A PRODUCT rave!

So I’ve always heard the hype on this product, used by celebrities and such but never got around to actually trying it.  Well, I finally bought some at Sephora.  It was a last minute purchase while standing in line at the register with my Urban Decay Stray Dog eyeshadow and my Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer.  Sephora is VERRRRRRY clever by putting these acrylic bins right by the register filled with smaller versions of products, lip balm, and trials.

Smiths Rosebud Salve has become my “go to” lip balm!  Not only does it moisturize, but it tints the lips slightly.  I have been skipping the lipgloss at work wearing this in it’s place (sorry Philosophy Melon Daiquiri!)  Also?  I rub it around my eyes before sleeping.  I seriously cannot go a day without using this!   

The girls definitely made better song choices than the guys did with this decade….but WHAT is with all the whitney Houston this season?   

Here we go…..

Asia-h Epperson - Sang: I Wanna Dance With Somebody

I thought that this was a good song choice for her, but I’m not quite sure that she pulled it off.  There were definitely some questionable parts to it.  She didn’t really do anything different with the song, just did her best Whitney Houston impression.  She did have fun with it, though and it WAS an improvement from last week.

Kady Malloy - Sang: Who Wants To Live Forever

To me, she is just not one of the consistent stand outs but she did pretty ok with it.  There were some flat notes, but for the most part I didn’t mind it.  Simon is right when he says that she lacks personality.  She seems to also have this “prom queen I’m better than you” thing going on.  I totally don’t believe her when she said that she thought she was going home last week.  Her open mouthed surprised look when they announced that it was Alaina seemed way too contrived. 

Amanda Overmeyer - Sang: I Hate Myself For Loving You

Last week, I was just about over her but this week she picked a perfect song for her style.  She was really comfortable with it and was completely in her element.  That totally makes a difference in the way the performance goes.  Praises from all of the judges.  Oh, and I liked the hair and a little less Rocky Horror Picture Show makeup MUCH better this week.   

Carly Smithson - I Drove All Night

I really like her and think that her voice is phenomenal.  It has this crystal clearness to it when she hits those high notes, but I gotta say when I was listening to part of her performance on the radio this morning I definitely caught some (alot!) pitchy (PITCHY!) parts to it.  She can do the high notes without a doubt, but it’s the other ones that she needs to concentrate on.  Still love her though!!

Kristy Lee Cook - Faithfully

Oh god, another reason for Randy to comment that “he played with Journey” god help us…..  I love the country twang that she put on the song.  It made it different and a bit interesting.  Definitely her style, and good performance.  She does have a great voice, but I have to agree somewhat with Simon in that she is forgettable.  Out of all the girls, she does not really stand out for me.  That being said, though this week was good.

Ramiele Malubay - Against All Odds

I am always more critical when someone does a song that Mariah covered or recorded as her own.  I can’t help but compare.  It’s only natural because Mariah has SUCH a powerful voice, so I automatically expect whoever tries one of her songs to deliver the same caliber.  I am ALWAYS disappointed.  It’s not to say that her performance wasn’t good because it WAS…just not spectacular.  I agree with Simon about the “not jumping out of my chair” element.

Brook White - Love Is A Battlefeild

Oooooooh….one of my 80’s FAVORITES!  I like the arrangement she chose for this song.  It was totally her.  I have to be honest, though and say that a part of me wanted her to come out with the 80’s hair and seriously ROCK OUT to this song.  I did really love this performance though, but must point out that Simon was wrong about the original take part.  Pat Benetar actually does a very similar new version of this song with her husband.

Syesha Mercado - Saving All My Love For You

When I heard what she was singing, my first reaction was “Oh godddd…another Whitney song”, but…WOW!  She really nailed it!  She really brought her A game tonight and seriously impressed me.  To take on such a big song and make it look totally effortless is HUGE.  Favorite performance of the night for me.

Who’s going home?  Kady Malloy annnnnnnnd…..Aisa-h Epperson?

Ok…..first I have to admit that I went on a spoiler site and found out what songs they would be singing because I’m a geek like that.  Whatever….

Can I just say eieewwwwww with the song choices?  What?  No hairbands?  WTF? 

Here we go….

