American Idol 7 Top 11 Performances – March 18, 2008

The Top 11 from season 7 of American Idol are about to perform!  Are you ready?!?!?!?

It’s Beatles night (okay… a little redundant from last week’s Lennon/McCartney song book but whatever…).  Is it just me or is Ryan Seacrest looking really good this season?

Performance #1 – Amanda Overmyer

She sang “Back In the USSR” and I think it was a decent song choice but I didn’t like how loud the backup singers were and Amanda’s singing wasn’t that great for me.  I think she’s a good performer, though.  Randy said that by the middle of the song, it got good.  Paula said she liked her uniqueness.  Simon said it was predictable and a bit of a mess in some parts.  He also told her that she was in danger of becoming a bit boring…

Commercial break – More after the jump!

Performance #2 – Kristy Lee Cook

She sang “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” and she seems a little uncomfortable to me.  Why did she pick this song?   This was just terrible to me.  Randy said it was an interesting arrangement and boring.  Paula said she looked gorgeous but it was a little safe.  Simon said she needs hypnosis or something because she’s not a good performing. 

Performance #3 – David Archuleta

He sang “The Long and Winding Road” (one of my favorites!) and I think it was a great song choice.  He did an awesome job.  It was hott!  Randy said it was very nice.  Paula said it was pure and exciting and that his ability to rise above last week’s performance shows his character.  Simon said he thought he was amazing. 

Performance #4 – Michael Johns

He sang “A Day in the Life” (remember Taylor Hicks singing this on the finale last year?  Loved it) and I also like this song a lot and I did not love it, sorry.  Maybe I just like this song too much but I found this to be a boring copycat of the original.  Randy said it wasn’t one of his best performances and maybe wasn’t the right song for him.  Paula said it seems like he doesn’t have a connection with the audience which might have been because of the monitors.  Simon said it was a mess and said that he needs to sort himself out.

Performance #5 – Brooke White

She sang “Here Comes the Sun” and I’m not loving this.  It’s just a little too predictable and boring.  I even found her a little pitchy at the beginning.  Randy said it was awkward and it seemed like he never really connected and she just argued a bit.  Paula said she can’t help but smile when she sees her perform and that she has good low notes.  Simon thought it was terrible – from the horrible dancing and the lack of conviction. 

Performance #6 – David Cook

He sang “Day Tripper” and again, he gave a solid performance.  Randy said that David is keeping it interesting and makes it seem like a David Cook concert.  Paula said that he’s ready to go sell records.  Simon said he doesn’t think it was a good as he thought it was and that he seemed smug. 

Performance #7 – Carly Smithson

She sang “Blackbird” and it was good (not great) and I liked the modulation at the end.  I hate that outfit, though…  Randy said it was another great performance.  Paula said that she has an amazing tone to her voice.  Simon said that he thought the song was indulgent.

Performance #8 – Jason Castro

He sang “Michelle” and I didn’t think it was the best performance.  He reminds me a bit of John Travolta when he was young (my husband said he sees and Egyptian pharoah – don’t ask!).  Randy said it was a good choice but it was a little subdued.  Paula said she has a really distinct charm but said that he seemed disconnected since he was away from his guitar.  Simon said that his face sold the performance but the vocals were not great.

Perfect #9 – Syesha Mercado

She sang “Yesterday” and people singing this normally drives me crazy but I LOVED this arrangement and the key she chose to sing it in.  Randy said it was a very, very, very good performance.  Paula said that she loved to see her be vulnerable.  Simon said it was probably her best performance so far and loved the song choice. 

Performance #10 – Chikezie

He sang “I’ve Just Seen a Face” and I didn’t love this performance.  Randy said there were good parts and bad parts.  Paula said he is showing who he is.  Simon said it started okay but then he played the harmonica (which he said was atrocious) and then turned into “Achy, Breaky, Heart.”

Performance #11 – Ramiele Malubay

She sang “I Should Have Known Better” and, well, it wasn’t the weakest performance of the night but it wasn’t exactly good.  I don’t think it was a great song choice for her.  Randy said that he liked it and that she showed some confidence.  Paula said it was better than last week.  Simon said that he likes her but it sounded amateurish because she chose a mediocre song.

image courtesy of FOX