Laptop Television Mom

Thanks to Dixie for her hilarious (and spot-on) comments!

DIXIE SAYS: Fun Fact: John Lennon died four years before the oldest Season 7
contestant was even born.  Perhaps that’s why they had to spend time at
the beginning of the show explaining exactly who Paul McCartney and John Lennon
are.  A couple of weeks ago I heard a pre-teen tell her friend that David
Archuleta’s cover of “Imagine” was much better than the original. True Story.

The new intro is kind of cool, but the new stage is a bit
futuristic/urban for my style. It looked like a UFO, especially when all the
lights were flashing.  Several of the contestants mentioned “Yesterday”
but no one sang it, or “Hey Jude”. I wonder if those tunes were off
limits.  That being said… here are my reviews:

Syesha Mercado “Got To
Get You Into My Life”

What’s
up with the El De Barge hairdo? Syesha was ‘okay’… she had some pitch problems
and the arrangement suffered from very choppy phrasing.  I would put this
in the forgettable category. Hopefully, she will not get the boot due to being
the first one out of the gate.

Chikezie Eze “She’s A
Woman”

After
Chikezie sang, I could barely remember Syesha’s performance.  What an
excellent and unique interpretation! This stunning version reminded me of the
band, “Fishbone”.  About midway through the song, I could actually see him
realize, “I’m doing this! I’m really pulling this off.” One of my favorites of
the evening, and a definite deserver of the pimp spot.

Ramiele Malubay “In My
Life”

Why
do I feel the need to remind everyone that I didn’t like her from the get go?
This will be my last time mentioning it. It was bad enough that she had to
follow the likes of Chikezie, but then she had to go and ‘Disney Princess’ her
way through it.  At best, Ramiele’s performance was blandity bland.
Due to the fact that I actually dozed off for a few seconds during her song, I
can honestly say it was a Snoozefest of Snore-Epic Proportions. Dedicated to
all the American Idol Season 7 homies who have gone before her? If she doesn’t
pick up the pace and learn some stage presence, she won’t be far behind them.
And why was her belt practically under her armpits? 

Jason Castro “If I
Fell”

Jar-Jar
Binks had some pitch problems, but it was folksy and sweet and it worked.
He wasn’t nearly as good as last week, but how could he be? I can’t say I loved
the performance, but I like that he does his thing and laughs at his
imperfections.  I agree with Paula; Jar-Jar is able to emotionally connect
with both the song and the audience.  Not always an easy feat- just ask
Ramiele! Although the guitar worked with this song, he really needs to stay
away from it for a while.  Otherwise, he will be branded as a pony with
only one trick. 

Carly Smithson “Come
Together”

Most
certainly Carly’s best performance. The little Irish lass blew the roof off of
this song and showed tons of personality doing it.  She worked the stage,
worked the crowd, and worked the band… Ru Paul would be proud! It was heart
warming to see the smile on her face and to hear the crowd go bananas for her!
And then to top it off, she got the “Kelly Clarkston” endorsement from
Simon.  Forget the fact that Simon has been quoted as saying he didn’t
even remember Kelly until late in the season. 

David Cook “Eleanor
Rigby”

If
Chris Daughtry and Jack Black had a baby, he would be David Cook.  This
performance was vocally proficient and emotionally interesting at the same
time.  I’m very impressed with David’s pure “Creed” sounding vocals, and
even commented to my husband during the show that I think he is a much better
singer than goat-throat Daughtry.   I’m not taking anything away from
the former Idol contestant: I just think David is that awesome!  Was it
just me, or did he sing, “wearing his socks in the night when there’s nobody
there?” God love him for not even flinching and ruining one of my favorite Beatles
song.  Cook rocked Rigby in the best possible way. My number one of the
night!

Brooke White “Let It
Be”

I
liked it, but can’t say I loved it.  For whatever reason, I was expecting
more, something richer like Elton John’s version. It was tonally pretty and very
sincere, and her barefoot piano playing was spot on.  I don’t know- maybe
it was just too predictable for me to be impressed.   But she’s
definitely a frontrunner in this competition.

David Hernandez “I Saw
Her Standing There”

Massive
vocal problems and frantically boring at the same time.  I’m really
rooting for this guy, but this performance came across as desperate, like he is
just trying way too hard.  David was one of the best during Hollywood week, so hopefully
he’ll pull through to next week and start to shine again.  Pizza place?
Why didn’t he mention his other job? 

Amanda Overmyer “You
Can’t Do That”

Man,
I wish I could rock a pair of Beetlejuice stripped pants like you, Amanda! She
certainly is an entertainer, isn’t she? I don’t think I’ve had such an
about-face opinion of a contestant before! Amanda may not vocally be able to
hold a candle to some of the other singers, but her personality and energy will
probably take her far in this competition if she keeps this up. With that said,
she was vocally outstanding tonight… and so much fun to watch! After hearing
this performance, I would love to hear her tackle  “Rocky Raccoon”.
She reminds me of Linda Blair, circa “Roller Boogie”.  Loved it! One
of my favorites of the night!

Michael Johns “Across
the Universe”

I
dozed off AGAIN during Michael’s performance, but this time, I think it has
more to do with me being over-worked, over-scheduled, and over-tired and less
to do with Michael being boring.  Actually, I think he sounded great and
his tone reminded me so much of “I Am Sam”, one of my favorite movies that
highlights so many of the songs from the Beatles Songbook. Good job!

Kristy Lee Cook “Eight
Days a Week”

Thanks
for breaking out the scary bug-eyes again, Kristy.  Oh, and thanks for murdering
a poor, innocent song.  If Paul wasn’t tied up in negotiations with Nancy
No Leg about who keeps the house on the Isle of Man, he would fly to the
states just to kick your yodeling, countrified butt.  She couldn’t keep up
with the music and all of her manic bouncing made me physically ill.
Those jeans were about as Kid Rock level of trashy as one can get and what is
up with her shirts? Does Kristy Lee own any shirts that are not shiny, sparkly,
or metallic? This performance should most definitely earn her the big boot!
WORST of the night.

David Archuleta “We
Can Work It Out”

Ladies
and gentleman, this is what is commonly referred to as The Choke.  Did
Jar-Jar smoke him out backstage or what? This definitely trumped his other most
embarrassing moment when he forgot the lyrics in a charity show.  Too bad
his mommy couldn’t jump on the stage and finish the song for him like she did
the last time.  He didn’t just drop a line or two; he totally and
completely forgot the lyrics to his song choice!  To date, this has never
happened on American Idol. Now, combine forgetting the lyrics with some
seriously bad notes, mumbling the words he did know, the breathy-gaspiness, and
UGH, the lip-licking (the lip-licking has got to stop. I mean it) and it equals
the Fall of a Frontrunner.  Too bad, so sad. 

Going home? Can’t see how it could be anyone else other than Kristy
Lee Cook… especially after she took Asia’h’s spot!!