There’s only 8 guys left, which 6 go through to the finals? At this point there are only a few who stand out as egregiously horrifying, which is an improvement over the last few seasons. Also of note: Ryan promises a long-awaited announcement on Thursday’s show, which could be one of many things. If FOX was smart, they’d throw together an All-Star edition of the show for the Fall starting in August.
Anyways, onto the singers on this our last single-gendered week of competition.
Blake Lewis
Song: “All Mixed Up” – 311
This one took some google searching, and then some downloading, but this appears to be the song. It let’s Blake do some hip hoppin’, some beat boxin’, and no one can deny that it’s engaging. It’s not quite a song one can sing easily, or clearly, but it’s a performance more engaging than one could imagine. The judges seem pleased, although none of them knew the song.
Sanjaya Malakar
Song: “Waitin’ on the World to Change” – John Mayer
I don’t want to alarm you, but he honestly looks like a woman tonight. Between the hair (Which Simon calls a “Paula Hairstyle” so it isn’t just me) and the lipstick, and the John Mayer song, it’s not doing him any favours. As for the singing itself, his tone is as perfect as ever in the weaker parts of the song, but when he tries to bring in some energy…it’s terrible. It’s a screechy noise explosion that is honestly frightening, and the judges agree: not as bad as last week, but still most unfortunately bad.
Sundance Head
Song: “Jeremy” – Pearl Jam
While I spent quite some time trying to figure out what Pearl Jam song it was, I was a little shocked to realize that it was actually a song I knew (One of very few). The singing was admirable, if unmemorable, and the judges agree that his unique qualities came through. Simon feels it wasn’t quite charming enough, felt it was a bit too indulgent and bar-singer. Personally, I think it was unoffensive, and Sundance continues to rebound well from his disastrous first week.
Chris Richardson
Song: “Tonight I Wanna Cry” – Keith Urban
Ooh, this is quite interesting; the guy who spent his first two weeks singing fast songs goes for the ballad in the last week. The results are a unique little spin on the country tune, and Randy notes that he’s “in it to win it.” The intonation of his voice seems to have allowed him to adapt well, and while Simon isn’t jumping out of his chair due to some nasally issues and untapped potential. He was sold, though, which is more than he can say for some of the other contestants. There’s some really strange banter between Simon and Ryan, which is becoming a really annoying trend.
Jared Cotter
Song: “If You Really Love Me”- Stevie Wonder
Jared’s video package has a nice connection between “I knew I wasn’t going to make the NBA” and a terribly missed dunk attempt. The performance is certainly his most energetic, but it’s not doing anything for me personally. It sounds like someone, surprise surprise, imitating Stevie Wonder. Paula disagrees with Randy’s positive comments, and feels that he needs to diversify his singing a tad bit. Simon, amazingly, is able to discern Paula’s comments and sum them up: this performance simply gets lost in the shuffle.
Brandon Flowers
Song: “I Just Want to Celebrate” – Rare Earth
We learn that he’s a classical pianist, so when he emerges with a Motown classic it’s a bit jarring. It’s an energetic song, there’s no doubt about it, and there is a bit of a rock edge; Randy likes it, but felt that the timing at the end ruined it. Paula enjoyed it, but Simon expected him to do better. The girls have chosen more memorable songs, and that this song didn’t have enough of a hook. Personally, it seemed a little bit too simple, although Brandon had fun and hopes we all had fun with him.
Phil Stacey
Song: “I Need You” – LeAnn Rhimes
Phil Stacey used to have hair, which is somewhat alarming…and starts with one of the worst openings I’ve ever heard in my entire life. The song is way too low for his voice, and even when he hits the chorus as he’s trying to hit her high notes which he can’t do either. There are serious pitch problems in his high notes as well, on the whole it was simply a mess of a performance and he seems to know it was. No judge liked it, but Simon was particularly offput by the performance and the whole thing…it was a strange choice that made no sense. Simon is disappointed at what this forecasts for the finals for the guys.
Chris Sligh
Song: “We All Wanna Be Loved” – DC Talk
Chris is working the stage with this one, trying to use the power of his voice to overcome the lack of insta-familiarity within the song. The power is working, as it’s certainly a strong vocal, but it’s really more in spite of the song than it is because of it. It was middle of the road for Paula, and she felt it was just too safe. Simon though the beginning was fine, and he shouted in the middle (A common problem, according to Simon). Not one of his best, in the end.
Who’s in Danger?
Phil and Sanjaya had the two worst performances, but Jared Cotter is down there as well if only due to his generic performance. If the teen girls push through Sanjaya, which is getting more annoying than ever after his terrifying horrible performance, I’d say Jared is taking his place. Plus, who sings Stevie wearing a sweater like that.
Possible Shocker?
Brandon Rogers is the possible surprise boot, should people consider him safe, both musically and in terms of his position in the competition.
Randy, Paula and Simon note that only about 4 (Or 3.5 in Simon’s case) deserve to be in the Top 12. I’m going to assume they mean Blake, Chris R., Brandon and either Chris S. or Sundance (I don’t know who the half is, don’t even ask).
Cultural Learnings 
Good site!!!