AI 11 - The Hometown Three

     

     I'm not very excited about what's left of AI this year. I know the judges and producers have been pushing for Jessica to win from the very start, but it doesn't move anything in me to have her win. I don't like 99% of what Phillip chooses to do (or wear), and although I am in awe of Joshua's ability, I don't see it as modern pop, which is what AI is looking for.

     I'm not really sure why nobody has pushed Joshua to do anything outside of his old-style style. So it's classic with Etta James. Maybe they have the idea that there's been some other retro/throwback artists (like Michael Buble), but none like Joshua, and they suspect it could work. I'm not quite sure about that. Joshua's style doesn't translate as much to the same type of commercial uses that Michael Buble's type (which was sort of Harry Connick Jr.'s type before him) does. Joshua is incredible, but he's not modern and fully marketable.

     Jennifer explains why the judges didn't push him into a more contemporary sound, but then Randy explains he really should try to move into a more contemporary arena in his future career. So, he should do it, but they were afraid to try to push him to do it right now.

     Wow, Jessica's really sucking at this Mariah Carey song. Of course they're not going to agree with me, but certainly viewers must hear that she's not on key for most of these trilly bits. There's a lot of breaths also. As for Jennifer hoping for emotion from this, there wasn't any of that either.

     Incredible. Randy is just lying outright, saying that crap was good. Often Jessica is good, but this was one of the worst performances we've seen from her. Not one of the judges will admit to it! I guess they've been warned that she has to win, so they can't criticize her. 

     Luckily for him, Phillip didn't make all his own choices this week, and they've pushed him to deliver something a little different with "Begging." He does his best to employ all his gargly straining nonsinging aw-aww, but the start and some middle bits show some of his more palatable vocal qualities, and there's some nice bluesy bits in there as well. Better than many recent efforts. 

     Jennifer takes the safe route by saying Phillip is "funny" for once again ignoring the melody of the song. Oh, ha ha, yes, it's hilarious! Steven has a psychotic break and claims Phillip could be a new Springsteen. The girls in the audience advertise their true voting motivations by calling their love to Phillip. Jennifer panders to them by proclaiming Phillip the winner of the round.

     Joshua tells the sad story of the uninterested Louisiana folk of his hometown by explaining that their arena has never been sold out (until his performance). As Joshua goes through the crawfish boil and to church, he doesn't look or act like a star. Which is nice in a way. His town is clearly very small. Probably the fact their arena has never sold out is less a reflection on the town's interest in music than the likelihood there are bigger places near enough that bands would play there and expect people to drive. Which I suppose means the arena was built more for the possibility its size might be necessary than to really accommodate the then population.

     Joshua's personal choice is "Imagine," and I hope he doesn't do too much with it, because its simplicity and clarity is part of how it works so well. I think he could have chosen a better song to suit him, but he did enough with it to make it sound good, but not overdone. It wasn't a bad choice by any means, because it got the job done.

     Jennifer seems to be preparing Joshua for possible disappointment, but then turns it around and seems to be suggesting his emotion might win it for him. Randy asks him why he chose the song and Joshua gives an excellent answer illustrating the fact that he really does connect to some songs, and those are the ones he sings best and luckily also the ones he'd choose.

     Jessica is once again dressed like an older woman, looking thirty instead of sixteen. I like the outfit, but IHer hometown visit is very contrived, and has little real "hometown" feel. Even with her family, which is uncomfortable to view. She looks like the newly crowned queen returning to her lowly subjects. Her attitude on the ship was especially bad, like a shallow diva going along for the ride.  

     Of course for her song Jessica's chosen an Aerosmith song to suck up to the judges, but unfortunately for her, she chose "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing," which Lauren Alaina owned last year and Jessica has no chance of matching in gut or spirit, I don't care what her voice can do.

     She starts off with so much vibrato it's like she's singing into a high-powered fan. It's the wrong song for her. It doesn't showcase her best ability, and instead sounds like good karaoke. She sounds more girl and less singer, and goes off key twice during the final runs.

     The judges won't say a thing, I'm sure. It's become clear to me that these new judges aren't like the AI of old. They're of little purpose. They're leaving it just to the audience now. Apparently they forget that Steven loved Lauren Alaina's rendition, but as a viewer, I don' think any of us would. No one will remember Jessica's performance of it, though.

