CD Giveaway - Sam Shrieve, "Bittersweet Lullabies"
Ends Nov 29, 2009
The current student at Berklee College of Music has a rock 'n' roll pedigree, but delivers a pleasing and diverse collection of soft pop on his debut record. Enter our contest for your chance to win!
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Ends Nov 29, 2009
The second installment of the Twilight saga is hitting theaters, and we've got the stylish goodies you'll howl over!
Last week, American Idol dropped four contestants who had virtually no hope of winning the whole enchilada, so the competition moved ahead without so much as a blink. This week, however, a number of people who were once considered contenders now appeared vulnerable, so this week's elimination had some pretty far-reaching implications.
As we start the show, Ryan tells us that the support was unprecedented (I suppose for this stage of the show), with almost 31 million votes cast. Ryan asks Randy the purpose of theme weeks (i.e. "The 60s" and "The 70s"). Randy says that, while so many people know the songs on the radio today, the tunes that were written in previous decades were probably better than today's music. Themes give us a chance to see if the American Idol contestants can work through some of those songs. Paula's question is next -- is it hard to put America in control of the voting? She jokes that it's tougher for Simon. She says she's sorry that they feel terrified to go in front of the judges, but that it's ultimately about connecting with the audience at home. Now to Simon -- Ryan says that his mother noticed that Simon seemed to be making a "half-moose" sign during the last couple of shows (yeah, I noticed the same thing; perhaps it was a code he was sending to his home planet). Simon says it was indeed a secret code that he'd explain to Ryan, and that there's a gesture he could give the host (but won't).
Now (joy of joys) it's time for yet another group number. I think David Cook gets greasier with each show, and his tuxedo T-shirt is to die for. David Archuleta sings a mini-solo and the girls in the crowd instantly swoon. The first singer to botch their solo is Alexandrea Lushington, but her gaffe is overshadowed by Amanda Overmyer's complete lack of pitch. Somehow, Jason Yeager's blond streak appears to have turned into a hair rocket, but he's at least hitting the notes. Overall, it wasn't bad, but it feels unnecessary -- like getting an appetizer at a Chinese buffet. What's the purpose?
The first commercial break comes and goes, and we re-enter the scene with a recap of the guys' performances on Tuesday. After the ladies' trainwreck last night, it's refreshing to revisit a night when most of the performances were at least decent, and several of them were breakthroughs. When we're live, Ryan asks the back row of guys to stand and then begins to tell them who's safe. Michael Johns sits, followed by Chikezie (whose performance of "I Believe to My Soul" rightfully saved him). Ryan teases Jason Castro, but then tells him he's safe. That leaves Jason Yeager and Danny Noriega -- and my pick to go home would definitely be Danny (take the head-bobs and the 'tude and hit the door!), but it's much more likely that it's Jason's turn to go.
Maybe it was the hair rocket, but indeed the journey ends for Jason. (Of course, the bigger reason was certainly his manic performance of "Long Train Running," matched with last week's snoozefest of "Moon River.") Jason admits that, based on the judges' criticism that he felt he'd be among tonight's "bottom rung." Simon tells Jason that at the moment he doesn't stand out in a crowd, despite having a good singing voice. Jason re-creates his performance of "Long Train Running," and the finger points are still there -- yes, he would be a great fit for the cast of a show at any Six Flags theme park. At least he didn't try and do the Elvis move at the end.
After a second commercial break, it's time for the girls' recap, and that's something I could live without. It was certainly hard enough the first time through. Ryan's narration is too kind in saying that they were up to the challenge -- nothing could be farther from the truth. Girls' night in the 1970s was a complete disappointment, which left almost all of them open to dismissal. First on my list would have been Amanda and Alaina Whitaker, though Kady Malloy, Alexandrea and Syesha Mercado could just as easily get the boot. (Personally, out of that list, I'd most like to keep Alex and Syesha because of their unlimited potential.) When it's time for Ryan to reveal the results, he again has the back row stand up. He allows Kristy Lee Cook, Asia'h Epperson and Brooke White all to sit. Still standing are Amanda and Alexandrea. After last night's horrific rendition of "Carry On My Wayward Son," it rightfully should be Amanda's turn to hit the bricks. I doubt we'll be that lucky, especially since Vote For The Worst has adopted her as its female poster child.
