'American Idol' Final Season Recap - Top 10 Revealed & Perform

I'm a little worried about tonight. There's some great talent, there's some so-so talent and there's some weird and unique talent. I like weird and unique, but Idol often doesn't. It's a miracle Joey Cook made it so far last year. Will we get another Joey this year? I really hope so.

As I always do, I’ll rate each song on a scale of 0-5 along with a short blurb and then pick my favorite and least favorite performances of the night.

Olivia Rox (“Unconditional” by Katy Perry) - * * * * ½

I must admit, I’m a bit grumpy that Idol unceremoniously dumped two amazing, unique performers (Jenn and Janeve) for the cookie-cutter, off-key cuteness of Lee and Tristan. But even though they went for bland and cute over unique and talented, I’m feeling a bit better after hearing Olivia completely kill a tough Katy Perry ballad. Showing great restraint (Kelly is right: it is much harder to hold back than to belt), Olivia’s strong and tasteful performance, peppered with intricate and well-done riffs, showed why she is one of this year’s frontrunners.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_sui7dPQhg

Gianna Isabella (“Listen” from Dreamgirls) - *

So, here’s the thing. “Listen” is a great song. It was nominated for an Oscar, and it was written for Beyonce! But it’s a huge song that deserves a Beyonce-like talent. There’s no doubt Gianna has talent, but this was the case of a mouse trying to roar like a lion. The song was just way too big for her, resulting in a forced, screechy, pitchy and uncomfortable performance. Olivia proved in 30 seconds why she belongs in the top 10. Gianna made a strong case for being the first casualty of the top 10.

Lee Jean (“Skinny Love” by Bon Iver) - * ½

I get that Lee is cute and likable (and I applaud the fact he played solo acoustic guitar given Harry’s previous feedback), but his voice is just not good enough to be on Idol. He struggles to hit notes, is almost entirely off-key and too breathy. It’s his time to go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV2F7n3lY7Q

Avalon Young (“Stitches” by Shawn Mendes) - * * *

After a pretty amazing performance and two sub-par ones, we get something in the middle of the road. Avalon sounded fine, she hit the notes and she sang it competently, but there was nothing that special about this performance. I won’t remember it by hour two.

Dalton Rapattoni (“Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T's) – * * * *

Man, this would have been the bomb in 2006. All the emo kids would listen to it over and over on their first generation iPod Minis (that is, if they got tired of “The Black Parade”). I kid, I kid. But really, there was a deliciously overwrought flavor to his Plain White T's overhaul. Was it overdone and campy? Was it creative and well executed? I’d say both.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi3fhD3Zttc

Tristan McIntosh (“Nothin’ Like You” by Dan & Shay) - *

I don’t know who Dan + Shay are. I remember Dani Shay (of America’s Got Talent and Glee Project fame), but I think that’s something entirely different. Anyway, Tristan’s vocals were all over the place. She struggled with pitch, she struggled to stay in the pocket, she struggled to give the song a competent narrative. Once again, she’s just not ready for the big stage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWQwQTeLe4U

MacKenzie Bourg (“I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran) - * * * *

(How great is it that MacKenzie picked “She Bangs” as his favorite Idol moment?) I just love “I See Fire.” It is such an underrated Ed Sheeran track, even if its somewhat stagnant melody isn’t perfect for Idol. MacKenzie is one of my favorites in the competition, and even if this wasn’t the strongest of the night or MacKenzie’s strongest overall, it was very solid. Last year Nick Fradiani won Idol with the motto that slow and steady wins the race; if MacKenzie falls into a similar lane, it could win him the last Idol crown.

La’Porsha Renae (“Diamonds” by Rihanna) - * * * * *

One thing I love about Sia’s songwriting is that it’s radio-friendly and entertaining, but almost always features a dark underbelly. If you ever hear Sia’s own recording of “Diamonds,” you’ll know what I mean. There’s an ache to the song that’s missing in the heavily-produced Rihanna version. La’Porsha expertly captured that. It was triumphant and bittersweet, perfectly calculated and controlled. There is not a single note or phrase to criticize here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpt_kGf5LWE

Sonika Vaid (“Bring Me To Life” by Evanescence) - * * * * ½

Between Dalton’s emo-tastic song and an Evanescence cover, I’m really reliving a level of mid ‘00s angst that hasn’t surfaced since high school. Sonika took the stage with fire in her eyes and delivered her best performance by a Martha’s Vineyard mile. It was assured and confident and musically spot-on. Welcome to the competition, Sonika!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TX41qEqqmU

Trent Harmon (“Like I Can” by Sam Smith) - * * * ½

I get Trent’s appeal, but his voice just doesn’t do it for me. This might have been his best performance – it was probably the most musically sound and organic – but I just can’t fully get behind him, especially given some of the incredible talent tonight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnBF8a7ST6s

Best of the night: La’Porsha

Worst of the night: Gianna

Who Went Home: Manny, Thomas, Jenn & Janeve

Who Should Have Gone Home: Manny, Thomas, Lee, Tristan

Who Should Go Home Next Week: Lee & Tristan (only because Gianna has a slightly better track record)

Note: I don’t normally do this, but please, please watch Kelly’s performance of her newest single “Piece By Piece.” It’s an emotional masterclass.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FHYBQxURQo