AI Recap: Top 9

Although I have been watching AI this season, and there are a few contestants that I'm really rooting for, I haven't felt the compulsion to recap like I did last year. So why is today different?

Because I'm trying to be more consistent in my blogging and I don't have much else to say today, so AI Recap it is!

My authenticity is inspiring.

Last night's theme was songs of Lennon/McCartney.

A little soapbox: Week after week, the judges are telling the contestants to be more relevant and more current. While I can agree that many of The Beatles songs are timeless, does that equate to relevant and current?

It's a tough call.

And, AND!!! The contestants are constantly being berated ("berated" may be too strong of a word, but you catch my drift, right?) about changing up classic songs too much or not changing them up enough. And don't even THINK about singing Whitney or Celine unless you ARE Whitney or Celine.

So really, THE BEATLES?!?! THE BEATLES?!?! Arguably THE greatest rock band of all time? REALLY?

I had a feeling going into the evening that no one was going to win. Including the viewers.

*Off my soapbox*

Here are my thoughts about last night (and I might have them out of order of performance because, while I was watching, I thought to myself that I should have taken notes or something to help me remember a few key items, but I was too busy dunking oreos in milk and chatting with some girlfriends who come over to watch, which has become our Tuesday night AI-watching tradition. And when AI ends, working off the 20 lbs. of oreos we put away may become another, less appealing, tradition):

Aaron Kelly: I'm sorry, but I don't get the appeal of this kid. He's good for a 16 yr. old. Unfortunately for him, this show isn't about picking the best 16 yr. old performer. And he's competing against Crystal, and Casey, and Lee, And Big Mike...? All that to say that I thought his performance last night was his worst yet and I'm hoping it was his last.

Katie Stevens: Last night, we got both 16 yr. olds out of the way first. But as much as Aaron's performance was bad, Katie's was great! I agree with the judges (Randy?) that it was her best yet, but she's still a weaker link.

Andrew Garcia: This would have been a much better performance without the brass and the back-up singers. When you consider how to alter modern music to make it more "current" and "relevant" you rarely think, "What current and relevant music today needs is a larger brass section and some Pips." Overall, I thought it was a good performance, but not his best. I'm afraid he's been coasting on likeability and Straight Up for too long. He may be losing steam.

Big Mike: A good performance for him, but nothing that I'll remember next week. Or even today, for that matter (see above statement about oreos). I still like Mike.

Tim Urban: Poor Tim is hanging in there by a very fragile thread. He ends up in the bottom 3 each week only to be just slightly better than the person going home. I don't think he could be any cuter or have a better attitude and his performance last night was good enough that I texted 11 votes for him. I'd like to see Aaron Kelly and Katie Stevens go home first.

Casey James: I was surprised that Casey didn't pick a rock-ier song like Come Together, but mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm. I love me some Casey. He gets better every week, even though I had no idea that it was going to be possible! It was a great performance. Even if he was wearing a John Travolta/Saturday Night Fever suit. Mmm.

Crystal Bowersox: Is anyone actually still competing with Crystal? She is SO GOOD EVERY.SINGLE.WEEK. If she has any real competition, it might be Casey. So I'm going to call Top 2 right now: Crystal and Casey. You heard it here first folks.

I was really surprised that none of the judges said anything about her forgetting the lyrics, but she recovered so well that I didn't even notice until a friend pointed it out and we re-watched. Thankfully, she didn't let her throw her off and she finished even better than she started. Think I'm mistaken? Watch it again.

Siobahn Magnus: I need to get this off my chest: I do not like Siobahn's voice. I'm not saying that I don't think she's a good singer, because she does have good control and pitch, but I don't like the tonality of it. Thanks for listening.

I was listening to Kidd Kraddick In the Morning on the radio this morning and he said that if he only had 6 months to live, he would have Siobahn come and sing that song for him because then it would seem much much longer. And that about sums up her performance for me too.

Lee Dewyze: Lee is always "that guy" to me, as in, "Who's up next? Oh yeah! That guy!" I LOVE Lee and his growly, gravelly voice, but he's always a little forgettable. With that said, I don't think we'll be forgetting the bagpiper anytime soon, because- RANDOM! And I thought Lee was hysterical when Ryan asked him why he chose a bagpiper and Lee's response was, "Why not?" He had a really good, really fun, totally random performance last night. And he finally smiled which made it even better!

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself thinking that it was one of the best Idol night's so far this season. And the videos of what the contestants think about each other made me so happy!

I have no idea what will happen tonight. But if there's anything you can count on from me, it's an uneducated, unsolicited opinion based on absolutely no foundation whatsoever. Glad I can be of service.

Bottom 3:
Aaron (wishful thinking?)
Tim
Andrew

Going home:
Aaron (again, wishful thinking?)