American Idol, Episode 30: "Top Four Perform"
So, when it comes to most things, I do not believe in conspiracy theories. I don't think the moon landing was faked. I don't believe that 9/11 was an inside job. I don't think the FBI perpetrated the Boston Marathon bombing. However, I do believe that the judges are following a script, given to them by Uncle Nigel, which tells them which two contestants he wants in the final two. It was pretty obvious, by the judges sometimes baffling, but always infuriating comments, that prophesied final two is Angie Miller and Amber Holcomb. Now, the judges are in on the plan, but it doesn't look like the contestants are, because Kree Harrison and Candice Glover worked hard to flip the script. So, let's see how the ladies focused on the two themes for this week.
The first theme was contestant's choice and Amber Holcomb decided to sing Celine Dion's "The Power of Love." This is an odd choice for Amber. It made me wonder, not for the first time, what songs are on the approved songs list. The beginning of the performance was flawless. Amber, standing at the top of a lighted staircase, singing a capella. It was gorgeous. Once the band kicked in though, we had some problems. Amber started to lose her way towards the middle of the song. It sort of petered out at the end. It just kind of fizzled. The judges, for some reason, were really excited about it. I'm not sure why. This is the first time I thought something was a little fishy.
I knew something was up when Candice Glover came on stage to sing one of her favorite songs, Drake's "Find Your Love." I loved her rendition. It sounded very current. It was an adventurous song choice that definitely worked. Candice sang the hell out of it. I knew something was up when the camera showed the judges. Nicki was sitting there with her lips pursed. None of the judges really looked like they were feeling it. Keith wasn't doing that awkward shoulders only, chair dance move he does. The judges then rambled off some non sensical things that Uncle Nigel probably slipped them before the show. Nicki just hated it, simply because it was Drake, her labelmate. She also called it old fashioned. Huh? Randy went on to say that every note doesn't need a run. That was especially puzzling since when Candice does add runs, the placement of said runs is meticulously chosen. I was gobsmacked.
Kree Harrison peformed a song, I'm not sure I've ever heard before, Susan Tedeschi's, "It Hurts So Bad." I will say that as far as stage presence goes, Kree has grown in leaps and bounds. I remember during Vegas when I had to close my eyes and just listen to her voice to enjoy her performances. Now, I love when Kree sings uptempo songs. I like the casual, natural interactions with the judges. Also, she never loses her amazing voice when she is singing a faster song, unlike Janelle. That bluesy tone is always there. It's great. The judges were lukewarm on Kree, too. Giving her random, you look good and that was fine comments. Hmm...
Angie Miller made her triumphant return to the piano for her 17th Jessie J cover. This time it was "Who You Are." I'm almost positive she sang this song at some point during her time on Idol. I could go through my past recaps, but, let's face it, I'm too lazy. You all know, that like the judges, I love Angie on the piano, even though I still think she is trying and failing to live up to that original song. She sounded great. It probably was the best first round performance, but the whole time, I couldn't help but wish that she had chosen a different song.
There was duet between Angie and Kree on Adele's "Rumor Has It." Then, the ladies tackled the nights second theme, one-hit wonders. I was pretty excited for this America chosen themes. I do love me some one-hit wonders. So color myself surprised when I was hit with song choices.
Amber Holcomb hit the stage singing "MacArthur Park." It was originally sung by Richard Harris, but was made famous by the Queen of Disco herself, the late, great, Donna Summer. Donna Summer is no one-hit wonder. This was not a good song for Amber. The song didn't really fit her voice very well. The whole thing was very shaky. I'm not sure if Amber was suffering from vocal strain, but just like on her first song, when Amber went into her lower register, you could barely understand her. The crowning glory of that performance was meant to be the last note, which veered wildly off pitch and ended the performance on an awfully sour note. Then, while pretending they were best friends, Nicki misidentified Amber as Angie. Sad trombone noise.
Candice returned with Samantha Sang's "Emotion." Again, a song most would credit to the Bee Gees or Destiny's Child. Smh. What more can you say about Candice? That performance was flawless. No matter what sort of narrative the judges are trying to pawn off on America. I think they know better. The less said of Nicki hi jacking Candice's critique so she could attempt to dress down Jimmy for criticizing Ameber the better.
