American Idol - The Top 9 Judging

As stated in the post, I didn't get much of a chance to comment deeply on the Top 9 Lennon/McCartney performance week. Also stated in the post, there were some surprises, and those surprises continued in the judging.

I was so very pleased I was wrong about Michael Lynche being untouchable. When I saw he was the lowest vote-getter, I was relieved we would finally be rid of him. I suffered through his revoltingly sacrilegious version of "This Woman's Work" yet again, and waited for the judges to summarily explain they would not waste their one save on him. I almost felt bad for him by the end of it all. I definitely felt bad for his wife. But he'd be touring, and he had fans---he'd be fine.

Then the judges decide to keep him? To waste their one save on him? Unbelievable. In my opinion, the save should only be used on a contestant the judges feel should be the winner. And if they think he should be the winner, then that explains the travesty of a "singer" Kara presented on the results show. No, I don't remember his name, because why would I?

I think Simon just doesn't care anymore, and the others are pathetic with regard to successfully judging talent on this show. Hence the saving of Michael Lynche. I wish he could leave twice this week, but as long as he leaves at least once, that's fine with me.

As for the performances of the others on the Lennon/McCartney show? I'll give it a brief rundown:

• Casey James, singing "Jealous Guy," was incredible. I think I'm almost decided that he should win. And I was so worried at his song choice! I don't even really like Bryan Ferry's cover of the song, and Bryan Ferry is a near-god. Casey made it as real as Lennon, but in his own way. Stellar. Honestly, I liked the performance so much I was almost embarrassed, because I really bought it, really felt that he felt it. I could get moony over it if I wanted to let myself. I saw shades of rock idolatry in myself, and for an American Idol contestant! Ironically, that's usually a paradoxical situation.
• Katie Stevens, singing "Let it Be," was incredible, and I think it was her best performance. Again, I was worried hearing the song choice, but she was so sweet and more sincere and heartfelt than I've ever seen her. Exactly what the song required.
• Crystal Bowersox, singing "Come Together," was okay. I don't understand why she would choose this song, which shows very little range for a singing competition, but I suppose some of her changes showed more of her voice than would be expected in it. It was predictable, though.
• Aaron Kelly, singing "The Long and Winding Road," was a bit wobbly but extremely emotionally sincere and quite good. I don't know what Simon was on about with the song meaning, but if he's going to pretend someone is stupid on national television, he should do so only when there's some evidence to that. In this case, Simon, only you look stupid. Aaron's feeling about the song is a completely valid feeling to get from it.
• Tim Urban, singing "All My Loving," was shockingly decent. It was a cute performance, and an able one. I also agree that he has interesting poise and grace under extremely difficult circumstances. But a few good performances do not a singer make. He either needs to work more or change his line of work.
• Andrew Garcia, singing "Can't Buy Me Love," was disappointingly faux-zesty and (yet again) clipped and strained. And if he is going to hold a guitar, there should be some purpose to it.
• Lee DeWyze, singing "Hey Jude," was a disgusting travesty. I don't know what the judges were smoking, but he sucked, and he dragged that poor bagpiper into his sucking. Anemic, strained, and often off-key. He also should learn to pronounce words using a source with proper phonetic articulation, and not a recording of an apparently drunken Dave Matthews.
• Michael Lynche, singing "Eleanor Rigby," was like a nightmare. I hold a grudge against everyone associated with allowing him to sing this repellant perversion of the song.
• Siobhan Magnus, singing "Across the Universe," has evidently become a Muppet. While her nose is singing, it would be nice if she could close her mouth so we don't have to see her tongue lolling around in there. The mesh lace Bo Peep's wedding underdress of her outfit was interesting, though. I don't know what's wrong with this girl. She does have the ability to sing well, but instead she goes way closed-throat nasal and lisps. Now and then in the song you could hear her actual voice, but then she would get to the next line and it was as though she was singing with a gob of salt water taffy blocking her esophagus. I feel sorry she was forced to embrace a strange man onstage (no, not Ryan!), but if she doesn't get back to singing the way she first did, she should get gone.

Though I was wrong about Michael being untouchable, my prediction of his company Aaron and Andrew in the bottom three was right on target. I really think Aaron has more talent than Michael, but I fear if Tim stays, Aaron will go, in spite of his superior talent. Andrew is really teetering near the edge, and I'm fairly certain this week will be his last. Probably rightly so.

The top picks for me at this point are definitely Casey and Crystal. I think if Katie stays on track, she's up there as well. Aaron needs to stay in top form as well, but he hasn't been. Still, he's better than some of the others still around. Lee veers in and out for me, and this week pushed him far out. But generally, I'd include him in a top 5 pick, so perhaps those are my top five dream set. It's unfortunate, because when the competition began, I really though Siobhan was incredibly talented. And she is. She just uses her talent poorly, and worse, she makes me uncomfortable. Michael is a mall/bar/fair singer, not a professional.

I don't know what's going to happen for sure this week, but Michael and Tim would be my top choices to leave. Andrew would be my next pick. Who do I think might really go? Andrew and Aaron. But I hope it's Michael and Tim.