With members of the Jackson clan actually in the audience tonight during Michael Jackson Night, the seven remaining acts came out but really, only a few truly stood out in my mind. Josh did a great cover of "Dirty Diana" and Drew did another very safe (and bizarrely orchestrated) song, albeit unique for "Billie Jean" itself. However, the real star of the night, besides perhaps the memory of Michael Jackson himself, was show closer Melanie Amaro. For the first time in the competition, I not only felt that she could win it, but that she could very well be the favorite now. I think this threatens Rachel and Astro more than Josh and Drew. The latter two will definitely be right there at the end barring unforeseen circumstances. After tonight, I think the momentum has now shifted dramatically to Melanie and Simon will now have to worry about how he will manage Drew given how safe he's played it with her up until now. And with Rachel's very blah performance tonight, he now has two bad headaches and one good one.
The Top 7
1) Josh Krajcik - After much hyped manufactured self doubt played up by the producers, Josh took the stage with his electric guitar slung behind his back with red wearing sexy dancers strutting their stuff across the stage. He actually gave a decent performance of "Dirty Diana" but his guitar soloing was probably the highlight of the song since he was able to show even more musicianship and range on the heels of his crazy awesome piano only cover of The Rolling Stones. It was one of the best three performances of the night in my opinion.
L.A. - Yes, Josh. That was cool, man. So that was the first time I've seen you really step out of your comfort zone. I'm really proud to see you do it, right? I know there was a little struggle because it wasn't comfortable but guess what? You landed on your feet, my man.
Paula - Some of the best performances come from that discomfort. And you learned how to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. It was a show-stopping performance and all I can say is that you continue to raise the bar but that doesn't mean anything if people don't vote so you gotta keep on voting, and voting and voting. Great job, Josh. (Josh: Thank you Paula.) You're welcome.
Simon - As a - as a spectacle, taking everything into account it was great. However...however...you were overproduced. You got lost in all the choreography This is very much - sorry - this is very much - this is not you on the stage - this is what Nicole wants to be. And that's why you had to be in the cage with all the dancing and I think this was your weakest performance so far. I do.
Nicole - Simon, unlike how you mentor some of your contestants, we actually like to take risks on this show. (Paula: Thank you, Nicole.) And you know what? Michael is so inspiring, we feel him in our veins, he's powerful, he's dangerous, he's bold and that's exactly what Josh did this week and I am so proud of him.
2) Astro - Rapping "Black and White", Astro's cover came off as being incredibly awkward. In a strange way, this bizarre twist probably helped him get past some of the more controversial stirrings of the past couple of weeks. Now, with another week removed from his public relations disaster, he will now be talked about again just based on his performance. But was it enough?
Nicole - Astro. That was bad. That was bad b-a-a-d bad. I don't know if this was my favorite performance by you but will say that I love the lyrics that you wrote specifically and this was the first that I felt that you really enjoyed yourself and you hreally had fun onstage.
Paula - Astro, I think you're extradionary. I think your words are important, I think you're influential, and inspiration and you amaze me every time. And I hear people saying that you're the future but you're more than that. You're our past and you are our present and that's the best compliment I can give you. I think you can win this competition.
Simon - I'm going to start off by completely disagreeing with....Nicole. (Nicole: What a surprise.) Because that's what somebody your age should be doing - is taking a classic song - it is one of the greatest pop songs of all time - making it younger, making it fit a new generation, and what I loved is - I loved that new hook you put on the end, and Astro you looked like you're enjoying yourself and I'm so happy the public kept you. You deserve to be here. (CONFIRM)
L.A. - Yes. You know what? I'm proud. I'm proud of you. I'm always proud. I'd like to think that the Jackson Family is as proud as I am of you because that was truly, truly amazing. You took it, you made it your own, you paid tribute to a great, and I just couldn't be happier for you.
3) Drew Ryniewicz - Simon can claim all he wants about "mixing it up" when it comes to Drew but at the end of the day, placing Drew in a chair while drastically slowing down "Billie Jean" just further played into the criticism of her as a singer and contestant. Simon is clearly banking on the fact that Drew is probably too unstoppable of a force to not be in the Top 3 - at worst. I still think he's holding back so he can pull that rabbit out of the hat late in the game when they'll need it most. Taking away dancers and fancy stage designs alone is not mixing it up and Simon can downplay all he'd like to but that's not diversity. "Trust me" might not cut it. It's a shame because her vocals were really strong.
L.A. - Okay. Hi Drew. Okay, so...I'm in a really, really naughty mood but I have to tell you that you took "Billie Jean", you made it your own, and it pains me to say this - it pains me - but I liked it.
Nicole - Oh, I'm on? I like you. The whole chair thing, like, never got to come up from the chair. I just don't - I don't understand that. (Boos) No, Simon...I'm sorry. You sounded beautiful and it's what I expected but Simon, you're playing it safe with Drew. But you - you my love - you showed range this week - you showed your voice had lots of range - and you had passion, I loved it - I wanted you to get up from the dang chair!
