AIX Recap, Finalists x 7 (04/20/11)

I got one right (Paul going last week)! Missed the beginning of the show, but evidently the previously eliminated 5 contestants sang a song together? Interesting. They must’ve been between an hour and an hour and a half and decided to waste some of the sponsors’ money by showing the rejects… Although I do like seeing and hearing Pia sing.

Songs from the 21st century tonight. Theme nights with this many choices sometimes give contestants enough rope to hang themselves...

01 – Scotty, Swingin (LeAnn Rhimes)
So I guess the controversy (that’s a strong word) here is that this is a song from the 1980s by John Anderson, but LeAnn Rhimes covered it in this millennium. Smells like Megan Joy singing “Rockin’ Robin” for Michael Jackson night. The judges thought this was pretty safe and criticized him (a first this season) for choosing that song with other ample choices abound. IF I liked country music and IF I closed my eyes when he sang, I MIGHT like Scotty. But I hate country music and I do watch him sing, so I don’t dig him. He may be in the bottom 3 tomorrow, but I doubt it.

02 – James, Uprising (Muse)
I thought this was pretty cool. James always has the production value of his performances through the roof. No different tonight as he walks out the side of the stage with a 4 person drum corps. Loved his Mad Max Thunderdome outfit too. JLo loved it and went out on a limb proclaiming it was going to be (after only 2 singers) theatrically the best of the night. Steven joked that you’d be surprised how expensive it costs to dress so cheap. Not James’ best performance, but good enough to get him through to next week. I really look forward to his performances every week. Should be safe tomorrow.

03 – Haley, Rolling In The Deep (Adele)
Haley sang the whole song on a stool behind the judges table. I can’t stand when the singers do this. There’s a stage. Use it. I hate it when they get cutesy and sing from the judges’ table or completely in the crowd. It’s not novel. It’s desperate. I’m kinda over Haley, although I was never really sold on her in the first place. I think they’re keeping her around because she’s only 1 of 2 girls left. I don’t mind her growling, but can’t stand her singing posture at all. Judges were pretty neutral on her. Some praise (albeit weak) and not much criticism, per usual. I think she’s in the bottom 3 tomorrow, but doesn’t go home.

04 – Jacob, Dance With My Father (Luther Vandross)
Tough song for Jacob to sing, as he lost his father when he was 12. Jimmy lost his father when he was young too. Boy this is going to be emotional and Jacob showed it during the rehearsal. Mic/earpiece problems to start, causing him to miss a note. Brooke White would’ve just started over again. There might have been some struggle with his emotions in this song too. Because of that, I think Jacob was subdued tonight. I expected him to slay it and be overcome with emotion but he did neither. I thought it was okay. I expected more. Steven called him Luther Lusk. Randy called it vocally good, but not jump up and down good. I like Randy’s honesty this season. Steven and JLo are overly positive, which is good, but not constructive at all. I think Jacob’s right in the middle, thus safe tomorrow.

05 – Casey, Harder To Breathe (Maroon 5)
I’ve actually heard this song before, which is somewhat of a surprise, given that all I listen to in the car now is sports radio, ‘80s music and the Disney Channel. I did recognize the song, but Casey rocked out the arrangement. This was my favorite performance from Casey to date. That still doesn’t hide the fact that he should be gone and they should’ve saved Pia (who, evidently is dating Mark Ballas from DWTS; he was in the audience tonight). Casey ended the song by giving JLo a kiss on the cheek (which cracked my son Jared up; I wish you could all hear my son’s laugh. It’s so honest. It’s hearty and infectious). She seemed surprised and embarrassed, but seriously, that couldn’t have been a surprise, right? Judges were all supportive of his taking chances. Ryan came out in a Casey beard and looked Amish. Casey should be good tomorrow night.

06 – Stefano, Closer (Ne-Yo)
Wow. This was a train wreck from the start. Horrible vocals. There should be a “no dancing” chapter in the AI contestant handbook. I like Stefano, but seriously, how is this guy still on the show? Judges praised him, but that’s no indication on how good (or bad) he was. After this performance, he should be in the bottom 3 for sure tomorrow.

07 – Lauren, Born To Fly (Sara Evans)
Kinda restrained and safe tonight. Still, there’s no way she goes tomorrow. She may be in the bottom 3, but there’s no way another girl goes, right? Judges wish she’d let it all out and not hold back. Hopefully she’ll be around to do that next week.

Top 2 – Casey, James

Bottom 3 – Scotty, Stefano, Haley

Off tomorrow - Stefano