No Art Please, We’re British

Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 11:16 PM | American Idol 8
Tags: American Idol 8, Recap

(Here’s the performance show recap from Howard!)

American Idol Season 8, Top 13 Performances

With the porn line at (866) 436-5713 geared up and ready for increased calls, it must be the first performance of the Top 12 in Season 8.

Starts with a different announcer introducing the judges and then Seacrust, and they are all giggling. Two going home tomorrow, wow, that is quick. And it is all about Michael Jackson. Yes, people this is a family show, so crowd the kids around the TV to listen to Michael! You know that makes him happy!.

Lil Rounds (866) 436-5701 – The Way You Make Me Feel
Loves living in Nashville, and doing the home/family thing. She is a bit of a shouter, with volume loud and louder. Voice and tone remains crisp and clean. She can move well on stage. Not sure I loved that last note. Judges are loving her. Simon tempering the lovefest with some sanity.

Scott MacIntyre (866) 436-5702 – Keep The Faith
Trip home with the family. He has the piano. So what is the excuse with the rough notes in the beginning? But I must say I like this song much better than last week. Stronger sound than the lilting Bruce Hornsby imitation. Wild ovation from the crowd. Songwriter is in the audience, and Simon still says he hates the song, and tells us there is no room for art on this show, in case anyone was wondering.

Danny Gokey (866) 436-5703 – PYT
He can’t believe he is there. The band director… Isn’t this the third title of the same job thus far? Interesting to do all the N-na-na-na stuff. Not bad, but a little shouty. A bit frantic in the movement thing. Paula is calling a final 2 already. They love him – I am shocked [insert eye-roll here].

Michael Sarver (866) 436-5704 – You Are Not Alone
Jasper, Texas, oil rigs. Don’t forget, America, he is a working boy! Not a great song choice. Not terrible, but showing his vocal limitations. Never a good thing to start out sitting. A little swallowed by the stage. Randy just gave him one of the best. After that performance, Randy? Yikes. I mean, it wasn’t bad, but come on. No need to keep justifying, people.

Jasmine Murray (866) 436-5705 – I’ll Be There
A Mississippi high school student, tight family. This year’s pageant queen, sings OK, with a few notes out of the register, and slides into a few of the notes. Lacks emotional connection, but after all, she is only 16. Randy was impressed. So is Kara… Simon called her robotic.

Kris Allen (866) 436-5706 – Remember The Time
Conway, Arkansas. Cute as a button, and pretty wife. Has his guitar, and something goofy with the hair. Wants to grow up to be John Mayer. Not bad, but at times breaking into an annoying vibrato. Having trouble finding the mic, but having a great time. Mostly good reviews, they want him around for a bit yet.

Allison Iraheta (866) 436-5707 – Give In To Me
Sang in a grocery store. Kinda has this nice rock vibe going on. A little over the top, perhaps. And having a 16-year-old girl singing ‘Give It To Me’ repeatedly is a bit scary. They love her. She was really good, but another one that over-sang just a little…

Anoop Desai (866) 436-5708 – Beat It
Anoop-Dawg is in da house! His parents are adorable. Vocals are not the strongest of the night. He is energetic, and Paula called it karaoke. Simon called it horrible. Randy and Kara join the party. Simon said he regrets making it a Top 13, almost guaranteeing people will vote their hearts out. But I kinda agree with the judges. But I bet that performance would work at the frat parties.

Jorge Nunez (866) 436-5709 – Never Can Say Goodbye
Jorge’s brother is very cute! Starting out well. Not moving around much. Interesting arrangement. Mixed it up a bit. Judges not loving Jorge tonight. Simon would like to see Jorge leave.

Megan Joy (866) 436-5710 – Rockin’ Robin
Shout out to the best friend on his birthday. Her mother is gorgeous. Wow. Just wow. This is so throwback and karaoke. Judges are loving her. Simon is taking her to task. And then he turns to Gordon Ramsay – that is funny! Apparently, I am watching the show with Simon tonight.

Adam Lambert (866) 436-5711 – Black Or White
San Diego boy hits Hollywood. He looks likes his mother. Well, it goes without saying, but he does over sing a bit. LOL He has an exceptional instrument. Crowd goes crazy, and crazy returns to Paula. She is trying to make Adam cry. And tell everyone to leave save Adam and Danny. Simon is on the train. So are Randy and Kara.

Commercial break.The Osbornes Reloaded is just scary. That commercial…. Yikes! I wish I had more girl scout cookies to eat so I wasn’t paying attention.

