American Idol Top 9: Nothing Ever Lasts Forever

Tonight we have a double elimination to look forward to on American Idol as the judges went crazy last week and used their save during the Top 11. Boy George is mentoring the contestants this week (which is kind of awesome) and the theme takes us back to the 1980s, when I was growing up and these contestants were not yet born. I'm already bitter....but hey, it was a great decade for music. Can the contestants bring anything new and exciting to these tunes? Let's find out. 

Contestant: Daniel Seavey

Song: "You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates

I think even Sanjaya would call BS at this point. Daniel has worked in some choreography tonight and is successfully working the "I'm adorable" angle with the crowd. His vocals are up and down throughout the song, and I just sit here wondering whose spot he took tonight. The competition has surpassed him. 

Judges Say: Keith is glad Daniel is still here(!) and JLo really loved the song for Daniel. She says the performance was much better than last week. Well, that's not saying much Jenny. Harry asks Daniel what he loves to do and Daniel replies "Make people happy." Harry says this is exactly why Daniel should be up there. God help me. 

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Contestant: Quentin Alexander

Song: "In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins

I looooove this song. Quentin is wearing one hell of a jacket and some heels for this performance. He opens the song seated and eerily surrounded by fog. With or without the fog though, Quentin completely embodies the haunting qualities of the song and he's 100% in touch with the lyrics. This is probably my favorite Quentin performance.

Judges Say: JLo says Quentin's "cool factor" was on 1000. She thinks the performance really, really worked and calls it a home run. Harry says Quentin digs as deep as he can into song lyrics and he really enjoyed the performance. Keith feels that the song suited Quentin perfectly and compliments his artistry. 

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Contestant: Joey Cook

Song: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper

Joey calls tonight's look "Madonna in space" and that's a pretty good way to describe it. I'm really excited about the song choice when the rehearsal package starts, but sad to say...I'm not in love with this performance. There are some cool things happening with the arrangement, and I like her energy, but not so much the vocals. Bummer.

Judges Say: Harry thinks Joey was distracted a lot tonight and Keith says Joey's bar has already been set really high. Keith tells Joey there were some inconsistencies with the performance but he knows his wife and daughters were at home dancing around and loving it. JLo tells Joey she looks adorable but says she didn't find her groove vocally. Boy George storms the stage and gives her a great big hug. Awww. 

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Contestant: Tyanna Jones

Song: "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston

Yayyyy! I was worried about Tyanna last week with her "The Circle of Life" issues. I'm so glad she made it through. She is ALL OVER this song though. Tyanna makes the "my loneliness callllllllllls!" portion seem easy and she's in total control during the entire performance. I love it. 

Judges Say: Keith says "If anyone can take on a Whitney song, it's you Tyanna." JLo tells her to get out of her head and just do what she was born to do. Harry thought the arrangement was cool and tells Tyanna that it always seems like she's in the driver's seat in her performances. 

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Contestant: Jax

Song: "You Give Love a Bad Name," by Bon Jovi

Jax plays the piano for this tune and really slows down the first verse. Kinda neat. When she gets to the chorus, the band kicks in and she gets sassy. I'm loving it for a little while but then just before the final chorus, she stands, kicks her seat across the stage, violently grabs hold of the mic stand...then her voice cracks during what I assume is supposed to be the dramatic climax of the performance. She ends the song alone on the piano and I think that's my favorite part.  

Judges Say: JLo loves the punk attitude Jax has going right now. She thinks Jax got lost a bit in the middle of the performance but she also says the Jax the judges fell in love with came back tonight. Harry thinks Jax was swimming in a lot of sounds and should have stuck to just the piano the whole time. Keith loves that Jax has so much originality but thinks the arrangement wasn't quite put together right.

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Contestant: Nick Fradiani

Song: "Man In the Mirror" by Michael Jackson

This is a tall order. Not only has this song been done A LOT on reality TV, this is a song about taking a good look at yourself, and dude has really struggled with confidence. He's a little timid at first but once he gets off his stool and starts emoting, he's got that "connection" that everyone says he is lacking. I'm not sure that he "owns his hotness" as JLo would say, but I do think he's breaking out of his shell. 

