I find myself without a catchy title for the American Idol boys’ performances this week. I think it is because I find myself getting disillusioned again. I know that American Idol appeals to all people, both young and old, but I really hate when the people in that latter category try to impose their ideas of what is entertaining on the younger generation. I felt that is what happened with Clay Aiken and I feel it happening again with Chicken Little, I mean Kevin Covias.
This kid really should have been eliminated already. Instead, Sway Penala and David Radford were kicked off on last Thursday. Don’t get me wrong, I think both Sway (even though I really liked him) and David would have been eliminated eventually. Therefore, I am not too upset by all of Kevin’s senior citizen fans flooding the phone lines for him last week. However, this week is a totally different story. It is really unfair for people to continue taking pity on this kid by voting for him and thereby robbing another more talented contestant of a chance of a lifetime.
Now on to the show. Gedeon McKinney was first up on Wednesday, but before he sang he informed the audience, via videotape, that we would be surprised to know that when he is not singing he is painting.
Gedeon chose the song “When A Man Loves A Woman” as song by Percy Sledge. I enjoyed listening to Gedeon because I though he sounded amazing. But I actually think he has too much showmanship. He enunciates way too hard and tends to be overly dramatic. What’s more, his facial expressions sometimes come across as a little disconcerting.
Judge Randy Jackson said that Gedeon’s performance was alright, even though it started off a little shaky. Randy also called Gedeon an old soul. Paula said Gedeon was unique and had true showmanship. Simon called Gedeon quite odd. Then Simon said that Gedeon’s performance was good, but a bit cabaret and over the top. Simon added that he did like Gedeon and that he had grown on him.
Chris Daughtry drew the deuce spot on Wednesday. His tidbit of information was that he used to have hair that he styled constantly a la Ryan Seacrest. Chris was nice enough to let us see some pre-bald photos of himself., I would have to say, just like him, I prefer the clean look on Chris.
Chris picked a mellower tune this week. A song called “Broken” by the group Seether. I read the lyrics of the song and it is a beautiful song, but I don’t thing it was a good song for Chris. I prefer to hear Chris rocking it out. He should have picked a more challenging song.
Randy reassured Chris that he was a fan and then he told Chris that he was ready. Randy followed up with the comment that Chris had picked another good song and gave another good performance. Paula simply told Chris that he was an amazing artist and that he will sell out stadiums.
Simon said he was not impressed with Chris’ performance. Simon thought the song was a bit indulgent and boring. He then warned Chris about being insular.
Kevin Covias took to the stage after Chris. Kevin informed us that in addition to being a gansta he is also big Kanye West fan and often enjoys rapping to his music. Yeah, whatever.
Kevin chose one of my least favorite songs in the world, “Vincent (Starry Starry Night)”. I hated this song when Clay Aiken performed and I hated it even more when Kevin attempted it. It was awful. I felt more like I was watching a skit on Saturday Night Live instead of the top-rated American Idol.
Randy remarked that the song was an interesting choice and confessed that he didn’t enjoy the song. Randy did like Kevin’s performance and told him that he could really sing.
Paula said she had nothing but love for Kevin. Then she said that as she looks around she sees that everyone has a smile on their face (could it be that they are trying to stifle the emanating laughter that is rising in their throats). She went on to give Kev kudus and told him that she adored him.
As always it is left up to Simon to infuse some reality into the judging. He said that people enjoy watching Kevin in the same way they enjoy watching puppies play. He said that Kevin will probably get the Granny vote, but that the performance was very juvenile. When Simon was reminded that Kevin is only 16, Simon said that the performance was more like an eleven year old.
Bucky Covington was up next. Bucky said people would be surprised to know that he has an identical twin. Uh, didn’t he tell us that last week?
After Bucky had his senior moment, he decided to go country. He sang “Wave On Wave” by Pat Green. I must say I was disappointed. I thought country would really be Bucky’s thing, but this song just didn’t do it for me.
Randy on the other hand that it was a great song for Bucky. Although he did admit, that it was probably not the greatest song to show off of Bucky’s vocal talents.
Paula said she loved Bucky because he was not pretentious. She added that she liked raw untapped talent like him.
When it comes to Bucky, at least Simon is consistent, This week he said you’ll hear a performance like Bucky’s in a million times in a week at bars. Simon felt like the performance was not an exceptional one. He said it was adequate and just OK, but that he did not think that OK was good enough.
