American Idol Recap: The Top 7 Compete to Mimi

This week there are seven contestants left in the AI bunch. Last week offered the shocking removal of Michael Johns from the pack. This was disappointed because he was far more talented than some of the others that have been left on the stage to continue to compete. Tonight, the remaining seven will be singing Mariah Carey songs.

Ryan Seacrest mentioned that everyone was still shocked by Michael Johns leaving and the crowd booed. Obviously they were as disappointed with his removal as I was. He mentioned it just to remind everyone how important it was to vote. I have to admit, this reminded me of when Daughtry was kicked. Now he’s one of the best selling Idols in history. I think Michael Johns will end up meeting a similar fate and I definitely look forward to getting my hands on a CD with his name on it.

When Seacrest announced the judges, they went through the line, one by one, as always. Randy was shown in a shirt we’ve seen before, Paula was looking perky in purple, and Simon was doing his natural thing. I have to admit, I have been looking forward to this week. Due to the fact that there are so many men in the competition, I imagined that it would be quite amusing to see what they did with these songs.

Mariah just managed to be scheduled the week of her CD release E=Mc2. She mentioned that she didn’t like judging people and told the Idols to look at her like she was just a new friend. Yeah, that shouldn’t be a problem, at all. Randy says that he hopes they do not try to sound like Mariah tonight. Paula deffered to Randy’s comment. Simon said tonight is make or break for Randy.

First up was David Archuleta. He was scared to meet Mariah and felt he wasn’t worthy to be in her presence. Mariah liked the idea of him singing “When you Believe”, which was a natural choice for the inspirational teen idol. She recommended that he try to go into his false and said his singing was beautiful.

What he Sang: “When You Believe”

What he Wore: David was wearing a red patterned t-shirt and leather pants.

How he Sounded: He slowed the song down some from the original version. It was alright, but everything was about the big voice we know he handles beautifully and the motivational message that comes in every song that he sings. So, it’s not that he wasn’t any good because he was. The problem was that he hasn’t really grown as an artist in the time we have been watching him. He’s amazing, no doubt, but in the same way that he was amazing, he was stagnant. He continues to do the same thing each week. However, I will give it to Mariah. Adding the false did sound good and he showed off a new move, although it was only one.

What the Judges Said: Randy was worried about the idea that the boys would have to sing a girl’s song, though he did point out, if you can sing, you can sing anything. He then proclaimed something that most of us already knew. David can sing. That was the bomb, according to Randy. Paula felt it had to feel great for Mariah to be listening to the great job that David just did and she’s sure that Mariah was very proud. Simon knew that David would pick this song, but it was good anyway. He set the benchmark. The guys are going to have an easier chance tonight, because unlike the girls there will be no comparison to Mariah.

After a break it was time for Carly Smithson to hit the stage. She said they all miss Michael and she was incredibly shocked when he left last week. When it came to singing, Mariah felt that Carly would do her song justice. She made wise decisions for her range and thought she would do fine as long as she was confident. Carly said the entire moment was a dream come true.

What she Sang: “Without You”

What she Wore: Carly wore an all black dress with a sequence belt and heels.

How she Sounded: I am a fan of Carly and tonight I was not disappointed though this was not my favorite performance, as I tend to like her more soulful or rock-style offerings. Unfortunately, Mariah, in all her glory, does not have too many rock options, if any. Carly did a much mellower take on this song than Mariah did when she made it popular back in the day. Mariah belted most of the song out and she sounded good. Meanwhile, Carly was very subtle with moments of power especially towards the end. She sounded wonderful, all things considered. There was plenty of emotion and the range and notes she chose made her sound great. I think she should be just fine tomorrow.

What the Judges Said: Randy liked that she challenged herself. The only thing he worried about was that she needs to trust herself more. It was pretty good. Paula liked that she showed some vocal restraint and then moved on to soar. It was great. Simon wanted to hear her sing the song. He doesn’t think she pulled it off in comparison to Mariah. He felt that she was over-thinking things and she could have done better.

