American Idol 10 Top 8 Studio Recordings now available on iTunes

For the second week in a row, James Durbin has the best track in the studio. I'm shocked!

Download: American Idol Top 8 (Save 50%!)

Casey Abrams - Nature Boy

This was good. A bit dry though. I've not been a big fan of Casey's recordings recently. He might be trying to "change it up" too much every week. Just like Andrew Garcia but clearly with more success.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Download: Nature Boy

Haley Reinhart - Call Me

I loved this recording from Haley. Very good. But seriously, Haley has been recording and singing well since the beginning -- so this is expected, at least from my point of view.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Download: Call Me

Lauren Alaina - The Climb

I love this song! Go Alaina! So good. Her best recording yet. A great song choice.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Download: The Climb

James Durbin - Heavy Metal

Amazing! This is his best recording. Adam Lambert has competition! I think it's close. James has gotten better each week. His voice doesn't sound "thin" here like in his other recordings. Perfect. I think they've found the right mix for him in the studio.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Download: Heavy Metal

Jacob Lusk - Bridge Over Troubled Water

Not as cleanly produced as last week, but at least Jacob is singing with more control. Good for him.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Download: Bridge Over Troubled Water

Scotty McCreery - I Cross My Heart

I guess this is ok. I don't know how to grade this. Too bad it sounded he was singing to a cheap backtrack, like it was recorded in a home studio. Scotty deserves better, he's now the critic's front-runner.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Download: I Cross My Heart

Paul McDonald - Old Time Rock and Roll

The lisp is growing on me. However, this track feels uninspired to me for some reason. Still good, but not great. He's recorded great before. He's really slipped the past two weeks.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Download: Old Time Rock and Roll

Stefano Langone - End of the Road

Stefano's best recording. Finally, thank @god. This is a very generous rating from me though. He still has difficulties in the studio -- which I think at this point is hopeless -- although the producers are kinda making Jacob sound better so who knows. This sounded better than the rest of his recordings.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Download: End of the Road

Who's was your favorite?