A Stone's Throw

Have to say that I think we have finally gotten rid of the riff-raff on AI and are down to the final 4 who I think could probably each take it. Except I will have to say I HOPE that Haley doesn't take it. Sorry, but I still cannot wrap my head around that girl. Last night I'm glad that they gave her a "talking too" with her first Michael Jackson song. And could you believe her back talk?? Wow! Why back talk when you know you are coming on a show to get critiqued. I also think that's probably the first time this season they were really harsh on someone. The song sounded terrible and she was just yelling through the whole thing! And the growl...oh goodness the growl! Will actually said to me "what's wrong with her voice". Out of the mouths of babes... I also found it a bit ironic that she was singing about the world and it's inhabitants and then chose to wear leather pants. I'm not personally againts leather but why wear leather pants when singing about your granola inspirational song. Just sayin'... Her second song was good but really she is so hard to figure out what kind of singer she wants to be. I think the judges want her to be a rock singer. I think SHE wants to be a jazz singer with some rocker growling. Either way I'm not likin it. I hope she gets the boot!

James Durbin did a great job on both songs. You have got to love Journey and even the Love Potion song turned out. I was seriuosly scared when he was practicing the Love Potion song but when he sang it he rocked it out. I think he was even scared of Lady Gaga and that to me gets him high up in my book. Although I have to say I thought she gave some good advice to the singers with the exception of Scotty who I think she scared to death. I'm not sure he had that level of maturation program yet. Did she forget he is like 16?? Yikes!

Speaking of Scotty I think he did a great job on his first song. I loved it! And I always love when he has a guitar in his hands so he doesn't bother me with his stupid moves. As for the second song...what was that?? I REALLY REALLY hate when Scotty thinks he is being "funny" but really he is just looking like an idiot. Almost looking like he is making fun of himself. Really they need to get him some type of movement coaching if he wins or is going to win.

Overall I thought Lauren stole the night. When she is singing well she is SOOO good! I felt like she finally got her confidence back this week. She has been a bit self defeating in the past. But last night she sang both songs really well and even got some sass! Here's to hoping that the final 2 are Lauren and James. That would be awesome!

I didn't think there was any way last week that we would be lucky enough to get rid of Paul McDonald. But indeed we did get our hopes up that he was gone, just in time to have him come back again this week and slap us in the face with his horrible singing! Normally I fast forward on my DVR through the horrific group montages at the beginning of Idol or results night, but tonight I thought I had to watch the train wreck that was about to happen. It was like the "island of misfit toys" out there singing all together. Only they weren't really singing together and it didn't sound good at all! Each one of them reminded the American audience that in fact they did make a correct choice by NOT voting for them! Most notable though were Naima (because you can't beat her enormous David Lee Roth-esque kicks)


and of course who can not notice Paul "Old" McDonald and his incompetence. What were they thinking letting that dude back up on the stage? Do you think he was trying to get revenge? Could you believe the forgotten words, the not one note on key singing? And poor Pia who had to come and save him! Dave thought he was drunk, but I just thought it was him. Whoosh! Oh and by the way, I did see Meatloaf on a news program this week wearing the same tired suit that Old McDonald keeps sporting. Oh goodness! Sometimes America does get phone voting right...kudos!

So for the real contestants tonight, I would say that overall they all did a great job. I think this week really is a hard one to call. But I think that Lauren's "pre game show" whoa is me act may have done her in. I hope not because I thought that she was really good. You know what I want her to belt out is some Dixie Chics. Really that would sound so good! Maybe Dixie Chics are still a taboo group from their post-war comments in 2002 or whatever in the country community, but I think that would be awesome. I would love to hear her sing something like "Hole in My Head". Well I'm sure she doesn't read by blog, so I guess she will never get the memo, but she needs to pick up the pass and not be sooooo ultra sweet.

As for the other country folk on...Scotty McCreery he was really good tonight I thought. Vocally that is. If you saw people making fun of you on your "pre game show" piece about how you hold the microphone, don't you think you may not to change it and look somewhat normal? And I find it hard to believe that the mouthy producer guy can't also give him tips on stage presence. Please AI give him some type of movement coach! He is such a good singer, but I CAN NOT watch him. Oh and also I was appreciating him SITTING DOWN in the middle of his song. What was up with that? The audience can't see you if you are on the bottom step!

