Top 7: Mariah Carey night

Mariah Carey in the house = more familiar songs at long last!

1. David Cook – Always Be My Baby

I went “he’s singing what?” when I found out that David is singing it. Well, who could’ve thought? That performance was undeniably hip and unpredictable. Okay, the beginning was sort of lousy but towards the middle and end, I was inwardly jumping up and down. Absolutely another iTunes-topper from the great Mr. Cook.

2. Carly Smithson – Without You

I might be biased but I really, really love it. I thought Carly didn’t oversing despite the song’s tendencies. The performance was sultry and controlled—a change I was bargaining for the moment I was spoiled that the Irish picked it. I think the judges might be the ones who were over-thinking the whole Carly Plantson thing, no?

3. David Archuleta – When You Believe

The performance seemed overwrought but the song requires it. David really sounded great as usual and the run at the end was again, beautifully executed.

4. Jason Castro – I Don’t Wanna Cry

From the moment I saw Jason devoid of his usual sting instrument, I already knew he’d be delivering really great vocals. I’m not into his song choice but I think tonight is his best vocal performance to date.

5. Syesha Mercado – Vanishing

Great vocals, good song choice. I’m astounded at how Syesha keeps on stepping it up each week and still not get the “winner vibe” for me. Go dark horse going on underdog! We love your talent but you’re not our favorite.

6. Kristy Lee Cook – Forever

Another competitive performance from an unlikely-to-win competitor. The beginning were sort of off for me but the ending with the high notes were just awesome. I loved it and I’m sure country fans are on their feet. WTH? Are we going to raise our white flags now after mourning for MJ?

7. Brooke White – Hero

I liked the rawness of the performance and the vulnerability in Brooke’s voice. I just thought that despite the originality, it just wasn’t competitive enough.

I actually loved everyone tonight. At least no one hit major suckage. I can’t wait for the iTunes studio versions!

Top 8: Inspiration Night

The night of supposedly uplifting songs came two weeks earlier this season. Who got us all inspired and who delivered uninspired performances?

1. David Archuleta – Angels

The run at the end did it for me. It was a beautiful song beautifully sang, as expected of The Archulator.

2. Jason Castro – Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Jason stole the show with that sincere version of the song. Another great week for him vocally as well.

3. Kristy Lee Cook – Anyway

Kristy picked the perfect song to lift her status on the show. That was a good song with good lyrics that helped showcase her vocal ability. Country really wins it on Inspirational night.

4. Syesha Mercado – I Believe

I give credit to Syesha for allowing this difficult song to show her range. This girl, tonight especially, is very underrated.

5. David Cook – Innocent

I didn’t like the first part of the performance but still David was able to save it in the end. Not a moment we’re gonna remember of David, like Simon said.

6. Brooke White – You’ve Got a Friend

Another not-quite-right performance. Brooke seemed tense and uptight during the whole course of it.

7. Carly Smithson – Show Must Go On

Didn’t like Carly’s song choice. The lyrics might be inspirational but the performance definitely did not get across as one. America, please save Carly Smithson!

8. Michael Johns – Dream On

Wasn’t he out of tune? I thought it was a bit shout-y as well. And I side with Simon again: It was “wannabe-ish”. Love the bluesy, soulful Michael of yesterweek better than the rocker Michael.

Country fans will surely put forth a big fight for KLC so we might be faced with the first shock elimination of the season. Please, not Carly!

Top 9: Dolly Parton night

Songs by Dolly Parton make up this season’s incarnation of country night. It’s not a feast for everyone to enjoy but really good performances ensued.

1. Michael Johns – It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right

Michael reinstated his position in the competition with this one. My initial reaction: WOW. Just wow. Michael’s vocals sounded spot on. It was the perfect song choice with the perfect vocals which made for a perfect clincher for such a good Idol night. Easily tonight’s best and definitely joins the rank of the best Idol performances we’ll look back to in seasons to come.

2. Carly Smithson – Here You Come Again

Tonight’s is my favorite vocals from Carly ever. I thought it was very soothing. It was just right and not over the top like last week’s ultimate note of glory. I love it when Carly’s in this zone like when she sang The Shadow of Your Heart in the semis. Too bad, though, how Simon ruined the night for her. I realize that she hasn’t met Simon’s lofty expectations and that the two of them have different conceptions of who Carly really is as an artist.

3. Syesha Mercado – I Will Always Love You

The song was too big but I believe Syesha made up for it with the arrangement. I thought it was a good ploy to veer away from the fact that no one could really do it better than Whitney. Whitney is Whitney and Syesha is Syesha after all. I give credit to her for trying and for what I truly think is a brilliant arrangement of that oh-so-popular song. (If this performance is not an overall winner then at least that one note near the end might be a contender for the longest ever held by a contestant on Idol.)

4. David Archuleta – Smoky Mountain Memories

There’s this unexplainable awe that I feel every time I hear David sing ballads and tonight was not different. I really can’t wait for David to win this whole thing so he could go on making those Christmas song covers that I’ll surely love.

5. Jason Castro – Travellin’ Thru

At last, Jason stepped it up with the vocals tonight. This is my favorite vocals of his since Hallelujah. It made me realize that he can also compete with his vocals, not only through the uniqueness of his style (popularity among the girls notwithstanding). I’m hankering to hear the recorded version. Way to go!

