AIIX recap, Semi-finalists x 10, Gals (03/03/10)

Thanks again to Mike Rico for filling in last night. I was supposed to have dinner with a cousin who was going to be in from out of town, but he cancelled at the last minute. But since Mike had agreed to recap, I sat back and was entertained. Plus, I know he’s got a following too and I want to have him write this season, as he claims it’s his last go round (and maybe mine too).

A few things from last night. I know the guys had to go a day earlier, but I don’t think the time change affected them that much. Meaning, I don’t think an extra day would’ve made them sound any better. After watching the gals tonight, there is no way a guy is going to win this thing. I wouldn’t be surprised if the final 4 are all girls. Seriously. Here are my quick $0.02 on the guys.
• Used to like Michael Lynche, but can’t stand his facial expressions/how he performs.
• Loved the short track reference on John Park.
• Surprised at how Kara reacted to Casey James. But love the song choice, as it’s the theme song for one of my favorite shows, “One Tree Hill.” They had an homage to John Hughes and the ‘80s on a show a few weeks back. Packed with visual gags from all the ‘80s movies. Loved it.
• Alex Lambert was better last night, but I still have a hard time watching/listening to him.
• Todrick needs to just sing and stop chopping songs up. It worked for Blake Lewis, but that’s it.
• Jermaine bugs me. Seems too old for the competition and has a chip on his shoulder.
• Poor Andrew has to live up to the “Straight Up” rendition. I thought he was good last night. Co-worker’s husband had a great line from last week. Since they called Casey “Eye Candy,” it would’ve been hilarious if Andrew referred to himself as “Eye Fiber.”
• I think Simon was using reverse psychology by not killing Tim Urban. And did anyone notice that Seacrest called him “Jim?”
• Lee’s performance summed up the guys. May have been the best of the night, but it was pitchy at times. Real nice tone to his voice (sounds like The Dave Matthews Band? Or Daughtry?). And nice call on Jay Cutler.

01 – Crystal Bowersox, Long As I Can See The Light (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
So I guess the buzz on the gals is that if Crystal Bowersox was unable to perform, she would’ve been automatically eliminated from the show. Still don’t know what went on, but it seems as though she was hospitalized. Judges really emphasized how well she did and stuff. Maybe overly, but she was good tonight. The thing people didn’t know about her is that she has a twin brother. Who is a square. She really reminds me of a grungy Julia Stiles. For some reason, I remember Julia dancing in a lot of her movies (10 Things I Hate About You, Save the Last Dance, O), much like I remember Julia Roberts singing in a lot of her movies (Mystic Pizza, Pretty Woman, My Best Friend’s Wedding). Yeah, that was random. So, back to Crystal. I think she has a real pure voice. And she’s got that real folksy vibe to her. She’s got some sympathy building now too. I think she’s safe to the top 12 and a real frontrunner. Randy called her true to herself. Ellen called her a pure, raw, natural talent. Kara said she recovered from last week and hit a new level. Simon said she didn’t play the sympathy thing, likened her to Kelly Clarkson (taking the competition by the neck in the 2nd week) and called her vocals incredible. So I guess he liked it too. He kept pimping her throughout the night too. I hope he’s not jinxing her!

02 – Haeley Vaughn, The Climb (Miley Cyrus)
Her secret is that she makes headbands and other accessories. But during the piece she also came over as immature and too young. And her body glitter annoys me too. I thought Haeley was quite pitchy during this song, which means she must’ve been really pitchy if I can hear it and acknowledge it. I’m without my wife Kristin tonight, as she’s traveling for work. She’s usually my ears, as I’m probably tone deafer than Mike. Since this song is by Miley Cyrus (from the “Hannah Montana Movie,” which we saw and actually liked), I’ve always wondered how a current pop star would do on this show. Let’s say Miley Cyrus dressed in disguise and tried out for the show. How would she do? I’d be very interested to see if she made it through and the journey of her making it. Randy said the song didn’t work for him, calling it excruciating and so pitchy. Ellen told her to keep smiling, but that she didn’t connect with the song. Kara said she needs another year to strengthen her voice. Simon called it a complete and utter mess and that in theory the song should’ve worked. Maybe she’ll be safe because of his criticism. And she’s the poster girl on “Vote For The Worst,” along with Tim Urban. Haeley seems like a nice girl, but she’s way over her head in this competition. I hope they put her out of her (and our) misery tomorrow night.

03 – Lacey Brown, Kiss Me (Sixpence None The Richer)
Love this song. Main song in “She’s All That” with Rachael Leigh Cook (and Freddie Prinze, Jr). Cute movie. And I think it’s funny that Rachael Leigh Cook was on “Dawson’s Creek” as a girl hired to play Joey Potter (Katie Holmes’ character) in the movie Dawson was shooting while they were in college. This is such an upbeat, get up and dance song. And Big Mike was doing just that. He was working it out off the stage. He’s so big that when he does something, you notice it. Lacey really does have a unique tone to her voice, but her version was definitely not better than the original, but she did change it up a little. Randy called it a good song choice, but said he was looking for the little TV with the words coming across because it sounded “karaoke.” Ellen called her adorable (I think that’s becoming her pet word, which means you stunk). Kara liked her tone, but said she needs to step it up. And sounded like she was suggesting that she sing “Shiny Happy People” next week. Simon called her marginally better than last week, but slammed her saying that if she does what they suggest to her (Kara suggested this song last week), she may move on, but that she is not out to showcase her talent and actually try to win. He pimps Crystal again here, saying there’s a massive, massive difference between the two. I think Lacey is in trouble tomorrow night.

