AMERICAN IDOL RECAP – 3/31/09

This week’s theme was popular iTunes downloads. Seems like a very broad theme and I hoped that, with that freedom, the contestants would finally pick songs that really suited their styles. I thought wrong.

Anoop – ‘Caught Up’ by Usher – Ewww. No thanks. He makes faces like he’s some sex symbol. I don’t buy it. Tonight, he went back to the Anoop that I can’t take seriously.

Megan – ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low’ by Bob Marly/Lauryn Hill – She’s seemed disconnected and nervous. She’s definitely in trouble. Once again, she chose a song that no one cares about on this show. Every week the judges tell her to sing Adele and she ignores their advice.

Danny – “What Hurts The Most’ by Rascal Flatts – Are my speakers broken? I disagree with judges. Yes, he had the best performance after the first 2 people went, but I don’t think it was his best performance at all. That first note was not pretty. He sounded like he was straining. He should have taking the song down half of a step. Yes, he did well and he was emotionally connected with the song and the audience, but, technically speaking, he did not nail it.

Allison – ‘Don’t Speak’ by No Doubt – This girl’s either been working with a media coach or she’s watched herself on TV because she’s made some major improvements. She started off well with the guitar. It was a really intimate moment with Allison, but the transition into the chorus with the full band and back-up singers was a little awkward. But, never mind any of that…she can sing. And her outfit was HIDEOUS!

Scott – ‘Just The Way You Are’ by Billy Joel – He finally listened to the judges and performed some Billy Joel. But what the hell is up with his hair?! He definitely improved this week and the judges agreed. I’m not sure how much longer he’ll be around, but I’ve got to give him credit for listening to the judges because it paid off.

Matt – ‘You Found Me’ by The Fray – It was like he was someone else tonight. His style completely changed and he was trying to make his voice raspier. At the very end of the song on his final riff, he sounded like himself and I wished that he had sung the entire song in his normal, soulful voice. The song wasn’t necessarily a bad choice, but his vocal style was a mess.

Lil – ‘I Surrender’ by Celine Dion – I was really bored during her performance this week. Her voice sounded weak and it made it sound like the song was a bit too big for her. As the song went on, she got somewhat stronger, but on the biggest note of the song she fell short. Lil’s getting lost in this competition. During the first verse, it looked like she was watching the judges for their approval rather than performing for all of us. I felt cheated.

Adam – ‘Play That Funky Music’ by Wild Cherry– I’m kind of getting tired of his screaming. He’s clearly better than everyone else on the show, but his act made me uncomfortable tonight. I guess I feel like it wasn’t appropriate for this song. I also feel like his act only works when he wears some David Bowie inspired futuristic costume. I didn’t’ know what to make of him tonight. Thank God I still remember his performance from last week.

Chris – ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ by Bill Withers – Chris surprised all of us when he said he was going to be playing the piano tonight. Again, he’s playing his cards well in this competition. He took this song and totally made it his own and did it in a way that no other contest in Idol history has performed it. He’s a very smart guy and extremely talented. He was my favorite by a mile tonight. If he keeps this streak up, he could make it all the way to the end.