American Idol 14: Top 24 vie for your votes!!
Hello all!! I am so excited about this season especially after watching some of these performances. I am not a fan of the format. Please go back to the way it was in Seasons 4 - 9. Alright on to my thoughts about our top 24!
THE GUYS
Michael Simeon - How Am I Supposed To Live Without You: So out of the 10's of 1000's of songs in the world, you pick this one???? Really dude. When I heard the opening notes, you lost me. I tried to tag along for the ride but I was just bored to tears. There were some cheesy moments like the falsetto at the end. It just all seemed contrived. It was the equivalent to beauty pageant performance. UGH I wanted better for you but you have let the debonair role get to your head. Wasn't great at all.
Trevor Douglas - Best I Ever Had: This was a throaty, manic, off key mess. I mean just a mess. Sorry I love your personality but you directly from your throat and it sounded painful. I don't chalk it up to nerves because you seem like the type that wouldn't get nervous. I didn't get it. Great personality though!
Riley Bria - Homeboy: Didn't care for the song choice. It didn't showcase what he could do vocally. Yea he is going for that country vote but he had a very unsettled vocal. Everything seemed very shaky. I want him to do well but I don't think that he did enough to move on to the next round.
Adam Ezegelian - I Wanna Rock: This was an interesting song choice for you. It definitely put you in the wheelhouse of resident ROCKER. Vocally, it showcased that you can scream with the best of them but nothing more than that. That last vocal pass especially was out of sorts. Unfortunately, I feel that you pale in comparison to the bulk to the guys this year. I don't think that we know enough of your personality to let that overshadow your vocal choices.
Daniel Seavey - I'm Yours: You still have a bit of the "sea legs" syndrome but there is some artistry peeking out. You did a couple of runs and riffs that caught my attention. I couldn't imagine what is like to pretty much undergo "the change" in front of national tv but you are doing a great job. Really hope to see you next week!
Mark Andrew - The Weight: Good song choice for you. I thought that it was a very safe, in your wheelhouse, in the box type of performance. I would love to see you push yourself out of your comfort zone and control your artistry. Your vocal tone is soothing and unique. You just now have to push it to the limits.
Savion Wright - Hey Soul Sister: I dig your vibe but this was a poor song choice. I think that you can rock whatever song you bring to the table. You just have to chose better ones. There were a couple of moments where it went sharp but other than those spots, your voice was nice. I hope that you get to stick around so that we can hear more from you. BETTER SONG CHOICES PLEASE!!!!
Nick Fradini - Thinking Out Loud: Great song choice. You connected with the song but you just sang it as if it were for a wedding. I wanted a lot more artistry. More Nick. I think that you did enough to get you through but I need more!!!
Qaasim Middleton - Uptown Funk: Great performance. High energy. Star quality. Vocals....not so much. I can hear the potential but you got some SANGIN' guys this season. Your pro ability to work that stage will get you far but your vocals will have to show up at some point.
Rayvon Owen - Jealous: Vocal Control!! He is so pro right now!! I admire his flexibility as a vocalist but more so his choices as a musician. There were moments of where I wanted him to dig a little deeper because he made it look very easy. Let the people know that you are working somewhat for that awesomeness. If all is right, I will see him in the final with Sarina, Tyanna, Quentin, and Clark.
Clark Beckham - When A Man Loves A Woman: I love love love when singers sing from their gut no matter how nervous they are. Seriously, this dude has done no wrong for me. Yea I could tell that he was a little on the nervous side but really he still slayed it!!!! The authenticity of his vocals and nuances with the song really set him apart from everyone else. I am curious to see what he does with a contemporary song but I want to keep hearing him week after week.
Quentin Alexander - I Put A Spell On You: My word. I wasn't expecting that at all. I love my musical drama. If you are going to sing a song like that, feel those words. Make them come to life. And that you did, sir!!! The pull and release of your musical phrasing was superb. The choice to go falsetto at the end was superb. You, sir. are superb!!!
THE GIRLS
Katharine Winston - Safe And Sound: You know what I got from this performance....NOTHING. I mean absolutely NOTHING. Where is Hunter Larson??? I want her back!!!
Shi Scott - Umbrella: What a shouty and hoarse mess. Seriously I hated it from beginning to end. I don't understand how you managed to make a horrible song even worse. I am not a fan....
Shannon Berthiaume - Who Knew: I heard hints of killer vocals peek through but were overshadowed by greenery. Green as in no stage presence and no experience. I hope that you get another shot and that you find your footing. I feel like there is a killer voice in there somewhere. Just needs more confidence.
