American Idol: Beatles redux

Ok, time to close the Beatles book now and "get back" to business. Two nights was WAY too much of the Fab Four (when the Fab Four aren't present to deliver the music).

Beatles part II, produced uninspired performances across the board and did a disservice to the vast depth of the great catalog.

Advice to producers: the next time you get clearance to a cabinet of hundreds of songs (many of them timeless) let the contestants do what they will with it. Don't handicap performances by limiting choices to songs "people will know."

In any case, we should get a fresh theme next week which has to excite contestants and viewers alike. I know it has me breathing a sigh of relief. I'll go back to happily listening to the Beatles on iTunes now.

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

Here are my thoughts:

Song: Back in the U.S.S.R.  

Rants & raves: First off, this is Amanda's best hair and outfit combo. I'd say she's being assimilated nicely. I could also understand more of her song this week although I didn't like it nearly as much as last week's number. She's got her stage strut down though and can work the crowd as good as anyone. I'm just still not sure she's cut out for more than working a bar crowd, however.

You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

Much better than last week (how could she not go up from there?) She sounded much more confident on the verses than on the choruses. But her lackluster attempts at the chorus seemed to reveal a girl who has already given up her run at the Idol crown.

The Long and Winding Road

Well, well, well, look who's back in fine form. Am I alone in believing that David A's stumble last week was little more than a prescribed stunt? This kid is a perfectionist and for him to take such a dive last week is unnatural. Perhaps someone told him that he needed to show growth to win and what better way to do that than to have a disasterous performance at a time when he wouldn't get kicked off. Not to discredit a great "The Long and Winding Road" performance. David A's vocals are astonishingly and undeniably pure. I would just hate to be put on like that.

A Day in the Life

Looking good tonight in his black attire. Not sure this arrangement is ideal, though. I like it when Michael hits the big notes and he has yet to find a song in this part of the competition that lets him do that consistently. Also, just say no to the spinning camera. I got dizzy in the middle of that song. Woah.

Here Comes The Sun

And she's dressed like sunshine - coincidence? Me thinks not. Her vocals are still pretty good though this is far from her best performance. Things got a little corny midstage when she started twirling around and doing the dangly arm dance. I'm still sure that smile will carry her through to next week.

Day Tripper

Again, I love his gravel-y voice on this song. I think he's a good fit for the Beatles. I also like the arrangement. I think David C. has the best talent for choosing/creating arrangements that work with his style/voice and I've got a great appreciation for that. Over the last few weeks, he has become one of two contestants that I look forward to surprising me with their choices. He's threatening to take Daughtry to a new level this year. Watch out.

Blackbird

By chance, I listened to this song quite a few times earlier in the day so I went into this performance hoping to be blown away. I wasn't. I thought the beginning was rough and perhaps too low for her. By the bridge, though, Carly was hitting some sweeter, bigger notes and putting her own stamp on it. Still a tough comparison with the original.

Michelle

Weird song choice. "Michelle" is one Beatles song that hasn't aged as well as others. This came off as more corny than anything else. I admit that I did like to hear him sing in French, though. Yum. And yes, his face and eyes probably will push him through to next week.

Yesterday

Good thing this isn't a best push-up bra contest because Syesha would have ran away with the prize tonight. I was glad to hear her take some liberties with the song. It's so well known that if she didn't do something to change it, she would have got the boring stamp for sure. That said, the vocal was fine, but still not terribly exciting. Simon said she picked the best song which must have had some contestants fuming backstage (she certainly wasn't the only one to write "Yesterday" down on her list - in fact, David Hernandez said in an interview that he was scheduled to sing it until he was kicked off last week)

I've Just Seen a Face

Quite the bi-polar performance. After a rough opening, I was getting into Chikezie's R&B treatment of the song only to be assaulted by a strange harmonica bridge to bluegrass ending. Once I heard the bluegrass, which is a strong niche for him, I wondered why he couldn't have fashioned his whole performance in that genre. As is, the performance was enjoyable, but terribly disjointed.

I Should Have Known Better

This was too cutesy for me. It was more Star Search than Idol. I felt like the song went on forever and ever and I was bored to tears.

Most likely to go home: Kristy Lee Cook or Ramiele Malubay (but I wouldn't be surprised to see Amanda Overmyer rounding out the bottom three)

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

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