American Idol Recap: Final Three

I really enjoyed tonight’s show.  Each contestant sang three songs: one song picked by a judge, one picked by a show producer, and one they pick themselves.  I always love hearing what everyone picks and how it turns-out.  Here’s what I thought of each performance:

David Archuletta

And So It Goes: It was really beautifully sung, but like Simon said, it was good but not outstanding.  And it was predictable.  David always sounds good, so it doesn’t really make much of an impression on me when he does well.  But I had never heard that song before, so I really enjoyed the performance.

With You: He was kinda pitchy on it and just sounded…..white.  I do love that song, but again, like Simon said (I think I’m going to be saying that a lot tonight!), it wasn’t really him.  Overall he did a good job, though.

I’ve Been in Love With You: OK, all I kept thinking was that I’m so TIRED of seeing the exact same expression on his face in every song!!!!  Eyes half-closed, dreamy far-off look…. WAKE-UP!!!  He sounded great, but singing something like that ain’t gonna sell records.

 

Syesha

If I Ain’t Got You: I loved it.  She’s awesome.  Alicia Keyes she’s not, but it was still great and totally her style.

Fever:  I really loved the performance, she did a great job with the dancing and playing to the audience… but I also agree with the judges that it was probably a bad song selection.  It’s not relevant to the kind of music that she could potentially record.  So while I really enjoyed it, it’s probably gonna bite her in the butt.

Hit Me Up: I could totally picture her singing something like this in the future as part of a career, I think she fit well into the groove.  I had a hard time understanding the words in the beginning, though, and it was pitchy at times.  Again, like Simon said, there was no “defining moment.”

 

David Cook

First Time Ever I Saw Your Face:  I love this song, so I was really excited when they said he was going to sing it…but it was not as good as I was expecting.  I wasn’t too sure about that falsetto in the beginning, but the last note was amazing.  (By the way, when he wished his mother a “Happy Belated Mother’s Day”… it kinda just made him look like he forgot to say something to her a couple days ago on Mother’s Day!  At least his mom seemed to think he was singing the song just to her, so maybe that made-up for it.)

Dare You to Move: It really dragged at the beginning, but once he got it going it was awesome.  I thought it was a great song choice, but was way too short.  I agreed with Paula that once he started getting it really going it was over just like that.

Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing:  What was up with the violins playing staccato?  Not my favorite arrangement, but it was definitely original.  I wasn’t too sure at first, but he ended great. 

 

Final Thoughts

My opinion never seems to change about David A.  He’s too young, he’s too Disney, and he needs to open his eyes.  His voice is wonderful, but I just can’t bring myself to care.  I’m really impressed with the way Syesha has come out of her shell.  I love her voice and I’ll be really disappointed to see her go home…. probably tomorrow.  I don’t think tonight was David Cook’s best night, but I think it’ll be a battle of the David’s next week.  I’m for Cook all the way!!!

(Did anyone notice how when Ryan stood next to David Cook, Ryan’s head looked like a tiny little acorn that I could just flick off of his neck while David’s looked like a large watermelon?  Fascinating comparisons.)