American Idol: All that glitters isn't gold

What I would have given to have been a fly on the wall when producers told the contestants they would be tackling songs from the Mariah Carey catalog. Did they have to get out the smelling salts? Bring in a fainting couch? Oxygen? Talk about a daunting task - especially for the guys.

But, surprise, surprise, the guys actually rose to the occassion and delivered some top notch performances that varied greatly from the originals (minus David Archuleta, who, in the case of Mariah Carey night, gets lumped in with the girls.) Where the girls (and David A.) suffered comparisons to Miss Big Voice, the guys got freedom of expression. And the rest of us benefited from that. 

What did you think? Who did you love? Who did you hate? Who surprised you the most?

Here are my thoughts:

Song: When You Believe

Rants & Raves: David A. hits the stage in leather pants. Wowza. You'd think it was Harley Davidson night! Not sure how the pants fit in with "When You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt soundtrack, but whatever. David A. can sing. Yada yada yada. Can he sing anything but big ballads? That remains to be seen. If he doesn't stretch his skill set soon, he's definitely destined for a life hawking Time Life collections on late night television.

Without You

Well Carly looked good tonight, didn't she? I liked her lower register early on though she didn't show great comfort with singing low and controlled. It wasn't until she started belting things out that she seemed more in her groove. Unfortunately, I liked the restrained bits better. The judges are generous to keep encouraging her, but she has yet to hit one out of the park. How many more chances will she get?

Syesha Mercado

Vanishing

Props to Syesha for not going with a big Mariah Carey ballad. I was worried. I thought this had a nice jazzy vibe at the beginning. It wasn't hard to envision Syesha putting it down at a smoky jazz club. But then we have to remind the audience that she's got a big voice and the impressive first half of the song is washed away by an excess of vocal gymnastics. Just sing, will ya?

Hero

Back to the bread and butter piano. Like it. I, too, am a fan of the singer-songwriter vibe she gives off. I think she has a good ear for creating nice MTV-Unplugged type songs. This acoustical version worked well and allowed her to put her own stamp on an overdone song. She got a bit rushed and out of control at the end, but I don't think it will hurt her. 

Forever

Kristy Lee appeared to start the song in pain and things never got a whole lot better. The Patsy Cline - country vibe was ok on the verses, but the choruses proved to be a challege to hitting the right notes. On the brighter side, Kristy Lee looked gorgeous tonight - very 60s fembot-like.

Always Be My Baby

Admittedly, this is one of my favorite M.C. songs so I was curious to see what David C. would do with it. Considering the theme, he gets big points for trying. This is a catalog that certainly doesn't lend itself to rocking out, but David C. somehow made it work. I couldn't focus too much on the lyrics because they don't have a very masculine ring to them. By the time he started wailing and ad-libbing at the end, I was sold.  

I Don't Wanna Cry

Looking smoking hot tonight. Sorry but I've got a mad crush on this one and have to give that disclaimer before I start my critique. I liked what Jason did with the song. Up until the chorus, I barely recognized it. Again, big fan of the singer-songwriter vibe. This song I could have seen in the background of a television show or movie. 

Most likely to go home: Kristy Lee Cook, Carly Smithson

TELL US: Do you have a favorite performance from last night? Who's going home?

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