AI Season 12 - The Final Four

     I'm sure it's no surprise that I was terribly disappointed when Janelle went home last week. But I was much more disappointed that Amber wasn't in the bottom with her. That scares me a little bit. All I can hope is that there was a segment of the vote that was split between Kree and Janelle, and now all of that voting goes to keep Kree out of the bottom. If there was ever a time Kree deserved low votes, it was last week, but Amber really should have been in the bottom as well. I'm less upset that Janelle went than that Amber was top three because Janelle should have gone this week anyway. If Amber isn't the one leaving this week, there is something seriously wrong with the way people vote in this competition. I can say that without even seeing tonight's show because she is so clearly the worst contestant. I'm pretty sure I had Candice, Kree, and Angie up top since the beginning of the show, and that's never changed too much. Angie has gotten weird at times, and maybe slipped around a little, but I've never wavered from saying Candice and Kree should be top three if not top two at the end. I just hope nothing happens tonight to shake that for voters!

     Amber is wearing her hair curly for the first time, and it looks cute. She looks more sophisticated, which is an unusual result for a curly 'do. Amber claims to have much in common with a 20-year-old girl in the children's hospital, yet at the same time questions whether the girl knows Celine Dion ("no, I am an alien only recently placed on earth. . . "). Amber is singing Celine's "The Power of Love," and starts off very breathy, but otherwise her usual Disneyana self. Thin, careful, slow, with a heap of vibrato. It's okay, but it's not impressive. She's not totally owning it, which is not a surprise. The end was the weakest part. But she didn't have any feeling throughout, either. It was a polite performance by someone not quite up to the task.
     Keith thought the choice was perfect. It actually was a pretty good choice, right in her range without pushing too far. But it also doesn't have the hugest range, though Keith doesn't seem to realize that. Nicki says Amber is so current, "outside of your amazing voice" (!?) and is impressed the contestants can sing Celine Dion songs. I guess she's never seen American Idol, or heard past winners. Mariah claims Amber gave the song flavor, though I don't know how that would be, since she sang it completely as it was originally recorded. It was just another excuse for Mariah to say "hashtag Pow!" Is she getting paid for that or something?
     Jimmy feels the song exposed Amber's vocal strain at the top end, which is something I've been saying the whole competition, though jimmy's blaming it on overuse. Somehow he still insists it will be hard to beat, which makes zero sense.

     Candice is frightening me by choosing to sing a hip-hop song by Drake, "Find Your Love," but I hope she mixes it up for herself in just the right way, like she did with "Straight Up" last week. Candice looks much more relaxed at the hospital. I don't know this Drake song Candice has chosen, but she sounds pretty good. The song is kind of crappy: repetitive and obvious. The opening was okay, and Candice made it sound like a great old standard. There's not much for her to do here, but she's making the most of the song's simplicity by adding a lot of fun little runs and playing with it. She sounds slightly less in control than she usually does, sometimes wavering off key a smidge in a run. But it's a good performance. Still, I think it's one of my least favorite. I'm glad there's another round where she can show us more.
     Nicki says she's no longer going to comment on voices, just on where she sees the contestant fitting into the music world today. Hm. Kind of defeats the purpose of the rest of the competition then, doesn't it. I don't think Nicki is understanding that the judges are here to evaluate each performance, no matter if it is consistently good. And what's weird is that she continues on and does just what she said she wouldn't, criticizing the performance. She thought Candice's changes made it sound old-fashioned, when the original melody is classic enough. As I said, I don't know the song, so I can't speak to that, but from what Nicki said I think I ended up in about the same time periods as she thinks the original covers: classic, '80s (Luther Vandross) R&B, current R&B. Randy found there were too many runs, and I understand that. There were a lot. Mariah felt transported by some of the vocals, and thought that rather than successfully transforming the song like "Straight Up," her changes brought the song to an Adult Contemporary place. I think I can see that. I'm probably with Mariah here. Keith compliments her authenticity and power.
     Jimmy is properly judging the contestants in the competition by pitting them against one another. I disagree that Amber's performance was better. I'd say it was equal because it had its own flaws, and ultimately the flaws in Amber's performance were more significant if we're considering who has a better artist within. But I'll give him that Amber's performance was more marketable and looks like it offers a more malleable product for the producers.

     Kree is up next with the most touching visit to the children's hospital yet. She seems genuinely engaged and comfortable with the kids. She's singing "It Hurts So Bad." It's partly a return to the way she sand for most of the first part of the competition, but there's also the newer feeling of her attempting to engage the audience, which doesn't work for me. I also wish she'd look into the camera more. She's avoiding eye contact like crazy, and that's the at-home viewer who wants to connect with her there. She doesn't need to get weird and pleady-eyed like Angie, but she should give some of her soulful looks. That said, it was easily the best vocal so far tonight. Beautiful and effortless. I think she could have done better with a more energetic song, but it was very good.
     Randy felt the disconnectedness I saw, and was hoping for something else. I guess I'd have liked something else. Mariah thought the song was very Kree, and felt she connected to the audience. I'm glad she says that, since Kree has been criticized for it. But she also prefers when Kree gets lost in the song and doesn't really pay attention to anything else. Mariah isn't really saying Kree didn't do this tonight, but I don't think she did, and I'm with Mariah in preferring that. Keith echoes Nicki's earlier comment bu saying all the girls' vocals are good, so it comes down to song choice, performance, and emotion. He misuses the word guttural, but feels like Kree didn't show enough of her gut in the song, though she's capable. I can see a little of that, but again I think it's because she was splitting her focus between the audience and the song, rather than losing herself in the singing completely.  Nicki compliments Kree's rockin outfit, but then says the performance wasn't Top 4 worthy. I don't know what she's talking about. She must really think Amber needs help to try so blatant a lie to knock Kree. I hope it backfires for her.
     Jimmy thinks it was the wrong song, but doesn't say why. Oddly, he also says he doesn't want to contribute to any smoke blowing---how could he when he's disparaging? Maybe he doesn't know what it means.

     Angie is her usual performing self at the children's hospital, which is good for them, but comes off very "I do my part" celeb. It's who she is, and it's marketable, so I guess it's fine. But she's not what I'd call sincere. She's singing Jessie J's "Who You Are." She's back at the piano, and thankfully is avoiding eye contact with the camera. Ooop---nope, then she goes with it as usual. Yikes! What's up with the bridge there? That was a mess. The slower parts and the choruses are okay, if over-exact in the "don'T lose"es. It sounds pretty nice. I like the softly broken end. There was definitely some weirdness, but all in all, I'd give her the best so far. Only because nobody else was that great. Maybe she ties with Kree because Kree's singing was perfect, but the performance was so lackluster. Angie gave a concert-worthy performance, even if it's a little wobbly.
     The judges give the usual standing O minus betrained Mariah. Mariah applauds the performance and encourages Angie to cultivate her songwriting talent. Keith found the representation of Angie as an artist in the song, in which she starts off perfect and then gets into it and more loose. It's true, and I guess that's why some of the messy bits are easier to forgive. Nicki thought it was exceptional and is very proud. Randy felt like it was Angie's own song and forgot about Jessie J. It was his favorite performance of the night, and that Angie's in it to win it.
     Angie's grandmother comes up and cries. She's holding a poster for Angie that looks very like a mock-up album cover. Very cute. Jimmy disgusts me by putting her in the same position as Amber. Come on, Jimmy. Get real.

     Kree is yoked with Amber for the first duet of the night, singing Adele's "Rumor Has It." What's wrong with Kree tonight? It's like someone has told her to be quiet. She even actually quiets down after she starts. And there's no snap. Amber comes in waveringly, like a girl singing on the street, sneering for no particular reason. Kree gets a little more power in her second line. Side by side it's easy to hear how Kree sings while Amber shouts. But Amber sounds okay. It's just clear that Kree is the superior vocalist, without even trying. Amber pushes. But Kree really looks dead tonight. I don't understand what's wrong. It looks like she's lost her fire, drive, and belief.
     Keith points out the difference between their performances, praising Amber's stance and Kree's vocals. Telling. But he asks them both to cut loose. Nicki says Amber dominated Kree in use of the stage, and encourages Kree to add more personality and connection to the performance as a duet.

