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Rocky start, better middle, hot ending on American Idol Round 2
Welcome to Round 2 of the American Idol “semi-finals.” Thank you to Ben McLaughlin for filling in last week for Round 1. I loved the way he formatted his comments so forgive me for mimicking him.
After Round 1 there seems to be a lot of unhappy fans. As Craig Schrolucke pointed out in Sunday’s blog, most people feel that Michael Sarver never should have made it through and those I’ve talked with feel the same. We’ll see how things go this week, but there are going to be a lot of unhappy fans if Anoop doesn’t make it in as one of the judge’s picks in a couple weeks!
So let’s the start the night off with…
Jasmine Murray 16 years old from Starkville, MS sings Love Song by Sara Bareilles
My take: Not the best song for her. I’ll bet she was trying to pick something young. It was an octave too low in the verses and I thought she sounded flat through most of the song.
The judges’ take: “It was pitchy throughout” says Randy and the other judges agree. Song choice was wrong and Simon was disappointed because he likes her. She may just be a little too young.
Matt Giraud 23 years old from Kalamazoo, MI sings Viva La Vida by Coldplay
My take: Wow. I loved him in Hollywood but he was pitchy tonight too. I think we need to put this Coldplay favorite in the category of “you are stupid to attempt this song.” This is really not his genre.
The judges take: They all think that he should stay away from this type of song; he needs to stick with his soulful roots like in Hollywood. They all really like him and are pulling for him but tonight’s performance just wasn’t there.
Jeanine Vailes 28 years old from Washington, DC sings This Love by Maroon 5
My take: What is wrong with these people tonight? Is it the sound system, the acoustics in this theater? They all sang with a band in Hollywood but so far I can hardly stand this tonight.
The judges take: When Paula starts out “Great legs.” You know there is something not so good to follow. In fact, she didn’t even follow that comment with anything and just handed it over to Simon who said, “It was painful at times, it was an effort, it was a struggle, completely the wrong song for you.”
Nick Mitchell 27 years old of Brookfield, CT sings from Dreamgirls And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going as Normund Gentle
My take: I love this guy. Despite all the best judgment in the world and as a fan of the really good singers on the show, I enjoy every minute he is on stage. Could he record? Naw. Could he fill a stadium? Maybe once. But I don’t care. I’m just going to like him as long as he is on the show.
The judges take: Simon prays he does not go through but the other judges feel that he is the most entertaining person they have ever had on the show. Fun and memorable, not the best singer, but there is a stage for him somewhere.
Allison Iraheta, 16 years old from Los Angeles, CA sings Alone from Heart
My take: Finally! Even though she got a little over enthusiastic at the chorus but she was the first one of the night that was even a little on key. She tried to make it her own and her smokey voice was perfectly suited for Heart. Based on what came before…she’s a shoe in to make it to the Top 12.
The judges take: “You blew it out of the box!” says Randy. Kara says “You don’t even know how good you are.” Paula thinks she can sing the telephone book and that she is the best they’ve seen tonight. “You’re the best tonight by a clear mile,” says Simon. He is very, very impressed with her.
Kris Allen, 23 years old from Conway, AR sings Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror
My take: It starts off rocky but gets better as he gains confidence. The best guy so far tonight but it didn’t blow me away. I kind of miss his guitar but he is kind of cute dancing around the stage.
The judges take: Kara starts off by slamming him about his song choice. Interestingly enough, this is followed by good reviews from the rest of the judges. Not the best guy in the competition but he did what they asked, tried to stand out, and Paula, Randy and Simon are proud of him.
Megan Joy Corkrey, 22 years old from Sandy, UT Put Your Records On by Corrine Baily Rae
My take: Megan is quirky that’s for sure, but also quite adorable. I think her vocals seemed a bit quiet, maybe she wasn’t close enough to the microphone but I really enjoyed her.
The judges take: Paula started with “You’re interesting, you’re relevant, you’re hip, you’re cool…” “You’re a funny little thing aren’t you?” says Simon. Randy and Kara keep the gushing going. All judges agree that even though her vocals weren’t her best tonight, they all think she is great.
Matt Breitzke, 27 years old from Bixby, OK sings Tonic If You Could Only See
My take: So I’m typing away and don’t look up right away and when I do, I’m once again struck by this voice coming out of this bald welder guy. I like his voice, I appreciate his emotion, but I can’t shake the feeling that there is just something a little missing tonight.
