“(I Haven’t Been Able to Get No) Satisfaction” from most of the current crop of American Idol finalists over the past three weeks. And though I’m not sure tonight’s telecast turned that trend on its head, at least the bulk of the dozen performances didn’t use the pages of the Rolling Stones songbook to line the spattered birdcage that season 9 has been. [WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD, west-coast Idoloonies!]
What we saw happening tonight was a tightening of the pack, a heating up of the raging battle for fifth through tenth place, as singers from Casey James to Lacey Brown to Paige Miles to Lee Dewyze gave a’iight-to-decent performances. Meanwhile, way out in front, righteous rocker babe Crystal Bowersox and vocal MVP Siobhan Magnus lived up to the hype, giving the kind of memorable efforts that should be enough to stop disgruntled folks from deleting Idol from their DVR rosters for at least one more week. (Watch out, though, ladies…with a little improvement, Didi Benami might be nipping at your heels.)
Only two contestants really proved worthy of the Jasmine Murray Early Ouster Memorial Trophy: Featherweight Katie Stevens swung her Wiffleball bat with all her might, but ended up gasping on the ground after “Wild Horses.” And in what was essentially the equivalent of urinating on the graves of Alex Lambert, Lilly Scott, Katelyn Epperly, and even Todrick Hall’s Idol Summer Tour dreams, Tim Urban took misogynistic anthem “Under My Thumb” and tried to turn it into something that might snugly fit on the iCarly soundtrack. H to the O to the R to the R to the O to the R. Yes, it’s like that, only with a reggae beat.
Finally, STOP WITH THE SWAYBOTS ALREADY!
I’ve got some other strong opinions about how Rolling Stones night on Idol played out, but I’m gonna save most of ‘em for my full TV Watch recap, which will post early tomorrow morning on EW.com. While I get to work on that, why don’t you head to our message boards and share your own feelings about tonight’s performances. And don’t forget to do one or more of the following: press play below to view our latest episode of Idolatry (featuring Idol history major Kate Ward); sign up to follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak; and #SignMattGiraud. (Related: ‘American Idol’: Our Advice for the Top 12 Finalists)
Tonight’s Set List:
Michael Lynche: “Miss You”
Didi Benami: “Play With Fire”
Casey James: “It’s All Over Now”
Lacey Brown: “Ruby Tuesday”
Andrew Garcia: “Gimme Shelter”
Katie Stevens: “Wild Horses”
Tim Urban: “Under My Thumb”
Siobhan Magnus: “Paint It Black”
Lee Dewyze: “Beast of Burden”
Paige Miles: “Honky Tonk Women”
Aaron Kelly: “Angie”
Crystal Bowersox: “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
Image Credit: Michael Becker/Fox; Inset: John Spellman/Retna Ltd
Siobhan and Crystal brought it. But most of the night was full of mediocrity or just plain awfulness. This really is a terrible group overall, and I couldn’t help but think what Katelyn, Lilly, and Alex would have done with tonight’s theme.
Paige shocked me, she can actually sing and has a pretty big voice. Her song choice blew balls but if she stays she can learn to improve on that.
I want Siobhan to take this so bad! Girl is just all kinds of right.
Tim Urban needs to sit down and stay there, somewhere Jack Johnson is crying into his flip flops.
Paige has a great voice, but she needs serious vocal coaching and to get some classes to learn how to use what she has. She has potential, but I think she is too self-conscious and she is preoccupied by things outside her vocal performance.
I agree with you about paige!!!! she is much better then I thought!!!
While I agree that Paige is better than she has shown – she is far from as good as Simon thinks she is (the best girl’s voice in the competition). She sounded ok tonight but she has yet to pick a good song (for her to sing that is — the songs by themselves are good).
okay, what the fleep was Paige trying to do to the words of that song? Did she have some kind of issue singing “give me the honky tonk blues”? or did she just feel like changing the entire freaking song because she is a far superior songwriter than Jagger&Richards?
Any teens/tweens still voting out there somewhere, please fixate on Aaron – hair much better, voice way better than Tim. Please….best to focus on one than to risk losing both, right? right?? (Disclaimer: I’m not saying my vote would go to Aaron, just that I want Tim gone soooooo bad!)
