Live Blogging American Idol 7 Top 24 – February 19, 2008

Tonight, the Top 12 guys on American Idol’s seventh season performed and most of it was pretty good.  Read this live blog to see what I thought (videos and pictures coming soon!)

David Hernandez sang “Midnight Hour” and it was good but I didn’t find it all that memorable.  I think he has a good voice but he needs to come out of his shell.  I also don’t know if I would have picked that shirt – it looked dirty even though I think that is how it was designed.

Chikezie Eze sang “I Love You More Today Than Yesterday” and I couldn’t concentrate on much other than his really loud suit.  He has lost some weight and looks great, though!!!  Simon told him that he didn’t like the suit and it resulted in quite a rude exchange (I thought).  He asked Simon if his stylist was Charlie Chaplin!  A bit much, no?

More after the jump!

David Cook sang “Happy Together” and even though I’m really not a fan of his, I liked it.  It did start a little rougher than it ended but I liked how he changed up those last few bars of one of my favorite songs from the era.

Jason Yeager sang “Moon River” and I could not believe he sang this!!!!!  I was so bored that I actually gathered up my dinner dishes while he finished it.  He said it was sentimental because his grandmother taught him the song and Paula said she performed her first ballet recital to it (Simon joked that he bought his first puppy listening to this song).

Robbie Carrico sang “One” and I liked it.  My kids said it reminded them of the “Recess” movie and it reminded me of all those Detroit Red Wings hockey games since they sometimes play it when people get put in the penalty box.  It was a decent song choice for him but Simon asked him if he was “pop” or “rock.”  Robbie says he’s definitely not “pop” but that he can sing anything…

David Archuleta sang “Shop Around” and I would not have picked that song for him but he sang it quite well.  Of course, he looked great and he brought great energy.  All of the judges gave him great feedback although Paula didn’t seem thrilled with his song choice even though she said it was nice to see another side of David.

Danny Noriega sang “Jailhouse Rock” and I was disappointed in the song choice but I still ADORE Danny.  The performance was good and his personality is outstanding to me.  I think he’s great

Luke Menard was not good at all in my opinion, I’m sorry.  That was extremely rough.  Randy said it was like almost consistently sharp and never seemed to settle into the note.  Paula said that she doesn’t think it was such a great song choice.  Simon said it was forgettable.  Luke said that people would remember this tomorrow (and he’s right – I won’t forget how bad it was).

Colton Berry sang “Suspicious Minds” and it wasn’t terrible but there was something about it (or him) that I just didn’t like.  Maybe the song should have been called “Pretentious Minds” since he seems really full of himself.  He’s acting like singing bigger than he actually is.  Anyone see that?  Randy said it looked like he had a good time, started rough but found his way.  Paula said it was nice to see a different side of him but it wasn’t his best performance.  Simon said it was “okay” but better than the other Elvis song (Danny Noriega).  Simon also said Colton had no relevance to today’s music.

Garrett Haley seems like a sweet character even though we haven’t seen much of him through the audition rounds.  Does he remind people of Canadian Idol winner, Kalan Porter, at all (looks not voice)?  He sang “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” and I did not like it.  I think he and Luke Menard are in danger.  Yikes.  Randy and Paula said it was boring but Simon took it a step further by saying that it looked like Garrett had been locked in his room and needed “fresh air.”  Funny, but I can understand it.

Here come the iTunes plugs!  LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jason Castro sang “Daydream” and is the first contestant to use an instrument during the performances on American Idol!!!  It’s cute.  I’m not sitting up going “wow” but it’s good.  I like that his performance was so different from what I was expecting from his look.  Randy said it was a little pitchy but alright.  Paula said she was “blown away” and that the song choice was perfect.  Simon said it was in the top 2 performances of the night because he, like David (Archuleta) have just “got it.”  He said it was effortless and terrific.

Michael Johns sang “Light My Fire” and I liked it.  I like his look and I like him but I wasn’t completely thrilled by this performance (since he had done this during Hollywood Week).  I think he had some pitch problems and I think it was too much like the original but it was good.  Randy said he loves that Michael throws caution to the wind.  Paula said it was an excellent way to end the night.  Simon said that he is the most consistent contestant.