Fellow Texan Will Makar was fifth in line. His well know fact was that he has started learning Japanese. To prove it, he shouted out to his 11 year-old Japanese, female fans, in their native tongue Let’s just hope those Japanese girls were listening and will be able to call in and vote, because I don’t even think the state of Texas is going to be big enough to carry my boy Will this week.
Will chose the James Taylor’s song “How Sweet It Is (To be Loved By You)”. I’m sorry, but the notes were just not falling in the right places for my man and the judges (well at least the sober ones) noticed.
Randy shouted out to his dawg first of all, but then he had to let Will know that it was just not good for him. Randy said Will’s performance was just karaoke and way below average.
Paula, who obviously was not sipping on water or coca-cola, told Will she was a fan and that she thought he did a great job.
Obviously flabbergasted by Paula’s comments, Simon told Paula that she must have been starved for entertainment as a child. Simon then said that Will’s performance was completely and utterly average. That there was nothing great or good about it and that at least he got the middle-aged vote (referring to Paula).
Taylor Hicks was next up. Of course, before wowing us with his vocal stylings he had to totally creep us out by donning a giant bunny suit and telling us about how he use to work as the Easter Bunny in shopping malls prior to become our loveable gray-haired American Idol contestant.
Taylor sang Michael McDonald’s “Taking It To the Street”, a song that was perfect for his voice. But let me tell you when Taylor started dancing, it looked like he was have a conniption fit. It was so bad that he had me wishing I was a blind black man from Georgia.
Randy loved it. He said Taylor picked a great song and did a great job singing it. Paula jokingly promised to incorporate Taylor’s moves into her next choreography job. She then complimented Taylor on stepping it up. She also said that his performance blew her away and that it had her on her feet the entire time.
I think Simon was also wishing he could be blind as he told Taylor that he could single handily kill the music video industry. Then he said that the performance was definitely one for radio. Simon concluded by saying he loved the song, it’s about having fun, and that Taylor’s performance was the best so far.
Elliot Yamin followed Taylor and he informed us that he has 90% hearing loss in one ear. After he revealed his little know fact, Elliot sang Bryan Adam’s “Heaven”
I love this song and I normally love to hear Elliot sing, but I did not love this song on Elliot. He should really stick to the soulful songs.
Randy said that he always looks forward to hearing Elliot sing. Randy then told Elliot he would make a record with him right now. Elliot said let’s do it.
Paula said that he was absolutely phenomenal and amazing. Then she went all sappy on us, by saying that hearing the blueprint of Elliot’s life and what he had to overcome makes it an even richer story. Then Paula said she was beside herself and nearly knocked her drink over.
Simon thought the song was a copout. Simon said it was the first time he felt a disconnect between Elliot and the song. Simon also said that Elliot appeared uncomfortable. Like me, Simon feels like Elliot has a more soulful voice and thus he wasn’t crazy about his song choice.
Last, but certainly not least, was Ace Young. Before Ace graced the stage, he confessed that he had a lot of odd jobs to make ends meet when he first moved to Hollywood. He worked as a handyman and learned how to do all sorts of things. Hey, he can trade spaces with me anytime.
Ace chose Michael Jackson’s “Butterfly”. I was not overly impressed with his vocals. At least not until he started hitting the high notes or falsettos as the musicians call them. But let’s face it you simply can’t count this guy’s looks out. They do matter and they really help sell his songs.
Randy confessed that he was nervous when he heard that Ace was going to sing “Butterfly”, because it is a risky song. But then Randy said he remember that Ace has a great falsetto and that he pulled it off. In conclusion, Randy dubbed the performance hot.
This is how I know Paula was sipping something stronger than coke or water. She had the nerve to tell Ace that she thought his performance was better than the original artist. Stop lying to that boy. He ain’t that cute girl.
Simon couldn’t even look at Ace, after Paula made those ridiculous remarks. Randy even had to redirect Simon’s attention to the contestant, because Simon was just staring at Randy in disbelief. When he got his wits back, Simon told Ace that he made the song work. However, there were parts of the vocal that were not great.
My predictions for who will be voted off the testosterone American Idol island this week are Will Makar and I would love to say Kevin Covias, but he has the granny vote, and unfortunately Gedeon McKinney.
