American Idol: Top 12 Women Sing the So-So Sixties

So far, no one has knocked my socks off during this first round of competition. Sad :(

I can't help but think back to this time last year where we were delighted with stand out performances by Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones. Those stand out performances are what make the show worth watching. Flu or not, I need someone to give me the tinglies.

Maybe it was the poor theme choice or maybe it was frightening screen images playing behind the contestants. Whatever it was, I think next week can only get better.

Here are my thoughts:

Singer: Kristy Lee Cook

Songs: Rescue Me

Rants & raves: Oh boy. If she makes it through to the next round, we are so going to hear "Amazing Grace" again. That was her M.O. during previous weeks following a poor performance and I can't believe she won't resurrect her safety song. This "Rescue Me" was safe and lackluster and as Simon would say "utterly forgettable."

Joanne Borgella

Say A Little Prayer

Maybe it was just my hearing (which I will admit is currently impaired by a nasty virus) but Joanne Borgella seemed sharp throughout this song. She warmed up a bit by the end, but it wasn't a stellar showing.

Alaina Whitaker

More Today Than Yesterday

The first of two songs to be repeats from the guys' show, Alaina Whitaker blew Chikeze away. It was nicely updated and well sung with good energy.

Amanda Overmyer

Baby Please Don't Go

I'm going to transcribe directly from my notes for this one: "Huh? Are there words to this song? I don't even know how to compare this to the others. What's she going to sing on standards night?"

Amy Davis

Where The Boys Are

American Idol welcomes back Haley Scarnato v. 2.0. Pretty girl with a not-so-pretty voice. Her whole performance was off key and boring.

Brooke White

Happy Together

The second repeat from boys' night, but, like Alaina Whitaker, Brooke White wipes away any memory of David Cook's "Happy Together." I liked her treatment of the song. She's a likable girl with a good voice and a nice personality. What I didn't like - and this is a HUGE pet peeve of mine - is when someone in the control room can't get the volume levels right on the mikes and the contestant ends up getting overpowered by the background singers. Grrr.

Alexandrea Lushington

Spinning Wheel

This girl came to play and that is fun to see. She had a great showing with a nice hip-hop, jazzy treatment of this song. She can sing and work the stage. Watch out, ladies!

Kady Malloy

Groovy Kind of Love

I liked the song best when she stayed seated and worked the camera. The minute she stood up, she lost it.

Asia'h Epperson

Piece of My Heart

This girl does not sound 19. It's an impressive sound coming out of this little girl. She's a old soul with a fresh look that could be one to watch this year.

Ramiele Malubay

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me

This song's been done before on Idol and done better. Ramiele Malubay's got a good enough voice, but I can't get Nadia Turner's version of this song out of my head.

Syesha Mercado

Tobacco Road

Despite a sucky musical arrangement that makes me think I'm sitting in a bar, Syesha Mercado delivered a nice vocal. I like this girl.

Carly Smithson

Shadow of Your Smile

I wanted to like Carly Smithson's performance but it was too fractured for me. I either wanted it to be a Patricia Barber, smoky jazz singer performance or a diva belt out. Smithson did both, but it didn't work for me.

Top performances: The A's have it Alaina Whitaker, Alexandrea Lushington, Asia'h Epperson

Most likely to go home: Kristy Lee Cook, Amy Davis

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

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