Judges Say: Harry thinks Nick chose the perfect song and gave us a fantastic vocal. Keith feels that Nick needs to smile more and that will help him loosen up. JLo says Nick started to get lost in the song (in a good way) toward the end and that's where he needs to be every single time. 

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Contestant: Clark Beckham

Song: "Every Breath You Take" by The Police

Clark goes solo on the piano tonight and this sooooo does not sound like the crazy stalker song that it is. He doesn't step out of his comfort zone with this song choice, and at some point that's going to become an issue, but tonight Clark sounds amazing and I would love for him to call and sing me to sleep. For real. And if Mr. Urban could follow that up by reading me "Goodnight Moon" in that amazing Australian accent, my life would be complete.  

Judges Say: Keith thinks the song choice showed a different side of Clark because he took us on an emotional journey. I didn't get quite that far, but JLo got goosies. She says the song really showcased his voice and the performance was beautiful. Harry loved the performance and says Clark doesn't need to do any of the running around the stage stuff that the other contestants do. He just needs to sit there and sing. 

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Contestant: Qaasim

Song: "Addicted To Love" by Robert Palmer

Qaasim wants to focus on being a vocalist for this performance...but "Addicted To Love" is not really a song that showcases any vocals. He tries to throw in some falsetto notes here and there, which is okay, but otherwise I'm just kind of distracted by the big heart with light bulbs in the background and waiting for the hiccup singing noises to stop. Did I mention I wasn't happy about the save? 

Judges Say: JLo loved it. Of course she did. Harry thinks Qaasim's strength is his ability to perform and he says the performance was great. Sigh. Keith wants to hear something more vulnerable from Qaasim. 

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Contestant: Rayvon Owen

Song: "Everybody Wants To Rule the World" by Tears For Fears

During the rehearsal package Rayvon essentially says that the mentors are great and all, but he's going to do what he wants to do. He's all about being in the moment and stuff. In terms of this moment, I think he's out of breath and off pitch for much of the performance. He closes with his signature falsetto, but I'm really just bored by the whole thing. That could easily be the song choice though. 

Judges Say: Harry says Rayvon has been lacking interpretation but had it tonight. He tells Rayvon that he gave a solid performance. Keith thinks the song choice was perfect and showed off his voice in all the right places. JLo tells Rayvon that he should be open to stepping outside of his comfort zone and have more of an open mind with the mentors. Burn!

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This leaves Maddie Walker and Adanna Duru packing their bags tonight, so I don't think the judges' save was a waste YET. I liked Maddie a lot but I think she would have been gone in another week or two anyway. However, given Joey's rough night, I worry that she'll be in trouble next week....and I can't be stressed out next week because (drum roll) IT'S KELLY CLARKSON WEEK! She'll be a mentor, her songs will be all over the place, and I will truly be insufferable. Just warning you. Til then!

American Idol Top 10: I've Got Chills

Tonight the Top 10 will be revealed and perform once again for America's votes. One by one they will be called up to "safety," and I can't imagine the anxiety of sitting in one of the red chairs for the duration of the show, wondering if you have to be the 11th place finisher who probably has no chance at the judges' save. Tonight's theme is "Movie Night," which inevitably means at least one contestant is going to take on a song previously done by many, many other Idol contestants with the intention of "making it their own." Sigh. Let's see how they do. 

Contestant: Adanna Duru

Song: "I Love You, I Do" from Dreamgirls

Kicking off the show and also taking on a Jennifer Hudson song is a very tall order...a song, by the way, that J-Hud sung owned in a movie she won an Oscar for. Just sayin. Adanna sounds great until she starts mingling with the crowd and then she loses the pitch a little. I think shaking all of those hands throws her off a bit, but when Adanna makes her way back to the center of the stage, she regains control. I still can't deal with some of the forced "sexy" choreography...it's robotic at times and distracting. However, this is the first Adanna performance I've enjoyed all season. 

Judges Say: Keith thinks Adanna's voice was well suited for the song but JLo wanted some more emotions from her tonight. Harry says Adanna looks like a movie star and tells her everything was good, but says she needs to connect with the audience more. "Don't just shake their hands - really sing to them." Good advice. 

