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American Idol goes to the movies with Tarantino!
So tonight we are in for a treat with Quentin Tarantino being the guest mentor on a show featuring songs from the cinema. He was a blast when he was a guest judge in Season 3.
Something new tonight with the judges. Because they went over last week, and apparently from the apologies from the judges there were many complaints, they will have only two judges speak after each performance. Simon and Paula will begin, followed by Kara and Randy.
Allison starts the night off with a song from the movie Armageddon. A song called I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.
My take: I’m not as crazy about Allison’s voice in the lower octaves and the rest of the song was just okay to me. I love her and I love her voice but this song didn’t do it justice.
Judges take: Paula thinks that Allison is authentic, remarkable and talented. Simon thinks that she is the girl’s only hope left in the competition. He doesn’t think he has never heard a girl do this song as well because it’s a tough song to sing. I’m shocked at the positive comments from the judges with this performance. Wow. My sister called after the show and she didn’t care for it either so at least I know I’m not totally crazy.
Anoop sings Bryan Adams’ Everything I Do, I Do It for You from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Quentin likes what he is doing to the song but wants him to “rough it up” a bit.
My take: This is just beautiful. His tone and pitch is dead on, not missing a note. This is exactly the type of song Anoop sings the best. Smart choice. He changes things up just enough. This may even be my favorite Anoop performance to date.
Judges take: Randy was worried about the song, as was Quentin, but he thinks he pulled it off. Kara says he’s definitely found his place. Both of them think it’s one of his best performances.
Adam returns to his high volume rocker roots with Born to Be Wild from the movie Easy Rider. Quentin is one guy that it is very good for Adam to have met in person. Adam, being the actor and performer that he is, it wouldn’t surprised me to see him pop up in a Tarantino film someday.
My take: The only person who can pull off that rocker singing/scream thing besides Adam is perhaps Axl Rose of Guns-N-Roses and I think Adam could even give him pointers. I loved this performance, but I think there will be equally as many people who hate it. That being said, the crowd went nuts and didn’t stop for a while.
Judges take: Paula says Adam “dares to dance in the path of greatness.” Simon says, “I think you’ve got to learn how to express yourself.” Laugh, laugh. Then he compares Adam’s performance to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, which wasn’t an insult to Adam at all. Simon also thinks this performance will be a love it or hate it thing. Simon never says what he actually thinks, but he is all smiles.
Danny sings Endless Love. During their session, Quentin suggests he sing it with his hands in his pockets to try to convey the song’s emotion through his eyes instead of with his hands.
My take: First few notes, boring. Then…just beautiful. Incredible. My favorite Gokey song of the season.
Judges take: Paula worried about him picking the wrong key at first but then he pulled it together and slaid her at the end. Simon was disappointed that he had the harp and did a traditional version of the song and he found himself a bit bored.
Kris Allen sings Falling Slowly from the movie Once. Quentin thinks Kris Allen lived up to the spirit of tonight’s theme by going to a movie that really meant something to him to chose his song.
My take: This is perhaps a less known song for the general public but I loved it in the movie Once and I think Kris absolutely nailed it. I think he may be one of the most emotional singers this year. I would have given that to Danny earlier in the season, and Danny has it…but I think when Kris sings you can “feel” it. My sister hated this song and the performance but she admits the song was unfamiliar to her and just didn’t grab her.
By the way, this song won a Best Original Song Academy Award a couple years ago.
The judges take: I’m surprised Randy doesn’t have great things to say. He loves the song but he thought it was pitchy from the beginning. Kara acknowledges how tough it is to pull off an obscure song but says it was one of Kris’ best moments. Paula agrees wholeheartedly even though it is not her turn to critique.
Lil Round sang The Rose. Quentin likes the gospel twist she adds as she goes along.
My take: I don’t care what the judges may say, Lil gave it 100% tonight. I think it is too late but she tried and I liked the performance.
Judges take: Paula doesn’t say a thing about the singing but tells Lil she couldn’t have sung a more beautiful lyric. Simon was kind of tough on her and tells her she is getting things totally wrong. Simon says, “You are not the artist I believe we met several weeks ago.” OUCH!
Some awesome performance, some mediocre. Who will be in the bottom three? I predict Lil, Matt and Allison. I’ll hate it that Matt and Allison are in the bottom three, but I don’t see how it could be anyone else this week. Lil will finally go home.
How about you folks? What you do think this week? Do you think it is getting easier or harder to determine the bottom three each week?
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Comments
By George
April 15, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this
Adam Lambert is light years ahead of the competition. he is a star already; just look at the audience and judges when he sings. Lil hits the trail tonight…..
By George
April 15, 2009 4:35 PM | Link to this
Adam Lambert is light years ahead of the competition. he is a star already; just look at the audience and judges when he sings. Lil hits the trail tonight…..
By JenWSU
April 15, 2009 3:35 PM | Link to this
No poll this week? I like to see the results.
By Heather
April 15, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
I actually did notice that you left him out because he’s one of my fav’s, but I forgot by the time I finished with my original post. Tonight should prove to be very interesting! I have a feeling we may be seeing the judge’s save fairly soon.