The judges take: It was okay. The judges like him as a person and want him to succeed but they feel this performance was flat.
Jesse Langseth, 25 years old from Minneapolis, MN sings Kim Carnes’ Bette Davis Eyes
My take: First of all, I love this song so she’s going to have to be pretty good to impress me. I like the tone of her voice and she did better than I expected. With that said, it missed something sultry and could have been really memorable. Maybe it was the blue off-the-shoulder sweater. It just didn’t match the feel of the song. I don’t know.
The judges take: They think she is cool and has a good voice but the song choice wasn’t necessarily the best. They would like to see something that would show more of her range. Simon thinks she is forgettable.
Kai Kalama, 26 years old from San Clemente, CA is singing What Becomes of the Broken Hearted
My take: Not the worst of the evening by any means, he’s got a nice voice but it didn’t have punch. It didn’t leave me wanting more at all. His performance also seemed a little too put on for him, more like acting than a real connection with the lyrics.
The judges take: Song a little old fashion, performance quite corny, nothing original or memorable. “The song was so safe” says Randy, “Not what I’m lookin’ for.”
Mishavonna Henson, 18 years old of Irvine, CA sang Drops of Jupiter by Train
My take: She wasn’t my favorite going into the Top 36 but I thought she did a pretty good job.
The judges take: They want her to loosen up a bit and they all think she is a technically good singer but the song made her seem too old. Randy thinks she is a little too put together and wanted to see the younger crazier side.
Adam Lambert, 26 years old from Los Angeles, CA sings the Rolling Stone’s Satisfaction
My take: Right off the bat I can see the theater background in this kid. I’ll bet Simon doesn’t like him but I sure do. Whew, even though he’s over the top there is definitely an undeniable sexiness about him that will appeal to many, many a female American Idol voter.
The judges take: Paula doesn’t even have words to express that how much she isn’t even watching an American Idol competition but an Adam Lambert concert. Simon finds this one very difficult. “Parts that were excruciatingly bad, but parts that were brilliant.” A love it or hate it performances. Randy loved it! He thinks’ he is “Steven Tyler meets Fallout Boy meets Robert Pattinson from Twilight meets My Chemical Romance.” Kara thinks that he has mad vocal ability has amazing range.
So that’s Round 2. It started off pretty rocky but it was all worth it for a couple of them. Anybody want to guess as to who is going on?
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Comments
By bebbysue
February 26, 2009 6:20 PM | Link to this
I’m a big Matt Giraud fan. I think it was a case of nerves more than the song choice. Sad because he was such a treat to watch in what we saw of him on Hollywood Week. I despise this new American Idol format. One strike and you’re out. Had David Cook performed that stupid song he did on “Idol Gives Back” night (inspirational theme) on the first round of a Top 36, he would never have been our wonderful American Idol #7. GET RID OF THIS FORMAT PLEASE.
By Dee
February 26, 2009 12:57 PM | Link to this
So last night was a total yuck for me. The only person that I liked was Allison. Everyone else was weird. Adam did ok for me, the end of his song was definitely better than the beginning. What is wrong with the American Idol hopefuls this year? Really, why are the picking such terrible songs? It’s not time to change up your genre. We are really just now getting to see you. I can’t wait for next week when Felicia Barton gets to sing. I’ve know her and her family for almost my entire life and I hope she knocks it out the park like I know she can. As for tonight, I think that it is going to be Allison and Adam and for a kicker it is going to be Nick. I hate to say but he is going on. Look how far Sanjaya made it and he couldn’t sing. Nick is going to be in it.
By Dee
February 26, 2009 12:56 PM | Link to this
So last night was a total yuck for me. The only person that I liked was Allison. Everyone else was weird. Adam did ok for me, the end of his song was definitely better than the beginning. What is wrong with the American Idol hopefuls this year? Really, why are the picking such terrible songs? It’s not time to change up your genre. We are really just now getting to see you. I can’t wait for next week when Felicia Barton gets to sing. I’ve know her and her family for almost my entire life and I hope she knocks it out the park like I know she can. As for tonight, I think that it is going to be Allison and Adam and for a kicker it is going to be Nick. I hate to say but he is going on. Look how far Sanjaya made it and he couldn’t sing. Nick is going to be in it.
By Shantei
February 26, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this
Last night was worse than last week. The first 3 was horrible! Jeanine singing “This Love” had my ears bleeding! Allison will shoot through to the next round, and so will Adam. My number 3 would be Megan, even though her dancing was a bit awkward. I hope that was just nerves. And Nick/Norman, he is a great guy, but it pisses me off that he got picked over real talent (remember Jamar?). This is a singing competition.