By far the best of the night was James. If you know me, you know I love the Muse and the angst and the drama. So I totally ate up what he was serving. The outfit, the cane/microphone stand, the marching band. Well actually at the beginning I wasn't sure about the marching band, but when I watched it back I was loving it. I was also loving him going up an octave on the chorus. Being an alto I can truly appreciate someone hitting notes that I cannot myself hit. I also thought it was great justice that he sang Muse seeing that a couple of weeks ago the lead singer was in fact there at Idol and they forgot to point him out, but did point out his girlfriend Kate Hudson. Come on this is a music show Idol...please also point out the Matt Bellamy! Anyway, James is da bomb dawgs!

So Haley wasn't as annoying as usual. And Adele is also one of my favorites, especially that song. My kids have heard me sing it far to many times in my mini van while I drive them around. I think they wonder who the heck I'm so mad at about long lost love. lol She didn't totally massacre the song she left out her growling thing that she usually does every other word, to maybe just a few words. So in that sense she was better. But I am still not in love with her. And interesting choice to not face the judges at all during the entire song. I still think she needs to go because I can pretty much predict she will still annoy me next week. Also tonight I decided that what is wrong with a lot of her singing is that she is all teeth. Not that she has a lot of teeth, but I think she sings with her teeth. Not sure if that makes sense, but it annoys me.

Jacob was just okay tonight dawgs. I think he is fading a bit. He could be next, but he also gave the emotional power play to the American audience. While I can understand the emotional loss it is to loose a parent, I wasn't even sure that he actually gave enough of it. I think maybe he sang that song so many times to try to not be emotional, that he wasn't that emotional in the end. He didn't give it his all. I am glad though that he sang Luther. You gotta love that!

As for Casey Abrams I am trying to figure out why he is so mad? What is with his anger? Do you think he has a problem? I think so! He was angry during a Maroon 5 song that I'm not even sure what it is about? Was he even suppose to be angry in that song? I listened to the lyrics over and over to try to figure it out. Overall I came up with that his anger was far to aggressive for a song that pretty much means nothing. He has to cut it out! I thought that Jennifer was turning her head cause she was scared he was going to lash out at her, not that she wanted a kiss. Oh Casey, you seem like a funny dude...lighten up!!!

I loved Stefano as usual, even though I have no clue who Neo is and the song was not my cup o' tea. But he did a good job with it ...I think (not sure cause I've never heard it before). But I think that he may also be in jeopardy. Since he never fully has had America's vote I always worry about him.

And finally, just for my own "Musings" I have to post one of my most dramatic fav Muse songs in homage...

http://youtu.be/NOoL9lyATcg

Sorry for missing last week and that I'm writing so late, but better late than never right? I just don't know what to think about "movie theme" but I found myself EXTREMELY bored this week. I don't really know if movies are a good genre to pick music from. Yes, I know that lots of famous songs come from movies, but in general it's not my favorite way to find songs to listen too.

So we begin with Paul McDonald...all I have to say is I don't get it. The hair, the teeth, the suit, the music. Please give this man a guitar! When he doesn't have it, he is just wrong on stage! I am not digging him at all! On a side note about other people who I do not get, let's discuss Constantine. If you missed last weeks cast off show then you missed a lot more than seeing Pia go. You missed the resserrection of Constantine. You missed the piercing eyes, the hair flips the leather pants. Oh please AI no more Constantine!! (Oh and above is a fav pic of mine...enjoy!)

Can't remember the exact order here, so forgive me but I think it was Lauren. I think she did great with the Miley song and she is definately a MUCH better singer than Miley. I think Lauren just keeps getting better. She's one of my favs! Stefano also blew me away with his Boyz to Men. Brought me right back to high school. I even wanted his sweater that he had on. Don't you also just appreciate the enthusiasm of his parents in the audience. And as we all know, AI is continuing to keep him on because he is possibly one of the few people smaller than Seacrest. I did feel bad for him last week when Pia got the boot. Didn't you think everyone was acting like it should have been him. Good job judges taking away every last bit of Stefano's pride. So I was excited when he came back this week and gave it his all!