Matt Giraud (866) 436-5712 – Human Nature
Crying Daddy, how sweet. Sitting at the grand piano seems to make him happier. Slides all around the notes, and misses from time to time. The vibrato will drive me crazy. Interesting, but not one of my faves. A bit middle of the pack for me. Points for not yelling at me.

Alexis Grace (866) 436-5736 – Dirty Diana
Alexis gets the new number, and a warning before the commercial break to have pencils ready. Cute daughter. Wow she is knocking it out tonight. However, she keeps wearing less – is she the Haley Scarnato of this season, but can sing? Fell apart at the end for me, losing notes and musicality, but very shouty. Mixed reviews, none really glowing.

Recap – As evenings go, there has not been a disaster, which is an accomplishment for the first night out. But definitely some weak performances, many fairly forgettable. Some seemed to have decided that you need to be louder than Adam to be heard. They are mixing up the results show, and I bet they are going to let the judges have the final say about who is leaving. Anoop, Jorge, Jasmine and Michael are in peril, I think, but I could be wrong. Remember, two are leaving tomorrow night. They are distinctly ready to see Jorge go away, not sure who else. Adam was the winner tonight, but how long will they let him get away with that, no matter how amazing the vocals? After all, they ain’t looking for art, they want the bucks.

12 Comments for No Art Please, We’re British

1

I totally agree with you. (:
I was really disappointed with Anoop & Jorge.
only Adam did exceptionally well. I think I love Adam, now ! <3

Candace on March 10, 2009 at 11:52 pm
2

thanks for the mini review.

i never liked adam’s voice since he sang that cher song. his vocal ability is quite amazing but something about him screamed “i’m gay!”
not like there’s anything wrong with it, but it was a major turn off for me. =/

lia on March 11, 2009 at 1:04 am
3

Final two will be Adam and Allison!

piggy on March 11, 2009 at 1:25 am
4

lia, it’s because Adam is gay. thanks for the homophobic comment. my worries for Adam’s chances in America is slowly being proven correct.

adamandeva on March 11, 2009 at 1:29 am
5

Thanks for the comments!

Howard on March 11, 2009 at 2:01 am
6

While it wasn’t a wow performance (and I am no vocal student) I just don’t get why everyone is ganging up on Jorge. I actually thought he sounded quite decent. Sure there might have been a better song for his brand of vocality (did I just make that word up???) or is there in the Michael Jackson catalog? So here’s to hoping someone with real vocal ability (Jorge) gets a chance to shine with a better song over others who are simply sexy. Then again, this year it’s all about what AI wants not what’s fair.

robertmalcolm on March 11, 2009 at 2:53 am
7

Robertmalcolm, I would agree with you. I just think Simon wants him gone, and Simon tends to get what he wants. But I could name 3 or 4 performances I enjoyed less than his, even if his was not his personal best. And since I believe the ‘twist’ will be America chooses who is in the bottom but the judges are sending someone home, I would be hard-pressed to think Simon et al are not sending him packing.

Howard on March 11, 2009 at 3:01 am
8

Howard -

Sadly I think you are correct, but hopefully some higher power will actually allow one of the few raw talents to move on to the next level. Oops — sorry this is AI — where the shark has jumped.

robertmalcolm on March 11, 2009 at 4:03 am
9

I have no clue Rickey what your point is about Adam. That his performance was art, not jsut a good performance? Therefore it’s not commercial? Adam is 1,000 more times more commercial than almost anyone on the show, he screams his songs like a rock singer and looks like a Jonas brother. Exactly what is not commercial?

juan on March 11, 2009 at 9:26 am
10

@ lia — you don’t like Adam because he’s obviously gay? First, lia, join the 21st Century. 2nd, look at the face of the MAN running this site. 3rd, you might as well throw 2/3 of your CDs and DVDs in the trash if you don’t like gay artists. Please get a clue.

StaleCake on March 11, 2009 at 1:09 pm
11

Adam is far and away the best performer & has a great voice & presence. Gay,schmay – who cares? He’s very confident & good looking & has a sense of humor…and he goes to Burning Man! Check out some of his youtube videos, singing at Upright Cabaret in Hollywood. Regardless of the outcome on AI, his career should take off.

Lee on March 11, 2009 at 1:53 pm
12

Juan, it is my point, not Rickey’s, and it is that Adam has an amazing voice, but he tends to over-sing the song, which is cool at first, but sometime soon he needs to just not make every song a trip down Guns N Roses Lane, and make a simple song his own. He is more than capable of doing it, I just have no idea if he wants to.

Howard on March 11, 2009 at 4:22 pm