American Idol Season 10 - The Top 7 Sing Songs from the 21st Century

     The Losers are back! Pia's still moving her heavenly body as though she doesn't know how to inhabit it, Paul is accenting half-finished words, and Naima shows off her true calling: that was an interstellar jump!

     Scotty McCreery is so cute as he preps "Swingin'" by LeAnn Rimes. All shy and properly unaware of the whorish Pussycat Dolls. He did a good job wit the song, and fun. A nice change. I'd usually prioritize emotion over fun, but he's had emotion all the other performances, so fun here was a great choice.

     I disagree with Jennifer and Randy. I think he's doing what he does, and he does it well. I also thought the fun was a change for him. Cheeky.

     James Durbin is going a whole different way with "Uprising" by Muse. I think unlike he seems to think, James has been contemporary. Classic, but not old-sounding classic. 

     His outfit this time was very '80s for being supposedly contemporary, but then again, Muse sounds very '80s and Ultravoxy (Midge Ure era), so I guess that's what "contemporary" means. '80s. I say all right.

     James was pretty good. He definitely showed off his voice well. And I dug the whole marching band meets Wild Boys aesthetic of his performance. 

     Steven Tyler was bonkers saying it was T. Rex! It was not T. Rex in the slightest! I don't understand how he could possibly say that, unless he misspoke and meant someone else. 

     Haley Reinhart chose "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele, and sounded amazing in spite of too much growl (just because you can don't mean you should, honey) and one off note. Her biggest detraction is her actions and facial expressions. They do nothing to convey the emotion her voice holds. But the vocals were really incredible on this one. It was definitely her best performance.

     Jacob Lusk went with "Dance with My Father" by Luther Vandross. A clear concession to the judges' begging, but of course I always forget it, because i don't really think he sounds like Luther Vandross. I guess a little bit. But Luther has much less of the watery gurgle nasal tone. Even when they were saying Jacob would be taking on the legend he's always compared to, I thought "Is Antony really a legend?" because that's who I compare him to (although Antony doesn't have any of the nasal, he has a ripply water tone, but it's much more pleasing than Jacob). How is it possible no one else has compared them?

     To me this song is a cheat away from the theme, though. It's the type of song Jacob always does. Even though technically it was released in the 21st century, Luther's sound is not, and neither is Richard Marx's---love you, though, Richard Marx! Yes, shut up, I have a soft spot for Richard Marx. Go back and have a listen. He's a fine musician, and has great straightforward rock-pop sensibilities.

     I feel a little bad even judging Jacob on the song when he's clearly so emotional about it. I hope the extreme emotion he feels doesn't prevent him from singing it well. 

     It didn't really seem to. It was very good. Definitely not his best, but as good as most of what he's done. It would be far better for him, though, if he did something different, and just more.

     Casey Abrams had the funniest "about me" segment, but I hope the audience gets it! It looks like he may have trimmed the beard even more. . . just do it, Casey! Before you get the ol' heave-ho!

     I hate "Harder to Breathe," as I do all songs of that personality half of Maroon 5. They would be a much better band if they let themselves go early 90s Britpop, but I guess they disagree. Casey reminded me why I hate this particular song right away with the opening verse's singsongy chant. Into the rest of it, I have to say it's a much better choice for him than a lot of what he's chosen in the past. I really think since he's gotten here, he's made more bad choices than good---even within fine songs he's chosen (ie, seems like a good choice, but he screws it up with nutlike delivery). This song's got a grungy sound Casey seems to like, but of course it's also got weirdness and angry crazy bits built in, so he's not personally polluting an otherwise good song with that. It's already that way! And his singing sounds great for it. So it's an ideal song for him, and he showed he must really love it. Cute kiss ending there, too. It was one of Casey's best, if not his best.

     Stefano Langone is singing "Closer" by Ne-Yo, which I'd always thought was "I Just Can't Stop" by Neo. So clearly I'm just not into this type of music, but Stefano does less than most to attract me to it. his video segment was funny, but almost over the top of what I'd expected in showing what a cheeseball he is. If a guy has to come on to every woman he interacts with, he must not score very well in general, and be trying to make up for it in sheer volume of effort. 

     As for his performance, oh my god, he has to go. Every week it's the same---except this week he's exceptionally off key. Plus the nasal. More of the requisite ooo-aahing, plus the tilted head long note. There was way too much running around, ooohs, and missing the mike entirely (that running around'll get ya) for this to rank anywhere good for him. I'd say middle to low on his personal scale. And definitely the worst tonight.

     Lauren Alaina is singing "Born to Fly," by Sara Evans. She's returned to country with gusto this week, and I hope it doesn't kick her in the ass. I also think Jimmy knocked some confidence out of her rather than building her up as he supposedly intended. 

     I agree with the judges it would be fun to see her sing some more complicated and intricate songs, because it's clear she can---she has, so she definitely can. I agree with Randy that she was very good tonight, but she could have gone a little bigger. And the country hair and makeup was unflattering. 

Tonight's ranking:

1) Haley

2) Scotty

3) James

4) Lauren

5) Casey

6) Jacob

7) Stefano

Who should go? Stefano. At least twice.

Who do I want to stay? My top 5.

Who I'd bet on: Scotty, James.