Sure enough, Alex is going home. Randy tells her that her song choice helped undo her, and Paula says her career starts now. As Ryan says goodbye, Alex smiles and tells him that he was supposed to bring her great-grandmother to California ("You freak..."). The only good part of this is that I definitely didn't want to relive Amanda's destruction of the Kansas classic. Instead, we're treated to Alex's competent rendering of Chicago's "If You Leave Me Now." Once again, a song with the word "leave" in it comes back to bite its singer. Sadly, this show just lost one of its best vocalists in favor of a screamer who my daughter says looks like Cruella de Vil.
Coming out of the third commercial break, Ryan wastes no time in getting to the next set of results for the ladies. The front row now stands, and my prediction in this row has always been Alaina. Carly Smithson sits first, followed by Ramiele Malubay (who is already on the verge of tears), and then Syesha. Kady and Alaina move to center stage, where Ryan informs them that they are both in the bottom three (no surprise there). Ryan annouces Kady's name, and she appears ready for the worst -- when Ryan tells her she's safe. She's understandably shocked, given that she has yet to deliver a good performance.
Alaina's going home, and she begins to sob and says she can't sing (dang, the girl's only 16 -- her emotions are probably more on the surface than most of the constestants). Ryan reminds her of her accomplishments, and Paula tries to encourage her by telling her that she's promising and has a great career ahead. We get a shot of Danny sobbing (like I needed to see that), and Alaina reluctantly agrees to sing once the remaining girls join her on stage. The lyrics of "Hopelessly Devoted to You" take on a whole new meaning as she sings, "Guess mine is not the first heart broken/ My eyes are not the first to cry..." Frankly, I'm impressed she made it through the first verse without becoming an emotional wreck. Maybe it's because I feel bad for her, but I think she sounds better tonight in spite of the tears (until she gets to the bigger notes, and her voice runs out of steam).
After yet another commercial break, Ryan dishes the Idol news he's been teasing all night. Because AI expects its top 12 to be the best it's ever had (yes, we have to be reminded of that again, because we'd never know it after the horrific ladies' 70s Night), once the finals commence on March 11 the cast is being treated to a new stage, new graphics and an all-new exit song recorded specially for the show by Ruben Studdard. But the biggest news is that the theme on March 11 will incorporate, for the first time, the entire Lennon/McCartney songbook, which has previously been off-limits to American Idol. Somehow, after six years, the powers behind AI have worked a deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing to bring some of the best songs in history to the Idol stage. (Yeah, I'm already salivating at the horrific versions of Beatles classics we'll hear from the likes of Amanda and Danny...)
In other news, Ryan announces that "Idol Gives Back" will make a return on April 9, when the show hopes to eclipse last year's fundraising mark of $70 million for starving and underprivileged children in America and Africa. To get the idea firmly planted in our minds, we get a rewind of last year's gala. I'm sure it will be a lot of fun, but I don't like the feeling that I'm being pressed. And yet, I'm sure I'll make my own pledge that night.
The final commercial break ends and Ryan unloads a bit more news about "Idol Gives Back," with a promise that it will be bigger and better. Some of the celebrities who will take part in the event include Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Reese Witherspoon, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Daughtry and Carrie Underwood. (Ryan gives apologies to Nigel Lythgoe for perhaps jumping the gun on the announcement -- yeah, I'm sure that revelation was unplanned...)
Now to the final results of the night. Ryan has the front row of guys stand up, and in this group I've pegged Luke Menard as the one most likely to leave, though Robbie Carrico is also in danger. It seems unlikely that any of the Davids (Hernandez, Cook and Archuleta) will exit yet. It's no surprise that Luke and Robbie are summoned to center stage, where Ryan makes a rare gaffe. After reminding us of Luke's song choice and the judges' comments, he says, "The person going home tonight after the nationwide vote..." and then backtracks and recaps Robbie's performance notes. Robbie seems to know that's not a good sign, as he closes his eyes and lowers his head.
Then Ryan reveals that it is indeed Robbie's turn to go home. Robbie admits that he made a poor song choice and didn't perform to the best of his ability. Simon tells Robbie that his persona and performances never felt authentic to the judges or to the viewers. After the traditional going home video, Robbie sings us out to "Hot Blooded," and it still sounds like a rock song sung by a pop artist. Robbie may love rock, but rock's not loving him back. I'll miss his tuneful voice, but I won't miss the do-rag or the pocket chain. Again, Simon's right -- Robbie's image did seem a bit of a put-on.
Next week we're down to 16 performers, and we'll cut four more people before we get to the top 12 finalists. Hopefully, we'll be able to agree with Ryan that this is the best set of finalists in American Idol's seven-year history.
Previous Episodes: Week 1: Men's Night | Week 1: Women's Night | Results Week 2: Men's Night | Week 2: Women's Night
