american idol

Alrighty, folks, I can’t help it.  I’m going to be blogging American Idol this season.  Have you heard the Top 24?  I honestly think this is the most talented group we’ve seen yet.  It’s pretty unbelievable. 

I thought I’d pick a Top 10 from the 24.  It’s not 100% voice on these votes.  As you know, people vote for personality too so I’m doing the same.

The Guys

Phil Phillips – Here’s my thing with Phil.  Every time he goes up to sing, you’re not entirely sure he’s going to pull the thing off.  He’s inconsistent.  But.  You can tell he’s made to sing.  I love how the music just explodes from him.  And he’s as cute as he can be.  Confident yet humble.  He really is a contender if he can pull off his best every week.

Joshua Ledet-  Joshua is not my normal pick but every time he sings, I’m enthralled.  I’m sure it’s the gospel vibe I’m connecting with but really?  Have you ever heard someone sing a Hallelujah that pretty?

Heejun Han – I think I have a little crush on Heejun.  He. is. hilarious.  Between his crush on Jennifer Lopez and his hatred of the cowboy, I’m just not sure I could take anymore.  What I love most is he has no clue how good he is.  Wait, wait.  I love, love that he works with special needs kids.  Oh my word, he might not be an American Idol but I think I want to be his friend.

Deandre – His falsetto is to die for and if he can just pick the right songs every time, he’s golden.

Creighton – Creighton loves himself a little too much or maybe he overcompensates because he doesn’t but I can’t deny his performance ability and voice.  He’s got the gig down already.

The Girls

Shannon Magrane – She’s got the look and wowed me with her final audition song.

Baylie Brown – She’s like cookie cutter American Idol.  I mean, seriously, if you had an American Idol machine, I think she’s what would pop out.

Elise Testone – Elise is another professional.  She’s not afraid of the stage and knows how to work it.  I think she’ll do really well in on the big stage.  She’s just not American Idol cookie cutter material.  Not really sure the voters will take to her.

Jessica Sanchez – Her voice as a lot of power and I may as well say it since we’ll hear it all season…and she’s only 16!

Jen Hirsh – Jen is amazing.  I’m just afraid her personality doesn’t have the IT factor.  I’m not saying she’s not super sweet.  I’m just not sure it will take her all the way.

Honorable mentions go to Brielle and Hollie.  Brielle has way too much attitude and Hollie I’m not sure has enough.

OK, anything can happen on that Idol stage but those are the ones I’m keeping my eye on.  Which do you like?

OK, now that I’ve heard all 24 I can say without a doubt this may be the worst Top 24 in quite some time.  I don’t know if the sound is just so bad on our end or the nerves are really getting to these guys or the talent is just lacking but SOMEthing is up.  This has got to get better soon or we’re in for a very painful season.  Also, I’m  not jiving with most of the judges. Simon and I agreed a few times but wow, I just felt like we were out of sync with what the judges were hearing.

Again, here are my Tweets with more extraneous commentary 🙂

Andrew, you are just amazing. You are a star already. He was a prime example of the judges vs. viewers opinions.  They all gave him a really hard time and most of what I saw on Twitter really had his back. I loved the song and loved him singing it.

CASEYYYYY!!! I <3 YOU! The judges were out. of. control.  I really felt bad for him at the first of the song trying to ignore Kara’s antics.  But he really, really pulled through.  Loved the song.  It was perfect for what all the women who were already swooning wanted to hear.  And the guys can’t say anything because he has the chops to back it up.  I could easily see him as one of the finalists.

Alex – awkward performance. no thanks Apparently this guy has sung at like 3 coffee shops.  He basically has no clue what to do on a huge stage with 30 million people watching.  I mean, it’s nerve-wracking for anyone, but I think Alex might have taken it the worst.

Mike…you are ruining a great song I really, really like Maroon 5 and I think he completely ruined the vibe of the song.  He kept bouncing his shoulders and was way too bubbly with it. Did he even listen to the lyrics?  I mean, if you REALLY listen to them, it’s probably not even appropriate for the Idol stage.

John – didn’t enjoy it. almost muted it. I agreed with Simon here…his emotions for the song did not come across at all.

Lee! Wow, where’d he come from? Loved that. Great song choice for me. Another one where the judges and I didn’t agree.  I enjoyed him.  He seems like a really cool, down-to-earth guy that has a really good voice.  Definitely like his vibe.

Tyler *clap**clap**clap**clap**clap**clap**clap**clap* not perfect, but the ladies are going to like that *ahem* Ok, thinking back his voice wasn’t great.  But the guy is at least comfortable on stage.  And they didn’t have a problem with Adam Lambert not being “real” and becoming a persona on stage…not that I’m comparing Tyler and Adam, just sayin’, same kind of principle.

Wow, I liked Joe much more than I thought. He seemed nervous to me, not comfortable. I like his smile!  I liked his voice but nerves!

Tim – i’m even more mad that Golightly isn’t up there now. What was that?? It really was just horrendous.  So out of his league.

