AI8: Rock of Ages (Week 9)

Well things went from snoozy (Rat Pack week) to well, Rockin' last night on Idol as the remaining four contestants did some of the heaviest sounds that I think have ever been on the show (granted that's not saying a whole lot). 

It was also the debut of the duet-format where the contestants paired off to varying degrees of success, well pretty much direct opposite success... if you have glanced down, I suspect you know that I loved the Adam-Allison take on "Slow Ride"... which I think ranks up there with great performances on the show and while I have never been a huge critic of Allison's personality (or lack thereof), I thought she was the loosest, having the most fun than anything she's done on the show thus far... so it could help her out, especially since it was the last performance of the night.  The Kris-Danny version of "Renegade"... ummm, not so good.  I did agree with the judges that they sounded good together... but I think both struggled mightily on their own... more so Kris, which you know I hate to say!

I was just going to throw up the picture of Adam and Allison, but just had to document Adams's solo ensemble...

Adam ("Whole Lotta Love") - ... which pretty much made him look like evil/scary Elvis.  It was a pretty sure thing that Adam was going to win the night even before a note was sung... and again, while I still have my personal preference in not loving the screamy portion of his voice... this was undoubtedly the stand-out of the night... and more "authentic" (they seem to overuse that word on Idol, so I put it in quotes) than some of the heavier stuff he does.  To be honest, I actually preferred his vocals in the duet more than here.  Last week's Bottom 2 scares should serve him well to move on easily tonight.

Allison ("Cry Baby") - This should have been Allison's natural element, but I just give her barely a pass on the solo... but tipped her over thanks to the duet.   I do applaud her for not doing for not doing the up-teenth version of "Piece of My Heart" even though I do think it would have served her better.  On a sidenote, I was in the same boat as Simon in thinking her alternative song was "Somebody To Love" by Queen and not Jefferson Airplane as Allison had meant (again, kudos for her for even considering that latter, especially given her age).  So again, not a fan of the song choice.. but I liked the vocal and Allison herself, of course.

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Kris ("Come Together") - My beloved Kris was another borderline case, but where Allison's duet tipped her up, Kris' tipped him down.  Despite what the judges said ... and likely in the haze of deep like... I thought it was a good song choice an that he sung it well, made it is own, etc.  This isn't the type of music he would be coming out with on his own, so it's hard to criticize... but there were certainly some rough patches, most particularly in the duet, where he was stretching his voice beyond what it could do.  More troublesome was that Kris did not look happy at all last night... not good facial expressions or body languages throughout... which makes it seems like he's hit a wall, so subconsciously I am not sure if that bodes well for him tonight.

Danny ("Dream On") - I am trying not to dog Danny too bad...he was actually the better of the two in his duet and the opening parts of his solo were fine... but the scream at the end of this song was bloody awful, plus as I have said over and over I am just tired of his asshat-y attitude.  I am not sure who is really voting for him as it seems like no one that I know of or stuff I read on the 'net seems to suggest any huge fanbase... but not landing in the Bottom 3 at this late stage of the game proves something is going on (or maybe I am just not reading the right places).

So while I would love to see Danny go, I am pretty confident that it is not going to happen... and likewise, I am pretty confident that means it's going to be either Allison or Kris... and if you force my hand, the more bottom dwelling Allison.  Oh well, life goes on...

And speaking of life going on... just so you can prepare yourself, there will NOT be an Idol review/recap next week (or if there is, it will be late)... more on that tomorrow.

Comments

[Sharon]

I'm really really hoping that Danny goes tonight. I cannot understand why so many people are in love with him. He was HORRIBLE last night. Dream On is one of my favorite songs and he destroyed it. Be gone with you Danny Boy and don't let the door hit you on the way out.