     Angie and Candice are doing "Stay" by Rihana and Mikky Ekko. Immediately, Candice sets the scene. It feels real. Angie makes it more teen pop at first, but you can see she's trying to match Candice's natural power and presence. The first shared part is weirdly slow and lifeless. The second is a little off and poorly matched. I feel like neither of them know the song perfectly, so they're a little afraid, but they're still trying to go full force. Candice is more successful in convincing me. But they're both doing a good job and making a good effort. It's miles ahead of Kree and Amber, though again, I think on vocals alone, Kree was still the best. Perhaps only because Candice was a tad unsteady.
     The judges jump all over each other with complimenting it. They like attitude more than ability, clearly. But it did deserve a fair shake of accolade powder.

     Amber is in her fourth Whitney-imitation outfit of the night, starting off the second round. Yay! My choice of One-Hit Wonders was selected for the theme. It was clearly the best choice, because so few themes offer the opportunity for contestants to sing one-hit wonders. Whoa, Amber's singing "MacArthur Park," which I find hard to believe she even knew, much less chose. She clearly chose from a list if she chose at all. But I think it was fed to her. Yipes. This is not good. She's losing the ends of her lines and low notes. I like her lipstick, though. Cutely peachy and punchy. Ack. The long note is off, and then the second segment starts sounding off key. She's trying hard to be lively, but a lot of the song is just too low for her, and her voice disappears. She also keeps making a weird face she's never made before, unattractively showing off her upper gums. The sense of the song as a whole is bouncy, with her literally bouncing too much, her voice bouncing down too low and then all around the notes, and diving up and down. It's like something you hear in the background and say "what's that wailing?" at the loudest moments. This is one of her worst performances. The judges will have to see that.
     You've got to be kidding me. Randy and Mariah are standing. Keith says she's dominating and that it was incredible. Are they high? Nicki calls Amber a blooming flower. She says she's effervescent and compliments the lipstick, though she doesn't like the necklace or shoes (I agree). She also says that of the girls left in the competition, Amber is the one she'd want to get to know. She doesn't know what that means, but I do: Nicki Minaj doesn't like people who are better than she is. But we already knew that, because of how she treats Mariah. It does say a lot about marketability, though. I agree that Amber would appeal to a large segment of teens. But I think Angie would also, and she would produce higher quality music. Randy's been hitting the crack pipe, saying Amber was crystal clear, in tune, and piercing. Piercing, yes. Randy wants to sign her. Mariah sees Amber's inner glow, which sure, that was there. But then she also says that her low notes were rich, full, and gorgeous, which is definitely more crack talk from the pipe the judges passed, because unless Mariah is some kind of low-tone hearing animal, she heard what didn't exist. Crackers, all of them. Yes, Amber is giving star quality, but she's giving crap vocals, and this is a singing competition. Amber lies outright that she's been holding out to give great performances at the end of the competition. Yeah, right. I don't understand what's going on here. The whole reaction to Amber makes me feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone. They must just really want to promote her, so they don't want even a hint of criticism in case she goes this week like she should.
     I have no hope for a different opinion from Jimmy, but he actually gives me one! He didn't buy the song, and found it corny. I agree, the song is weird, but I think he's intentionally glossing over the fact that Amber also sucked at it.

     Candice is singing the Bee Gees' (Samantha Sang's) "Emotion." Ooo. I love this song. I can't imagine her singing it. Let's hope that's a good combination. It sounds very modern, despite the totally wrong backup singers---though I guess they're necessary to the call-and-response element of the song. But you didn't really need to keep that, I don't think. No, because I sing that backup part when I sing. The backup singers REALLY detract from the performance. Candice is excellent, but they suck, and they keep singing. Candice is really incredible, but they were like a horrible curtain hanging over the whole thing. Without them, she could have had the best performance of the night. As it was, it came off as maybe a tie for the top or in second place so far.
     Nicki liked it, calls Candice a superhero, and then starts going off on the completely separate topic of Jimmy's comment on Amber! It just shows you how focused on Amber the judges are. They're nearly ignoring Candice to continue to talk about Amber! Yet Nicki's admitting that the judges were mainly complimenting Amber on her growth and holding long notes! Hilarious. Yes, that means Amber should win. What BS. Then they return to Candice. Randy thought it was great, crazy vocals. Mariah praises Candice's ability to maintain the quality of her voice throughout the competition, but then it's revealed that Candice has a terrible cold. Unbelievable! She was stellar in this song. But maybe that explains the little wobbles in the first song and the duet. Still, I'd have never guessed she had a cold. A big wow, and kudos to Candice once again. Keith is missing more current songs in the realm of one-hit wonders, especially an awesome ballad. Well, we have two more to go.
     The judges claimed they always disagree with Jimmy, so he's come out to talk to them . He defends his statement that Amber can't sing corn, and says they seemed like they were smoking some of the green icing off the MacArthur Park cake. So again, we're in agreement. He's also right in saying Candice was better than Amber in that round, and then forces the judges to say it. They do, though Mariah is insisting he's comparing different things. Really? I don't think so. Randy claims they were both great, but they weren't.
    
     Kree has donned a sexy black jumpsuit (okay, it could be lower cut) for song number two, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harem, possibly the best one-hit wonder ever. Also a terrifying choice in my opinion, but if anyone could do it, it's Kree. Please, please do it, Kree! i know you can. Sounds like it's going to be a straight-up interpretation. On the second "and so it was" she really let go, but apart from that it was a little restrained. Perfect, lovely, but not haunting like the song can be, and not lost in her mind or the meaning of the song. I didn't feel she was there in the room (of the lyrics). It was still really good for this competition, but not compared to the song itself. I think it. . .it's hard because Candice would have been so good without those backup singers. . . but I think this may have been the best of the night. Definitely vocally. Maybe tied when you account for performance. I don't know.
     Randy admits that singing will never be Kree's issue, and says she sang her face off. Mariah says she is going to download Kree's version and that she accentuated the song. Keith is not in "agreeance" because he feels that Kree didn't choose an intimate, vulnerable  or all-out rockin' song. Maybe he doesn't know the intimate quality of Whiter Shade of Pale, or didn't feel it here. Nicki chastises Keith for his comment, and says Kree's heart and soul was in it and her voice was pretty and angelic. But she still thinks Kree will be in the bottom because there's something inside dimming. But she says even if she leaves, Kree will put out a multi-platinum album. Randy and Mariah say she's not leaving anyway. Good to hear. I guess I can understand what Nicki is saying, because I was pretty much saying the same thing, but I don't know why it's happening and would like to stop it. I don't think it was helpful of Nicky to just say it's a reason Kree will leave, rather than encouraging her to inject some of that fire back into her performances. I think that's all she needs. But that's because Nicki wants Amber in the final three, so she's trying every method possible to get her there. It really makes me angry that any of them would try to say Amber outdoes Kree in anything other than wearing short, colorful outfits. Ryan praises the song and Kree explains how she has loved it, and is a fan of Percy Sledge, who does a great cover version.

     Angie is doing one of my favorite songs, "Cry Me A River," which irks me, because Angie is such a pain in the ass. But let's see how she does it. I don't really like her personal choices (or the version she's chosen), but it sounds really good. No mistakes at all other than a tiny dead spot in the last "river." Angie doesn't have the same awesome, unusual voice as Kree, but it was very good, as good as she can be with a straight song like this one, and it was a strong performance.
     I agree with Mariah that this is more of a classic and less of a one-hit wonder, but whatever. Mariah diplomatically says that America will have a hard time deciding. Nicki says Angie came out to snatch some wigs tonight, which is the best judge commentary of the season. Randy claims Angie took the night, and is in it to win it.      


     Tonight was weird, and it doesn't change the way I feel about who should be in the top three, but there was unusual shuffling that left me a little confused. For the first time, I think Candice has landed in position three, or at least in a three-way tie for first place. I think it's obvious that the producers are pushing for Amber and Angie, and there were messages on that track throughout the night, not the least of which was wardrobe: very subdued outfits for Candice and Kree, colorful and daring for Amber and Angie. But I hope the voters use their heads and vote for who is actually the best, not who was wearing the cutest colors. I like that Ryan appeared to be pointing to Kree during the whole "you have to vote for your favorite" bit. And the audience seemed to be saying they chose Kree and Angie.


Tonight's Ranking:

1. & 2. Tied between Kree and Angie. Angie delivered more polished, professional performances with passably professional vocals, but Kree delivered spotless vocals with her unique sound.
3. Candice (and it's a close third, especially considering she had a cold!)
4. Amber

Who should go? AMBER AMBER AMBER AMBER AMBER AMBER. She fine, she's cute, but she's just out of the league of the other girls in this competition. Please get her out of here. Please do not reward style over substance. This canNOT go on, she just can't replace any of the other three for a final three. It would be so incredibly wrong. I don't care how marketable she is. She's just not as good a vocalist.