6. Brooke White – Jolene

Another classic Brooke White performance. I liked that she brought a band with her on stage. But then this performance was very predictable. Is it just me or does she need to step her game up a bit? I’m loving Brooke each week, I just thought she might want to surprise us with a more challenging song that’ll show different side of her. Unless, of course, this is all that she is. Whatever it is, I’m fine with it either way.

7. David Cook – Little Sparrow

David delivered an average performance tonight. I didn’t really hate it but I didn’t love it either. I think it lacked the brilliance of his previous performances and all the better performances of the night.

8. Kristy Lee Cook – Coat of Many Colors

Kristy picked a typical country song (lyrics and all) and sang it in her typical made-for-country voice. If it’s not forgettable, like Simon said, then let me try “dull”. She looked astonishing, by the way. I wonder if she could’ve looked more gorgeous tonight.

9. Ramiele Malubay – Do I Ever Cross Your Mind

Does Ramiele want to go home? I thought country won’t suit her well but tonight felt like she wasn’t even trying. That performance didn’t have a moment to it and Ramiele seemed like she’s just whinging it.

I thought someone would sing Islands in the Stream. Maybe in the group performance tomorrow?

David Cook: On top of things

David Cook is number one on iTunes. His rendition of Billie Jean not only outsold David Archuleta, Brooke White and Michael Johns’ Queen medley hit; it also beat the number of downloads from pop stars the likes of Maria Carey, Madonna, Leona Lewis and last season’s winner Jordin Sparks on the iTunes store.

Of course, since his songs have been having major downloads galore from fans, his listeners growth rate on Last.fm was the highest last week. And with more songs coming in with the next few weeks of Idol, it has yet to peak I’m sure.

If this continues, we have more or less an idea of who will win it this season. The powers that be are ever watchful.

Top 10: Year of Birth night

The competition is on. I had a blast watching tonight’s show. Every single contestant was good and some were even great. Even the underdogs and the dark horses were blurring the distinction between supporting act and center of attention. I’m loving it, this season.

1. Michael Johns – We Will Rock You/We are the Champions (Queen, 1977)

I’ve always been a fan of the Johns so I am especially happy about his comeback tonight. It was as if his relatively mediocre past few weeks are inevitable so he can wow us with such impact this week. I loved how he mashed up the two songs together. I loved the transition and the arrangement, and most of all his rough frontman vocals.
2. David Cook – Billie Jean (Michael Jackson, 1983)

Vocally, tonight is David Cook’s best so far. He tackled the high lingering note in the middle without verging on shouting. He’s clearly taking the Daughtry route and I think he could even do better.

3. Syesha Mercado – If I Were Your Woman (Stephanie Mills, 1987)

Syesha’s voice sounded really good tonight. The song was the perfect choice for her as it allowed her to showcase all the pretty things she could do with her vocals.

4. David Archuleta – You’re the Voice (David Foster feat. Jeff Pescetto, 1990)

I totally agreed with Simon on the song choice. I thought it sounded like something out of a musical or Disney film where everyone would stop and dance. But that didn’t mean David was bad. He’s even beyond good. I am still a fan. I think choosing a non-ballad is actually a good move for him this week.

5. Carly Smithson – Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler, 1983)

It was so odd that Carly didn’t do great with a song I expected she would nail. It might be her being too tense and uptight throughout the song like Simon said. Nevertheless, I thought she went for too much with the last note. That I am pretty sure did not sound great. Still, I love the low notes and I bet that on another day, Carly could nail this song.

6. Ramiele Malubay – Alone (Heart, 1987)

I love this Idol power-singer song. Unfortunately, Ramiele didn’t chill my bones with her performance. This served as a catalyst for Carrie and both Gina and Carly sang it well. It was the opposite for Ramiele. The song showed up her limitations. I hate to admit this but I almost saw Jasmine Trias singing I’ll Never Love This Way again while watching this performance.

7. Brooke White – Every Breath You Take (The Police, 1983)

I actually thought Brooke’s mistake was horrible and that the judges were being too kind. Still, Brooke’s voice is almost faultless regardless of the song’s arrangement. We all love Brooke and it’ll take more than a few bad weeks to stop us from rooting for her.

8. Chikezie – If Only For One Night (Luther Vandross, 1985)

Once again, Chikezie showcased his smooth Vandross-esque vocals tonight. Ballads really suit him well. I am not sure about the second/third to the last note but I think that even if Chikezie is old school material, his got good underrated vocals and he’s even getting better week after week.

9. Kristy Lee Cook – God Bless the USA (Lee Greenwood, 1984)

Kristy got her glory night at last. I always thought her good country voice has been given less credit than it actually deserves.

10. Jason Castro – Fragile (Sting, 1987)

That was a so-so performance from Jason. He seemed like he wasn’t even in the competition. If this guy is not a fan favorite, he might have the potential to go tomorrow night. The only interesting part in that song that didn’t even peak was a Dr. Callie Torres (fyi: Sarah Ramirez, cast of Grey’s Anatomy) sighting before the judges’ comments!

Okay, I realize that this is an uninspired post. I guess I’ve raved too much with people that I got lot less enthused than I originally was after watching the show.

I almost forgot to complain about the theme! Who are they fooling? This is like a repeat of 80s week, isn’t it? Anyway, at least it’s not Beatles night a third time so we have something to be thankful for.

I’m guessing tonight is Kristy Lee’s last night. Or Ramiele’s. Or Chikezie’s.