Paula - Drew, I will say this: This was your best vocal performance - without question. However, however...on a week of Michael Jackson, you chose to have no - nothing visual - and in paying homage to Michael - it's all about visual as well. So Simon, I think you should have a little more fun. And you're - the gravel in your voice and the power in your voice - do you ever want to do an up tempo? (Drew nods yes.) Please do an up tempo; Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson. Please do it.
Simon - Uh Paula, let me remind you - because of too much dancing is why your acts are out of the competition right now. (Paula: Oh, let me remind you, Simon. Let me remind you.) Because sorry, this was incredibly disrespectful (Paula: It's not disrespectful.) The point is - The point is - (Paula: It's not disrespectful.) - Nicole, you're talking absolute nonsense, what you said. (Paula: That is not true.) You know, and I-I-I really mean this, the whole point tonight - (inaudible as Nicole interrupts) (Nicole: she, the artist actually wanted to stand up.) - paying tribute to a great artist (Paula: Yes, Simon.) by doing it simply, by singing the song beautifully (Nicole: Oh!) and that's what you did. (Nicole: Simon!) (Paula: Simon.)
4) Rachel Crow - Rachel rather ironically sang "Can You Feel It?" because it was truly one of the most lackluster efforts I've ever seen, much less from this high-energy bundle of precociousness. Not so sure I was able to feel this performance. It wasn't great. It wasn't terrible. It wasn't even in between. It was just kind of...well, there. I'm not quite sure what the song choice was all about or the excessive amount of weirdly almost Tron-like clothed dancers were about as well. Still, I seriously doubt she's in danger but if she's going to leave at all, especially at this far in the competition, this could be it. Josh, Drew, and Melanie would all have the most to gain by a still somewhat early departure.
L.A. - Hi Rachel. So this was probably the only time I've watched you and didn't believe that you were really having a great time. It didn't - it didn't translate. You know I love you and everybody loves you but that wasn't - that wasn't the best I've seen you. (Rachel: I felt it as much as I could and I love Michael Jackson so I tried to do as best singing as I could.)
Nicole - Pumpkin, I thought you did a really good job. I didn't feel the connection between you and what the world that was created around you going onstage. I'm going to have to agree with L.A. on this one. Normally you shine all the way to the sun and back and tonight I don't know if I felt that you felt it but I guess you did feel it so thank you (?).
Paula - I'm going to start off Rachel by saying I absolutely adore you. I really do and you know that - you know that - but I will say this: I don't feel this song gave you justice [to] just how serious a singer you really are because you transcend generations and it's time to get back to what you want to do...what you want to do. Having said that, I love you.
Simon - Well it's obviously anti-Simon Night tonight so I wouldn't take any notice. Um, actually, what I love about you is - is that you always put on a show. You look like a pop star, you're having the time of your life, and luckily squiddly, diddly, and whatever doesn't vote (Paula: And Tweedle-Dumb. Tweedle Dumb.) - the public vote. (Nicole: Not tonight.)
5) Marcus Canty - Singing "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" off of Thriller, Marcus donned his best M.J. outfit and actually sported some halfway decent footwork, although of course nothing that measured up to the loftiest of expectations, but while it was great watching Marcus recapture a lot of his confidence it's unclear whether it will be enough to save him, at least vocally. The backflip however might. That hasn't been done before on the show and while it possibly could have been rather gimmicky, it was still a brilliant touch.
Nicole - Marcus, let me tell you. I love you P.Y.T. I do. I hope America recognizes and appreciates you for that amazing talent that you are, all that you offer and the spirit and the hard worker that you are. You're the whole package and I hope that America really, really votes to make sure that they keep you on this stage (?). (Marcus: Thank you so much Nicole.)
Paula - Marcus. What a beautiful monage to the late great Michael Jackson. I mean, just watching the look on your face, the perspiration, the exhilaration, you left it all out there. And you know what, Marcus? You are the whole package. You need to be a whole package to be an X Factor. You are the whole package. You are the entertainer of this show.
Simon - Uh, Marcus - I agree with everything with which Paula just said other than the vocals weren't very good; that was the problem. (Paula: It's not that the vocals were wrong.) And the problem is that when you do a routine that involves a backflip - which is probably the best part of the routine - (Paula: Oh please.) you're going to run out of breath. (Paula: Oh, that is not true Simon.) And therefore, when I hear this back at home - I don't think the vocals are going to be good at all. (Nicole: You don't know - you don't know half of what it takes to be up there, to do all of that of what he is doing. You have no idea. Paula: He is the consummate, professional entertainer. Simon: I do. I'm just telling you.) (Paula: You're a ?? Marcus, remember that.)
L.A. - You know what? It was an inventive, ah, arrangement of the song? You did a great job. That flip that you did? I hope it flips you into some votes. My man.