Syesha Mercado was up after the break. Mariah thought that Syesha chose a great song to sing. She wrote the song as a teenager and it’s still her favorite song. Mariah gave Syesha plenty of pointers to try and help make her more confident. She thought she was cool and did a great job.

What she Sang: “Vanishing”

What she Wore: Syesha wore a gold halter dress.

How she Sounded: I don’t think anyone could like Syesha as much as she seems to like herself. She likes to power her notes where they don’t need to be powered. Furthermore, her big voice always comes off as more of a high-powered scream. She was falling off notes and keys, and it just was not impressive. She reminded me of someone looking for that Kelly Clarkson moment, but the problem was she was lost in the dark and would never have been able to find it, if she is even capable of such a moment.

What the Judges Said: Randy felt it was a tough song, but she did a good job, all things considered. It was a little pitchy but good. Paula felt she was smart this week. She picked a song that most people do not know so they cannot compare it to Mariah. Overall, it was magical. Simon felt it was very good, but it wasn’t a good song choice so she was running a risk at that stage in the competition. He felt that David was still the one to beat at that point.

Brooke White and Kristy Lee Cook were set to go up next after a break. Brooke was up first. She mentioned being sad that she missed her sister’s wedding over the weekend. On a better piece of news, Mariah loved Brooke and felt that she was very genuine as a person. She felt that she meant the words that she sang from her heart. She advised her to feel the words and take them to heart as this would only better her performance.

What she Sang: “Hero”

What she Wore: Brooke wore a black dress sequenced dress.

How she Sounded: As usual, Brooke sat at her piano to play this week’s song. This was one of Mariah’s number one songs. It’s interesting to hear Brooke do Mariah because Brooke reminds me so much of a Carly Simon. The song turned out very inspirational and somewhat less pop-like. I found it interesting in the middle of the song how she started to belt out her notes. It was a different move for Brooke. It was a side that we have not really seen of her. Her voice just got so much stronger. While not everyone will love this new side of her vocally it showed that she is capable of trying new things and that is incredibly important. It was very calm compared to the depths that Mariah had given it, but it was one of my favorite performances so far for that very reason.

What the Judges Said: Randy liked that she brought the whole singer-songwriter vibe to it. The bridge was weird, but he appreciated it and felt it was good. Paula loved how authentic Brooke was. She’s identifiable. This unplugged version was brave and save for some off notes, it was good. It didn’t seem challenging even though it probably was. Simon felt she didn’t have much choice in what she chose to sing because nothing was really her style. However, he felt that he ordered a hamburger but only got a bun. He didn’t feel the vital ingredient was in the song and her voice wasn’t strong enough for that song choice.

Kristy Lee Cook sang a song that not everyone knows, which could have been an advantage for her because the comparison to Mariah would not be as fierce. Mariah felt it was good that she chose a song that was not so identifiable to the general public. When she heard Kristy Lee sing she got goose bumps from the song. It could be for that reason that she felt like she would do a good job with her main performance.

What she Sang: “Forever”

What she Wore: Kristy Lee was wearing a bronze dress.

How she Sounded: A piano accompanied Kristy Lee this week. I felt the control was off on her voice, but this is nothing new for her when she is out of her comfort zone. Her soft tone was breathy and weak, and when she belts her notes she kind of screams. It was not impressive. I don’t know if she is crowd shy or what, but she seems to do better in the practice times than she does on the stage. She does better with country either way, so I wasn’t expecting a whole lot here, but on the fair side I’ve certainly heard her do much worse. I don’t think she’s in a great position right now, but then she has been in the bottom more than anyone, and she still continues to remain on the show.

What the Judges Said: Randy felt it was kind of pitchy, but she stepped it up towards the end. Paula thought that she was smart. She was blown away. She loved the arrangement and it could have been a hit in the country music scene. She was proud of her. Simon didn’t get chills like Mariah. She managed with what she could and it was somewhat whiny, but that was to be expected as there was no advantage here for her. It wasn’t great.

