No more mentors. No more themes. Just a paint salesman, a girl with dreadlocks and a boy who has worn out his welcome. Here we go.
Casey James, “OK, It’s Alright With Me”: Even though the judges felt the need to poo all over this song for being, dare I say it, unfamiliar, I actually quite like it. I like it when Eric Hutchinson sings it, though. I saw Eric perform this last fall when he opened for Kelly Clarkson. (Remember her, Idol powers that be???) The difference is that when Eric sings it, he’s jumping around and having a great time, which – in turn – makes his audience have a great time. Casey standing there doesn’t make me want to have a good time. It just makes me wish Siobhan was around. In short, it’s not alright with me, the fact that Casey is still here.
Crystal Bowersox, “Come to My Window”: File this one under “things that should’ve worked but didn’t.” The judges basically got this one right, because the arrangement was all wrong. Again, when I think of this song, I picture someone building toward a huge moment, then ripping the mic from the stand and just killing it. Crystal opted for a more subtle approach. Shocking. Sometimes I can get behind the subtle, vulnerable (to use Kara’s words) performances, but not this time. This song deserved more – and she could’ve given it more.
Lee Dewyze, “Simple Man”: Finally, a little life in this night. While I didn’t love this as much as the judges did (they were clearly looking for something, anything to love), I do agree that it was by far the best of the first performances. Like Crystal, Lee got a little overpowered by the song itself, but he stayed afloat better than she did. I also think this worked better than the others because the song is so Lee. I mean, did you guys know he was a paint salesman before this show? Did you know that? He’s a simple man, people. 
Casey James, “Daughters”: This one is Randy and Kara’s song choice. For what the song is, he’s doing a fine job with it. It’s actually quite nice, though it isn’t making for one of those big Idolmoments. It’s a far too understated song for that. Predictably, Simon blames Kara and Randy for not giving Casey the chance to have a vocal moment. With all due respect to soon-to-be Sir Cowell, Casey isn’t the kind of singer that takes advantage of vocal ‘climaxes’ even when he has the chance, so why does it matter? This is his lane, full of college-aged girls with Moms who wish they were college-aged, so he might as well take the car for a spin. Hopefully, that same car drives him right out of the competition. I don’t see how it won’t.
Crystal Bowersox, “Maybe I’m Amazed”: Thank goodness! I needed a lot more from Crystal after that first performance, and this one definitely delivered. Kudos to Ellen for making such a bold song choice for Crystal. It was a wise decision. And opting for a guitar-less interpretation was an excellent move, as well. Vocally, we’ve never really heard Crystal sing the way she sang this song, including some high notes I didn’t even know she could hit. The movement was a little wonky, and it got a little too rugby player for my taste at one point, but overall, I still really enjoyed the performance. There’s no way she can go home instead of Casey. There’s just no way.
Lee Dewyze, “Hallelujah”: O. M. G. That was fan-freaking-tastic! I realize Tim Urban is sitting at home, wondering why Lee got to sing a song he’d already performed this season, but the rest of us don’t care. Everything about this performance was what this season of Idol needed. Lee’s husky vocals were out of this world and added a maturity to the lyrics that just sells the song so well. The white shirt and white lights were also a nice touch. Is it fair that he was backed by a choir? Probably not. Do I care? Definitely not. It’s not like Casey James would’ve sounded any better backed by a bunch of church-going folks shouting Daughtersad nauseum. This was definitely the performance of the night, and it might have been the performance of the whole season. If he doesn’t make the finale, hell hath no fury like a blogger scorned.
Clearly, I think Casey is going home. I hope you do, too. If not, I’d love to hear your reasons why.
Bring on the results show. Speaking of which, is it hot in here or is that just my Bieber Fever acting up??? Kidding. I never said all the jokes were good.
Images: Michael Becker / FOX
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