First things first...the new set...as Suzanne Sugarbaker would say on Designing Women..."Oh, big woo!" It's not that much different than the old set and is pretty damn gaudy. The hype was overdone.
And now, the top 12...
Syesha Mercado
"Got To Get You Into My Life"
From the opening horns it was very obvious she did the Earth, Wind, and Fire version of this song, not the Beatles'. Her jazzy, R&B-fused take on the song was above average. Nice, but definitely not a home run.
Chikeze
"She's A Woman"
I'm not familiar with this song and I liked his arrangement up until things went the hard rock route. Those first Color Purple-esque twangy chords were brilliant. The rest of it was rather loud and messy. Hated it.
SoySauce Moombasa
"In My Life"
"The meaning of this song is, like, you know..." Ugh! Flighty little bitch! She dedicated this song to her fellow "Idol" friends who have been eliminated. After this really weak performance, she might just be joining them.
Jason Castro
"If I Fell"
A rather predictable performance. Not bad, but nothing too memorable.
Carly Smithson
"Come Together"
It was Heart meets Lennon/McCartney...and it worked pretty well. Once again a nicely done, professional performance from Carly.
David Cook
"Eleanor Rigby"
I know what he was trying to do here...putting his own grunge twist on the song. Unlike last week's brilliant take on "Hello," this week he fell flat on his face. This was a big ol' mess!
Brooke White
"Let It Be"
She needs to work on her piano-playing/singing-to-the-audience coordination, she seemed to have trouble multi-tasking. HOWEVER... very nice vocal, brilliant job.
David Hernandez
"I Saw Her Standing There"
Poor David looked like he was ready to shit his pants up there. That bigger auditorium must have had him a bit scared. It wasn't his best performance, and my fear is that that may be just enough to eliminate him. The whole gay-stripper thing will keep his vote suppressed I think.
Amanda Overmyer
"You Can't Do That"
I like that she took one of the lesser known Lennon/McCartney songs and belted it out like a Tina Turner classic. Extremely well done!
Michael Johns
"Across the Universe"
LOVED his take on this superb track. Much improved over the last two weeks.
Kristy Lee Cook
"Eight Days A Week"
Three words: What! The! Fuck! Beatles gone country-hick!!? Are you freekin' kidding me!?!?! Horrid!! Blasphemous!! Forget the vote...send this chick home TONIGHT!
David Archuletta
"We Can Work It Out"
Ohhh...damn...he got nervous and forgot the lyrics. Not professional, David! A rather frazzled week for him; he better pick it up next week and get back on track.
Best of the week: Carly and Brooke.
Who should go home: By any measure, without a doubt, Kristy Lee.
