As soon as the two Davids made their way to their hotel rooms, quarantine officials arrived to inspect them. They were both told that if they did not cooperate with orders from the health officials, they could be held, arrested or detained.

After a few hours of examination, they were both cleared (thank goodness) and were forced to agree to terms that they would check for symptoms and watch their temperatures twice a day.

I know that there are some people who are not taking this outbreak seriously, but in reality it’s important to do as much as we can to make sure the virus doesn’t spread. I’m pretty glad that they were both checked for the swine flu and obviously that they were both cleared.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: Idol Stalker

Lil Rounds was the first to be sent home tonight in a very quick elimination.  Ryan asked her to go over to the other side of the stage and as soon as she got there, he told her that her journey on the show had ended.  She did a much better job singing “I’m Every Woman” but I still don’t think it would have been enough to keep her safe.

Next, Disco legends Harry Wayne “KC” Casey, Thelma Houston and Freda Payne.  I’m going to just to respectfully say that I love the songs but the performances were… interesting.  I’m going to just blame it on the Idol stage curse and call it a night…

Kris Allen was the first person named to the Top 5!  Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey are also safe.  Anoop Desai was named to the bottom three.  Allison Iraheta joined him and I was totally shocked.

David Archuleta sang “Touch My Hand” and he was so energetic and amazing.  I really loved him tonight.  What did you think?

Anoop Desai was eliminated and I’m so sad.  It’s not that I don’t like Allison but he’s got such a good voice but he made some bad song choices.  I hope he has a bright future ahead of him because he’s got a great personality and look.

image © 2009 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Ray Mickshaw / FOX

Post from: Idol Stalker

David did a great job!  I really love how natural his tone is but I would like to see him become a bit more comfortable as a performer (he’s getting better, I think!). 

Do you have a favorite video of a former Idol contestant singing a holiday classic?  If so, send it my way and I’ll try to get it up for you!

Post from: Idol Stalker

Post from: Idol Stalker

Post from: Idol Stalker

I know some people have been critical of "Crush" but I actually really like the song.  Sure, it’s not a musical masterpiece but I think it’s a decent first single for a teenager (hasn’t anyone heard the "music" being spit out by those Disney channel stars?  Ugh). 

"Touch My Hand" sounds like a Keane song to me (Keane is one of my favorite British bands) so I actually don’t mind it. 

I was less fond of "Barriers" but it wasn’t terrible.  I just thought some of the echoing was annoying during the chorus. 

"My Hands" was good to me!  I liked the little violin accents in the background, the pace and the lyrics.

On "A Little Too Not Over You," he seems to be on the verge of going R&B and I think it suits his voice.

"You Can" is beautiful.  It’s mostly David’s sweet voice accompanied by an acoustic guitar (and later some drums, etc… but the music remains minimal, allowing his vocals to take center stage).  I love the words and the chords.  Did it remind anyone of a Goo Goo Dolls song, though?

More after the jump!

I think that "Running" is gorgeous!  Again, it’s got inventive chords and the melodic interchanges and complexity of the backup vocals is really nice. 

"Desperate" is the first song that I really disliked.  It doesn’t seem to suit David’s voice, the mixing is weird and the pace is awkward.  That techno blipping behind the vocals during the chorus is just awful.  Really.

The ballad "To Be With You" is another really pretty song – I got little goosebumps.  I can see it being used in movie soundtracks/promotional ads.  It’s interesting that new American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi co-wrote the tune.  Very nice.

David co-wrote "Don’t Let Go" with JC Chasez (N*Sync) and Jimmy Harry.  It’s kind of got a late 80s feel to it and I find it forgiveable.  It’s definitely not my favorite track but I’ve heard worse.

I’m not even sure how to characterize "Your Eyes Don’t Lie."  It almost feels like a hybrid between the guitar-work from the Chappelle’s Show intro, the humming from Blackstreet’s hit "No Diggity" and a little bit of Annie Lennox’s "Sweet Dreams" (the baseline).  There’s something else in there too (help me out!).  Oh well.  I actually like the song.  It’s strange but it’s not bad.

The final song is a cover of Robbie Williams‘ mega-hit, "Angels."  David, of course, sang this on Idol and he did a great job live and the recorded version is great too.

image credit: Amazon.com

Post from: Idol Stalker

While I love the parade (watching those giant balloons make their way down the street has become somewhat of a tradition for me), I’ve never found the performances too interesting.  I know that they have to lip sync, and I understand why, but it’s usually such a short snippit that we get to hear and they rarely do anything but stand on top of a float miming the words to their songs while they try not to look like they are freezing. 

What do you think?  Do you watch the parade?  Will you tune in for David?

Image © 2007 FOX BROADCASTING CR: Ray Mickshaw

Post from: Idol Stalker

I think he did a good job but I think that he started off a little nervous and then then music was a little too loud during the choruses which, I think, took away from the performance a little bit.  Also, was it in a lower key than normal?  The verses seemed a little huskier than on the recorded version.

All minor problems aside – that kid can really sing and is he ever cute!!!

Post from: Idol Stalker