It was back to middle-of-the-road on American Idol this week. I'm getting annoyed at these broad themes for each week (songs of the 60s, #1 singles and now songs of the 90s). What's next, songs by a male performer? Hmm, maybe rock songs?
Come on, torture them a little! Make them sing songs of Little Richard or something.
Anyway, I thought this week belonged to Carrie. Confidence is starting to creep back in and I think she may actually be a serious challenge to Bo. Her song choice was both awful and inspired: she sucked any genuine meaning out of Martina McBride's apparent battered woman story "Independence Day" yet she managed to turn it into a powerhouse patriotic anthem full of country and Red State appeal that should shore up her fan base. She still has lots of room for improvement but what she has is working for her right now.
Honestly, I do think Carrie is the most suitable choice to win this competition. It makes me wonder if Bo and Nadia really know what they're actually competing for (a record deal that will strangle any genuine creative impulses they may have, which could be especially hurtful in Nadia's case). Still, those two at least make the show more satisfying. But I didn't think either was in peak form this week, due mostly to song choice.
Then there's everyone else.
Jessica unquestionably leads the pack but what was she thinking picking that LeAnn Rimes drivel from a category like songs of the 90s (maybe the category was so broad it actually confused her). That's still preferable to shameless pandering like Vonzell's baby-Whitney routine (worth remembering this is the same non-entity who pointlessly covered Alicia Keys a few weeks back). But at least she handled the song well.
And the boys. Ugh, the boys.
Nikko is definitely improving but he's clearly never going to be more than a mediocre talent. Anthony's performances are all pretty dull, but they're not offensive just yet.
That's more than I can say for Anwar. He was an early favorite of mine but I'm completely fed up with him now. It was shocking to see Randy Jackson actually have a moment of clarity and lay out what is so clearly wrong with Anwar's start-off-sounding-like-ass-and-try-to-save-it-by-going-really-really-high schtick. You have to be Paula Abdul to fall for that crap. Sorry Anwar but three strikes and you should be out.
And I don't know what happened to Scott but he was at his worst last night. He sounded terrible. I wouldn't be surprised to see him go.
That just leaves the devil's spawn. I've discovered that the recapper for Entertainment Weekly refers to him as Smeagol.
How fitting.
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