AI Season 12 - 5 Remain - Who Run the World?

     Five remain, and it's the girls running the show. Of course, as I said from the start, the producers stacked the decks that way so as to avoid another male winner, since their biggest hitmakers to date have been two girls, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Deck as it is, I was glad to see Lazaro finally leave, because that was getting disturbingly painful.

     I actually hope that the boys' demise is not only because of the stacked deck. I'd like to think this generation of teens is losing their catty, competitive bitchiness and have growing numbers of wistful, aspiring dreamers. It just makes for a happier future.

     Ryan gives a poor "we care" pantomime to acknowledge the Boston Marathon bombings. I don't know if I've taken the time to say it, but this year it really hit me (if it hasn't before) that although Ryan tries his best to do a spot-on Dick Clark impersonation in every way, he fails no matter what, because Dick Clark's Dick Clarkiness was original and innate. There was a sincerity and natural ease about him that Ryan can never duplicate, because his Dick Clarkiness is a carefully studied pose, and carefully thought-out presentation. That's why he has trouble ad-libbing or going off script for any reason, and isn't the best at interacting with contestants on a level that shows real caring and connection. Anyone who used to watch American Bandstand knows exactly what I mean. I think anyone who would truly compare with Dick Clark would have to come by it by talent, heart, work, and smart planning coincidentally equal to his. Ryan is more like a smiley echo. I don't believe there's substance at the heart f it. Smarts and drive, for sure; heart and soul, I don't feel it.

     Back to the real show! It's another doubleheader, songs from your birth year and diva songs. Candice is up first with "Straight Up" from 1989. Somehow she knows what the year was like, even though she was born in November. Coaching to song choice, anyone? I know this is obvious by now, but I wish they would just admit to it on the show. She's going cool jazzy in her version of it. It sounds way updated, like an Erykah Badu version or something. I like it. I feel like she could release it as a successful remake. It's different enough to make it worthwhile, more current, and her vocals are spot-on.
     It's funny how Candice looks so relaxed and confident when she sings, then immediately looks humble and a little nervous when she stops to wait for judgment. No worries, Candice!
     Keith says he never realized it was such a great song. (Paula Abdul says "Thanks, Keith!") Nicki congratulates Candice on making it to the top 5 and makes a note of the fact that she failed to make it last season and was strong enough to keep trying. Nicki feels te song was always good, but liked this version of it too. Randy liked the arrangement and like me, felt it was more modern. Mariah always seems to be last. She thought it was unpredictable, smart, and a genius song to use. Feel-good, Candified. And Ryan prompts Candice to credit Janelle with helping her pick the song. Anything that helps Janelle is fine by me, and I hope this does, and doesn't hurt her since Candice was so fantastic!

     A new element is added here that I've wished for before: Jimmy Iovine comments, not on elimination night when it's too late to consider them, but right after the judges, so you can think about what he has to say. He thought she should have chosen a bigger song that shows the range of her capability. I disagree. She did a lot with a little, and showing that she could do that was impressive.

     Janelle is next, with Vince Gill's "When I Call Your Name." She's got her guitar as the judges requested, but this time I don't think she really needs it. She's just got it. Maybe having it relaxes her a little, though, because she really is going for it. The louder, higher parts of the song sound terrific, but the lower, quieter few words almost sound like a little talking whisper. I don't know if it's too low for her or if she's just singing too quietly. It's only the occasional word at the end of a line, though (maybe 4 words total), so it's not too much of a detraction. The performance on the whole was liltingly beautiful.
     Nicki has the same thought that I did about the guitar providing a level of relaxation that makes the performance go more smoothly. She points out there is something inauthenticity when the guitar is replaced by other movements. Randy agrees, and feels it was beautiful, completely honest and open. Mariah believed it, and heard her singing with her whole heart. She suggests there were little things to pick apart, but doesn't think they're worth bothering with. Yikes! Keith didn't get emotion from her. I don't see how. Yes, she put more runs into it, but I felt emotion in the runs, and they seemed completely natural. I don't know what he's talking about. I do know what he means about the guitar, in the fact that she didn't really use it and could have just sat there or stood there and sung. But without it, I don't think she would have, and that's key. Mariah cuts in to have the last word in Janelle's favor, repeating vehemently that the performance brought her to tears.
     Jimmy doesn't want to work with Janelle, and his assessment of her performance as "Row Row Row Your Boat" showed that to the height of cruelty. It's not enough, he complains, because he would find it easier to market Amber, and he knows they are the two most likely to bottom this week.

     Kree is up next, the Snow White baby of 1990. She looks just like her mother! That would be a nice thing to carry with you if you lost your mother. I was obsessed with my own cowboy boots at about the same age as Kree, but mine were regular saddle brown, not red. They were AWESOME, though. I think we still have them around the house somewhere, or did before my cousin threw out everything.
     Kree has made the brilliant choice of singing "She Talks to Angels" by the Black Crowes. It kind of weirds me out that she was born the year this came out, because she seems so mature but that tells me how young she really is (although she's older than many contestants). It also bothers me that she says "whoever wrote this song." Well, the Robinson brothers did, right? Or do you not really know the song? I credited her with choosing it, because I am loath to buy that any producer would suggest she sing it, but then that statement confused me.
     She doesn't think people would expect her to sing this song, but I totally would. The Black Crowes sound very bluesy, but blues is close to country in many areas, and this song could easily cross over. Plus Kree can easily cross over to blues, or even rock.
     I think she's singing this a little too upbeat and emptily. It's weird to me, because I never have this issue with her. The delivery is fine, but I don't like the performance at all. I don't think she does know the song, or if she does, she isn't thinking about what it means. The vocals are great, but I think the connection sucked, and even the connection to the audience seemed forced and fake. This was the worst performance I've seen from her.
     Randy had the opposite reaction to me. He felt emotion, but didn't think the vocals were flawless. I think Mariah saw a bit of what I did: Kree was trying very hard to "perform" this, with the awkward calling out to the audience "where you at?" and all that. Oy. Tonight was not organic and authentic. I agree that the way she usually sings is better and what would keep her here. Keith agrees, but excuses the false front and awkwardness to the restrictions and demands of the show. Nicki sides with Randy, and says it was the best performance of the night. Well, I do like Kree, and think she should win (or Candice), so I guess that's good. But for the first time, I'm not 100% about her anymore. I really don't like that she couldn't see this song for what it is and present it that way. It's almost like she never heard the original.
     Jimmy is booed until nearly unintelligible as he says Kree's performance wasn't enough. Surprisingly, he blames it on the song! Lame, Jimmy. The song is awesome, and she could have made it legendary.

     Ryan took us out to the break with a photo of a white baby, asking if you could guess who it was. Hmm . . . Amber and Angie are left to perform. . . which one of them was a white baby. . . I give up, Ryan. Angie's mother looks less pretty than ever before in the year of birth package. Oddly, she looks a little forest elfin, and then Angie comes on to say that when she was born, she looked like an elf! So you got it from your mom, Angie. but your mom is prettier than you now, because you got the Miley mouth from somewhere. Oh! Mom kind of has the Miley mouth. So you'll probably grow into it nicely.
     There is an awkward pause accented by a little snare drum zazzle before Angie's version of "I'll Stand By You" begins. She still deftly dedicates it to her home, Boston (her small town is a suburb), and starts on point. Her voice is higher and thinner than it's sounded in the past, and the starts to sing the wrong line at "when the night falls on you," but covers so seamlessly it almost sounds like she sings over her own voice! The way she phrases the lines sounds a little like someone who learned it in a second language. Did Celine Dion cover this? The "nothing you confess" sounds like her phrasing. "If you're mad geT mad" is way too overpronounced. She was slow on the cue at "standing at the crossroads." I feel like this is under-rehearsed, and though she's doing a good job singing it, I don't feel the emotion that should be there. If she really felt it, she should hardly be able to sing. But no, like the dedication, it's robot time, as if she practiced in the mirror last night trying to say "home" mournfully. You got it to sound like the Quantum Leap intro, Angie, which I did always think sounded mournful. But the song didn't sound full of much emotion. It did feel strong, which is good, but not a compassionate strong. Of course the judges aren't going to say much for a dedicated performance.
     Mariah praises Chrissie Hynde, but refers to her in the past tense for some reason. Keith praises the piano and the song choice, and wants her to hit the road. Nicki praises the piano, the outfit, and the dedication. Randy calls the "shout out" amazing, and says all the girls of the top five are incredible.
     Jimmy claims "I'll Stand By You" is a "subtle record," and that only Angie's performance of it made it into a power ballad. News to me! I always thought it was that on its own. Jimmy just wants Angie to score well, and I don't blame him. I find her incredibly marketable.

