AI S9: Top 9 [Let's Keep Big Mike For Another Week]

THE PANEL invoked the Judges' Save and unanimously decided to keep Michael Lynch for at least another week. I’m glad that they did because I think Big Mike did a pretty good job on his sudden death performance. Actually, I was quite surprised that he was part of the Bottom 3 this week. He shouldn't be in that position in the first place. His performance was not perfect vocally but he’s very good over-all. I loved the arrangement with the strings and how he twisted the song. I couldn’t see why Simon commented on it as being theatrical. Hmm. In my opinion I think Andrew or Aaron should’ve been the one sent to the chopping block. Andrew’s performance was very old fashioned. It was very disappointing considering how I loved his Forever cover last week. Aaron on the other hand sang Long and Winding Road, which I think is his worst showing in the semis. David Archuleta also did this song and I say Aaron didn’t even come close to what Archie had made of it. Again, his lack of technique is starting to become more noticeable.

Tim on the other hand, surprisingly did quite well this week. It was not a shocker that he made it through this week without being dumped at the bottom end. I’m pretty sure after two-three weeks of suffering harsh critiques from the judges and then coming up with a good performance, he gained quite a number of sympathy votes, plus, those from the usual Tim loyalists. I actually thought this was it for Tim but, no. And that’s what great about the season: Everyone seems to be on the same footing and anyone could be sent home.

It’s Lennon-Macartney week on Idol. Crystal was her usual self when she performed Come Together—great vocals. And the durgeriedoo (I don’t how it’s spelled!) actually worked for her. It was a very unusual instrument but I think it’s cool! Siobhan pulled back a little with a dramatic delivery of Across the Universe. I liked it but I had to agree that it was quite sleepy. It’s nice to hear her finally sing without shrieking at the end. It felt honest. Lee is starting to peak now. It’s apparent on his performances that he’s becoming more and more confident each week. I liked his Hey, Jude number but I had to agree with Simon, that unlike the durgeriedoo, the bag pipes didn’t worked or rather the bag pipe player kind of ruined it just a bit. It just felt really distracting. I mean Lee’s in the middle of the song and then suddenly, this man wearing a plaid and a feathered head gear, comes down the stairs blowing his bag pipes. I understand what effect Lee was trying to pull off but it made the whole thing a little corny.

There were two hot performances this week. Katie gave her best performance yet, singing Let It Be. Her voice was just so tender and then when she built the dynamics at the end, it’s incredible. It was a very clean delivery: no stray notes and she sounded really confident. But the night, I think, goes to Casey James, when he sang a stripped version of Jealous Guy. Guitar and cello was a perfect combination. I could appreciate his vocals because there were no unnecessary sounds of the drums or synthesizers. The sense of vulnerability and the honesty made it very believable. However, I thought he could’ve done more with it. It felt quite hanging for a song that gives a wide space to work with. But still, it’s a very remarkable performance…

The nine is still intact. But next week two, will be sent home. Things are starting unravel… Ooohh…