AIIX recap, Finalists x 6 (04/27/10)

Tim is gone! Although I didn’t see it. Seriously, 24 minutes over? I set my DVR for 10 minutes past. 24? Ridiculous. My DVR cut out as they started talking to Elton John. Didn’t get to see Tim go, but I hear they didn’t have him sing again.

Did anyone else notice how horrible some of the acts sounded live? Thought the Black Eyed Peas sounded rough.

This week is Shania Twain week. She sure has aged, but it’s nice to see that she hasn’t enhanced herself to keep her from aging (or maybe she has but it’s not overly noticeable to me). She reminds me a bit of Jaclyn Smith. So this is kinda country week, but Shania was such a crossover artist that maybe the contestants are getting a free pass this week. And I’m definitely getting a free pass, as usually when they get down to 6, the contestants sing 2 songs each. What a treat to only hear 6 songs!

01 – Lee, You’re Still The One
Can’t emphasize enough how much I enjoy listening to Lee’s voice. He can sing any song and it will sound different because of that voice. Randy thought he did a pretty good job. Ellen echoed my take by saying every song he sings, he makes it his own (referring to his voice). Kara thinks he’s come a long way since the start of the show and Simon thought it was absolutely the perfect song out of Shania’s catalog for him. I liked Lee tonight and think he should be safe tomorrow.

02 – Michael, It Only Hurts When I’m Breathing
I didn’t know this song, but in the Idol Chatter recaps it says it’s from the movie Up. I know Up was a pretty good movie and did well with the critics, but I didn’t really like it that much. I had no idea what it was about but it was more serious (and scary) than I imagined. My kids hated it. Add to the fact that we paid for it to be in 3D and it wasn’t in 3D and I was really put off. When Big Mike sings, it always reminds me of the scene in “Coming to America” when the big bodyguard sings at Eddie Murphy’s wedding ceremony a cappella. You just don’t expect that voice to come out of that big guy. And my wife Kristin always mentions Nell Carter when he sings. Randy thinks he hit his zone. Ellen thought it felt like Luther Vandross. Kara likes how he always connects to his songs. Simon called it “wet,” which didn’t make a whole lot of sense. And I think Big Mike’s wife owns stock in a sparkly eye shadow company. Regardless of the judges comments, I think Mike is in the bottom 3 tomorrow.

03 – Casey, Don’t
Didn’t know this song. Thought Casey did a good job with it, but I wasn’t wowed like some of the judges were. Randy thought it was one of the best Casey James performances. Ellen thought it was his best to date. Simon thought it was his best performance so far and suggested he give Shania a big kiss, which he did. Way to hook him up, Simon! I thought it was good, but not great. Seems like he’ll be safe tomorrow. But who knows?

04 – Crystal, No One Needs To Know
This performance went country to the opposite extreme. Instead of crossing over, Crystal went Emmet Otter’s Jug Band on us. Does anyone remember Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas? Came out in 1977, right about the same time we got cable in Watsonville. I remember it being on HBO. I may get that for our kids next Christmas! I also remember “Not Necessarily The News” and the “sniglets” for some reason. I thought this was an okay song, but it clearly meant something to her (her boyfriend was in the audience). I’m guessing the lyrics suggest that she’s ready to get married but her boyfriend isn’t. She’s planning things, but no one needs to know right now. Interesting… Randy was glad that someone did an actual country version of a Shania song. Ellen said it was not her favorite performance, but likened it to your least favorite color of the rainbow (which I guess is still good). Kara said it is impossible for Crystal to not be good. Simon got to the point (which the others danced around) and said “we didn’t like Crystal tonight.” Crystal may be in the bottom 3 tomorrow. I just hope she gets through this week. It was one of her weakest weeks, but she’s still the best in the competition. How sad would it be if she got voted off tomorrow and the judges don’t have the save left because they wasted it on Big Mike? I hope that doesn’t happen…

05 – Aaron, You’ve Got A Way
I was like, I know this song. And my wife Kristin said you better remember it. It’s on our wedding video! I honestly didn’t know this was a Shania Twain song. But I do love this song. My kids started watching our wedding video a few years back (and we’d get the questions like, “why aren’t we in the video?”). And they also don’t recognize their uncle Kevin (Kristin’s younger brother). He’s a drummer and has dreds down to his butt now. In our wedding video he has short black hair. He kinda looks a bit like Troy Polamalu now. Anyway, Aaron sang it well, except for 1, maybe a few, sour notes. Randy thought this was in his wheelhouse. Ellen thought the emotion and depth were there. Kara noted that he changed a line about making love. And Aaron explained that he was singing to his mother (and that made my wife Kristin cry a little). Simon thought it was sincere and believable. Here comes a shocker. I think Aaron’s gone tomorrow. A country singer getting booted on country week. Believe it.

06 – Siobhan, Any Man Of Mine
What was Siobhan wearing tonight? Didn’t really dig the floral dress/mini and that leather upper lederhosen thing going on. And my wife Kristin hated her spider necklace (she’s afraid of bugs). Randy loved it, especially the whole punk-country thing. Kara said she’s back. Simon doesn’t like country, but liked that song. I still believe Siobhan is safe tomorrow, especially since they gave her the pimp (last) spot.

Overall, I love Shania Twain, but I never like country week. I’m sort of glad they did it with only the final 6 so that I didn’t have to endure more country than necessary. I was a bit bored by the whole week. I’m hoping it picks up next week (and that Crystal is safe!).

Bottom 3: Aaron, Big Mike, Casey

Off: Aaron