AI8 recap, Finalists x 4 (05/05/09)

So, backtracking to last week, what a shocker that Adam was in the bottom 2. I can’t prove this and have no evidence to say any different, but I really question the veracity of the votes sometimes. I’m guessing that the producers don’t mess with the bottom person, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they sometimes manipulated who was in the bottom 2 so that more people will vote for someone (like Adam last week). I was under the impression that not only was Adam light years better than the rest performance-wise, but also voting-wise. I guess I was wrong (or was I?).

This week was Rock Week (a first) with Slash as their mentor. I remembered Slash from Guns N Roses and his likeness is also on the box for Guitar Hero “Legends of Rock.” He’s got that signature contemporary “Mad Hatter” top hat. We have Guitar Hero for the Wii and my wife is pretty good. She picked it up right away. I think she finished a song in her second try. It took me a week to finish a song. If you aren’t doing well (missing the notes, etc), they boo you off the stage. I got unceremoniously booed off the stage for quite awhile. I’m better now, but still not very good. They have 4 levels, Easy, Medium, Hard and Expert. I have a hard time on Medium. My 6 year old son can even complete a song on Easy now. His hands are too small to hold the guitar regularly so he holds the guitar horizontally on his lap like a Japanese koto. He strums with his right hand and uses his thumb on his left hand to hit the notes. It’s pretty amazing that he can finish a song like that, but he does. Did I mention we watch too much TV and play too many video games around our house?

This week was another first too. The final four broke up into twos and also performed duets. A cool concept if you can harmonize and blend with your partner.

01 – Adam, Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin)
Wow he’s good. I think his high pitched voice at times sounds like Axl Rose’s, which would’ve been funny if Slash mentioned that. I really wish Adam would’ve come out in classic ‘80s Glam Rock gear, complete with a tied headband, multi-colored neon spandex and a muscle shirt with frayed sleeves. And a shaggy afro. Randy thinks Adam and Slash should make a record together. Kara called him a Rock God. Simon joked that it was a little understated, then added the only problem was that nobody can top that. Kara mentioned that he should record a Glam Rock album because no one’s doing that right now. Probably for good reason, but I can see him including a rock song or two on his album. Adam will be safe tomorrow. Guaranteed.

02 – Allison, Cry Baby (Janis Joplin)
Slash liked that Allison has natural rock and roll mannerisms and swagger. My only fear was that it’s hard to “rock up” a rock song, like she’s been doing just about every week to date. My fears were realized, in that she didn’t really change the song up much. I still love her rock voice though. Randy didn’t like the song choice. Kara thought Janis was the right choice, but would’ve chosen a different song. Paula said she could play Janis in a biopic. Simon thought her confidence up there was staggering from where she came from 8 weeks ago. I thought Allison was okay tonight. It’s interesting that she didn’t come out and own rock night. She’ll probably be in the bottom 2, but that would’ve happened no matter how she sang tonight because Adam and Danny are that popular.

Kris & Danny, Renegade (Styx)
This duet was a bit clunky, but it really reminded me how much I enjoy listening to Danny’s voice compared to Kris’. Styx was an interesting band for me. They were bigger in the ‘70s but I only knew them for “Mr. Roboto,” which doesn’t come close to defining the group. Lead singer Dennis DeYoung is a Chicago guy and I used to hear him on the local radio shows back when I was in Chicago. I heard him singing with a 50-piece orchestra on the radio once. Judges didn’t really dig this duet.

03 – Kris, Come Together (The Beatles)
When I think of The Beatles, I don’t think of this song, but it goes to show the diversity of the group. Another group that was extremely diverse in their sound is “Queen.” Kris didn’t really change this up much, but having such a limiting genre this late in the competition is pretty tough. I didn’t particularly enjoy this song tonight. Kara called Kris the softer side of rock, but said it wasn’t a great performance. Simon didn’t like it and likened it to eating ice for lunch. I think Kris will be in the bottom 2 tomorrow night. It’ll either be him or Allison going home.

04 – Danny, Dream On (Aerosmith)
I know this song from playing it on Guitar Hero. Jared knows it too! Although this isn’t in Danny’s wheelhouse, I thought he did pretty well tonight. Randy thought it was alright and gave him an A+ for a valiant effort. Kara thought he took it too far and thought he should’ve gone with an earlier Aerosmith hit (although Dream On was their first hit). Simon thought the last note was like watching a horror movie, but thinks he’ll be safe tomorrow. I think Danny’s safe too. I really like Danny’s voice, but I wonder what kind of record he’ll eventually cut.

Adam & Allison, Slow Ride (Foghat)
And this song is on Guitar Hero too! These two really did well together tonight. Randy thinks that they should do a duet on each other’s albums. Kara liked that they were pushing each other to do better. Simon was saying something and my TiVo cut out again. I read online that he said he thought Adam gave Allison a chance of staying in the competition with that duet.

Top 2: Adam, Danny
Bottom 2: Kris, Allison
Gone: Kris