Idol 2013: The Top 4 (Part 1?)

Poor Janelle. She deserved it after last week... and if anything, she's a gone a week early... but still. Sadface.

But what's interesting is the judges not using the save... Obviously, the producers can do whatever they want, but the "established" rules of the save render it null and void after Top 5 week. And the finale has been publicized as 4 weeks from now. So unless the finale is going to be a 4-hour Candice Kree solo concert... something screwy has to happen. Yay screwy!

As we begin (and I'm watching on an hour delay... enabling fast forward through crap. Yay!), I literally have no idea what the theme is. So that's a first for me.

Top 4, Song 1: Contestant's Choice!

Amber Holcomb "The Power of Love" by Celine Dion (GASP! Sigh.)

At the beginning of the season, some Idol pundits online generated a list of most over-done and therefore terrible song choices in Idol history. As it turns out, Amber apparently took that list as a challenge, and is running the gamut. And the performance was exactly like all her other ones... strong vocals, but absolutely nothing new. It's the top 4. Come on now.

Candice Glover "Find Your Love" by Drake

Candice is back. Maybe it's because I've never heard this song before, but whatever. Fantastic.

Kree Harrison "It Hurts so Bad" by Susan Tedeschi

Definitely Kree's best in a number of weeks. The runs were great, the feeling was there, the performance as loose as Kree gets.... what the hell the judges were watching, I have no idea. It actually kind of smells like the annual bus-job the Idol producers judges partake in around this time annually... 

Angie Miller "Who You Are" by Jessie J

Let me start by saying I really liked this performance by Angie. In fact, I'll go as far as saying it just may be her best yet. But everything Angie does comes across perfectly choreographed, well rehearsed. She knows how to work the camera, something Kree struggles with a little bit. So naturally, the judges wet their pants over her constantly. I like Angie, but I feel like she's being jammed down my throat by the Idol producers (though, to be fair, the judges didn't mess their pants for this as I expected them to, naturally making my mini-rant kind of silly... but I ain't deleting it!).

Oh, duets again? Looks like my fast forward button is stuck. Oh damn. I will read about the reaction to the performance before I write my wrap-up...

Top 4, Song 2: One Hit Wonders

This could be FUN. Probably won't be. But it could be.

Amber "MacArthur Park" by Richard Harris (though I'd love to hear Richard Harris sing this arrangement...)

I don't get it. But then again, I don't get disco. I missed the singing/dancing cupcakes from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Broadway, though.

Candice "Emotion" by Samantha Sang

Probably the most boring Candice song yet. The bit after the key change was pretty good and she does her thing with it... but I don't know. Maybe it's just my distaste for the song. 

Kree "A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum

I didn't connect to the song, personally, but Kree sure did. And she sang the hell out of it. Great week for Kree.

Angie "Cry Me a River" by Julie London

Perhaps my rant from the first performance is more applicable here. Good, but rehearsed and made for the cameras. But good.

Wrap Up

It seems like every year around this time, the judges make an abrupt about-face on a contestant for no apparent reason and become overly harsh on them, while blowing all sorts of smoke up another's ass for the slightest thing. Unfortunately, this year, the person under the bus is the incredible Kree Harrison. And the person with their tires being pumped is the Angie with a side of Amber. Is it my bias showing? Maybe. But either way, I hate it. HATE it.

Also, Seacrest announced a twist that will be announced tomorrow.... GEE, I wonder what it could be???

Timm's Votes

I'm making a very transparent attempt to offset the bus-job. And yes, I know my 50 votes won't make a dent. But I'm doing it anyway.

Kree - 50

Sorry Candice. Love you, but Kree got the bus, so she gets my 50 votes. 

I would put someone on alert as I normally do... but I'm not going to bother. I doubt anyone will be going home tomorrow. 

Back here next week!

Idol 2013: Girl Power

Damn it, Idol stole my title for their hashtag. Bah.

All girl top-5? Finally, some justice in the Idol world!

