Well, tonight's show was sure disappointing! The guys are not as strong as they have been in recent years. I think a girl will win the final prize this year. Here's tonight's run down:
1. Toddrick Hall, 24, Arlington, Texas singing “Since You’ve Been Gone” (Kelly Clarkston) It was not great to me.
Judges: Ellen – great performer; chorus rough; singing wasn’t greatest but performance was. Randy – didn’t even know what song it was, shouldn’t completely change song. Kara – agrees w/Randy but you took a risk & you are a performer. Simon – came over as a “dancer who can sing” instead of a singer who could dance; murdered original song; verged on stupid.
2. Aaron Kelly,16, from Sonestown, PA singing "Here Comes Good Bye " (Rascal Flatts). He seems older than 16! I like him but I also love Rascal Flatts and don't know if that influenced me.
Judges : Simon – quite good performance! Not confident enough, needs to take control of the song & get self confidence. Kara – favorite kind of contestant – he has no idea how good he is. Randy – huge voice – need to believe in yourself. Ellen – ditto – will do very well. Love your humble-ness.
3. Jermaine Sellers, 27 , from Joliet singing “Get Here” He sounded squeaky and off key.
Judges: Ellen – huge fan, felt like was just doing a performance instead of feeling the song; trying too hard. Randy – weird choice of song. Kara – trying to show everything he could do but not meaningful, too old of a song for him. Simon said it is the kind of song that an old fogey would request to be played at a lounge bar. Simon felt that he was screaming in the middle of the song and that Jermaine totally blew his opportunity.
4. Tim Urban, 20, Duncanville, TX singing “Apologize” (Urban Republic). He got cut originally & when the other guy broke the rules, he got called back. He didn’t even tell his family – wanted to surprise them by seeing him on tv! Typical son!! I thought he was bad! And it seems the judges agree with me although I really felt sorry for him while the judges piled on the insults!
Judges: Simon congratulated him on making it back but that the first cut was completely correct as he didn't think his voice was good enough. Kara said that the music overpowered him. Randy said it was completely the wrong song for him as he lacks the falsetto to do the song correctly. Ellen agreed that Tim indeed didn't manage to hit the high notes. Everyone thinks he’s adorable though!
5. Joe Munoz singing "You and I Both" He has a good voice.
Judges: Ellen said he looked very comfortable on the stage and that he sounded really really good. Randy said it was not the perfect song choice but that he thought Joe did a good job. Kara liked the fact that he sang a song she wouldn't have expected and said he was the best performance this far. Simon said he kinda agreed but that it was an okay, safe forgettable performance. But that he didn't really show star quality.
6. Tyler Grady, 21, a college student singing “American Woman” didn’t do anything for me. J
Judges: Simon said the good news was that people would remember that song. The bad news was that it would be for the wrong reasons. Kara agreed that with Simon that he needs to mix it a bit up because otherwise he will become predictable. Randy said that it was definately style over substance but that Tyler needs to update the songs fron the 70's to be more current. Ellen says he has the same poses as the big stars from the 70's but lacks the emotions and charisma that they had.
7. Lee Dewyze, 24, Chicago singing “Chasing Cars” (Snow Patrol) I like him.
Judges: Ellen said it was a really good song choice except when he started screaming at a point in the song. Randy disagreed with Ellen because he didn't like the song choice. Kara mentions that the song has little range but that he changed it so he could show a bit of his range. Simon disagreed with Randy and Kara as he thought it was the best performance of the night.
8. John Park, 21, Northbrook, Ill, a college student singing “God Bless the Child” Not a favorite of mine.
Judges: Simon said you have to have an incredible voice to take on that song and that he failed at it because there was no emotion in the song and that he felt flat. Kara completely agreed with Simon and said that there was no connection with the song. Randy said he loved the vocal runs but that the song made him look old. Ellen said that the song wouldn't convince the girls to pick up the phone but that she really liked the performance.
9. Michael Lynche, 24, Florida singing “This Love” (Maroon 5) Big Mike is the person most people remember without problem. He was the contestant that became a father during Hollywood week and couldn't be at the delivery because of it. He was the second person playing an instrument today. He was on key the whole song and made it sound interesting. Somehow he stayed close to the original but still made it sound like his own.
Judges: Ellen said that Mike had a great personality but that there were a few pitch problems. Randy agreed wtih Ellen. Kara said it was a bit depressing until Michael showed up. Simon said he was more a support act before the main act. Nothing unique.
10. Alex Lambert, 19, from N Richland Hills, TX. He sang “A Wonderful World” (James Morrison) NO The whole performance felt somehow restrained.
Judges: Simon said it was the most uncomfortable performance of the night but that he needs to get his nerves under control. Kara said he sounded a lot like James Morrison. She said it was all there but it wasn't together. Randy said he has a great tone to his voice. Ellen's comment was that she likes that he sticks to keeping his mullet and aren't going to let it go!
11. Casey James, singing “Heaven” (to Kara I believe!) He is clearly Kara's favorite and took his shirt off for her during an earlier performance! He is definitely CUTE and can sing.
Judges: Of course the rest of the judges decided that Kara needed to be the first judge to comment on Casey's performance. She comments that she almost didn't recognize him with his shirt on and then tells everyone that it's wrong because she's married. She immediately calls out for her husband that she loves him. Randy adds "For the moment" as a response to the fact that she is married. Ellen said she could feel Kara undress Casey with her eyes. But she said he sounded really good and was going to get votes like crazy! Randy said it was a great song choice and that he liked the voice. Kara adds on a serious note that he is eye candy but that he definately is ear candy too. Simon says that he realizes that both of them are cursed with good looks. He said that Casey chose the perfect song and that it was the best performance that Simon heard from him the whole season.
12. Andrew Garcia, 24, California who is a stay at home Dad, singing “Sugar, We’re Going Down” by Fall Out Boy. Someone get him some different glasses!
Judges: Simon: "I was looking forward to hearing you more than anyone else tonight but I was disappointed with that. I don't think you took a risk and became very muso and intense." Too serious. Forgettable. Great recording voice. Kara: "That was a strange rendition of that song. I really like you and hope we see you again for many weeks cause you're great." Randy: "Go back to being you from Hollywood week." Ellen: "I think your version of Paula's “Straight Up” will carry you for a while."
My favorites:
Aaron Kelly
Lee Dwayze
Casey James
Andrew Garcia
In trouble:
Tim Urban
Tyler Grady
Alex Lambert