AIV recap, Semi-Finalists, Gals x 10 (02/28)

I had big hopes for the gals this week but they seemed to let me down and no one really blew me away. Bad song choices by the real good singers accommodated that. Assuming they all make it through to next week, I hope that the strong singers (Katharine, Lisa, Paris and Mandisa) pick better songs.

01 – Katharine McPhee, All in Love is Fair (Stevie Wonder)

First off, her bio was a bit weird as it was just about how her and Kellie are roommates and have fun and are goofy together. And there was a lot of hugging. Don’t get me wrong, I really like Katharine. I think she is kooky and fun. She sang the song well, but it was a real subdued, somber song. It’s hard to feel real good about a performance when the content is so unexciting. And the top that she was wearing made her look pregnant. Cute outfit … if you’re in your second trimester. Randy said it wasn’t her best performance; it was just okay. Paula still called her brilliant. Simon said that AI is more than just singing, meaning even though you sing a song well, you need to have some kind of spunk to attract the voters. I don’t think that Katharine is in danger on Thursday because there are some clearly lesser singers and gals that aren’t as likable as her. I’m expecting her to bounce back next week. My wife said she looks a bit like Valerie Bertanelli. Good call.

02 – Kinnik Sky, Here for the Party (Gretchen Wilson)

If you couldn’t tell from last week, I’m not a fan of Kinnik’s. It didn’t help that her outfit tonight looked like something out of The Village People. She had camouflage pants on (I almost didn’t see her up there!), with a bustier and big white cowboy hat. Seriously, I thought she was an extra on Brokeback Mountain or going to the End Zone bar. It was a fun song, but nothing special. Randy liked her energy, but there wasn’t enough melody in the song for her voice. Paula thought having fun was great, but she wanted her to pick a song to show her amazing range. Simon likened her to a theme park entertainer. Kinnik may last through this week, but should not make it to the final 12.

03 – Lisa Tucker, Who’s Loving You (Jackson 5)

In her intro she mentioned that she was 10 when she worked in The Lion King, four days a week. Very impressive. The song was bluesy and mature. You know, most of the songs that she’s sung have been older songs. I wonder if that’s her parents’ influence? Regardless of the tone of the song, she sang it well. She really can blow. I think the challenge for her will be to pick songs that will set her apart from the competition. To sing really memorable songs. Randy just called it a’ight. Paula said when you’ve got it, you got it. She’s a star and she’s surprised that she hasn’t been signed yet. Simon called her a young girl trying to sing all grown up songs. He still thinks she will sail through though.

04 – Melissa McGhee, Why Haven’t I Heard From You (Reba McEntire)

Country. I don’t know this song. I hate country. They had Nashville Star for the Country American Idol. Other than that, my wife commented on her “interesting” outfit. I really think that she’s put on some lbs since Hollywood and can’t find anything that fits anymore. She’s busting out of everything that she wears. Like sausage casing. Randy said the song fit her and that her smoky voice returned. Paula said she’s coming out her shell and she has a unique tone to her voice. Simon said that he loved her voice, but it was the wrong song. No one will remember that song. I think Melissa will make it through on Thursday, but shouldn’t make it to the final 12.

05 – Heather Cox, Hero (Mariah Carey)

The self-proclaimed “American Idol Stalker.” Heather’s pretty good looking and all, but this performance fell short. Way short. Being the AI Stalker, she knows not to pick a Whitney Houston song, but she should’ve been savvy enough to realize that you can’t pick a Mariah Carey song either. There is no way that you can sing their songs better than they sang them. And trying to make it your own usually doesn’t work. The funny part about this performance was how confident Heather was when she was singing it. She was making looks like she was saying, “yeah, I got this” or “I’m really doing well.” And she felt good about her performance. Then the judges KILLED her. Paula said she improved from last week, but took a big risk with the song and it wasn’t great. Randy casually dropped his standard “I work with Mariah” and said that she (Heather) paled in comparison to her. I forgot what Simon said, but he agreed with Randy and Paula and called the performance pointless. Heather should exit on Thursday.