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Contestant: Daniel Seavey

Song: "Lost Stars" from Begin Again

Yup. This super cute boy is safe again. He wanted to play the piano for this performance but during the rehearsal package, it just wasn't working out as planned. Daniel goes with the guitar instead and his voice is just all over the place. He knows it too and I feel bad for him...and us. Shout out to the woman playing the cello in the background though. She's awesome. 

Judges Say: JLo says this wasn't Daniel's best performance (no kidding) and Harry tells Daniel that it sounded like he was in a practice room. "It just wasn't strong tonight, man." Thank you. I know he's adorable, but let's not sugar coat it....like Keith does when he says it was a good performance but Daniel just needs to "dig in" a little more. Sure, that's his problem. 

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Contestant: Rayvon Owen

Song: "Stayin Alive" from Saturday Night Fever

Holy falsetto, Batman! This is definitely better that "Burn" was last week and Rayvon has some pretty kick ass backup singers. The song has a slower, jazzier groove than the original and I really like the arrangement. For me though, this is much more of an ensemble piece that an Rayvon performance. 

Judges Say:  Harry says this was a really cool way to reinterpret the song. He encourages Rayvon to choose a song with a set of lyrics to chew on...he's looking for more substance. Keith says Rayvon shouldn't loiter like he's not sure where to go on stage. JLo tells Rayvon that he needs to think about how to capture the audience each time. 

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Contestant: Nick Fradiani 

Song: "Danger Zone" from Top Gun

I immediately want to watch this movie now. I still have the VHS tape and a working VCR....let me pause real quick for all readers who were born after the late 90s to google those acronyms. Nick is definitely having fun with this song, and I'm relieved to see that he can let loose a little on stage. Just a little. I'm always a big fan of his voice and I'm hoping the performer in him continues to come out. 

Judges Say: Keith thinks Nick is getting more comfortable on stage and JLo agrees. She says he's a "hot guy" and the song was perfectly suited for him. She encourages him to own his hotness. Harry tells Nick he needs to choose a song he can be sexy on. 

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Contestant: Joey Cook

Song: "Mad World" from Donnie Darko

Hmmm. Adam Lambert did a pretty fantastic version of this tune, so I'm a little unsure of Joey when the song choice is revealed. My uncertainty is only momentary though. While Adam's version is definitely superior, Joey still tells the story in her own way and tells it really, really well. She's worked on keeping her eyes open and animation down this week and I think it helps her deliver a truly believable performance. I'm a fan. 

Judges Say: JLo tells Joey the performance was beautiful and says Joey gave her Sia vibes. JLo then loses all credibility by asking "Do you guys know who Sia is?" Anyway, JLo appreciated seeing a different side of Joey and congratulates her. Harry likes that Joey is staying in her lane but widening her lane. He says it was a great song choice and thinks she did a tremendous job. Keith says "You're such an ahhhhtist, Joey" and I swoon. 

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Contestant: Tyanna Jones

Song: "Circle of Life" from The Lion King

Another song that makes me think of J-Hud. Her performance of this song was effortless and amazing. Tyanna starts out very strong but then starts to hit some questionable notes, followed by more questionable notes. Damn it. I really like the kid, but this was not her best performance. 

Judges Say: Harry says Tyanna looked like she was trying really, really hard and may have overshot the mark tonight. Keith tells her there were some serious pitch issues and uses the words "if America votes you through." Uh oh. But Daniel got an "it's okay, just dig in more?" Shenanigans. JLo says no worries because Tyanna will do amazing next week. 

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Contestant: Quentin Alexander

Song: "You're the One That I Want" from Grease

I did a double take when I heard the song choice. I did a triple take when I heard Quentin say he's never seen the movie. Most Grease loyalists are going to hate this performance. Me? I've seen the movie sooooo many times and it's hard at first to wrap my head around what's happening on stage right now...but honestly, I like Quentin's interpretation. The lyrics take on a totally different meaning with the way he's delivering them - it's a desperate plea to the one that he wants, rather than the sassy "get your act together" message we're used to. 

Judges Say: Keith says it was an interesting performance and JLo calls the performance haunting and beautiful.  Harry tells Quentin it was a mistake for him to worry about emotion and not pitch. This is so not what I was expecting from the judges.

