AIIX recap, Semi-finalists x 8, Guys (03/10/10)

Hey all y’all, Jim Rutter here, giving our man Jason Ura a well-deserved break. It is a bit long, so get the fresh cup of coffee and have at it.



So, the pre-show promos told us that the Top 8 guys would be “leaving it all on the stage” and faux-host Ryan Seacrest claimed they would be “ready to deliver”. That didn’t happen tonight, but overall I thought this was one of the better, or at least in terms of quality, “deeper” sets of the current season. There were a couple of poor, but not “awful” efforts. Note: If it were not for TiVo, I would not have been able to write this recap because I would not have been able to miss Modern Family, which makes me laugh every week. “Recommended viewing”, which I can’t always say for American Idol.



First up…



LEE DEWYZE: “Fireflies” – Owl City



Lee, dressed in “dormitory chic”, came out fast-strumming his guitar a la ??? (pretty sorry statement that I just had to “google” to be reminded of the name of last year’s nondescript winner, Kris Allen.)



Does this Dewyze fellow really want it badly enough? He did seem a little more into it tonight. I mean, he does have a certain “Dave Mathews” quality to him, but at some point we have to agree on what is “stylized vocalization” versus “pitchy”. I thought Lee was the latter. He ended a capella and the finish was sort of a “mini-moment” for him.

Randy said “Wow! Wow!” which with RJ can mean good or bad. “Sweater Man” called it a strange song choice, but liked that Lee made it his own, worked it out. Whatever.

Ellen liked that he made it a little “rock”, but cited a couple of pitch problems. Thinks he is “adorable” (Somebody please buy that woman a thesaurus!) and that people are talking to her that have crushes on him. Okay…
Kara thought Lee looked confident tonight. She had been waiting for him to step up and show “star” quality. She called it a “solid job”, that he improved on the original song with his “production value”.

Simon didn’t think it was a “moment”, likes him for the Top 12, but thinks he can do better. I can’t believe the money they have been paying Cowell! He makes me want to channel Arrested Development and yell “C’MON!”



ALEX LAMBERT: “Trouble” – Ray LaMontagne (apparently some Maine folk singer I don't know)



When I watch this kid perform, I am in “trouble”. “Droopy Dog” has more energy and stage presence. He bores me, but then again, so did Roy Orbison and Roy’s perfect voice made his career.



Randy liked it, but wasn’t “wow-ed”

Ellen seemed to “boo” Randy and said Alex was a “mushy banana” that was ripening so fast, constantly getting better. She loves his innocence, thinks he is sweet and vulnerable (none of which are qualities I look for in a major pop star, but that is just me). I think she is being overly “De-generous” in her praise. Ellen hopes he doesn’t become a “cocky banana”, because according to her, “no one likes that” (which of course isn’t true) That kid J.D Fortune, who became the INXS lead singer after his Rockstar INXS participation, was a “cocky banana” and it scored him a pretty sweet gig!)


Kara thinks “the only thing standing in the way of your winning is you right now!” C’MON!

Still, she thinks he is “stiff up there” and “not letting go”. She wanted just him with his guitar, “in the moment” (whatever that means)

Simon thought Alex was too caught up in trying to deliver the performance, that he should try to relax by envisioning Randy Jackson in a bikini (uh….okay…) Wants him to stop staring down the lens/camera. Thinks he has a good, distinct voice.

TIM URBAN: “Hallelujah” – Jeff Buckley version or something

Tim Urban – Lord, what a name – must be the long-lost love child of “Tim” McGraw and Keith “Urban”. But you know, the guy jumped back into the fray with a very decent performance tonight. The guy’s hairstyle is somewhat reminiscent of that of the oldest brother “David” on Eight is Enough.



Randy thought he walked in pretty big shoes, but did a pretty good job!

Ellen felt compelled to run down and give Tim a congratulatory bear- hug. She thought it was “fantastic”. Not sure about that, but he did seem like he belonged in the competition for once.
Kara admitted she thought Urban would be going home weeks ago, but now thinks he is “kind of in it” and at the “top of the toys”. Tim looks stunned by the positives.

