American Idol 9: Top 9, Lennon/McCartney Night
Once again, I’m late watching the performances. I know it’s the Lennon/McCartney songbook tonight, and I’m horrified to think of what the kids are going to mangle. Introductions and blah blah, let’s get to it!
Aaron Kelly – “The Long and Winding Road” – He’s actually not too bad starting out. He has a little rasp to his voice tonight; is it an affectation, or is he ill? Oh, but the nervous-sounding quaver comes back for the bridge, and there are notes that are both sharp and flat. In general it’s decent, but a slow and plodding choice, and a terrible arrangement. 6 out of 10.
Katie Stevens – “Let It Be” – My fear before she starts is that it’ll be slow and boring. Let us see. First off, she’s parked behind a microphone stand, wearing a dress that makes her arms look like huge sausages. As for the song, yeah. Notes are mostly OK, but she’s boring. Slow songs don’t have to be boring, but since she is boring, I don’t think she has the ability to jazz it up. 5 out of 10 for making me yawn.
Andrew Garcia – “Can’t Buy Me Love” – He’s up on the stage behind the judges, acoustic guitar and mike stand at the ready. He has his Buddy Holly glasses and hairstyle in place. And his arrangement stinks. From backing horns to slap bass, it’s a mishmash hodgepodge. And it sounds like how Engelbert Humperdink would try to “modernize” something. Randy calls it “corny,” which is apt. 6 out of 10.
Michael Lynche – “Eleanor Rigby” – I’m not a huge fan of Big Mike, but I have to admit, he’s made an interesting arrangement. Nice strings backing him, a nice cadence, and kind of an R&B vibe. Best arrangement so far tonight (although the final note sounds off). 7 out of 10.
Crystal Bowersox – “Come Together” – With a didgeridoo on the side. Not the most musically challenging song, and honestly, Sox isn’t rocking me as hard this week. It’s a good performance, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not one of her best. But it’s still the most compelling of the night so far. Also, she borrowed a scream note from Siobhan. 8 out of 10.
Tim Urban – “All My Lovin’” – Holy crap, is Terrible Tim improving?! His notes are mostly in tune, playing the guitar keeps him grounded so he’s not spazzing around everywhere, and it’s a somewhat appropriate (teenybopper) song choice for him. It shocks me to give him a 7 out of 10.
Casey James – “Jealous Guy” – A Lennon solo song. And maybe not as well-known as most of tonight’s choices. It’s a slower song, but it’s not boring, since he really seems to be into the emotion of the song. His voice is a little goat-bleatier than usual, but doesn’t sound too bad. Plus, his hair looks really soft and clean. 7 out of 10.
Siobhan Magnus – “Across the Universe” – This may be the Beatles song I’ve heard covered the most by women, so she’s in tough company. She’s wearing her Madonna-Like-a-Virgin costume, perched up on a boring stool. It’s just Siobhan and a piano, and it doesn’t sound like enough. I expect her to speed up or bust out for the second verse, but it stays quiet and sedate and somewhat dull. I’ll also note, I have to listen without watching, because her huge overglossed mouth is creeping me out. Not as boring as Aaron, but not as good a ballad as Casey. 6 out of 10.
Look out behind you, Lee!
Lee DeWyze – “Hey Jude” – A ballad to close the show. Please, please, don’t be boring. He starts out with just his voice and his guitar, and some of the notes are fairly bad. The band joins in with some drums and what sounds like a steel guitar (which sounds out-of-place country). This … could be better. Then a goddamn bagpipe player comes down the stairs! Playing the goddamn bagpipes! This just got surreal and awesome and magical. Not Lee’s best performance, but OMG LOL bagpipes for bonus points. 8 out of 10.
Let’s look at my low scores for the night: Aaron, Andrew, and Siobhan all got 6, while Katie got 5. So I’ll send Katie home. Although it’d serve me right to have Tim finally go home, just when he charms me a smidge. And oh — if any of the Idols want me to come down the stairs playing the melodica during their song, give me a call.