Oh Casey and Haley. Actually I have to start putting them together in my blog posts now because my cousin let me know that they were actually dating. There could be a scary child out there someday with some VERY interesting hair! Can you imagine? Anyway, I thought Casey overall did a great job. I love when he plays the bass and I LOVED the jazz feel. I had never heard that song before and was a little interested that STyler's Mom sang him "Nature Boy" as a child.... this may explain a lot. Anyway, the one thing I didn't like about Casey's performance was the voice! That's to bad since it is a singing competition. I don't know if I can even put my distaste of his mannerisms into words to have it make sense, but I hate the teeth snarling and how he adds an "ah" to the end of several words. He was doing jazz last night while still holding on to his "nirvana" persona. He's got to cut that out! But his girlfriend Haley just overall annoys. Bad dancing (My sister calls it her "swimming" move) , bad purple thigh high boots, and bad song choice. No one should even attempt Blondie except for Blondie. You know you can't ever do one of her songs justice. Haley HAS to go please!!

I was disappointed with Jacob Lusk last night. I was thinking "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" would be a great song choice for him. But he actually kind of bored me. I did love how producer man let him know not to preach to the audience this week. Good call on that! I think I may be getting kind of tired of Jacob's intenseness. So, he may be on his way out I think as well.

I actually loved Scotty McCreery this week and he should always be singing George Strait. I don't love country but I do love a handful of country singers and George is one of them. All Scotty needs now is some lessons on caressing the microphone a little less. He is hard to watch!! Also hard to watch for me last night was Will.i.am. Did he bother anyone else?? He seemed to really be grand standin' to the youngsters. He kind of reminded me how of how a senior acts towards a freshman in high school. I was not digging it at all!

And of course as always I loved James last night. I'm not that into metal that intense, but he always does such a good job and really brings his whole soul into it! That guy seriously needs to win! But I can't totally pick winners yet, although I have my suspicions and of course he will definitely be in the top 2 I think. My prediction for who is going home tonight...Jacob, although I wish it was Haley darn it!

Okay I was bugged bad by those who love me that I missed a week on posting about American Idol. I was sick and actually I'm still sick this week but with something else! lol So, bear with me. Although, even though I am sick I still watch AI and actually I didn't really miss anything because they had the same 11 contestants around this week...unfortunately. I don't know about you guys but I don't think they should have saved Casey. His antics were getting a little to weird. And actually he still had antics this week with spooky eyes and growling type facial expressions. He reminds me of this...

(do you remember this guy...Teen Wolf!) Especially with the slicked back hair last week. But also this week with the make over...was that really a make over?? Dave and I kept saying to each other "imagine how much hair he had to cut off if he still has that much". I am leary of a man who always HAS to have a beard. Plus I was not with the judges this week and felt that his singing really wasn't that great.

I was excited to hear that this week was Elton John cause he is one of my favorites. And soon after getting excited I am faced with the reality that Niama is going to be doing her "rendition" of Elton John. Not so much with the reggae??! Although I like reggae in and of itself...I do not like Niama's reggae nor do I like Elton John in reggae form. Did you also like her new found Jamican accent? All the sudden she was from a different country. Like a newscaster who all the sudden gets a spanish accent when saying latin words. She was something! That all being said, saddly this was not her worst performance. Oh Naima, what are we going to do with you???

Also Paul McDonald liked to masacre the beloved Elton John. The suit actually worked this week, but his version of Rocket Man did not. And what was with the ending note?? I was think he was probably the one actually in outer space and not Rocket Man. Ugh!

I actually liked Scotty this week and felt it was a good move by him to use an instrument rather than holding the microphone so lamely. He seemed talented! I'd never heard that song before and that probably actually worked in his favor. It just sounded like a great country song.