If anyone lives in California: Vote for Siobhan Magnus and Katie Stevens. Come on, we still got till I think 12:00am to vote. Katie definetly deserves lots of votes, after what shes been going through. These judges completely messed with her brain. Katie did awesome tonight and the song was perfect for her!
)) She was mature tonight. The last past weeks, the judges were like trying to turn Katie into Hannah Montana. It really sucked how they were treating her, they were acting like they owned her. KATIE DID SUCH A BEAUTIFUL JOB TONIGHT, PLEASE DO A LOT OF VOTES FOR HER. SHE REALLY DESERVES THAT. I REALLY DONT WANT HER TO BE IN THE SEATS THAT HAVE THE LESS VOTES. PLEASE HELP!!! 
)) Go Katie, shes in my prayers!!!
Nobody’s writing about big Mike? He was the front runner just a week ago….my how things change.
Paige had the same vibe during the first week of the competition: she had picked an upbeat song and did a decent job – problem was she was the first to perform and was forgotten by the end (bow er sox bow er sox)
As far as her tinkering with the lyrics: me thinks that some of that had to do with (a) trying to make it from a woman’s point of view and (b) trying to keep things family-friendly… this is the Stones, you know
GAWD ELLEN IS HORRIBLY UNFUNNY!
GET RID OF HER ALREADY!
This is the best comment so far and I couldn’t agree with you more!!
Simon likes him some Brown Sugar.
Siobhan is really turning out to be the female Adam Lambert….
Did you not hear the screech at the end of her song? Adam never sounded like that. No comparison!
@Mia, do you mean that Siobhan’s “screech” is better than Adam’s or worse? I think she is far less polished than Adam and I don’t think Adam’s voice ever hit those rough spots that her’s did.
@Mia, Adam came into the show a lot more polished then Magnanimous, yeah, I’m going to copy right that. I want to see her develop in a way we didin’t get with Adam, every week was a concert. I have no issues watching her go through a bunch of great rehearsals before she kills it during the finals. Yeah, I’m calling it.
Her voice caught on her scream making it sound more like a screech. I LIKE her and at this point want to see her and Bowersox battle it out but she does NOT compare to Adam in the least.
Siobhan’s scream was more akin to Gokey’s “Scream On.” Adam put a note or 50 in there.
I’m with all of you, Adam is a gazillion times better and I never heard him scream or screech like that. I give Siobhan lot’s of points for uniqueness and I kind of like her for that, but she’s not the crazy talent that some people see in her – I think, she is overrated.
I don’t get the S love. Simon was ridiculous. S was NOT better than Crystal tonight. I find it annoying when they over-hype the glory notes, especially when the rest of the song may as well been a singing nose. She was nasally and really off in her lower register. I didn’t like that performance AT ALL.
Siobhan may be the Adam Lambert, or whatever, but Adam lambert LOST!!!!!
Siobhan has something similar to Adam Lambert, she is different in her appearance and attitude, but as far as vocals are concerned Adam is super gifted, Siobhan is overrated. She is unique but she isn’t exceptional, far from it.
Oh for the love of God stop comparing them!! I actually love them both!!!!!!! Adam and Siobhan!!!!!!! The BEST from Season 8 and 9!!!!
No.
Gokey sounded like he was getting attacked by an axe murderer.
Siobhan is 10000000% better than Adam. She rocked! And yes he did screech like that, but worse, every single night. What are you people smoking? Siobhan rocked!
Siobhan’s screech broke twice. Nothing like that ever happened with Adam Lambert. He has the most beautiful voice, and wonderful control.
Siobhan has a good voice but she lacks the experience and finesse Adam Lambert has.
I love Siobhan and find her quirkiness endearing. I loved her overall performance tonight, too. However, her scream was tonally just horrible – IMO it sounded like cats howling. She redeemed herself to me, though – but her ending with her falsetto that was so lovely that it gave me chills. I don’t think she needs to screech anymore – her singing is fantastic on its own.
Yes, Adam did sound like the male version of that screech (without the slight breaks) but I’m not complaining. I love me some screeching.
Her scream was supposed to be a scream not a sung note. It was at the emotional height of the song and it was a scream of agony. It was slightly unsettling because most of the singers up there wouldn’t dare miss a note for dramatic effect but I loved what it added to the song.
don’t think she is quite up to par with Adam. She is different so that is plus. Did not get as excited about this performance as others seem to have. Why is screaming a high note and holding it so impressive? didn’t like it when adam did it don’t like it with siobhan either.