Luke Menard - Sang: Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

Oh my GOD.  Holy horribleness!  He managed to deliver the nights cringe worthy performance..  Not only was he completely off tune, but really?  He couldn’t pick a better song?  Wham?  OK then…..

**funniest moment?  When he sang the line “I wanna hit that highhhhhhhh”, I was thinking “OK….you can WANT to hit that high (note) with all your might, but your SO NOT DOING IT”

Without a doubt, he will be go-go going home this week.

David Archuletta - Sang: Another Day In Paradise

Another day in paradise listening to your awesome voice, that is.  Can he sing bad? At all? And the added piano at the beginning?  Great touch.  I really liked the way he did this song…but did his voice crack like Peter Brady (Brady Bunch for those who lived on a remote island…) at one point?  “Make that channnnnnnnge”  I am still SUCH a fan of his voice but I do agree with Simon that I want to hear him do something fun and get away from the ballads a little.

Danny Noriega - Sang: Tainted Love

Tainted PERFORMANCE rather.  Um….I am usually such a fan of his, but totally was not impressed with his song choice and more importantly…his rendition of it.  Didn’t grab my attention.  I wouldn’t say that it was “useless” like Simon declared, but it was not my favorite of his performances so far….by a long shot.  TMTH (like he said) - too much to handle!  I did, however like the purple streaks that he was rockin’

David “so you found out that I was a gay male stripper” Hernandez - Sang: All Coming Back To Me Now (Click the yellow link)

I think that he wanted everyone to believe that he was doing the Meatloaf version of this song, but we SO know that he was channeling his inner Celine Dion.  I really like his voice…very powerful.  I think that he did a great job!  Not my favorite song choice, but he made it work for him.  Can he rise above the internet gay male stripper rumors to stay in the game?  Yeah, I’m pretty sure he will…

Michael Johns - Sang: Don’t You Forget About Me

Take me back to the Breakfast Club!  I have to admit that I was pretty disappointed that he didn’t come out rockin’ an INXS tune because he really EXUDES Michael Hutchence   Even Randy said that he’s got the Michael Hutchence thing going on, but I think that Randy was confused and thought it was an INXS song rather than Simple Minds.  It’s not to say that I didn’t LOVE his performance though!  I really like his style, and he remains one of my favorites!

David Cook - Sang: Hello

Interesting song choice, but the surprise is?  He made it WORK!  Awesome voice and performance.  He loves the stage and it loves him.  The guitar problems that he was having backstage didn’t seem to be fixed all the way because in the beginning, the guitar seemed to overpower him a little.  He overcame whatever problems it may have given him though!  I absolutely LOVED it.  Best performance of the night.  See? I always go back to the ”rocker”.  Oh…and he was TOTALLY wearing guyliner…..

Jason Castro - Sang: Hallelujah

So he dropped the guitar like it was suggested he do, and what do you know?  He was still awesome!  I liked the fact that I could concentrate on his voice a little more.  He is definitely different, and marches to the beat of his own drum.  I am a huge fan of people being unique but at the same time keepin’ it real.  Simon called it “brilliant” and I have to somewhat agree with him.  Another favorite of the night.    

Chickezi - Sang: All The Man (or woman) That I Need

Nope….still don’t like him.  I try to look at each contestant every week with new fresh eyes and ears.  I try not to judge on past performances….that being said, I am STILL NOT IMPRESSED.  I don’t think that he brings anything exciting to the table.  Yeah, he has a good voice….but so do a million other people.  He is pretty much run of the mill talent.  Also?  His attitude does not make him likable to the American audience.  We really didn’t need to hear him correcting Simon about the song history to make himself look better.  Again…it just makes him look like a huge TOOL.  I think we say goodbye to him too…unless he’s one of the ones that stays in the competition way longer than he should irritating me more and more with each time he slips through to the next week.  No worries though…he absolutely won’t win it.

Going Home?  If you have been paying attention here, you would know that I have a gut feeling that it will be Chickezi and Luke Menard.  We shall see!!!!   

First off…I gotta say that I was was not blown away by the girls like I was with the boys!  Here are my reviews.  They are based on the nights performance, and not on their overall vocal talent.

