American Idol Top 8 Guys Recap: Totally Tubular Song Choices Were Like Amazing-O-Rama to the Max!
This was a crucial night of performances. There are only 6 spots left! Will this final week of guys battling guys seal the most deserving a spot in the Top 12! I don’t know but I can hardly stand that it is 80’s week. I want to put on my jelly shoes, leg warmers, 100 metal bracelets and line my eyes with electric blue eyeliner. Oh, and crimp my hair and wear it in a side ponytail! That won’t be too much, will it? Will David Hernandez beat down the internet buzz for another great performance? Will Chikezie be able to pull it together again like he did last week? Will Jason Castro grace the stage without his guitar? As Ryan introduced the judges Paula never fails to impress me with a new hair do. Did I mention that I love the 1980’s!!! They got right down to business since it was only an hour show and informed us that each contestant would be sharing there most embarrassing moment. Hopefully they don’t REALLY share their most embarrassing moment, but one more appropriate for the Idol stage. We don’t want too much information.
First up was Luke Menard. For his most embarrassing moment his sister dressed him up as a ballerina when he was little and of course had a picture taken. He picked a PERFECT song for his voice I must admit. Although I am not a Luke Menard fan, him singing “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham was genius of him. He actually sounded kind of like George Michael. I don’t know if he necessarily made the song his own. Plus, because I live in Texas I hardly heard a word he sang because a scrolling message about the democratic vote kept on interrupting and beeping through his performance. Is that a conspiracy?? Well, he kind of made it his own toward the end. He can really hit those high notes! Good job Luke Menard. Randy thought it was little rough, he kind of rushed it but he pulled it together toward the end. He thought it was a surprising song choice. What? I thought it was perfecto!! Paula loved his interpretation of the song. She liked it. Simon didn’t like it. He thought it was weak and a bit girly and he had no chance to make it through to the final 12. Whew. Tough words from Simon!
Then it was time for golden boy David Archuleta. His most embarrassing moment was… wow Ryan, way to point out he is thirsty and he has got to pee! What the heck? Note to other contestants, don’t share your deep dark secrets with Ryan!! He’ll announce them to 30 million people! So, his other most embarrassing moment was when he went to sing in Honduras for a fundraiser and couldn’t finish the song (his voice went out) so his mom had to jump up on stage and finish it. I personally think the comment about peeing was way more embarrassing. David chose to sing the Phil Collins song “Another Day in Paradise” and play the piano. Oh, I love that song!!!! He totally interpreted it for himself. He is a superstar dangit. Randy was thought it was like watching David at one of his concerts. He thought it was good, kind of an interesting song choice though. Randy, what are you smoking! I loved the song choice! Paula loved that there were a couple of off notes because it showed he was human. She thought he was perfect for the competition. She told him to pick songs he could really shine on. I thought he totally shone on that one! Simon told him it wasn’t as good as last week and he needed to lighten up a little bit. He was picking kind of dark songs and he wished he stayed at the piano blah, blah. Well, I didn’t agree with the judges at all. I guess I see where they were coming from regarding song choice, but as a viewer, I was only more amazed at David’s abilities. Simon did say he’d probably be in the Top 2. No pressure there!!!
After David’s very amazing rendition of the Phil Collins song it was now time for Danny Noriega. His embarrassing moment was when his friend tripped him down the stairs in a movie theater right in front of his crush. That would be awful! He sang “Tainted Love”. I love that song!!! At least the guys are picking great songs!!!! He is such a performer and he looked great. I thought he did great tonight. He sold it to me! The judges might say he didn’t show off his vocals which was true. Randy thought it was a little pitchy but he loved the arrangement. Randy thought he was shy and Simon was like “what”. Randy was talking vocally shy. Randy told him he could do it. Paula told him he was the bright light in the competition. He was sensitive and spicy and he had great vocals. Paula wanted to make sure his purple streaks would come out of his hair and Simon was like “who cares”! Simon thought it was useless, he hated the arrangement, he hated the performance, and he hated the vocal (I’m sure he hated the hair too). Randy and Paula had Danny’s back but I think Simon loves Danny about as much as he loved Sanjaya. However, Danny sings WAY better than Sanjaya and I doubt he’ll try to rock the faux-hawk.
Next up was our newly minted internet buzz stealer David Hernandez. I bet Carly was glad the attention was off of her! A bombed record deal was looking kind of tame compared to David’s recent information leak. His embarrassing moment was that he did a photo shoot with a booger hanging out and didn’t know it. Of course he had to do retakes! He chose to sing “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now “by Meatloaf. What a great voice this guy has and what a great song! It was a little pitchy but he sang it with conviction. I think America will still love David Hernandez even though he is tabloid fodder now! Randy thought it was a nice song choice. He thought it was really good but it got a little sharp on the big notes. Paula felt like he was getting into his groove and finding his niche and becoming a very good performer. She thought he had some of the best vocals and I agree. Simon didn’t think it was as good as last week but he had 100% secured a place in the finals next week with that song. David pointed out he had on Randy shoes so not only was he extremely talented but stylin’ too.
