When Lil Rounds was shown as being the first singer, I got worried. Howevre, her version of The Way You Make Me Feel was absolutely wonderful. She had a few rough spots, but over all this was a very good start for the season. Kara was right, that last note was absolutely SICK (and that's in a GOOD way) and I agree with Simon because the second half of her performance was better than the first. Of all the girls on the show right now, if any ONE of them can survive a first singer place and still be memorable by the end of 2 hours, it's Lil. She's rated as a firm 3rd place on the DI chart and scored a +3 on the state maps (3 wins, no losses). She is in no way going home this week. So long as she "sings her face off" every week, we'll see her for a time to come.
02) Scott MacIntyre . He did a very beautiful version of Keep the Faith. I was absolutely right in previous weeks when I said that once he got to use his instrument he'd do alot better. Most astounding thing about his performance is that he had to learn the score as well as the vocal all in one week. I dont care what anyone says, whether you're sighted or vision impaired, that takes some MAD SKILLS. I absolutely LOVE his performances, although at this point I don't think he has a shot of winning. This one would be the true dark horse of the competition if he gets to stay around. However, singing that early in the night AND having the likes of Danny and Adam coming up later in the night... well placement just didn't do Scotty any favors. He's rated as a 4-12 on DI Chart which means there's a distinct possibility we'll see him as a B3 for the week. That'll be rough as they're sending 2 home this week. I think I may just cry if he goes home so soon though.
03) Danny Gokey. I can't tell you how happy they didn't play the "his wife died" card this week. TPTB must be seeing what some of the fans are saying about it. At this point, he needs to get through on his talent... not pity. His version of PYT was absolutely wonderful. The sound was current enough to be made into a hit now. Personally, he's one of the few in this season that doesn't really need the show. It would actually be doing him a favor to let him get through a few weeks and then get him voted off. I am listening to the performance again as I type and I think Simon's comment of him being a Michael McDonald type singer is pretty much spot on. With a DI Chart rating of #1 and the lion's share of the states (15!! More than TWICE the #2 vote getter), there's no way in HELL he's going home this week.
04) Michael Sarver. Oh dear, this one is where the performance placement is going to come into play. Don't get me wrong, he did a lovely version of You Are Not Alone, BUT he sounds just like every other male country artist that's out there now. This is the time to be standing out somewhat and he just did not do that. The song was beautifully sung and the diva note was there, but it was a terribly safe song for him. With a rating of 4-13 (he was as high as 4th place and as low as last) on the DI Chart and big ol goose egg on the maps (no wins, but no losses either), there is a very distinct possibility that this could be his last night.
05) Jasmine Murray. I don't know, she's nice but I'm just not diggin her much. Singing in 5th definitely didn't do her any favors this week. Her version of I'll Be There was very nice but she was handily out sung by at least 2 other girls not to mention several of the guys as well. The song was done well, but I don't think it was overly memorable. With a rating of 4-13 on the DI Chart and a -3 on the map (1 win and 4 losses), there is a very HIGH possibility that she's going home this week. It was a nice attempt, however this may have been a year or two too early for her.
06) Kris Allen. He's another one that I just love to listen to. Randy pointed out that Kris has this Jason Mraz quality to him and I think I might agree. I'd like to see him pull off some Rocco DeLuca sometime if he makes it through. Remember the Time was a wonderful song for him but Simon was right that the performance was a tad clumsy with that guitar so maybe it wasn't exactly the song for him to whip it out on. Kudos to Kris for helping out the other contestants out this week. I hope it doesn't bite him on the "adorable sexy" ass (thanks Paula, great description). I'm worried about the placement of his performance. Singing in the middle of the pack on a 2 hour night and a couple more pimped contestants coming up? Not a place I'd want to be. He rated a 4-13 on the DI Chart and a Map score of +1 (2 wins and a loss). There is a good possibility he'll be in the bottom, however there are ones that scored worse than him (and one far worse).
07) Allison Iraheta. I like her stage presence; she owns the stage when she's up there. Allison reminds me of a young Amanda Overmyer and I can see her putting out the same type of album once she's fully "seasoned". Her version of Give In To Me sounded much like something Heart or maybe even Pat Benetar would put out if they'd covered it. The judges blew alotta sunshine up her ass but I suspect she's in danger this week. Yes, she'll be one to watch *IF* she makes it through. The DI Chart has her at 4-13 and big ol goose egg on the Map for her also (3 wins and 3 losses) so there's a distinct possibility this could be the last week for her as well.
08) Anoop Desai. On first listen of his version of Beat It, I thought it was pretty good but he sounded winded in parts of it. As I'm listening to it a second time, I'm not really overly thrilled with it. I suspect he'd have done better if he'd picked a ballad for this week. Not to say it was bad, but Paula actually uttered the "K" word (karaoke) *gasps*. Yeah, I agree Chicagolady... I'm sure she was coached on that review too. You know it's bad when all 4 judges use that word (especially Paula!). Simon was asked if he regretted making it a Top 13 this year and he responded that "on the back of that , yes". Yep, he's right. It's no time to be too safe, but it's also not time to be overly risky. He got a 4-11 on the DI Chart and a +3 on the Map. The Chart has him in green and he's predicted to be safe. Even if he ended up on the low end of his rating, he'd still be outsinging two others. As much as I hate to say it, I'm going to call him as safe... simply because I hear there's a HUGE fan base out there for him. .