     Amber stands uncomfortably next to Jonelle, a fan she is pretending to connect with. Good thought, producers who want Amber to stay, but it plays fake, fake, fake, SETUP! Amber, coincidentally a Houston baby ("What?! Oh my god! Houston! She's Whitney Houston?! Oh. . . born in Houston? Hmm. . . that's like, the same thing though, right?"), explains how she was the most beautiful baby in the world. No surprise, considering she's still so beautiful now, right, right, right? Selfie!
     Amber's doing the cheat move in singing a cover from the year she was born, "Without You" as covered by Mariah Carey. No surprise she has to fall upon a cheat to get the effect she's aiming for. But I don't think she's really getting it. She's singing too softly, and the low end of the key she's in is too low for her. The chorus gets boggy because it starts too low for her, and the vocalistics she uses in the end of it make her soar off key. Bleh. This is the worst she's done in a while. It wasn't that shouty, except at the end, but it was very pitchy, as they like to say on this show.
     Of course, the judges all stand.Keith says it was beautiful, and calls the nasal, off-key shouts of the end "blooms." Nicki is shameless in confessing she only knows Mariah's version of the song (what?!), but points out there was something missing in the low end. She says it was emotion, I say it was singing. She excuses it as a bit of nerves, but says she was restricted and unimpressive. Wow, thanks Nicki, for telling the truth. Randy admits it wasn't perfect, but then somehow excuses it because it was done in front of Mariah. Not an excuse in my book. And why did you stand, then, Randy? because you're a suckup to Amber? I think so. Randy and Mariah agree it was a damn good job, and Mariah agrees with an audience member that people should vote for Amber. I never think these blatant orders from the judges are appropriate, no matter the reason. Mariah goes on to talk about herself for a while, and how she brilliantly realized this song could be an international hit (because it already had been?) At least she credits Harry Nilsson for having written it.
     Jimmy comes on to say he agrees with Nicki that the lower register wasn't emotive enough (it's called no voice, people!) but somehow still gives Amber the second spot of the night! He must be smoking something. No, of course not, he's just going by what he wants, not by what is. So far tonight the ranking has been Candice, Angie or Janelle, Kree, and Amber easily comes in last.

     Round two is the Divas (female powerhouse) songs. Candice has chosen "When You Believe," the Mariah-Whitney duet. I expect she'll get Mariah much better than Amber did. She reminds me of Natasha Bedingfield as she starts off. It's haunting and strong. I don't really love this song, I find it Disney-esque, but Candice does a professional job with it. Her voice is shown off well, and the backup singers compliment without overshadowing her at all. There's maybe one moment of wiggle in the vocal gymnastics, but otherwise it's perfect.
     The judges agree, and this time they really all stand, even the girls. I'm glad she's done this, because she's just shown that you can sing a Mariah song in front of Mariah, and it doesn't have to be the fail Amber just perpetrated. Nicki says how she used to cry singing along with that song as a little girl, while Mariah stands by stoically thinking "not too little!!" Nicki then throws her a bone by saying it was a pairing of divas that has never happened since. Randy says Candice's voice is one of the best in the known world. Mariah gives high praise, Keith praises Mariah's praise, and swathes Candice with love and compliments.
     
     Janelle is going with her personal diva of Dolly Parton, singing "Dumb Blonde." The dedication is sweet, but Janelle is all power as she enters the stage. She quavers off key on "don't try to make me," but it could have been a quirk of her voice. Until she does it again with "flew too high." There's something going wrong with that set of notes for some reason. Then it sounds like the timing went a little off. It sounded like the band's fault, but but I really don't know. There's also times when a lot of vibrato is in her voice that usually isn't there. Could be nerves. But the performance was actually one of her best, really strong and confident and natural and fun. It reminded me a little of Lauren Alaina when she was on the show. It was a fun set, but it didn't raise or lower her for the show, in my opinion.
     Randy seems to agree with me almost exactly. Mariah understands, but found it "pow," but agreed that America should get to hear her vocal chops. Keith thirds the opinion, saying that he doesn't place Dumb Blonde high up in the Dolly Parton catalog. He praises her voice and her unique abilities, but says this choice didn't let them shine. I know Nicki's going to say Amber doesn't belong in the same tier as the others, no matter how "careful" she's claiming to be. She says Janelle is in danger of going home, which is true, because she's third or fourth overall no matter how you call tonight. I guess Nicki is doing her a small favor by possibly inspiring people to vote to help her out, and praising what she'll be able to do in the real world no matter how she ultimately places in the competition.
     Let's see how Jimmy's going to knock her down now. Oh, wait, there was no Jimmy after Candice's last performance. I guess they only used him for round one.

     Kree is singing "Have You Ever Been In Love" by Celine Dion. She steps on the opening cue by starting while the audience is still clapping. Here she has the solemnity and gravity she should have had for She Talks to Angels, but here it's a downer. Her dress is beautiful, but her pink lipstick is horrible. Her voice is lovely and strong, but her expression is pained. It's emotional, but it looks like she hasn't ever been in love like that, or if she has she lost it and she's pissed. I didn't hear the mystery and promise that is in the Celine Dion version. This was better than the first performance, but it's still not up to Kree standard tonight, and Candice has just solidly staked her top spot position.
     Looks like the standing judges disagree with me. Mariah calls it a smart choice, but does point out the little flaw somewhere. Keith thought it was beautiful, and felt she was in control. Nicki says Kree is a worldly icon-level star with longevity. I agree, but i didn't favor that performance. The dress and hairdo were very Adele, and I think that's where Nicki pulled that from.

     Angie comes back with a Beyoncé song ("Halo") and Rose McGowan's Oscar dress from 1998 (with a black liner). I always thought this song was Rihanna because it's just as repetitive as Umbrella, and I wondered why she sang it well when she really doesn't have a great voice. By being Beyoncé, I guess. Angie is highlighting her flaws here, missing low end notes and getting breathy in quiet moments. She will never stop overpronouncing, either. WriTTen. It's slightly out of control at points, but it's pretty damn good. She got that gargle from last week in her voice again just in the last notes of "fade away," but apart from that a the few little messy bits in the slow beginning, it was good. She's got second place for me tonight.
     Keith proclaims "top three," Nicki says she's back and it was like a queen, Randy says she's in it to win it, and Mariah praises her ability to sing the idiosyncratic Beyoncé's tune.

     Ryan announced Amber's performance as a showstopper even before she was onstage. Interesting. Amber is doing Barbra Streisand's "What Are You Doing With the Rest of Your Life." I think she's set a task for herself, but it's a fun one. She goes flat or off here and there, and to me it's showing exactly the problem with her being here. I think she's just too young and inexperienced, vocally. She has a good voice. It sounds pretty a lot here. But she can't use it to its full potential, and while this is pretty, it's only too obvious that she just doesn't have what a real diva and what some of the girls here have. And she's still just not producing sound on the low end (for example, on "asleep" in "what's asleep in your eyes"). It was fine, very good for a high-end gala of some kind, or when a pop singer does a serious song. But she's no iconic diva vocalist. There was nothing particularly special or incredible about what she did. It was just fine.
     As usual, the suckup judges are here to stand and say "ohhh, the best!, ohhh, ohh!!" Luckily, America has ears and they are the ones voting. Nicki calls it perfection, and says America may not get this beautiful human being or give Amber the credit she deserves. Dumbass Amber nods righteously. Now that insures you'll get what you deserve, Amber! Randy agrees, then calls her a young Rihanna. That's pretty hilarious. I won't disagree, Randy, since Rihanna sucks. Mariah calls it classic and beautiful, says she's "potentially a massive star" (faint praise in my book), and once again unfairly urges America (i.e., all Mariah's fans) to vote for Amber. Keith claims it was such a difficult song to sing and says she knocked it out of the park. What are they all doing? Why do they all push Amber so much? I guess the producers have told them to. I don't understand it, but I guess they have their reasons. But I would think it would be better for them to get real votes, not culled votes, so they know who will really sell singles. Mariah's not going to be there with every one of Amber's singles saying "PLEASE pay 99¢ for this."

