The Top 4: Live | American Idol S:7 E:37
Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare
By Collin Kelley , 05/06/2008, 8 Comments
With access to songs from the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductees, there was plenty to choose from, but the Top 4's ranged from the predictable to downright catastrophic. The opening montage about the Hall of Fame and the suggestion that one of the Top 4 might wind up there one day was pushing it jusssst a little bit. On with the show...
David Cook: Out of all the songs, he picks Duran Duran's Hungry Like the Wolf? Say which? Don't get me wrong, I love the song, but this was one of the most bizarre choices ever. And, sorry all you Cookloonies, it was just okay. The thing that makes Hungry Like the Wolf one of the best 80s songs is that driving synth line, which David substituted for bombastic rock. The vocal was growly and one note. Luckily, his cover of The Who's Baba O'Riley was a good recovery. He's sailing to the Top 2 with Tickle Me Archuleta.
Syesha Mercado: Proud Mary? Really? I've seen drag queens do better performances. Creedence Clearwater Revival might have written it, but Tina Turner owns the song, and Syesha's copycat version -- right down to the choreography -- was pathetic. Randy said she was "in the zone," but he's totally out to lunch. Only TT should be allowed to do this song...EVER. Her second song, Sam Cook's classic A Change Is Gonna Come, was turned into a big, belty Whitney-esque number. Randy didn't like it, but Paula was crying and Simon thought it was great. Syesha comparing the Civil Rights-era touchstone to her journey on American Idol and then sobbing uncontrollably about it made me vomit in my mouth a little. Luckily, Jason Castro was so bad, she should be safe another week.
Jason Castro: Even worse than the Cookloonies are the Jasonloonies, and I think even they are going to have hard time justifying his nightmarish decision to cover I Shot The Sheriff by Bob Marley. I'm picturing him going, "Duuuude, Bob had dreads, I've got dreads, this is perfect...durrrrrr..." The judges savaged him -- even Paula, and you know you're in trouble when Miss Pills struggles to find compliments. Simon said it was like a "first round audition massacre." But even worse was destroying Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man, forgetting the lyrics and trying to be funny -- I guess -- by mumbling some fake ones. To paraphrase Simon, pack your bags, your bong and get out.
David Archuleta: The Tickle Me Elmo Terminator's march to glory was cemented tonight with a nearly perfect cover of Stand By Me and a less stellar Love Me Tender (his voice disappeared trying to hit that final note), but it doesn't even matter at this point. Simon said he crushed the competition, Randy and Paula were slobbering like idiots. Stick a fork in it, kids, the final two are David and David. It all depends on how many horny housewives vote for David Cook and how many tweens dial for Elmo.
David Cook: Out of all the songs, he picks Duran Duran's Hungry Like the Wolf? Say which? Don't get me wrong, I love the song, but this was one of the most bizarre choices ever. And, sorry all you Cookloonies, it was just okay. The thing that makes Hungry Like the Wolf one of the best 80s songs is that driving synth line, which David substituted for bombastic rock. The vocal was growly and one note. Luckily, his cover of The Who's Baba O'Riley was a good recovery. He's sailing to the Top 2 with Tickle Me Archuleta.
Syesha Mercado: Proud Mary? Really? I've seen drag queens do better performances. Creedence Clearwater Revival might have written it, but Tina Turner owns the song, and Syesha's copycat version -- right down to the choreography -- was pathetic. Randy said she was "in the zone," but he's totally out to lunch. Only TT should be allowed to do this song...EVER. Her second song, Sam Cook's classic A Change Is Gonna Come, was turned into a big, belty Whitney-esque number. Randy didn't like it, but Paula was crying and Simon thought it was great. Syesha comparing the Civil Rights-era touchstone to her journey on American Idol and then sobbing uncontrollably about it made me vomit in my mouth a little. Luckily, Jason Castro was so bad, she should be safe another week.
Jason Castro: Even worse than the Cookloonies are the Jasonloonies, and I think even they are going to have hard time justifying his nightmarish decision to cover I Shot The Sheriff by Bob Marley. I'm picturing him going, "Duuuude, Bob had dreads, I've got dreads, this is perfect...durrrrrr..." The judges savaged him -- even Paula, and you know you're in trouble when Miss Pills struggles to find compliments. Simon said it was like a "first round audition massacre." But even worse was destroying Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man, forgetting the lyrics and trying to be funny -- I guess -- by mumbling some fake ones. To paraphrase Simon, pack your bags, your bong and get out.
David Archuleta: The Tickle Me Elmo Terminator's march to glory was cemented tonight with a nearly perfect cover of Stand By Me and a less stellar Love Me Tender (his voice disappeared trying to hit that final note), but it doesn't even matter at this point. Simon said he crushed the competition, Randy and Paula were slobbering like idiots. Stick a fork in it, kids, the final two are David and David. It all depends on how many horny housewives vote for David Cook and how many tweens dial for Elmo.
Comments
castrofied 05/06/08
jasonloonie here, i guess. i agree with the the poor choice on the first song.. not his finest performance. however i think that tambourine man was really good - except for the whole thing where he started a little fast and choked forgetting a section of lyrics...which really is unforgivable at this point. but i am serious about liking the choice and i will buy the studio. i feel his whole experience has been a rough one and he hasn't been able to stand up to the pressure cooker... its too bad because i REALLY enjoy his music best of all and hoped he would make it until the final two (cook to win it all, jason is not really 'idol').....
katydid 05/07/08
Jason is most enjoyable to listen to and he has faced obstacle judging. He is the one I am most likely going to listen to if a record is produced. The other contestants are good but forgetable.
eg91929 05/07/08
I wish I was Helen Keller when Jason performance. I wish I was deaf so I didnt have to hear his voice and blind so I didnt have to see his hideous dreds. Horrible. Pretty sure you could walk out on the street and the homeless person playing the plastic containers could sing and look better then him. Peace Jason. This just really has been a untalented group this year.
seahawks08 05/07/08
I thought the judges were too hard on Jason and have been paid to do so. That is sad because Jason is a very talented artist and my favorite on the show and I know lots of Jason fans who came out in groves to vote. I pray AI will be honest on this and let Jason continue in the top three where he deserves to be.
seahawks08 05/07/08
I think the judges are getting paid to be so hard on Jason and he does not deserve that and his performances were pleasant and not as bad as they made them out to be. And for forgetting the lyrics, well what about all the times little davie forget his. I am a die hard Jason fan and I hope AI will be honest on this and send him to the top three as he deserves to be. I know lots of Jason fans who came out in droves to vote for him.
Collin Kelley 05/07/08
Oh, give me a break...
Rose Tyler 05/07/08
Come on Collin even you can't think that the way Ryan treated Jason was ok? He made him a punchline. He's not Sanjaya. Whom I think got more respect then Jason has the last two weeks. He has shown promise and talent. I don't blame him for his attitude towards the whole thing.
Collin Kelley 05/07/08
Rose, you're right Jason is no Sanjaya. He has more talent and a good voice, but unlike Sanjaya he was unable to rise to the occasion. Jason decided weeks ago he wanted to go home and it appears now that he really was just throwing the performances, which basically gave Brooke and Carly, who should be in the top three rather than Syesha, the big shaft. That's what hacks me off most.
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