AIIX recap, Finalists x 12 (03/16/10)

Thanks again to the great job Jim Rutter did last week, although he might have been better served going this week with it being Rolling Stones week. A few thoughts from last week. I cannot believe that Lilly Scott is gone. I didn’t really get her, but she was WAY more talented than most of the others (except Crystal & Siobhan). And even Alex Lambert going was a bit of a surprise. He was pretty good the last few weeks after his initial performance. I was not surprised that Todrick and Katelyn were gone.

And I must say, this HAS to be the weakest top 12 I’ve ever seen (to go along with the weakest top 24 ever too).

And a few notes on Jim’s recap.
• Appreciated his “stylized vocalization” vs “pitchy” observation on Lee.
• Loved the “David” from Eight Is Enough comment. Grant Goodeve, if I remember correctly. Better a “David” haircut than a “Nicholas,” Adam Rich bowl cut though…
• Don’t think I didn’t catch the UC Berkeley dig, Jim…
• And my wife Kristin also noticed the Kara in Simon’s lap thing going on. It almost seemed as though she was intentionally sitting away from Ellen. Which was weird. And also it seemed like she was disregarding Ellen’s comments because she would never acknowledge them.
• Todrick bugged me in how he obliterated all the arrangements in the songs that he did. It felt as if he was doing that to cover up vocal insufficiencies.

On to tonight. Why is there no Guitar Hero or Rock Band for The Rolling Stones? They haven’t reached the sell out point yet? Why not? If they’re letting American Idol have a theme week on them, why not the Guitar Hero deal too?

01 – Michael Lynche, Miss You
Personally, I’m a little tired of Michael. Liked him in Hollywood, but I’ve quickly soured on him. I think he’s too much of a showman and I think he’s overly confident and can’t take criticism well. We did get a little glimpse into why he quit football (his mother’s passing took it away from him), but seriously, why can’t he go back and try again? It’s not like he’s not in good shape. He’s a personal trainer. You can’t teach bulk like that. I think he’d be a great nose tackle that sang well on the side. Going first on a night with 12 singers is a supreme disadvantage unless you slay it. I though Michael was okay, but he did get a little pitchy when he was moving around so much. Makes you appreciate Mick Jagger even more. Mick is all over that stage and doesn’t miss a bit singing. On top of the fact that all he probably does is smoke and do drugs too. Randy, however, thought he slayed it. Simon called his dancing corny. After 3 positive comments, Michael didn’t take Simon’s take very well. Per usual. I think Big Mike is safe tomorrow night.

02 – Didi Benami, Playing With Fire
I am having a tough time placing Didi because I know she really looks like someone, but I can’t put my finger on it. A blonde Jessica Biel? Judy Greer? Didi came out tonight dressed by either Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters. Take your pick, but she had a great look tonight. I really like her voice, as it has a real contemporary feel to it. Like those indie artists that sing off tempo or have odd phrasing on purpose (like Megan from last year). This song completely showcased her voice and showed that she has a much stronger voice than she’s shown in the past. Randy called her on fire. Ellen joked that she turned “fire” into a 2 syllable word and called it “gr-eat.” Kara liked her intensity tonight. Simon called it a solid, but not brilliant performance. I think Didi should be safe tomorrow. Plus she’s the hottest girl left in the top 12. That’s gotta count for something.

03 – Casey James, It’s All Over Now
So it came to me last week. Casey James looks exactly like Zach Braff (JD from Scrubs) if Braff had long blonde hair. That had been bugging me for awhile and I was supremely happy with myself when I figured that out. If I could figure out how to put pictures into the body of an e-mail (I know I’m lame), I’d prove it to you. Casey was good tonight, with his country-infused version. Randy loved it. Ellen made a funny, alluding to her being a lesbian, but calling herself a blonde instead. Pretty funny moment. Kara liked his blues/soul version and called it his best performance since they met (when he took his shirt off). Simon said that he needed to do more than just sit in the middle of the big stage with his electric guitar. What do you want Simon? Some corny dancing like Big Mike? I think Simon’s comment was rubbish and Casey is safe tomorrow. Guaranteed. He’s probably good to top 4, at least.

04 – Lacey Brown, Ruby Tuesday
My wife Kristin thought she has a Fleetwood Mac-type voice. I actually think her voice is somewhat like the lead singer to Sixpence None The Richer, which is funny because she sang their song a few weeks ago. I’m not a huge fan of Lacey’s. I think she has a Disney Channel type voice. She sings all of her songs too slow too. Bugs me. Randy was pleasantly surprised. Ellen thought it was weird that she sat for the fast part of the song and stood and walked for the slow parts. Maybe she has performance dyslexia? Kara thought she could do better. Simon hit it on the head when he said she performs like an actress. Maybe it has to do with the fact that she got so close last year and didn’t make it to the semis. She’s probably been overthinking everything since then. And it comes off rehearsed and not genuine. I think Lacey’s in trouble tomorrow night.