Simon took credit for Tim’s improved performance and said he was “very, very smart with the song” and that it was by far his best performance to date.



I agree and really appreciate that “Timbo” didn’t scratch the nation’s chalkboard as he did with his painful rendition of One Republic’s "Apologize" a while back.

ANDREW GARCIA: “Genie in a Bottle” - Christina Aguilera



I sort of like Andrew, but as a long-time supermarket checkout wannabe, I keep wanting to “scan” the guy’s neck! Also, what is with the ridiculously long “wallet chain” Andrew was sporting tonight. Was he worried someone was going to rob him on stage? I am not into the thick-rimmed “Hokey Gokey” glasses, but hey, to each his own.



The judges have given him too much credit for his admittedly excellent version of Paula’s "Straight Up". He said he was “going back to his roots”, but this effort simply… sucked. It was sung way too high (in register?) for my taste. Maybe it is this guy’s ultimate destiny and niche to sing “unplugged” versions of chick dance songs. Who knows? His star is fading fast.



Randy thought the song was a good idea, but that it didn’t quite work and was a little pitchy.

Ellen thought it was a great song choice, but said “the genie came out of the bottle” a little too late.
Kara thinks he peaked too early (with “Straight Up”) and has been chasing it ever since. She was “disappointed”.

Simon thought Andrew was “desperate”, “uncomfortable” and “kind of going backwards.”



Andrew then pandered to fans at home – which was smart on his part.


CASEY JAMES: “You’ll Think of Me” – Keith Urban



Count me as a big fan of CJ. Of all the contestants, he is the one guy I would actually buy a ticket to see perform a full concert. Dude certainly has the look and his presence and attitude are singularly non-annoying. Tonight his voice reminded me of a more upbeat UC Berkeley non-graduate Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, which is a good thing.



Did I ever mention that Cindi and I got free tickets to a Kelly Clarkson show at the Shoreline Amphitheater in 2006 and were so disappointed we actually left early (in fairness, partially because the acoustics were laughably horrendous!)



Back to The Talented Mr. James……

Randy thought it was too “safe”, wanted more of an edgy, Stevie Ray (Vaughn) style.

Ellen thought it was “great”. Enough said. Wow, I agreed with Ellen?
Kara said it was “a move in the right direction” and that she was kinda back on the “Casey Train” (at first I thought she said back on the “Crazy Train”, which trust me, she has been on all along – see her emotional melt-down after Big Mike’s show-closing number).

Simon thought it was “sincere”, but not memorable, calling it Casey’s second-best performance, but adding that he didn’t love the song choice. Put a fork in Simon. I can’t even listen to him anymore – and what is scarier, he is probably the best of the judges. The juvenile elbowing and “leaning” toward Kara had me ready to start channel-surfing.


AARON KELLY: “I’m Already There” - Lonestar



Nice kid, sure. But I am thinking “big arrow down” here. There is no freakin’ way this kid deserves to be a finalist contender. Immediately off key/pitchy and the song seemed forced and too big for him – he even seemed to be challenged for air during the performance. Was trying too hard to hold notes and his voice seemed to be cracking. Just too young and dorky. Little Aaron Kelly aka “Archuleta 2.0” is amazing in his ability to make David A. actually seem almost cool in comparison. He is sort of this season’s Anthony Federov or Kevin Covais.



Randy, however, thought it was “really good” and “a job well done”.

Ellen liked Aaron’s confidence, but said it was “not terrific” and agreed with me that it was too much song for him.
Kara loved that he gave it his all, but didn’t think it was relevant since he is a young kid and couldn’t relate to the song’s content

Simon immediately and rather rudely cut Kara off and insinuated that she was smoking crack (figuratively), that it was the right type of song. He didn’t think it was a great vocal, but he felt it showed emotion. Simon is truly a bull in a judges’ shop. Tool.



