In the six seasons of American Idol, LAist can't recall a more average group of singers -- in voice and personality. Tuesday nights so far have been two hours of tedium, except for one or two standout performances a night. Last night -- British Invasion Night -- was no different.
The song choices were unappealing to those under 40, and it's a safe bet that many of the contestants never even heard of their coaches -- Lulu and Peter Noone of Herman's Hermit's. They definitely weren't as starstruck as they were with Diana Ross last week.
But what was most surprising on last night show was that love him or hate him contestant Sanjaya Malakar didn't suck too badly. Or maybe as badly as past performances, which is a big step for him in our eyes. His rendition of The Kinks' "You Really Got Me" moved a little girl to tears. (She liked it, we think, but every time the camera panned to the little AI fanatic, she had tears in her eyes. It reminded us of those over-zealous fans who swooned over Elvis or fainted during Beatlemania. But seriously, crying over American Idol?) Sanjaya showed his edgier side last night, even crooning to Paula during the chorus of the song, so we're pretty sure he'll stick around for another week.
The worst performances of the night belonged to Gina Glocksen with an awful rendition of "Paint It Black"; an off-key Stephanie Edwards for "You Don't Have to Love Me" and Phil Stacey's karaoke version of "Tobacco Road."
Even favorite LaKisha Jones had an off night with her cover of "Diamonds are Forever." There was a passion lacking in her voice this week that we've seen in prior shows. Other front-runner Melinda Doolittle did much better, earning top vocals last night, with "As Long as He Needs Me," but her song choices have been a little boring lately. Spunky Jordin Sparks did well again with "I Who Have Nothing," so she could be making a run for the finals under the radar if she keeps it up.
As for the guys, Blake Lewis is growing on us. He surprised us by turning "Time of the Season" into something cool and modern. We sometimes forget he can sing through all that beatboxing.
Other random AI notes:
- What was up with Ryan's lamer attempt at humor this week? Pretending to break a phone he threw offstage was just painful. You could hear crickets in the live audience, and we just felt sorry for the guy at home.
- And did you see Simon oggle Haley Scarnato in her go-go/hootchie mama outfit? She looked great and she did much better with "Tell Him" than she did last week. At least she didn't forget the words this week.
See who gets the boot tonight at 9 PM on FOX.
Photo: FOX/Frank Micelotta
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Hands down the best performance last night was Jordin's "I Who Have Nothing." THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT! It was the ONLY performance that felt like the singer was truly moved by the song and hence was able to move the audience with it. Unlike a lot of the other performers who have trouble connecting with the material as soon as it's one iota out of their steady diet of R&B lite, Jordin seems like she has the rare ability to take material and make it her own. We'll see how she does with other genres, but if she can keep up what she did tonight, she's bound to be in the finals.
Haley's cover of "Tell Him" was insipid. Take away the short shortys and the I'm-a-big-girl-now flirtiness and it was a totally forgettable vocal performance. Aside from being cute, she doesn't have much of a voice IMHO.
Was I the only one who noticed how bad Blake's rendition of "Time of the Season" truly was? HE WAS OFF KEY FOR MOST OF THE SONG! And he couldn't hit the high notes. And BTW, the way he added a sprinkle of beat boxing to the song's intro and outro was super cheesy. It doesn't make the song seem fresh or modern, it just makes him look like a one-trick pony who has to add that to every song he performs because he can't do much else.
Chris was horrible. I can't recall what he sang, but whatever it was he sang the whole thing with a nasally whine.
Lakisha and Stephanie had solid but uninspiring performances.
I didn't think Melinda's performance was as awesome as everyone else thought. She was good, but she was clearly out of her comfort zone.
I didn't think Gina's cover of "Paint it Black" was as bad as everyone thought. She sounded like any number of bar bands I've heard cover that song. Not great, but not bad either.
I think we can all agree Phil's version of "Tobacco Road" was atrocious. I have no idea why he's still in this competition. He's only got a so-so singing voice and his persona is about as comepeling as beige wallpaper.
Sanjaya still sucks. The guy can't project when singing and he has way a lot of trouble carrying a tune. In this case, the little girls DO NOT understand. With his puppy dog eyes and ever-present grin, Sanjaya's like a cute wind-up moppet. And he's perfect for fat little 14-year-olds from Nebraska, because he's so utterly non-threatening. But that's also what made his rendition of "You Really Got Me" so amusingly awful. Sanjaya is edgy as a wet sponge, and all the rocker gear from Hot Topic won't change that.
Sanjaya was great ignore the previous comment from a ignorant person
hey that was really mean what you said about the fat 14-year-olds in nebraska. it has nothing to do with who's fat or not. the fact is, a lot of people must be voting for sanjaya (including me) and that's what counts. its not really about who has the best voice, despite simon's insistence that its a "singing competition". its about looks, personality, and likeability. get over it.
Listen your all nuts....Sanjaya is not good....this is a singing competition not a feel sorry for the guy who sounds like he is going through some horrible puberty....dont vote for him out of pitty....then there is no point for the show...do we give stupid people doctors lisences because we feel bad for them and because they are nice????
Hey, Blake Lewis is my fave!! I don't like Sanjaya, he has a horrible voice. Tho he has a sweet personality. Blake is definataley my fave! It was soo cool how he turned that song into his own!!!
juck you all to those who dis senjaya.he is more talented than you
Someone said Sanjaya is one of the THIRD SEX. Look it up.
Blake sorta suck.
Jordin was BRILLIANT. I downloaded that song from itunes but I want her version!