American Idol 11: Top 5
US Air Date:
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 (8-10pm)
UK Air Date:
Thursday, May 3, 2012 (8-10pm, ITV2)
Themes: The 60′s / British Pop
Joining Jimmy Iovine as mentor this week is Little Steven, from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. And the two of them have known each other for years, and you could really tell — they had fantastic banter and were joking around with each other, often causing the contestants to break out laughing.
Round 1 is songs from the 60′s:
1. Hollie Cavanagh: “River Deep Mountain High”
You need a powerful voice to pull off this song, which Hollie has, so it’s a perfect choice for her. Except for some moments in the middle that were off, she did the song justice. But I wonder if the producers are trying to direct her towards the exit door by having her go first.
2. Phillip Phillips: “The Letter”
I believe Lee Dewyze did this song back in season 9, which he did solidly, if I remember. But P2 changed up the arrangement and made it entirely different. I was intrigued by that, and his voice is definitely in top form here. But by changing it so much, the melody wasn’t recognizable anymore and didn’t stand out anymore — a little muddled, maybe? But I loved his voice here, though.
3. Skylar Laine: “Fortunate Son”
Skylar brought a mix of country and rock together in an excellent way, something that we see a lot of among the country music scene nowadays. During the first half, I was wondering if this song would not make her stand out. But when she belted it out left and right, I was on board immediately.
Joshua Ledet & Phillip Phillips: “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling”
This was just an okay duet. For most of it, I was really bored — Phillip was blank faced. Fortunately, during the last quarter, the goofiness that they shared right before the song started came back. Phillip started smirking, then both got into it and belted it out. And I loved when P2 put his arm around Josh and Josh shrugged him off.
4. Jessica Sanchez: “Proud Mary”
With “Proud Mary,” this could easily have gone down Karaoke Lane. But it didn’t. There was nothing wrong with her voice whatsoever. There’s a sort of growl or some sort of an umph she puts in some of her notes that I just love! — That’s what gets me.
5. Joshua Ledet: “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”
I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but for once, I wasn’t on board with a Joshua number. It wasn’t his voice or anything. It was the song–very amateur for how late in the game we are in this competition. I would expect this more at the start of the season, not now.
Round 1 goes to Skylar Laine, with Hollie right behind her. And now for the British Pop songs…
1. Hollie Cavanagh: “Bleeding Love”
Her voice on this was very beautiful, tonally. And my favorite thing about it is how much control she had over her voice — I really and truly appreciated it. But even though she was pretty solid overall for the night, is pretty solid enough to save Hollie? For others, pretty solid very well could. But for Hollie? I don’t know.
2. Phillip Phillips: “Time of the Season”
Phillip has had a bum of a night. He’s been one of the weakest of the night, just like last week. This was a very forgettable performance, lacking any groovy vibes that would’ve spiced up this number more. And the worst was those high notes — very cringe-worthy and sharp.
Hollie Cavanagh, Jessica Sanchez & Skylar Laine: “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”
Bringing together these three for some girl power was really enjoyable. It was nothing to take too seriously, because it was meant to be just light and fluffy. I just wish these performance shows would go back to being 90 minutes so that we wouldn’t be having these constant duets and trios every week. The thing about duets and such on Idol is that they only used to happen at the Top 4, and it would be something to look forward to (and we’d end up witnessing things like Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta on “Slow Ride”). But doing it every week is going overboard and is causing lackluster results for the most part.
3. Skylar Laine: “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me”
This is a really good song. But Skylar’s performance was just okay. There were a couple moments I loved because she belted it out then. But she pretty much just did the song as is, by the books, bringing nothing new to the table.
4. Jessica Sanchez: “You Are So Beautiful”
The last time we had a moment on the show was Jessica on “I Will Always Love You.” And Jess just had another moment here. The slowness drew me in , and made me pay attention. The two falsetto notes were brilliant and effortless. She’s got the best performance of the night here.
5. Joshua Ledet: “To Love Somebody”
This is definitely better than his Round 1 number. It wasn’t karaoke anymore. During the first half, I still felt something missing. But he pulled it all out for the latter half with the wailing and the falsettos — that’s when he shines big time.
The two best of Round 2 are Jessica Sanchez and Hollie Cavanagh.
Favorite Performances: Jessica Sanchez (both songs) / Hollie Cavanagh (“Bleeding Love”) / Skylar Laine (“Fortunate Son”)
My Votes: Jessica Sanchez (50 votes online)
Bottom 2 Prediction: Hollie Cavanagh / Skylar Laine
Elimination Prediction: Hollie Cavanagh
I said last week that if all goes according to plan, Elise will go home, and she did. And I say this again this week: If everything goes according to plan, Hollie’s outta here. And when I say “according to plan,” I mean that the weaker singers or those who aren’t connecting with viewers as much are meant to go home, the ones who are just naturally supposed to go next. A Colton going home or a Jessica almost going home is not “according to plan.” Make sense?
But with Hollie delivering pretty strongly tonight, will she make it? She did perform first, which will not help her one bit. I’m also saying that Skylar will join her in the Bottom 2. (And if for some reason there’s still a Bottom 3, I guess I’ll put Jess in there?) Skylar went third and people may have looked over her more being sort of in the middle.
Phillip was obviously the weakest out of everybody this week. And if that is how votes are completely decided, he’d be gone last week and this week as well. But we all know that he’s got a strong fan base. And after Joshua took it home when he performed last, he’s going nowhere for the moment. But what about Jessica? She had a moment with “You Are So Beautiful,” but I know that she’s going to get mixed reviews online, with some being bored by it. So that could work against her and could put her in jeopardy; I just hope not.
Who was your favorite this week? And who should go home?
During this week’s results show, we will find out who our Top 4 is. Plus, both Carrie Underwood and Coldplay are stopping by to perform. See ya then…
