I love Queen. That's all the introduction this week needs.
Idol group numbers are always so awkward, usually hilariously so. This one isn't all that hilarious, but still awkward. I think the problem with these is that you have a large number of solo singers trying to stand out, which leads to a whole big mess, and usually one person dominating everyone else. Tonight? Elise. Everyone else, shut it, let Elise rock Queen.
- Jessica Sanchez - Bohemian Rhapsody - What's with the black and wh--DISEMBODIED FLOATING HEADS. OMG. Yeah yeah, usual Jessica performance, both upbeat and ballad, whatever. Let's talk the extra Jessica heads. That was amazing.
- Skylar Laine - The Show Must Go On - YES. I have nothing more beyond that. YES.
- Josh Ledet - Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Good stuff. Probably my favorite Josh performance in a while… but WTF is with the constant standing ovation for Josh? Every. Single. Week.
- Elise Testone - I Want It All - Oh man. This is going to be a fantabulous episode of Idol tonight, isn't it? JLo says it right: everything came together here. This is Elise's element.
- Phillip Phillips - Fat Bottomed Girls - Queen isn't exactly Phil's wheelhouse, but that was fun. Good stuff. Nowhere near Phil's best, but he weathered the theme, if you will, without doing the usual Phil performance.
- Hollie Cavanaugh - Save Me - Speaking of usual performance… same old same old from Hollie. Sounded fine, but that's about it.
- Jessica Sanchez - Dance With My Father (by Luther Vandross) - I thought for sure Josh was going to sing this… anyhoo. Wonderful job. I've never really loved this song, but I loved Jessica's take on it. For a change.
- Skylar Laine - Tattoos on this Town (by Jason Aldean) - I didn't love the song to be honest, but Skylar singing actual country is always a treat. This girl is going to have a hell of a career.
- Josh Ledet - Ready for Love (by India.Arie) - Another song I've never been crazy about, but another song sung well from Josh. And, shocker, another standing ovation!
- Elise Testone - Bold as Love (by Jimi Hendrix) - Elise just does her thing, is awesome, and calls it a night. No big deal.
- Phillip Phillips - The Stone (by Dave Matthews Band) - I've never been crazy about music by DMB, and this is no exception. I liked the performance as a whole, but meh to the song.
- Hollie Cavanaugh - The Climb (by Miley Cyrus) - Who knew Hollie would pick this song? Oh, everyone, right. That said… wow. EVERYTHING that was blah or meh about Hollie earlier tonight was fixed in this performance. Easily her best of the competition, just may be the best performance of the night. Oh, Hollie, how to complicate things!
I love this season of Idol. There, I said it. I liked last year, but this year is about 10x better. It's not quite season 8... but what is?
Winner of the Night... Skylar. Hollie will also get a big bump in this "category", because she hit a homerun going last, but Skylar. I'm not convinced a girl will win this season, and am really not convinced a country girl can win again... but if anyone can, it's Skylar. I love her.
Better watch out... I honestly have no idea. I'd say Phil had the weakest night tonight, but I see him as the front-runner, really. Hollie based on past performances? Elise based on past result shows? Jessica? Hollie is probably 6th if I were to do some sort of 'power ranking' thing, but who knows after her 2nd performance. Could be another zomgshocker tomorrow.
