Thaindian News

Feb 25 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Last night on American Idol it was time to separate the men from the boys. On Tuesday we saw performances from each of the top 12 girls, America voted, and the bottom two will be going home. Same thing goes for the guys. The top 12 guys will perform, America will vote, and the journey will be over for the bottom two men.

Todrick Hall was the first performer tonight, and he sang his own version Kelly Clarkston’s “Since You’ve Been Gone”. Ellen loved it. She said, that he got a great reaction from the audience and was a great performer. Randy said he is a fan of Todrick’s but it did not sound like the same song. He said he did not have to completely change the song to give a great performance. Kara agreed with Randy but said he was a great performance. Simon thought it was a crazy arrangement, and he said Todrick murdered the original song. Simon said it was verging on stupid. But Kara came back and said at least he was being creative, and got an applause.

Aaron Kelley is one of the youngest performers on American Idol this season. He performed “Here Comes Goodbye” by Rascal Flatts. He has a terrific voice for a 16 year old. Simon said that he gave a very good performance for his first show. He said the he was a good singer, very likable, very cute, but he needed to take control of the song. Kara said he was her favorite type of contestant, because he had no idea how good his raw talent is. She added that he is the kind who gets better every week. Randy said that if he would just believe in himself he could definitely do this. Ellen said “Ditto to all that. I think you will be here for a long time. Good job” All of the judges seemed to love him.

Jermaine Sellers is a church singer who says he is proving to everybody that you don’t have to dream it, you can be it. He sang, “Get Here”. Ellen said she loved his look, and loved the song, but that he sang it as a performance, and not as a song, but she liked him. She felt he tried to hard. Randy loved the song, but felt it was a weird choice. He said Jermaine had a big ability, but made too much out of the song. Kara said he went from the bottom of his range to the top, but he needed to make those runs meaningful. And it felt a little old to her. Simon said it is a piano in a cocktail bar for a fifty year old song. It just didn’t work and Simon thinks he has totally blown his opportunity, but all of the other judges disagreed.

When Tim Urban found out that he was called back to Idol, he kept it a secret even from his family. Tim was initially sent home, but when another singer was cut because, according to Idol producers, he was disqualified (there is a law suit said to be pending), Tm got the call to come to Hollywood. He sang “Apologize” by Justin Timberlake. Simon said “Congratulations for coming back, but based on that performance, we made the right decision not putting you through. I just don’t think your voice is good enough.” Kara said that the music swallowed him up. Randy told him it was just the wrong song for him. Ellen agreed that the song was not for him, but that he is adorable. gave us his per

Joe Munoz performed a Jason Mraz song for us next, and Ellen on commented how comfortable he was on stage. She loved it. Randy said that he had a great voice and he thought he did a good job with it. Kara liked that he picked a song that wasn’t really for him. She loved the performance. Simon said he kind of agreed, but he did not feel that Joe was the kind of singer who could be a star, based on this performance. He felt it was forgettable.

Tyler Grady and his rendition of “American Woman” came along just then, and rocked the set. Simon said that people would remember that performance, but partly for the worng reasons. He said that he is a bit cliche and doesn’t feel natural. Kara said she agreed a bit, there was too much of an obsession to the 70’s and he needs something new. Randy said it was style over substance, and felt it is time to bring something new as well. Ellen said he was trying too much to be like the 70’s artists, and not just make the poses but feel it and be an original.

Lee Dewyze was the next one of the top 12 guys who performed for us. His version of “Chasing Cars” was wonderful, accompanied by himself on the guitar. It will surprise me if this one doesn’t go far, but then I am not an Idol judge. Ellen thought it was a really good song choice for him, although he did hit a note or two wrong when it got a little too pushed, but she feels he should stay. Randy did not agree with the song for him, and felt it was too rangy for him. Kara said Randy made a good point, the song did not show off his terrific range. Simon compleltely disagreed and thought it was the best performance of the night.”This guy is a naturally good singer.” He said that he feels he will do really well in this competition.

John Park brought us “God Bless The Child” after sharing how excited he was to have met Shania Twain during the try outs. He said if she would marry him, he would propose to her. Simon said that you have got to have an incredible voice to take on that song, but John came across ad flat and boring. He said the performance did not show what a preformer he could be. Kara agreed, and said there was no connection. Randy said he went the other way, and that the song did not fit him, and Ellen said that the song was a bad choice, and with a different song people could see who he is. She happened to have loved the song and the performance, but that it would not make people vote.

Michael Lynche became a father on the very same day that he was told by Simon, “You’re through, you made it to Hollywood.” His version of “This Love” was very upbeat and he gave a great show while playing along on guitar. His voice was excellent, performance was great, another one I think will go far. Ellen said he had so much personality it was bursting out of him, and he did great. Randy agreed with Ellen and said he “brought the energy up in here”. Kara said it was a little depressing in here until Michael came up and did his thing. She said it was good, not outrageously great, but it was good. Simon said that Michael personality was great, but that he needed to be more unique, and was better than the performance showed. Ellen said she feels people will love him and his story, but not to rest on that.

When Alex Lambert came up to perform, Simon announced him instead of Ryan Seacrest. Simon said he did not know who was happier for it to end, Simon or Alex, because it was a very uncomfortable performance. He said he had a terrific voice and somehow he has to get a grip on it. Kara said he sounds so much like James Morrison that it is crazy. She said he has really great potential. Randy agreed with Kara, and likes Alex. Ellen liked him too, and thinks he is adorable with a great voice. She felt he was just not quite “ripe” yet. ” You have all of it, and it is right there, you will get there.” she added.

Casey James blew everyone out of the water in my humble opinion with his “sit down on a stool while playing the guitar” performance of Bryan Adams’ “Heaven”. He sang it as a serenade to Kara, and she had a hard time focusing and did mention that she was married. Ellen said he would get votes like crazy. Randy liked it all, just “not in that way”. Kara said he is eye candy, but is also ear candy that he really can sing. Simon said that he understands being cursed with good looks. Simon said he absolutely chose the right song, and was very likable, and he will go very far in this competition. They all joked about his great looks, but agreed that he really has talent.

Andrew Garcia wrapped up last night’s performances, with “Sugar We’re Going Down” by Fallout Boys. Simon said that he was disappointed with it. It was too serious and indulgent. Kara said it was a very strange rendition. She loved that he took the risk, but it was not a good performance. Randy agreed, but said he is a fan of Andrew, and he needs to go back to being him. Ellen said that she was a fan as well, but she needs to see more of him opening up.

So that was last night’s performances by American Idol’s top 12 boys. The boys have sang, America has voted, and we will see tonight who goes home. Good luck everyone!