     Tonight was weird, but at this point, it's no longer just about each show's performance, it's a lot about liking the contestant as a whole. So there's the ranking for the night, but then there's still the solid top two (Candice and Kree) and the next tier of Angie and Janelle, followed by the unimpressive Amber. So even though Kree's unforgivable performance of "She Talks to Angels" landed her fourth in my ranking, she's still one of my top two favorites overall.


Tonight's Ranking:

1. Candice
2. Angie
3. Janelle
4. Kree
5. Amber

Who should go? Amber, definitely. She's America's least favorite, and with reason, whatever the producers think or the judges say. I would say Janelle is next closest in danger, but it really should be Amber who leaves.
    

AI Season 12 - 6 Remain

     Last week Burnell went, a small travesty considering Lazaro remains, but not a big deal since it should have been Burnell or Amber leaving this week if Lazaro had left (rightly) last week. I don't know why Janelle was holding up her hands and shaking her head when they didn't use the save on Burnell. It would only endanger her if he were added back. I was very nervous for her near the end there.

     This week I was lucky enough to catch a large part of the show live, and even vote! My sister and I split our votes for Kree and Janelle. I would have given some to Candice too, had I gotten her number, but I was mainly thinking of voting for Janelle because I think she needs it more, and of the three, she's the only one the judges wouldn't save. In spite of the 500 or so votes we were able to give her, I'm obviously still concerned. I think the country fan base is split between Janelle and Kree, and properly favoring Kree even though both of them could have successful careers and would be offering different styles (though in the similar vein).

     Lazaro is really starting to annoy me with his cockiness. I understand it's good for him to have confidence when he's been put down by so many people for his troubles throughout his life, but you can't go in the complete opposite end of the spectrum and expect that will be embraced. An arrogant ass is an arrogant ass even if he started off as a shy, retiring dreamer.

     I quickly guessed the theme of the first part of the show, Burt Bacharach (how come people always say it like baccarat when it's clearly Bacharach?)/Hal David songs, though we came in on Lazaro. As soon as Kree started, it was obvious. But at first I didn't realize this was a two-round show. We were eating at a local spot with TVs at each table, so we weren't able to stay to the end, because we weren't there for two hours. But it was enough to vote on for sure! To write about, I had to watch a copy of the show at home.

     Angie is just very fake and Disney Channel for me. Even her homemade YouTube videos look contrived. It doesn't mean she's not talented. She sings beautifully. But it doesn't reach me. I could see singing along with it mindlessly on the radio, but I wouldn't buy it. Maybe once she gets older and goes through something, she'll have something real to express. On rare occasions, it's there already. But most of the time it seems like she's just performing.
     Seems like Keith totally agrees with me! She has no passion. The singing is too easy and there's no humanity. Wow, he read my mind. Nicki agrees! She feels maybe it's the song. I agree with Nicki that on occasion before there has been some passion. But I'm thinking of her own song and the one Colton Dixon song she did as I say that, which means 2 out of at least 7 performances from her. Perhaps, as Randy suggests, she's not digesting the lyrics. Randy reveals what has been clear all season, no matter what BS they're peddling about the contestants "choosing" the songs: usually these contestants don't really know the songs they're "choosing," so they have to learn how to understand the songs as well as memorize the lyrics. Mariah wants to say the same thing but aim it differently. She blames it on pronunciation. Usually I'd agree, but in this case that didn't stand out to me, it was more just her over-polished yet blandly vacant delivery. Angie promises more passion, then tries to hypnotize voters with an eerily empty Osmond stare.

     Irritating Amber is up next. At least she has the interesting quirk of being too impatient to microwave frozen shrimp. She cooks them in her mouth instead. Bleh. I am as lazy as the next lazy person and I love me some shrimp, but seriously---dump four on a plate and microwave them for 40 seconds!
     Amber is wearing an ill-adjusted strapless pantsuit as she sings "I Say A Little Prayer for You." She sounds a little better than usual for me. It's more relaxed, less shouty. But there's still a little lack of control, some wobbling when she goes low or very high. In the bridge she goes shouty. But on the whole it's a lot better than she's been since top 20 or 10. The high notes at the end are nice and clear.
     As usual, the judges, led by Nicki, are over the top with unwarranted praise. She in no way deserves to be the favorite of the competition. this was just fine, not spectacular. If the song didn't sound old-fashioned, that was thanks to the song and not to her, given that she did a straightforward, unchanged copy of it. Randy claims the arrangement is tricky, but it's the same regular arrangement---I believe that's called the bridge, Randy. Mariah recognizes it as the bridge. She also admits there were some small mistakes, yet she still claims it was an A+ performance. Keith may be right that Amber doesn't oversing by making things overly ornate, but she certainly gets too loud and strained.

     I can't believe Anthony Hopkins is there! Strange and impressive for the contestants.    

     Lazaro is here to murder "Close to You," after a bizarre package that claims he loves to hunt but makes such a joke of things it's hard to tell if it's serious or just a gag. Probably the way they wanted it, since so many sheeplike teens are all "eww, hunting, so mean! :(" Either way, Lazaro has no mercy when it comes to Carpenters songs.
     He starts off with his usual heavily accented delivery, with "burrz" suddenly appearing. He's started in a key that sounds too low for him, but then is straining to reach the high notes. What? Is your range really that limited, Lazaro? How have you gotten even close to this far? The feel is very slow and loungy. I love an old loungy sound,  but this is wrong. And what evil wardrobe member put him in a horizontally patterned suit? The boy is relatively slim, but has something going on with his hips and butt that needs to be diminished, not highlighted. This outfit makes the worst of everything. Much like Lazaro is doing to the song after the key move up---an ugh nightmare. All of "That is why all the boys in town follow you around" was painful. I love this song, have terrific memories of it, and I'm lucky enough that they can survive this massacre. But even the audience must have recognized this horror, because the applause was as politely smattered as it gets with an AI live studio, where I'm sure they have signs directing them to applaud.
     Randy is understandably speechless. He isn't too nice to say it was horrible. I agree, it was the worst performance yet. It seriously calls into question how Lazaro is still here. Mariah laughs and quickly explains it's because of Randy's honesty. She agrees with Randy and points out that Lazaro missed the key change and stayed singing in the wrong key, which ends the song and is "kind of a big deal." I agree. I agree with Mariah that Lazaro is best when he gets to the loud, powerful parts. Last week I pointed out to my mother "he'll be better in this part" when I knew such a section of song was coming, and of course he was. But you can't be a singer that way! In "Close to You," he basically only had "in your eyes of blue" to emit power through, and that was it. Keith is his routinely diplomatic self, although when he was mentioning Lazaro's fans loving him, it sounded like he said "they will still laugh for you" or "they will still lie for you" after tonight, which is absolutely accurate, but must have been intended as "they will still love you after tonight." Keith wouldn't be that cruelly honest! Nicki smirks beside him. Keith also points out that Lazaro started too low, thus forcing himself to sing sharp, then skips the key change. Nicki skips her opportunity to give the same criticism as everyone else, using timesaving as an excuse. Lazaro doesn't miss his own opportunity to give an excuse, claiming that they "shanged the keys a lot and it was too low, too high." It's called having no range, Lazaro.

     Kree's brother has the crazy eyes, and looks a lot like some actor with similarly crazy eyes. Hmm. . . he played someone who snorted and laughed weirdly as a date on some sitcom. Or Ally McBeal? He was Seinfeldianly "perfect but" this one inexcusable quirk. Anyway, that's who her brother looks like. Kree claims we don't know she sang at rodeos, but I feel like they told us that before, somewhere along the way. Oh, not that she sand at them, but that she loves them. Well, I'd assume so if she sang at them all her life.
     The a capella beginning of "What the World Needs Now" is stunning. Her voice is gorgeous. I find this song hard to sing because the notes are kind of odd choices (outside of the chorus), but she has no problems. It's tempting and honeyed. She was simple and magnificent. Her outfit was boring as usual---I don't understand why wardrobe insists on always putting her in slim black jeans and a billowy blouse. What a copout.
     Mariah compliments Kree on the arrangement and delivery. She then introduces a new can of worms of criticism that's news to me. Apparently someone (no one I've ever heard) has said that Kree is lacking emotion when she sings. That's hilarious! Who is saying that? Kree is pretty much the most sincere, honest singer here. Probably matched with Candice on that. Candice was criticized for her "face" when she sings, though I didn't understand that. I don't recall anyone ever mentioning anything amiss with Kree's honest emotion. Nicki predicts Kree will be at the Country Music Awards next year and every year following. Randy agrees with her and everyone else, then points out that Kree, and not "the last performer" (Lazaro, for those of us not too chicken to say it), is what this show is all about.

