AI7 recap, Semi-Finalists, Gals x 10 (02/27)

Let’s get right into it. Same theme (‘70s) for the gals and they also share something that America might be surprised to know.

01 – Carly Smithson, Crazy On You (Heart)

Her surprise is that even though she owns a tattoo bar with her husband, she also works at an Irish bar around the corner. Hair looked better for her tonight, but that tattoo is downright sinister. I’m really not a fan of Carly’s. I think she has a real good voice, but her singing posture and the way she holds the mic just bugs me. I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s just something insincere about her. Maybe it’s because she previously had a record deal (but the label went belly up) or that she’s not American (Green Card marriage, anyone?). Randy said it was good towards the end. Paula called her an amazing singer. Simon called it much better than last week, but she really hasn’t connected with the right song yet. And added when she does, she’ll blow everyone away. Looking at the competition, she’s safe tomorrow night and probably into the final 12.

02 – Syesha Mercado, Me and Mr. Jones (Billy Paul)

She obviously changed the gender on this one. Syesha’s been in commercials in Miami. Doesn’t surprise me. She’s gorgeous and has that signature big hair. Song was okay, but she finished it big. Wore a nice understated black dress and colorful scarf as a headband. She really can model/act if this doesn’t work out. But she could be the triple threat too, because she can sing. Randy said it wasn’t a great song choice and wished she picked a song that would’ve showcased her big voice. Paula said it fell off pitch for the lower notes. Simon called it a bit indulgent. She didn’t kill it tonight, but I think she’s still safe tomorrow night. And into the top 12 too.

03 – Brooke White, You’re So Vain (Carly Simon)

Brooke surprised us with the fact that she went to beauty school, but didn’t finish, making her, yes, a beauty school dropout. She came out with a guitar and the first thing my wife thought of was when Lili Taylor was singing “Joe Lies” at the graduation party in “Say Anything…” Funny thing about “Say Anything…” is that I was just talking about that movie. Did you realize that Chynna Phillips (from Wilson Phillips and married to Billy “the AWOL” Baldwin) was Joe’s girlfriend? I thought Brooke was good tonight. Better than last week. Sitting with the guitar saved us from her uncomfortable dancing. Not as bad as Jason Yeager, but uncomfortable nonetheless. And I’m usually a “less is more” kind of guy when it comes to makeup, but Brooke looks better with some makeup. And you probably know this but no one really knows who this song is really about. Carly Simon has been very secretive about it over the years. There are rumors that it’s about Warren Beatty, Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens, Kris Kristofferson, William Donaldson or James Taylor. Randy called it a great song choice. Paula called it the perfect song choice because it suited her. Simon absolutely loved it. I think this gets her to next week, but she’ll have to bring it again to make it to the final 12.

04 – Ramiele Malubay, Don’t Leave Me This Way (Thelma Houston)

Her surprise was that she grew up doing Polynesian dance. The USA Today guy compares her speaking voice to Paris Bennett. Believe me, there is no comparison. I don’t see Ramiele saying, “then kew.” Ramiele has a real ‘80s look to her with her haircut and I almost expected her to be wearing on oversize belt. And leg warmers. And singing “Physical.” I thought she was okay tonight. Not great, but I still think she’s one of the better gals. Randy said it was rough for him. Paula said she powered through but didn’t get to perform her magic. Simon said he’s heard this song so many times and he won’t remember it so well. But he did say he thought she was in the top 3 singers in the competition. I hope Ramiele is safe tomorrow. I think she will be. And I think she should cruise to the top 12 and go pretty deep. David Archuleta should win, but she could be top 4 or 5. I think her goal is to beat Jasmine Trias’ top 3 finish.

05 – Kristy Lee Cook, You’re No Good (Linda Ronstadt)

Kristy’s surprise is that she’s a tomboy and loves to fish, play softball, camp and ride horses. I think she looks a bit like Kristy Swanson too (you know, Buffy the Vampire Slayer; the movie, not the TV show, which was played by Sarah Michelle Gellar). Kristy came out in a Raiderette uniform tonight. Looked pretty good in it too, although did anyone else notice her lollipop red tongue? Randy called it a 100% improvement from last week. Paula said she was back, the song choice was good and she mentioned something about a pocket. I really haven’t figured out what she means when she mentions the pocket. Simon called it a huge improvement, but didn’t really know what type of singer she was. He suggested country and said that she’s got real potential, which is Simon-speak for “you’re hot.” She did mention that she was sick last week and said she was on 5 antibiotics for the flu. C’mon, FIVE antibiotics? If that were true, she’d be 1) bacteria resistant to all antibiotics now and 2) had diarrhea or 3) a yeast infection. I think Kristy will survive tomorrow but will have to step up to keep going on.