By Kim
February 26, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this
I felt the same way as you when the show started last night, Heather - I told my daughter that I really didn’t care who made it through last night. I have my opinions, but I didn’t bother to dial the phone because I really don’t care. I would like to see Adam get through because I want to see what else he has in him - but whatev. So far Danny is the only one that I might possibly ever want buy his music - I can leave the rest of the them so far. I’m hoping they will show me something yet!
By Heather
February 26, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this
I thought last night was REALLY painful. I was not totally thrilled with any one of them - none, nada, nil. I would not be sad to see all of them go home. Thinking about 2 guys from last week that were sent packing (Anoop and Ricky), it’s frustrating to think of people this week making it through over them. I’m sure Adam will make it, even though his musical theater edge is starting to wear on me. I think Allison will make it through for the girls. I really liked her beginning, but the screaming towards the end was a bit much. I love adorable Megan, but you guys are right - the “dancing” was horrendous. And Nick/Norman…..he was amusing in the beginning, but enough is enough. I think he may have his 15 minutes as a sort of Weird Al Yankovic performer, but that’s it. He does not belong on that stage. I’m torn on who the 3rd pick should be. I really liked Kai before, but I wasn’t thrilled last night. Any way it goes, I’m not going to be hugely disappointed at any of the decisions.
By Hillary
February 26, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this
I am just so glad someone else was horrified by Megan’s “dancing”! I kept waiting for the judges to say something (they didn’t hold back with Brooke and her awkward dancing last year). Overall, I thought they mostly were awful. There is not a single girl so far (last week included) that I’d want to hear on the radio or buy an album of. I’m just really underwhelmed this year. Of tonight’s performances, I think Kris Allen was the best and unlike the judges I didn’t really have a problem with Matt’s song. I thought he did OK and I do love that song (which admittedly probably helps). Oh well, hopefully it gets better this season.
By Rene
February 26, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
Allison and Ada should be the top two, with Kris the next in votes. Nick/Norman has turned himself into a joke. They put him through because he could sing and he’s entertaining.Last night he was neither and made a mockery of what this show is supposed to be.Megan is OK, but the “dance moves” turned me off so much I found myself not listening to her voice.
By Kim
February 26, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this
Ben - ha ha - yes - I was cringing at Megan’s dance moves. I was thinking - TAKE the mic out of the stand & maybe you won’t look like you are having convulsions! It’s part of her quirkiness. So you think Kris or Jesse? Could be - I think that 3rd spot is really hard to call! It’s like a 4 way tie for “averageness” - who will stand out for the masses??? I’ll be anxious to see!
By Ben
February 26, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this
Did anyone else laugh/cringe at Megan Joy Corkrey’s horrible dance moves? For the most part, singers chose the wrong songs and failed to impress me. I expect Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert with the wildcard of Jesse Langseth or Kris Allen.
By Kim
February 26, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this
Welcome back, Kelle! :) I pretty much agreed with the judges right down the line. I too sat in amazement through the first 4 wondering what in the world was going on. None of them came close to their potential and didn’t seem like they had any business still being there from what I was hearing last night. I felt that relief when Allison took the stage - finally - someone is actually singing in a manner that shows why she is here! I was really disappointed in Jasmine and Matt - what the heck? And I have liked Nick and found him entertaining - but even he didn’t work for me last night - it was just silly and ridiculous and it’s starting to get old with me. I did think Mishavonna turned out a decent performance, I wasn’t as hard on her as the judges. I don’t know what to make of Megan. She is quirky for sure - definitely cute, fun and relevant - I even really like the tone of her voice - but I’m concerned with how well she can control it. She would have been my favorite if she had nailed it better - but it was a little too rocky. Jesse had an “okay” performance. All of the guys left me cold except for Adam. This guy really does have it going on - but he has to control those musical theater urges. It was great that he seemed to understand that he needs to be more subtle - that the exaggerations of the stage don’t work for the up-closeness of television. His vocal range is definitely impressive. Kris would probably be my second choice guy. Matt should be up there - but he really blew it last night. As for the ones going through - Adam & Allison should be in by landslides - but the pile of bleh is hard to predict after that. I guess looking at them overall - I would pick Megan as the 3rd person to have a sure slot, with Mishavonna, Kris & Matt coming to the wildcard round.