04 – Katie Stevens, Put Your Records On (Corrine Bailey Rae)
I think if you give Katie a bowl cut, she’ll look like Jimmy Connors. Think about that one. Her “talent,” if you can call it that, is that she can say “give me a kiss” in 6 different languages. I’m a bit torn on Katie because she has such a rich, deep voice, which is pleasing to me. But then she’s 17 and she seems a bit precocious and reminds me a bit of Diana DiGarmo, in that it seems as though she’s been singing and performing and been told that’s she’s a great singer since she’s been like 5 years old. Kind of like a Jon Benet Ramsey pageant girl, but as a singer. Randy liked her upper register. Ellen said she has a great voice, but wants to hear something younger that “she wouldn’t hear at her dentist’s office.” Kara and Simon were both frustrated because she has a great voice but singing the wrong songs. They keep telling her to sing a younger song, but I think Katie’s got an older, more mature voice. And singing a younger song may not suit her voice. It may suit her age, but I don’t think it will go well if she sings a song by a younger person just because that person is younger. A few years back, Ayla Brown was 1 week away from the final 10 (or 12?) when she sang “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfeld. That song was younger, like Ayla, but it didn’t suit her. Ayla, by the way, went on to play basketball at Boston College (I think she’s a senior now) and her dad is Scott Brown, the new senator in Massachusetts. He’s the guy who leveled the playing field for the Republicans in that the Democrats can’t filibuster anymore. With such a high profile right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if Scott Brown is the Republican candidate for President in 2012. Back to Katie. I think she’s safe tomorrow night, but I think the judges are killing her. I think she’s singing better than their comments. She’s a definite contradiction though.

05 – Didi Benami, Lean on Me (Bill Withers)
Didi’s secret is that she was the mascot for her middle school, until she worked her way up to becoming a full-time cheerleader. Didi really is Megan Joy without the whole sleeve tattoo. Didi has such a different voice (although much like Megan’s!). It’s kind of annoying, but not that much because she’s good looking like Megan. Randy said it was the wrong song choice. Ellen said she loved her voice. Kara said it wasn’t good, that it felt karaoke and lost her uniqueness. Simon called it screeching and said she wasted an opportunity. This almost brought Didi to tears and she couldn’t even respond to a question that Seacrest asked her. Didi’s definitely in trouble tomorrow, but I have a feeling she might be safe.

06 – Michelle Delamore, With Arms Wide Open (Creed)
Loved Michelle’s outfit tonight. Very retro, Madonna-ish Borderline/Lucky Star-like. This version of the Creed song was not good to me. Pitchy at times. But I think people will remember how good a singer she is and not judge by this performance. They called her Alicia Keys predictable last week so she wanted to change it up. Randy thought her outfit was hot and dope (I love how he’s trying, single-handedly, to keep this word alive), but didn’t do enough with the song and felt it fell flat. Ellen said it almost worked. Kara called it her favorite performance of hers. Not technically perfect, but it felt believable. Simon agreed with Kara, then proceeded to point Vera Wang out in the audience. I think Michelle is safe tomorrow and should cruise into the top 12. I think she’s a contender too.

07 – Lilly Scott, A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke)
Lilly’s secret is that she plays a multitude of instruments. I just don’t get Lilly. She has such strange phrasing. I think some people will love her. I’m just not one of them. Randy said she worked it out and it was his favorite of the night. Ellen said she’s got “it.” Kara said she had her first “moment.” Simon said it was good, but he wasn’t as crazy about it as the other 3. I’m with Simon on this one. She will definitely be safe tomorrow, but I’m just not a fan. It’s American Idol, not Indie Idol…

08 – Katelyn Epperly, The Scientist (Coldplay)
Her deal is that she is studying to become a recording engineer. Man, this song was boring. Randy acknowledged it was way slow, but liked it. Ellen mentioned that they’ve seen her on the guitar before, but then forgot she was on the piano! But explained that she made the mistake because she fell asleep because the song was so slow! Kara said Katelyn has an incredible instrument (I think she’s referring to her voice), but she’s all over the place. Simon thought it was a smart choice of song, but said she becomes corny when she performs. I think Katelyn is safe tomorrow. I missed her Sandy from Grease look.

09 – Paige Miles, Walk Away (Kelly Clarkson)
Paige likes to color, and used a third person reference describing it. Love that. Paige has a great voice, but her eyes freak me out. She really had fun up there, but that was a little turn off for Kara, who helped write the song. She said if she was connecting with the song, she wouldn’t be smiling when saying “walk away.” Simon said she failed to choose the right song. Randy and Ellen both liked it. I think Paige has one of the strongest voices in the competition. Definitely better than any of the guys. She just has other gals to contend with. She should be safe tomorrow and cruise into the final 12.

10 – Siobhan Magnus, Think (Aretha Franklin)
Her secret is that she had a Mohawk recently. Her look is much better now. And I again have to give kudos to my wife Kristin for nailing her Ally Sheedy with Demi Lovato’s smile comment. I think Siobhan is going to win this thing. She has a crazy, big voice evidenced by “the note” that she held at the end of this song. And she’s got her own style already. Very ‘80s-ish, like Molly Ringwald in “Pretty in Pink.” Randy called her bold and fearless. Also added dope and slayed it. Ellen got off a nice Snuggie joke. Kara couldn’t get over that note and Simon called her such a strange person again (but in a good way). Siobhan is my pick to win it all. Her or Crystal.

So this is a tough one. I was 0 for 4 last week. But here are my fearless predictions anyway.

Off for the guys: Tim Urban and Jermaine Sellers.
Off for the gals: Haeley Vaughn and Lacey Brown.