By Justin Guarini
Fancast American Idol Correspondent Host of Reality Chat: Idol Wrap and Idol Tonight, TV Guide Network
Before I even push play on my DVR, I pray for one thing…well, two things. No more 60’s music (I know that prayer will be answered), and no more nerves. The latter is a stretch; there will always be nerves. But you know what I mean. On the previous show, the contestants were wracked by nerves, and it showed in their performances. With up-tempo stuff, you can get away with fudging notes and even lyrics. But ballads reveal everything that’s right, or wrong with a vocalist. On a slow songs, it’s up to the vocalist to fill the space with long luxurious notes and phrases. Vocal nakedness...some people don’t sound good naked. But this is where the great are separated from the good and so far the great are few and far between. Then again aren’t they always? We pick our favorites, and the front-runners always immerge at this stage of the game. It’s the sleepers I’m interested in. Will we see a surge from anyone this show?
Now to the DVR...
Michael Johns-
Why didn’t they tell us what song he’s singing? Ah, I remember this one. It seems a little high for him in chorus, but I like this guy. He performs well; it seems like he’s trying to keep up with the band instead of the opposite. He’s panting after the song. I’m not surprised by the comments. Michael is a front-runner so he’s got no problems -- at least for now. A performance like that in the top five (which I think he’ll be in) will get him a plane ride home. Then again, this stage of the show is all about working out the kinks, on your way to the big show.
We didn’t necessarily have that luxury. In my year we had one shot to make it into the top ten. If you remember, the top 30 were broken down into 3 groups of 10. The top 3 from each group became the top 9, and there was a “wild card” round where the judges picked someone that they thought America missed. We didn’t have an in studio audience for our top 30 performances though. It was in a sense easier that way because you don’t feel nearly as much pressure. If you could have seen it, you’d probably laugh. In the sound stage (think gigantic warehouse) on the CBS lot, there was this set. Coca-Cola central. That looking at the thing, like you the audience did, it looked amazing, and in fact was pretty cool. Slightly flimsy in places but then again almost all television sets are. They’re meant to be realistic, functional, and to be broken down easily. If you stood on the stage and looked out…you’d laugh.
You’d see what we saw. Cameras, crew milling about, pulleys and levers on the walls, ugly walls, tables, people standing around looking at you while waiting to be told what to do next.. In a word: Booooooooring. We had a 10th of the pressure these guys face now. At least it felt that way for me.
On top of that, it wasn’t live. If we messed up, it was going on the tape for sure, no mulligans, but it wasn’t live. Now there are 30 million people behind the camera, and at least 50 (at least) or so people watching the contestants now. The nerves are understandable on one hand, but on the other, these contestants have had 6 seasons to watch and learn. On the foot though, you never really know what you’re getting into, until you actually get up on that stage and try and do it in front of the world.
Jason Castro-
I like this guys too, and the intro piece really makes him seem vulnerable and likable. Guitar again. Great. I think we’ve found a sleeper. He should have a career no matter what. Jason Castro is what would happen if Zack De La Rocha has been a Disney kid, instead of the lead singer of Rage Against The Machine. I mean that in all the best of ways. This is my first sleeper pick. I think he’s gonna keep coming on strong. Provided that he shows a little more grit (we’ve seen the soft sweet side of his voice, and I don’t know about you but I couldn’t take that for 3 more months) and doesn’t deviate from his gentle nature and persona. The judges are ok with it, surprisingly, Simon gives him a backhand. I think the audience loves this guy, and they’ll keep him.
Luke Menard-
Hmmm, another guy with massive amounts of experience. Shocker. He picked a really hard Queen song. Super hard, I give him credit for that. The song works his falsetto, head voice, and ability to spit out lyrics quickly in a way that the audience can understand. The problem with this song for me is that Freddie was so vibrant on stage, and loose. The song makes me want to move my body…Luke is a little stiff. He’s giving it to us, but it’s still in his head. Can you blame him, he’s had les than a week to learn the song? None the less, it’s imperative for him to start making his move right now, or else he’ll be eating the dust that the front-runners (guys and girls) are already starting to kick up in his face. Judges give him love…except Simon. Damn, he said the same exact thing that I did. I promise that I’m making my comments before the judges do. Promise. Great response from Luke “2-3”.
Robbie Carrico-
Thank you for ditching the bandanna. Speed Racer. My favorite part of the package is when he says “I would recommend drag racing safely, on a track…”, they show him drag racing in a car that only has one headlight working. Padoodle! “Hot Blooded”…is it me or does the song sound a little under tempo? I think I know what his rock problem is. He makes it too pretty. A Rock anthem needs grit and angular singing…it’s hard to describe…think clipped phrases and stacatto rhythms. He makes it all a little too lyrical and smooth. He’s a great singer, but I’m not impressed with this song. The judges are not impressed…but Simon thought it was ok. A positive comment from him. Good. He looks a little tired (Robbie), I hope he makes it through and gets some rest.
