Aired 3/17/09
Bunny: Tonight, the top 11 will be singing songs from Grand Ole Opry members. Randy Travis is this week's mentor, and he thinks it's a very strong group.
RATING SYSTEM
Litterbox Level
Paws-itively Purr-fect
Michael Sarver
“Ain't Goin' Down Till the Sun Comes Up” by Garth Brooks
Bunny: This song is definitely a risk. Lots o' words and not much melody to show off singing ability. It is fun to watch his joy in just being up there performing, and he manages not to screw up the lyrics. He's talking back to the judges a little too much to be safe, if you ask me.
Burke: He picked a tough song with a ton of lyrics and mostly pulled it off. I was disappointed that he left out the big notes of that song. I said before that he reminded me of a young Garth Brooks, but it's more in looks than abilities, I guess.
Allison Iraheta
“Blame It On Your Heart" by Patty Loveless
Bunny: Tonight she really reminds me of Kelly Clarkson. What confidence and power. Good for her. Dope.
Burke: I think it was too happy a performance for a cheatin' song. The one thing I don't like about her is that I think all her songs are going to sound the same, like she's this year's rocking nurse.
Kris Allen
“To Make You Feel My Love” by Garth Brooks
Bunny: Great song. He is sans guitar and does a terrific job. His only misstep in my opinion is that last note. But I think this performance will be downloaded like crazy tomorrow.
Burke: I think it was a solid performance. I'm glad he didn't use his guitar; he just focused on singing. The only thing I didn't like is that he closes his eyes way too much.
Lil Rounds
“Independence Day” by Martina McBride
Bunny: Well, she's one of the few who can probably handle this song. I don't know how effective it will be shortened since it's a story song. She does well but it's clear that it's not her genre. Normallly I don't agree with Randy Jackson, but he's right, it wasn't really comfortable. Simon has a li'l trouble understanding her name is Lil, not Lit'l. Aren't there any girls in England with Lil names which are not short for Lit'l? (Earth to Simon: Ever hear of Lily Allen?)
Burke: She picked an iconic song, but she didn't seem very comfortable singing it. Randy Travis is right, though, she has pipes. There was no doubt she was going to hit those notes.
Adam Lambert
“Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash
Bunny: He has Randy Travis speechless, which is pretty funny. He's singing the song with a decidedly Middle Eastern twist, which I unexpectedly liked in the very beginning of the song, but the second half is just plain weird and scary. The net result for me is not positive.
Burke: Don't throw the TV out; throw Adam out. Ick. Yuck. Blechhh.
Scott MacIntyre
“Wild Angels” by Martina McBride
Bunny: Looks like the style team has tamed his curls just a bit; he looks good. I'm glad he picks up the pace in the second half, but it's not quite enough to keep him from becoming a wee bit boring. I think his run is coming to an end soon.
Burke: It sounded like a TV show theme song, like elevator music, like it's time for him to go.
Alexis Grace
“Jolene” by Dolly Parton
Bunny: We'll see if she captures the feeling behind the song better than Brooke White did last year. She looks great and I think she does a pretty decent job. I can feel the contestants' frustrations with the judges' conflicting advice: Show us a different side. Show us the side of you we fell in love with. Mix it up a little; you need to be versatile. You've strayed from what we liked about you in the first place. And so on.
Burke: What a change from last week. I liked it. I thought it was the best of the night so far.
Danny Gokey
“Jesus Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood
Bunny: I hate the jacket. Really not fond of it. I'm afraid I don't like the performance any better. He's pitchy and the whole thing feels self-indulgent, as Simon is oft inclined to say, from the clothes to the singing style.
Burke: The first half was bland; the rest was shouting. I wasn't impressed.
Anoop Desai
“Always On My Mind” by Willie Nelson
Bunny: I wasn't sure what to expect from Anoop tonight. I think he's doing a good job and doesn't try to imitate anyone else's version. Maybe he chose the song for the subliminal message "give me one more chance to keep you satisfied."
Burke: I'm not on the same page with the judges at all tonight. It was just okay.
Megan Joy
“Walking After Midnight” by Patsy Cline
Bunny: The CawCaw girl has become the CoughCough girl. Now I like Megan, but the "searchin' for yooo" is a little strange (although not as strange as Kellie Pickler's "selchin' fol you" a few years back). I don't think her mood fits the song either. She looks terrific, however, and I still hope she sticks around a while.
Burke: What's up with the accent and the funky high notes? The old cough-for-sympathy trick won't work for me. Oh, wait, she's really sick?
Matt Giraud
“So Small” by Carrie Underwood
Bunny: These song choices are really flummoxing Randy tonight, but they seem to be winning him over once they sing. This one doesn't really work for me. The piano playing is great, but otherwise, eh.
Burke: Strange arrangement. I don't like his weird vibrato. He needs to work more on singing, less on piano.
PREDICTIONS
Bunny: Bunny's Bomb tonight is Danny Gokey. It's really tough to say who will go home. Most of them were lumped together in mediocrity tonight. I guess I'll have to go with Scott MacIntyre. My personal favorite by a healthy margin was Kris Allen.
Burke: Burke's Turkey once again is Adam Lambert. If they have a bottom three, it may be Michael, Scott, and Megan. But going home will be Michael Sarver. And I liked Alexis Grace the best.
Prognosticats: The hairball act was Scott MacIntyre. But Anoop Desai is going home.
Bunny: Even though I like country music more than I like Michael Jackson, I didn't enjoy this week as much as last week. Maybe because I expected more.
Burke: Every year it seems there's a night where I couldn't care less if I ever watched Idol again. Tonight was that night.
Bunny: Yeah, it wasn't stellar. But we'll be right back on this couch tomorrow night and next Tuesday and every week until the fat lady sings. See you tomorrow, everybody!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Alexis was horrible……..she picked a boring song and is predicted by Dial Idol as most likely to go home.
Anoop Dogg was fantastic…….probably the best of the night (my wife & me both liked him the best).
Adam Flame-bert: his “Ring Of Fire” was the Gay Turkish Bath House version…..LOL