot of emotion and pep in it.

Lazaro Arbos: "Tonight I Want to Cry" by Keith Urban
   I still can't get over how this kid has such a bad stutter but can sing so clearly. I thought earlier in the season that he was super good. But tonight I don't like his super deep voice. I guess I'm just comparing it to Keith's version, but do you blame me? That didn't cut it for me. Well, my mom loves him and showed a little bias. Even though she didn't "love" it, it wasn't "horrible." Yeah, pretty much.

Cortez Shaw: "Titanium" by David Guetta
   I did not expect the high voice that came out with he sang. I guess it's been awhile since I heard his voice. I love, love, love that he enunciated every word. I hate when everything gets jumbled together like others do. I thought that the slower arrangement was really good, and I liked that he chose to showcase the piano. Mom and I both agree that we liked it.

Who Made It Through:
1. Vincent Powell
2. Lazaro Arbos
3. Cortez Shaw
4. Burnell Taylor
5. Nick Boddigton

Yet again I am astonished at some of the people they sent home. It never fails. But I am happy with a select few of the guys that got through. Hopefully on Wednesday I can actually watch live and not be surprised at what everyone sounds like!

Until next time, xoxo
Comment your thoughts!

Remember to follow @AmericanIdol on Twitter and like the Facebook page.

(photos pulled from American Idol Official Twitter and Facebook pages)