American Idol 10 Top 11 Studio Recordings available now on iTunes
In general, I was disappointed in the iTunes tracks this week on the American Idol Top 11 Motown. Maybe recording fatigue is beginning to set in. The only one who actually improved this week in the studio was Thia Megia. Paul McDonald and Naima Adedapo fell a bit short for me this week but they were still two of the best recordings. Pia Toscano continues to record well and Lauren Alaina looks like she's hitting her stride. Stefano Langone and Jacob Lusk are still clueless in the studio. But I still love Stefano and the Black Diva will never die on American Idol.
I'm not putting any of these tracks in my "favorites" playlist unfortunately.
Download: All 11 Songs (Save 50%!)
Casey Abrams - Heard It Through The Grapevine
Casey really sounds like Kris Allen in the studio. So uncanny. This recording was better than last week, but this song is so overdone on American Idol, I didn't really enjoy it.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Download: Heard It Through The Grapevine
Haley Reinhart - You've Really Got A Hold On Me
Another solid recording from Haley. And finally she got some positive comments from the judges. Honestly, she hasn't changed anything from when she started. She's always sung really well. She's just not connecting to the viewers.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Download: You've Really Got A Hold On Me
Jacob Lusk - You're All I Need To Get By
Wow. Jacob truly cannot bring that Lusky Stank to his studio recording at all. He really does not record well. I'm sure the producers know this. They're not even trying to reign him in to make him sound better. Horrible. You can hear all the misses and his throat sounds. Ugh.
Rating: 1/5 Stars.
Download: You're All I Need To Get By
James Durbin - Living For The City
Not as good as his live performance. His voice is really too thin for the studio. There's no depth. It works live when you can see him, but not here. His fans will love this though.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Download: Living For The City
Lauren Alaina - You Keep Me Hanging On
This is Lauren's best recording. I still feel like I'm listening to a different person, but this is the most solid Lauren has sounded in the studio. I'm so happy for her!
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Download: You Keep Me Hanging On
Naima Adedapo - Dancing in the Street
Naima's winning streak in the studio ends with this track, but it was still one of the best this week. I love the African beats in the middle and end, but it wasn't enough to make this track really "Naima's".
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Download: Dancing in the Street
Paul McDonald - The Tracks Of My Tears
Another awesome recoding from Paul McDonald. Just amazing. Someone needs to sign him to a record deal after the show win or lose. I loved this.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Download: The Tracks Of My Tears
Pia Toscano - All In Love Is Fair
Great job from Pia! She does ballads really well. Unfortunately, people are complaining that this is all she does. Still a great recording though.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Download: All In Love Is Fair
Scotty McCreery - For Once In My Life
Scotty was able to sell this song in the live performance, but not in the studio. Unfortunately, it sounds like a novelty recording. Too bad. His low notes are wasted here. The arrangement is so awful.
Rating: 1/5 Stars
Download: For Once In My Life
Stefano Langone - Hello
Oh Stefano Minnelli, how I love you so. Just sing anything, I'll buy it. Only for the true fans this one.
Rating: 2/5 Stars
Download: Hello
Thia Megia - Heatwave
Thia's best recording. What a relief! Finally something decent from her. Hopefully her confidence will build in the coming weeks.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Download: Heatwave