As far as the screeching, you forget Adam Lambert’s atrocious ‘non country’ rendtion of ‘ring of fire’. This is where Simon said, “What the hell was that?’
In my honest opinion, I think Siobhan’s screech is not necessary for her. I don’t understand people’s love of it. I think it verges on becoming annoying. That’s just me.
Hopefully she won’t do that every single week….the public is not stupid and will get that she’s imitating Lambert.
I wish you Glamtards would STFU about Adam Lambert. Adam Lambert is nothing like Siobhan…SO STFU already with this constant comparison.
Ditto to STFU! I happen to love Adam, but Siobhan is her own person, with her own talent. Adam did not invent screaming or screeching (what a stupid discussion this is), so just because someone “screeches” (in your opinion – not mine) does not mean she is “imitating Lambert”. Anyone with any real appreciation for musical talent can tell she is not imitating anyone – she is the real deal. Or are there no more “real deals” since Adam either?? lol
Not as over the top as Adam is but she understands to mix it up. And takes good risks. Performance was better when I replayed it but her voice did crack a bit at the top of that last big note. needs to watch that might not have been heard live in the audience.. but clear on TV. Still my favorite
Please don’t compare Siobhan to Adam…I actually like her!
I think Josiah was referring to the fact that the “big note” was the go-to move by Adam (which wasn’t necessary – he was great without it) and now Siobhan seems to be doing the same thing (again, she doesn’t need to).
I didn’t like Adam (for the most part, I did buy one of his songs) and I don’t like Siobhan (can’t imagine buying anything she does) She is just nasally and awful!
I think you guys are comparing Siobhan automatically to Adam because (1) the start of her performance of ‘Paint it Black’ has all the drama of Adam Lambert’s performance, (2) that high note/screech/scream is signature of Adam from last season (though he did not patent it or has come to own that distinction). I like both Adam and Siobhan but the latter is more introverted and genuinely quirky and not trying to put on poses. The song arrangement, the attack for that guttural and feral scream at the end showed that she can inhabit the song no matter so deeply without over-analyzing whether people get it or not. For that I give her a lot respect and unfettered admiration.
Siobhan is not even close to Adam Lambert. My daughter and I looked at each other and laughed. That was not a note and if it was by some chance a note, it was not good. She is trying to hard to hit notes Adam can and did…. Yes, please do not compare her to Adam because she cannot live up to it……
siobhans note suited the song. it was supposed to be like that. and you can say all you want but there wasnt any other female contestant quite like her on the show. you can dislike her but you cant deny that she has one of (if not) the best ranges of the season. no one this year came close to hitting notes she did. whether shes gonna win is another matter.
and of course adam was better. he was polished
In her dreams. Her scream was more Gokey than Lambert.
She sounded like a screech owl. First thought I had when I heard her wailing was “Stop trying to be someone you are not.” She’s not good enough to pull that off. And speaking of pulling, someone yank that nose ring out of her face. Her immaturity shows in everything she does from her nose ring, to her Mary Poppins tattoo, to anything she says when she’s asked a 1/2 way intelligent question.
Siobahn looked like an extra from Alice in Wonderland–WHAT was with that getup? Plus, she wasn’t that great!! Ye gods, that screech at the end scared both of my cats under the couch!
YOU PEOPLE ARE RIDICULOUS AND SO IMMATURE!!!!!!!! STOP IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE SIOBHAN AND ADAM SO ALL OF YOU ABOVE ME JUST JUST STFU!!!!!!!!!!!! OKAY?? PEACE AND LOVE!!!!!!!!!!
Siobhan’s near last note was a REAL scream because it is her interpretation of that dark depressing song Paint It Black if you know the song’s meaning. Why do you think it was praised by the judges especially Kara who is into the deeper interpretation of the meaning of the song? Kara said it right. Siobhan’s is the BEST interpretation of that dark song. So did Simon and Randy.
I am an ADAM fanatic and I love Siobhan. The comparison does not diminish ADAM’s fabulousness but adds to his merits. Please stop bashing Siobhan or others. It’s not good at all for ADAM and for his fans. Be like ADAM. Love not hate.