Carly Smithson: Sang: Crazy On you

Oh this was awesome!  She has such a great voice.  some of those notes that she was hitting were unbelievable!  It looked like she really gave it her all and the proof of it was how totally out of breath she was afterwards.  I absolutely think that she will make it far in the competition, but she has little David Archuletta to contend with.  Tough to beat so far.  Oh, and gorgeous eye makeup!

Syesha Mercado: Sang: Me And (Mr.!) Jones

She could have chosen a better song, but that being said I think she did pretty good with this.  To me, the beginning started off a little boring, but when she got to the chorus and those last few notes at the end, it was incredible. 

Brooke White:  Sang: Your So Vain

I am going to slip in a little sarcasm, and say “WOW…Big surprising song choice” because she reminded me of Carly Simon in the Hollywood auditions.  So I think this song was totally safe for her.  That’s not to say that I didn’t love it because really I did.  She chose the right song for her vocal style, and sometimes it’s ok to play it safe.  I definitely liked it a whole lot better than last week.  I love her cute little hippy chick-ish style.

Ramiele Malubay: Sang: Don’t Leave Me This Way

Okay.  I absolutely LOVE this song.  It’s one of my closet karaoke ones…..so when she didn’t belt it out like I am used to hearing it, I was a little disappointed.  This performance definitely had it’s good parts, but as a whole it really didn’t get me.  There was something off about it.  Like I said, this song needs to be belted out the whole way through, and she just didn’t deliver on that.   

Kristy Lee Cook: Sang: Your No Good

On this song?  You ARE no good.  I was not excited about this.  I thought that it was kind of boring (boring is the word of the day I guess!) and nothing about it stood out for me.  She has the voice to really ‘bring it’, but I really was not impressed.  Definitely better than last week though.

Amanda Overmeyer: Sang: Carry On My Warward Son

Um…’interesting’ song choice.  I would have thought that she totally would have gone with the tried and true Janice Joplin or even Heart.  I am usually such a fan of hers but this performance just did not cut it for me.  I understand that she was trying to break out of her bubble and switch it up a bit, but this just didn’t work for her.  Song choice, song choice, sonnnnnnnng choice!!!!  Better luck next week?

Alaina Whitaker: Sang: Hopelessly Devoted To You

For some reason I just couldn’t pay as much attention to this performance.  It was a little bland for my taste.  I mean, I didn’t totally HATE it….but I didn’t love it.  She does have a beautiful voice and definitely has the potential to stay in the competition.  I think she can do better than that.  She reminds me of Carrie Underwood a little…..    

Alexandrea Lushington: Sang: If You Leave Me Now

Not a very good song choice at ALL.  It really didn’t grab my attention like last weeks performance did.  The way that she was singing it seemed a little off (yeah…I know.  I use that phrase often).  I agreed with Randy that it was somewhat boring.  Definitely a no for me this week.

Kady Malloy: Sang: Magic Man

This was just “ok” for me.  It lacked the powerful vocals that this song warrants.  I felt like she didn’t push it enough.  It was just kind of ‘ehh’ for me.  The judges told her that she needed to punch it up a little bit and she just didn’t do it.  Contrary to what Simon thought….I liked her dress!

Asia-h Epperson: Sang: All By Myself

How can I hear this song without thinking of the powerful way that Celine does it?  If you are going to take on a song like that you better have the pipes to carry it.  Is it mean to say that I actually cringed on parts of this?  When she sang the first “all by myself”, I was waiting for her to BELT IT OUT and was really disappointed when she took it to a lower note.  I actually yelled “NOOOOOO!!!!” (which totally scared my poor cat AND my husband).  I really liked her last week but this week let me down, man.  The only good thing that I can say about it is the way she did the ending of it.

Who is going home?  Wow…so many to choose from.  Let’s see….Alexandrea Lushington annnnnnnnd Kady Malloy?  We shall see……

Michael Johns: Sang: Go Your Own Way

God I love his voice, but I’m not sure the song choice was the best one.  I thought he forgot the lyrics when there was a weird little pause in the middle, but the judges would have jumped all over that (and they didn’t).  It’s a “hmmmmmm” on this one.  I still love him though, and definitely want him to stay in the competition!

