Sorry folks! If you’re tuning in to catch a frame-by-frame take on all 12 of the “American Idol” contestants’ performances, you will be sadly disappointed. I’m here only to sing praises for my “favorites”. After all, what’s a fan for if not to rave and ramble to our hearts’ content while our “chosen ones” sing their way to the Finals.

This new batch of “AI” contenders seem to be made of a different stuff altogether. Maybe it’s their youth or their years of observing the past “AI” seasons’ contestants that have made them “veterans” of sorts which result in a different breed altogether. And yet, even though some of them are having their own individualistic approach when it comes to their singing styles, their performances are by no means consistent. Or perhaps it’s not so much about consistency. We might be observing a trend that gets a little trying after a bit. If that’s the case, it would be cause for them to switch to a different mode.

As for some of my 2nd level “favorites”, some of them are not doing as well as they should. Honestly, they’re beginning to bore me. And if they don’t buck up soon enough, they’re off my list altogether. Meanwhile those who had not made any waves with me earlier are beginning to make their presence known. I’m still not exactly rooting for them but they certainly deserve to still be in the game.

Okay, time to analyse the “chosen” few on today’s article. As we know, being the night when they are to select the songs from whence they were born, we of course get the opportunity to view the baby pixes (and in some cases, video shots) of our “favorites”. As expected, most of them looked pretty darn cute back then. Babies usually are, aren’t they?

Top of the list is of course my No. 1 “favorite” James Durbin. Just as adorable as ever. What’s with the “doll”, huh?? Anyhow, tonight he was really “psyched” up to the point of being considered “cocky” by some. To be fair, I think he’s just being natural, letting loose his energy which somewhat came out looking and sounding too overly “confident”. But I still love the guy. And his singing tonight is just as fabulous.

He delivered Bon Jovi’s 1989 “I’ll Be There For You” in such a rocking magnificent manner, you’d think you’re watching a “live” concert by a pro. Honestly, I think he’s that good. And if he doesn’t make it all the way to the Finals, the entire American voting community should be taken to task. There, I said it. Did I forget to mention that I love those custom-made leather boots he’s stomping the stage in? Yup, he’s beginning to look like a regular genuine “rocker”.

Next on my list of top “favorites” is of course my girl Thia Megia. Although she possessed such a beautiful and unique tone in her singing, when she took on Vanessa Williams’ 1995 “Colors Of The Wind”, I must admit I wasn’t impressed. Though her voice still sounds great, the song wasn’t. I wish she had picked a more memorable tune. Isn’t there someone by her side guiding her in the right choices? As everyone who’s an “AI” avid fan and viewer knows, “song choices” are crucial in the game. Sigh! I’m beginning to feel so frustrated with the process. The poor 15-year-old “veteran” is getting some unwarranted critiques because of this although most of them disguised their comments with attacks
of her being pageantry and old-fashioned. Lord, she’s just a kid. Leave her alone. Enough already!! But one good thing about tonight is that Thia is a little more up-tempo and showed more “personality” when she spoke to Ryan Seacrest after finishing her song.

Now to the others who are worth any mention at all. First there’s Casey Abrams. When he went into full force with his rendition of “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, I was momentarily transported back to a time when “Beat Club” was on every television screen throughout the world. That’s the kind of memories which kicked in for me when he let loose his vocals on this Nirvana hit. And did I forget to mention that he was in his peak performance with an electric bass in his hand? Yup, first instrument on this season’s big Idol stage. And what an intro! Good for you, Casey. You’re beginning to really make a difference in this year’s “AI” and still maintaining everyone’s interest.

Not so great for Paul McDonald tonight. Though I still enjoyed his quick-step dance routine and lazy drunken demeanour on stage, his performance tonight has lost its uniqueness. Don’t ask me why. It just does. He didn’t make Elton John’s “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” quite as interesting as I had hoped he might. Pity, pity!! Sigh… Let’s hope he does better the next time, yes?? After all, we still want him around. I do, anyway.

Haley, haley, haley. Now this is a girl that I had not rooted for but in spite of the judges’ negative comments tonight, I must admit that I did enjoy her easy breezy take on Whitney Houston’s 1990 “I’m Your Baby Tonight”. Although it sounded a little shaky at first, she progressed into a pretty interesting spin which made it the first time that I really enjoyed her performance. Yes Haley Reinhart, no one’s giving you a break are they? Well, I’m listening. So…

Oh, we must not forget Stefano Langone. Tonight, this really really hard-working contestant puts all of himself into the song he delivered and he certainly got my vote. If anyone should receive an award for being the most enthusiastic in a singing contest, it should be him. His “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” (popularised by Simply Red in 1989) actually sounded great – vocally that is. This guy managed to pull it off. Hats off to him, I say!!

Pia Toscano – always on the receiving end of positive comments from all 3 judges. And yet, I still can’t find it in my heart to root for her. Why is that? She’s pretty and she certainly can sing. So why is it that her voice doesn’t do it for me like for example a few seasons back when Jordin Sparks who in the later weeks of that year’s competition suddenly rose to Top Favorite in my “AI” list? With Pia, there’s still no “connection” but American voters do not agree with me, do they? She’s still up there as far as ranking goes. But I find her so boring and ordinary. Sorry, again!!

Another boring contestant tonight is Scotty McCreery. When he sang Travis Tritt’s 1993 country song “Can I Trust You With My Heart”, I almost fell asleep. Lol!! But he sure is getting cuter by the week and probably garnering all the tween votes. He mentioned in tonight’s segment that he’s an Elvis Presley fan. So it is with anticipation and hope that he selects an Elvis tune in the near future?

That’s it for now. Am not going to analyse some of my other 2nd level “favorites” because I’d probably butcher them to bits.

So, let me end with a happy note… with a videoclip of James Durbin’s “right on” “rock on” performance tonight: