AND THE WINNER IS...Top 10 Guys Perform

MICHAEL JOHNS - "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac - Michael informs us that he is something of a jock. He is a pretty competitive tennis player who was always either in semi-finals, finals, or winning tournaments. Cool. Tonight, Michael took a turn down a street called Consistency. Several Idol contestants before him have traveled down that same road - namely LaToya London and Melinda Doolittle. Personally, I think it's a little to early in the game for him to be going there. The problem with consistency is that while the singer sounds good, the viewers start to get bored, the singer becomes predictable, and since he's predictable and good, we assume that he will be there for a good while and stop voting for him. It was a good performance. I'll give him that, and I hardly think he's going home anytime soon. But, with songs like this, you can make it either look effortless, or it will look like you're not trying hard enough. Randy said it was not his best performance, but he liked it. Paula said he was "consistent, consistent." She also said he was a seasoned performer and that he was already there. If he's already there, then where else can he go? Think about it. Simon called it his weakest performance of the whole competition. While that may hold negative connotations for some, it was just a warning for Michael. His best plan next week would be to come and lay it all out and remind us why we grew to love him in the first place. I mean, besides the obvious reasons. ;)

JASON CASTRO - "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" by BeeGees - I do need more Jason Castro in my life! He's so different and a blessed reprieve from the staple contestants we usually see on this show. Jason says that we would be surprised to know that he hates doing interviews. Actually, I'm not. His shyness is so obvious and adorable. It helps us to identify with him. That he loves singing and music is so palpable. For someone who admits trouble opening up, the music is a great outlet with which to express himself. First of all, I like this song. Therefore, I liked Jason singing it. He's not a top notch vocalist, but he's a good musician. At first, listening to the judges, I was somewhat upset. Didn't they open the door for musicians to use instruments? Then, why critique him for doing just that? But, I really have to calm myself down and listen to reason. Randy compares Jason to just and act and says that the vocals were not that great. Paula wants him to just sing next week - simply him, his vocals, and the band. It will be a vulnerable moment. Simon might have been onto something when he said that the song didn't go with Jason and the guitar. See, last week, "Daydream" was so perfect for him - just so easy-going with the whole hippie-like aura. It embodied who he was as a vocalist, a performer, and a musician. Tonight, it came down to song choice, and while I liked his spin on the BeeGees classic, I have to admit that performances like last week are what I prefer. With great advice from the judges, this is just a bump in the road. I love Jason Castro!!

LUKE MENARD - "Killer Queen" by Queen - Luke sings with an a capella group called Chapter 6. I've listened to such groups all my life. The coolest thing about them is that their voices are literally the instruments. I mean, you can have drums, a bass guitar, whatever you want. But, the ultimate thing is that all of the vocals blend together for a sound that can be phenomenal. The problem sometimes is that while the voices may sound great as one, they often don't sound as appealing on their own. While I appreciate Luke's high tenor, I really cannot get a feel for his voice. I don't know if anyone has ever been to an a capella performance, but those singers really do a lot to make up for not having accompanying music. They insert sound effects and humor and all sorts of things. When you couple that with and actual band, it feels like it's just too much. Luke's whole performance came off as over-the-top, in my opinion. And, the lightness of his voice sort of gave the song a silly twist. The judges had mixed feelings. Randy likes him better this week than last week. Paula thinks this week was a great one for him, and the song choice was perfect. Simon thinks the performance was a mistake because he will suffer by comparison to the original singer, and he sounded whiny. Luke says he'll take 2 out of 3.

ROBBIE CARRICO - "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner - Robbie is still out to convince us that he's a true rocker. I just wish I could convince him that we would still like him if he found a nice, happy place somewhere in the middle. Maybe it's one of those many styles of rock to which he is referring. He's also a drag racer, and that's sorta...hot. :) The first thing I noticed was that his voice was a lot stronger this time around. You know what? This song was a good fit for him although I'm still looking for more vocal prowess and drive. Randy still doesn't think that he feels "rocker" vibes from him. Paula comes to his defense and says how does anyone know who he is but him. I would have to agree with her there because we know ourselves better than anyone else. However, when I'm being who I am, it's convincing to the people around me. It's not necessary that Robbie be the next Justin Timberlake. But, there's the sense that he hasn't truly tapped into who he really is as a singer just yet. Simon said the vocal was okay tonight, but I have to ask if that's really enough.