@Judy – after YELLING at us to STFU you say PEACE AND LOVE!!!!!!!!!!
WHO is immature?
And BTW that note stunned me, and not in a good way. I said ‘she is gonna get bashed for that.’ Imagine my shock that they praised that caterwauling. I like emotion, that was not emotion, it was a mistake. She messed up.
Siobhan isnot good enough to have her name uttered in the same sentance w/ Adam’s.
Comparing her to Adam …. WTF?? Can you see her singing with Queen?… I don’t think so.
Siobhan didn’t sound like Adam or Gokey with the screech. It was, like, in between Adam and Gokey. Adam was much more polished, and Gokey, to quote Kristen Baldwin, sounded like he was getting his limbs ripped off by farm equipment. Stop comparing her to either, because I love all of them! Well, not Gokey, but I love Adam.
I can’t stand Siobhan and her screaming,she is really getting to be quite boring!
I loved the Stones’ song. Most of them I’ve heard in a rock beat, but by slowing it down, you actually hear the lyrics.
That “said”, for me it was Siobhan — but she can’t do her Adam Lambert scream every week or the audience will get tired.
Next was Paige & Crystal and Casey.
MiKe was good until he tried to move. He needs to stop rocking & rolling on the stage and just sing. Has a good falsetto though…
Lacey needs to go home, and take Tim with her.
But VFTW will keep them in the game.
I thought Michael sounded a little too upbeat singing “Miss You.” There is nothing happy about missing your woman (or in the case of ladies, your man.)
SIOBHAN: THE winner. She got the voice, the emotions and the wonder.
.
CRYSTAL: Did great as expected but the rocker starts to show some attitude! Did she borrow Jeremy Sellers’s? Do we have to vote for someone who doesn’t care if she loses?
DIDI/AARON: surprisingly good, the ones to watch.
PAIGE: Ain’t nothin like a sista with a powerful soul voice but who refuses to go soul!!! Guuurl, go for it! Btw, stop bashing her, Mr Slezak, Paige sings way better than Katelyn.
CASEY: The goofy smile HAS to go! Love him though.
LACEY: I’m the n°1 fan of her voice and looks but she gotta be absent-minded to sit down on the stairs while the song is reaching the good part.
MIKE: No wonder he’s the chosen one to kick the show. He’s nearly the only one with stage presence.
TIM: Look who is gaining some self-confidence, “tweens love me teehee!”. His rastafarian performance was , like Randy said, interesting.
LEE: great singer but no star power!!!
ANDREW: Poor guy is desperate. His story brought me to tears, but his performance didn’t.
KATIE: cute girl but Lily was robbed sorry
I didn’t see an attitude from Crystal, nor did I see any indication that she doesn’t want to win. I just saw her responding with honesty to Simon’s assertion that she thought she had the competition in the bag. (Which I thought was his way of easing up on the pimping to fend off any backlash.)
Amen! So boring it hurt! If I heard any of these voices on the radio I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart from anyone else… Terrible, I knew Alex and lily were assets to the show, just didn’t realize it was this much! The producers actually need to beg them to come back!… Though I doubt they would after tonight..
Surprisingly, Tim was the only one who didn’t bore me to tears…
Was disappointed Ryan didn’t give some sort of shout-out to Alex. I’m sure the show doesn’t want to seem bullied by its viewing and voting public, now would it?
really?? i mean really?? really??there must be something so wrong with your ears. Tim looks cute. but his singing sucks so baaaaaaaadddd!!!!
Lily would have rocked the joint for sure. To me, it was between her and Crystal. I agree…this group doesn’t have any originality.
Let go.
I LOVE SIOBHAN!!!!! SHE ROCKED IT!!!
what number was Tim? I’m gonna vote for him. America wants him, I’m gonna make sure they get him.
1-800-NOTWORTHYOURTIME
i tried for the first few minutes to vote for #7 but the lines were busy. I give the kid props for bringing a little reggae to the idol stage. should have picked a different song tho. maybe “waiting on a friend” would have worked.
I don’t think it was the reggae beat that didn’t work……it was that Tim had no reggae vocal, or reggae feel. His vocal and performance didn’t match the arrangement. Wow, what a surprise.
come on!!!!!!!!! i love AI even though i don’t even live in the States. Seriously!! I DO NOT want to see or hear TIM URBAN!!!!! he CAN’T sing!!!!!!