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Contestant: Maddie Walker

Song: "Let's Hear It For the Boy" from Footloose

Maddie is all about the camera - she has it circling her while she stares into if for the entire first verse of the song. Not sure why. I really, really want Maddie to convince me that she's enjoying herself. This is absolutely the song to have fun with and what I'm seeing is still very uncomfortable. 

Judges Say:  JLo calls the performance cute and she liked Maddie's twang. Harry didn't think it was good because he doesn't know who she is as an artist. He says the song was pageant-y. Keith thinks it comes down to song choice and picking a song that plays to Maddie's strengths. 

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Contestant: Clark Beckham

Song: "Sunday Morning" from Cheaper By the Dozen 2

Oh how I love Clark. LOVE him. He's trying to show us his sensitive side tonight and mission accomplished. Keeping this Maroon 5 tune completely acoustic, he accompanies himself on guitar and the performance is pretty much perfect. Best of the night, hands down. 

Judges Say: Harry says Clark knocked it out of the park tonight. Keith tells Clark he is such a good singer but needs to put a little bit more of a smile in there. JLo loved the performance. "It was so you." Yes, yes it was. 

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Contestant: Jax

Song: "I Wanna Grow Old with You" from The Wedding Singer

I never would have thought Jax would pick this tune (I actually almost forgot this tune existed), and the song itself is very quirky. Her performance, though, is very enjoyable. It's not a showstopper or a "moment" or anything, but it's pleasant and cute. 

Judges Say: Keith loves that Jax did the song, saying the performance was beautiful. JLo liked the song choice as well, and Harry says it was a "high risk, high reward" scenario for her tonight. 

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This leaves Qaasim and his adrenaline with the daunting task of singing for his life. He chooses "Come Together," which has been done SO many times over the years, so I groan immediately. He sounds much better than he did last week though. I'm thinking "good for him, going out on a high note," but then...inexplicably...the judges use their save THIS early in the competition on a guy who I don't think has a chance in hell of winning this thing.

Next week two people will be eliminated and the judges' save is now out of play. Will Qaasim be eliminated anyway? Will Daniel's fan base take pity on the rest of us and put their phones down tonight? Will Tyanna get another chance after the tough reviews she received? We'll find out next week when these hopefuls compete again. Til then!

American Idol Top 11 Perform: Sorry For Party Rocking

It's night 2 of the American Idol big top 12 reveal/immediate elimination. Last night the remaining contestants took the stage hoping to make it to the Top 10. Because the elimination shows are gone, tonight's format is similar to the Top 12 reveal....each "safe" contestant will be called one at a time to perform. The person in 12th place will sing for the judges' save. Tonight's theme is "party anthems, so here's hoping these guys can give us an energy filled two hours. Let's see how they do.

Contestant: Rayvon Owen

Song: "Burn" by Ellie Goulding

Okay, so I'm not a fan of Rayvon's falsetto in this song. I'm actually not a fan of the song choice either. "Burn" is the party anthem that best suited his style? I doubt that. That being said, he still does that thing where he goes up on his tip toes a lot...and that makes me smile.  

Judges Say: Everyone in the audience has balloons because, you know, it's a party. Keith "woooos" and says "Burn" was a killah song choice. He also calls this Rayvon's best performance. Really? JLo says the performance was really great, and Harry challenges Rayvon to not rely on his falsetto as the arc of his performances. 

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Contestant: Maddie Walker

Song: "She's Country" by Jason Aldean

Yes. Yes, she is country. She's not enjoying herself as much as she should be with this song though. It's a party, Maddie! She sounds really great but she's just too darn serious tonight. I hope she's able to let loose a little more next week. 

Judges Say: JLo says Maddie is sassy and sweet and thinks this was a really great performance. Harry's biggest concern is Maddie knowing the difference between imitating and emulating. He wants to hear Maddie's interpretation of songs and not a copy. Keith thinks Maddie is a little overwhelmed by the camera, wardrobe, and dance moves, but believes she will become more comfortable as the competition continues. 

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Contestant: Joey Cook

Song: "Fancy" by Iggy Azalea

You read that right. Joey is taking on "Fancy" tonight. Joey, of course, does her own thing with this song and I absolutely love it. She sits on a stool with a cool dude playing the bass next to her and she never moves from her seated spot. Her legs stay crossed behind the mic stand and she lets her hands and face tell the whole story. There are some critics out there who think Joey is too animated, but for me, her enthusiasm comes from a very genuine place and I'm totally fine with it.  