09) Jorge Nunez. His version of Never Can Say Goodbye wasn't bad, it was better than some of his other performances. I don't think the song did him any favors though. Kara was right when she pointed out that She's Out of My Life would have been a much better choice for his voice. I believe Danny Gokey would have done a much better job with this particular song than Jorge did. He rated a 4-13 on the DI Chart and a goose egg on the Map (1 win, 1 loss). Jorge is definitely in trouble this week.
10) Megan Joy Corkrey. Ok, her version of Rockin Robin was all kinds of wrong from the very start. I still have no clue WHY they let this one through when there were ones that were 100% more deserving of the spot. Somehow I just knew, before she ended her performance, she'd be a VFTW poster child. The dancing alone was enough to make her their pick, but that damn CAW CAW at the end...was just a clincher. Ok, sorry, I was hatin this performance severely. She's one of my B3 picks of the week and she really does deserve to be there. I suspect VFTW may have done *just* enough to get her through though. She rated a 4-13 on the DI Chart and scored a +1 on the Map ( 2 wins, 1 loss). There's a definite possibility that she's done her last "Corkrey" on that stage this week, but then there's a slim chance she might squeak through.
11) Adam Lambert. I liked, but didnt really overly LOVE Adam's version of Black or White. I love the fact he actually giggled a bit at the girls' reactions in the audience during the beginning of his performance though, yet did not get completely distracted and lose track of where he was. It's a sign of a really good performer to be able to react to the audience and NOT completely lose it in a fit of giggles (they stay in character). On a second listen....I more than like it, I love it....just not LOVE it. You know what I liked best about his performance? He didn't pick the song that would have been the most obvious choice to make. The Alien Ant Farm's version of Smooth Criminal would have been right up his alley and he would have absolutely slaughtered on that one, yet he chose to do something completely new. I love me some David Cook, but you know he more than likely would have made that obvious choice (sorry, but you know he would have), so kudos to Adam for that brilliant move. I am going to say this yet again, he DOES.NOT.NEED.this show. It would be doing him a HUGE favor to let him get a few more weeks in and then cut him loose. Keep him around just long enough to get him on The Tour (ka-chingville folks!). Ryan was right on how easy Adam made it seem, although I suspect he should have used the term "effortless" because that's how he performs. He rated a firm #2 on the DI Chart this week and had a +6 Map score (second only to Gokey). There is no way in HELL he's going home this week.
12) Matt Giraud. He had a nice performance of Human Nature, but it wasn't great. There's a nice falsetto there. I just don't see what all the hype is about him, to be honest. If someone could please explain the attraction some find with him? He's good....not great. Maybe it's that Timberlake connection the judges like to make? I'll reserve judgement for when he actually tackles a Timberlake song. His rating was a 4-13 on the DI Chart and a -1 on the Map. There is a heavy possibility he's going home this week, unless whatever twist the judges are pulling gets him through.
13) Alexis Grace. I could NOT believe the song choice on this one. How the HELL did they manage to clear Dirty Diana? Nevermind the show, I mean through Fox! What's next, one of the boys singing She-Bops? Yeah, I so went there. Ok, I will agree that she out-rocked Allison tonight and if I had to choose between just between them then I'd go with Alexis. Simon was right though, it wasn't really all that. In the atmosphere of the auditorium, that was a great performance but listening back...not really. Enough to get her through for the week though. She rated a 4-10 on the DI Chart (so at her lowest she still out sang 3 people which keeps her outta the bottom) and a +2 on the Map. No, unless the judges are out of their minds, she aint going home this week.
Highest probability of being in the B3:
Jasmine Murray: lowest Map score (-3), 3rd lowest on the Chart, BUT the judges liked her
Matt Giraud: next lowest Map score (-1), they have him 7th listed on Chart, judges really liked his performance
Scott MacIntyre (oh , I so did NOT want to add him here): tied on next lowest Map score (-1), 6th listing on the Chart, judges liked him but felt it was safe (Simon hated the song)
Other possibilities of hitting the B3 for the week:
Michael Sarver: No Map score (no wins, no losses), listed 8th on the Chart, judges liked him
Allison Iraheta: No Map score (3 wins, 3 losses), next to last on Chart, judges liked her
Jorge Nunez: No Map score (1 win, 1 loss), LAST on Chart, judges bashed him
Very remotely possible:
Kris Allen: +1 Map score (2 wins, 1 loss), listed 4th lowest on Chart, judges liked him
Megan Joy Corkrey: +1 Map score (2 wins, 1 loss), listed 5th lowest on the Chart, Simon hated her and the others were less than complimentary. ..oO(oh please Lord let this one go home!!)
My picks for B3? Jorge, Jasmine, and things are going how I'd like, then Megan. However, it's very possible any one of the other 5 will be in Megan's place.