Alexis Gomez - Gunpowder And Lead: While I loved your stage presence, I was very underwhelmed by your "pitchy" vocal performance throughout the song. Maybe there was a monitor issue but I did not enjoy listening to that at all. It could possibly be the attempted twang. Either way, not your best.
Loren Lott - Note To God: Girl, the beginning, whew, not good. Your vocal tone was so nasally and pinched off. Somewhere in the middle you dug deep and found your grown women voice. Somewhere in the end, your nasally voice and your grown woman voice decided to have a party together. It was a weird performance for me. I know that you can do better. I have heard you BRING it. Need that back!!
Adanna Duru - Rather Be: You showed potential. I just don't know if it was a stellar enough performance to wow me. The vocals were good in the front half but when you got towards the end, everything started to unravel. I was pushing for you but I couldn't get with the shouty abrupt performance of a great song.
Maddie Walker - Love Gets Me Everytime: Pleasant voice. Now I just need that little extra to give your songs some life. I think that you have it in you. Possible nerves setting in.
Lovey James - Love Runs Out: Nice texture to your voice and I love this song. I don't know if I like this song for you unfortunately. There were some manic moments where you tended to be a little unsettled. Great stage presence. I hope to see you in further rounds.
Tyanna Jones - Lips Are Movin': Nice performance but there were some tuning issues during the verse. I think that you still have some growing to do. I can see you improving and becoming the dark horse to win. You are young and spunky. That works for you and you are fitting that mold very well.
Joey Cook - Somebody Like You: What a fun performer!! You drew me in from note one. I was enjoying the performance because I could easily tell that you were enjoying it more. Vocally, it was good. You have a nice tone to your voice. Solid performance all around!!
Jax - Bang Bang: Nice vocals and great stage presence. She picked the perfect song for herself and it played right to her strengths!! You seemed like a seasoned pro up there.
Sarina Joi Crowe - Mama Knows Best: She came to FIGHT!!! Like every nuance, every word, every note, every moment was done with PURPOSE and she SLAYED IT!!!! Her stage presence and performance were so ON POINT!!! I can't with her....
So yea. Some of these folks came out for blood. You can hear the determination in their vocals. Others, unfortunately, disappointed me with their vocals. They didn't live up to the expectations that we had for them. Here is who I hope to be saying goodbye to this week:
Guys: Michael, Riley, Trevor, Adam
Girls: Katherine, Shannon, Shi, Alexis
How it will probably go:
Guys: Michael, Riley, Adam, Mark
Girls: Katherine, Shannon, Alexis, Adanna
Looking forward to the results and hoping that America got it right!!!
THE GUYS
Michael Simeon - How Am I Supposed To Live Without You: So out of the 10's of 1000's of songs in the world, you pick this one???? Really dude. When I heard the opening notes, you lost me. I tried to tag along for the ride but I was just bored to tears. There were some cheesy moments like the falsetto at the end. It just all seemed contrived. It was the equivalent to beauty pageant performance. UGH I wanted better for you but you have let the debonair role get to your head. Wasn't great at all.
Trevor Douglas - Best I Ever Had: This was a throaty, manic, off key mess. I mean just a mess. Sorry I love your personality but you directly from your throat and it sounded painful. I don't chalk it up to nerves because you seem like the type that wouldn't get nervous. I didn't get it. Great personality though!
Riley Bria - Homeboy: Didn't care for the song choice. It didn't showcase what he could do vocally. Yea he is going for that country vote but he had a very unsettled vocal. Everything seemed very shaky. I want him to do well but I don't think that he did enough to move on to the next round.
Adam Ezegelian - I Wanna Rock: This was an interesting song choice for you. It definitely put you in the wheelhouse of resident ROCKER. Vocally, it showcased that you can scream with the best of them but nothing more than that. That last vocal pass especially was out of sorts. Unfortunately, I feel that you pale in comparison to the bulk to the guys this year. I don't think that we know enough of your personality to let that overshadow your vocal choices.
Daniel Seavey - I'm Yours: You still have a bit of the "sea legs" syndrome but there is some artistry peeking out. You did a couple of runs and riffs that caught my attention. I couldn't imagine what is like to pretty much undergo "the change" in front of national tv but you are doing a great job. Really hope to see you next week!
Mark Andrew - The Weight: Good song choice for you. I thought that it was a very safe, in your wheelhouse, in the box type of performance. I would love to see you push yourself out of your comfort zone and control your artistry. Your vocal tone is soothing and unique. You just now have to push it to the limits.
Savion Wright - Hey Soul Sister: I dig your vibe but this was a poor song choice. I think that you can rock whatever song you bring to the table. You just have to chose better ones. There were a couple of moments where it went sharp but other than those spots, your voice was nice. I hope that you get to stick around so that we can hear more from you. BETTER SONG CHOICES PLEASE!!!!