06 – Amanda Overmyer, Carry On My Wayward Son (Kansas)

Amanda came out looking like Cruella DeVille tonight. Last week she reminded me of Elvira, this week, 101 Dalmations. What’s up for next week? Ursula, the sea witch from “The Little Mermaid?” Amanda’s got a gravelly voice, but it didn’t match the song tonight. Came off as shouting and was not good at all. Randy said it wasn’t the right song choice because there was way too much melody (whatever that means). Paula said she’s got some moves and that she should just do what feels right. Simon said it felt contrived, indulgent, not natural and even called it an ugly song. But when they flashed to her family in the audience, her mom is hot. Like Bo Bice’s mom hot. So Amanda can stay. But she probably won’t. I think she’s in the bottom 3 and may be gone tomorrow night.

07 – Alaina Whitaker, Hopelessly Devoted To You (Olivia Newton-John)

Her surprise is that she can’t have her food touching on her plate. I’ve actually encountered this before. There was a guy who was a friend of a co-worker at the Bulls that was the same way. We’d go to a soul food restaurant west of the United Center and he’d have to have everything separate. Chicken, collared greens, mashed potatoes, etc. It was a sight to see. Alaina’s problem was that this is such a classic song that the changes she made to it did nothing for me. She’s a cute girl though. I think she’s a card carrying member of the Sexy Gap Tooth Society, along with Madonna, David Letterman, Lauren Hutton, Michael Strahan and Shannon Meyer. Randy said the verses were really rough. Paula said she forgets how young and mature Alaina is and that she did a real good job. Can’t remember if she mentioned a pocket here though. Simon said he likes her, but she was old fashioned tonight. Called her a dark horse. I think she was bottom 4 tonight though and has a chance to be out tomorrow.

08 – Alexandrea Lushington, If You Leave Me Now (Chicago)

I love Chicago, but it’s mostly their newer stuff from Chicago 16 on. I think their album “Greatest Hits 1982-1989” really covered all that I knew and liked about them. This song was hard because Peter Cetera has such a distinctive voice that it’s hard for someone else to sing it. Much like Journey and Steve Perry (and Randy Jackson, I guess) has their own sound. I loved Cetera when he went solo too, especially with the Karate Kid, Part II song (Glory of Love) and the duet with Amy Grant (The Next Time I Fall). So it was all wrong for Alexandrea tonight. Even her sk8r4life outfit was odd. I like her, but she didn’t represent very well tonight. Randy called it a boring choice and it was so safe for her. Paula said she did her own arrangement. Simon said the song was absolutely stuck in its own time period and couldn’t be updated. I hope Alexandrea makes it through, but she may be in the bottom two tomorrow night.

09 – Kady Malloy, Magic Man (Heart)

Her surprise is that she sings opera. But does she sing it like Adam Sandler’s Opera Man? That’s the real question. I think Kady looks a bit like Anna Nicole Smith. But this song tonight was a complete mess. She was totally off the tune from the get go. But her Zen-garden top was kinda cool. Randy said she never found the pitch. Paula said when she powered it sounded great. Simon said he was very frustrated with her because she’s great on tape but then it doesn’t translate to the stage. I think that she’ll be better off as a reporter like Kimberly Caldwell or Matt Rogers. Kady should be in the bottom 4 and possibly be gone tomorrow.

10 – Asia’h Epperson, All By Myself (Eric Carmen/Celine Dion)

Her surprise is that she grew up cheerleading. Can’t wait to see her spirit fingers and jazz hands. You could tell she was sick tonight because it was almost like she was saving her voice (or it could be that her sickness made her lose control on the lower notes) for the big notes. I thought she ended well though. Randy said she gets the award for the highest degree of difficulty. Paula said she brought it home. Simon said she wasn’t a good enough singer to pull this song off and that she should know her limitations. I think that she would’ve done better had she not been sick. I really like Asia’h. She looked great with the straight hair tonight too. I think she’s safe to the final 12.

Bottom four – Kady, Amanda, Alaina, Alexandrea

Top two – Carly, Brooke