Siobhan is The Truth. She is Magnus the Magician, pulling new sonic rabbits out of her hat every week. Agreed that the last big note tonight was pushing it, but I’d rather see these guys push it to their limits (and occasionally beyond) than always play it safe. They are still suppose to be amateurs at this point, let’s give them all a little bit more time to ripen.
Love her, love her, love her…she brings a smile of anticipation to my face as soon as she walks on the stage.
She looks (and sounds) like an extra from Alice in Wonderland. Kara needs to stop with the Lambert comparisons already. She ain’t ever gonna compare with the Glambert…said it, so STFU already you Glambert haters–not listening and don’t care…
Siobhan reminds me of Ally Sheedy in the Breakfast Club after Molly Ringwald gave her a makeover.
Yup…exactly.
Ally was pretty silent in that film. Wish Siobhan was tonight…the screaming was horrendous.
Judges must have been drinking Kodak Theatre Kool-Aid.
What on Earth did Siobhan do to her hair? I like the perm, but she looked like she just got out of bed.
How true, Jenn! Love your comment!! LOL!
If anyone lives in California: Vote for Siobhan Magnus and Katie Stevens. Come on, we still got till I think 12:00am to vote. Katie definetly deserves lots of votes, after what shes been going through. These judges completely messed with her brain. Katie did awesome tonight and the song was perfect for her!:))) She was mature tonight. The last past weeks, the judges were like trying to turn Katie into Hannah Montana. It really sucked how they were treating her, they were acting like they owned her. KATIE DID SUCH A BEAUTIFUL JOB TONIGHT, PLEASE DO A LOT OF VOTES FOR HER. SHE REALLY DESERVES THAT. I REALLY DONT WANT HER TO BE IN THE SEATS THAT HAVE THE LESS VOTES. PLEASE HELP!!!
)) Go Katie, shes in my prayers!!!
I feel sorry for Katie, but she was my least favorite female – again. I did think her hair and outfit was better.
Katie is boring…just another tween singer we definitely don’t need and Siobahn is not all that…
nope not katie- shes is bland as hell
Crystal is getting boring, I’m afraid. She’s good at what she does, but it’s all starting to sound the same. Siobhan is amazing, but why does there seem to be something missing? I’m so over Idol! Didi Bonami is horrible.
Siobhan is missing a brain. Listen to the sound bites. She’s one fork short of a full drawer.
Well, reverse that, and you’ve got my view. Bowersox is improving each week, and I’d buy one of her recodes in a hot second. Siobhan is great, but just inexperienced. I’m still not sure what kind of album she’d produce if given free reign (though I’m sure it’d be good). And I don’t think Siobhan is missing a brain; she reminds me of the smartest woman I’ve ever met (an accomplished scientist) – they speak in a similar manner. Didi could cut a record right now and she’d be successful in that Ingrid Michaelson/Sarah Barilles/Regina Spektor genre.
This year, it’s Crystal & Siobhan…and beyond that, it just doesn’t matter. One is as good or bad as the next. If Lilly were still here, she’d in the running. It’s a shame she went out so early.
yes I agree there is quality missing this season Terrible selection!! except fpr crystal and other two girls the rest should never made it this far..just no class there!!
I wish to go back to season 7 when contestants marched in that stage like pros. This batch seems to afraid to take risk. There performance are so comfortable to look at. I remember David Cook, the way he sung as if he was forgetting that it was a competition. He used the stage as if he was a professional singer doing his concert act.
I wish to go back to season 7 when contestants marched in that stage like pros. This batch seems to afraid to take risk. Their performance are so comfortable to look at, as if they’re forgetting that they’re into a competition. I remember David Cook, the way he gave justice to every song he sung – full of life and energy to the best that he could. And so when he performed, he has connected to the audience watching him. He used the stage as if he was a professional singer doing his concert act.
Siobhan brought it once again, Bowersox “almost” brought it, still both are better then any of the rest. In NO way should she be compared to Gokey. Siobhan actually has skills, Gokey couldn’t riff his way out of a paper bag. Siobhans skills run deep. Even though she is a fruitcake.
