American Idol - Season 6 - Top 12 Guys
Posted by: heath in American Idol, Music, Television
Tonight was the night for the top 12 guys to start the competition, and what a boring start it was (for the most part). Let’s look at the run down…
Rudy Cardenes opened the show with a song I can only assume is called “Thrill Ride”. (MSNBC notes it as being “Free Ride” by Edgar Winter Group) I say that I can only assume this because I couldn’t make out a single word he was saying. He’s got to start enunciating. It was a lively performance, but Randy and Simon both agreed that it wasn’t anything special. I agree, and had they not done a wrap up at the end, I’d have never even figured out what the song might have been called.
Brandon Rogers was up next (after a bit of socializing upstairs in the round room), and he gave us a boring and pitchy rendition of “Rock With You”. He’s trying to make the move from background singer to lead vocalist, but he’s not moving very quickly. He hit a couple power notes, but that won’t carry him too far.
Sundance Head took the third spot, with a very boring, pitchy song that I think is called “I Love You”. (Thanks again to MSNBC - “Night in White Satin”) Frankly, I don’t know how he made it through the Hollywood round. Yes, his audition was awesome, but he’s gone downhill since then. Simon wrapped the performance up by telling him “I don’t like you tonight.”
Paul Kim, the barefoot asian performer was next with “Careless Whisper.” Sorry, didn’t like it at all. It was in too low of an octave in the beginning (which is one of the most consistent things I’ve seen on AI through the years), it was hard to understand the words, he hit a VERY bad high note in his falsetto, and it just did not work. The highlight was when Ryan came out for his wrap up, and had taken off his shoes. He offered Paul some pointers on a good pedicure place though…
Chris Richardson rocked the house, with “I don’t want to be”, which Randy mistakenly thought was an Edwin McCain song until Simon corrected him (it’s Gavin DeGgraw). It was a fun performance, he worked the audience well in his bouncing singing style, he hit all the right notes, and damn if he didn’t look hot in that suit with the shaved head. Simon didn’t like the performance very much, but I loved it. He reminded me of Elliot from Season 5 for some reason. I’m not sure why yet.
Nick Pedro (who we saw in season 5 but who left in the Hollywood round) was back again, this time in the top 12 guys. Unfortunately, his ballad of “Now and Forever” was boring, safe, and completely forgettable. He said he hopes to be back next week “by the grace of god”, but frankly I think he needs to pin his hopes on the voters instead.
Beat-boxer Blake Lewis was up next, with his tattoo’s, piercings, and the feaux-hawk. He was hot. Nice voice, swanky sound in a jazzy pop-ish kind of song. I don’t know what the song was (turns out it was “Somewhere only we know”, which was apparently something only the producers knew), but I loved the look at the voice. I hope he gets into the top 6. (Interesting side note - I’m getting hit with a TON of google searches for “blake lewis gay” - and just this morning, a few more came in for two other Top 12 guys…I have no confirmation of any of these guys gender preferences and frankly, who cares)
Sanjaya Malakar was next. Oh my god the Julia Roberts smile…and…Oh my god his hair. Someone PLEASE shave his head while he’s asleep tonight!! But as for the singing…he seemed completely disconnected from the music, then seemed to get back in sync but the song was boring and pitchy. Randy was right - never try to cover a Stevie Wonder song (”Knocks Me Off My Feet”). He’s said this in past seasons - why don’t people listen??
Chris Sligh the funny guy with massively curly hair showed off his superb voice with a song that is either called “Break the Spell” or “The Typical” (yeah, it’s called “Typical”). Either way, it was an exciting song choice, but oh that hair. It’s not as bad as Sanjaya’s, but it’s pretty crazy. Simon, however, didn’t like the song.
Jared Cotter. Who? We haven’t seen much of this guy at all…maybe there’s a reason why if we’re hearing him sing the number song (”Back to One”) but we’re not watching Sesame Street. He got fired for trying out for AI…is that a sign? The voice was ok, but I can’t stand the song, and what the hell was up with the eye brows that look like a forward and backward slash? \ / ???
A.J. Tabaldo decided that 5th time is a charm, and gave a spunky song that was pitchy, flat, and hard to understand (”Never Too Much”). However, he got the coveted “complidiss” from Simon (a mixture of criticism and praise) - with a “you’re better than I originally thought.” Well…isn’t that nice.
Phil Stacey wrapped up the 2 hour show with “I Could Not Ask For More”. The beginning was very rough and it was hard to understand the words. Once again, the octave is too low! Pitchy! And frankly, it’s never a good sign for me when they pick up the mic stand and go parading around the stage - Chris Daughtry anyone? And what do my wondering ears hear? Right after I wrote this, Simon made a reference to Chris Daughtry being able to belt out this kind of song. Yes they are both bald, but Phil didn’t work it out for me dawg.
Tomorrow night we hear from the top 12 girls. I’m really hoping that they blow us away with superior vocals, because aside from Blake Lewis and Chris Richardson, tonight just didn’t do it for me (it didn’t do it for Craig Berman @ msnbc either).
Good lookin’ out.
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