Top 20 Performances: The Guys

"Improvement" seemed to be the name of the game -- it would've been tough for the guys to not do better than their collective showing last week. Randy was still grumpy about re-arranging songs, and Ellen's still a shade too nice (with one semi-glorious exception), and Kara's still all over the map (that map being The Road to Paula-ville). And still no one has busted out any Michael Jackson. Grr.

Michael Lynche (performed first +1)
"It's a Man's Man's Man's World" (James Brown +2)
Michael was able to find a song that disguised his vocal limitations and allowed his stage presence and personality to carry him through. I didn't find it as standing-O worthy as Randy and the other judges did, but after seeing the full slate of guys, Michael was clearly in the top 10. It wasn't a vocal clinic, but it was a successful performance.

John Park
"Gravity" (John Mayer +2)
Is this two sit-down performances in a row for John, or am I misremembering last week? Anyway, this vocal was leaps and bounds better than last week (as improvements go, only Alex came farther). My feeling is that with the boys having broken themselves down to zero last week, this kind of a performance -- on pitch, pretty sounding -- is a victory. Artistry can come next. But Simon thinks John was forgettable enough to get voted off, and I wonder if he isn't right. The #2 performance slot is death, as we know, and by the end of the night, I had forgotten him. Still, I can't help but wonder if when Simon says he "struggles with the believability" of John as a pop star, it's because Simon can't envision an Asian guy as a pop star?

Casey James
"I Don't Wanna Be"
I loved how even Ryan was like "...that song?" Because seriously. And as impossible as it is to sound distinctive on this song, Casey added some weak singing and awkward stage presence to the mix. Again, Casey's Casey -- the haters will hate and the lovers will love, and this won't really change any minds. But his affect was showing its seams this week; not my favorite performance of hers.

Alex Lambert
"Everybody Knows"
John Legend is an interesting choice, but aside from a poorly chosen final note, Alex sounded so much better than last week. He really does have a good quality to his voice, when it's in tune. I have to say, I have found myself rooting for the kid every bit as much as the judges are. I don't think we've ever seen a contestant like this before. This isn't a Sanjaya or a Covais, who were kind of hopeless, and Simon hated them. It's easy to see the diamond inside the piece of coal inside Alex, and when was the last time you saw Simon express this kind of hopeful optimism at a struggling kid?

Todrick Hall
"What's Love Got to Do With It?"
I'm glad Todrick wasn't scared off of re-arranging songs after last week, but after this week I can't imagine he won't be. Which is kind of sucky of Randy to beat down Todrick's creative impulses like that. But it's also two weeks straight of Todrick not sounding all that good. And for God's sake, people. STOP TRYING FALSETTOS YOU CAN'T HIT! Lordy.

Jermaine Sellers
"What's Going On?"
Okay, Jermaine's a big ol' weirdo, huh? With the onesie and the weird compulsive talking? I'd started to feel bad for him and his over-chattiness with the judges (kind of like I often did with Brooke White), but then he had to start talking about how he knows God. Maybe God can help him out with his terrible song choices and snoozer performances.

Andrew Garcia
"You Give Me Something"
Not the most exciting performance, but it was a very good vocal. He needs to be more dynamic in the weeks ahead, but at this stage, he's clearly among the best 2-3 male performers, easy.

Aaron Kelly
"My Girl"
Big ol' SNOOZE of a song choice, and one that reminds me of the stuff that would've gotten by in the first 4-5 seasons. Because Aaron did sing it well, even if the vibrato was large and in charge this week. But seriously, what is with these Archuleta types singing from Grandpa's record collection? It could not sound more theme-parky. Still, I like Aaron, his instrument is strong, and as eager to please as he is, he couldn't bring himself to say he liked Justin Bieber.

Tim Urban
"Come On Get High"
Well, on the bright side, it's good to see Tim got the message about working his best attributes and decided to slut it up for us in that short-sleeved tee. But the performances -- while yes, Simon, way better than last week's utter abomination -- was super amateur, in that over-enunciated way amateurs get. Ellen's "You should be an actor" critique was simultaneously excellent advice and the meanest she's ever been. I Approve.

Lee Dewyze (sang last, +2)
"Lips of an Angel"
Hinder?? Jesus, Lee, help a guy out here. I like you! And it's gonna be hard enough doing that in the face of the NPR crew around here without you serving it up on a platter to them by singing Hinder songs. I don't understand -- just sing something good! You totally can!

Going Home? My guesses would be John and Jermaine, but, again, the field seems wide open.