That's all. I'm watching on DVR on Thursday again, so my votes aren't actual votes. Lame on me, I know.

Top 5: Songs from the Year They Were Born... Or, "Idol Makes You Feel Old!"

Candice Glover "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul (1989)
I'm all for doing songs in totally different styles, and this was a pretty strong performance from Candice. Not her best, not the most exciting, but strong. BUT. Is this the only song that could be changed up like this? Because this exact thing was done with this exact song by Andrew Garcia, what, three years ago?

Ooo, a Jimmy Iovine instant reaction? What a novel concept that only took years to figure out!

Janelle Arthur "When I Call Your Name" by Vince Gill (1989)
I can appreciate what goes into doing an old fashioned musical performance like this... but this really felt too old fashioned to me. Sure, Janelle sounded great, but I can't see this performance resonating with the voters. I didn't feel it. Thanks, Keith.

Kree Harrison "She Talks to Angels" by The Black Crowes (1990)
Not my favorite performance by Kree. I absolutely love the sound of her voice, but something about this performance didn't ring true. And I think the judges are kind of hitting on what I'm talking about... Kree almost seemed distracted by all the crazy bells and whistles Idol has. I definitely see what Nicki was saying about Kree sounding completely current, however.

Also, can we get a catfight on live TV? PLEASE?

Angie Miller "I'll Stand By You" by The Pretenders (1994)
Haven't we seen this same exact performance by Angie before? Except with more confidence, the right lyrics, and better vocals. Very disappointing. And the judges and Jimmy freaking out about the performance? Fishy...

Amber Holcomb "Without You" by Mariah Carey (1994)
I never knew Amber could do ballads that require belting and riffing and all that! I'm shocked! This was good... but absolutely nothing new. Sigh.

Divas! A theme that totally wasn't planned before Lazaro was eliminated, right?

Candice "When You Believe" by Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey

Oh Candice. Candice has come back to Earth a bit. This is falling right in line with some of the other performances this week: all well and good, great vocals, all that... but nothing new. Candice is a star, but this week was a disappointment... an expected disappointment, sure, but a disappointment nonetheless.

Janelle "Dumb Blonde" by Dolly Parton

I'm now scared for Janelle. I know these performances are planned in advance and this isn't the case, but this seemed like Janelle took Keith's criticisms of her first performance and over compensated to appease him. Kind of a mess. 

Kree "Have You Ever Been in Love?" by Celine Dion

Here we go. Again, not my favorite Kree performance, but she did a great job of making the song her own without doing too much. She doesn't seem lost or overwhelmed, she's just just sanging [sic]. Much better. 

Angie "Halo" by Beyoncé

If you told me that this was a totally different performer than Angie's first performance, I'd believe you. Literally night and day different here... Still not at the level of a Candice or a Kree, but this is the type of performance that shows her regular top-3 appearances aren't necessarily way off base.

Amber "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" by Barbra Streisand

See Janelle's first performance. Sure, strong vocals, good performance, all that... but so old fashioned. And rather boring, honestly. 

Wrap-Up

I'll be completely honest: I kind of regret watching Idol tonight. I know I would have regretted it had I skipped, but there wasn't a ton here tonight that made it worth while. 

Timm's Votes

Candice - 25

Kree - 20

Angie - 5

I do think Candice came back to the pack a little bit tonight, but not a huge amount. Angie gets some votes for her Boston shoutout and for a good 2nd effort. Woo.

Bottom 2 should be (and probably will be) Amber and Janelle.... but I could see either going home. I'll go with Amber.

Idol 2013: Watching Late Again

This week, the Boston Bruins played at 7:30 on Wednesday night. There's something about a 7:30 Bruins start time that makes me want to do absolutely nothing afterwards.... 7:00 is fine, but 7:30? Pass. So, I skipped watching Idol live (obviously) and on DVR, so I'm watching Youtube clips after the Bruins game on Thursday night. So, the results are already in.... but I'm going to go in blind. You'll have to take my word on it. But I am.

