Another very boring show with just a couple of barely luminous spots. I should say that I am not a country fan. I tried for a while but found it too boring and formulaic (current "country") for my taste. Anyway, on with the show:
Taylor - I got worried when I heard he was singing John Denver and that turned out to be accurate. He needs to get the microphone off the stand and do his thing. Don't listen to Simon about the dancing. That's part of his charm that people love. Decent vocal but a boring performance.
Mandisa - just did not pull that off. I know she was trying to play it up but it didn't work because she sang the song poorly. She could be in danger this week.
Elliot - once again, I just didn't get it. I listened with my eyes closed so I could focus on the vocals and they just are not strong enough. I don't feel any power with his voice. Good technically but there is not enough substance for me. The orignial version of that song has much more powerful vocals to support it. No good enough in my opinion.
Paris - pieces of the song were good but pieces were not good. All in all a decent performance though. She can certainly sing and she might stick around if her personality does not get in the way.
Ace - I actually enjoyed the first half of the song but the second half was a train wreck with missed notes all over the place. I think the game might be up with him.
Kellie - that insipid little interview beforehand was pointless. Does anyone actually think she would say, "Well yes Ryan, it's all an act." Just pure AI pimping. As for the song, I agreed with Simon in that I thought it was rather boring. The chorus brought it up a little but the verses were just plain and boring. Overall decent job though.
Chris - I thought it was a great performance. Hopefully this will quiet the folks who incorrectly say he just screams everything. Their complete misunderstnading of that genre of music leads to that sort of ignorant statement. I doubt it will change anything though. He showed he can sing and did a very nice job with that song. Simon continued his doubletalk however. I do believe Simon is also playing to the critics who say he blindly pimps his favorites knowing full well that Chris is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Katharine - Good vocal but her personality is wearning on me. That bubbly inappropriately timed smile seems very contrived. I just do not connect with her performances at all as they all seem very hollow. I'm not sure how much longer she is going to last.
Bucky - So, will anyone accuse Bucky of "cheating" by not singing a country song like they did Chris for not singing a "50's" song? Gary Allen did not write or perform the original. It was written by Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon the alt-pop rock band and was on their major label debut record Everything You Want in 1999. Now, I have no problem with this just like I had no problem with Chris doing Live's version of I Walk The Line. It will be interesting to see who is consistent. Anyway, Bucky was Bucky. Not good. Not awful.
Best of the Night: Chris, Kellie, Paris
Bottom Three: Mandisa, Ace and Bucky
Who should go home? Bucky
Who will go home? Mandisa