Top 12 and I feel Old

Nice opening moment from Idol acknowledging the disaster in Japan and using Idol's power to support the cause with downloads for the Red Cross and a text in for relief number. But then it was down to Idol business.

I feel I should introduce a new segment to the blog -- the JLo / STy fashion showdown. Look STy: Sheer mustard and teal printed lurex and chiffon blouse worn with skinny acid washed jeans and a striped racoon tail earring. Look JLo: Sheer chiffon animal printed floor length gown belted and a fierce mane of curls. JLo gets the win for fierce!

This week's theme: Songs from the year the contestant's were born. Another theme that makes me feel super old as I remember each of these years and songs.

Naima -- Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It" Changed up the arrangement but the background vocals made it feel old to me. Still like her energy and the way she keeps things fresh with her vocal style. But she does need to focus more on the pitch and singing quality. They want her to succeed and JLo is giving much more advice than just criticism, I like her style. B

Paul -- Elton John "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" This is my least favorite Elton John song. But it was fun to hear Rod Stewart sing it. Oh, wait, that's Paul? Sounded like Rod to me. Okay, besides the fact that the cameras could barely keep up with his frolicking on the stage, it was entertaining. He had a cold and JLo was really feeling for him "Baby, baby, baby" she said. The judges gave him props for his original style. B

Thia -- born in 1995, my god. Christina Aguilera's Colors of the Wind. Her opening segment made me scared of her. She wrote a song at age 6? I have this weird feeling that someone taught her exactly how to sing and she learned it and her robotic self performs. She has an amazing voice, but I felt no connection to this performance, none. I need to detract points for this. Randy hit it on the head that it felt like a pageant. She needs to make it modern and work on her personality stat. C+

Umm Kate Hudson was in the audience eating Cheetos.

James Durbin -- He gets an A for picking the Jovi. "I'll Be There For You" One of my favorites. Not sure if it showed off his voice til the Bridge. He shows he can sing tons of different styles but it was a little pitchy. JLo was rocking out man, she loved it. Loved that he was bold enough to say he would sing Aerosmith at the finale. And Steven agreed to sing with him if he's there. Agree with Randy that James has not been overdoing the scream. B+

Haley -- Whitney Houston's "I'm Your Baby Tonight" These tidbits of advice from Jimmy -- work ethic means everything. I was very impressed with Haley or with her producer. So fresh, very modern, and her vocal skills were amazing. Umm the judges didn't love it as much as I did. JLo talked about her dance moves, Randy felt like she doesn't know who she is
and Steven told her to dig more into the bluesy side of her voice. Ummm I liked it. A-

Stefano -- Clever opening segment making fun of the bad music of 1989. Simply Red's "If You Don't Know Me by Now" Will always remember hearing this song 55,000 times when my older sister took me on a business trip to Hawaii with her (yup, the plus of having a sister 12 years older than you is going to Hawaii at age 13). He has Gaspy's problem with keeping his eyes closed. Nice strong vocals and he really let go. JLo was singing along. Terrible ending note, but the rest was very, very nice. Steven said "Over the Top, Over the Top, Over the Top" Randy said he slayed it. JLo totally noticed the eyes closing thing (see, I can be a judge). She loves this kid and tonight I did too. A

Pia -- Producer Rodney Jerkins loves her. Dance Beat Whitney's "Where do Broken Hearts Go" I thought it was okay and felt the arrangement was a distraction but then when she started the bridge, ahh there was my diva. Loved it. Steven said she is why this show is called American Idol. JLo was so happy she took it up tempo. Randy said her vocals are great each time and she sets the bar for each contestant. AGREE A

Can we talk about the fact that the producers and Jimmy working with each contestant has removed the weight on each contestant to make each song their own? They have help to do it and it makes for a much more entertaining show for us!!

Scotty -- Oh my god, such a cute kid. Travis Tritt's "Can I Trust You With My Heart" Love that he has decided to stick to country and Jimmy is letting him but pushing him to still grow. Oh my god he needs to sing Randy Travis before he leaves this show. And he could do Rodney Atkins (I know most of you have no idea what I am talking about). He showed a better range but I do think his voice has its limitations. Randy name dropped again - FYI Randy made an album with Travis Tritt. B

Jesus Christ what is on top of Karen's head? Please someone explain this look to me. She auditioned online? She revealed that her sister is a Nick Jonas stalker - great, a family of stalkers. She chose Taylor Dayne's "Love Will Lead You Back" I seriously think JLo once wore this outfit. And...here comes the Spanish. "I Love it when you break into your ethnic whatitisness" says Steven Tyler, but for me, it is a no. I don't even care if she can sing, I can't stand her. C

Casey -- I love his parents. So funny. Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" wow. Super cool. But a bit all over the place vocally in the beginning. Then he settled in and went totally over the top. I don't know what to say. He is fearless. Top marks for performance, slightly off on vocals. FYI Randy is a musician, producer, writer and connoisseur of lots of bands so he can name drop. Also FYI, I said he was fearless before the judges did. B+

Lauren -- Her mother might be younger than me. Or she just dresses like she is 15. Melissa Etheridge's "I'm the Only One" Jimmy puts the pressure on her. And her Dad makes me cry. Love the arrangement. How do these people sing with the flu? I think she did a solid. Umm Steven called her his shining star (and JLo tells Casey he is sexy? these contestants are going to have complexes) B+

Jacob -- Heart's "Alone" Wow, risky choice. His range is amazing, and he definitely pushed his voice, but I did like that he picked more of a rock song -- if he had done what he just did in his usual song style, it would have felt too over the top. Judges loved it. Steven said, "Gospel had a baby and they named it Jacob Lusk." Ummm A-

Naima B
Paul B
Thia C+
James B+
Hayley A-
Stefano A
Pia A
Scotty B
Karen C
Casey B+ (I loved it but he did scream it a lot)
Lauren B+
Jacob A- (He was a little all over the place)

So Pia and Stefano wowed me and Karen, again has to go (bu it might be Haley). Doing the rankings was actually super tough - these contestants are good! So we'll see what happens tomorrow!

Don't be ashamed of your obsessions...especially if they involve chiffon and lurex.