     Janelle is up next, and her shocking skeleton in the closet was that she played a boy in an eight grade play. Me too, Janelle. I was Macduff in King Lear. The next year I was a Peer in Iolanthe. I think I had a brief respite for a couple of years, when I got to play a Scottish whore and some Old West gal among other things, but then I was cast as a man again, a king of France. Granted, I went to an all-girls' school, but I was fed up by then, and quit drama. It only takes a handful of times being cast as a real manly man in a play for a girl to get fed up. One time ain't no thang, Janelle. And I'm guessing your casting was due to lack of males interested in drama! As they should be, when whores get the coolest costumes.
     Janelle has a slightly uneasy start (less than one line) but quickly gains confidence and is on a roll with "What Do You Get When You Fall In Love?" Her voice yodels slightly and breaks scratchily (appealingly) in just the right places. She sweetly woos Keith even as she claims she'll never fall in love again. She looks gorgeous, feels comfortable with the song, and sounds pretty darn terrific. The arrangement was mostly traditional and therefore sounded a little Love Boat or Mandrell Sisters at times, but it was pleasant and well done.
     Keith claims he's heard a different side of her with the song. Nicki and Janelle exchange superficial compliments, then Nicki says while she thinks Janelle can be a success, this was boring. I wouldn't say that. Randy agrees a bit with Nicki, saying that there should be more treats in the arrangement to show off Janelle's abilities. I can understand that. I don't quite know what Mariah's talking about, and I don't care. Janelle admits her real surprise story with Ryan: although she's allergic, she's chosen to wear a feather necklace! Not the best idea when breathing is a part of singing. Or life.

     Candice reveals that she speaks a South Carolinian dialect called Gichi. Sounds like a kind of pidgeon. She claims it cuts 30 seconds of talking down to 10 seconds, but it sounds like it adds time in every example shown in the package. Examples: "Y'all come yah" = Come here, "Gal, move now, cause I been a sit here" = I was sitting here. I agree it sounds a little like Jamaican.
     Candice is sexy and sultry with "Don't Make Me Over." Her high notes are sweet and alluring, and she happily veers away from the low blehs I hate except for a portion of one line ("always be by my side"). She's awesome, powerful, beautiful. It sounds old fashioned but in a fantastic, gold standard way. The judges all stand (except Mariah, who has the perpetual wardrobe excuse pass).
     Nicki disagrees with me about the song sounding old fashioned. I think she has to in order to love the performance as much as she did. Randy continues his cliches of "this is what the show is all about" and "she's in it to win it." He points out the "candy" treats she included, which is I suppose the "cookies" treats he wanted from Janelle. Keith puts her in his top three for the night. Well, duh, Keith, she should have been in everyone's top three overall last week. Those top threes including Amber were inexcusable. No top three should lack Kree or Candice, and the third should be Angie or Janelle. Amber being near any top three is just plain wrong. Do the judges not hear her hollering almost every song? I guess not. I wish Simon were still here.

     Round Two! Songs the contestants wish they wrote. Aw, crap. Well, at least we've culled the herd. Maybe these contestants can actually pick good songs. But it kind of hurts to hear the songs teenagers wish they wrote. This would be a much better segment if the contestants were a little older and were judging from a place of a little more life experience, as well as more musical experience (for some of them).

     Angie fancies herself an edgy, knowledgeable music connoisseur, so it's no surprise she picks a "fresh young artist" just perfect for the soundtrack of a TV show or commercial aimed at emo Christian teen girls, "Love Came Down" by Kari Jobe, who likes to put a bird on it, judging by her album cover. Angie's also gotten herself back to the piano, because she'd be a fool not to heed the repeated, insistent urging of the judges.
     I'm not sure why Angie wishes she had written this song---maybe because it's not that impressive and she could have? It's pretty, but it's simple and obvious. The drumming in the background sounds sickeningly machinelike, and the weird birds background is unsettling. There's some very freaky vibrating in her voice when she says her second to last "I-I-I-I am yours." The real bird is a welcome relief. The weird "I" vibrate returns to the last line. Is that some kind of effect or is she doing it? It sounds like she's using the back of her tongue to rhythmically stop the sound as it exits her throat. Sort of Tarzan call-ish, too. The rest of the singing is fine, a little yelly at points. She's posing for Animal Crackers throughout as usual, and the general gist of the song is "I am yours" repeated again and again. It was okay, and better than she has been without the piano recently, but not her best by far. And she really needs to quit the moony faces at the camera.
     The judges praise the performance and the fact that she was at the piano. The piano, they expound, the piano! It's Angie. Keith applauds the freaky birds visualizer. Nicki reiterates her Candice/Kree/Amber trifecta, but now she allows Angie a possibility in there. Thank the lord for a small measure of sense.
 
     Amber arrives onscreen once again shamelessly wardrobed in early Whitney Houston costuming. "Let's win her some votes by fooling people!" they must cackle. "Spraypainted  jackets and big curls will make everyone think she's Whitney singing "How Will I Know?" Or not. At least not for those of us who remember what Whitney's voice sounded like!
     Amber wishes she'd written "Love on Top" by Beyoncé. She, of course, was put on top by the guy she was dating. How could it be otherwise with one as perfect as she is? she coos.  As it starts, it looks like she's fake singing along with a group, which I don't understand. She sounds like she's having trouble with the lower notes. And then some higher ones. She just doesn't have control over her voice or her breath. Here comes the shouting again, in the chorus. How come no judge ever has anything to say about this? The high "oo" bits are nice, but the rest is nasal and just average at best. She sounds very young and not special at all. But maybe the garbage lies the judges have been pushing the past couple weeks will continue to propel her on through the competition.
     As if she heard me, Mariah insists, "Yes Amber, America loves you," which obviously isn't true, or she wouldn't ever have been in the bottom, and she has been. It was only with careful but deliberate and unrelenting promotion from the judges that she pulled out. Not Mariah's favorite vocal, though---oh, only because she's "so good." Everyone blows smoke up Amber's ass like they've been paid to. I have no clue why they always do this. It really irks me, because she's not that great.

     She is better than Lazaro, who unfortunately is singing "Angels" by Robbie Williams, which I like. Didn't he sing this in auditions? At least it has some power sections where he can sound okay. Too bad it also has a lot of quiet sections where he's bound to fall flat. I don't understand why he's so unsteady and muffly in the quiet parts even in songs he knows well and loves. But it's not good. The power parts are a big improvement. You don't have to have the most spectacular voice to sing this song well (shown by Robbie Williams's own version), but Lazaro still didn't deliver that well, missing about half the impact by snuffling weakly through the gentle verses.
     Keith loves the song, so for some reason he's glad Lazaro sang it. But he differentiates Lazaro from the girls by saying they are really artists, and Lazaro seems to just be in a talent quest. Randy and Mariah admit this was a better effort but the girls have him beat. They agree this song was "preferable." Poor Lazaro. Let him go, please, voters. Keeping him in is doing him more harm than good! It's just cruel.

     I hope Kree wins. It should come down to her versus Candice. Anything else would be just wrong. Kree has chosen a Kris Kristofferson song, "Help Me Make It Through the Night," which she finds "simply beautiful." That's exactly the type of song she should sing, because that's exactly how she sings. It's just right. Quiet (but not at all quiet), honest, lyrical, intimate, heartfelt---everything it should be. I understand the one word of harmonizing on "yesterday," but I didn't even need that one word because Kree's voice alone is so stunning. And she got a sexy little black dress for this performance, though my sister didn't like it.
     No standing from the judges. Come on. Nicki's too bored to say anything except that Kree is at the head of the class. Of course she goes on to insult Janelle by complimenting Kree's believability and lure. Randy gives kudos and repeats that she's a natural. Agreed. Great song, great singer, he praises. Mariah embarrasses herself by forgetting the song was presented up top as a Kris Kristofferson song, because she obviously thought it was a Willie Nelson song. She didn't want to commit to that, though, so she deferred to Randy, who saved her somewhat. It was still pretty obvious she thought it was by Willie Nelson. And even worse, Mariah thought that in spite of doing a version herself! But she humbly agrees that Kree sang it just as it should be sung. Keith calls it "a buckle polisher," which sounds vaguely dirty. I propose to my co-watcher that maybe it means you're tearful, so you look down so people don't think you're a crybaby cowboy, and you use the tears and the looking down time to polish your belt buckle. Let's give the country crowd the benefit of the doubt, folks! Keith goes on to give her the huge accolade of predicting a future as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Wow! Not that I'd be surprised, but everyone is so truly complimentary, it's nice.

