We’re down to the Top 16 America – only a week away from the Top 12, which is really where we want to be.

This week is 80’s week, if you hadn’t already guessed from the progression of 60’s to 70’s over the last two weeks. Personally, I love the 80’s – it’s my genre and my generation. If I don’t hear at least one Duran Duran song I will be hurt and upset…but then again, I think only 4 or 5 of the contestants are worth listening to, so as long as they don’t disappoint, we’ll be ok.

So let’s get going…first up, the boys sing the 80’s on Tuesday night

1. Michael Johns – “Don’t You (Forget About Me)“. This is one of my favourite songs from the 80’s, but um…he was just OK. I think he’s too cocky and thinks he’s going to win the competition already. I mean, he’s got a good voice, and a sexy accent, but he’s just not doing it for me. And I hate his hair.
2. David Hernandez – “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now“. Usually it concerns me when someone tackles Celine Dion (or Meatloaf), but I gotta give it to him. He was absolutely wonderful. Breathy voice, hit all the power notes, really great stage presence. And in case you haven’t been reading the news, the big reveal this week is that he used to be a hot male stripper so…if singing doesn’t work out he’s got that going for him.
3. Chikezie – “All The Man That I Need“. Very smooth and enjoyable song. He might as well have been the original artist on the song. I think the issue with him is that he’s not unique. He sounds like many other black power-singers. Very enjoyable but doesn’t stand out.
4. David Cook – “Hello“. I like the interpretation of a Lionel Richie ballad. I would have hated it as a ballad. I don’t like the screaming, but I like his voice and his style.
5. David Archuleta – “Another Day In Paradise“. He played piano for the beginning of the song. There were actually a couple pitchy spots, but holy crap this kid is amazing. I love how he re-interprets the songs he sings. Regardless of whether he’ll be in the Top 2 (like Simon thinks), he’s got a huge career ahead of him.
6. Danny Noriega – “Tainted Love“. His pants were way too tight. I like him more as a personality than a singer at this point. He’s fierce, but OMG pitchy performance of a song that I can’t stand. And the scarf, and the purple and black. WTF.
7. Luke Menard – “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go“. Eek!! Vocals were very weak and very airy. Not the way to start the show. He almost seemed to lose track of the music. It was like an entire song of falsetto, and he’s no George Michael. He’s likely out of the competition after this mess. (And Simon pretty much said there’s no way he will win)
8. Jason Castro – “Hallelujah“. First, cut your hair; Second, pull the mic away from your mouth on b’s, p’s, and t’s. I hated the song with the white hot intensity of a thousand suns, but I like him as a singer and I think he has potential, but not with that. The judges, for some reason, thought the performance was incredible.

Now on to the Girls’ Performances

1. Kristy Lee Cook – “Faithfully“. First, there are just some things you shouldn’t share about yourself – especially if you spent the entire year at age 7 pretending you were a dog and barking at people. But back to the song. This is not one of my favourite 80’s songs, and she did not sing it very well either. Pitchy and shaky in a few spots especially near the end, and I was bored.
2. Amanda Overmyer – “I Hate Myself for Loving You“. Surprise, surprise that she picked a rock song. I liked the outfit, but when you watch her on camera she seems like she’s distracted or just on automatic without any emotion behind it. I liked the song but I want more from her. She basically has zero emotional reaction to anything.
3. Brooke White – “Love Is A Battlefield“. I just realized while she was singing this that she could be the next Amy Grant – early Amy Grant. Brooke is just too “good” to be in Hollywood, especially when her most embarrassing moment isn’t embarrassing at all and has to do with church. Song was just OK for me. I don’t like it as a ballad. It’s a rock song.
4. Kady Malloy – “Who Wants To Live Forever“. I was tempted to fast forward as soon as this slow mess started, but then I realized it was live TV. Have I mentioned I hate ballads? Especially sharp pitchy ballads.
5. Asia’h Epperson – “I Wanna Dance With Somebody“. Really poor vocals on this one. It was completely out of her “good range” and I think she’s in trouble. I love the song, but not this rendition of it, and not with pitchy vocals. The judges however liked it.
6. Ramiele Malubay – “Against All Odds“. Not a bad song to pick from that era, but again, it’s a ballad. I love her voice, and I like her look. there were a couple pitchy spots, which seems to be the theme of the night, but I really enjoyed the performance.
7. Syesha Mercado – “Saving All My Love For You“. Well, I can say that she looked a bit like Whitney tonight, with the big hair sort of parted in the middle. But that’s where the similarity ended. She pretty much hit the big notes, but the softer elements were pitchy – again a common theme. I’m not a fan, especially when I saw the outfit.
8. Carly Smithson – “I Drove All Night“. I realize this is from the 80’s, but the only thing people will compare it to is Celine’s recent remake. I liked it but she looked angry as she was singing it and I’m not sure it’s an angry song. And there were a couple pitch issues. And the teeth. Oh well.

And now for the voting results….

Guys that are out: Luke Menard (no surprise here especially after Simon’s prediction), Danny Noriega (not a surprise but sad none the less because I like his personality)

Girls that are out: Asia’h Epperson (as I said, she was in trouble after Wednesday), Kady Malloy (again no surprise after that pitchy song)