Jermaine -I think I just witnessed a murder. Not sure if it was the song or my ears though. I really thought I was going to like Jermaine.  Really disappointed.  Especially with his “I’m not a diva-who’s Mike?” line.

Aaron – I think barring nerves that was a really good song choice for him. That song was written by @ChrisSligh  – I love that song and I think it was a good fit for Aaron’s voice.  Chris Sligh apparently thought he butchered it though.  Hmmm.

Todrick – I agree with Ellen…chorus was weak. He’s comfortable on stage though! #idol I’m giving Todrick props for coming out of the gate with an upbeat, original song.  The chorus was weak but overall kudos for trying.  He’s obviously comfortable on stage and I think he needs to stick around for a while.

Wow, I feel like the mean old wicked witch of the west or something. Lots of negativity.  But ya’ll.  Wow.  It was tough.

Best is easily Casey and Andrew

It’s hard to call who is in trouble just because it was so bad.  I’m going to say Tim and Alex are in trouble.

OK, for those that follow me on Twitter, this might be boring but no need to reinvent the wheel!  Here are my thoughts from last night.  I will say in general, it was a very disappointing night.  One main issue was the sound was terrible.  You could hardly hear the band.  Also, it seems nerves got the most of several of the girls.  Because I’m lazy, I copied and pasted from Twitter and it goes in opposite performance order:

Katie – still not one of my favorites. not a good song choice. I just don’t see star power in her.  Yes, she has a voice, but I think she needs to put a few years and experience on.

Love MamaSox! Love her honesty, her voice and song choice. She’s got it!

Siobhan – She definitely has a voice on her but I think she might belong on Broadway or something.  I really felt like Siobhan had heard all the murmurings that she’s weird and was really not herself last night.  If you’re weird, be weird, people.   It’s better than being fake.

<3 Didi. She also reminds me a lot of Brooke White in looks and personality.  Love, love, love her.  She’s so easy to get behind.  She has a great story, is down-to-earth, nice, talented, etc, etc.  I think she could have done better but she stood out among the group tonight.

Michelle – I just have to turn on Alicia to hear that. Give me something different. This girl is gorgeous and her voice is great.  To say that she’s a copy cat of Alicia Keys is a huge compliment. But like I said, there’s already one of her.  I felt a little more like she was in a beauty pageant than American Idol.

I agree with the judges, Lacey is better than what she did but I liked it better than they did Man, I really wanted Lacey to do well.  I think she has a unique voice and I love, love, love her look.  She was just all over the place with that song.

Haeley – wasn’t perfect but it was unique and fun Haeley teeters on the annoying line for me.  Sometimes she’s cute and unique and fun and sometimes she’s vain and it’s too affected.

Haven’t been a fan of Katelyn so far but I really liked her voice there. She came out of nowhere for me but I enjoyed it.

Yay for Lilly. Not her strongest, but I really like her!  I want Lilly to do well. I think she’s down to earth, a hard worker and really, really talented.  Once again, I think this was a bad song choice.

Janell – poor thing, I can see she’s nervous but the song was way too big for her.  Yikes.  Just yikes.

Ashley – felt like she was holding back a bit. some really pretty moments though.  Ashley is gorgeous and comfortable on stage.  I think she needed to let go a little.

Sorry, Paige, nothing stood out for me. Also, what’s wrong with the sound ?!  I feel like Paige got the shaft a little. The sound was the worst at the beginning of the show and she may have sounded better if everything was working properly.  That said, I felt it was a little boring anyway.

Favorites were Didi and Mamsox.

I think Paige and Janell are in trouble.

I was tagged by Paula to tell seven things about me.  So I’m going to double-up and tell you my top 7 guys from American Idol tonight (mostly in the right order)

1. Michael Johns – he’s got the package.  he sings well, he looks good, he’s confident, and he has an accent.  what more do you want?
2. Jason Castro – i love his honest shock of the good reviews.  i think he’ll just keep getting better and better
3. David Archuleta – was he not so cute?  he was SO nervous afterwards but you would have never known it while he was singing.
4. Robbie Carrico
5. David Cook – i’m sorry but his hairline is annoying me.  just shave it!
6. David Hernandez
7. Danny Noriega – his confidence is starting to grate on my nerves

*Spoiler Alert*

OK, it’s time to start chatting about American Idol.

Lots of GREAT singers tonight.  Very happy.  And you know what, I think the guys have it this year.  I have several favorites but I’m very, very sad that Josiah is not making it into the top 24.  I’m just so disappointed.  I hope someone picks him up to do something and is no longer living in a car.

I noticed they seemed to concentrate on the people in the top 24.  Which is cool.  It’s nice to go ahead and get to know the people that we’ll see in the rest of the season.

I really liked a David.  I can’t remember which one.   I also liked Michael Johns.  And I don’t remember names but I like the girl that’s never seen an R rated movie.  I also like the little 16 year old.

I think I can finally get into the season now.