TODRICK HALL: “Somebody To Love” - Queen



Slight “arrow up” on Todrick. The opening falsetto bugged me (for a second I thought he was going to go all “Minnie Ripperton” on us!), but I have to admit, the man can really sing. I wasn’t wild about the arrangement, but it sort of worked. The over-the-top Gospel-style background singers were borderline ridiculous – reminded me of the doo-wop-ing Motown back-up singers in Little Shop of Horrors – except that they were intended to provide comedy to that show. Todrick, on the other hand, had his gals backing him for real and it only came across to the audience as comedic. Oh, and I kind of liked his wardrobe/look (for him, not me).



Randy says “Todrick is back!” Believes it was one of the best vocals by a man in weeks.

Ellen called it “brave” and commended him.
Kara said it was really good singing, but that it was so dramatic she almost laughed.

Simon sees his as more of a “Broadway” singer (which is probably true, but hey Queen songs are often highly theatrical), but admitted Todrick sang well and made an effort to perform, adding that this “may have saved him” (also true)


“BIG MIKE” LYNCHE: “This Woman’s Work” – Kate Bush/Maxwell



I immediately did a double take when I recognized the start of the song. Who can forget the hauntingly beautiful Kate Bush original version that was featured so fittingly in 1988’s She’s Having a Baby (one of the all-time great 80s scenes is when a hormonal Elizabeth McGovern screams at Kevin Bacon “I’ll have to BURN THE SHEETS!” after Alec Baldwin’s character bedded some skanky broad.) Anyway, that has to be one of the more memorably “relevant” movie songs.



In a million years, I would never have guessed “Big Mike” would do that tune. Points for the serious surprise element. I thought it was a tad “karaoke” and his falsetto a bit much, but the XXXL-sized note he held onto for about an hour near the end was quite impressive.



I was reminded by Wikipedia that the Maxwell cover of "This Woman's Work" was used on the July 22, 2009 episode of So You Think You Can Dance, (Jason just loves it when I can tie AI in with a reality dance show) as a backdrop to a contemporary dance choreographed by Tyce Diorio with the subject of breast cancer as the story line, danced by ballerina Melissa Sandvig and contemporary dancer Ade Obayomi. Both dancers and Diorio received strong and emotional praise from judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Mia Michaels, and special guest, of all people……. Ellen DeGeneres. Full disclosure: Believe it or not I saw that dance number and indeed it was incredibly moving.



So, yes, given this young man’s recent foray into fatherhood and having to balance that emotional experience with this competition, it was a brilliant song choice. That notwithstanding….I still have trouble taking this cat too seriously as a finalist to become “the next American Idol”. I have trouble getting over his sheer mass. “Big Mike” makes me want to put my hands up, wiggle me some arm fat, and shout “Hercules! Hercules! Hercules!” with The Klumps from The Nutty Professor! I admit I like the big fella (the way I liked affable former UW lineman Matt Rogers from Season Three), but he is simply way too big to have his performances keep you from focusing on his physical enormity. “Big Mike” is a GNC store manager’s wet dream, but with that new child in his life, he needs to tone down the workouts and go cold turkey on the protein shakes.

Randy thought it was “crazy”, and HOT!

Ellen kept it simple: “Oh my God, so beautiful!”
Kara got all teary, saying it was “so relevant” (which admittedly it was) and recognizing the respect it showed for Mike’s wife. The poor woman almost lost it at the judges’ table.

Simon said that it was “needed” and that “Big Mike” nailed it 100%, producing the best performance of the live shows.



They liked it a bit better than I did, but Mike gets credit due for a strong shot across the bow.

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Top “Moment” of the Evening: Well, for me personally, it was the awesome preview for Iron Man II – Imax (May 7th!), which may be the first ad I haven’t fast-forwarded through in the seven seasons I have been watching Idol. But seriously, it has to be “Big Mike” with his “long & strong” note.

Impressive Performances: Casey, Big Mike



Helped themselves: Tim, Todrick, Big Mike



Kept Himself in the Game: Casey

Hurt themselves: Andrew, Aaron, Lee



Could Be On Their Way Home: Aaron, Andrew



Should Be On Their Way Home: Aaron, Alex