Last season I blogged about my American Idol opinions after most of the performances and I thought I’d do it again this year. I thought it was interesting to be able to look back on my thoughts about the winner and top performers overall and see the progression of their performances and my opinions of them. Anyone else remember that Kris Allen was once “seriously what was that guy’s name again?” in my write ups? Good times…

Anyway, last night the Top 12 women performed on Idol and many of you voted in (I don’t have a texting plan personally, so I’m not a voter, just a viewer with opinions to spew) – here’s my take on their performances:

Paige Miles: “All Right Now” by Free

I feel like I liked Paige at one point, but I didn’t like this performance at all. My first comment while watching was, “wrong song choice” and I felt all sorts of awesome when Simon said the same thing. He and I were on the same page most of the night. I’d give her performance a C+ at best – but I did like the dress she was wearing (even if she did have to be sewn into it – yikes!) with the little ribbon around the waist thing going on.

Ashley Rodriguez: “Happy” by Leona Lewis

This was pretty terrible – she sounded sort of like Leona but really at this point, is that a good thing? Like the judges said (numerous times) I think it is way more impressive to sing a song that would be unexpected and put your own spin on it instead of just showing how well you can mimic someone else already recording. We already have one Leona Lewis, we don’t need another one – especially one with such a poor performance. That said, I like Ashley and I hope she continues on and learns from that performance. Another C+ performance.

Janell Wheeler: “What About Love” by Heart

Forgettable. I know I had thoughts about this performance last night when I tried to write this recap (and internet problems galore had me fuming well into the night – did I mention I’m writing this while trying out Ubuntu (that’s linux for the Luddites out there) on my iMac? I know, I know…) anyway, yes unfortunately when it comes to this performance I find I’d rather complain about my computer than prattle on about how I can’t really remember what it was I thought about her. I think I mumbled something about “song choice” and then waited impatiently for the next girl. I was, at this point, a little worried because I hadn’t liked anyone yet even though I could swear I remembered liking all three at one point. Her grade? I don’t care.

Lilly Scott: “Fixing A Hole” by the Beatles

Finally!!! Finally, an artist with originality and, um, don’t slap me for saying so, but skills. I can overlook the fact that I really hate hate hate the blueish white hair thing because I. freaking. love. her. The song was good, obviously, being a Beatles song. But I think she totally made it her own. The judges were all slap happy that somebody actually sang like they deserved to be there and all was well in Idol land again. I give her performance a solid B+ because I liked it but think she could do even better. Cross your fingers that this talented girl makes it through to the next level because… SQUEE!

Katelyn Epperly: “Oh! Darling” by the Beatles

My husband and I were in a minor disagreement about this girl – I loved it, he was indifferent. (If you were wondering about my husband’s opinions of the other girls, just assume that he and Simon are almost always in agreement, except he was even a bit snootier – he liked Lilly more than Katelyn but all in all was still unimpressed in general). The judges (or Kara I think?) made a comment about her “look” but I thought it was great and matched the song if that makes any sense. A strong performance that might have had technical problems but I’m not a technical person so I just really enjoyed it. Another B+

Haeley Vaughn: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles

I really wanted to love this performance because I think I liked Haeley and um, terrific song, but let’s be honest guys – she butchered it. It was probably the worst rendition of this song that I have ever, ever heard. The audience seemed to eat her up and you could tell she was having a heck of a time – grins galore and all that – but even I, with my severe lack of technical knowledge, hated it. It was pretty bad folks, pretty bad. My first D of the night.

Lacey Brown: “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac

And then there was Lacy Brown. I love her look and there’s a quality to her voice that I enjoy, but she took a terrific song and made it severely boring and then made herself look stupid when she failed to understand why with her comment about how, “they can’t all be rock and roll songs.” No, that’s true Lacey, but trust me – I’ve heard non-boring non-rock and roll – and this wasn’t it. C- because she still did better than Haeley even if her audience fell asleep while Haeley’s cheered like mad despite the butchering.

Michelle Delamor: “Fallin’” by Alicia Keys

Another cameo-like performance where it might as well have been Alicia for all I cared – if you blind folded me, I might not have known the difference which sounds like a compliment, but trust me it isn’t. It also bordered on boring. And why does she smile that way? Is it on purpose or does she not know that it makes her look a little bit dumb? Straight up now: C

Didi Benami: “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson

Love the song, loved her performance, love her – but – if I have to complain when other singers sound like total copy cats, then I suppose I can’t ignore it here either. She won’t go down in my book as a top performer of the night, but I’m still hoping she makes it through to next week so she can try, try again. B-

Siobhan Magnus: “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak

The first half bordered on just terrible but she hit her stride somewhere and sold it for me. I love her voice but the performance was… I don’t know. I would never have chosen that song but she did sort of make it work. I think she’ll make it through and maybe next week she’ll do better? I’m on the fence and giving her a B- as well.

Crystal Bowersox: “Hand In My Pocket” by Alanis Morissette

I know, I know, stuff about singing songs like the original but in this instance, forgive me (or not) if you disagree, but I kind of think she out-sang Alanis. I enjoyed her harmonica playing, love her voice and find her very, very real – if a little high and mighty about herself. I have a very small reservation here but I think I’m giving her an A- cause I think she’s going places and I loved her performance.

Katie Stevens: “Feeling Good” a la Micheal Bublé

Idol definitely saved the best for last with Katie, who was – HANDS UP IN THE AIR – my husband’s favorite. He practically fell out of his chair and started raving about how she was on a different level and then we both scratched our head a lot when none of the judges seemed to agree. But maybe they were doing that tough love bit when they are extra hard on their favorites because of all that slammin’ potential they see? They had beef with the song being too old for her and wanted her to sing something more her age, but you know what? I kinda disagree. This girl has got some awesome talent and doesn’t need to dumb it down – I think her audience will follow her anywhere, even into the 1920s if she wants to go there. A+

So my top three for the night would be:

1. Katie Stevens
2. Crystal Bowersox
3. Lilly Scott

And my bottom three are:

1. Haeley Vaughn
2. Paige Miles
3. Janell Wheeler

Now it’s your turn – who did you love? Who did you hate?