     Janelle presents the problem with teenagers choosing songs they wish they'd written with her story of being blown over by Garth Brooks's "The Dance" when she was 11 years old. Yes, it blows the mind of an 11 year old, and it's a good song, but she might have chosen something better for herself. i don't know. It's a good song, it's more her story that I didn't like.
     She sounds confident in it, and relaxed, but I think she could have picked a song that showed off her voice better. It probably would have been better to pick a great female vocal. This sounds okay, but there's a lot of extended words and phrasing in there.
     The judges seem to agree with me. Once again, Mariah has never heard the song. She preferred the first verse and chorus, when the delivery was more intimate. Keith credits the actual songwriter, Tony Arata. Keith also feels like her guitar may have forced her down a more intimate path. Nicki says she preferred this performance and says it showed a little more what Janelle can do vocally. Funny, I totally disagree with that one. I also disagree with Nicki's feeling that "this wasn't enough to get a leg up over the other girls tonight," but that's because I'm not being prodded to praise Amber undeservedly. "Janelle fans, where are you?" Ryan pleads, which is equal parts insulting and possibly helpful.

     Candice is coming back with The Cure! Now that I did not expect, thought I was banking that she, Janelle, and Kree would be the ones making good choices for this portion of the show. Okay, she doesn't know it from The Cure, she knows it from Adele. Adele's music taste I buy. It's unfortunate that these people don't pick up on the music influences of the other artists they like. It would have been far more interesting to hear Candice do her own version of a different Cure song than to hear her redo a redo. But she's chosen it because she likes to sing about love. Okay. that's a little weird. Sweet, but an odd way to put things.
     No surprise, Candice delivers beautifully, more like Nina Simone than Adele. It's showstopping. I could see her singing at Radio City, easily. Perfect.
     The judges are all standing, including Mariah, who even walks up to give her a hug! Keith was on his knees bowing down beside the judges' table. Ryan tries hard to shut up the audience, Randy says it was one of the best in all twelve seasons, and Candice cries and smiles. Me too! Wow. Touching. Shut up, Ryan, quizzing her about it and saying "great job" only makes things worse. Put an arm around her and be more low-key. Wow, well, I missed this performance when I got to see the show live, and it looks like I missed a lot! But I'm still glad I spent so many votes on Janelle.

     The rankings this season haven't changed around all that much for me, possibly because the group was so trimmed down so quickly. And because almost all the guys were almost always worse than all the girls. So I think I'm in about the same positions as last week.


Tonight's Ranking:

1. Candice
2. Kree
3. Janelle
4. Angie
5. Amber
6. Lazaro

     It really is a case of tiers again, though. Spots 1 & 2 are fairly tied, as are 3 & 4, and it's only subjective opinion and the feeling of the night that influences one a little higher than the other for each pair. The pairs are definitely far separated, though! Kree and Candice are well above Janelle and and Angie.

Who should go?
     Lazaro, no question about it. He doesn't belong anywhere near any of this. But I also know that the judges would have put Janelle in that 5th spot, so I'm worried for her. It's really not fair if any of the girls go before Lazaro, and she's the only one who the judges aren't praising and pushing the voters to support. It should be Lazaro going. But I wouldn't be sad to see Amber go instead---except for the fact I have zero doubt the judges would save her. At this point, the only ones I don't think they'd save are Janelle and (understandably!) Lazaro. Please, folks, it's time to spare Lazaro the humiliation and let him leave.






    

AI Season 12 - 7 Remain

     I did think Lazaro should go, but as I said, I didn't mind that Devin went instead. I had started to feel a little guilty lumping Burnell in there also, because I have really like him. But the way he sang the words of "My Cherie Amour" was truly mental. I can't understand how not only did the judges never mention it, but Jimmy avoided it as well! Crazy. But I agreed with Jimmy that if Janelle does an album, she should include her version of "You Keep Me Hangin' On."


     I don't really like the simplistic themes, so "Rock" seems kind of lame to me. I don't know who Orianthe is either. I think I've seen a picture. I used to know a girl named Orianthe. And a girl named Orianda.

     Supposedly people are talking about Burnell's "accent," but I've never heard an accent like that. Yes, he has a little bit of a New Orleans accent, but the weird "amourm," "adorm," etc. is no accent. I can't imagine what "You Give Love A Bad Name" is going to come out as, and I'm not really looking forward to hearing it! Coming in on "heart" was kind of an odd choice. But he sounds all right. This actually may be a better sound for him to explore than some of what he's been doing. His raspiness works nicely for rock, and the pace prevents him from doing anything to weird with his vocals. Hm. Except for on that "loaded gu-u-u-un." Does he not understand it sounds like when someone's voice breaks? It's not a nice effect.
     Hilarious---"Burnell's Friend" in the audience. Just the label makes him seem like he's the only one. I don't agree with Keith that rock isn't his thing, but I do agree he should do his own---or at least an original thing---with it. Everyone seems to be saying the same thing. Randy points out that Burnell usually does slow tempo things so he can "do his own thing," so I guess I think that's what Burnell should avoid. I most agree with Mariah; he did a good job in a genre he doesn't really do. I disagree that he just learned this song, or that should not be the case if it is. And he confirms did know it. Unfortunately it was the only one in the rock genre choices he knew, which actually may be worse than his just not knowing "You Give Love A Bad Name!" That's really shameful. I think they should start administering a test to contestants that insures that they have taken the time to learn at least a few basic standards in various genres of popular music.

     Lazaro is whispery and heavily accented in his part of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Angie isn't much better, given that she has no excuse for not doing better, since she is better. Pretty messy, altogether. Someone who's not really a music fan may have thought it was okay. The judges are blowing smoke up Angie's ass, which isn't going to do her any good. She has to get back to where she was in the first couple of shows, or she'll be in trouble, and she shouldn't be. I agree with Mariah that this was a poor choice, and with Keith that it was too kitschy. And that Lazaro looks way better than he has recently---although the feathers or whatever along the lapel are a little weird.

     It's nice to see Kree gets to know everyone, and that she's so huggy! It's a little sad to see how motherly she is, because it reminds me of her losing her parents so young, and I feel terrible for her. But what a god person she must be to try to care for everyone else in that way.
     Sigh. "Piece of My Heart." I'm sure she'll do it well, but I'm just so bored and tired with these obvious choices. If the kids don't know the songs anyway---okay, we know Kree knows this one, but if most of them don't know the songs they're singing, why not give them cooler ones to sing? Not that it's not cool in the sense it's a classic, but there are so many choices out there, do we have to pick the ones in heavy rotation all the time?
     Sounds like a straightforward cover to boot. She looks really pretty. I like the red lips and black eyeliner. She's not doing anything wrong in the delivery, but yes, I'm a little bored, as I expected. It's fine. It's just nothing special. Yes, she seems professional, relaxed, and has great vocals and connection. But I am not blown away.
     Randy appears blown away, and find a new side of Kree, bluesy. I thought that side was already evident. Mariah praises the sing choice. Sure, it's in her wheelhouse, but it's not attention-getting. Mariah's favorite performance? Maybe because Mariah's not a big rock fan? I'm glad Keith dug out the fact that Kree has a pinched nerve and maybe that's why she wasn't as energetic/effusive as usual. And I'm glad that Nicki gave Kree all her imaginary votes, since maybe that means she'd save her if she were ever in jeopardy.

     I don't particularly like the flavor of this version of "The Letter," but Candice is amazing as usual, Burnell is pretty good, and they mix together well, although Burnell sounds a little like a kid at times. Not all times, certainly. They were way better than the first duo, that's for sure.
     Mariah may not think this was a song they'd pick to sing, but it was definitely arranged to their benefit. It was much more soulful blues than rock. And this is rock week, so they couldn't have sung the R&B ballad Mariah wanted. So I agree more with Keith. I feel bad that Nicki especially praised Candice, but she's giving Burnell great advice and some praise as well, complimenting that here he was much more himself. And Randy agrees, and agrees the song was a good choice for both of them. But of course everyone was blown away by Candice!