Jason Castro: Sang: I Just Wanna Be Your Everything

The thing that I love about him is that he takes a song and totally makes it his own.  I really liked this performance, and I really like his goofy-ish offbeat quality.  He is becoming one of my faves.  The judges don’t seem to think that his vocals are all that special, and they may be right about the guitar distracting from that.  We will just have to wait and see if he drops the guitar next week.

Luke Menard: Sang: Killer Queen

I was not impressed with him last week, but seriously?  I think he did pretty good with this song!  With the song that he did last week, it really didn’t showcase his vocal but this week he redeemed himself…although Simon thought it was a ‘mistake’.  I like the different hairstyle too, and also the way he was dressed.  Why does he remind me of Dylan McKay from 90210???

Robbie Carrico: Sang: Hot Blooded

I said it before, and I will say it again.  I am a SUCKER for the rocker.  I just naturally gravitate towards that type!  I’m not sure that I agree with Simon (entirely) that he is not being himself, but his comments made me think a little bit that the “come on’s!” and the “Tell me’s!” were a tiny bit unnatural.  As I was writing this, Randy said EXACTLY what I was thinking…that it lacked a certain rock-ish OOMPH.  If your going to sing a song like that, you need to belt it out.  His vocals are great, so maybe he can try something a little out of the bubble?

Danny Noriega: Sang: Superstar

I really think that he did an awesome job!  Last week, his song choice was totally not right for him and it really didn’t show off the vocal ability that we KNOW he has.  This week, I think that the song choice was right on the money.  He seemed very at ease and comfortable with it.  It just fit him perfectly.  He is just so cute that I wanna eat him up.  I really liked the judges constructive criticism…kind of like they really care if he makes it through to another week.  He is very likable, and his personality shows through in his performances.  I think they really like that.

David Hernandez: Sang: Papa Was A Rolling Stone

Great performance and great song choice!  I really like him.  His vocals are seriously amazing.  I loved it loved it loved it.  This one isn’t going anywhere.  I can’t see him going home.  He got a standing ovation from the girls and praises all around by the judges.  Simon thought it was the best vocal so far and I definitely have to agree with him.  Can’t wait to see what he does next.

Jason Yeager: Sang: Long Train Running

He was NOT one of my favorites last week but this week I think that he definitely stepped it up a bit.  I’m not sure that I totally agree with the judges assessment on it (because it wasn’t TERRIBLE), but out of everyone performing so far?  I like him the least.  I just couldn’t get into it for some reason!  Not so sure that he will make it through to prove himself another week.  I kind of feel bad for him?  Really?  No I don’t.  Whatever……  

Chikezie: Sang: I Believe To My Soul

Definitely did NOT like him last week, but I gotta say that I didn’t hate his performance.  He did, however commit (my view of) Idol sin # 2 (changing the lyrics to put your own name in the song).  I just think that oozes cheese.  Seriously.  Don’t do that please.  This week definitely brought out his better side (vocal wise anyway).  His vocal performance was pretty damn good!  Here’s what I don’t like about him.  I don’t like his stupid trying to be funny taking jabs at Simon thing.  It just makes him look like a serious TOOL.  He is trying to be funny like the bully making fun of someone in class trying to get laughs but instead just making a fool out of himself.  Someone throw a desk at him please….  YUCK.

David Cook: Sang: All Right Now

This is one of my all time favorite songs, so obviously I am going to judge it against the original.  Sometimes you just can’t help that.  He did good and I liked it vocal wise….but it was not my favorite of the night.  I do think that he has a great stage presence and personality.  I think that he has the chance to go far in the competition.  I think that he is definitely safe for this week.

David Archuletta: Sang: Imagine

Okay.  He is SO god damned ADORABLE!!!  He has got such a powerful voice for a young kid.  I liked his rendition of the song alot.  The vocals were amazing and he has got such a fantastic personality.  He is always smiling!  I also liked the way he answered Randy about why he chose to sing the third verse instead of the first - because of the meaning that it had behind it.  It shows that he takes time to think about his song choice.  I totally loved him and so did all of the judges.  Oh and the SCREAMING from all of the teenyboppers!  He is not going ANYWHERE.  New fave of the night.  I just wanna HUG him! 