Nick Fradini - Thinking Out Loud: Great song choice. You connected with the song but you just sang it as if it were for a wedding. I wanted a lot more artistry. More Nick. I think that you did enough to get you through but I need more!!!
Qaasim Middleton - Uptown Funk: Great performance. High energy. Star quality. Vocals....not so much. I can hear the potential but you got some SANGIN' guys this season. Your pro ability to work that stage will get you far but your vocals will have to show up at some point.
Rayvon Owen - Jealous: Vocal Control!! He is so pro right now!! I admire his flexibility as a vocalist but more so his choices as a musician. There were moments of where I wanted him to dig a little deeper because he made it look very easy. Let the people know that you are working somewhat for that awesomeness. If all is right, I will see him in the final with Sarina, Tyanna, Quentin, and Clark.
Clark Beckham - When A Man Loves A Woman: I love love love when singers sing from their gut no matter how nervous they are. Seriously, this dude has done no wrong for me. Yea I could tell that he was a little on the nervous side but really he still slayed it!!!! The authenticity of his vocals and nuances with the song really set him apart from everyone else. I am curious to see what he does with a contemporary song but I want to keep hearing him week after week.
Quentin Alexander - I Put A Spell On You: My word. I wasn't expecting that at all. I love my musical drama. If you are going to sing a song like that, feel those words. Make them come to life. And that you did, sir!!! The pull and release of your musical phrasing was superb. The choice to go falsetto at the end was superb. You, sir. are superb!!!
THE GIRLS
Katharine Winston - Safe And Sound: You know what I got from this performance....NOTHING. I mean absolutely NOTHING. Where is Hunter Larson??? I want her back!!!
Shi Scott - Umbrella: What a shouty and hoarse mess. Seriously I hated it from beginning to end. I don't understand how you managed to make a horrible song even worse. I am not a fan....
Shannon Berthiaume - Who Knew: I heard hints of killer vocals peek through but were overshadowed by greenery. Green as in no stage presence and no experience. I hope that you get another shot and that you find your footing. I feel like there is a killer voice in there somewhere. Just needs more confidence.
Alexis Gomez - Gunpowder And Lead: While I loved your stage presence, I was very underwhelmed by your "pitchy" vocal performance throughout the song. Maybe there was a monitor issue but I did not enjoy listening to that at all. It could possibly be the attempted twang. Either way, not your best.
Loren Lott - Note To God: Girl, the beginning, whew, not good. Your vocal tone was so nasally and pinched off. Somewhere in the middle you dug deep and found your grown women voice. Somewhere in the end, your nasally voice and your grown woman voice decided to have a party together. It was a weird performance for me. I know that you can do better. I have heard you BRING it. Need that back!!
Adanna Duru - Rather Be: You showed potential. I just don't know if it was a stellar enough performance to wow me. The vocals were good in the front half but when you got towards the end, everything started to unravel. I was pushing for you but I couldn't get with the shouty abrupt performance of a great song.
Maddie Walker - Love Gets Me Everytime: Pleasant voice. Now I just need that little extra to give your songs some life. I think that you have it in you. Possible nerves setting in.
Lovey James - Love Runs Out: Nice texture to your voice and I love this song. I don't know if I like this song for you unfortunately. There were some manic moments where you tended to be a little unsettled. Great stage presence. I hope to see you in further rounds.
Tyanna Jones - Lips Are Movin': Nice performance but there were some tuning issues during the verse. I think that you still have some growing to do. I can see you improving and becoming the dark horse to win. You are young and spunky. That works for you and you are fitting that mold very well.
Joey Cook - Somebody Like You: What a fun performer!! You drew me in from note one. I was enjoying the performance because I could easily tell that you were enjoying it more. Vocally, it was good. You have a nice tone to your voice. Solid performance all around!!
Jax - Bang Bang: Nice vocals and great stage presence. She picked the perfect song for herself and it played right to her strengths!! You seemed like a seasoned pro up there.
Sarina Joi Crowe - Mama Knows Best: She came to FIGHT!!! Like every nuance, every word, every note, every moment was done with PURPOSE and she SLAYED IT!!!! Her stage presence and performance were so ON POINT!!! I can't with her....
So yea. Some of these folks came out for blood. You can hear the determination in their vocals. Others, unfortunately, disappointed me with their vocals. They didn't live up to the expectations that we had for them. Here is who I hope to be saying goodbye to this week:
Guys: Michael, Riley, Trevor, Adam
Girls: Katherine, Shannon, Shi, Alexis
How it will probably go:
Guys: Michael, Riley, Adam, Mark
Girls: Katherine, Shannon, Alexis, Adanna
Looking forward to the results and hoping that America got it right!!!
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