Top 10 Perform!

Ramiele - Big song. She does okay by it, but it's maybe a bit bigger than her tonight. Oh, she's somewhat sick. Randy calls her on it. Paula is understanding. Simon is actually encouraging, and argues with Randy.

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My favorite song through most of the competition is the one by Yael Naim in the MAC notebook advertisement:

"I'm a new soul; I came to this strange world hopin' I could learn a bit 'bout how to give and take.
I'm a young soul in this very strange world hopin' I could learn a bit 'bout what is true and fake."

Gotta love it. La la la la, la la la la la la, la la la la la la la la la la la la la.

Especially good for those prone to forgetting lyrics... ; )

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Jason - I love this song, 'How Fragile We Are'. He does okay by it - good but not great - a bit too tentative. Randy agrees. Paula is supportive. Simon is much less forgiving than he was with Ramiele.

Syesha - I don't know this song, but she seems to be on top of it with some powerful vocals. She seems to be building from last week's success. Randy calls it her best ever. Paula agrees it flipped her into dark horse contender. Simon notes she was pushing her limits to her detriment at times.

Chikezie - Picks a ballad despite judges' past feedback. Another enjoyable performance, but no showstopper. Randy calls it "old school". Paula liked it. Simon calls it cheesy (Cheesy Chikezie?) and unoriginal, lacking his unique personality.

Brooke - A by ear piano player, like me - yeah! She sings Phil Collins' 'I'll Be Watchin' You' - a normally powerful song made unique via piano solo - ambitious. A false start is handled well. She does well by it, making it her own. Randy and Simon didn't like when the band kicked in, spoiling the piano solo and making it more traditional than unique.

Michael - 'We Are The Champions' - Ambitious take on a huge song, but he owns it very nicely. Randy and Paula call it his best to date. Even Simon acknowledges seeing star potential in him for the first time.

Carly - 'Turn Around' - Another huge song. She's true to the original, but can't top it, realistically. She tries to do so on the last note, but it just looks desperate, and is pitchy, to boot. Randy agrees. Paula is supportive. It didn't quite work for Simon, either.

David A. - An unfamiliar song to me, but he is certainly competent and infectious, and the end is very good. The judges note the odd song choice, but Randy and Paula give it props. Simon didn't like it at all, calling it a "theme park" performance. I don't think he'll lose any fans over it, but, for me, it was only at the top of the middle performances tonight.

Kristy - Another odd song, patriotic this time. She's competent with one tiny pitch problem and one timing fault, but overall, well done. Randy and Paula agree, noting the pitch. Simon thought it was an excellent song choice.

David C. - 'Billie Jean' - He throws an amazing, unique twist on it and OWNs this song. Randy loved it. Paula can't sit from a standing ovation. Simon praises the excellent results of a huge risk.


Tops and Props: David C., Michael, Syesha. Add in David A, and everybody else did about the same.

Bottoms: Everybody else.

Leaving: I have't a clue. As for past trends, Kristy redeemed herself, so that may leave Chikezie.