American Idol Recap: Who was Soul Sister (or Brother) No. 1?
7. Didi Benami, "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?"
The judges love to play dumb about Didi Benami's marketability, as if she's not an achingly vulnerable improvement upon the 2-D Colbie Caillats and Zooey Deschanels of 2010. But tonight Didi stumbled several pegs, choosing a song that both exemplifies the word "dated" (what other song smacks of "Wonder Years flashback" like this ode to heartbreak?) and miscasts her as a fogy. She'd have fared better by slowing it down and allowing her lonely bleat some room to linger, but instead, we witnessed as she labored to keep up with the tune's punchy soul. Didi's in jeopardy tonight for sure, but she's just too rich a performer -- and much steelier than her oft-compared predecessor Brooke White -- to leave now. Did you love when Usher called her song choice "an emotional song for an emotional girl?" That sounded like not-so-subtle code for "a Prozac anthem for a quivering young lady who might cry herself to death."
6. Siobhan Magnus, "Through the Fire"
Yet another brazen star who biffed! Siobhan's our glue-loving Narnian countess 'til the bitter end, but she's got to polish her disappointing lower register and played-out caterwaul to remain a Top 3 sure bet. I hated to see the judges deflate her with unanimously negative observations, but this week is beneficial for Ms. Magnus. She'll return with a fully formed performance and an inspired selection, and hopefully unicorn-ride tickets for everyone in the audience. The flight for glorious Neptune takes off in six days' time! We're aboard!
5. Aaron Kelly, "Ain't No Sunshine"
Confession: I thought "Ain't No Sunshine" was one of Kris Allen's least impressive performances in season eight. Here, in the boneless hands of Fetus the Magnificent, "Ain't No Sunshine" felt just as stillborn. (Yow!) Lucky for us, Kelly kept his torso spasms to a minimum, which was my life's chief complaint. His performance ultimately scored a few points above par thanks to momentary soulfulness and cutely clenched fists. It almost resembled command of the stage. You woo us from the womb, zesty 0-year-old!
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Comments
okay, louis, get over your katie hate! really! she isn't that bad... she's just a girl. c'mon. she's not really any different than aaron kelly, though a little more mature. she's cute.
crystal rocks all year and loses to a stumbling lee,makes no sense at all. american idol is not a singing contest anymore,its become a joke and the judges are too busy trying to be the main event! its a great show gone bad just look at the winner he is not in crystals league and the judges are to blame because they put lee on a pedastal! poor lee he was a paint salesman,crystal life has not been a bed of roses but it was always poor lee lets make him the winner. bad judgement by poor judges,how about chris allens singing talent last year compared to adams. the show is on its way out people will get tired of poor singers winning year after year,just ask daughtery.lets change the name to stumbling singers win again
Hello from Norway. Good blog.
I am heading to deliver this to Steve..I watched my father smoke his existence away..sigh I dont want to watch him do the exact same.You my friend are an icon to behold.