DANNY NORIEGA - "Superstar" by The Carpenters - Danny was in a punk rock band in 9th grade. He describes it as "a bunch of noise" and a "bunch of rebellious kids playing instruments." I think he's growing on me, personality-wise anyway. Yay! Danny slowed it down tonight, just what I had been hoping for. This young man has a very good voice. I especially love the soft vibrato he portrayed. I kind of wish he would have shown us a little more of the power of his upper register. Randy says he was over-thinking the song and advises him not to think about what he wants to do with the song, but just to let it go. He's got a point there, but I think Danny reacted with good reason. He was told at his audition that he had a very good voice, but then last week, he was slammed for too much performing and not enough singing. He needs to find his way. The vulnerable air is still there. Regardless of what he portrays, he really wants to be well-liked by the judges and the audience. So, he did what he thought they would want him to do. And, once again, we're back at the discussion about being true to oneself. I know that Danny only got so far last season, and he wants to do everything right. But, there's always the issue of reaching deep down and pulling out the performance of a lifetime. It will pay off because he proved tonight that he certainly has the skills. I just might purchase this one. ;)

DAVID HERNANDEZ - "Papa Is a Rolling Stone" by The Temptations - David was a gymnast when he was a child and won several medals at the Grand Canyon Olympics. Don't y'all forget about my dark horse, now! I said he would take the judges' advice and work with it. Boy oh boy, did he work with it! The soul edge in David's voice is simply awesome. With that traditionally gospel finish, what he did tonight was stamp an unforgettable performance all over my brain. I mean, that Hollywood audition that I raved about? Totally replaced. It was so amazing. He had just the right about of soul and attitude and not too many runs...and, it was just good. It's just proof that with little or no exposure, you can make yourself known. Simon called it the best vocal of the night. He also commended him for treating the criticism as a challenge and admits to being a David Hernandez fan. Simon's been reading my recaps! :p Oh my gosh, that was awesome! I'm on cloud 9!!

JASON YEAGER - "Long Train Running" by The Doobie Brothers - Jason is a self-taught musician on piano, guitar, and drums. Pretty impressive, if you ask me. I still like the tone of Jason's voice. However, I still don't think he has found a song that will compliment who he is as a singer. There was no more pageant performing, but it was a little too much to swallow. Jason has a more mature look and attitude, so for him to do a song like this felt like he was playing around. Sigh. Randy thought it was karaoke because it wasnt' really a "singer's song." Paula thought it was fun to see this side of him, although the song didn't show his vocal range. Simon called it awkward and ordinary, compared to last week's "boring". It really is all about SONG CHOICE!! I don't know how much this can be stressed. I can hear that Jason's got a great voice, but he doesn't do himself any favors with the material he chooses. He's skating on thin ice this week.

CHIKEZIE EZE - "I Believe to My Soul" by Donny Hathaway - Chikezie dropped the last name. I like it, so I'm keeping it. ;) The name has Nigerian origins, which means "well-created by God." Last week, he had a rough time. Without the old-fashioned voice, I know that it will be hard for him to convince listeners that he is a current artist. Tonight, Chikezie bounced back! I mean way back. That was a much-improved performance. I heard a little Stevie, a little Ray, a little Motown. Wonderful! Randy says that this was the Chikezie that they fell in love with. Simon resorts to calling him "Chi," but says that it was a great choice of song and a million times better than last week. Chikezie admitted that he let Simon get to him last week, and he gets into a sparring match with Simon again. It was a much happier air tonight, though. Like Elliott did two years ago, Chikezie points out that Donny Hathaway's daughter Kenya is a background singer. Things are looking up. It looks like those who were iffy last week have come out swinging. Mr. Eze gave me a very pleasant surprise tonight, and he is probably good for another week.

DAVID COOK - "All Right Now" by Free - David is a huge "word nerd." He loves crossword puzzles and word searches. That's pretty neat. Just don't throw any big words our way. :D Thank you David for giving us a glimpse of your guitar skills tonight. He just might have claimed sole rocker status tonight. At least so far. He makes it look perfectly effortless and natural. He's such a cool character, and when he gets up on stage, he's transformed. Randy calls him the only true rocker of the group. Paula says that it was very relevant to who he is. Simon says it was solid and sort of believable but calls him boring because he doesn't have a lot of charisma, and his "word nerd" clip didn't **** any favors. David shoots back that he doesn't have to win Simon over, but the viewing audience matters. Paula comes to his defense and says that women like smart men. This is true. Simon gets a little upset because he feels like David is reminding him of what the rules are when in fact, I think he was biting back, which Simon encouraged the contestants to do last week. I'm confused. But, I'm also slightly irritated with Simon trying to bully David into becoming what he would consider a stereotypical "rocker". He doesn't have to race cars or be a jock to appear authentic. How was his performance? That's the real question here. The clips were about things that America would be shocked to learn about the contestants. That was an interesting bit of information which, in David's defense, I enjoyed learning about. It took nothing from his performance at all.

DAVID ARCHULETA - "Imagine" by John Lennon - Tonight, David gets the pimp spot, and he tells us about the time he sang "And I Am Telling You" for the Season 1 finalist. They show the video we've all seen on You Tube. This was a little less painful to watch and listen to in that it sounded like it was less of a vocal strain. You cannot deny that this boy can sing. He's rapidly rising to superstar status. I mean, it's happening as we speak. This song was a perfect fit for him, with just the right about of power and softness...and he was able to successfully emote. That was beautiful! As a matter of fact, I'm going to make a bold prediction that puts him in the Top 2. Randy says it was a great performance at that he was born to do this. Paula is bordering on tears, and she wants to dangle him from her rearview mirror. Paula's tears after a performance are usually a good sign. Simon said it was risky to do a John Lennon song, but it worked. He also calls him the one to beat. I can totally wrap my mind around that.