Katie Stevens (performed first +1)
"Breakaway"
I do agree that this was the right kind of song choice for Katie, she just didn't sing it very well. She was sharp (? I actually am not the foremost authority on sharp/flat, but I refuse to say "pitchy"; I just refuse) and just altogether unpleasant sounding, frankly ruining one of Randy Jackson's "favorite songs ever written in the modern times of today." Quite right. I know Katie has her fans/supporters around these parts, but I'm really hoping this was bad enough to get her eliminated.
Siobahn Magnus
"House of the Rising Sun"
I rolled my eyes at the song choice, as it's become shorthand on this show for "white girl trying to glom onto N'awlins street cred," but Siobahn shut me up right quick with what was her best performance to date, Simon be damned. The song ended up fitting her funereal personality (in a good way!), and I could listen to her sing those low notes forever. Simon, hilariously, slammed her performance for being too weird. He then criticized Crystal's performance for being too diabetic. (No, that's a lie, Simon has never criticized Crystal for anything.)
Lacey Brown
"The Story"
I've been the guy quietly trying to advance the notion that Lacey's performances, while not polished at all, possess an intriguing vocal quality. So I was happy to see she'd pulled it together and brought her ReJewel Spektor voice to bear on one of my favorite songs. I love this Brandi Carlile song so much, in fact, that I was immediately crestfallen that it wasn't chosen by Crystal, but to my surprise, Lacey did quite well with it. Maybe not exciting enough to vault her ahead of two of the remaining girls (especially now that sympathy votes won't be as easy to come by now that she's been praised), but if she gets voted out, it's a good note to go out on.
Katelyn Epperly
"I Feel the Earth Move"
For someone who had exceeded my expectations two weeks running, this performance felt too insubstantial, and I worry it might lead to her ouster. She lost that lovely, deep tone that I like and replaced it with a style I can only describe as "Lite." It wasn't wasn't enough, to quote Ellen.
Didi Benami
"Rhiannon" (Fleetwood Mac +2)
Two things right off the bat: the song choice (why Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks isn't covered more on this show is a bit of a mystery; what I wouldn't give for some "Songbird" up in here) and the fact that Didi finally brought out her guitar. The judges, who clearly owed her after two weeks of excessive nitpickery, so I'll forgive the slight overcorrection (it wasn't the best of the whole season, but it was pretty great). I do wonder if Didi -- or indeed any of these kids -- know what made Stevie's "Rhiannon" so awesome to begin with. I liked the slow, strummy version of the song fine, but nothing beats watching an old clip of Stevie wilding out.
Paige Miles
"Smile"
Man, I hate having to take issue with Ellen Degeneres, but the whole thing about "The song's called 'Smile' so you should be happier" thing was both dumb and pointless. The problem wasn't Paige's lack of a matchy-matchy smile. The problem was in both her bleating vocal and (as Simon and Randy noted) the abhorrent Muzak arrangement. Which is not her fault, or at least not ALL her fault. But it's not like the vocal was all that good.
Crystal Bowersox
"Gimmie One Reason"
I was crestfallen at the pedestrian song choice, but Crystal -- ash she's done every time so far -- won me over despite my skepticism. She did a LOT with that song, making it her own (sorry) without needing to overhaul (or "Todrick") it. In a way, hearing the hundred little small things Crystal did to make that performance a special won was thrilling. I know she's the "Chosen One" and all, but who the hell else am I gonna support?
Lilly Scott (performed last +2)
"I Fall to Pieces"
While I'm a bit surprised at how divisive Lilly has become this season, I started to see it once that mandolin came into view. I still like her -- she's like a more put-together Lacey Brown -- but I get it.
Going Home: It's suuuper tough to call this week. Two out of eight are leaving, which means the odds are steep for almost everyone. I think Paige is done. Leaving with her ... my heart says Katie, my head says Katelyn, Lacey's certainly not safe, and it damn well better not be Siobahn or Didi.
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1 comment:
Katie was bad, it's true, but the moment she lost me was when she straight-up told us that she deliberately chose a song about how she's going to remember all the little people once she's skipped Duckburg and become famous. No.
I'll also say that regardless of who chose what singer for which pool, Didi's swell-seasoned "Rhiannon" was indeed my favorite performance so far this year. But the little vocal fillip she threw in on the third line made me go, "Oh, yeah, that's her thing." So I currently have no defense against the argument that she has a very, very small bag of tricks.
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