Then because of a technical difficulty with David Cook’s guitar, Michael Johns was up next. His most embarrassing moment was when he was dressed as a kangaroo mascot for a rugby match and some guys jumped him and he got beat up in front of 20,000 people. Oh yeah, he totally chose “The Breakfast Club” theme song “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds. What a smart song choice for him! All of us thirty something ladies sang our anthem from our childhood right along with him. Nice job Michael Johns…sweet key change too! Oh I had visions of Molly Ringwald giving Judd Nelson her diamond stud earring. Michael Johns, that was hot! Randy thought he reminded him of Michael Hutchins. Not sure if Randy was confused on the song or if he just wanted to point out he had that INXS feel. Paula loved that he was defining who he was. She loved hearing the strength in his low range. Simon liked it, thought he had huge talent but hadn’t quite connected with the right song and had his moment yet. Simon liked him better in the soul category rather than rock too. However, overall, Simon really, really liked him and thought he would do very well in the competition.
Thankfully David Cook’s guitar got all fixed so he was up next. Well, his embarrassing moment was singing in a talent competition as a little kid and forgetting the words to the second verse so he stood there like a statue. For his 80’s song he chose “Hello” by Lionel Richie. Oh I loved it! He totally rocked it and I could hear it on the radio TODAY. The judges had better like David Cook!!! I’m ready to download it from I-Tunes!! Hot, hot, hot!!! My favorite so far tonight!!! Oh, gotta rewind for my studying husband to watch now! I instant messaged him to come out of the den so he could enjoy David’s rendition. Randy loved that he had a great arrangement, and that it could be a single and a hit. Hey, that’s what I said! Paula knew she was in for a great surprise and talent. It was a Perfect choice and he will be a great shining star. Simon thought it was very brave and he loved it. Simon thought it was unpredictable, it worked, and he really, really hoped they would see him next week. Me too, me too!!!
Next up, scream, was, scream, Jason Castro. His most embarrassing moment was when he was out on a date and was tying his hair back and he pulled out a dread. Oh, that is sad for Jason. But, he still got another date so all was right in the world. He totally listened to the judges and sang without his guitar and I, scream, loved, scream, it. He sang “Hallelujah” and did great but seemed to have lost it at the end a tiny bit (although that could have been on purpose). I totally dug him; it was the best performance of the night. Randy thought it was a very difficult song and he did a pretty good job of it. Paula said he made it sound so effortless for how hard of a song it was and that he showed vulnerability. He was unique, definitely recognizable in his technique and his phrasing. Simon said that it was absolutely brilliant what he just did. It was arguably one of the best performances of the night. He was getting better and better and better and better. HOORAY FOR JASON!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally it was time for Chikezie. His most embarrassing moment was when he first started going to high school he kept using the same bathroom because it was so clean…well, it was the women’s bathroom. That was a great story! He chose to sing “All the Woman I need”. Isn’t that song “All the Man I Need”? I get so messed up when they do that! I think he did great vocally. Randy thought interesting song choice but he did a really good job. Paula thought it was a tough song choice but loved his vocals. Simon didn’t think it worked at all because it was a Whitney song (and I guess a Luther Vandross and a bunch of other people covered it song). He thought it was more cabaret and didn’t think it was a very smart move for Chikezie. I would have to agree during a night of stand out performances!
The guys were really, really hot! They put on a great show and I really enjoyed most of them and for the most part, their songs choices were great!
With that being said, Luke Menard should go home. Please FOX, tell me on Thursday night that Luke is going home!! Here is the standing order as I see it after the Top 8 performed.
1. Jason Castro
2. David Cook
3. David Archuleta
4. Michael Johns
5. David Hernandez
6. Danny Noriega
7. Chikezie Ezi
8. Luke Menard
It was really tough to pick who was the best tonight! I had to give the number one slot to my favorite Jason Castro. Not only is he my favorite but he is so unique and his performance was absolutely riveting. After that there were four very strong showings nipping at his heels. I really, really liked David Archuleta’s version of “Another Day in Paradise” and then David Cook ROCKED “Hello” and I envisioned it on the radio and so did Randy and Paula. Michel Johns did great on “Don’t You Forget About Me” and David Hernandez had his vocals shining through when he sang “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now”!! Danny was sassy but definitely toward the bottom vocally which we all know he can do better (come on Danny, you showed us during Hollywood week!), he just needs to be bold. Chikezie? Well, I know he can sing but I’ve never really connected. Finally there was Luke. Please, please America. Please send Luke Menard home.
In less than 24 hours the Top 8 girls will tackle the 80’s week and I just don’t know how they are going to topple the guys. Amanda Overmyer needs to sing “Call Me” by Blondie or some Pat Benatar song or even “Rebel Yell” from Billy Idol. Syesha needs to sing “Fame’. Kady Malloy should sing Madonna’s “True Blue” or “Material Girl” or “Walk Like an Egyptian” by “The Bangles”. Carly Smithson should do “True Colors” By Cyndi Lauper or “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics or “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick. Brooke White should tackle “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper OR she needs to do “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns-n-Roses. That would be amazing!!! Other than that, I hope they totally bring it for the best decade of all time and give the guys a run for their money, because so far they have not!! If the girls are anything like the guys were it will be a tough vote for America. On a side note I’ve been voting off and on for the past 2 hours and cannot get through for my favorites! They need to open more phone lines…
© Copyright 2007 Blindigo Magazine | Article written by Niki Tschirgi