I'm not sure if Jacob Lusk could any more dramatic than that performance. It was like he was really feelin it! I even thought he was crying. It was a little to much for me, although I applaud him for the emtion real or not. But, not sure if he can win with that much drama goin on with him. Maybe a little to much for the general public. Thia Megia was again horrible to me. At least this time she wiped the smile off of her face and tried a different emtion. Someone must have told her that smiling didn't go with this song so she tried her best at being "sad". It still wasn't working for her. And oh ...Haley Reinhart...what is it about her that bugs the crap out of me? I'm not sure! But the growl is a big part of it. I guess I could also use the teen wolk picture to represent her as well. And the sitting on the piano at the beginning was really annoying! When she sang the song with her growly voicals I noticed that the words are really weird. But when Elton sings it I enjoy it. Hmmm?? Really she just needs to be out!
Stefano was okay this week. I am a little nervous for him because I really liked him but didn't think that Tiny Dancer was the best song for his both. He just did okay and with a double elminiation I hope that was enough.

Even though Pia did a ballad I thought that she blew it out of the water! It was fantastic and I thought that "Don't let the Sun" was the perfect song for her. I thought it odd though that she talked about how much she liked being in front of a camera. Can you say that?? Anyway, she was till good. I also loved James, of course. There wasn't much singing to it but you have to give him props for what may be the first pyrotechnics on AI. Also walking on the red piano. I kept waiting for him to fall down, but he didn't and it put on quite a show. Loved it! My favorite of the night though was Lauren. I thought she really showed just how good she is. I totally enjoyed the song and her voice was amazing with it! I also loved the comment from STyler about her dress. He is WAY too choice!!

So for tonight hoping we have a double elimination of Casey and Haley. Although Naima is also up there for her, she is more comical than the rest with the dance moves and bell bottoms, so she can stay.

That is what I am asking myself after watching when the AI contestants were born. My goodness! After I got over that fact I notice that they pick the funniest songs from the year they were born. But I will save that for their personal critiques. Okay so let's start with poor Naima and her failed attempts at trying to be the next Rhianna. I think the competition has seriously eaten her up. And then last night I was trying to remember if she ever even sang well and when was it?? Because she hasn't done a good job in awhile. I loved her Tina Turner business and I think she is beautiful, minus the bricks that she wore for shoes last night, but she just doesn't have it. It is very apparent now that she is a bit out of her league. On a side note, does anyone else get scared when the contestants use the stairs?? Last night I was fearing for her life and I'm just waiting for someone to turf it!

Okay, Paul McDonald, I am still not "getting him". I was doing the dishes while he was on last night and discovered that if I was scrubbing a pot I found him quite likable, but if I was looking at the tv I couldn't watch! His voice isn't bad but the ultra white teeth, the leggins with a belt and tucked in shirt and the dancing are just too much for him. He needs to get a "performance" coach so to speak so that he can be watched and not just heard.

Again we come to the youngins which are Thia and Scotty. I really actually like Thia's singing last night and even the song, but it totally reminded me of being in a pageant or something. Like she is some type of performing doll. It's too bad because she does have a good voice. I'm not sure what she should go into, but it isn't performance. Actually she would probably pretty good at voicing a character in a disney movie or working at Disneyland. Anyway, Scotty he is really good. I loved his song last night but still with the side singing and funny microphone holding he won't make it. Here is my prediction: He will not win or even come in the top 2 of AI, but he will be one of the few to actually have a career. I think the country community will just eat him up when this is all over! Scotty give up the AI and you will come out on top!

Karen again fell short last night and so did Jacob Lusk. Karen's hoop earrings were interfering with her voice or something and she was again swallowed up by the back up singers and even the orchestration. Jacob, Jacob, Jacob...the kiss of death is a HEART SONG!!!! Why don't people read my blog who participate on AI. A Heart song is NEVER good. I really don't know anyone who likes Heart and they never go over well at all. Jacob needs to stick to his gospel loving, dramatic self. I did love how Randy said he "caressed" the song though. Interesting choice of words!

My favorite childhood pictures came from Haley's family. Did you not absolutely love her parents hair in the 80's! I loved it! The one thing I can't get over with Haley's voice is her growling. It kind of reminds me of something your 6 year old would do while trying to sing with soul. She could have a good voice if she found her niche. I agree with Randy and JLo that she doesn't quite know who she is yet. I also enjoyed the parents of Casey Abrams who seemed quirky and fun. But let's discuss his Nirvana action.... interesting? At least he was doing something different and you know we have never heard Nirvana before and probably will never hear it again on AI. But, he was scaring me with the lighting and the hair and the eyes and the beard! I couldn't decide if I should run away from the tv or laugh at it. His singing wasn't that great but you have to appreciate the awesome stage crew who found humor in lighting up the red head with yellow lights turning his hair and face a strange shade of green and then how he played into the whole thing with the scary faces. You have to give him props just for the interesting viewing.