I didn’t love Siobhan as much as the judges. I loved Crystal more than the judges. I liked Tim Urban more than I thought I would, and really am hoping that this week Lacey Brown goes home.
Same, I wasn’t a big fan of that screech… but I do love her. That performance was just okay.
Crystal > Siobhan tonight, but I guess it might be kind of good that the judges are backing off a bit on their serious pimpage of Crystal. Don’t want backlash!
Yeah, that screech at the end killed the whole performance for me…and I’m a fan! I also really like Didi though, and agree that with not too much work, she could be a legitimate contender.
Okay, yes, That Note was unnecessary in an already interesting interpretation. I think she just wanted to remind America that she can do it. Her voice is so much cleaner and more controlled when she doesn’t push, though.
You must not have been listening because she followed up the “screech” (as you put it), with a beautiful soft acapella finish.
I said this last week and people got all over me. I like Siobhan, she’s quirky and different. But, I think she is relying on those glory notes and they always don’t work. It will get old real fast. Comparing her to Adam was just to get people talking and voting. This season seems to be going nowhere fast and the judges see that.
Siobhan was weird, but in a good way, until the screech, which was the screechiest screech that ever screeched all rolled up in a ball and screeched at me. Too bad, ’cause I was kinda digging the performance until then. Lacey, on the other hand, just sucked. And Tim, well this is a textbook example of WTF?!?!?!
yup – to be honest it was closer to Gokey than Lambert.
Yes, way closer to Gokey. I don’t know what the judges were hearing tonight.
That screech sent both of my cats under the couch…
sums up my thoughts perfectly. and all mike lynch has going for himself is his stage presence.
Mike stage presence is mostly between tacky and awkward. He is a wedding or hotel singer at best.
I agree with you about Siobhan. Just cuz they liked her high note in the other song does not mean that she should gratuitously scream in every song. In “Think” the scream was perfect and fit in exactly right. Here she was just screaming cuz she can. Not the same thing.
Tim absolutely definitely gets the award for most improved.
Lacey is cute as hell and I’d definitely like to see her stay a while…
Your opinions re: Tim and Lacey pretty much negates the credibility of the first point entirely.
The audience will get of her Adam imitation…but she has a funky style and knows how to work the stage.
ditto. I feel the judges were trying to make most all of the contestants seems better than they were. How could they not know the general opinion of how bad this season is? But they seemed to attack the good guys, ie crystal and Lee.
I really genuinely liked Tim Urban tonight. Am I just hearing with my eyes or was that song choice right on the money?
I liked Tim’s reggae version too!
It’s really odd how fans are reacting on the forums. Right now it seems like people who really love Siobhan and who also think she will win it all tend to think Tim Urban is really horrid and tone deaf, yet if you loot at the comments from those who think Tim Urban will win, they tend to think that Siobhan is the worst say she has an Lambert-esque over dramatization. While Crystal and Lee are still people who will probably stay in the top spots, the main battle that seems to be dividing viewers is Team Siobhan vs Team Urban. Check out the public opinions for all your favorite contestants at http://www.baduku.com/americanidol9
I don’t know what happened to my ears… I actually liked the reggae version and I thought Siobhan sounded really forced! What happened? My tv must be very broken…. I worry Siobhan is going to choke soon though. Bowersox was awesome as usual, but yea… the Urban kid kind of surprised me.
the reggae version wasnt bad, it was that he sang it like one would a cole porter song… all smooth. just didnt match.
HIS VOICE WAS SO GREAT!
Exactly Judy. Slezak has a hard-on for hatin’ Tim. I understand cause I hate Tim too. But I actually have to give him props for at least mixin’ it up a little and not being boring. But the mix was definitely wrong.
ARE YOU GUYS ON CRACK? Tim DESTROYED one of the best Rolling Stones songs ever!!!!!!! That was the WORST performance of the night, bar none! (although Lacey is a close second)
Tim sounded terribly. Mind you, I think he’s very easy on the eyes, but oh vey, my poor ears. Never mind destroying a Stones’ song. The boy just cannot sing.
HEY! Tim Urban! Mick Jagger called and he wants his song back…right now…and don’t you ever touch another one.
Nope I thought he did a decent job. Not sure why the judges keep giving Lee so much credit for his subpar vocals when Tim didn’t fare any better/worse IMO.