Kree Harrison was next with Procul Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale." This is one of my all time fave songs. I have listened to Annie Lennox's version, probably a thousand times. This was the best performance of the night. Kree caressed each note and it was so powerful. Amazing. I watched it three times and I was enraptured each time. I completely zoned out what the judges were saying because I didn't want them to ruin it.
Angie closed the show with Julie London's "Cry Me a River." Yeesh. Talk about old fashioned. This was a really weak closing number. It was definitely not #POW. It was #whyisntthisoveryet? Angie looked very uncomfortable and disconnected from the whole song. It was definitely far weaker than her first performance.
So, what did you guys think? Any disagreements? Let me know in the comments.
I knew something was up when Candice Glover came on stage to sing one of her favorite songs, Drake's "Find Your Love." I loved her rendition. It sounded very current. It was an adventurous song choice that definitely worked. Candice sang the hell out of it. I knew something was up when the camera showed the judges. Nicki was sitting there with her lips pursed. None of the judges really looked like they were feeling it. Keith wasn't doing that awkward shoulders only, chair dance move he does. The judges then rambled off some non sensical things that Uncle Nigel probably slipped them before the show. Nicki just hated it, simply because it was Drake, her labelmate. She also called it old fashioned. Huh? Randy went on to say that every note doesn't need a run. That was especially puzzling since when Candice does add runs, the placement of said runs is meticulously chosen. I was gobsmacked.
Kree Harrison peformed a song, I'm not sure I've ever heard before, Susan Tedeschi's, "It Hurts So Bad." I will say that as far as stage presence goes, Kree has grown in leaps and bounds. I remember during Vegas when I had to close my eyes and just listen to her voice to enjoy her performances. Now, I love when Kree sings uptempo songs. I like the casual, natural interactions with the judges. Also, she never loses her amazing voice when she is singing a faster song, unlike Janelle. That bluesy tone is always there. It's great. The judges were lukewarm on Kree, too. Giving her random, you look good and that was fine comments. Hmm...
Angie Miller made her triumphant return to the piano for her 17th Jessie J cover. This time it was "Who You Are." I'm almost positive she sang this song at some point during her time on Idol. I could go through my past recaps, but, let's face it, I'm too lazy. You all know, that like the judges, I love Angie on the piano, even though I still think she is trying and failing to live up to that original song. She sounded great. It probably was the best first round performance, but the whole time, I couldn't help but wish that she had chosen a different song.
There was duet between Angie and Kree on Adele's "Rumor Has It." Then, the ladies tackled the nights second theme, one-hit wonders. I was pretty excited for this America chosen themes. I do love me some one-hit wonders. So color myself surprised when I was hit with song choices.
Amber Holcomb hit the stage singing "MacArthur Park." It was originally sung by Richard Harris, but was made famous by the Queen of Disco herself, the late, great, Donna Summer. Donna Summer is no one-hit wonder. This was not a good song for Amber. The song didn't really fit her voice very well. The whole thing was very shaky. I'm not sure if Amber was suffering from vocal strain, but just like on her first song, when Amber went into her lower register, you could barely understand her. The crowning glory of that performance was meant to be the last note, which veered wildly off pitch and ended the performance on an awfully sour note. Then, while pretending they were best friends, Nicki misidentified Amber as Angie. Sad trombone noise.
Candice returned with Samantha Sang's "Emotion." Again, a song most would credit to the Bee Gees or Destiny's Child. Smh. What more can you say about Candice? That performance was flawless. No matter what sort of narrative the judges are trying to pawn off on America. I think they know better. The less said of Nicki hi jacking Candice's critique so she could attempt to dress down Jimmy for criticizing Ameber the better.
Kree Harrison was next with Procul Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale." This is one of my all time fave songs. I have listened to Annie Lennox's version, probably a thousand times. This was the best performance of the night. Kree caressed each note and it was so powerful. Amazing. I watched it three times and I was enraptured each time. I completely zoned out what the judges were saying because I didn't want them to ruin it.
Angie closed the show with Julie London's "Cry Me a River." Yeesh. Talk about old fashioned. This was a really weak closing number. It was definitely not #POW. It was #whyisntthisoveryet? Angie looked very uncomfortable and disconnected from the whole song. It was definitely far weaker than her first performance.
So, what did you guys think? Any disagreements? Let me know in the comments.
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