I just finished watching the Top 8 Guys perform on American Idol and per usual I thought I’d share my thoughts on the last two nights. I have to say, I was pretty disappointed tonight in most of the performances and I find myself being harder on the performers than the judges a lot of the time… but then some of my favorites, the ones I just adore, the judges seem to rip a new one for reasons that baffle me. ::shrugs:: I suppose I’m not a big authority here, but I can tell you my husband feels the same and I consider him a bigger music snob than Simon.

So…

GIRLS

Katie Stevens : “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson

I really wish she’d stop taking the judges advice. This was her worst performance to date – I liked her much better with the “older” songs when she was just singing her heart out and not trying to over think it. I am glad she stood up for herself after the judge’s critique and I hope if we’re lucky enough to see her next week that she’ll just ignore some of the “advice” and just sing again because this girl is incredible. That performance however was a C+ at best.

Siobhan Magnus: “House Of The Rising Sun” The Animals

My husband was blown away by this performance, as were the judges. I was mostly indifferent but I also don’t know the original to compare it to. I think she sang it well, but it wasn’t my thing. C+

Lacey Brown: “The Story” by Brandi Carlile

This girl has all the right ingredients – good look, good taste in music, interesting voice. But for whatever reason her performances are always middle of the road for me. Just good enough that I can’t complain much but not good enough to really win me over. C

Katelyn Epperly: “I Feel The Earth Move” by Carole King

Looooove her to pieces. I wouldn’t say this was her best performance to date but I always enjoy hearing her sing. The judges were hard on her, as they seem to be with most of my favorite females (like Katie) but I liked it. B-

Didi Benami: “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac

I am so glad she’s stuck around because this performance was really solid for me. It had everything that I love about Didi all in one neat little package. Her best performance to date. A-

Paige Miles: “Smile” by Nat King Cole/Tony Bennett

Ugh, I am so done with this girl. Just utterly ready for her to be sent home already. It wasn’t good at all. D+

Crystal Bowersox: “Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman

Best performance of the night. Crystal performs like she BELONGS on that stage and she owns it. I would buy this recording – better than the original. A+

Lilly Scott: “I Fall To Pieces” by Patsy Cline

I like Lilly but this wasn’t my favorite performance for her. I think she did well and better than some of the other girls but it was kind of a let down after hearing Crystal right before her. B-

• Top 2: Crystal and Didi
• Bottom 2: Paige and Lacy

GUYS

Lee Dewyze: Fireflies by Owl City

I love this song and after last week’s performance, I thought I’d love him singing it but, yeah… not so much. It was very much a “meh” performance for me. The judges seemed to like it for some reason and I think they even said it was better than the original? Huh? I think the judges might have been on drugs tonight. C-

Alex Lambert: Trouble by Ray LaMontagne

Still way better than his Week One performance, but not as good as last week in my opinion. I like his voice but it was a sleepy performance for me and by that I mean that I could hear my pillow calling out to me while listening to this. C+

Tim Urban: Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley

I missed Jason Castro terribly listening to this. It was just nowhere near as good. And while I’ll agree with Simon that this might have been Tim’s best performance to date, that really isn’t saying much. C-

Andrew Garcia: Genie In A Bottle by Christina Aguilera

When they said he was singing a Christina Aguilera song, the first words out of my mouth were, “I hope it’s not Genie in a Bottle!” and I was totally joking but oh lord, yeah he went there. I’ll be honest it wasn’t as bad as I’d thought it would be but it bothers me that he seems to think he needs to sing women’s songs just to get our attention. Andrew has a really nice voice but I don’t think he’s got enough confidence in his vocals to perform without a gimmick which won’t help him in the long run. C

Casey James:  You’ll Think of Me by Keith Urban

Casey is BACK for me. I loved this from beginning to end, it was just goooooood. The country scene isn’t always my thing, but it was working for me a lot. A-

Aaron Kelly: I’m Already There by Lonestar

I’ve only skipped two performances this season and both have been songs by Aaron. One was tonight at my husband’s request and I was a little bit relieved when he asked. I don’t really see what the judges are seeing with this kid, but yeah I’m pretty insanely over him. I can’t rightly grade his performance though since I didn’t listen to most of it.

Todrick Hall: Somebody To Love by Queen

I really like Tordrick and I think he did a good job with this but there was just something missing for me that I could never put my finger on. I’m really not sure what my complaint is but it left me wanting for something more. B-

Michael Lynche: This Woman’s Work by Maxwell

I see Big Mike in the Top 2 if not winning this thing. He is just soooo good – the man made Kara cry for pete’s sake! And while this wasn’t my favorite performance of his to date, it was really, really good and probably even better live. A+

• Top 2: Michael and Casey
• Bottom 2: Aaron and Tim

If anyone actually reads these things and wants to see my opinions of previous performances here are links to Week One (ladies and gentlemen) and Week Two.