Danny Noriega -
Punk Rock? Ok. “Superstar”….Karen Carpenter, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey…Danny Noriega. Ok I’ll say it. It’s time for him to go. He’s interesting to watch, and all, but he doesn’t have the chops to be in this competition. That is after all what we’re here to see. Remember what I said about the ballads telling all? Average Karaoke performance. The judges are gonna lay into him on this one. Randy and Paula were nice about it. Simon was gentle. He will have a career in TV, perhaps on E!, because he’s loaded with personality. He’s not afraid to be him, and I applaud him for it. As a vocalist, I think he’s average at best. I know I haven’t exactly sold a million records, but I’m confident that there’s no way he will be the next AI.
David Hernandez-
“Papa Was A Rolling Stone”…a great song. I really love this guy’s voice. He can sing. He’s still getting to know the stage and the performance, but he delivered a great performance, with an even better ending. His voice is smokey and rich, in a way that not many other contestants are. If you’re a dancer, you’ll know what I mean when I say that he hits every count, I’d like to see some more lyrical movements from him. For the non-dancers, he makes a lot of sharp movements to accentuate…attitude, seriousness, intensity, etc…and it begins to feel a bit stagy for me. You see it all the time in theme parks and on cruses. He’s way better than that, and I think if he loosens up The ladies love him and I’m not surprised. He’s a little intense for me personally. Sometimes when he looks at the camera it’s like he’s pissed off. Women may find that really attractive, and that’s great for them. He’s definitely going through.
Jason Yeager-
What a nice guy, and can play 3 instruments. Very cool. “Without Love”? I think that’s the title. Oh boy, he can sing, but hello Norwegian Cruse Line. It’s just his bag. He’s really vanilla. That’s not a racial remark…what I mean is…there! There it is....when he backs away from the mic and does that dance you see your Uncle Harold do at weddings. He can sing, but it’s schmaltzy, and just vanilla. That’s all I can say. He’s got some pitch problems to add, and the ending was corny. I feel bad criticizing him, but that’s the name of the game at this point. The judges, unsurprisingly were negative in their comments. Jason throws up the Idol gang sign for the 7th Street Swingers, and we got to break.
Chikezie-
Ok. I’ve never heard this Donnie song, and I’m a huge fan. I think he does a good, job, much better than last week. He showed he can sing, and give us personality. He tried, unsuccessfully, to cop a lot of Donnie’s vocally styling, but it doesn’t matter…he rocked it. I hope this will give him his confidence back, and propel him into the next round. He’s a great guy, and I think that it’s becoming obvious that choosing the top 6 guys is not going to be as exactly cut and dry as we first thought. Whoa! I gotta give it to C, his Idol gang sign was the most creative I’ve seen so far. Like something straight out of an old Ayurvedic painting he throws up his hands to form an eight fingered circle. For his creativity alone I hope he makes it (lol).
David Cook-
Electric Guitar! All right, I dig it. Can perform and gives the love to the ladies seated to his left. I think this is the first performance where we really see the experience that he’s had performing with his band. He’s super comfortable with the guitar, stage, and performing in general. Randy had it right when he says David is the real rocker. His career will be wonderful, no matter how far he gets in Idol. Even after the spat with Simon (which is never a good thing, no matter what, trust me) I think he’ll be fine. The audience is receptive to attitudes from the contestants, and Simon is really trying to help (in most cases). I think that Simon was wrong with the boring lifestyle comment. How many artists have we seen that cant give a good interview? Some can’t speak publicly to save their lives…yet when they get on stage and do their thing they always deliver. David can express himself, he’s normal, and he’s fun to watch. I don’t think he’s trying to have a rocker persona. He just is a rocker, and he’s willing to throw out some attitude to protect himself, not to offend Simon. Good on him, and I hope he goes through.
I think, besides Danny I’ve wanted everyone to go through. David Archuleta is next and the audience tells us he’s going to the finals unless something crazy happens. If I had to pick who’s going home right now…I’d say David and Jason. Obvious choices, but you never know with Idol.
David Archuleta-
Wow, there was Kelly, I and the rest of the crew with a very young David. He’s amazing and goes far beyond all the rest of the pack. He’s the one to beat, obviously, and the audience already loves him. You can’t say enough good things about this guy. His skills are obvious and Idol will have to make things interesting to keep it from being a one horse race. He’s the heart-throb. Still goofy as hell, but it’s growing on me, and when he performs like that…who really cares. He’s been performing for a long time and now he’s finally gotten the chance to shine on American Idol. Good on him.
A much better show than last week. I‘m looking forward to seeing what the girls bring tomorrow.
homepage photo credit: Matt Beard