American Idol: A Weekly Review - Change is Not Always Better

I've decided, for the time being, that I am going to give a review of sorts each Friday after the elimination show airs on Thursday. Who knows, I may even start doing it after the performance shows and then another after the elimination shows, I don't know yet. So, if anyone cares to hear what I have to say about American Idol, the judges, or the contestants then check back here each week.

This week, because there's still so many contestants, I will be breaking it up. The girls are first and then tomorrow I'll post about the boys.

I don't want to inadvertently spoil my Irish chica so check behind the cut for the goods.


Change is not always better. That line has two meanings here. The first one is the hiring of Ellen. Don't hate, hear me out. I love Ellen! She is so funny and she really knows how to butter up the contestants and make them not hate themselves so much after hearing what Simon has to say. However, I've heard that BTS there are some issues between Ellen and Simon. He, apparently, doesn't like having a judge that essentially knows nothing about music. I get that she's a fan and she's the "Feel good judge" and that's fine. What I don't like is knowing that there's bad blood, so to speak, going on off camera. I know it happens on lots of shows, maybe even some of my very favorites; I just don't want to know about it. It makes me sad.

The second thing is that just because past Idol winners and hopefuls (David Cook & Adam Lambert are just two examples) did well in making a song their own, it doesn't mean that everyone should try it. There were a few people this week that tried to do that. In my opinion, if you can't totally own the stage and the changes you make to the song, then you shouldn't be messing with it in the first place. I think Kara even said something to the effect of: "We wouldn't even be talking about [not changing the song] if you had killed it up there." There's really no better way to put it than that. Do it or don't, but half-assing it won't get you anywhere.

Last season I was a quick fan of Danny Gokey. Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert wowed me from the start of the live shows on,but sadly, my spark for Danny dwindled throughout the season. (Then I saw AI Live and they were all awesome.) In season 7 I was a fan of David Cook from start to finish. This year, I'm just not feeling it. There are a couple I call my favorites, but I've still not been blown away yet.

As for the ones that went home, I wasn't upset. Much. All of my so-called favorites are still in it. I'm complacent. If the comp were based solely on my vote, someone else would've went home for the girls, you'll see who as you read on... That is, if anyone's still reading at all. 

Alright, let's move on. Here are the top 12 girls and my thoughts on them so far in the competition.


Crystal Bowersox - One of my early favorites.
She sang 'Hand in My Pocket' by Alanis Morissette. I really love the idea of this girl. I like the sound of her voice, she plays the guitar and the harmonica, and she's not commercial. I am a fan of commercial artists also, but I'd rather see someone who is strictly who they are with no conformity. Plus, she sang 'Hand in My Pocket' from AM's album, Jagged Little Pill, one of my favorite albums ever.


Didi Benami -Another fav.
She sang 'The Way I Am' by Ingrid Michaelson. I've been a fan of hers since the first audition. (I know, that's not been long ago.) So far I think her best perf was when she sang Kara's song 'Terrified' during Hollywood week. I know the judges said this week that she sounded like an Adelle or a Duffy, but I like her voice week in and week out. I really hope she sticks around for a while. I feel that I must also mention that she is my husband's one and only favorite so far.

Siobhan Magnus - Powerful.
She sang 'Wicked Game' by Chris Isaak. I really like her voice and she rounds off my top 3 favorite girls, next to Crystal and Didi. Her voice is really strong and powerful. The judges thought she chose a song that was too old for her, but I think she has the voice to back it so go for it. I can't wait to see what else she does.
(Did any other Twilight fans take notice of her name? Siobhan is a vamp in Breaking Dawn, which I know fans know that, but I'd never seen that name before reading BD and had no idea how to pronounce it. I will *not* talk about how I read it to myself.)

Lacey Brown - Love.
She sang Fleetwood Mac's 'Landslide.' I love her hair. The style, the color, it just pops.

That really speaks nothing of her talent, though. I didn't think her perf was great, but I really like her. She could've chosen a better song, though, for sure. She has a great look about her.

Michelle Delamor - Like.
She sang 'Fallin' by Alicia Keys. I don't remember seeing much of her during auditions and HW week, but I really liked her perf on Tuesday. Alicia Keys is a powerful singer, so any song by her is tough, but I think Michelle did a great job with it. Even though she's not a favorite yet, I'm keeping my eye on her.

Katie Stevens - Potential.
She sang Michael Buble's 'Feeling Good.' I think this girl has a lot of potential. She has a really strong, natural voice. I didn't like her song choice even though I thought she did okay with it. I think she's here to stay for a good long while, and hearing her talk about her grandmother breaks my heart.

Katelyn Epperly -Indifferent.
She sang 'Oh, Darlin' by The Beatles. First of all, I have to say that I agree with Kara as far as the makeover deal. I understand that people like to change their image sometimes and fluctuate between different styles, but I much prefer Katelyn more natural. I love her hair. It's a complete mess and practically unable to be tamed. Anyway, back to her performance. I didn't think it was great and I didn't think it was horrible. Not the best song choice. Other than that, I just know that I don't want her to be the next to go.

Lilly Scott - Indifferent.
She sang The Beatles 'Fixing a Hole.' I really didn't like the song choice, mostly because it's a song I'm not familiar with. I liked it better after listening to it a second time. When I watched it through Tuesday, I didn't really like it at all. There was just something off putting to me. I don't know what it is because I think I actually really dig her voice. Maybe with a better song next week I'll be convinced that she's great, or at least isn't terrible.
(I also can't help but think of Emily Osment's character, Lilly Truscott, on Hannah Montana every time I hear them say Lilly Scott.)

Paige Miles - Who?
She sang 'All Right Now' by Free. I do not remember her at all before Tuesday night. I think she has a great voice, but I hated her song choice. I don't think that's the sort of song she would be singing if she were to record an album. I think, at least out of the girls, that she was probably the most 'off' from what kind of music they'd actually like to put out there. I hope next week she picks a better song because she has great voice.

Haeley Vaughn - My very least favorite.
She sang 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' by The Beatles. I remember back in high school when I was in band camp: It was during Rookie Week where all the freshman were at the mercy of the upperclassmen and a I watched as a fellow freshman was made to sing this song in the cafeteria in front of about 300 people. My point here is that that performance was better than watching young Haeley singing it for all the world to see. I know, she's just a kid, but still. I've not liked her sound from her first audition. I don't know how to describe her voice. Undeveloped? I'm not sure. I just know that if the voting were all on me, she would've went home on Thursday night.

Janell Wheeler - Eliminated.
She sang 'What About Love' by Heart. I don't have a lot to say about her, really. I don't remember her much. I enjoyed her perf during HW week when she sang 'American Boy' by Estelle. This week, however, she wasn't very strong, and unfortunately for her it cost her the competition.


Ashley Rodriguez - Eliminated.
She sang 'Happy' by Leona Lewis. I am a little sad that she didn't make it further. I thought she did a good job at the end of Hollywood week with her rendition of Jordan Sparks 'Battlefield.' Her performance this week, however, wasn't the best. I thought she did alright, but not top 24 material. I keep hearing them say they have more talent that ever this year, but I haven't seen it yet.


Well, that's it for the girls. I'll try to be back tomorrow to finish up with the boys. 

I want to add, that even though someone isn't my favorite, unless I flat out said I didn't like them, that doesn't mean I can't see their talent. There are so many talented singers out there, but I'm not a fan of all of them. It just comes down to talent, genre, looks, and quirks. 

Please leave a comment and let me know who your favorites are and why.