05 – Andrew Garcia, Gimme Shelter
Man, Andrew was not good tonight. Consistently flat throughout the whole song. Talk about peaking too soon. Poor guy had his “moment” in Hollywood with “Straight Up.” Can’t blame him for doing that when he did because if he didn’t do it then (and saved it for later), he may have not made it through to the top 24. It’s kind of like the lawyer (Matt Damon’s character) in The Rainmaker. He knocked it out of the park in his first case, then quit because he knew he could never make it that big again. Nor could he live up to that again. Randy called it pitchy everywhere. Ellen thought it was his best performance yet, which it might have been. But that’s not saying much. Kara didn’t think he connected with the song. Being a songwriter, Kara really listens to the lyrics. Maybe too much sometimes, but I can’t blame her, as that’s what she does. Simon thought he gave it 100%, but suspects it was better in rehearsal than live tonight. I think Andrew’s on the bubble tomorrow night. Unfortunately, I like him, but I think he may be going soon unless he has another “moment.”

06 – Katie Stevens, Wild Horses
Katie reminds my wife Kristin of Tatiana from last season. The Drama Queen from Puerto Rico that kept singing all the time when the judges wanted her to stop. Did anyone notice that she spat at the camera during the song? I hope those people in the front row had their ponchos on. I wonder if they knew they were sitting in the Splash Zone? My feelings about Katie are that she has a very nice voice, but that she sings the words and doesn’t know what she’s singing about. I’ve never felt like she connected with any of her songs. Chalk it up to her youth? Randy thought she sang it well. Kara said she’s never technically perfect, but she’s moving in the right direction. Simon thought it was the first week that she chose a strong song. I think Katie’s safe tomorrow, but she can’t last much longer if she doesn’t improve.

07 – Tim Urban, Under My Thumb
Not only does Tim Urban look like Michael J. Fox, but during the Oscars when they did the tribute to John Hughes, they flashed a scene from “Some Kind of Wonderful,” and Tim really looked like a young Eric Stoltz. He also kinda looks like a brunette version of Sterling Knight (we watch WAY too much Disney Channel; if you know who Sterling Knight is, so do you!). Tim played this song to a reggae beat. He really has not impressed me one bit during this competition. But he’s a good looking guy and probably has a lot of girls voting for him, in addition to the pity votes he gets for getting destroyed by the judges every week. He is the current poster boy for “Vote For The Worst.” Randy didn’t get it. Ellen thought she was at a resort drinking a pina colada. Kara applauded him for doing something so different with the song. Simon didn’t think it worked either. All this being said, I just have a feeling that Tim’s safe tomorrow.

08 – Siobhan Magnus, Paint It Black
I really like Siobhan. Totally unique. Great sense of style. Knows who she is. Plays to that. Her prom dress with boots outfit tonight reminded me of a front woman for an ‘80s girl band. Go-Gos or Bananarama or The Bangles. I’m a huge fan of ‘80s music, so the previous statement was meant as a compliment (if you were confused). She really does remind me of Adam Lambert from last year, in that they both knew who they were and never wavered from that. And I dig the notes she hits. Randy said that was hot. Ellen says she stands out. Kara had flashbacks to Adam Lambert (in truth, I said she reminded me of Adam to my wife Kristin during the song). Simon called hers the standout performance of the night. Siobhan has crazy vocals. And she’s been consistently good. Completely safe tomorrow. If not, I’ll stop watching. Siobhan and Crystal are the only 2 contestants that I look forward to hearing every week. And they haven’t disappointed yet.

09 – Lee DeWyze, Beast of Burden
I’ve always thought that Lee has a Dave Matthews/Hootie and the Blowfish sound to him, but I realized tonight that I thought he sounded like John Mellencamp (nee, John Cougar and John Cougar Mellencamp). Randy thinks he sounds like Rob Thomas and Dave Matthews. Ellen thought it was almost there, like a hospital gown. Kara thinks he’s growing faster than anyone and he wasn’t as pitchy this week. Simon thought it was a safe, forgettable song. I agree with all of them. I love the tone of Lee’s voice. But also agree that he’s been playing it safe. He really has a “I can’t believe I’m here” confidence (or lack thereof) to him. I don’t want him to get cocky, but I think a little confidence and the belief that he belongs up on that stage will go a long way for his performances. Lee should be safe tomorrow.

10 – Paige Mills, Honky Tonk Woman
Interesting outfit tonight. Reminded me of Shelly Long in “Troop Beverly Hills.” My wife Kristin thought it looked like the original Banana Republic stuff. Nice call on her part. This song got her into her wheelhouse at points. Randy thought she did alright with it. Ellen said she has a star quality. Kara said she’s back. Simon thought it was great, given that she had laryngitis during the week (he just found out about that). I don’t know about Paige. I think she’s okay and will last a few more weeks, but I don’t see her cracking the top 5.

11 – Aaron Kelly, Angie
Very interesting “Astro Boy” hair style tonight. Aaron was way better tonight than last week. Randy said he was born to sing. Ellen asked if he was trying to copy her hair and said his performance was 2nd to Siobhan’s. Simon thought he 100% picked the right song. I apologize, but I was a bit bored at this point and anxiously awaiting Crystal to get up on stage. Still, I think Aaron should be safe tomorrow.

12 – Crystal Bowersox, You Can’t Always Get What You Want
I just dig Crystal. She’s so polished up there. Although I’m not ready to crown her just yet, as I think Siobhan is up there too. Randy said it wasn’t her best, but she didn’t disappoint. Ellen thought she was singing with ease and added a little personality tonight. Kara called her comfortable up on stage. Simon thinks this is the first week that she was beaten (by Siobhan). Crystal should be safe tomorrow. I’d be very disappointed if it wasn’t her and Siobhan head-to-head in the finals.

Top 2: Siobhan, Crystal

Bottom 3: Lacey, Andrew, Tim

Off tomorrow: Lacey