From the Top 10 to the Top 8 in one night...that's what we're in for tonight.
Before the show tonight, it was spoiled that there is a twist tonight. It was previously reported that 2 singers would be eliminated at the top of the show. However, it sounds like now, all 10 singers will perform. The bottom 3 singers from last week's voting will perform. At the end of the show, the JUDGES will then SAVE one singer, sending the other 2 home. This could have a big effect on my bracket. Picking the 2 going home was one thing, but taking into effect who the judges might want to keep around is another.
On my bracket, we picked a bottom 4 (since we didn't know if they would do a bottom 3 or possibly 4 since 2 are going home). My bottom 4 picks are: Lee, Gianna, Tristan, and Avalon. The 2 singers I picked as going home are: Lee and Gianna
With this new information about the judges saving someone from the bottom 3, I'm not sure if I should change my picks or not. I think the judges have been pretty critical of Lee and like other singers better, so I think if he's in the bottom 3, he's still going home. Gianna on the other hand...they've continued to praise her even when she's not that good, although they thought she maybe should have picked a different song last time. Depending on who else is in the bottom, she might get the save. Too hard to tell, but I think I'm sticking with my picks.
Also, in case you're wondering. After MUCH consideration (it's never been this difficult for me to choose a winner), I finally made my winner prediction for my bracket. Drum roll please...DALTON! I finally just decided I want to pick someone I like and who I hope will win. I didn't want my last season of Idol to be spent "rooting" for someone just because I picked them in my bracket. I wanted to pick someone I feel who's worth rooting for. Also, as my co-worker pointed out - I should pick him because I'm from Dalton...Ohio that is. That must be a sign. So with that interesting point, it's worth noting that I consciously have to think before I pronounce Dalton's name because we don't say our town the way he says his name.
So, let's get to it! The song list was leaked yesterday, and I can say I'm pretty excited to see some of these. There are some surprises and also some very expected choices. The theme is based on The Grammys.
First one through is....none other than my boy, Dalton! I told you, it's a sign! I feel good about this year!
Dalton Rapattoni — Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive”
Great, great song...but it has been done quite a bit...I wonder how he's going to do it. So far it's not too far off from the original. For the first time, I think I hear some slightly off notes. His level of performance helps make up for that and make it not as noticeable. Ooh, there's something a little different! I love how he took it up a notch and held out the note on the final chorus. I won't say it was his best performance, but I love him. I hate that he had to go first. I think he might have done better if a couple of other people went before him. I'm still pretty sure he's safe. But, please vote people! The last thing we want to happen is for people to think he's safe and not vote. Here might be a good place to remind people where and how to vote: (1) call (2) text (3) Facebook (4) Google (5) AmericanIdol.com - 10 votes on all methods.
My Grade: B+
Lee Jean — Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody”
I like Lee Jean and I'm glad he gets to continue. But...I'm really surprised he's not in the bottom 3. There goes one of my picks already tonight out the window. I like that he's taking a risk finally with his song choice - but this is not one of my favorite songs. We're so used to his Ed Sheeran songs, so it's nice to see him do something a little more upbeat. But you know what, as good as it sounds, I really do prefer his Ed Sheeran songs. He seemed more comfortable doing this than I thought he would. Whoa, and he even grabbed the mike and pulled it off the stand. Good for you, Lee Jean.
My Grade: B
Sonika Vaid — Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone”
I hope she can bring the same thing she brought last week. She was incredible last week. I'm loving the personality she is starting to show. She's really letting herself go, and she just keeps getting better. This started out a little too soft. Once she hit the chorus she started letting it out. It's amazing just how pitch-perfect she is every single week. I love this new, fun, kind of angsty girl she's been portraying the last couple weeks. Her ballads are always beautiful, but it's great to hear her come alive on some pop/rock songs.
