AMERICAN IDOL – Top 10 Girls Perform

I’m going to go ahead and warn you that I was tired and kind of cranky watching the Top 10 girls perform on AMERICAN IDOL tonight.  I was kind of hoping there would be a performance that would break me out of my mood, but for me there wasn’t.  Forgive me if I’m a little bit bland and a tad overcritical tonight.  Feel free to correct me if you thought I was way off about some of these performances. The judges and I weren’t always on the same page tonight, but I guess that’s not a new thing.

Carly Smithson is leading off for the ladies tonight. Coming into the Top 24 she was the woman to beat, or at least that’s what the producers wanted us to think. Her underwhelming performance last week was probably just a fluke. Tonight’s performance was much stronger. I wasn’t a fan of the song but maybe because I didn’t know it. I thought she was a bit screechy but overall I think she was good. Sorry, I wish I could muster a little more excitement about this chick, but I’m not quite there yet. Randy thought she was alright. He didn’t bow to her like he did last week though. Paula spoke nonsense. Simon doesn’t think that any of the girls can touch her vocally but said she hasn’t found the right song yet. He contends she’s the woman to beat. 1-866-IDOLS-01

Next up is my favorite girl of last week, Syesha Mercado. Her rendition of “Me & Mr. Jones” was sultry and sexy. For a slow song there were some great notes that she hit to showcase her range. And come on this girl is gorgeous. I’m not sure that the judges are going to love her tonight as much as I did. I’m worried that after following the rock song from Carly that this performance is going to be a little underwhelming. Let’s see. Randy thought it wasn’t the right song and suggested she pick a song better suited to her belting voice. Simon agreed. 1-866-IDOLS-02

[What is with Simon thumb on his temple the past two days? It’s kind of distracting]

Brooke White, a girl I kind of forgot was in the competition, is up next with one of my favorite songs ever, Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain”. Brooke took the risk of playing the guitar tonight and it might have actually paid off for her. And it’s kind of weird, but she looks a little like Carly Simon tonight. This girl has a nice voice but I don’t think she has shown that she’s anything special yet in this competition. Maybe I’m being overly critical because as an artist she’s different than the others in that she’s a bit understated. I just wonder if she’ll be overlooked because of it. Before we get to the judges the mic picks up Simon saying “I don’t like the way she was looking at me when she sang the song.” Ha ha!! Randy and Paula thought it was a great song choice and liked what she brought to it. Simon absolutely loved it! Wow, that kind of shocked me. 1-866-IDOLS-03

Ramiele Malubay takes the stage next with her version of “Don’t Leave Me This Way”. I think because we didn’t see much of her in the early eps, I’m always surprised at how good she is. I really like her voice, and dig her style. I think she could work on her performance some more. It doesn’t look like she’s enjoying this. Instead of working the camera or the crowd it’s almost as if she’s looking at the teleprompter or something. Randy thought it was just ok. Paula thought the song didn’t showcase her true talent. Simon agreed with Paula that she’s one of the best singers in the competition but tonight wasn’t the best we’ve seen from her. 1-866-IDOLS-04

Time for Kristy Lee Cook to try to dazzle the judges and America with her vocal stylings. Personally I think singing a song entitled “You’re No Good” is pretty frakking risky. And what’s up with her bright red tongue? Oh right, her performance. Zzzzz. Wow I found that incredibly boring. Sorry but she had more personality in the her short pre-taped video. Randy and Paula liked her, but they weren’t overly enthusiastic. Simon thought it was a huge improvement over last week but he doesn’t know who she is as an artist. He said she had real potential. The judges and I aren’t on the same page tonight. 1-866-IDOLS-05

I guess I didn’t realize how much I didn’t like Amanda Overmyer until Ryan just announced her name as the next performer and I literally said ‘ugh’. I know I’m a bit of a broken record but I don’t think Amanda has much range. I already know exactly what she’s going to sound like and she hasn’t even sung the first note yet. But I’ll try to be open as she takes the stage. Oh for the love of God who did her hair tonight? She looks like a Cabbage Patch Kid on Halloween. As for her performance, yeah I thought she sucked. She’s stronger in her upper range but the lower notes were all over the place. Not a fan and I’ll be shocked if she’s around next week. The judges weren’t big fans of her either tonight. 1-866-IDOLS-06

[OMG! We still have 4 more singers to go? I’m tired and want to go to bed.]

Alaina Whitaker, who I was a big fan of last week, is taking on “Hopelessly Devoted to You” from Grease. Aye, aye, aye Alaina. The entire song was off key. I mean really bad. She was flat, sharp all over the place. Not good at all. I’m worried that the judges are going to kill her. Randy was kind of with me on the singing. Paula patronized her and said she was very good. Simon comments were more about her look than her singing. Once I again maybe I got it wrong? 1-866-IDOLS-07

What happened to the energetic and exciting Alexandrea Lushington we saw last week? Talk about a karaoke performance. Maybe my ears are off tonight but I thought that sounded flat out terrible. There was no power behind it. But I kind of love that she acknowledged her shortcomings tonight. It showed on her face from the minute she was done. The judges weren’t all that harsh, but they certainly weren’t happy with the performance. She’s feeling a little down tonight. 1-866-IDOLS-08

Kady Malloy kind of looks like a drag queen. God I suck tonight – I’m so mean. That’s ok though because Kady Malloy also sucked…big time. I wasn’t familiar with the song that she sang, but I can’t imagine it was suppose to sound like that. These girls are really struggling with singing in their lower registers. Ladies, belting is nice but you have to be able sing the whole song. The judges weren’t too thrilled, but again they didn’t rip her apart, so that’s always a plus. I think this girl thinks a bit too highly of herself. 1-866-IDOLS-09

My second favorite singer of last week, Asia’h Epperson, closes out the show.  No one has had a truly break out performance so Asia’h has a real opportunity to stand out tonight. First of all, with the new extensions I don’t think I would have recognized Asia’h if Ryan hadn’t already told me who was taking the stage.  So remember what I said about having a breakout performance, just a few sentences ago?  Yeah, it didn’t happen.  In fact it went horribly wrong.  Asia’h is sick tonight and it really showed in her voice.  She missed some notes completely and we all collectively held our breath when she went for the high notes.  Not pretty.  But I dig her and might need to throw some pity votes her way because I think the contest is more exciting with her in it.  As for the judges, Randy and Paula gave her more props than I thought they would.  As for Simon he thought the song was bigger than her vocal talent.  1-866-IDOLS-10

FINALLY, it’s over!!  For some reason it was a really long night for me.

As for my take on where the girls are based on last night’s performances?

See ya next week: Brooke White, Ramiele Malubay, Syesha Mercado, Carly Smithson

Safe but you better step it up: Alaina Whitaker, Alexandrea Lushington, Kristy Lee Cook

We might be saying goodbye to: Amanda Overmyer, Kady Malloy, Asia’h Epperson

Spill it…who were your favorite? Any stand outs? Anyone you are already ready to send home?