By Kelle
April 15, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this
Hey gang, I sincerely apologize for missing Matt’s performance critique. I was side tracked and never got him in there. That concerns me because that must mean he wasn’t that memorable…and I really like Matt. He wasn’t that wonderful last night, but he didn’t suck either. Can’t wait until tonight to see what happens. Kelle
By Shantei
April 15, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this
Kelle, was Matt that bad that he wasn’t memorable? Lol! I think the bottom 3 will be Allison, Matt, and Kris wtih Matt going home. Lil tried her hardest, and they are beating her down. Anoop was good last night. He is really trying to do the dreamy eye look! Danny was ok. Adam was good. I did not like Allison’s performance at all. And Kris may be in the bottom 3 just because no one knew the song and it did sound boring.
By Heather
April 15, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this
Things are definitely going to be harder to predict - especially now that Scott is gone. I wasn’t crazy about Allison last night, but I thought Lil had her best performance in a very long time - so, I was a bit surprised at the judges reaction. Anoop sounded wonderful - even though a co-worker (who obviously has no taste) thought he butchered the song. Danny did a decent job - not his best, but not his worst either. I love Matt and although he did hit some sour notes last night, I didn’t think it was horrible - I actually thought it was a good song choice for him. Kris - ahhh, Kris. If only I was single…..and 5 (or 15) years younger. He is just so cute and last night was great. I have never seen the movie and I don’t think I’ve heard the song - but, I thought it did awesome! And finally Adam Ant (errr, Lambert). Yeah, he’s got some chops, but I get tired of the high-pitched screaming and his theatrical look. Gosh, I hope he doesn’t take the whole thing! Bottom 3 is really hard to say….I’m going to guess it will be Allison, Matt and Lil. Out of the 3, I’m picking Lil to go home.
By rene
April 15, 2009 10:04 AM | Link to this
I was rooting for Lil a little bit because she can sing, but alas, she will (and should) go home tonight.I don’t think it enough.Allison was good,but will be in the bottom again too.I think the third bottom spot will go to Matt or Anoop.Not because they sang poorly.Based on the bottom 3 of recent weeks, it is obvious that neither one of them have the fan base.Final 2=Adam/Danny or Adam/Kris. Winner, season 8=Adam.
By rene
April 15, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this
I was rooting for Lil a little bit because she can sing, but alas, she will (and should) go home tonight.I don’t think it enough.Allison was good,but will be in the bottom again too.I think the third bottom spot will go to Matt or Anoop.Not because they sang poorly.Based on the bottom 3 of recent weeks, it is obvious that neither one of them have the fan base.Final 2=Adam/Danny or Adam/Kris. Winner, season 8=Adam.
By Daniel
April 15, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
I am a victim of American Idol boredom, each season I watch fewer episodes than the last season. I have yet to watch this season, and I probably won’t after I downloaded some of these performers top songs. Not one of Adam Lambert(the frontrunner)’s songs (Mad World, Tracks of My Tears, etc) is a stand-out song, he might be a great performer on stage, but translating to just music, and we’re headed for another loser season with zero great vocalists. There is no Idol like Kelly Clarkson, and that’s a shame because I’m always hoping one year we might have another artist with a great album to match their stage presence.
By Kim
April 15, 2009 9:03 AM | Link to this
I think it’s getting tougher and tougher to call! I liked Allison better than you did - but don’t know if she has the fan base to carry her. Loved Anoop tonight - probably my favorite of the night. I enjoyed Adam’s performance, and I agreed with Simon that it came off a tad Rocky Horror - but like Adam - I love it - so it was all good for me. I do find myself that he wouldn’t end nearly EVERY song with a run of screaming - that is getting a bit predictable. I think he is more Robert Plant than Axl Rose, because he does actually sing without constant gravel in his voice, and his runs remind me of Robert. So take a voice similar to Robert, theatrics like Tim Curry and the face of Elvis and you have Adam - ha! I hate to say it - but I think Danny is losing steam - he was just okay for me last night - no chill factor. The rough start was too much to overcome for me and I think that is a really boring song anyway. I agree with the judges that Lil has failed to define herself as an artist - I’ve been saying that over and over. At least she wasn’t a karaoke redo last night, but I think it’s too little too late. Based on performances - I’d say Matt & Lil are the bottom two -hopefully with Lil going home. I find the 3rd impossible to call - it’s going to depend on the fans! If I was going just off of my enjoyment in the performances…gasp…Danny or Kris would be the 3rd one. :( Wait - am I blind, or is Matt missing from your blog? I am on cough medicine… I have to agree - his performance was forgettable - ha!
By Michael
April 15, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this
I think the vote will have Lil, Matt and Kris in the bottom three, with a possibility of Anoop in there, too. Lil still wasn’t great last night. My current top 3: Danny, Allison and Adam, with Adam the front-runner by far.
By Coach
April 15, 2009 1:24 AM | Link to this
Kelle, I agree with many of your comments, BUT, I think you’ve been convinced by the judges that Lil is not holding her own! That is far from the truth, as she has done what they ask, but they have made up their mind that she should go. Sad, because she is in fact, the best pure vocalist in the competition! It will be tough to remain week after week without getting any love or props from the judges. I think Adam is very over-rated, but the judges love his screaming & quirkiness. Anoop was great tonite! I think the worst 3 were Matt, Adam & Allison - with Matt going home(although I like him better than Adam & Allison!)
By dan
April 15, 2009 12:37 AM | Link to this
Adam lambert can give pointers to Axl Rose?! Axl wrote the book on reaching high notes that make mere mortals’ vocal cords bleed. nobody can do it like Axl.