     Phillip still owes someone $10, and he gets a half order of chicken & cheese nachos free for life from Amaya's, which is the very least he deserves since I don't even know where the town is or particularly like Phillip as a finalist and I wish I could go to the darn restaurant. One thing he did do well was promote the heck out of them. Phillip looks shocked and overwhelmed by the crowds. He also looks uncomfortably upset seeing his father cry over how much he's missed him. His family looks so sweet and loving. I do like Phillip as a person, I just don't like a lot of the choices he makes as an artist. He looks pleased but emotional and humble in his parade, as security roughly shoves back girls from his open car. The size of his town coupled with the crowds make me think he could win. 

     Phillip makes another choice that displeases me by choosing a Matchbox 20 song. Why does he insist on picking this crap? Maroon 5, then Matchbox 20. At least there's a little more melody incorporated here. It's decent. I just don't like his style or mannerisms, and there's no way to realy get over that. But it's a good job.

     I'm sure the judges are going to love it. Oh, well, Jennifer says it's not wow, although it was "easy and floory." Steven says he's got a "bubook" and that he should "get used to it, because you never will." So, puzzling. Randy doesn't like it either! Wow. I expected them to blow smoke up his ass even more than usual, because he did what he always does, but with a little more ease and tone. But no, they wanted something bigger.

     Jimmy's choices are next, which I usually like. Joshua will be singing "No More Drama" by Mary J. Blige. Hm. I have to hear it first, but I think maybe it's smart because it's modern but it's classic style R&B. Hm. It starts with the theme of the Young and the Restless. Crap. Now I'll have trouble concentrating. I like the sort of 70s and 80s vibe that and the ensuing beats add, though. Unfortunately Joshua goes a little off key. But when it's just Nadia's Theme and him nearly a cappella, it's flawless. He certainly could be Terrence Trent D'arby-esque also, if he chose. I'd definitely prefer that. Instead he goes a little into the gravel hollering than I like, but the end is cleaner and nice. yup, Jimmy made an excellent choice that finally, finally showed how Joshua could fit into contemporary commercial radio.

     Steven gives him an amazing summarizing criticism in saying that watching Joshua, he felt the last 40 years of the music business. I absolutely can see that, although I'd say the last 50-55.

     Lisa Marie Presley sings? That should be good. At least they have Adam Lambert also, so it will be a sort of reversal of the usual "real artist and old contestant" lineup.

     Jessica performs a wooden and painfully set-up scene to receive a giant AT&T box with Jimmy's selection. Ah, "I'll Be There" by the Jackson 5. Damn you, Jimmy, that's a brilliant choice. Young, but accomplished, and tugging at emotions no matter if the singer is bringing that or not. I only hope Jessica screws it up by being her very put-on and unnatural performer self. For some reason she has gotten a wireless speaker as a gift as well. Jimmy explains his young & old appealing choice. Jessica oversings it a little, and tries to make it sexier than it needs to be. Then she goes into a deeper voice she doesn't usually use in ballads, and is less appealing than her high, sweet sound. 

     Jennifer didn't miss the low bit and calls that segment "Jermaine," but she praises the rest. Randy is the most grounded and admits it wasn't really special enough to stand out.

     Phillip also gets the speaker. So only Joshua was left out! Nice, producers. Favoritism much? Of course it's likely he got one and they just didn't use it in the package, but that in itself was a dumb choice. 

     For Phillip, Jimmy has chosen "We've Got Tonight" by Bob Seger. I don't know if this is the right song for Phillip, although I absolutely love it. 

     Ooo. Jimmy, you devil. This is so good! And Phillip is actually singing the melody! Oh, you dumb people, don't clap. Good, stop. Wow, this is really good. He's not doing anything to it at all, but that works for him because he so rarely just leaves a beautiful song as it is. Very, very good. I'd listen to it. 

     Randy calls it well: Phillip's best performance. It was a moment, he sang the melody, it was perfect. I still think Joshua has more talent, but Phillip likely has more appeal to the ladies. I like Steven's take also. Phillip does have passion and stillness. I wish he'd be more serious and sincere when singing than zany and playful, like he more often is.

Tonight's Ranking:

1. Joshua

2. Phillip - he possibly could be tied with Joshua and only separated by my bias against his style)

3. Jessica

Who should go? Jessica or Phillip. Phillip, I guess, if we're going with raw talent. But he's not going anywhere.

Who is going? If the girls are voting with their hearts, Jessica is going, because at least 90% of the girls love the boys. If they're voting with their tastes, Joshua is going, because they have little taste or sense, and because they're still more hot for Phillip than they are for Joshua. I think. It's hard to tell because Joshua is so talented, I don't know if he's been getting votes for talent or cuteness.