My God what a night. So the first night of Idol Semi finals has begun and already I am pissed, but we'll get to that later. After hearing the first six boys and girls I've been surprised, impressed, disappointed and annoyed. So let's do a rundown.
JACKIE TOHN starts off the night singing 'A Little Less Conversation' and she's wearing these ridiculous pants, but not in a necessarily bad way. She sings the song and it's not bad. She has a definite stage presence and I'm liking it. The judges are a bit reticent with praise, Simon hates the pants - he says she blows it; but more or less the general verdict is just okay.
RICKY BRADDY is the guy we've never seen. He sings 'A Song For You' and I'm immediately nervous for him, but he nails it. And I mean he NAILS it. This guy sings this song without breaking a sweat and I am impressed. I mean, where has he been hiding? He is the bomb! I am definitely a fan. The three judges like it and then Simon says he has no star quality - but I think he's nitpicking.
Alexis Grace is next and I'm wondering what pop song she'll do and she says she's doing Aretha Franklin. Say what? 'Never Love A Man' is a huge song and she does good. I can't be believe that THAT is her voice, it wasn't what I expected. The judges are impressed and Simon compares her to Kelly Clarkson - which could be the kiss of death (remember Carly) so she'll probably reach the twelve and not win.
Brent Keith who is the token country guy sings a song I can't remember the name of. I think it's called 'Hicktown'. Enough said. It's goodish, the judges are a little meh about it, but they do admit that country is his niche. Oh well. Simon makes an implied insult to Bucky Covington. Ouch!
Stevie Wright is like a Jordin Sparks and Jessica Biels love child with huge teeth. She sings 'You Belong to Me' and it is painful to listen to. She is all smiles and I think SHE thinks it's good, but good grief - it's horrid. The judges agree with me - THANK GOD! I expected way more from her.
Anoop Desai sings 'Angel of Mine' which is worrisome because Monica has such a unique voice. He does it and it borders on boring but it's not bad. The judges won't admit it, but they basically say he can do better and he deserves to be there... yadah yadah. Interestingly I closed my eyes and thought I was listening to David Archuletta.
Casey Carlson the hot girl is doing The Police - 'Everything She Does is Magic' and this is another horrid performance. She is pretty but this is just uncomfortable, and once again the judges agree.
Michael Sarver sings 'I Don't Wanna Be' and I like it. I really do, he starts off a little flat but he grooves into it and I am liking it, but the judges don't agree although he sounds another person they LOVED (we'll get to that later). I don't understand. I mean it wasn't the bomb, but it was not bad at all.
Anne Marie Boskovich tackles Aretha with 'Natural Woman'. It's a little pitchy. It's in the middle of the pack. The judges are torn. Actually I keep forgetting this performance, but I do remember her dress was pretty tight.
Stephen Fowler tackles 'Rock With You' which is one of the few Michael songs I don't like and he is utterly bland. The vocal is not bad, but I'm absolutely bored and the judges agree with me. Dreadful dude, he seems cocky.
Tatiana Del Toro who I am backing if only because every is not sings Whitney Houston, 'Saving All My Love For You' and I am immediately throwing in the towel and she sings and it's pretty damn good. I don't know if you'll agree but I was impressed. This girl has a seriously good voice. The judges comment more on her personality than her singing which is annoying. She's acting demure and it's bothering them. This is so annoying. It's like you can't please them. They didn't like her then, and now Simon is all 'You're a drama queen, stick to yourself? Oh the hypocrisy.
Danny Gokey is singing Mariah's 'Hero' and he annoys me from the get go. His voice is good, but his range is lacking and I'm expecting the judges to call him out on that. Big surprise that Paula AND Kara give him standing ovations and Randy is all THAT WAS THE BOMB. What the f#^*. Seriously? I mean Simon said it was good, not great, but even that seems too much. I mean it was okay, not bad. Kara says anyone who can sing Mariah well deserves praise, but he's a guy, of course it's less easier to compare him to Mariah.
MY RANKINGS
A Ricky Braddy
A- Alexis Grace
A- Tatiana Del Toro
My top three
B+ Anoop Desai
B Danny Gokey
B- Michael Sarver
B- Jackie Tohn
B- Anne Marie Boskovich
D- Casey Carlson
F- Stevie Wright
