American Idol Top 12 Recap

American Idol Top 12
March 16, 2010
By Brian Holland

Intro:
Ryan walks on stage with the Idols to his left and right. We have the American Idol intro. The judges are introduced by an announcer, as well as Ryan Seacrest. Ryan introduces the Top 12 as they come out the separating doors on stage. Ryan announces the theme as the Rolling Stones and we see a video montage of the Stones.

First Contestant is Michael Lynche. He talks about his life growing up and his family. He is singing “Miss You”. He opens with a falsetto just like last week. He is doing all right and hits a few more falsettos. However, this isn’t as good as his last performance, but I still like it. We’ll see what the judges have to say.

Randy says: Mike’s a great performer and that he slayed it.
Ellen says: She hasn’t been disappointed by him and that it was amazing
Kara says: Mike had swagger and attitude and was hot on stage
Simon says: Thought his dancing was corny and was verging on a tiny bit desperate, but that it was good.
I say: Not as good as last week, but you started the night off on a good note.

Ryan asks Simon to give constructive criticism and Simon asks who he is supposed to be talking to, and Ryan goes to Simon and leans over the desk, causing Simon to move back in his chair. Ok Ryan…. That was weird.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Ryan is sitting with Didi Benami on a stool with her. We learn that Didi was raised in Knoxville, Tennessee but moved to LA. She is singing “Play with Fire”. It’s a slow song, but she has some nice vocals. Her voice is very smooth and she hits every note pretty well. Nothing extraordinary, but good nonetheless.

Randy says: Didi was on fire and it was one of her best performances
Ellen says: She has an amazing voice and sounded great
Kara says: Said she attacked the song with an intensity, and had two steps in the right direction.
Simon says: She’s beginning to show the kind of artist she’s gonna be. It was a solid, not brilliant performance.
I say: Not a huge risk with picking that song, but you did a good job with it.

Casey James is next. His mother discusses Casey’s problems with his brain as a child. We also learn his whole family plays instruments and sings. He is singing “It’s All Over Now”. It’s got kind of a bluegrass feel to it. Casey is playing the guitar. He finishes with a short instrumental, strumming his guitar.

Randy says: He loved it and that Casey is back.
Ellen says: It was fantastic and that girls will like it.
Kara says: Said he was a rockstar and liked how it had blues and soul. Best performance since they met.
Simon says: It was like an audition performance. He’s gotta start being incredible and push himself more.
I say: It was ok, but you really have to showcase your vocals more if you want to win this thing.

Lacey Brown up next.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Lacey was born and raised in Texas. We learn she doesn’t sing outside the church and that she is shy. She is singing “Ruby Tuesday”. There is a string quartet on stage with her. She opens slowly as usual. She hits the chorus slowly and doesn’t stretch her vocals that much. The 2^nd time she hits the chorus she does much better, however.

Randy says: Said it was interesting, and that he was pleasantly surprised. Called it interesting again.
Ellen says: Said it was weird how she sat down when the song picked up and that it was a tiny bit sleepy
Kara says: Is 50-50 on it. Said she missed some notes and could have done better.
Simon says: She performs like an actress. Song was ok and she should stop overthinking.
I say: It’s not something many people will remember and that could hurt you. Also, try picking faster songs.

Andrew G. is up next!

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We return with Ryan sitting in Randy’s chair. All right. We learn more about Andrew’s past, and that how his father is a musician. His father says how he thought Andrew would be a janitor. He is singing “Give Me Shelter”. He finishes on a long, great note.

Randy: It was pitchy all over and he didn’t like it.
Ellen: Says she loved it and that it was his best performance.
Kara: Thought he needed to be more intense and passionate.
Simon: Liked it and hope he’s back next week.
Me: I liked the song choice and it was one of your best vocals. I loved the end note.

COMMERCAL BREAK

Ryan interviews Katie and we see friends and family holding picures of Katie’s face up on sticks. LOL. Katie says she was too shy to sing when she was younger. She is singing “Wild Horses”. She is wering a dress that I’d expect to see on a ballerina. She gives a pretty good vocal, but it’s not the most entertaining song pick.

Randy: She sang it really well and was a strong performance.
Ellen: Started pitchy but got into it and sounded amazing and good song choice.
Kara: She made nice variations on the melody and was better than last week.
Simon: Only week she has chosen a strong song. Didn’t like the 2^nd half of arrangement, but she connected and did well.
Me: You had great vocals and made it your own. You are improving and I’m glad you made the top 12.