My Grade: A-
MacKenzie Bourg — Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”
I love that he's doing a very, very unexpected song. Last week's song was great, but it was very expected. I hope he can do something really interesting with it. He sounds great, and it's a very sweet performance. One complaint - they had the microphone for the back-up singer (I'm guessing it was Allison Iraheta, whom you might remember from Idol Season 8 - she placed 4th...you'll see her in the back with her signature pink hair) was way too loud and it was almost taking over his vocal. I really enjoyed it, and I liked the way he did the ending.
My Grade: A-
La’Porsha Renae — Beyoncé’s “Halo”
Another great, modern song from La'Porsha. Even though I might not love her, I love that she at least sings good, relevant, modern songs. Whoa, the screen behind her makes her look like she has angel wings! Could they be trying to force her as our winner anymore? Did she just say "Idol, I can feel your halo?". She actually tweaked the arrangement some, and I kind of like it! Up until the end, she actually toned down the runs. She still belted it out at volume 100, but she didn't sing 10 notes for every syllable. She's always going to sound amazing...that's just never going to change.
My Grade: A
Trent Harmon — Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves A Woman”
Thank you, Scott for addressing Trent's faces and trying to help him with it! Singing in the mirror is a great idea...hopefully, now he will be more RELAXED and self-aware. I could really see a difference! His vocals sounded amazing tonight! So much better than the screetch-fest last week. He had some falsetto in this song, but it was done much better. Wow...this was a great performance! And he didn't wear a hat! So many changes for Trent this week, and all good! Although I didn't love the song, he really did a great job with it.
My Grade: A-
Tristan McIntosh — Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High on That Mountain”
Wow...Tristan's story with her mother must be trumping her vocals. She has been nothing but pitchy. I'm so glad she decided to play the piano again. We haven't really seen that since her audition. Now she won't be tempted to wander aimlessly around the stage out of breath. Her first notes were too low and off, as usual. Her chorus was pretty beautiful. He long, held out notes were pretty in tune. This was a much, much better performance than we've seen from her in a very long time. The girl country songs are just not what she should be doing. This was so much better.
My Grade: A-
Bottom 3
Kind of surprising to see these 3 collectively, but individually, I can see why each of them are there. My early guess is that the judges will save Olivia, because she was one of the 4 picks for the Top 10. However, she hasn't done very good lately, so maybe they are seeing a different side of her and want to save the more interesting, Avalon, instead. They would be stupid to save Gianna because the public is definitely not #TeamGianna (probably mostly because of her mom). She is dead last in every poll I've seen the last couple weeks. They haven't loved what she's done the last couple times, so unless she is absolutely stellar, I can't see them saving her.
Avalon Young — The Weeknd’s “Earned It”
This should be a perfect song for her. This is the Avalon we've come to know. She seems so much more comfortable than last week. There seemed to be a few wonky notes. It wasn't my favorite performance of hers, but I think she did an OK job. I'm not sure it will be enough to save her though - it depends what the other 2 do. At least she finished really strong.
My Grade: B
Olivia Rox — Pink’s “Trouble”
This is a very upbeat song, and I'm not sure she's going to be able to perform it at the level it needs to be performed. I have trouble understanding a lot of her words. In the quieter parts of the song, she's almost not audible. It's like, is she even singing? As a whole, the performance was pretty good. She was able to jump up and down and not get out of breath. She also ended with an amazing run, and an amazing high note. That might be enough to keep her.
My Grade: B+
Gianna Isabella — Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You”
This is a big song. I would like to see her sing something more her age. Could she have drawn out the beginning of the song anymore? She always looks like she is staring into space when she's singing. She just kind of gets a glazed-over look. I think she sang it fine, but I'm just really kind of over her. She got kind of emotional at the end and her last note really kind of wavered nervously. She's just not quite there yet maturity-wise. Plus, I need her to go so I can get some big points in my bracket!
My Grade: B+
Results
The Judges Save: Avalon
I think this was the right move. Her song choice was ver appropriate, and it "Earned" her a spot in the Top 8.
Going Home: Olivia and Gianna
Don't forget to follow on Twitter for updates and live show tweets! https://twitter.com/LSRealityBites
And follow this blog with Bloglovin
No comments:
Post a Comment