Last week... Lazaro in the top 3? Of course he was. Ugh. I had Burnell on my list, and he was absolutely the worst last week, so it's not a shock. He is going home early, but not crazy early. So, whatever. Initially, I thought maybe the save could be in play with Burnell, but then I thought better of it: that save is obviously reserved for a situation that jeopardizes a Kree/Candice finale. MAYBE a Kree/Candice/Janelle final 3. This is not that challenge.

This week's themes are the Bacharach/Hal David Songbook and "Songs You Wish You Wrote". Ugh. Aka, songs from the 60s/70s and a bunch of ballads. Gotta love it.

Top 6: The Burt Bacharach / Hal David Songbook...

Angie Miller "Anyone Who Had a Heart"

For someone that struggles a bit with performances being a little overdramatic, this arrangement doesn't do Angie a whole lot of favors... but other than that? Solid. They picked a great key for Angie's voice, and she sounded great, but the performance did seem to be on autopilot a little bit. Solid base for Angie to build on later tonight though.

Amber Holcomb "I Say a Little Prayer"

Of course someone would do this song... and it's done exactly as you'd expect it to be done. I absolutely love the song, don't get me wrong... but I'm so over it. The song Amber put on during the second verse, though? HOT. But not really the right song for that. But HOT.

Lazaro Arbos "Close to You"

Yikes, old Lazaro is back. Weak song choice, and massive pitch problems throughout. Add into it the usual Lazaro diction/performance issues, and this is a new low for Lazaro.

Kree Harrison "What the World Needs Now"

This performance is a bit of a mixed bag for me. The very beginning started off quite exciting, but the second part was a bit of a drag, the key change was fantastic, then the ending wasn't up to the OMGKREE level. Perhaps it's the saccarine song. I don't know. I'm very excited for a second Kree song tonight though.

Janelle Arthur "I'll Never Fall in Love Again"

This is EXACTLY the song I wanted to hear from Janelle... but I'm underwhelmed. I've heard some great, re-imagined, pure country versions of this song, and this wasn't one of those. I really hate to say it, but this was very lounge singer like. Unfortunate.

Candice Glover "Don't Make Me Over"

And then we have Candice. Candice's Burt Bacharach is literally on a completely different level than anyone else. Candice sings the song in the original style, then fast forward to completely current with ease. Absolutely spectacular.

Top 6: ...and Songs They Wish They Wrote

Angie "Love Came Down" by Kari Jobe

THAT'S the Angie that I love. While I am a little concerned that this was very similar to her Colton Dixon performance, it won't matter. Wonderful.

Amber "Love On Top" by Beyoncé

I didn't feel this performance at all. I didn't like how the song sat in Amber's voice, didn't like the staging, didn't like the look, didn't like anything. Not the worst of the night (ahem), but probably the worst from Amber so far (for me).

Lazaro "Angels" by Robbie Williams

Lightyears better than his first performance of the night, but still pretty bad. Can the judges use a reverse save, and just give him the boot right now?

Kree "Help Me Make It Through the Night" by Kris Kristofferson

Pains me to say this, but I'm not feeling this performance either. A little sleepy for my tastes, and she didn't look too confident as she was performing. I understand it wasn't a big vocal song, but Kree felt to be holding back. Disappointing.

Janelle "The Dance" by Garth Brooks

This is, unfortunately, a very similar performance, results-wise, to her first performance. I was very excited to hear her sing this, but I was disappointed in the execution. I really wish Janelle made it her own a bit, as the karaoke approach didn't work for me. I'm nervous for Janelle. 

Candice "Lovesong" by The Cure

You know, I typically hate when they proclaim something 'one of the greatest performances in the history of Idol', as Randy Jackson did... but you know what? That's accurate. Sure, she took a page from the Kris Allen Playbook (borrowing the Adele arrangement of an older song), but I don't even care. This was easily the best Idol performance in years.