David Cook was up next. Mariah was shocked by his song choice. I have to admit, I was shocked too, but I knew that he would make anything he chose, his own, so it would be amazing in the end. She felt he did something really different and she was proud as a songwriter, because he was able to change the song and take it in a new direction completely.

What he Sang: “Always Be My Baby”

What he Wore: David was looking very JT like in a white shirt, jacket, tie, and slacks. Overall, he looked incredibly hot.

How he Sounded: If I had to choose a winner for the entire thing right this second, it would be David Cook. I was in it for him to win it, ever since Beatles week round one. I wasn’t sure in the beginning with that Eleanor Rigby rendition, but after hearing it a second time I really did fall in love with it. David turned “Be My Baby” into a rock hit, just like he has with so many other songs in this competition, and it was incredibly interesting to hear. I wasn’t a huge fan of the song before tonight, but with a full band, some backup singers, and his haunting voice, I absolutely loved it. It was so unique. He definitely nailed it. It was hot and there really isn’t anything else to say.

What the Judges Said: Randy thinks that David is ready to make an album, more than anyone on the show. It was the most brilliant performance of the season. Paula felt it was pretty awesome and the song could be in a movie soundtrack. David is it. Simon felt it was coming out of Karaoke hell and stepping into a breath of fresh air. It was original, daring, and stood out by a mile. Congrats to David.

Jason Castro was up after the break and it was his job to close out the show. Mariah felt his song choice was interesting though she didn’t add in too much more than that about the song. He loved her song inclusions and ideas that she gave him. She felt he was unique and she was glad she could work with him.

What he Sang: “I Don’t Want to Cry”

What he Wore: Jason wore a jean jacket, t-shirt, and jeans.

How he Sounded: This was one of Mariah’s biggest songs. He had a small set of guitar players and some bongos going while he sang. It wasn’t his worst performance, but I am not entirely sure that I was sold at all either. It was certainly a new take, which was good because he obviously couldn’t pull off her version. Did I love it? No. There were some pitchy moments. However on a more positive note even though it wasn’t my favorite, it was better than I have heard him before.

What the Judges Said: Randy didn’t love it. It felt weird. He didn’t get it. It was like a beach party with music in the distance. Paula wished she was at that beach party. It was lovely. He’s amazing. Simon agreed with Paula. It wasn’t the best vocal, but it was all his and it was cool. The guys beat out the girls completely.

The Best of the Night: David Cook blew me away and blew everyone out of the water in the process. I would be shocked if he didn’t end up winning the whole thing. I also enjoyed the performances of both Carly and Brooke.

The Worst of the Night: I don’t feel Kristy Lee was in her element. She second guesses herself and I highly doubt that she will be around much longer because of that. Syesha is the exact opposite. Unlike Kristy Lee she is over-confident and often without reason. I imagine that she’s a much better actor than she is a singer. Either way, her days on Idol are numbered.

David Archuleta handled himself very well, but this is nothing new. I didn’t label him the best of the night, because he’s not challenging himself or changing his game. It’s always an inspirational song, sung well. He’s not going anywhere and that’s good, but I’d like to see something new.

Finally, Jason Castro wasn’t as bad as he normally is, but at the same time I don’t think he will be sticking around much longer. I think it will be him, Syesha, and Kristy Lee in the bottom this week. While I wouldn’t mind seeing Syesha go home, I think it might be one of the other two instead.

Technorati Tags: Jason Castro, David Archuleta, Carly Smithson, David Cook, Syesha, Michael Johns, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Brooke White, Kristy Lee Cook, Singing Competition, Recap, American Idol

----------------
Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn is definitely the casual gamer in the family. A game fan since she owned an Atari, Ashtyn can remember when her brother rigged the television so he wouldn't lose his Super Mario Bros. game. That is, until the power went out! A fan of all things Mario, Ashtyn is a Nintendo loyalist. She digs playing Mario-style RPG games, watching others play violent shooters (because she sucks at them), and playing casual PC games (like Wedding Dash and Cake Mania). As of now, she is into the Wii and Nintendo DS, though she's certain the games for PS3 and Xbox 360 are more appealing.