American Idol: Top 6 Perform

Tonight’s theme for Round One is Songs from Queen. This could be either really, really good, or really, really scary. The Top 6 get to sit with original Queen members Roger Taylor and Brian May. Cool!

I have to ask it. WHAT was J-Lo wearing? Hammer pants? OK, I digress. The Top 6 came out and performed a smash-up Queen medley, with the aforementioned original band members. Based on this, the solos should be interesting. I just wish Colton Dixon had still been around this week.

Jessica Sanchez led off with Bohemian Rhapsody. Strong start, not so much in the up-tempo part. It could be her vibrato, or it could be that she just can’t handle rock songs.

Steven said that Freddie Mercury would have been proud, though rock is not her forte. J-Lo thought she sounded beautiful, but thought there would be more of a hair-tossing rock performance. Randy loved it. He thought she used great restraint with not doing any runs, but suggested she channel Tina Turner for performance tips.

Skylar Laine chose The Show Must Go On. She showed her range and did an awesome job of connecting with the song. She is such a talent!

Steven thought it was over the top, and complimented her beautiful voice and pitch, her energy and her passion. J-Lo got goosies on that one, and said she had articulated every part of the song. Randy thought it was incredible, dude. He called it one of her best performances to date, and said it was effortless. “Ryan, this girl right here’s got to have it. She wants the finish line, and I love it!”

Joshua Ledet sang A Crazy Little Thing Called Love. No, no, no, no, no! It was really bad. Screechy, shouty, and the tempo seemed off.

The judges gave him a standing ovation. What in tarnation did they hear? Steven thought he has a classic style that sounds like nobody else. J-Lo thought it was an inspired vocal, and a great performance. Randy thought the vocals, performance, character and charisma were unbelievable. I’m in disbelief here.

Elise Testone shook her tambourine to I Want It All. The rocker songs suit her, and she gave a solid performance, but her attitude is still unsettling. ‘Nuff said.

Steven thought she’d found her stride with the right song. J-Lo thought she was in her element, natural and sexy. Randy thought it was unbelievable, and that that style of song is just right for her. He thought it was brilliant, and one of her best performances to date. Really, judges. Stop trying to make us like her.

Phillip Phillips sang Fat Bottomed Girls. Yes! I was initially worried about him doing Queen, but this was the perfect Queen song for him.

Steven loves to watch him sing, and said he has a character that no one else has. He approved of the song choice. J-Lo said he gives us different flavors every week, and that there was no hint of Dave Matthews Band in that performance. Randy liked it, but didn’t love it. He thought it was good.

Hollie Cavanagh sang Save Me. Was that a plea to the voters? She is so stiff and wooden. Technically good, but no feeling.

Steven loved the way she sang a Queen song. J-Lo felt her get emotional in the middle, and asked Hollie if she was right. Of course, then she added that that’s where the song went off a little. Once again, she says Hollie is overthinking and needs to enjoy it more. Randy thought it was good, but that the melody was so simple, that she could have taken more chances.

Ryan asked J-Lo who won Round 1: Skylar. He asked Randy who needs to step up: Hollie. He asked Steven if he was worried about the theme: Yes, but they did it well.

Round Two:  Songs of their personal choice. Oh, boy. This will be interesting.

Jessica Sanchez sang Dance With My Father by Luther Vandross. Her dad will be deployed soon. Ballads are her element, but what about Jimmy Iovine’s advice that she sing age-appropriate songs?

Steven said her voice was different from anyone else.  J-Lo thought that was the best she’s ever heard that song sang [sic], with tenderness and feeling. Randy is amazed at the level of talent this year, and thought she was truly amazing, but now she has to have the feeling in there.

Skylar Laine chose Jason Aldean’s Tattos On This Town. She was completely in her element.

Steven missed the flair, but thinks she can do no wrong. He suggested she find songs that take her voice to “that place.” J-Lo remarked that she is so comfortable up there, and that it was another wow. Randy liked her big note at the end, and said she was ginormous fun, fearless, effortless and that it was another great performance.

Joshua Ledet sang India.Arie’s I Am Ready For Love. Finally! A believable performance! He was controlled and not at all screechy.

Another standing ovation from the judges. Steven hopes that the label finds a lot of good songs for him. J-Lo thought he was transcendent, and that he snaps everyone right into reality. Randy thought it was another crazy good, unbelievable performance.

Elise Testone took on Jimi Hendrix’s Bold As Love. I confess, I had to Google to see what song she had chosen. I really had hoped she’s rock out. Meh.

Steven told her that she has to do songs that people know (She interjected that she thought everyone would know that one. Yeah, right). He said you can’t pick the cherries with your back to the tree. J-Lo thought she’d slayed it, and said her interpretation is better every time. Randy thought it wasn’t the right song for this point in the competition. He didn’t love it, and said she was boxing with the song, and should have sung it more simply.

Phillip Phillips did Dave Matthews Band’s The Stone. I didn’t know this one either, but I love him nonetheless. He’s just so cool and good as a performer.

Steven thought it was entertaining and off the wall. He loves that Phillip takes chances, and that he’d found his niche. J-Lo thought it was a pretty song, but too obscure and artsy for this point in the competition. Randy thought he’d showed his true colors once again, and was a true artist.He said Phillip Phillips will always be Phillip Phillips. (And that’s why I love him so).

Hollie Cavanagh pulled out all the stops with Miley Cyrus’ The Climb, her audition song. Pretty girl, nice voice, boooorrrrriiinnnngggggg.

The judges gave her a standing ovation. I rewound to see if I’d missed something. Nope. Steven thought it was beautiful. J-Lo thought she’d stepped it up. Randy said that’s the Hollie Cavanagh they love, and that it was the perfect song for her. Yeah, perfect swan song, perhaps.

Ryan reminds us that we have to vote to keep our favorites in. He asked Randy and J-Lo who they were worried about. Neither know or would say, though J-Lo admitted that everyone had one good performance out of the two. He asked Steven who most impressed him: Skylar.

Bottom 3? Hard to say. Bottom 2: Elise and Hollie. Going home? Hollie. Though I’d be happy to see Elise go.

We’ll find out tomorrow night, when Another One Bites the Dust.