American Idol Visit The iTunes Top 100

by Ruth Anne Boulet

Is there some reason that every contestant and Ryan Seacrest all had Apple earbuds in during their radio interview? Do they wear them 24/7? Can they unplug for one second? I’m also contemplating starting a Kara DioGuardi drinking game — every time she says ‘artistry.’ Who’s with me?

Because American Idol has clamped down the rights to videos from the show, I’ll be sharing videos from the original artists. Take that, Idol. Oh, yeah, and go to iTunes and blah, blah, blah.

Anoop Desai — Caught Up by Usher
Anoop begins his song with a wall of backup singers guarding him from the rowdy American Idol crowd. I can’t really appreciate the finer points of Usher. I can’t understand most of the beginning of the song. The rest is a lot of ‘losing control’ ‘got a hold’ and other things that rhyme with ‘old.’ Which I am. Randy thinks Anoop has picked up his swagger. Kara thinks a bunch of frat guys dared him to sing Usher. Paula appreciated his vocals and the variety compared to the last two weeks. Simon thought it was a complete & utter mess — no originality or stage presence.

Megan Joy — Turn Your Lights Down Low by Bob Marley/Lauryn Hill
“I’m thinking — Bob Marley!” Thank you, Jason Castro, for forever redefining the stoner side of Bob Marley. You know, both sides. She’s excited because she’s doing a song she looovvvveeess. Megan has decided that the judges will also love her ‘dancing.’ Megan Joy’s dancing is randomly pointing and standing still. She mimics the dreads with little braids all over her head and beads & chains all over her chest. Kara really likes her, but she thinks Megan is in trouble. Paula thinks Megan needs to surprise us by sitting. Simon called it boring, monotonous and indulgent. Randy called it like watching paint dry and brought up that just because you like a song doesn’t mean you should sing it. Good point, Randy.

Danny Gokey — What Hurts The Most by The Rascal Flatts
Danny thinks everyone likes The Rascal Flatts. I know of 2 other people who would beg to differ with Mr. Gokey. By the way, Bex, I half-win our bet. He’s got black glasses on. I had bet black & white. She bet red. So I half won. Danny wants to tone it down. Danny thinks toning things down means picking songs that have a ton of words in a really monotone melody to start, then they pick up to some scratchy crescendo. I think Danny’s growing nodes already, because he seemed to really strain for a few notes. State war! There are girls with a ‘Chicago loves Gokey’ sign. Paula starts off by getting all sappy. Simon loves it too & thinks he was so much better than the first two that he applauds Danny. Randy thinks the show just started, but he wants Danny to pick up the mic stand & rock it! Kara thinks Danny moved everyone in the room emotionally. Sorry, guys, it didn’t quite translate over the camera. I did appreciate the Midwestern ‘whole nother’ he gave to Ryan.

Allison Iraheta — Don’t Speak by No Doubt
Allison is busting out the guitar this week. She’s been listening to this song since she was a kid. Thanks, kid. Allison is styled like the ’80s vomited Cindy Lauper all over her. Allison sounds ok until she goes into the chorus, which is weird for her. Oh, and she gave up playing the guitar halfway through the song. Randy even comments on what she’s wearing. He’s got mad love, but he doesn’t get the outfit. Kara tells her that she doesn’t need to put all the rock stuff on. Paula’s glad that she brought her ‘axe’ out with her. Simon thought it was something out of the Addams Family playing dressy-uppy rock star.

Is anyone else distracted by David Spade sitting behind Randy?

Scott MacIntyre — Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel
Ryan asks if I like Scott. That’s a loaded question, because I might like him fine as a person, but I’m not a fan of his singing. And singing Billy Joel is not the way to my heart. But I have to admit, it’s probably the best he’s done on the show. Kara thinks he’s made some very smart decisions, including the new look. Paula is most proud of Scott, and it has nothing to do with his challenge. Uh-huh, right Paula. Simon thinks it was his best performance by a country mile so far. Randy thinks it was one of the best of the night.

Matt Giraud — You Found Me by The Fray
Matt picked this song because he needed something powerful this week. He starts the song on a keyboard in the middle of the ‘mosh pit’ at the side of the stage. Matt doesn’t start that great, but gets more confident as the song progresses. The song doesn’t really show off his voice. Paula appreciates that he went contemporary, but missed his riffs & falsettos. She compared it to doing the Coldplay song. Simon didn’t get it at all & thought it was uptight & uncomfortable. Randy just thinks it the wrong song because Matt has more chops & ‘needs to let the flavor out.’ Kara thinks he’s a talented guy who doesn’t deserve to go home.

Lil Rounds — I Surrender by Celine Dion
Lil was nervous because she’s gotten nailed on song choice before. So she goes for a Celine song and dressing like Roberta Flack. It’s a weird song, at least to me, since I’m not recognizing it. There are a lot of big notes that just don’t sound right. Randy again calls her on song choice, but thought she sang it well. He wants her to young it up a bit. Kara thinks her power notes are effortless, which I’m not hearing. Paula wants to see the joy in Lil Rounds. Simon thinks it was singing to stay in the competition, not because she wanted to sing it. Ryan asks Lil’s kids if they want to punch Randy. One doesn’t, but the other one gives Randy a hug.

Adam Lambert — Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry
Adam is keeping the Chris Isaak hair this week. Probably a wise move. He’s decided to do a 180 from last week. I know some folks who will not be happy about that. Kathy thinks Adam’s hair was modeled after Twyla Tharp. The song definitely gives him the opportunity to do the superhuman scream he can do. His performance is a little understated in comparison to his “Ring of Fire,” and with this song, I’m not sure that works. Paula thinks he’s in a league with Steven Tyler and Mick Jagger. (Speaking of which, if they have an Aerosmith week, Adam’s going to clean up.) Simon didn’t think it was his best, but at least he threw off the karaoke. Randy thinks he’s in the star zone. Adam nicely gives props to Ricky Minor and the band. Kara can’t wait to see what Adam will do each week. “It’s like Studio 57!” Um, Kara, it was Studio 54.

Kris Allen — Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers
Ryan points out Mandisa, and it looks like David Spade went home. Hal Sparks is going to pull out the piano this week. He’s taken the rough edge off this song, which I don’t really like. There are too many ‘ooh-oohs’ and a weird final note for my taste. Kara is loving it, with her stand up and fist pump. Randy thinks Kris has been slaying them. Kara says ‘that is artistry!’ Drink! Paula thinks he made a 30-year-old song new. Simon thinks he brought confidence.