American Idol 14: Top 11 Elimination/Top 9 80's Songs
The 80's! One of the best decades of music. Music that I grew up on. Music that helped to shape the kind of person that I am. I probably had a different memory of 80's music than most. I listened to the sounds of Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, and Sade for the most part with a splattering of Janet Jackson, New Kids On The Block, and Paula Abdul. Early 80's saw me still in pampers so there wasn't a lot for me to draw from there. I like this theme for the contestants but still can't wait to hear them do more contemporary songs. As always, my ranking goes from least favorite to favorite.
Qaasim Middleton - Addicted To Love: Did nothing for me. I doubt that I am still salty about the save being used last week as opposed to 2 weeks prior but your vocals are nowhere good enough to be considered Top 9 material. It just bothers me that you have made it this far off of prancing around the stage. We want to find the next superstar but I think that they should have some kind of stand out vocal ability. The song did not lend itself to have you really show off your vocals. You just need to pick better songs to showcase that.
Daniel Seavey - You Make My Dreams Come True: Getting better but still not ready. I think that you showed more vocal stamina in this performance more than any other. I want you to pick better songs as well. In order for a song to sound less karaoke, you need to connect to lyrics and dig deep into the song. Even if it something like this song, connect to how you feel or may have felt about someone.
Joey Cook - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: Awww Joey. I understand that you were trying to change it up but you looked and sounded lost up there. Everything just seemed a little out of sync. I still think that your vocals came through just not what we had last week.
Rayvon Owen - Everybody Wants To Rule The World: I am in the minority but I really like this song. Yes he could have performed it way better but this is the best that he has been in weeks. You showed a little bit of musical personality towards the end. There is no denying your tone. It is just gorgeous. I just want you to connect and pick better songs for yourself.
Nick Fradiani - Man In The Mirror: This was leaps and bounds better than most of your performances. It showed range, vocal commitment, and style. I would have loved for you to aim a little higher on the high notes but other than that, it was fine. It wasn't great just yet but definitely a step in the right direction.
Tyanna Jones - I Wanna Dance With Somebody: Glad that you are back but I wanted more umph behind this performance. I wanted to see that you were working for those notes and not just letting them slide out. Pitch was much better but could have still been on top of the notes just a little more. I really am glad that you decided to do a song that could showcase your powerhouse vocals and your range.
Jax - You Give Love A Bad Name: Nice arrangement! I liked about 95% of it. The other 5% was okay just because it seemed unsettled. Like something that you didn't plan to do but it happened and you had to go with it. I really like when you give sincere piano performances. Then when you took it up a notch, it got better. Just learn how to control it more.
Quentin Alexander - In The Air Tonight: Loved this performance a lot. He sure knows how to bring the drama and emote through a song. The vocal was spot on and confident. This was creepy but yet forceful. I thought that this was probably your best so far.
Clark Beckham - Every Breath You Take: Boy....the first tears of the season. Thank you for making that song so personal. People may say that you do the same performance each episode but it is so not true. Honestly, your performances are so so much better than the rest of the pack. It feels like I am watching a guest performer rather than a contestant. You presented that song from the inmost corners of your soul. That is what tapping into the depth of a song means. The little off the side of the mic riff had me. Just fantastic!!!
With that, we had to say goodbye to Maddie Walker and Adanna Duru. I must say that both were kind of a surprise to me. I was sure that Maddie had nabbed the country vote, which is always strong in this competition. Adanna just got better week after week. I knew that Rayvon and Daniel were goners but look how wrong I was. As far as this week, I think that Rayvon and Qaasim are working with borrowed time. I definitely see a guy going this week. My hope is for Daniel or Qaasim because I think that Rayvon is just now starting to find his stride. Clark, Joey, and Jax are nowhere near going home and Nick, Tyanna, and Quentin are picking up momentum. Until next week!
Qaasim Middleton - Addicted To Love: Did nothing for me. I doubt that I am still salty about the save being used last week as opposed to 2 weeks prior but your vocals are nowhere good enough to be considered Top 9 material. It just bothers me that you have made it this far off of prancing around the stage. We want to find the next superstar but I think that they should have some kind of stand out vocal ability. The song did not lend itself to have you really show off your vocals. You just need to pick better songs to showcase that.
Daniel Seavey - You Make My Dreams Come True: Getting better but still not ready. I think that you showed more vocal stamina in this performance more than any other. I want you to pick better songs as well. In order for a song to sound less karaoke, you need to connect to lyrics and dig deep into the song. Even if it something like this song, connect to how you feel or may have felt about someone.
Joey Cook - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: Awww Joey. I understand that you were trying to change it up but you looked and sounded lost up there. Everything just seemed a little out of sync. I still think that your vocals came through just not what we had last week.
Rayvon Owen - Everybody Wants To Rule The World: I am in the minority but I really like this song. Yes he could have performed it way better but this is the best that he has been in weeks. You showed a little bit of musical personality towards the end. There is no denying your tone. It is just gorgeous. I just want you to connect and pick better songs for yourself.
Nick Fradiani - Man In The Mirror: This was leaps and bounds better than most of your performances. It showed range, vocal commitment, and style. I would have loved for you to aim a little higher on the high notes but other than that, it was fine. It wasn't great just yet but definitely a step in the right direction.
Tyanna Jones - I Wanna Dance With Somebody: Glad that you are back but I wanted more umph behind this performance. I wanted to see that you were working for those notes and not just letting them slide out. Pitch was much better but could have still been on top of the notes just a little more. I really am glad that you decided to do a song that could showcase your powerhouse vocals and your range.
Jax - You Give Love A Bad Name: Nice arrangement! I liked about 95% of it. The other 5% was okay just because it seemed unsettled. Like something that you didn't plan to do but it happened and you had to go with it. I really like when you give sincere piano performances. Then when you took it up a notch, it got better. Just learn how to control it more.
Quentin Alexander - In The Air Tonight: Loved this performance a lot. He sure knows how to bring the drama and emote through a song. The vocal was spot on and confident. This was creepy but yet forceful. I thought that this was probably your best so far.
Clark Beckham - Every Breath You Take: Boy....the first tears of the season. Thank you for making that song so personal. People may say that you do the same performance each episode but it is so not true. Honestly, your performances are so so much better than the rest of the pack. It feels like I am watching a guest performer rather than a contestant. You presented that song from the inmost corners of your soul. That is what tapping into the depth of a song means. The little off the side of the mic riff had me. Just fantastic!!!
With that, we had to say goodbye to Maddie Walker and Adanna Duru. I must say that both were kind of a surprise to me. I was sure that Maddie had nabbed the country vote, which is always strong in this competition. Adanna just got better week after week. I knew that Rayvon and Daniel were goners but look how wrong I was. As far as this week, I think that Rayvon and Qaasim are working with borrowed time. I definitely see a guy going this week. My hope is for Daniel or Qaasim because I think that Rayvon is just now starting to find his stride. Clark, Joey, and Jax are nowhere near going home and Nick, Tyanna, and Quentin are picking up momentum. Until next week!
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