American Idol....Season 7...Top 10 Boys....

Last night was 70's night on Idol...and I thought the boys, overall did a fantastic job...Much better than last week, in my opinion.

So, lets recap...

First up....Michael Johns...Singing "You Can Go Your Own Way"...


I thought he was much better than last week...a little off key, but maybe that is just the way he sings....I give him three out of five stars. Here is what the judges had to say:

Randy~I was ready for you to let go, but you started slow. Not your best dude.
Paula~You are a great contestant. You got the crowd working. You are charismatic and charming, a seasoned Performer. Nice way to start the show.
Simon~I feel that was your weakest performance. You are just coasting along. It was a weak choice of song.


Second up...Jason Castro....singing "I Just Want To Be Your Everything"...


I felt he did alright, except toward the end...his voice went out of range...was a little off key...but, I give him four out of five stars.

Here is what the judges had to say:

Randy~The guitar is cool as an act. The vocals were just ok, kind of karaoke.
Paula~I think you are cute. The song choice was clever, but next week, come back without the guitar. Be vulnerable as an artist..just be you.
Simon~The song was a horrible choice for you. It didn't suit your vocals..it was average.

Third to perform...my hometown boy...Luke Menard...singing "Killer Queen"...


He was average...better than last week...I give him three out of five stars. But what really bothers me is the fact that he has recorded a record and is part of an Acapella group that has toured. I like him, don't get me wrong..but I am a little annoyed, not only with him but several other Idol Contestants.

What the hell is up with some of this year's contestants having previous record labels? I thought American Idol was supposed to be about raw, undiscovered talent? When did the rules change? It kind of pisses me off. Seriously, should any of those with previous recording experience, of any kind, be allowed to win? I don't think so....
I would really like to hear all of your thoughts on this....

Ok, I will step down off of my soapbox...moving on.

Here are the judges comments regarding Luke...

Randy~Pretty good. Better than last week. There were a couple of pitch problems, but it was a tough song.
Paula~Perfect song choice. This is a great week for you. Contestants like you are what makes me fight to get people in the Top 24.
Simon~I think the song choice was a mistake. You are always going to be judged by the original artist of any song you sing. The original for this song was charismatic and had personality, you are not charismatic, nor do you have personality. You are theatrical and whiny.

Unfortunately, I think Luke may be heading home.

Fourth..Robbie Carico...another contestant with recording history...singing "Hot Blooded"....

Not only did dude open for Brittany Spears at one time...he also drag races cars...as far as his vocal abilities go..dude is definitely a rocker....and a favorite of mine.
I thought he did a fantastic job and I give him four out of five stars.

Here are the judges thoughts:

Randy~Pretty good job. I don't know if rock is your thing, Rock is like an attitude and I didn't hear it in your voice.
Paula~How does anyone know who you are but you. You played it safe. When you play it safe, you lose your personality and character.
Simon~I thought it was ok. (Robbie started to get a little argumentative with Simon)..You don't have to get so defensive. I actually thought the vocal was ok.

Contestant five...Danny Noriega...singing "Superstar"...


He too, claimed to have been in a rock band, a punk rock want to be band, when he was in 7th grade or something. Although, he did admit they sucked and it was a lot of screaming noise. Very funny! Glad to see he has improved since 7th grade. Dude should be a woman...he is very pretty, almost feminine in the way he carries himself. Maybe that is just my opinion...but that is what I think. I think he does have a mellow, smooth voice...although, he is not my favorite. I don't know what it is about him, but I don't care for him. He did sound great last night, I give him four out of five stars.

Here are the judges thoughts:

Randy~You are a fun guy! There were some problems with the vocal. You could have sped it up a little more. Seemed to me you were thinking when you were singing. You need to let that go.
Paula~You have amazing vocal skill. Don't overthink it, just perform.
Simon~This was better than the disaster last week. You look great on camera.

My favorite vocal of the night, followed Danny...David Hernandez....singing "Papa was a Rolling Stone"...

This dude was amazing...I thought he did a fabulous job and I totally give him five stars out of five.

Here are the judges thoughts:

Randy~This is the dude we fell in love with. That was hot~how to put it down!
Paula~Your voice is so pure, every note was in the pocket. Amazing~perfect.
Simon~Best vocal of the night. When you are given criticism, you take it as a challenge. I am now a fan.

Seventh...Jason Yeager...singing "Long Train Running"...


I was not impressed...dude is in my bottom two. I give him two stars out of five.

Here are the judges thoughts:

Randy~The 70's was the greatest era ever. The song choice did not do you justice. It was pitchy and a little karaoke.
Paula~It is great to see the fun side of you. But, the song didn't show your vocal range. Pick singer songs.
Simon~It was just ordinary this week. The ending was horrific and corny..just ghastly.

I have to agree with Simon.

Next up...Chikeze Eze....singing "I Believe to My Soul"....


Before he sang, we found out where his unusual name came from...It is Nigerian....His performance was solid, much better than last week. I think he will stick around for a while, if he performs as well as he did last night. I give him four out of five stars.

Here are the judges thoughts:

Randy~Chikeze is back. This is the guy we fell in love with in auditions. That was blazing, that was hot.
Paula~That was clever, to pick a song with a story. It was fun, it was brilliant.
Simon~You look better, you sound better. It was a million times better than last week.

Then the banter started...Chikeze and Simon started talking about the suit he wore last week. Chikeze said he wasn't going to let Simon get to him and Simon called him obnoxious. Uh oh....watch yourself Chikeze.

Ninth contestant of the night...David Cook..singing "All Right Now"...



I have to give the kid props...not only is he one of the youngest contestants, but he has the most amazing voice and he has a lot of nerve...to sing a John Lennon song, Wow~unbelievable. I give him five out of five stars.

Here are the judges thoughts:

Randy~You know what I have said about the young ones this season. That was one of the best vocals I have ever heard on this show. You were born to do this.
Paula~You are ridiculous~I could just dangle you from my rearview mirror. That was the most moving performance I have ever heard. You are destined for super stardom.
Simon~It was risky to do John Lennon, but it worked for you. You are definitley the one to beat in this competition.

Well, that's a wrap....

Here are my top two and my bottom two choices..

Top Two: David Archuletta and David Hernandez

Bottom Two: Luke Menard and Jason Yeager

Who are your favorites? Who do you think are going home? And what do you think about the contestants with previous record labels?

Dixiechick...out!