[TrueFaith77]

American Idol – Season 8
Semi-Finals Week 3


I gasped when Simon Cowell chastised the booing the audience: “On this show, we do not allow Democracy.” Funny: for a show based on viewer voting. Hopefully, Simon provided a wake up call to the show’s gross manipulations: judge’s comments meant to instill bias, back-stories full of sob stories, the predictable placement of faves in the Pimp spot (I called it: Lil Rounds takes it this week).

Here’s my attempt to assess despite the show’s dictatorship of meaning.

The Good

Jorge Nunez – “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” – This Elton John classic favors anyone who sings it (including David Archuleta’s delivery of the greatest-EVER Idol performance during last season’s finale showdown). Jorge didn’t offer much subtlety in the phrasing, but he makes up for it passion – a very moving performance by the season’s best male contestant.

Von Smith – “You’re All I Need To Get By” – Von got robbed by being placed in the first slot. He gives a distinct, totally effective, interpretation of a classic Marvin Gaye song (the same-titled Gaye-Terrell album is one of my all-time favorites – a collection of love song duets to rival Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours). He and Jorge I can imagine as contemporary, successful recording artists.

Ju’Not Joyner – “Delilah” – Ju’Not’s slow-roast r&b take on the song ultimately pays off. It’s surprisingly captivating. I’m not quite sure what accounts for his charisma: it might be the thug-stylin’ in contrast to his Luther crooning.

Alex Wagner-Trugman – “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” – Everything Alex did before and after the performance of the song makes me want him to stay around longer – we should keep track on his progress as he hits the gym in hopes of filling out a shirt like Simon. I like his voice. I thought his performance was fun. He will be missed. He’ll be punished for trying to retain his individuality: I guess that’s why they call it. The blues.


The Bad

Felicia Barton – “No One” – Felicia’s in it to win it, performing a current Alicia Keyes. Ho-hum. Best female vocal of the night.

Nathaniel Marshall – “I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” – Surprisingly, the vocal was solid (especially during the power notes), but this performance was campy – what Nathaniel mistakes for “fun.” And not in the witty way that Normund Gentle was last week. Why don’t people know how to play this game – after watching the show for 7 years? He was savvy enough to rip off YouTube acoustic performances of a Rhianna hit, but he thinks a jazzercise take on Meat Loaf is the way to compete?

Kristen McNamara – “Give Me One Reason” – She’s probably the best karaoke host in the world.

Scott McIntyre – “Mandolin Rain” -- I still don’t understand why it’s so impressive to be a blind singer (the one job that doesn’t require sight), but Scott steps it up with his best vocal to date (not saying much) and some funny post-song banter. Problem is: even if I were blind, I still wouldn’t enjoy his singing.


The U-G-L-Y (You ain’t got no alibi)

Lil Rounds – “Be Without You” – By doing a Mary J. Blige song, she reveals that she’s no Mary J. Blige. Judges: wrong again. It’s bad – soulless, grooveless, indistinct vocal tone and phrasing – but then it gets U-G-L-Y when she switches up the lyrics to beg for votes. When Normund Gentle did it, it clarified and crystallized the meaning of the song. When Lil does it, it makes the song serve her own ambition. A gross display.

Ariana Afsar – “The Winner Takes It All” – Contrary to the judges’ comments, the problem here isn’t the song choice (brilliant song choice) or even necessarily the orchestration or attempts to make it “contemporary.” The problem: the vocals.

Taylor Vaifanua – “If I Got You” – To quote Simon ten minutes after the performance: “Who’s Taylor?”

Kendall Beard – “This One’s For The Girls” – The shrillest performance in the history of Idol. The search for the next Carrie Underwood continues. . .


iTunes-Worthy: Jorge and Von both earn places on my iPod. I might get Ju’Not and Alex too.