This is the best part of American Idol, when the contestants get to fully show off with whatever song they want. We also got the first five-star performance last week from La’Porsha. Will we get another one tonight?
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.
Dalton Rapattoni (“Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons) – * * *
I like Dalton; he’s a unique voice with the vocal talent to back it up. But this was maybe his weakest performance to date. It wasn’t that it was bad, just that it was oddly bland. Dalton didn’t tinker much with the Imagine Dragons original and even his pitch and performance seemed unusually scattered and unfocused. It’s not the kind of performance that would send someone home, but it’s not winning him any points either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNjklhCe6w4
Lee Jean (“Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon) - * * ½
Here’s the good news, Lee’s vocals were a definite step above last week. OK, perhaps that’s not a ringing endorsement since last week Lee was consistently off-key and immature. But even though his pitch got better, the air of immaturity didn’t. He’s just not talented or mature enough vocally to be on that stage. Besides, despite Scott’s in-package compliment about Lee’s new arrangement, he performed “Use Somebody” with a carbon-copy version of the original.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njuk-qGrZs0
Sonika Vaid (“Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson) - * * * *
Two steps forward, one step back. Sonika had a great, great performance last week and I was hoping she’d continue in that vain. But while there’s no denying Sonika’s vocal prowess, something was a bit off this week. Was it that the first verse was pitched too low, resulting in a shaky and occasionally pitchy performance? Was it that she seemed wholly detached from the angry, angsty lyrics?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7osC8361SQ
MacKenzie Bourg (“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston) - * * * *
I’d give that arrangement five stars. Turning the Whitney dance hit into a pounding rock track (with a great Carter Beauford-like drum line) was a stroke of genius. But I wish MacKenzie’s vocals lived up the arrangement. It felt like he was holding back or at least that the song’s melody was too big for his voice. He’s a great musician, we all know that, he just needs to take more risks vocally and really show off. (Also, get better soon Nona!)
La’Porsha Renae (“Halo” by Beyonce) - * * * * ½
It takes a very confident woman to sing Rihanna one week and Beyonce the next and La’Porsha should have that confidence. Her voice is golden, her delivery is always heartfelt and pitch-perfect. Her take on “Diamonds” is about as perfect as any Idol performance I can think of. Tonight’s faltered just a bit. There was a few bum notes and it somehow didn’t connect emotionally as much as the Rihanna cover. It was great, it just wasn’t Great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yx6H5Lf2Kw
Trent Harmon (“When A Man Loves A Woman” by Percy Sledge) - * * * *
This is the first week I’ve really enjoyed a Trent performance. With less face pulling and less vocal affectation, Trent had his first fully successful performance to date. Now that he’s gotten the vocals done, Trent has to pick more interesting songs. “When A Man Loves A Woman” is great for a first dance at a wedding, but there’s not much exciting or fresh about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qPdoHrNkis
Tristan McIntosh (“Go Rest High On The Mountain” by Vince Gil) - * * * * ½
I don’t know the Vince Gil original but Tristan blew it out of the water. While she’s struggled the last few weeks with her pitch and with credible song choices, everything fell into place tonight. It wasn’t vocally perfect, but it was miles better than the last few weeks. Behind a piano, with a ballad she can relate to, is exactly where Tristan should be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2t-ifPyjCc
Bottom Three
Avalon Young (“Earned It” by The Weeknd) - * * * * ½
While I’m surprised at this week’s bottom three, it surely pulled a great performance out of Avalon who (once again) had her best performance in a long time. The slinky, soul song fit her like a glove and it didn’t feel too old or too big for her. I’m guessing she’ll go home tonight, but if she stays, she definitely “earned it.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqxcpGzZwKI
Olivia Rox (“Trouble” by Pink) - * * * * ½
For the life or me, I don’t get why Olivia is in the bottom three when questionable singers like Lee, Tristan and Trent are still here. There’s no doubting Olivia’s voice, which is at the top of her class. She’s so assured and her vocal control beats most others up there (save La’Porsha). But, like Jax last year, Olivia can feel a bit like a kid playing dress up when donning the leather jacket and performing a big rock number. In a few years, it might feel authentic, but right now it’s a bit of a (very well done) act.
Gianna Isabella (“If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys) - * * ½
Continuing her trend of songs that are both too big and too mature for her, Gianna picked a wildly overdone Alicia Keys track. Sure, she looked good up there but her vocals were one-note: LOUD (dynamics go a long way in a slow song like this) and shaky at parts. She has chops, but for whatever reason, has struggled on Idol. It’s her time to go home.
Best of the night: Tristan (rising from the ashes)
Worst of the night: Lee
Who Went Home: Olivia & Gianna
Who Should Go Home Next Week: Lee & Trent
While Olivia didn’t have the best night, she surely deserved to stay. She was one of my favorites and, for the life of me, after years and years of watching Idol, I’ll never get why people like Olivia go home before underdeveloped tween singers like Lee. If you had asked me a few weeks ago, I’d have said Olivia had a shot at winning the whole thing. It’s a damn shame.
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