06 – Brenna Gethers, Last Dance (Donna Summer)

Gosh Brenna annoys me. She looked like a leprechaun in her green dress and the dress really wasn’t very flattering for her figure. Made her look like she was full figured, but in a Lane Bryant kind of way. Her performance really wasn’t that good, but her arrogance really showed in her banter with the judges. She thought she did well and that America would love her and it would reflect in her votes. Gag me, please. Paula said there was no magic in her performance. Randy said she never thinks anything is bad. Her attitude nor her vocals were there. Not an inspired performance. Simon called it her last chance, instead of last dance. He thinks she should be gone. So do I.

07 – Paris Bennett, Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler)

Boy does she have a powerful voice. She’s got a unique sense of fashion and her intro showed that. She came out with a Madonna-inspired outfit, circa Lucky Star, but with red shoes. Her performance was good, but not knock your socks off good. I’d like to see a performance that was less dance around-ish than last week, but more than just standing around singing like this week. Maybe it’s just because I’ve heard this song at just about every wedding I’ve been to, either on a slide show, first dance, etc. Paula wanted her to celebrate her youth more. Randy called her a young Lauren Hill, but didn’t want her singing old songs. She’s still hot, just not searing like last week. Simon is worried that Paris and Lisa are trying to sound 50. She’ll be safe for Thursday and will probably be in the final 4 gals.

08 – Ayla Brown, I Want You To Need Me (Celine Dion)

Ayla’s intro was so funny because she is such a jock. She does not throw a football like a girl. It was hilarious how she was talking about not knowing what foundation was. Actually, I don’t know what it is either, but that’s beside the point. She was able to show a little more of her personality and break out of the robotic image a bit with this performance. She is so competitive, most likely from her sports background. She may not be the best singer, nor have the best voice, but you’re not going to out-effort her. She probably works as hard at the singing as she does on the athletic fields. It’s funny how the judges keep commenting on how she was a “pleasant surprise” to them. Almost like they didn’t expect her to be any good. I’m glad that she’s doing well. I think that she should make it to the final 6 gals, but then the more natural talent of some of the others will probably do her in. Paula said that she looks like she really wants this and that she was pleasantly surprised. Randy was surprised, but it was a nice package and she knows her voice and its limitations. Simon said that she is working harder than everyone else, but still may be a bit mechanical. Ayla is growing on me and not just because she wore heels and was a head taller than Ryan Seacrest.

09 – Kellie Pickler, Something To Talk About (Bonnie Raitt)

My goodness this girl is funny and refreshing. She talked about how she tried squid (“they call it cal-a-mari”) for the first time and she could do with never having it ever again. Then talked about how the dogs out in LA have their own clothes and how they have more clothes than she does. The performance wasn’t great, by any means, but the intro trumped her song. Paula called her unpretentious and she enjoyed her performance and it just made her smile. Randy told the dawg pound that they had a hot one tonight. Simon said that you cannot help but like her. Kellie is going to go far. How far I don’t know. She is a virtual lock for the final 12 and it will be interesting to see at what point a more talented performer will overtake her likeability. She has a decent voice, but she doesn’t have the performance chops like Mandisa, Katharine, Lisa or Paris. I like Kellie and wish her the best.

10 – Mandisa, Cry (Faith Hill)

Her intro showed her practical joke on Seacrest (dog jaw!), which was hilarious. Mandisa really changed the song up. I don’t really know the song, but know it didn’t sound like that. She still has an amazing voice, regardless of what song she’s singing. Paula called her one of a kind with unbelievable vocal range and is needed in this competition. Randy said it was rough and wasn’t thrilled with the song choice. Simon thought it was okay but when she’s on it, there’s no one better.

I voted for Katharine, Lisa, Paris, Ayla, Kellie and Mandisa. The others are just posers who need to go before the real competition starts.