Except that if you count the weeks, you see that it had to be used. So, there's that.
The question: is America sick of Jessica, or is it voter complacency? I'm leaning towards the latter... but who knows.
"Now & Them" week. An Idol standby. But a decent enough theme.
- Hollie Cavanaugh - Rolling in the Deep (by Adele) - I never would have guessed Hollie would do this song! /sarcasm… A good performance, though, probably Hollie's best.
- Colton Dixon - Bad Romance (by Lady Gaga) - I get what Colton was trying to do… but misfire. I wasn't digging that. Maybe it was the compacted performance, but everything seemed rushed and not fully realized.
- Elise Testone - No One (by Alicia Keys) - A safe song choice, sure… but flawless, effortless vocals. FLAWLESS.
- Phillip Phillips - U Got It Bad (by Usher) - I initially thought this was a train wreck waiting to happen… but not the case in the slightest. Quite the opposite, actually. Just might be Phil's best performance to date.
- Jessica Sanchez - Fallin' (by Alicia Keys) - This performance was nothing new. Strong vocals (as usual), Beyonce-like focus and vocals (seen it), random red things all over stage (seen it). Boringness got her voted out last week… then this.
- Skylar Laine - Born This Way (by Lady Gaga) - Performing with Sons of Sylvia! Niiiice. I continue to not really enjoy the country Born This Way… but this performance was spot-on. As the judges gushed about, this is Skylar's third straight powerhouse performance. Loved it.
- Josh Ledet - I Believe (by Fantasia) - Good, I guess. I've never really 'gotten' Fantasia, and didn't really 'get' this performance. Josh definitely felt it, though.
- Hollie Cavanaugh - Son of a Preacher Man (by Dusty Springfield) - Meh. A bit of a return to the underwhelming Hollie of old. The judges loved this, but we know they can't be trusted.
- Colton Dixon - September (by Earth, Wind and Fire) - Giant tree! A bit safe, but Colton made an iconic song his own. Personally, I liked this better than Bad Romance.
- Elise Testone - Let's Get It On (by Marvin Gaye) - Underwhelming after the master class she put on earlier. The song choice could have been MUCH better. Trying to have a discussion with the judges about critique is usually a kiss of death, too… eek.
- Phillip Phillips - In the Midnight Hour (by Wilson Pickett) - Phil sans guitar! Fun performance, if a bit un-Phil-like. Both smart decisions. Good night for Phil. "Brilliantly awkward" indeed, Steven.
- Jessica Sanchez - Try a Little Tenderness (by Otis Redding) - MUCH more interesting performance to me by Jessica. Good stuff.
- Skylar Laine - Heard It Though the Grapevine (by Marvin Gaye) - More Sons of Sylvia, and more awesomeness from Skylar. Good night for Skylar, too.
- Josh Ledet - Change Is Gonna Come (by Sam Cooke) - Good stuff, sure… but easily the most obvious performance of the night.
Better watch out... Elise or Hollie. I'm biased so I'll say Hollie will get booted. The third member of the bottom three will be interesting to see...
(The return of) Loser of the Night... Sons of Sylvia. Like two years ago, they were being pushed as the next best thing in country music, with a plum spot on Carrie Underwood's album and an opening gig for her on tour... and now they are backing up an American Idol contestant with no credit given. Eek.
