"Get ready, America. It's all about to go down live....because this...is American Idol." Ryan Seacrest always knows how to kick off the show in a cheesy yet exciting way. Tonight our Top 13 will take the stage to perform a song that goes along with the theme for the week: "This is me." Hey, I'm not complaining. Normally we would be experiencing 70s night or the 20th rendition of the Lennon-McCartney songbook. With some mystery surrounding the evening now - let's get going!
Contestant: Dexter Roberts
Song: "Aw Naw" by Chris Young.
Dexter wants America to know he's fun so he picked a fun song. Well there you have it. Dexter definitely has some guitar skills but I guess I expected him to have more fun with his fun song? Seems like Dexter's doing more of a karaoke version of "Aw Naw" than letting loose and enjoying his time on stage. To be fair, I realize being the first one to perform is a daunting task. I hope he sticks around a while because I'm having a great time typing "Dexter" over and over again...almost makes me feel like I didn't waste 7 years of my life watching the TV series on Showtime. We'll save that for another day.
Judges Say: Keith says Dexter is a likable guy but he has to take covers and make them Dexter performances. JLo agrees saying he needs to make it a "wow" performance. Harry thinks Dexter had a pitch issue tonight and blames the ear monitors.
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Contestant: Malaya Watson
Song: "Runaway Baby" by Bruno Mars
Malaya chose an upbeat song tonight because she's an "up" person. I wonder if she and Dexter got together to discuss their song choice rationale... Anyway, Malaya doesn't disappoint in terms of energy, but I don't this was the right song for her. She's not only all over the place physically, her vocals never find a consistent place to be either. Bummer.
Judges Say: JLo loves Malaya and says she commands the stage like a superstar. She also says this was not Malaya's best vocal performance. Duh. Harry thinks Malaya is a contender and compliments her passion for music at the age of 16. Keith wants Malaya to learn and grow and hopes she can pull off the vocals as well as the personality next time.
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Contestant: Kristen O'Conner
Song: "Beautiful Disaster" by Kelly Clarkson
Kristen is all about taking risks this week, choosing a song by the original winner of American Idol. Though Kelly sings this tune about a guy, Kristen applies the song to herself rather than any of her relationships. I'm not sure I follow but I won't hold it against her. Now, I am a huge KC stalker fan so I tend to wince a little when Idol hopefuls take on her songs...but Kristen doesn't really give me a reason to do that here. She's very talented and gives us a solid rendition of the song.
Judges Say: Harry didn't feel the emotion of the song from Kristen and thinks she was sometimes out of tune. Keith liked the song choice and thought that it showed off her range. JLo encourages Kristen and the other contestants to stop thinking so much and just perform.
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Contestant: Ben Briley
Song: "Folsom Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash
This is such a good song. Ben has used this song to start every one of his gigs and hopes "Folsom Prison Blues" launches a career for him tonight. He quickens the tempo for this song, he has a TON of passion as he sings, and I officially love him. Best performance so far.
Judges Say: Keith says Ben has such a good voice that he doesn't have to sacrifice the vocals for showmanship (meaning he didn't like the pace of the song). JLo disagrees and thinks Ben really showed America who he is tonight. Harry thinks this was the best performance we have seen tonight. Absolutely.
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Contestant: C.J. Harris
Song: "Radio" by Darius Rucker
This song reminds C.J. of himself while he was growing up. It reminds me of me as well...and everyone else I know. I mean, who doesn't like listening to the radio in the car? That being said, I can't say that I enjoy this rendition of "Radio." I'm not sure if C.J. is out of breath for most of the song or just drowned out by the band and backup singers, but I feel like I can barely hear him.
Judges Say: JLo says the song was a lot of fun and then talks about how performance is key because everyone already knows the contestants have great voices... we do? I'd kind of like to hear those great voices again tonight if that's okay, JLo. Harry wishes C.J. would have chosen a song that allows us to hear the "cry" in his voice. Keith liked the song choice and thinks C.J. was able to show a different side of himself tonight. I'm totally with Harry on this one.
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Contestant: MK Nobilette
Song: "Satisfaction" by Allen Stone
MK is picking up the pace tonight as well and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it...mainly because every time I have a thought, I end up looking at the continuous flashing "SATISFACTION" words on the massive screen behind MK. "Whoa! It's the title of the song! See what they did there?" So while I don't think she necessarily stood out tonight, I do think she's starting to look more comfortable on stage and I'm really hoping she sticks around for a while.
Judges Say: Harry is blown away by MK in makeup and has really enjoyed watching her grow. Keith mentions her growth as well, saying her voice never fails her. JLo loves how MK delivered the song and tells her she is awesome.
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Contestant: Majesty Rose
Song: "Tightrope" by Janelle Monae
Majesty is always trying to find the balance between humility and confidence, which is why she picked this song. Man, with that explanation...I'm already hooked. I actually don't know this song very well but Majesty is working it. Her energy isn't forced at all and there's no "Hey! See how much fun I'm having? See how peppy I am?" vibe about her. Her performance seems genuine and I really appreciate that.
