American Idol - Top 4 - Season 11 - iTunes Studio Recordings Review
Here are my reviews of the American Idol Top 4 Season 11 iTunes Recordings.
The Top 4 produced the two best recordings of the season: Joshua Ledet's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" and Phillip Phillips' "Volcano." Everything else was in the middle.
Download: American Idol - Top 4 - Season 11
The reviews:
Joshua Ledet - You Raise Me Up
This is not a good song choice for Joshua -- however he has improved so much in the studio! Start off slow, then add all the flourishes in the end. It now sounds orgasmic (or a cat dying whichever side you are on) in the end which is just perfect.
Rating: 3/5
Phillip Phillips - Have You Ever Seen the Rain
This was a bit boring, but was actually refreshing to hear Phillip not growl every single note. So I guess simple songs really work well for this batch of singers on American Idol. His "safest" sounding recording to date.
Rating: 3/5
Hollie Cavanagh - Faithfully
Why is she singing a Journey song? Boring, boring, boring. She added nothing but her quirky accent.
Rating: 3/5
Jessica Sanchez - Steal Away
Jessica cannot sing songs like this to save her life no matter what the judges say about her "vocal gifts." There is just no soul. Growling isn't soul. Saying "baby" isn't soul. A very poor copy of the original. You either have it or you don't. This girl has been trying since she was 7. I don't think she'll ever get it.
Rating: 3/5
Download: American Idol - Top 4 - Season 11
Joshua Ledet - It's a Man's Man's Man's World
This was an excellent song choice, studio recording and live performance. Joshua should sing this on the summer tour, and should use it as his "signature song" for his career. Bravo. One of the best performances in the history of American Idol.
Rating: 5/5
Phillip Phillips - Volcano
Perfect song choice. This is a great recording and I highly recommend it. One of the best recordings in the history of American Idol on iTunes. Phillip has The X Factor as a performer. It's not all about "the voice."
Rating: 5/5
Hollie Cavanagh - I Can't Make You Love Me
Again, why is she singing this song? Oh wait I know: she has no idea who she is a singer and performer. Other fans may be more generous -- but after three months on the show and mentoring from the judges and Jimmy Iovine, one can argue that they have failed spectacularly in molding Hollie into a viable recording artist. Boring, boring, boring.
Rating: 3/5
Jessica Sanchez - And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going
Somewhere on this Earth, in another country maybe, this would be perfect. But the reality is this: Jessica is a little girl trying to sound like a woman. No matter how many "child-bearing" songs she sings, she will always be a girl playing pretend. She has perfected "talent show" singing, but has nothing of that special sauce that makes her an artist. I've heard and seen so many versions of this song to confidently say that this is not one of the best, or even the best sung on American Idol. Sorry #bluejays
Rating: 4/5
Joshua Ledet and Phillip Phillips - This Love
As I predicted, this is crap. A bad idea from Nigel to poke fun at The Voice. Poor taste at the expense of my two favorite singers left in the competition.
Rating: 0/5
Hollie Cavanagh and Jessica Sanchez - Eternal Flame
Why? However, this actually worked to a degree -- simple songs work for Hollie and Jessica. What does this song mean anyway? (Pause) Exactly.
Rating: 3/5
Download: American Idol - Top 4 - Season 11