Who is going home?  I think it is going to be Jason Yeager annnnnnnnd who else?  Hard choice.  Robbie Carrico????  

Top 12 Girls Review:

Kristy Lee Cook: Sang: Rescue Me

(Thoughts before watching performance): She was one of my faves going in.  I think that she needs to be careful not to be too Carrie Underwoodish, but she’s really cute.

(After watching) - I like her voice alot, but her performance needed some added pizazz.  It seemed to be lacking something.  I know she can do better, but it could be due to the fact that she was sick?  I agree with Simon in the fact that if she is going to do a song like Respect, she needs to belt it out, which she definitely did not do.

JoAnne Borgella: Sang: Say A Little Prayer 

(Thoughts before watching performance) - I don’t really remember her auditions at all for some odd reason…

(After watching) -I like her.  Great voice, and I thought she did a good job.  she didn’t blow me away, but I didn’t hate it.  The ending was good.  Simon thought it was a little “caberet-ish”.

Alaina Whitaker: Sang: I Love You More Today Than Yesterday

(Thoughts before watching performance) - Well, she’s got my maiden name, just spelled a little differently.  I only remember her audition for that reason.  It’s not a very common last name.

(After watching) -Hmm.  I liked her performance alot better than the first two.  I like how she started off slow than kicked it up a bit.  She’s got a really powerful voice, and she’s cute.

Amanda Overmeyer: Sang: Baby Please Don’t Go

(Thoughts before watching performance) - One of my faves going in, but I am a little concerned that she won’t be able to expand her talent to include other styles of music.

(After watching) -I like her.  She’s different.  I thought that her performance was a little all over the place and hard to follow kind of.  I do like the fact that she is something that the Idol audience has never seen before from a woman standpoint, and that draws me to her.  They will either totally hate her or totally love her.  I would love to see a woman rocker win this year.  I really need to see her change it up a little bit and challenge herself to come out of her comfort level.

Amy Davis: Sang: Where The Boys Are

(Thoughts before watching performance) - I don’t even remember her audition.  I don’t think that she stood out for me.

(After watching) -Ummm….I really didn’t like this performance for some reason.  It sounded a little whiny in parts.  She did have some redeeming parts, but otherwise this performance didn’t really do anything for me.

Brooke White: Sang: I Can’t See Me Loving Nobody But You

(Thoughts before watching performance) - She was one of my picks for the top 24 and also right from her first audition.  I loved her Hollywood audition at the piano…kind of Carly Simon-ish

(After watching) -I like her.  She’s got a good voice, but I think that she could have chosen a better song to showcase it.  I definitely want to see her do different stuff.  It doesn’t seem like Simon is buying into the whole “wholesome” thing.  Do you think it’s an act?  We’ve seen this before with Kelly Pickler dumbing herself down to endear herself to the audience.  I wonder if that’s what she is aiming for?

****Okay….UGHHHHH with all the breaks!  Should we make an Idol drinking game?  because we’d all be shitfaced if we all had to drink everytime Ryan says “after the break”.  That’s it.  Party at Kerrie’s for the finale - after the break.  

Alexandrea Lushington: Sang: What Goes Up

(Thoughts before performance) -I remember her audition because of her Great Grandmother - so cute.  I also liked her Amy Winehouse song at the Hollywood auditions.

(After watching) - I liked her!  There was one weird note in the middle but otherwise her performance at least engaged me and made me pay attention.  She’s got the confidence to stay in the competition.  Simon “didn’t get it”.  Oh and WHOA with the attitude with Ryan.  Chill the eff out honey.  So he forgot your name.  Alot of people will…..

Kady Malloy: Sang: Groovy Kind Of Love

(Thoughts before watching performance) - I liked her audition, and thought her Britney Spears imitation was funny/dead on.

(After watching) -She’s got a great voice and I really liked her performance vocal wise.  I think that she could have chosen a better suited song.  Sometimes it all comes down to song choice.  It wasn’t as boring as Simon said it was, but I would like to see her do something fun and upbeat.  Oh….and I didn’t like her black shoes.  They didn’t go well with the dress she was wearing.  Silver strappies would have been better.  Notice how I am a little more catty with the girls?

