iTunes, uTunes, We All Tune for iTunes

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

American Idol Season 8, Top 9 Performances

Although there is some confusion about the theme for this week, it is generally accepted that this is the first week the contestants are being asked to be current, singing music of today. That also means they must sing songs we hear all the time without sounding karaoke, and maybe changing it up a bit, and making it there own. Who will do this?

Strange stilted voice announces the judges and the full-time announcer... The theme is any song they would like, as long as it is a popular download. Wow. Really? That is a theme? Any song, as long as you can download it? No, I mean really?

Anoop Desai (866) 436-5701 - Caught Up - Usher
He is eager to get back to the high-energy stuff. OK, first thing I see is the return of the bad jacket. He hits on Paula, and returns to posing with the mic stand. That was good, but not great. Hit all the notes, had some energy. Came off a bit karaoke to me. Kara was a bit unkind with the frat-boy-dare thing. Simon hated it, it gave him a headache. Anoop cops a bit of attitude after the notes, once Seacrust drags him there.

Megan Joy (866) 436-5702 - Turn Your Lights Down Low - Bob Marley/Lauren Hill
She knows last week was bad, but loves this song. I just don't get it. She sounds really off much of the time, and quite stilted in the delivery. There is no socially redeeming qualities in this performance. Kara is unkind, and the hecklers are getting to her. Paula thinks she needs a stool, spotlight, and simplistic. Simon hates it, Randy is bored. Crusty is back at it, looking to start some trash talking, and Megan admits she ignores them, says she liked it, and her fans did. Woohoo.

Danny Gokey (866) 436-5703 - What Hurts The Most - Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts is 'modern country' and are amazing. On last week, the song was his fifth choice... He wants to tone it down, and just sing. Started off well, but he seems to lose some of the notes along the way. When he isn't powering or screaming, the notes fall apart. The crowd went wild, and I don't get it. Paula loved it. Simon thought it his best of the season, brilliant even. Judges loved it. Crusty didn't try to pick a fight, but repeats Randy, 'the show starts now' - sorry Anoop and Megan, guess you sucked.

Allison Iraheta (866) 436-5704 - Don't Speak - No Doubt
Allison picks up the guitar, and is working the hair and a dress. She is singing the crap out of this song. OK, didn't love the 'La-Las' but other than that... Randy goes for the fashion report. Paula is 'glad she brought the axe out with her.' Go Paula. Sounded good, looks silly seemed to be the judges thought.

Commercial Break - the musical show called 'Glee' looks surprisingly interesting.

Scott MacIntyre (866) 436-5705 - Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
Are we playing 'Name That Decade'? Really, Scott? Stripped down, just a boy and his piano. The stylists worked the hair tonight, blow-drying within an inch of it's life. The opening piano sounds good, but unfortunately, that voice is singing. This is sounding like a 30-year-old song that is sung in a mediocre piano bar. And the judges loved it. I, on the other hand, am confused. The best of the night? Really, Randy?

Matt Giraud (866) 436-5706 - You Found Me - The Fray
Got to give him credit, it is current music, so bonus point. A little pre-song pimping, to try to keep him out of the bottom. This is not starting well. His is bringing out the goaty-vibrato. He is surrounded by the people, I don't know where he is. The notes fly all over the place. I didn't love it. Didn't even like it much. They aren't liking it, either. Kara tosses out the 'you shouldn't go home.' Afterwards, he thinks he can do rock, even if the judges keep telling him it isn't good.

Lil Rounds (866) 436-5707 - Surrender - Céline Dion
Busting out a power diva, Lil is coming out to play tonight. Ow, she isn't doing this song that well. Anthony Fedorov out-sang her on this one. She doesn't have the breath control or tone control to pull it off. This wasn't good. At least her dress is a pretty color. The judges are being much more kind than I am. Ryan goes to her kids, they are working hard to keep her around.

Adam Lambert (866) 436-5708 - Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
Did some of the boys get a memo about it being oldies week? He wants the opposite of the stripped down last performance. Kept the new hair. PAula is up and dancing. Simon is smiling, like he is amused. Back to the over-the-top Adam. The crowd is on their feet. Mid-judge comment, Adam gives props to the band. Judges love him, even if they are vague about it all.

Kris Allen (866) 436-5709 - Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers
Wow. I am not sure, I mean, current, really? Trying to make his moment, and pulling out the piano. Sounding awfully good in the beginning. He is nailing the bejeezus out of this song. Wow. That was the performance of the night for me. And a couple of times I caught a close up of that handsome face on the big screen behind him - they are pushing to keep him around. Kara can count tonight, so Kris must also be a healer.

Recap - Well, they are certainly giving Megan the loser's edit in the recap. I guess they want her gone. Well, she was easily the worst of a not-very-good night. [WAIT - have to change the channels - I can't watch the Osborne's:Reloaded] Kris scored the best of the night for me. Next comes a Adam, who at least performed the crap out of that song. Then Allison and [dammit] Gokey, and maybe Lil. Matt was not good, but at least was somewhat current, so I maybe him next, and then Anoop, Scott, and finally, Megan. Will that correspond to the votes, I have no clue. In fact, I am pretty sure it won't. I never have a clue, but I know what I like, and tonight that wasn't it for the most part.