Surprise! The boys sang on Tuesday night this week.  It didn’t matter much to them.   Everyone remembered their words and they seemed well-rehearsed. 

The reason for the shake-up is Crystal Bowersox’s hospitalization.  Numerous reports suggest that she is diabetic, but there has been no official reason given for her trip to the hospital.  Doctors orders were for her not to sing last night.  Did you vote last night? The girls names were still on the recordings (with Crystal Bowersox being in the #1 slot).

The boys, overall were good…but it is time for a few to go.   Again…the good and not-so-good:

The Good 

Michael Lynche courtesy American Idol.com

Michael Lynche.  Easily, Big Mike was one of the highlights of the night.  His performance of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s World” was flawless.  In some ways, I enjoyed it more than the original.  I find James Brown distracting as a performer…but that’s just me.  Mike showed his steady control of his range and his vocals were spot on.  This was the perfrect song choice for Mike, and  he just looked a lot more comfortable on stage.  He will be around for another week.  

 Lee Dewyze.  Could Lee be this year’s Kris Allen where Lee comes out of  obscurity to win it all?  His voice is rich, steady and smooth, and he gave us an excellent rendition of “Lips of Angels”.  Lee is showing that he has star quality.  He will be around next week.

Alex Lambert.  The poor kid.  His stage fright is still getting in the way of him knocking it out of the park.  With that said, he has a quality about him which could carry him deep into the top 10.   Last week was pretty disasterous for Alex, but this week was just the opposite for him.  His performance of John Legend’s “Everybody Knows” was very good.  I love his voice.  I’d like to see a bit more range, however.  If he threw in a high note in the right places, he could be stellar.  Simon was right, he needs that “killer instinct”.  He should be back next week.

Casey James.  Casey followed up his Bryan Adams stunner with a mild-bummer, but I think he still falls in the “good” category.   Casey sang Gavin McGraw’s “I Don’t Want To Be” with his electric guitar.  We learned that Casey can play the guitar like a rock star.  I’m not sure if his voice can support that song, however.  Bryan Adams-like songs are perfect for Casey.  This song was a bit too big for him; although it was technically fine.  I still see a lot of star power in Casey and he should be back next week. 

Andrew Garcia Courtesty AmericanIdol.com

Andrew Garcia.  It’s a good thing Andrew busted out that Paula Abdul “Straight Up” break down during Hollywood week.  If he didn’t, America would not know the artist that is Andrew Garcia.  The past two weeks on Idol for Andrew were not great.  I hope Andrew comes back next week with something more current.  Last night, he sang James Morrison’s “You Give Me Something”.   It was definitely more upbeat than last week, but it’s an old song.  While the performance was technically flawless, it was a little dull.   He needs to blow us away again like he did in Hollywood Week.  He should be back next week. 

Aaron Kelly.  I hesitated to put Aaron in “The Good” category.  He sang “My Girl”.  That’s a big song for someone who doesn’t really have a big voice.  Every season there is one or two contestants who are ‘pushed along’ by the judges.  Unfortunately, I think this youngster is being pushed.  Aaron looks like a fish out of water right now.  He’s only 16…I keep telling myself that.  His voice could not carry “My Girl” at all, but there were moments where he was about to shine.   I think he will be back next week. 

The Not-So-Goods

Jermaine Sellers.  The usual suspects are down here.  He will go home this week.  Mark my words.  He’s had two very disappointing weeks.    He sang “What’s Going On”.  I didn’t recognize it.  It was another butcher-job courtesy of Jermaine Sellers.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  He can sing and sing very well.  He is just trying to do waaaaay too much.  If he by some divine intervention returns next week, he needs to just sing a song.  Don’t put any twists on it.  Just sing a song.   He will go home.

Tim Urban.   He somehow survived last week.   He sang “Get Higher”.  This I will give him:  he was a million times better than last week, but he can’t sing all that well.   He looked like he was having a blast up on the stage with his guitar, but it still wasn’t up to par.  I don’t like the tone in his voice, and his overall stage presence is lacking.  He will go home.

John Park courtesy of American Idol.com

John Park.  zzzzzz.  I think I fell asleep while he was singing.  Did he even sing? I forget.  He should go home this week.

Toddrick Hall.  I still find it a little odd that this guy would sing a Tina Turner song.  First of all, stay away from Tina Turner…she’s one of those “untouchable” performers like Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, etc.  I found Toddrick’s performance a little dull at first, but he picked it up.  He, again, tried to do too much with his range.  It was also a little karaoke.  Simon said that “this is not working out”.    I have to agree.  There is the chance he could go home this week.