Via Fox
I have three thoughts before we get into the performances for “Rock Week”.
1. I’ve mentioned the Lazaro tax before. It’s the price we’re paying for the American Idol producers hyping him so much as the “great story” during the auditions. And he was a great story. Still is. But he’s lost on an island out there. The judges are even grading him on a curve now, no matter how many times he forgets his lyrics. And I’m guessing the voting audience feels sorry for him. Are we still going to pay the Lazaro tax this week? Yes, I think so. I think he lasts until next week after this week’s average performance (which is a B on the Lazaro curve according to the judges.)
2. I’m so sick of the duets and group performances. I understand why they do them (an extra 30 minutes of ad time for Fox), but they are so worthless. The contestants are always talking about how little time they had to learn the song and some even forget their lyrics. So why is that for the better of this show? I’d look much more forward to this show if it was a quick hour than a long two hours.
3. I can’t decide who is my favorite, but it’s probably between Candice and Kree (Summer). But Amber is creeping up. Her stage presence is much better than either Canidce or Kree’s. She has an almost irrational confidence while performing. Candice is fierce. Kree is cool. But Amber feels the moment. It’s going to be an interesting ride.
Performances Of The Night
Candice, Kree (Summer), and Amber – that’s who.
I thought Angie performed well, and you notice I underlined the word performed. She did a fine performance of Bring Me to Life. But it didn’t feel original and the only time I really felt she was being real was when the wind machine nearly pushed her blouse up. She didn’t miss a beat while holding her shirt down. But it still feels like a little girl playing singer (very well) on American Idol to me.
Now back to Candice, Kree (Summer), and Amber.
My main issue with Candice is that she can be stiff on stage trying to sing the perfect vocal. Not tonight. She grooved down with some attitude singing (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction. And she did so with a broken toe.
While I don’t see Kree (Summer) as stiff on stage, she gets by on being cool and I’m not sure if I can watch her same-same-y performance for more a couple songs in a row just yet. But in a competition where you have to sing no more than twice, I think she understands better than everyone else what she needs to do.
Amber, Amber, Amber. I don’t know that she’ll get enough votes to win this thing, but she’s raw and talented. She sang What About Love and owned the stage, maybe more so than anyone has this year so far.
Who Dropped The Ball?
Oh Burnell. Burnell performed You Give Love a Bad Name to open up the show. He was so uncomfortable that I thought he couldn’t see since he didn’t have his glasses on. He walked around the stage like he smelled something foul. He basically tried to cover Bon Jovi without changing anything, which was a mistake and a half. Since he went first, he was immediately forgettable and I have real fear for my dude.
I knew that Tiffany would compare Burnell’s performance to Blake Lewis. And yes, she tweeted me the video of Blake.
I don’t think Janelle necessarily dropped the ball. But she was definitely in the second tier of performances. I’d edge Angie slightly over her. But she was better than Lazero and Burnell.
Who Goes Home?
I hate to say it, but the dude who talks like Ma$e (with marbles in his mouth) is going home sweet home.
10 comments
John says:
Apr 4, 2013
That Blake version of “Bad Name” is borderline iconic. For those who have watched throughout the run of the show, that was really the first time that the show seemed to allow something more than cookie-cutter. That was really bad, but I still think Lazaro was once again the worst of the night. They’re not doing him any favors by saying “good for you.” It’s clear they are critiquing him on a LARGE curve compared to the others. Favorite of the night was…meh. I didn’t feel like there was a great performance last night, just a lot of good and a couple of bad.
GG says:
Apr 4, 2013
Who goes home? Do you think they vote out Lazaro?
John says:
Apr 4, 2013
Lord, I hope so, but I think Amber and Burnell are in trouble as well. That’s my bottom three.
GG says:
Apr 4, 2013
Our bottom three is similar (except I don’t get Janelle).
Then again, are we sure they put the actual bottom three in the bottom three? Or do they go for the dramatics and fudge with the bottom three?
John says:
Apr 4, 2013
I think we’ve all been pretty spot-on recently that if they are fudging it, they’re reading the blogs. I believe Ryan does say “you’re in the bottom three,” so if it’s not and word gets out, there’s a big issue (if anyone cares).
American Idol Season 12: Cutting Down To 6 - Pop Rock Nation says:
Apr 5, 2013
[…] Wednesday night he wasn’t awful. Just maybe terrible in comparison to the strong singers on the show. And because of the Lazaro tax we’re paying, someone else will probably go home this week instead of him. I predicted Burnell. […]
George says:
Apr 12, 2013
John is right. Beatboxin Blake was the first new performance style the show had tried in a while. And I bought and kind of liked his first album. He did the same thing in Hollywood Week that year with his group on “How Deep is Your Love” — they played a snippet this year. I had forgotten that they did a super job.
Lazaro tax is a priceless way to put the miscalculation.
GG says:
Apr 12, 2013
I put the How Deep Is Your Love in our greatest Idol contestants ever post. Blake was great. And I kind of dig the first album too.
John says:
Apr 12, 2013
Blake’s “End of the World” from the debut album should have been a smash. What could have been…
GG says:
Apr 12, 2013
Agree. I still play that track.