Judges Say: Harry says the arrangement was brilliant and she sang it brilliantly. Keith thinks Joey has a potency that makes the audience like a moth to a flame. JLo tells Joey she made a smart choice tonight but wanted to hear a bit more of the original melody. 

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Contestant: Clark Beckham

Song: "Takin' It to the Streets" by The Doobie Brothers

Clark sings from behind the piano tonight, which is sexy and all, but I would have loved to see what kind of energy he would have brought by taking center stage. He looks like he desperately wants to get up and dance when he gets to the chorus and I think that would have been a ton of fun. No worries though - his vocals are amazing and it's still a really great performance. 

Judges Say: Keith says it was cool to see him play the piano but he wants Clark to do more than just be an incredible voice. JLo loved the piano aspect as well and agrees that Clark needs to push himself out of his comfort zone. This wasn't Harry's favorite performance, but says Clark should keep doing what he's doing. Huh?

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Contestant: Jax

Song: "Blank Space" by Taylor Swift

Hmmm. Talking about emulating and not imitating (thank you, Harry. I will be using this a lot). Jax even throws in some of T-Swift's dance moves from the number of times she's performed this on TV in the past few months. She sounds okay, but I normally love her voice and I don't think this was the right song for her.  

Judges Say: JLo says Jax has a lot of fans and is super talented. She felt that Jax was overtaken by the music and encourages her to choose a song next week that shows how special she is. Harry thinks the performance was a carbon copy of Taylor's and Keith agrees. The Australian hottie thinks she struggled keeping the melody. 

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Contestant: Qaasim Middleton

Song: "Jet" by Paulk McCartney and Wings

Qaasim has to tone his movements down tonight as he plays guitar for this tune. He's totally rocking the Lenny Kravitz look...but that's unfortunately all he's rocking. The vocals are all over the place and I can barely understand a word he's saying. Thank goodness I already knew the lyrics to the song, but I imagine anyone hearing this for the first time tonight is not in a rush to download the original. 

Judges Say: Harry asks Qaasim what he thought the meaning of the song was, and then tells him that his performance did not match the song. Harry then says Qaasim is turning into a one trick pony. I'm inclined to agree but JLo "boos" him. Keith loved the performance (what!?) because he thinks the guitar helped the singing. Again, what?!?! JLo thinks Qaasim makes every song a party and she enjoyed the performance. God help me. 

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Contestant: Adanna Duru

Song: "Runaway Baby" by Bruno Mars

So, this is an improvement on the mess she made of "You and I" last night, but I'm still not really a fan. The "I'm sexy and I know it" shtick feels forced at times, though I will say that I enjoy her energy tonight.

Judges Say: Keith tells Adanna "that's why we saved you!" JLo says she stayed in control of the song and the vocals were much better. Harry agrees and compliments the song choice. 

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Contestant: Tyanna Jones

Song: "Tightrope" by Janelle Monae

I love this kid. Start to finish, this is an awesome performance. She had me when she started rocking out next to the band, sporting blue hair, a bow tie, and suspenders. Tyanna works the stage and has really great energy, all while still keeping her vocals completely on point. Hot damn.

Judges Say: Keith and JLo give her a standing ovation. The crowd yells and cheers for such a long time before JLo can get started talking about her goosies. JLo calls the performance "complete." Harry says that if he were a judge in the Olympics, he would have given her a 10. Keith is very touched by Tyanna's humble attitude toward singing and music. He loved the performance. 

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Contestant: Daniel Seavey

Song: "Happy" by Pharrell

So, last night's performance was a train wreck and I wondered how he made it through to the Top 12 over some of the others. This performance is much, much better and he had me clapping along. Is he still out of his league? Definitely. But at least if he makes it through next week there will at least be a decent performance to back up that adorable smile.

Judges Say: Harry says he's spent a lot of time reviewing all of Daniel's performances this season because he's trying to figure Daniel out. He thinks Daniel is immensely talented and says this was Daniel's strongest performance. Keith thinks we'll definitely see Daniel next week and JLo says it's impossible not to vote for Daniel. Oh yeah? Let me show you how possible it is. 

