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Better late than never? I know the results are out already, but here's my take this week...

I thought the theme would be really fun, but it seemed an excuse for several of the contestants to choose a "safe" song within their own style. Of course, that seemed to work, since those in their comfort zones ranked high on my chart this week.

Anwar -- I can't say I really enjoyed this, but there was nothing obviously wrong with it, either. This was easily his best and most consistent performance of the finals.
Vonzelle -- The transition was a bit rough... it almost seemed like she was over-singing. Other than that, I just enjoyed watching and listening to her. I'm moving Vonzelle up from my "dark horse" to my favorite to win it all.
Bo -- I didn't want to score him this high... it says more about how everyone else did, as compared to how Bo did. This was a very vanilla cover of "Freebird", lacking any real vocal energy, but otherwise sound.
Carrie -- I think she needed to show she can break out of type, so in that this was a success, but the song choice was a waste of her voice. She also needs to do something other than just rock side to side while singing. I'll use the dreaded "unconvincing" word here.
Constantine -- The vocals were just not really there, especially in the first and last parts; the middle was quite good. He performed the song quite well, though I would have dropped the tag on the end, as it sounded more like an afterthought than a finish.
Anthony -- I finally have managed to peg why Anthony bothers me... he seems like he would fit in better as the lead singer of a "boy band" than as a soloist. Until I say otherwise, assume that "good singing, lousy presence" applies to Anthony.
Nadia -- I thought it was a good opening to the show, but each successive singer (save Scott) just simply did better. I think it was a mistake to try to do "pop" while Vonzelle is still going as strong as she is... was this a botched tactical attempt to get Vonzelle voted off?
Scott -- Not as dreadful as the last two weeks, especially in losing that "thinness" of vocal quality. However, it still is simply not good enough at this stage to muddle through verses just to get to the choruses -- the song needs to exhibit consistency as well as quality (see Anwar's improvement as a contrast).

Good takes. I'm amazed that Savol can botch so many notes in a song but get a pass because he sounds good at times. Are people still so shocked that a few good sounds can slip out of that misshapen head and body that they vote for him?

Anwar is your #1??? He's consistently bland. Carrie was the best, IMO.

BTW... the reason I'm late this week...

Daniel Addison, born 8:28 PM on Aprill 11, 2005, 8 lbs 2oz., 20 3/4 inches. I could get to Idol tonight only because the hospital kicked me out at the end of visitng hours... :)