Better than Sominex

(Here’s the performance show recap from Howard!)

American Idol Season 8, Top 7 Performances

Tonight is Movie night in Idol-land, and a more generic category could not be found, unless it is the odd year-you-were-born or iTunes-downloads theme. Oh, right, those were the last two weeks. Quentin Tarantino is the guest mentor, which is odd. He is a movie director, so why he will be offering singing advice to the idols, I am not sure, but at least he is a self-avowed fan of the show, so we shall see.

If the last few weeks are any indication of what it to come, Anoop and Lil better have a great night, and hope someone else fumbles. Matt needs to be on his game as well, as there might be a voting let-down after being safe last week. And the Adam, Danny, Kris and Allison fans need to be strong and not get complacent, or their faves will be in an uncomfortable position tomorrow.

Crusty opens up the show with the normal blah blah, a legend for a mentor, and gets to 'And This... is Quentin Tarantino.' QT then delivers the line, 'And this is American Idol.' Judges are no longer walking out, and I like that better. Tonight is a historic evening, with two judges only offering critique on each contestant. Simon blames the blabbermouth girls. LOL So very Junior High! The contestants are in black and white, save Allison, who has red pants. Ah, QT is there to pimp his new movie.

Allison Iraheta (866) 436-5701 - Don't Want To Miss A Thing - Aerosmith
Oscar nominated in 1998 for the movie Armageddon, written by Diane Warren. Allison's first time going first. Very good, but I wouldn't expect otherwise. She has been on fire as of late. It is tough to open the show with a power ballad. Paula loves her, and compares her to Adam. Simon calls her the girls only hope left [hope Lil isn't listening backstage while she waits to perform], and is thinking she could be a finalist.

Anoop Desai (866) 436-5702 - (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
Oscar nominated in 1991 for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Fourth week in a row Anoop is in the first half. QT tells Anoop to think violence. What is Anoop wearing? A suit/letterman jacket? An odd performance, a little dirge-like for me. Randy thinks he found his zone. Kara thinks it was one of his best performances.

Adam Lambert (866) 436-5703 - Born To Be Wild - Steppenwolf
No nominations, but in several soundtracks, starting with Easy Rider in 1969. The earliest Adam has gone so far. The only uptempo song of the night. Hard Rock Electronica. He just ripped down the roof. The crowd goes nuts. That was remarkable, and he made that song very current. Paula thinks he 'dare(s) to dance in the palette of greatness.' Simon compared the performance to Rocky Horror, but loved the vocals. Mixed messages, Simon, mixed messages.

Matt Giraud (866) 436-5704 - Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman? - Bryan Adams
Oscar nominated in 1995 from Don Juan DeMarco. Pimp interview with Crusty, the first of the night. Doing nicely, but halfway through, the wonky falsetto takes over. Why? Randy up first, and thinks he went overboard with the runs. Kara agrees, the melody is lost a bit.

Danny Gokey (866) 436-5705 - Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Oscar nominated in 1981 from Endless Love. Went first last week. Gokey also chats with Crusty, and he bought his first guitar. No glasses. A big old harp is on stage with him. Without the glasses, he reminds me of country singer Vince Gill, who has never had to clear his throat. Very slow start, with a few lost notes. Paula agrees with me, and Simon is a little disappointed, bringing up Cook and his ability to arrange the songs. I just want to know why is he turning to elevator music?

Kris Allen (866) 436-5706 - Falling Slowly - Glen Handsard & Marketa Irglova
Won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2007 for the movie Once. Went second last week. QT loves him some Kris. Kris is nailing the song, but not sure it was a great competition song. Performance built nicely, and sounded great. Randy thought it was a pitchy miss, and Kara thought one of his best to date. What is Kris to take from that? Wow. I really liked it. Thought it was sensitive and heartfelt. Quite lovely.

Lil Rounds (866) 436-5707 - The Rose - Bette Midler
From the 1979 film of the same name. Lil's first pimp spot since the semis. No Crusty spot for Lil. Will be taking it Gospel tonight. Nothing like giving up the surprise in the pre-roll. Kinda pitchy in the beginning. There were some good moments, and some unpretty ones as well. Paula complimented the songwriter, and nothing for Lil. Simon is taking her to task. Lil talks back, and Paula defends her. Why, Paula? That wasn't good. At least he spoke of the performance, unlike you.

Recap - Well, for me, Adam took the night, simply for singing an uptempo song well. Allison was very good. Kris was also very good. The other four - varying shades of dull. Since I expect Danny is safe, I would say the bottom three of Lil, Matt and Anoop.