Asia-h Everson: Sang: Take Another Little Piece Of My Heart

(Thoughts before watching performance) -Aww - this is the one who’s father died two days before her audition.

(After watching) -I love the throaty sound to her voice.  I think that she really puts so much of herself into her performances and it shines through.  I liked it alot.  One of my favorite performances of the night.

Ramiele Maloway: Sang: You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me

(Thoughts before watching performance) - She’s cute.  I remember liking her from her first audition.

(After watching) - I thought it was a little boring in the beginning but picked up definitely through the middle and end.  She absolutely has an awesome voice.  She’ll definitely stay in the competition….and she has the cute factor.

Syesha Mercado: Sang: Tobacco Road

(Thoughts before watching performance) - Oh yeah.  I remember the “no talk/vocal rest/note writing girl” from the Hollywood auditions.  I remember being irritated at this for some reason.  I’m like that….I don’t know why….

(After watching) - Great song choice!  I loved the performance.  Did it seem to be a little short?  In any case, it was long enough for me to form the opinion that she has a killer voice.  She had fun, and her personality showed.  One of my faves for the night.

Carly Smithson: Sang: The Shadow Of Your Smile

(Thoughts before watching performance) - I liked her right from the start, at her very first audition.  she was one of my picks for the top 24.

(After watching) -Oh my god.  She was my favorite from the very beginning, and her performance just cemented it.  Her voice is just amazing and powerful.  Incredible.  I can’t wait to hear more from her.  I absolutely agree with Randy that so far, she is the best vocal of the top 24.

Who is going home?  Amy Davis.  There is nothing about her that stands out.  Who else?  Hard choice….Brooke white?  she was kind of bland….we shall see!

Top 12 Guys

David Hernendaz: Sang: Mightnight Hour

(Thoughts before watching  performance) - He was one of my picks and faves going in.  I thought his auditions were great! 

(After  performance) - I think that he needs to add a little more “oomph” to his performance.  He has a really good voice, but is lacking some personality.  He needs to watch the vibrato.  It can tend to be overused at times…..

Chickezie: Sang: I Love You More Today Than Yesterday

(Thoughts before watching performance) - Ugh with the one word name.  Come on.  That already irritates me about him.

(After performance) - Nope.  don’t like him.  At all.  Way too flat and boring.  Nothing stands out for me.  He redeemed himself a little bit through the middle and the end, but I’ll have to see what he does next (IF he gets a chance).  He also committed an Idol NO NO by throwing a “WOO” into his song.  No.  Please. Do. Not. Ever. Do. That.  Plus…I don’t like the ones who try to argue and stand up to Simon’s comments so early in the game.  Chill out.  It’s only your first performance.

David Cook: Sang: I Can’t See Me Loving Nobody But You

(Thoughts before watching performance) - One of my original picks going in.  I like the rocker-ish quirky offbeatness of him.

(After performance) -  He started off kind of “ehhh”, but otherwise I thought his performance was great.  There was that one note toward the end that was weird/off, but I mostly liked the performance.  I liked the spin that he put on the song.  Different.  I like different….

Jason Yeager: Sang: Moonriver

(Thoughts before watching  performance) - I don’t really remember his audition, but I liked the footage that they were showing of him and his son.  Cute.

(After performance) - Good voice definitely, but I thought that his performance was a little “vanilla”, like there was nothing spectacular about it.  The ending was good though.  I need to hear a little bit more from him to form more of an opinion.

Robbie Carrico: Sang: One Is The Lonelyest Number

(Thoughts before watching performance) - I remember his first audition, and liked his voice.  I thought that he was trying to be too “Brent from Shinedown” by singing “Simple Man” pretty much exactly how Shinedown does it.  But whatever….

(After performance) - Always a sucker for the “rocker”.  I definitely liked him.  He’s got a great voice and stage presence.  He’s got to be careful not to try and be too much like Daughtry though…..

David Archuleta: Sang: Better Shop Around

(Thoughts before watching performance) - Such a cutie!  He was one of my picks going.  I think that he will go far because of the younger girl vote.