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Contestant: Quentin

Song: "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele

This is normally the part of the show where I rant about how I hate when contestants cover Adele. However, I do like this arrangement and the drums in the background. It's kind of a tribal feel. Quentin does a really good job connecting with the song and I'm totally engaged in the performance. Nicely done.

Judges Say: Keith loved that Quentin took a female song and made it his own. JLo thinks Quentin brings a soulful, solid flavor to the show, and Harry says Quentin's greatest gift is to dig deep down into the lyrics. 

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Contestant: Nick Fradliani

Song: "Wake Me Up" by Aloe Blacc

Nick seriously needs to be more confident. Dude is so talented and I'm not sure he realizes it. He looks around and speaks "I tried carrying the weight of the world" instead of singing it, and I "woo" from my couch. Not sure if this was a show-closing type performance, but I definitely think it was a strong one. 

Judges Say: JLo tells Nick that it got a little bit screamy but she really liked the song choice. Harry says it was a solid performance and encourages him to crack open in his next performance. Keith believes we will see Nick perform again next week.

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This leaves Sarina-Joi Crowe as the eliminated contestant. Though she does her best with Demi Lovato's "Neon Lights," the judges definitely aren't going to use their save this early. Next week the Top 10 will perform again, with the judges save in the air for the 11th place finisher. Will Daniel continue to get the teen girl votes? Will the voters also see Qaasim as a one trick pony? Will another safe week give performers like Nick and Maddie the boost they need to let loose in the competition? We'll find out next Thursday. Til then!

American Idol Top 12 Reveal: Let Me Live That Fantasy

And we're off! We have an hour to not only name the Top 12 but also listen to them perform. Craziness. They barely have a moment to be excited before their music starts and they are vying for votes once again. "You made it! Now sing for your life immediately! And hurry because this is a 60 minute episode!" The contestants are also tasked with singing their audition songs, which is kind of a cool idea. Let's see who made it to the Top 12...however briefly. 

Contestant: Sarina Joi-Crowe

Song: "Til the Love Runs Out" by OneRepublic

As much as I like Sarina, this performance is pitchy with a side of pitchy. Curse you, Randy Jackson, for making that word such a big part of my vocabulary. I wonder what The Dawg is up to tonight... Anyway, Sarina makes a valiant effort to show her vocal range, and she totally does have range, but this particular rendition does her no favors overall. That's tough place to be in for the for the first performance of the night.

Judges Say: Keith says Sarina looks incredibly comfortable on stage and JLo mentions her pitch. Thanks JLo. I luh ya. Harry looks forward to seeing Sarina progress in the competition. 

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Contestant: Rayvon Owen

Song: "Wide Awake" by Katy Perry

I'm intrigued by the way Rayvon gets on his tip toes throughout the song. He's adorable and he sounds freaking amazing. I wish the performance could have lasted longer. I also wish I had a hat like his. 

Judges Say: JLo says Rayvon felt the moment and Harry thinks Rayvon sounds like his voice is "in shape." Keith compliments the song choice. 

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Contestant: Daniel Seavey

Song: "Straight Up"

The 15 year old dude who hopes to be on the verge of becoming a teen heartthrob is in way over his head tonight. The vocals are shaky, he forgets the words, he looks scared to death at times, and it's all just awkward to watch. 

Judges Say: Harry says Daniel is young and inexperienced and it's showing. Keith thinks Daniel just needs to find an emotional song and JLo agrees. 

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Contestant: Maddie Walker

Song: "Suitcase" by Gwen Sebastian

Yay! A country girl! Maddie is totally in her element with this tune and I look forward to seeing (fingers crossed) much more from her. 

Judges Say: Keith thinks the song suited her well and JLo encourages Maddie to get out of her head. Harry thinks Maddie gave a solid performance. 

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Contestant: Tyanna Jones

Song: "Wings" by Little Mix

Tyanna has some serious personality on stage and I love it. I'm not super familiar with this song, but she's got me dancing from my couch anyway, so I applaud when the performance is over. 

Judges Say: JLo compliments Tyanna's composure and Harry says something similar about her comfort level on stage. Keith tells Tyanna she moves like a star, dresses like a star, and sings like a star. 

