American Idol, Episode 8: The Boys in Hollywood Pt. 2
So, the first part of the boys in Hollywood was pretty underwhelming. None of the guys really rose to the occasion and the awful, awkward group performances was where the focus was. Day two was a nice change of pace. Some of the boys really redeemed themselves, while others crashed and burned. All the while, Nicki Minaj was there to keep them in check, with some much needed doses of reality.
For the second part of Hollywood week, each contestant chose a song from a list. They will also be performing with the Idol band. They can also play an instrument if they choose. At the end of the round, half of the remaining 43 contestants will be sent home.
The first contestant of the day is Paul Jolley. Jolley is a visible mess. He's a wreck. He heads out onstage and kind of melts down. He pulls it together to deliver a spot on, big voiced rendition of Carrie Underwood's "Blown Away." Nicki was spot on, when she told Paul that whatever is going on, he just needs to let it go and perform. It is professionalism.
Lazaro "the Stutterer" Arbos was next. He sang a competent rendition of "Edge of Glory." It was just OK for me and I'm pretty sure that if he didn't have a story, then he'd be gone already.
Curtis Finch, Jr. was next. He sang "Jar of Hearts" and as per usual, it was amazing, but it's hard for me to forget his all around douchebaggery during group round. Subjectively, it was pretty stellar and Curtis probably is the strongest male voice in the competition.
Lazaro, Curtis, and Jolley all make it through to the next round.
Devin Velez is up next and he is not nervous. He sang a run heavy rendition of "What a Wonderful World." Too many runs. Seriously, every single word was like five hundred syllables. It was too much. He has a good voice, he doesn't need all that mess.
Gurpreet Singh Sarin aka The Turbanator did a decent "Georgia On My Mind." Cortez Shaw continued his redemption tour after butchering "I Will Always Love You" and getting a dressing down by Nicki.
Matheus "I'm Short" Fernandes was up next and he continued his "Feel bad for me because I'm short" schtick. He sang a terrible version of "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson. It was such an odd song choice and the sleepy, slow arrangement was no good. I cringed when he dropped down to his knees. The whole thing was so freaking manic. It was just terrible. Nicki read Matheus, finally, for continuing to rely on his shortness. Good for her. That stuff needs to be addressed. She's right. Let that go, and be great.
Devin, Gurpreet, Adam, and Cortez all sailed through. Matheus was sent back to Munchkin Land.
Nicholas Mathis was next. He sang "Locked Out of Heaven." He was under the pitch and behind the beat the whole time. You could tell that he knew it and was trying to make up for it, but he just couldn't get back on track. You could tell that the judges were rooting for him, but in the end it wasn't meant to be for Big Nick.
Then, there was Pappa Peachez. I loved the look on Nicki's face when she heard the opening strains of Lady GaGa's "You & I." She was over it. It seems that Nicki is no longer a big fan of PP. Finally.
Jimmy Smith really surprised me. I really enjoyed his take on "Landslide." He has a really beautiful tone and I could see him going pretty far in the competition.
Big Nick and Pappa Peachez, unsurprisingly, were sent away. PP back to the swamps of Louisiana, where he can sing his own, melody free ditties, and Big Nick back to the nearest all you can eat buffet.
Nick Boddington played the piano on his stellar rendition of Grace Potter & the Nocturnals "Stars." I was a big fan of Nick's when he was on Idol last year and I was bummed when he got cut during Vegas week last week. I was happy to see him doing so well, because he deserves it.
Socially awkward Charlie Askew was up next. He is quirky and I was a big fan of his audition, but his performance of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know." I think it was the wrong song for his voice. Not everyone can sing that song. It's not good when your intro is better than the actual song.
Charlie and Nick both made it through along with JDA and Matheney.
Burnell Taylor sang "Jar of Harts". So Did Marvin Claderon. It apparently was a popular song. It must be a lucky song, because they both made it through.
Micah Johnson, the guy with the speech impediment, performed next. He sang "I Told You So" by Randy Travis. I liked it. I thought it sounded just as good as some of the people they had already put through. Apparently the judges didn't agree, because they SENT. HIM. HOME! Are you kidding me? You are keeping the stutterer around but not this guy. Seriously. Pretty ridonk. I was also pretty angry that Gabe Brown, from Iowa, and Nate Tao, with the deaf parents, got the boot. Super frustrating.
At the end of the ep, the judges bring the remaining boys onstage. The Dawg lets them know that it's not over yet. Next week, 8 of the final 20 guys will be sent packing.
So what did you guys think? Do you agree that the boys finally brought it? Are you excited for the girls next week? Let me know in the comments.
No comments:
Post a Comment