The kids disappoint

Blogging entirely off tape. I guess everyone tonight is waiting to see if they ask Chris about his version of Walk the Line from last week, which the judges praised as original but may not have been (his attribution may have been cut from the broadcast). Theme is songs of the 21st century. I guess they got tired of waiting for everyone to show their youth. Ugh, it's only one hour tonight! 10 people to get through, they go right to it.

Lisa first, singing Because of You in nice green top and jeans, looks hip. Some vocal problems right at first, but a pretty powerful delivery. Doesn't soar, whcih she pretty much needed, vocally just okay, performance not bad. Ugh, some more vocal problems. Also it seems like songs are back to being short. Randy says odd song choice, just okay version. Paula with some mike problems, tough choice; we all know you can sing great, but you gotta get your own take on the song. Simon says song's too big for your voice, some parts were painful--she has pained look on her face; didn't work, sorry. Simon and Ryan get into it, very stupid; I think Simon's tired of his passive agressive and not so passive stuff. Poor Lisa, she'll be out.

Kellie next, back to a more country look, odd. Suds in the Bucket; hmm, they show her intro video, no such vidoeo for Lisa, very strange. In pink tank top and jeans. Country is definitely her niche; also some pitch problems herself, but she's very believable singing this song. Reminding me more of Carrie Underwood, not really a great thing but at least she no longer seems so much like a one-trick pony, really feels like she belongs. Crowd gives her standing O, Randy says song choice odd, need more exciting song, you're better than that. Paula says you're waaay better than that song choice, it didn't show your range or anything. Simon also pooh-pahs her song choice, it's like a gimmicky song. I got a feeling this'll be a rallying cry for her supporters.

Ace next, wow, they are just zipping through it. Drops of Jupiter, which is a great song. Unfortunately he's flat right off the top. Silverish countryish shirt, jeans. Thin voice, just not working for me, no real energy off audience either. And he's shaking; pulls apart his shirt a bit, odd. No real energy in his performance; and you really feel the shortness of the night, it's over so soon. Randy isn't happy, totally the wrong song and you didn't sing it right, I didn't like it, dude. Paula says it's refreshing after last two performances, but not a great song choice. They do a close-up on his scar. Simon says essentially you guys aren't proving you're as good as the people around today, quite karaoke actually.

Taylor next, in black leather, black t-shirt and jeans. Randy asks him what Soul Patrol is, he says it's his legion of fans from the beginning. Doing Trouble. Wow, it's good from the start. Slow and soulful, he's totally in control. Pretty sedate performance; not sure how strong vocals in middle are. These songs are so short, hard to really build anything, but he's clearly the best so far. They show his friends, who all look middle aged; wow, George Huff's in the audience! Randy says it's not a great song, didn't let you show off--you almost got going at the end, not quite there. Paula says she agress with Taylor's comments, nice to see you just stand there and sing a song. Simon says he likes the song, excellent vocal; slight problem is styling, very Clay Aiken--clothes aren't different like he is, pop school.

Mandisa doing I Wanna Praise You, in black, whoah, comes out strong, it's some gospel praise song. They have technical problems with displaying her number at first. Wow, it's like being in church, she's just doing her own thing, totally relaxed and into it, like let loose. Love it or hate it, you can't help but hear it. Randy says you can definitely sing, but song choice isn't good. Paula says there's a new religion, church of Mandisa, brilliant singer, want more vulnerability though. Simon says he thought it was a bit indulgent, didn't get it. He's right.

Back with Chris, in tan leather yellow top, jeans. They talk about last week, he says he loved Live's version and just wanted to take it and do his own thing. Doing What If, by Creed. Whoah, it's definitely as he says heavy, just very loud, powerful, if you like that kind of thing. For me it's just a wall of noise. No interaction with the audience, he just powers through. The beneficiary of some good camera work. Ugh, even if technically spot on, just not enjoyable for me. Randy is like I like the song, but not my favorite you've done, but you were sharp most of the time, not your best vocal. Paula just repeats she's one of his biggest fans. Simon says he thought it was indulgent, line you don't cross--Creed would not be caught dead on this show, you've gotta show a different side of you; can't just keep doing this week after week after week.

Katharine, ugh. The Voice Within; hmm, she reminds me of that Kirsten Dunst actress. In oddly tailored outfit, tight princess top, jeans, high boots. Vocally sounds off from the start. Pretty big vocals, decent performance. She's just always rubbed me wrong, nothing's changed--hard to listen to her, not enjoyable at all for me. Randy's like I like you, but you sang it just like the record, didn't bring anything new to it, although good song choice. Paula says she wouldn't have changed a thing, it was good, Christina would feel honored. Uh, okay. Simon says best tonight, almost as good as Christina--he delivers it like a back-hand comment, I'm telling you they're trying to boost her chances.

Bucky next, doing Real Good Man, back to the country stuff. In full country regalia, black shirt and hat. Hmm, does it pretty well; just not that exciting of a song, so I kindof drift off. They show his wife? and kids? Randy says you're back at home, likes this better. Paula is like it's familiar to you, be careful of your diction. Simon says he agrees with Paula, couldn't understand a word you said; very impressive, just winging it.

Next, Paris! Work it Out by Beyonce. Man, I hope she hits it outof the park. Comes out strong and confident, purple top and jeans--kindof an odd outfit. I think this might complete her transition to being like Fantasia, hair is weird and she's a little nuts. But good vocals; and some attitude. She's fun to watch each week, you have no idea who she'll come out as. And she totally does all the dance moves, totally gets audience into it--it's just fun to watch the performance, and that's totally what it is. Randy is like that was fearless, that was the bomb, loved it, this is a hot one. Paula is like those weren't kid moves, wow, awesome. Simon thought it was precocious, like a little girl pretending to be Beyonce. Eh, I disagree--there was no pretending, she pulled it off.

After the shortest commercial break of the season, Elliott finally. Can he save what's been a pretty forgetable night? I Don't Want to Be, just like Bo Bice did last year. Rocker side... okay. In hip hop outfit, it's a bit dumb from the get go. Trying to be like Eminem, but no edge--he's even got a twinkle in his eye still. Not bad parts in the middle, no real performance, just bouncing. Totally bad song choice I think, just not believable--who's his fan base for this? Randy is like wasn't quite sure, but liked it, another hot one. Paula is like besides herself with excitement, you are one funky white boy. Simon says great song, bad arrangement, good vocal, and the dancing was hideous.

And on that note, we end what's the worst American Idol so far this year. Even the clips at the end aren't any good. Nobody said once yo, I'd buy that record, rush out and record it. Oh well; maybe next week will be better; the rushed nature of the show totally didn't help, it was like roll out and perform on command tonight.

Worse, after watching the tape who's on Letterman but Willie Nelson--now that's a real singer, just reminds you how huge the gap is with the kids.

Paris
Taylor
Mandisa
Kellie
Katharine
Lisa
Ace
Elliott
Bucky
Chris

Photo of Lisa Tucker's final real performance by C. Gomez via Flikr.