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Contestant: Nick Fradiani

Song: "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel

Nick and his guitar can cover Peter Gabriel on my TV any day. He brings a little more desperation (in a good way) to the song with his rendition, and he's a very seasoned performer. I definitely enjoyed this. 

Judges Say: Harry comments on how Nick is almost twice as old as some of the other contestants on the show but also says Nick did a good job. Keith thinks Nick has a great look and a great voice but needs to believe in himself more. JLo wants Nick to pick a song that suits every part of his voice.

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Contestant: Jax

Song: "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles

Jax starts the song solo behind a piano and she sings it beautifully. I'm just about to get completely lost in what she's doing....but then she then picks up the tempo and starts working the stage while the band plays. I think I would have preferred her singing the whole song at the piano rather than the band coming in, but I'm glad she made it through tonight. She has a haunting quality to her voice and I want to hear more of it. 

Judges Say: Keith and Harry both think she could have just stayed at the piano, and JLo calls Jax "compelling."

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Contestant: Qaasim Middleton

Song:  "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder

Qaasim just makes me smile. He's so sassy and he loves every moment he has with a microphone. His version of "Sir Duke" has some pitch problems for sure, but no one can argue this dude doesn't know how to have a good time.  

Judges Say: JLo loves Qaasim's energy and Harry wonders if we'll get a performance that isn't an explosion of energy. Keith thinks he killed it. 

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Contestant: Clark Beckham

Song: "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown

Hell. Yes. I had to watch the performance a few times before I could move on to the next finalist. Clark's voice is so soulful and he hits every single note effortlessly. BEST performance tonight! 

Judges Say: Harry says Clark made him forget all about the chauvinistic message of the song. Keith thinks Clark did an amazing job and JLo says Clark had the vocal of the night. 

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Contestant: Joey Cook

Song: "King of Spain" by Tallest Man On Earth

This girl never fails to make me happy. Joey is not everyone's cup of tea, but she's original, she puts all of herself into those quirky performances, and I hope she sticks around for a while. I would glady tune in to see her sing every week. 

Judges Say: JLo thinks this was one of Joey's best performance and Harry says she did a nice job.

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Contestant: Quentin Alexander

Song: "Royals" by Lorde

Wild Card spot #1 goes to the emotional Quentin, who sort of just melts into the song, and then breaks down in the end. His poor family is a mess in the audience. I just want to give all of them hugs. 

Judges Say: JLo is happy Quentin is still in the competition and Harry loves how in touch Quentin is with his artistry and emotions.

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Contestant: Adanna Duru

Song: "You and I" by Lady Gaga

The final Wild Card spot is given to Adanna, and she tries to put all kinds of sexy in the song, with hair whips and struts and stuff. I'm not really on board with her performance, but Idol just gave me 12 performances in an hour without much nonsense, so I'm not going to complain any further. 

Judges Say: Harry tells Adanna she has to find a way to channel her energy to a specific musical place and JLo agrees. Keith says she "has somethin' goin' on."

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So this leaves Loren Lott, Mark Andrew, Alexis Gomez, and Adam Ezegelian packing their bags tonight. I'm generally happy with the Top 12, but I was beyond disappointed with Daniel's performance. I know Qaasim and Sarina can do much better than they did tonight, but for me, Clark definitely owns the hour. We'll find out which contestant will quickly follow Adam, Loren, Alexis and Adam tomorrow during the next kinda elimination/performance show. Til then!

American Idol 2015

Welcome back Idol fans! It's a new year and a new season for The House That Kelly Clarkson Built. All 3 of our judges have returned and they still carry the great chemistry and semi-balance that they had last season. But what's different about American Idol this year? Well, FOX has done away with the results show, so performances will happen on the same night as eliminations. Several other reality TV shows have implemented this schedule as well and while it's a bit confusing at first, it seems to work okay in the long run. I also appreciate the time I'll get back from not watching the 56 minutes of filler and commercials and 4 minutes of results that I was used to on Thursday nights. Not like those other shows that not only take up several hours of my week, they also do multiple seasons a year - I'm looking at you, The Voice. But I digress. We are on the cusp of the big Top 12 reveal and I'm looking forward to seeing what talent surprises us this year. Let the recaps begin!