I loved James last night!! It wasn't his best performance but I will always love him and who couldn't love him doing a Bon Jovi song? I'm a fan (said Randy style!). And I also think Pia is an awesome singer but I have to disagree with the judges last night I did not like the arrangement. I don't think that the judges can sassy that anymore because now they have the big "studio dudes" who are helping the contestants. But really that arrangement wasn't good at all. They thought that it made the song more modern but I felt it made it more disco! And the silky jumpsuit wasn't helping the "modern take". Yes I know people are telling me jumpsuits are coming back, but they really don't look good on anyone and they are impractical (like for bathroom purposes ;-)

I was glad to see Lauren do much better and I thought it was a good choice of song for her. And to me the best of the night was Stefano. I just love that dude. He was not looking good in the clips before when he tried the Vanilla Ice gansta look. But I liked his performance. He was really really good!! And I love that he is just feelin all the music, plus the good voice. To me he was the winner of the evening. Prediction is that Karen or Naima are out of here. Oh and forgot to discuss how I'm glad that AstHon is out of her because I didn't want to type her mispelled name all season! Can hardly wait for next week!

Video of the week: To be scared of Casey or not to be??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmHUrE85uyM

It is a sad case when you log into your blog and realize that nothing has happened in the last year except for American Idol...because I haven't posted anything!! I will have to rectify that! But.... anyway, I am indeed here to post about American Idol. I have had many a friend (okay let's face it Dave) who loves reading about my American Idol banter, so I thought I would post. (Also I know that 2 of my sisters live for my opinions on the topic! ;-)

Okay where to start? Well first of all let's discuss the revamped format with the judges. I am LOVIN it! Although, it is a sad case when Randy is the mean one on the program. I can tell that we are going to be hard pressed to get a negative comment out of Steven Tyler or JLo. But, I do like the friendly version MUCH better than Simon. Although I loved his blatant honesty, I do think it is not the best thing to crush the whole being of a 15 year old. And, is it just me or do we not just have a full out love affair with Steven Tyler?? Don't you just love that he is 1/2 rocker and 1/2 grandpa. Also his reading glasses just bring joy to me! He is the bomb diggity of the show this year! As some of you may know last year while vacationing in Maui I was lucky enough to breathe in the presence of ST in person at the Croc store. Dave leans over to me while in the store and says "hey we know that guy". I look over and see what looks to be like a homeless transvestite and say "I don't think so!" Then after a second we realize that it is yes THE ST! He is angry as all get out that they don't carry 1/2 sizes in the plastic hoof known as the Croc. But although Dude did indeed look like a lady...it is still my claim to fame!

Okay so on to the contestants. I don't know what to say about it this year except that my prediction is a guy will win again. The girls are not my fav so far and my favorite female performer was already kicked off - Lauren the curly haired house cleaner. So let's start off with my least favorite which was definately AshtHon Jones. Why did they pick this girl??? My sister had an awesome thought which was, the bigger the hair the better chances they have. I think it must be true because to me she doesn't have much talent. She looked beautiful though in her dress and her hair was definately big!

Next up we have Casey Abrams. I totally love this guy! I was interested to hear last night from Seacrest that they have "free haircuts" if you are a contestant. So I am wondering why he hasn't lined up for his yet? And I do often think about how in the heck they are going to make over that dude, but I guess the make overs come a bit later and whoever does give him a make over should get a bonus. BUT, he is really talented and I love him and his voice!

Haley Reinhart is just too much for me. Although yoddeling is always charming..NOT! She is WAY to overtly trying to be sexy and to me trying to be sexy isn't sexy! But of course Dave likes her. Hmm..... Onto Jacob Lusk.. you've got to like this guy just for his overtly dramatic sensibilities! I am not much for the music that he is singing, but as far as the drama, you have to give him props! I could tell he and I could be friends if we met at a Mac make up counter. But I don't think the poor dude can win, because he is not everyones cup o' tea. Also poor Karen Rodriguez last night looked good but didn't sound good. That song absolutely swallowed her up. I almost couldn't hear her over the orchestra. She is a great amateur singer, but I don't think ready for the big time yet.