Judges Say: Keith says "Tightrope" was a killer song choice and JLo loves Majesty's individuality. Harry's favorite thing about her is her mystery and seeing how that mystery will unravel. I'm going to leave it at that.
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Contestant: Jena Irene
Song: "The Scientist" by Coldplay
The fact that Jena says she learned this song when she was 9 makes me feel incredibly old. She has a very unique tone to her voice that tends to captivate me from the first line of all of her performances. Jena overdoes it at times but she's a teenager with a big voice and I think she could easily be a contender this season.
Judges Say: JLo thinks there are so many dynamics in Jena's voice and loves how she uses them. Harry felt the emotion of the song and tells Jena that she makes interesting choices on pre-existing melodies. Keith thinks the song was pitchy at first but then took complete charge of it. He and Harry then exchange an awkward hug and I think JLo is crazy for not trying to get in on that.
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Contestant: Alex Preston
Song: "A Beautiful Mess" by Jason Mraz
Alex thinks life in general can be a beautiful mess, and really Alex can think whatever he wants as long as he's playing the guitar and crooning into the microphone. He's very talented and I am happy to receive whatever musical message he is trying to deliver at any time. There's just something about him...
Judges Say: Harry thinks Alex made a brave song choice but says he was out of tune at times. Keith says Alex pulled him into the performance and JLo was very caught up in Alex's song as well.
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Contestant: Jessica Meuse
Song: "The Crow and The Butterfly" by Shinedown
This is another song I don't know very well but I also don't care. Jessica has this ominous yet wildly entertaining quality when she performs and she's someone I could definitely look forward to seeing each week. She also has one hell of a voice. Her performance makes me think of the song "I put a spell on you" and I'm really hoping the voters are just as taken with Jessica as I am.
Judges Say: Keith says the song choice was bold and Jessica has a dark, haunting quality to her. JLo completely ruins the moment by saying she has "goosies." JLo also thinks this was the best vocal performance of the night so far. Harry tells Jessica she gave a very strong performance.
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Contestant: Emily Piriz
Song: "Glitter in the Air" by Pink
Because this song is about taking a risk and following your heart, Emily thinks this is the perfect song choice. Personally, I love Pink and I love this song. It's really one of her best. As for Emily's rendition...I'm pleasantly surprised. Emily is a wonderful vocalist and I am completely invested in her whole performance.
Judges Say: JLo loves Pink as well and says Emily did a beautiful job on the song. Harry believes Emily conveyed the message of the song really well. Keith talks a lot about yin and yang and I don't think Emily has a clue about what he means.
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Contestant: Sam Woolf
Song: "Unwell" by Matchbox Twenty
Great song. It may play on my iPod on repeat pretty often. Sam, unfortunately, is no Rob Thomas and I'm seeing any kind of stage presence in him at all. The performance is just boring for me...for him...tonight...not sure how it was for Randy.
Judges Say: Harry wishes the performance had been more "messed up" to match the tune. Keith says the performance was a little slow. JLo agrees and thinks Sam needs to come alive on stage.
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Contestant: Caleb Johnson
Song: "Pressure in Time" by Rival Sons
We can add "Pressure in Time" to the list of songs I don't know this evening, but this is by far my favorite. Caleb delivers a showstopper here and he's definitely someone I can see sailing through to the end of this season. The dude's energy is crazy and he has the pipes to back it up. Awesomeness.
Judges Say: Standing ovation from Keith and JLo. Keith says Caleb has a killer voice and needs to make sure he stays retro but with a twist. JLo thinks Caleb is already ready for the rock star life. Harry says if Rival Sons ever needed a replacement singer, Caleb would be the perfect choice.
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Side note: American Idol 2014 has made the best adjustment ever. The only time we mildly hear the voice of Randy Jackson, he is completely muffled by the shouts of the crowd as each contestant takes the stage. Sheer brilliance.
Back to the performances...ending on Caleb's performance really makes me forget most of the other performances tonight. I'm still a big Ben fan, and I do think there are some strong females in the competition as well (Jena, Jessica and Majesty come to mind). Tomorrow one of these hopefuls will go home and will most likely fall into the "who is that?" category when we see everyone return for the finale in May. Whose dreams will be crushed first? We'll find out during the results show. Til then!
Greetings! On tonight's American Idol results show, one contestant was sent packing and JLo breathed new life into the sequins industry. Here's what went down...
The 2013 American Idol champ returned tonight (woohoo!), and the phenomenal Candice Glover seriously commanded the stage with a medley of "Cried" and "Same Kind of Man." I forgot how much fun it is to watch her, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that she's one of the Idol winners who we continue to hear great things from beyond the first year of their victory. 
