American Idol Recap: Who 'Inspired' Us Most?
2. Crystal Bowersox, "People Get Ready"
And she was doing so well. PowerShox's performance of "People Get Ready" hit the right notes, rang profoundly throughout the Idol vomitorium, and... ultimately grated. Yes, it's all thanks to Crystal's climactic cry at the song's end -- that breakdown of malfunctioning-supercomputer proportions. I'm not suggesting it wasn't sincere, but I am suggesting it's a singer's job to hold it together until the final note, and not let a world of tears interrupt -- or corrupt -- a performance. Fantasia Barrino kept composed during her otherworldly "Summertime" rendition in season three, so I don't think Crystal has an excuse for losing it at this level. Understandably, the judges lurved the majority of the performance, but I'm sorry -- I have to dock points for this somewhat emotional, mostly annoying spectacle. It was PowerSchlock, y'all.
1. Michael Lynche, "Hero"
Someone tell me to stop it. I do not like Michael Lynche. I do not want him to win. Like a human being with cognitive abilities, I want Crystal and Siobhan to survive, and I want the others to retreat to their ragtag softball league and Rare POG Slammer conventions. But dammit! Michael took a horrible song and made it effervescent and alive. It was a shockingly sturdy performance, note-perfect for his voice, and restrained in the spirit of his "In the Ghetto" rendition -- one of his best to date. As for Simon harping that it was on the Spider-Man soundtrack --- uh? Have you heard of Space Jam, Simon? Or a little song you co-wrote for Leona Lewis called "Footprints in the Sand"? Yeah, both are a smidge more disgusting than Spiderman. Good try with knowing Movieline trivia though, S.C.
Subscribe to the new Movieline on YouTube
Comments
Worst. Episode. Ever. But the performance that really pissed me off was Lee DeWyze's. Why on Earth were the judges praising to the heavens such a robotic turn at the mic? And can someone please explain to me how "The Boxer" is an inspirational song? It's about people who are down and out on the fringes of society. It's sad. It's beautiful. Yet it offers no redemption for its characters, no hope for a better tomorrow. So how is it inspiring?
Can't say I agree with your detective work, Louis. I think Crystal was honest and touching and by far the best of the night. Yes, professional singers usually keep it together (I think of Elton during Princess Di's funeral as the epitome) but give the girl a break - she was a street performer 6 months ago.
Michael Lynch the best?!? Were you still celebrating 420?
My favorite is Casey James. I love anything he sings. And he's wild on that guitar. He's going to be big someday--you wait and see. No, I'm not a teen or a tween...I'm a 73 year old woman and I predict that Casey James will win. Go Casey!!
I think you may be onto something with your high hopes for Casey James. He's so unfazed and comfortable that it never seems like his elimination is upon us. I may have to start a "Casey James Dark Horse Watch."
Crystal was touching, yes. But #2 still seems appropriate.
As for Michael: Look, let's vote him out. I don't want him to continue on either. But that performance was more solid than the others, plain and simple. "Solid" isn't a ringing endorsement, but there wasn't a showstopping moment among the other six. The opposite of "showstopping" occurred, in fact. It kept. On. Going.
Wow. I thought Michael's was horrible. Very karaoke.
Let me know what you think of my recap:
http://iamnoahjames.com/2010/04/21/idolspec-top-7-performance-show-%e2%80%93-4202010/
i always expect siobhan on to rip off her face a la mission: impossible and reveal that it's really juliette lewis
SIOBHAN & CRYSTAL WILL BE IN THE TOP 2! THESE GIRLS ARE AMAZING. NO ONE ELSE COMPARES. I MISS LILLY! GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS!
THE JUDGES SAY EVERY YEAR, THIS IS THE BEST EVER. NOT! THE LAST FEW YEARS WERE BETTER THAN THIS YEAR. THERE ARE GOOD SINGERS & SOME GET BETTER W/ EVERY SHOW. BUT THE JUDGES CONFUSE THE CONTESTANTS W/ CHANGE IT UP.... NOT EVERY SINGER CAN SING AN MJ SONG ETC. LOOK AT MARY J BLIGE SINGING STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN! UGH! TERRIBLE. AND SHE'S FAMOUS. AND IT DOESN'T MEAN SHES A BAD SINGER, SHE JUST CAN'T SING THAT SONG. SAME W/ THE IDOL CONTESTANTS. THEY ARE FORCED TO SING SONGS THAT ARE NOT THEM. EVERYONE HAS A GOOD/BAD WEEK. DOESN'T MAKE THEM A BAD SINGER BUT WHEN SOMEONE IS CONSISTANTLY BAD THEY NEED TO BE VOTED OFF BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SING NOT KEEP THEM FOR POPULARITY OF GOOD LOOKS ETC.... THEY NEED TO CHANGE THE VOTING FROM VOTING FOR YOUR FAV TO VOTE OFF THE WORST! IT'S EASIER & WOULD PROBABLY MAKE IT MORE EFFECTIVE & ACCURATE.
CASEY, MIKE & AARON WILL BE IN THE BOTTOM 3 NEXT WEEK. CRYSTAL & SIOBHAN WILL MAKE IT TO THE TOP 2!
IDOL REALLY GIVES PEOPLE RECOGNITION. AND IF THEY ARE GOOD SOMEONE WILL HIRE THEM WHETHER THEY WIN OR NOT! LOOK AT DAUGHTRY. HE DID BETTER THAN STUDDARD & FANTASIA.
I LOVE IDOL GIVES BACK TOO BUT THIS YEAR DIDN'T EVEN COMPARE TO THE LAST ONE EITHER. I WAS VERY DISSAPOINTED THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE IDOL GIVES BACK LAST YEAR. SO MANY PEOPLE WATCH THE SHOW & ITS A GREAT OPPURTUNITY FOR IDOL TO HELP THE WORLD. IT IS FOR SUCH A GREAT CAUSE. IT HELPS HERE IN THE USA & OTHER COUNTRIES. I LOVE TO GIVE BACK.
Siobhan Magnus and Lee Dewyze are the best. Simon and the others have their favorites and as always think they are a shoe in. As in season seven where they trashed David Cook and said by Far David Archaletta was the best. I love archie he is good but David Cook was by far the best. Last year they just went wild over Adam Lambert. I do love his new song What do you want from me. I also loved Kris Allen and thought he was just as good. The public decides and they listen to the songs these contestants sing over and over and pick which songs they would listen to on a CD over and over again. Siobhan and Lee will make the top two by public votes even though the Judges picks seem to be Crystal and Big Mike. All the contestants when you reach the top 10 are awesome. But don't count out anyone at this point. I really think Siobhan will take the show this year if she continues as she has in previous weeks. Siobhan Keep YOUR HEAD UP GIRL WE LOVE YOU