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.