Up next the dancers of the program.... Naima Adedapo and Paul McDonald. Mostly what I have say about these two is...WHAT THE??? Naima's song could have been cool in some repects if she had enough breath to actually finish each line. Although no one can ever do Umbrella justice except for the one and only Rhianna (Check out the Travis Barker Mix on itunes....holla Schteve!) And the lighting stage effects...WOW that was amazing ;-) And Paul McDonald I'm not sure I quite get him or his dancing or his song choices or his voice or his outfits! He is just VERY interesting. We will see what happens to him over the course of the next few weeks, will he conform or just get weirder, that is the question?

Now onto Scott McCreery and Thia Maghia. I feel bad for these guys because they are so young. I think they could have a future if they were maybe like 5 years older. Being in a competition like this at 15 and 16 to me is just too young. And they are making the 25 year olds look ancient! But they are talented albeit still to awkward. Scott McCreery has a good voice and is talented if you choose not to watch the screen while he performs. The side mouthed singing is WAY to much for me. Dave and I already decided that he looks like the kid from Mad TV...
The only thing going for him is the classic country bit which is very cool and retro. Reminds me of Dave when I first met him. Yes on our first date he wore a SNAPPED front shirt and played me George Strait in his Ford Taurus. Love it!

Now Thia Megia I am not a fan off because she seems too "plastic". Like everything is too rehearsed and rigid. I was not down with her "Smile" rendition last night and of course she picked what she thought was a MJ song. Funny how she did that since they have told her she has an MJ tone for several weeks. Also she looked like she was falling asleep when they were critiquing her. Wake up THIA!

Let's end this all on a positive note. Some of my favs! It's hard to believe that there could be 2 people in a nationwide competition whose names are Thia and Pia but there is! And I enjoyed the later one, Pia! She seriously brought it last night dawg! I am not usually a fan of the Whitney, Mariah wanna be types but she was WAY GOOD!! I loved it! Props Pia!! I also love Lauren although I didn't think she did that well last night and whoever was dressing her needs some spectacles cause they made her look dumpy on top of a boring song. But hopefully she will stay in cause she deserves it! I also love Stefano and am so happy they kept him in! He really is a great little power house. I don't know what he was singing last night because I can still not figure out what song that was, but it was good! Also I think Seacrest loves him because now there is someone shorter than him actually on the show! And of course let's end with my fav.. James Durbin!! This kids rocks! Not to mention the obstacles he is overcoming and that he has killer style! I love this dude! He is like a more likeable version of Adam from last season. He has a similar style but not has flamboyant in your face and not has screamy and just overall more cool! Love this guy and hope if he doesn't win he will stay around for a long time because he is keeping me interested in the show.

Okay friends you gots to love American Idol and I will be back each week to update my thoughts, cause I know you care! So keep checking it out. And feel free to comment your love our hate for what I say! And my video for the week below in case you missed it, the outrageous stylins of Naima that leaves you sayin.....What the???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1BZFEPrR9Q

So I can't resist talking about American Idol! I just can't help myself! I'm totally psyched for this years top 24. A lot of them seem really good and I am actually not annoyed YET with anyone. (We all know that this will change) Of course there is also already "controversy" with one of the top 24 already being disqualified. Read here : http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/02/18/meet-the-american-idol-top-24-minus-ineligible-chris-golightly/ This is okay with me because me and Dave already called this guy "side show bob" a nod to our favorite character on The Simpsons. And he is being replaced with someone who I liked better anyway. So I just have to put in there some of my top pics so far.....Ashely Rodriguez and Andrew Garcia (love love these 2) I'm also liking Didi Benami and Crystal Bowersox. And of course you know that I am loving Casey James, how can you not? He Harkens back to my days with Ace, the original long haired token hotty of American Idol (even though there was also Bucky Covington ;-) Can hardly wait for the few first weeks when we can watch their total transformations and a few of them fall flat on their faces cause they shouldn't have been there in the first place (ie Aaron Kelly and Haeley Vaughn) Good times good times! Let the AI begin!!!
http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/