American Idol 8 Recap: Semi-Final 2

(Here's our guest blogger recap from Howard!)

Wow, just when you thought last week wasn't that good, week two steps up to say you could be wrong. I'd rather see a crashing flameout than a crashing bore.

American Idol Season 8, Semifinal 2

They immediately pimp Danny, Sarver and the chick from last week. I guess they aren't thinking this means they are getting even more airtime than everyone else yet again, but it is their show. After all, I don't think I have seen enough of Danny G or his dead wife...

Jasmine Murray (866) 436-5701 - Love Song - Sara Bareilles
Wow, I want to like her, but that was not good. Wrong song, wrong notes. Which is worse? She is a beautiful girl. They really wanted to pimp her, but couldn't. They all admitted she was 'pitchy' and Simon even said she can't sing. I expect to see her in the wildcard round.

Matt Giraud (866) 436-5702 - Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Right away, his vibratto is beating me about the head. Oooh, blew some big notes. Make him stop. He is getting lost in his runs. The notes went flying in many directions. But they are pimping him anyway. They want him through.

Jeanine Vailes (866) 436-5703 - This Love - Maroon Five
This isn't very good, either. Wrong song choice. Pitchy, bad musicality, over-wraught. Better, for me at least, than Jasmine Murray, but neither are getting through.

Nick Mitchell (866) 436-5704 - And I Am Telling You - Dreamgirls
Way over the top - and annoying. So wrong in so many ways. And missed a few notes. And was everything AI tries not to be. He could be a spoiler. And spoil the corporate identity of AI. Why value an artist when the corporate brand behind it supports a person making fun of it all?

Allison Iraheta (866) 436-5705 - Alone - Heart
First line, sounds good. A 16-year-old is wiping the floor with all of the above. Went off a little in the middle - just out of her range. Got it back at the end. Best of the night thus far. Paula whipped out the 'sing the telephone book' thing. Judges loved her.

Kris Allen (866) 436-5706 - Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
Weak at the top. Such the wrong song - not a bad voice, but cooked himself. Trying to get it back with glory notes. And he succeeded in doing it. Kind of an early mess, but better than the boys thus far. And we know where that got Ricky Braddy. Kara said no, Paula and Simon liked it. Randy on board too.

Megan Joy Corkrey (866) 436-5707 - Put Your Records On - Corrine Bailey Rae
Nice start - not the fullest or best voice, but pulling it off. Odd body language. Off in the chorus. Has moments, followed by tragedy. Weird. Simon is pimping for her.

Matt Breitzke (866) 436-5708 - If You Could Only See - Tonic
This is not starting good. Why? Just Why....Just unfortunate. Simon just trashed him. Randy and Kara joining in. Paula agreed. The song is better than he will ever be.

Jesse Langseth (866) 436-5709 - Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes
Why? You think that is the best song ever? Really? Not a bad voice, but this isn't very good. Phrasing was interesting, performance not so much. I kinda agree with Simon. Too cool for school pretty much speaks to that performance.

Kai Kalama (866) 436-5710 - What Becomes of the Broken Hearted - Jimmy Ruffin
Kai is doing it for me tonight! That was good. He is being heavily depimped. They don't want him to go through. Simon drug out the bar-singer thing.

Mishavonna Henson (866) 436-5711 - Drops of Jupiter - Train
Oversinging the shit outta this one. Last note not good. Umipressive at best, forgettable at worst.

Adam Lambert (866) 436-5712 - Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
Tough boy at the beginning. Odd choices to be sure. Light on the guyliner, to be sure. Does anyone really need to attack this song like this? He is owning the stage though. Good God, how over the top can you get? The best of the night, but tonight that is not saying much. Paula adores him, and Simon is confused. So am I. Self-indulgent doesn't begin to speak about his performance... I think he is the clear winner tonight.

Recap - they are killing Matt G. Too funny - we lost signal for Jesse and Kai, back for Mishavonna and Adam.

Adam takes the night, the rest is a mystery to me. For the girls, Allison or Megan make is through, and for the boys, Kris, Kai or Matt G take the other slot. At least that would be my guess. I am voting for Kai, because he needs it. And I like the pretty, we all know that.