Wrap-Up

I was previously holding out for more of two-woman race, but after tonight, there is a clear-cut front runner, and her name is Candice Glover. This is the Candice show and everyone else is jockeying for second place. What a night for her.

Also, what a night for Lazaro. In the other direction. Eek.

Timm's Votes

Well, what my votes would have been had I watched live.

Candice - 40

Kree - 10

I wanted to put 50 for Candice, but Kree's night wasn't a failure. I'd also throw some votes Angie's way, but I don't want to take any more from my girls. So, 40/10.

I'd probably name Lazaro, Janelle and Amber my bottom 3, with Lazaro going home. That said, Lazaro was SO BAD and the judges SO honest that he'll surely get a wave of sympathy votes. God, I hate America voting. 

*checks results*

Kree/Candice? Then Janelle/Angie? Then Amber/Lazaro? And Lazaro is mercifully cut? I take it back... America, sometimes, you get it right. 

Also, how fabulous was KELLY CLARKSON?!?! 

Shut up, it's my blog, I can fangirl Kelly if I want to.

Idol 2013: Rock 'n' Roll, Woo

I suppose I don't really need an "intro" this week, since I don't have results to discuss. So...

Calling it now: this week's show is going to be trainwreck-city. Here's to hoping it's fun trainwrecks, not just painful ones!

The Top 7: Rock Week, Sans the Pesky Ballads

Burnell Taylor "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi
Well, at least Idol put the person that will struggle the most up first. And struggle he did. Complete trainwreck, and Burnell obviously knew it. Too bad, could have been LOL-worthy. The kick was a good start, though (if way too late).

Lazaro and Angie sing Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"... Lazaro is every bit as train-wrecky as you'd expect, and Angie shows her theatre-roots again. She wins this battle. Oh, it's supposed to be a duet? Oops. Wrong show.

Kree Harrison "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin
Eargasmic. I seriously don't think Kree can do any wrong. I wouldn't say this was the best of Kree so far, but still damn good.

Candice and Burnell sing a duet of some sort... but I continued fast forwarding. Oops.

Janelle Arthur "You May Be Right" by Billy Joel
When the song choice was announced, I cringed a bit... but this was fantastic. Not the best vocal by Janelle, but the arrangement was just country enough to make everything just right. Well done.

Lazaro Arbos "We Are the Champions" by Queen
This season's Sanjaya is past the point of judging the vocals, but in all, not a bad job tonight. Entertaining performance, as far as Lazaro performances go. So there's that.

Janelle, Kree and Amber singing my favorite song ever. And it's as awkward as any forced trio arrangement would be. Sigh.

Candice Glover "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones
There is absolutely nothing about this performance that wasn't AWESOME. Hot vocals, hot lighting, great stage set-up everything. Completely obsessed.

Amber Holcomb "What About Love?" by Heart
Oh hey, Amber, what's up? HOT vocals, but I really didn't feel anything behind this performance. That said... best vocals of the night. Hot damn.

Angie Miller "Bring Me to Life" by Evanescence
Not really a fan, if I'm being honest. I'm really not a fan of that song, and Angie's version came off somewhat second rate and karaoke. Sad face.

Wrap Up

Not NEARLY as trainwreck-y as I was expecting! I can't say there were a whole bunch of performances that blew me away (besides the usual suspects), but overall, a good week. I really liked the "no ballads" stipulation, which was a particular breath of fresh air this season. I totally look forward to next week... Whitney week? Maybe Celine week? Maybe just "all ballads"? DO IT UP!

Timm's Votes

Candice - 15

Kree - 15

Janelle - 15

Amber - 5

I have my trio. I support my trio (who were all fabulous this week). And Amber gets 5 votes so my vote totals are simple (and her vocals were HOT).

I'm going to venture a guess that the bottom 3 will be Lazaro, Burnell and, unfortunately, Amber. Lazaro should be going home... but I'm thinking he'll end up being the "safe" one. Ugh.