My San Jose homeboy Deandre is no longer on this show. So I won’t have that hometown rooting interest anymore. But it doesn’t matter. I didn’t think he was performing at the level he needed to as with that falsetto, he was really a one-trick pony. When DeBarge is right up your alley and you don’t kill that DeBarge song, I’m not sure what other songs are there for you to kill.

Tonight, joining me blogging the show is none other than Heejun Han, who was eliminated a couple of weeks ago. Okay, he’s not really joining me, but I’m going to be posting some of his tweets from his viewing of the show. He’s a funny dude.

The contestants are singing songs from today and the mentor is Akon. You know Akon was once a convict right? Just letting you know in case he hasn’t let you know enough in his songs.

Skylar Laine is singing Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You by Kellie Pickler. And here I thought I’d know every song. Skylar definitely puts her stank on it. It’s pure Skylar and pure country. I will admit to not being a big on Skylar early on, but she’s definitely grown on me, sort of like good country pop songs eventually do. Randall says it was crazy hot and crazy good. Jenny Lo says it was in perfect pitch. Steven says the crows may crow but the hens deliver the goods.

Colton Dixon is singing Rihanna’s Love The Way You Lie (Part II), which is a bonus track on Rihanna’s new album. Jimmy tells Colton that he’s behind Phillip Phillips and it seemed to irk Colton a bit. I actually enjoyed Colton’s version better than Rihanna’s. It could be iTunes purchase material and I never thought I’d say that about the emo muskrat. It was excellent. Jenny Lo says it was very Colton. Steven says he could’ve recorded his live version and put it out. Randall says he’s an artist.

It’s duet time and up first are Phillip Phillips and Elise Testone with Somebody That I Used to Know. Kind of a weird song and Elise got into her Sade tone a little bit. That was kind of cool. Phillip’s quirkiness worked too.

Jessica Sanchez is singing Stuttering by Jasmine Sullivan. This isn’t the one or two Jasmine songs that I know. I think Jessica listened to too much mid-to-late 90s R&B and I’m going to guess that she’s a huge SWV fan, but her vocals are so off-the-chart strong that I really liked it. Randall says it was the highest degree. Jenny Lo says to take them on this ride every week. Steven says she slays it every time.

Joshua Ledet is singing some Bruno Mars with Runaway Baby. Unfortunately for Joshua, he had to follow Jessica tonight. Last week, he got her. This week, she got him. The song is fun, but it’s one of the more throwaway songs on the Mars album and I’m not even sure it’d be something he records. Steven says he can sell a song like a work of art. Jenny Lo says he knows when to push and when to lay back. Randall says he is in the zone.

Colton and Skylar are back for their duet with Don’t You Wanna Stay. Damn, Skylar hit a note that made me wrinkle my nose and squint. Colton wore leather pants and what can only be described as a blouse.

Hollie Cavanagh is singing Perfect by Pink. I have a feeling she’s going to do the worst tonight. Prove me wrong Hollie, prove me wrong! The song is pretty awesome and let’s just say that Hollie’s version is full of pretending and vibrato. She can’t sell any of these songs for anything. Jenny Lo says she should be proud of herself. Steven says it wasn’t perfect. Randall says it was a lot better than last week.

Phillip2X is singing Maroon 5’s Give a Little More. It’s a pretty darn spirited performance, but he didn’t knock it out the park like Jessica and Colton did. Good job though. Steven says to keep with it. Jenny Lo says it was just a little bit underwhelming. Randall says he doesn’t know if it was a wow moment.

Jessica, Joshua, and Hollie are an out and out group singing What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger). I’m not sure why Joshua is even out there. It should’ve just been Jessica and Hollie. He’s just trying to fit in with the girl power song. You can tell Jessica has performed her fair share of Kelly Clarkson songs. She had her down to a T.

Finally, my girl, Droopy Elise is up and she’s doing some Lady Gaga with You And I. Elise tried to ruin it with her terrible dress, but her vocals saved it. It was right there with the top 2 of the night. She’s got the performance swag down and I thought she was singing to me. She is moving up that list of women I’d let sing me lullabies. Christina Aguilera has been at the top of that list until maybe now. Elise! Randall says that Elise is back. Jenny Lo says she’s a closer. Steven says she turned it into genius.

Top 2
1. Jessica Sanchez
2. Elise Testone
2. Colton Dixon (sorry, I couldn’t decide)

Bottom 2
1. Hollie Cavanaugh
2. Phillip Phillips

If Hollie doesn’t go home on Thursday, we riot! Seacreast out!