(After performance) - The performance was good because he brought so much of his personality into it.  There was one note that was a little “Peter Brady-ish” towards the end but otherwise I liked the performance.  Simon thought it was the best performance of the night.

Danny Noriega: Sang: Jailhouse Rock

(Thoughts before watching performance) - Oh - what a little CUTIE! 

(After performance) - Okay.  It might not have been the best song choice for him to showcase his voice, but I do like him.  He’s likable!  Great personality, awesome stage presence, and confidence/attitude.  I don’t think it was as bad as Simon thought it was, but I would like to see him stay. 

Luke Menard: Sang: Everybody’s Talking At Me

(Thoughts before watching performance) - I don’t remember any of his auditions.  Weird…

(After performance) - Was not “bad”, but really didn’t do anything for me.  Had a weird moment in the middle.  I thought it was just an “okay” performance.  A little boring to me.  I agree with the judges that it was ‘forgettable”.

Colton Berry: Sang: Caught In A Trap

(Thoughts before watching performance) - When they revealed who was going to the top 12 between him and that Kyle guy, I thought that they had chosen Kyle and was shocked…but then realised that it was him that they had chosen.  He is a cutie.  They have alot of young guys this year!

(After performance) - I think that it started off a little too “theatrical”, but got better.  He needs to be careful not to make his performances too “High School Musical-ish”, having his theater back-round.  I like the way he is onstage.  He has a confidence that shows in his performance.  While, I didn’t think it was anything special, I don’t agree with Simon that it was a “waste of time”.

Garrett Haley: Sang: Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

(Thoughts before watching performance) - He kinda freaks me out, man.  He is just weird looking.  I need to be able to get past that and really listen to his voice.  Besides…hopefully the producers will do something with his hair.  Hopefully.

(After performance) - Okay.  He has a good voice.  A little too high pitched, but good.  I thought it was a little boring and a little “wedding singer-ish”, but not wicked horrible.

Jason Castro: Sang: What a Day for a Daydream

(Thoughts before watching performance) - I liked how he did his audition with his guitar.  I like how they are letting them do that now.  He has a different look, which I like.

(After performance) - I like the addition of the guitar, but it distracted me a little from his vocal performance.  It was different…which it is now obvious that I like different.  I thought it was good.  It was not my favorite, but I definitely think that he has great potential in going far in the competition.  I can’t wait to hear more from him.

Michael John: Sang: Light My Fire

(Thoughts before watching performance) - Although, he was not one of my original picks…he really impressed me with his rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the Hollywood auditions.  I was glad that he made it to the top 24.  And I love the accent…..

(After performance) - Hands down my FAVORITE of the night.  Not only did he grab me right at the start by doing a Doors song (because I LOVE them), but he did such an amazing job with it!  My new fave.  Absolutely LOVE him.  Can’t wait to see what he does next.   

Who is going home?  I always say that it is anyone’s game…because it really is.  Sometimes the sucky ones stay in the competition WAYYYYYY longer than their expiration date.  My gut feeling is that it might be Chickezie and Luke Menard.  We shall see!

Just popping in to say that ALL of my picks (see below post) made it to the top 24 with the exception of the one that I was on the fence about.  I…..rule…..

Before the “top 24″ are revealed tonight, I want to chime in on who my favorites were from last night and see if anyone makes it!

These are in no particular order, however I will say that my favorite so far is David Hernandez.  He sang “Love The One You’re With” last night, and really made it his own.  We’ll be seeing more of him for sure.  I’ll be surprised if he gets cut……

Brooke White

David Cook (I always gotta throw in a rocker/band-ish guy)

Kristie Lee Cook

Carly Smithson (the Irish girl)

Amanda Overmeyer (the rocker nurse..because she’s different.  I want to hear her sing something that doesn’t sound like Janice Joplin though)

David Archuleta (the 16 year old)

……and I am SO on the fence about Josiah (ya know…the guy who lives in his car.  I can go either way on him.  I want to see more and for him to drop the phony British accent when he sings)

Okay!  So that’s it for now.  I’m sure my faves will fluctuate slightly, but those are some that I think might make it through tonight.  We shall see!

Does anyone else think that Jason Davis (AKA Gummie Bear) bears a striking resemblance to Ursula from The Little Mermaid?

You decide…..