     Janelle is singing Billy Joel's "You May Be Right," which I might be worried about had I not seen her do her arrangement of "You Keep Me Hangin' On." Lazaro is a little rude suggesting that country people "in the corn" lose their teeth. I don't think he's ever been on the kind of road trip he's describing, or he would know what country folk look like. to know that Janelle is very dramatic and longwinded in telling mundane details makes me feel a little better about some of the too-smiley persona I've felt from her in the past couple of shows. It's more likely it's a genuine attitude.
     Okay, so maybe I'm still a little nervous about "You May Be Right," especially since she's doing it fast. Without seeing Janelle yet, I'll say this is one I'd have liked to see Lazaro try. . . but the more I think about him, the more I realize he just has to go, because he simply can't deliver. He misled us all in his audition songs because he obviously practiced those songs a lot. But when he has to perform on the spot, he can't pronounce even when he can remember the words, and he can't relax enough to perform because of that.
     Back to Janelle! Wow. Very dated. It seems like I'm back watching Barbara Mandrell. Like Kree, there's nothing wrong vocally, and she looks great, but it's not something I'd recommend. It's a shame, too, because she's doing really well with it, and looks very comfortable. But I don't like it. The song was just a bad choice. I think she did it as well as she could have. But I wish she'd done something else.
     Keith agrees with me about the song. I didn't like the "stoned" joke Keith culled from her about the rock genre---what is that supposed to mean, anyway? Rock listeners are stoned? Not open-minded, Janelle. And I don't even mind people getting stoned. But Nicki sort of gives it back to her with "middle America is probably voting for you right now." Maybe Mariah is right, maybe the song was a good choice because the key was good for her. But there must have been another similar but better choice. Still, she's appealing, and she certainly didn't do anything wrong.
    
     I like Lazaro's bright colored wardrobe, but it is kind of funny he used to be an ice cream scooper because they do tend to be very soda shoppe colors. Like the girls, I find his Elvis moves a tad ridiculous, but mostly because he's not performing on a level that calls for them. Those are like icon moves, so you have to wield them carefully.
     I don't get it. When did Lazaro stop speaking English? His accent just gets heavier and heavier. "I've done my share of sand kicked in my face?" "We are the shampions." Oh! Finally a normal champions. But he's actually picked up a little. He sounds pretty good. I'd say about when he switched to actually saying champions. You can hear that he can sing, and he seemed fairly excited about the song.
     I agree with Nicki, I definitely got the Hispanic juice, but he also did it justice, I suppose. Okay, I am too big a Queen fan to forgive his lyric slip, but I'll say to non Queen fans, I guess he did it justice. And Keith is right, he made a good choice for the dramatics. Oh, and they didn't mention it, but his wardrobe was better too. Except for the bowtie, which we now find out isn't his choice! I had been thinking it was, and blaming him for it, but apparently it's wardrobe. Please give him a break, wardrobe. The rest of the outfit was okay, although the shirt was a little too glitzy.

     Billy Joel again? It's not that I don't like him, but that's kind of heavy use considering there are only going to be ten songs in the show. Nobody seems terribly familiar with the lyrics. Janell looks the most comfortable, other than maybe slipping her first cue. Amber sounds strained and lame. The ending is lackluster. Eh to the whole thing.
     You've got to be kidding me, Randy. They were not "so good," and definitely didn't sound like a group. Amber sticks out like a sore throat. Keith praises Billy Joel after Mariah praises him. Yay! Nicki says it put her to sleep and was cheesy. Thank goodness. Okay, Amber's face looks pretty, but she sucked. Ryan highlights their nerves about the lyrics, and it is understandable given that the only had the night to learn the song. They did a good job, then. As for not knowing Billy Joel, I understand that more than other things. Having lived on both coasts, I can attest that you are inundated in the Northeast, but hear very little Billy Joel on the West Coast. I don't think any of them are actually from the West, but they can use the excuse nonetheless.

     Candice is singing The Rolling Stones. Her lack of movement is pre-explained with a broken toe that resulted from a prank. I think Burnell may have a crush on Candice, which is why he gives her such a hard time. But since she's older, he's going to have to try a different tack if he actually wants to get her!
     We're back on the obvious train with "I Can't Get No Satisfaction," and unfortunately it's using a lot of the low throat voice that's the only thing I don't like from Candice. But she's fantastic in the power sections. It sounds almost like a professional performance. Maybe no almost. For some reason, there's just a tinge that she's not as comfortable as usual. But it was really good. Excellent. And I felt her feeling the vibe more than anyone has seemed to tonight.
     Keith is such a mammy! He's sensing everyone's pain tonight. Nicki can't say anything new, but I guess she's as tired of the boring choices as I am. I agree with Randy that she really did get into it, and "did the rock thing." She really did. Ugh, Ryan offers to help Candice off the stage with an insulting "I'm stronger than I look." Step on shorty, Candice.

     Amber is up next. Oh, joy. I can just imagine the stiff, mall singer "rock" she's going to bring. Burnell supposedly has a crush on Amber, but I think that's the kind that never goes anywhere, Burnell. She's obviously too busy taking pictures of herself and talking to herself to have a relationship with anyone else!
     Of course she gets Heart's "What About Love," which would have been a much better option than Janelle's lot, and possibly even served Kree or Candice better. But of course they gave it to Amber, because she needs all the help she can get. Let's see if she even bothers to use it and doesn't just do her usual shouting.
     Bullshit. They gave her all this production and much better wardrobe that Kree or Candice got. She sounds okay, a little shouty (no surprise), and like she's not even thinking about the meaning of what she's singing. She's too busy mugging for the camera and prancing around. It really is a shame, because she clearly has the ability to sing well. She just puts all face and no soul into it. But I guess it was okay.
     Great song choice, yes, Keith, because someone handed this to her. Even if she knew it, I'm sure it would be one all the girls wanted. Yes, Nicki, she looks striking and the set was amazing. But she didn't believe the lyrics at all. Favorite of the night? As I said before, el bullshittio. Keep blowing the smoke, everyone. And I think it should be obvious that her "natural inflections" aren't her own, they are straight up mimicry of other singers (like Whitney).
     Do they mean Amber's sister is stationed in the country Georgia? They should say that, because otherwise people will assume it's the state.

     Oh, there's Joshua Ledet and Hollie from last year. Mariah always looks so unsteady on heels.

     Angie is apparently very annoyingly clappy in person. The other contestants seem to think her weird 1970s variety show staring is an intense performance. . . yet somehow nobody's copying her. I wonder why! It's creepy, Angie, not soulful. Quit it already.
     So since Angie was a bomb last week, she also scored a crowd pleasing song with Evanescence's "Bring Me To Life." I thought they said this was going to be rock, rock, rock, no ballads. Except for Angie, I guess. Does it count if the background singers are the ones providing the heavy? Of course, with the actual song it does. But here, she's just singing a power ballad. Yes, she's really good. And they gave her even more production drama than Amber. But I'm sorry, it's just such an easier song for a girl to deliver, I find it hard to fairly compare her to Janelle, Candice, an Kree.
     Yes, again, Nicki, it was a perfect choice in the genre, and she was obviously steered this way, and/or had it handed to her. I guess when it comes down to it, all that matters is that she deserves to stay and this song should insure that. Keith is adorable, pointing out how she was trying to keep her shirt down. Way to make everyone human, Keith! But he was also the only one to say that she really needs to try harder to feel what she's singing and perform it a little less, which continues to be an issue with her. It was better hidden here, since the song called for attitude, but he's right, it was still more put on than a real singer should give.



Tonight's Ranking:

I don't know how to rank, because I had problems with pretty much all the performances tonight. I'd say Candice and Kree tie, followed by Janelle and Angie, then maybe even Burnell and Amber tie. Lazaro is definitely at the bottom. So. . .

1. Candice
2. Kree
3. Angie
4. Janelle
5. Amber
6. Burnell
7. Lazaro


Who should go?

Lazaro. Burnell and Amber should go in the next two weeks, so they can go now too, but I feel if Amber is eliminated, the judges will use their save. I'm slightly worried about Janelle, because I think the song was a strange choice, but I'm hoping her delivery of it pulls her through.