6) Chris Rene - Revealing that his grandfather cowrote "Rockin' Robin" was an astonishing revelation. Gina also reappeared on the show for the first time since we heard her on the other end of the phone when Chris called to say he made it to the live round. It was her first on screen resurrection since he was eliminated during Boot Camp. Singing "I'll Be There" definitely took a back seat to his video introduction. Everything about the performance just didn't capture anything. Even L.A., normally doing his double pointy thing with the ultra intense facial expressions, looked around the crowd nervously and his feedback was short, to the point, and hardly reinforcing or aspiring confidence. You'd think that of all people, L.A. would be the one to oversell it and yet he didn't. He really showed no inclination to pretend otherwise either. If I had to guess, I'd have to say that Chris is probably going home Thursday Night.
Nicole - Chris, what's so amazing about Michael Jackson s that you always feel his spirit thru his music. You feel his sprit. And I felt your spirit tonight and it was so beautiful. And I just - I loved you up there tonight. You had your own fresh spin on it; your beautiful and clean cut look. And you know what? You sounded the best you've ever sang and you should be very proud of yourself. I'm glad you - you stretched yourself.
Paula - First of all, you looked the best you ever looked and I've gotta tell you something; you manifest with abundance in the heart department. You really do. Because you're not only connecting with mine but you're connecting with the whole public. And you know what? You did this great and I think the reason why you have a tough time trying to find the right song, Chris, is because you Chris are a writer who writes songs for yourself and over ten million people wouldn't be downloading your audition "Young Homie". I think - I cannot wait until you have an album out so I can buy it.
Simon - Manifest in the heart department. (Paula: Yes, he manifests in the heart department; something you really wouldn't know much of.) I have no idea what that means. Uh, Chris, you know what, uh, I think you of all the artists, you were going to have a really tough week. I think L.A. was clever, that kind of Fugees take on it, the vocal was a little bit shaky at the top, then when the rap kicked in, much, much better, then I kind of felt it at the end. I think you're going to have, I think you're going to need a lot of support from your hometown to survive this. (Paula: Keep on voting, keep on voting.)
L.A. - Listen, I think the performance speaks for itself. You know you are the truth. Great job.
7) Melanie Amaro - Perhaps in a little behind the scenes rebuttal to Haley Reinhart's Season 10 American Idol version of the song, especially given how Simon said "it's not a song you normally touch", Melanie performed "Earth Song" with extradionary competence in the pimp spot to close out the broadcast to a standing ovation.
L.A. - Melanie. For one second, I forgot - I forgot that we were in a competition and I felt that we were at a Melanie Amaro concert. You were amazing and maybe the best of the night. I'm sure that it had nothing to do with Simon but that was good.
Nicole - Melanie, not only was it the best of the night, it was one of the best performances I've seen on this entire show. And you know what? If that performance doesn't save a small country somewhere, I don't know what will.
Paula - It was simple. It was flawless. And you are gorgeous up there and you nailed it. I'm proud of you!
Simon - Melanie, I-I could not be more proud and - I- from all of us - the fact that the Jackson Family is sitting here tonight, came out, we paid tribute to Michael, and I couldn't think of a better way (Melanie: I absolutely love this song. I love this song.) to pay tribute to one of the greatest artists in the world. Thank you very much indeed. You are amazing.
Predictions & Final Thoughts
Pretty easy call this week as far as I'm concerned. Chris Rene and Marcus Canty are probably going home with Astro possibly still being third person in the bottom. I had initially thought that Josh should have sung "Beat It", especially with his guitar, but after awhile I began to think that who really should have done it - with guitar - was Chris Rene. He's a rapper now but many have already forgotten that he started off a punk rocker in life. If he wasn't already suspecting he was in trouble coming into this week, especially given the stage of the competition, who else is left, and on the heels of some rather sub-par performances, he should have assumed he was. And L.A. Reid sure as hell should told him to act accordingly. Breaking out the guitar, singing, and putting on a very solid performance with dancers reenacting the dance moves of perhaps my personal all-time favorite music video (it's certainly in the running at the very least), would have been just the right shot in the arm and momentum that he so desperately needs at this point. He would have ended up peaking at the right time after all.
I actually changed my mind about Rachel from the time I initially wrote this to the time I was ready to publish it. This is what I originally intended to say: "Had Rachel's performance been next week or the week after, she might be in trouble but she should survive with impeachable ease this week. It'd be shocking to see her in trouble." Right now, I'm sure she's safe but I don't think she's quite the lock right now to avoid the bottom 3. We are down to just seven now anyway and it would be the perfect storm for that still somewhat early exit of hers. Provided I'm right, the competition down the stretch will just as fierce as the final weeks of the last American Idol season but the outcome for this finale will be much, much wore wide open. There truly could be a photo finish and all five expected Top 5 finalists all have a legitimate chance of winning it all. The competition is finally reaching its climatic finish and then we'll just have a month to go before American Idol starts back up and we get to do it all over again.
No comments:
Post a Comment