Tim “Helmet Hair” Urban up next.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Tim says he is one of 10 kids. His mom says they used to let his hair grow out as an infant and toddler and that people would think he was a girl. HAHA. Tim says he’s be playing football still if he were a little taller. Sounds like me, haha. He is singing “Under My Thumb”. He is playing the guitar, but not singing very well. It’s very odd with the red, orange, and green lights on him.

Randy: Didn’t get it and it was bizarre. Weird for him. Didn’t like it.
Ellen: Felt like she was at a resort drinking a pina colada. It didn’t wow her at all.
Kara: Applauds him for doing something different with it. He made it his own.
Simon: It didn’t work and Rolling Stones fans would be turning their tv’s off.
Me: Your vocals didn’t shine through too much, but I admire your courage.

Sibhan “My pick to win” Magnus up next.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Sibohan is from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Her family is also very musical. Of course they are. She is singing “Paint it Black”. She is also wearing a ballerina dress like Katie. This performance is very dark. She starts out slow and low-pitched, but she picks it up. She finishes on another long, high note like she did with her “Think” performance.

Randy: It was HOT!
Ellen: Loved her look, sound. She stood out and she liked it.
Kara: She is having “Adam Lambert” flashbacks and did it well.
Simon: Standout performance of the night. Said most people will love it.
Me: What a voal performance. You just keep getting better and better. Keep it up.

Lee “I’ll make the finals with Siobhan” Dewyze is up next.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Lee is on the stool with Ryan. Lee says it’s kind of sunk in and Ryan quizzes him on his paint company. Lee gets 1/2 right. Oh well. Lee, like a few others, says he was nervous singing in front of people. He is singing “Beast of Burden”. He is playing his guitar. It’s a slower song but it picks up slightly in parts.

Randy: He thought it was “dope” and one of his better performances
Ellen: Sounded great but didn’t completely come together like a hospital gown, HAHA.
Kara: It wasn’t pitchy and he showed tremendous growth.
Simon: His personality is holding him back, and he chose a safe and forgettable song. He has an incredibly good voice, though.
Me: I totally agree with Simon. You need to just let one rip and give it your all.

Paige and Aaron Kelly are up next.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Paige Miles is first. She is from Naples, Florida. Her dad passed away when she was 4. She grew up singing in church. She is singing “Honky Tonk Woman”. I like this song that she chose. Her interpretation is unique and I like it. Her vocals are shaky, however and she has a few pitch problems. Let’s see what the judges say.

Randy: She did all right with it and liked it.
Ellen: Good presence on stage and let’s people know she’s been struggling with her voice.
Kara: She did a lot with it and worked the stage and the young Paige is back.
Simon: Taking her laringytis into accont, she did great. She still hasn’t quite connected yet though.
Me: It was a fun, entertaining performance and you did well despite your voice.

No wonder her voice seemed shaky to me.

Aaron Kelly up next. He’s from Pennsylvania. They remind us he was adopted by his aunt. He was terrified as a youth to sing. Who wasn’t? He is singing “Angie”. (I think that’s what I heard). He starts out on the steps. He does ok.

Randy: He was born to sing. Likes the tender moments in his voice. He liked it.
Ellen: Great song choice and was the 2^nd best performance of the night.
Kara: Did great and proved her wrong.
Simon: Chose 100% the right song and sang the song within the limits within your vocal.
Me: Good overall performance. You should be here next week.

Crystal “Gets the pimp spot” Bowersox next. What that means is she gets the last performance of the night and the one people remember seeing last. It’s often called the “Pimp Spot” by many American Idol fan sites. You can tell if someone is favored if they get this spot too much. You can tell the producers want Crystal to get off to a good start.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Crystal is from Ohio. She started singing and playing guitar at a young age. Her dad gives a teary eyed confessional. She is singing “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”. Finally, she is singing a song I recognize. She is playing guitar again. It has some signatures on it. And her teeth look a bit better. As for her vocals, they are pretty good, but she still hasn’t amazed me yet. She gets a long applause after it.

Randy: Wasn’t her best but he loved it.
Ellen: Sings effortlessly and finally added some personality (I agree)
Kara: Loosened up, wasn’t her greatest vocal, but was easy to watch.
Simon: Thought Siobhan beat her (HA!). She’s gotta dig deep week after week.
Me: Not your best, but you still did well. Show your personality more on stage.

So that’s it. Pretty good start to the Top 12. By my predictions, Tim is going home, but I think Lacey and Andrew are also in danger. Best of the night: Siobhan. See you all next week!