Lee is regressing every week, but the judges want us to see him has improving every week. Who are they fooling ?
Yeah, Lee was terrible and Aaron actually surprised me; his take on Angie was way better than I would have thought. Siobhan = dog whistle screech…make it stop!
Sorry but Lee was great, I actually thought his performance had the most sex appeal of anybody tonight, and only 82% of that comment comes from the fact that I find him incredibly hot.
I disagree; Lee needs to find out how to get comfortable and own the big stage, but his vocals are great. He’s been a college bar singer for a while, and has two rather good albums floating around out there. Most of what you don’t like is (probably0 part of his vocal style – that growl/rasp he uses that’s quite a bit like the one Dave Matthews uses (but a touch more Celtic). It’s not out of tune, any more than when Sarah McLachlan uses it – you’re just not used to hearing it. DeWyse has been singing bluegrass and country influenced pop-rock and he writes his own songs, so also consider that.
@baj24 I agree. I don’t know that RS song but it sounded fine to me. I actually think that was Tim’s best performance so far. the past 3 have been very safe and boring.
I have to agree Sam. Maybe it’s because I don’t know the original song but I thought Tim did well! And Paige looked and sounded really good. Andrew Garcia on the other hand……I completely forgot about his performance until they showed the recaps. I think he might be a goner.
It’s definitely because you don’t know the original song.
If you listen to the lyrics, they don’t match what Tim did with the arrangement. That song is an angry, woman-hating song about a guy who’s put his girl “under his thumb”: “the way she does what she’s told, it’s down to me..” And yet, Tim sang it like a happy little resort song with, as someone said earlier, Cole Porter vocals. It ain’t a love song, and his arrangement was just completely dissonant with what the song was saying. It was weird, and kind of serial-killerish. It creeped me out. He’s actually got good vocal talent, but needs to stick with Michael Buble type of songs. He said he like Sinatra, grew up singing it–if he survives that long, he better hope for a Rat Pack week!
I know the original song, and I thought Andrew’s performance was absolutely horrendous. The worst of the night…followed closely by Lacey…
Oh it was Tim you were talking about, Yeah I know Under My Thumb and I didn’t mind his verson. It’s probably because that’s one of my least favorite Rolling Stones songs.
I liked it too! I so rarely disagree with Slezak, but at least he did something with the song. Lacey was just meh! Can anyone honestly say she sounded better than he did?
Tim Urban is the he in this comment…it looks confusing.
Lacey sounded really awful in some parts of that song. She was louder than usual, but I definately do not want to hear it again unless it’s her last song tomorrow night. Then I’ll be able to handle it ’cause I know I won’t have to hear any more of her!
Yes. She sounded much better than he did.
You know I take it back. Lacey did do something with Ruby Tuesday. She sang it stilli’mgonnamissyou, which took the whole impact of the line away, and really annoyed me.
I like Lacey, but I hated her version of the song.
I was surprise to like it too
I loved Tim Urban tonight!! I don’t care if the judges “didn’t get it”, I did!
Yeh, I kinda liked the reggae take–say what’s w/ Randy calling performances “dope.” WTF???
I think you’re hearing with your eyes. ‘Cause that song, done laid-back reggae style? All kinds of f-ed up.
I really hated it. The laid-back reggae sound was completely at odds with the lyrics which are completely misogynistic and can only be sung either tongue-in-cheek (like Mick’s version) or straight-up raunchy. Plus, yes, this guy Urban strikes me as getting by on his hair and sparkly eyes like a Jonas Brother wannabe.
I missed the show and am reading recaps now. Did Tim Urban actually say that he found a song he could have fun with? THIS song? Good grief. Either he doesn’t have a clue about the lyrics or he’s a total sadist. Hmm.
Tim didn’t have a clue. When they announced he was doing this song, I said, “Huh?” At the end of the song, I was still saying “Huh?” – while trying to stop the bleeding from my ears.
What was missing for me from this night was that besides Sioban and Crystal, it was like a Disney treatment of the Stones … completely devoid of any swagger and attitude. Plus what was with all the strings in the arrangements? It was just weird … and not in a good way.
The lyrics are too angry for the light happy reggae treatment he gave them.
I liked Tim Urban tonight too, and I have not been on his band wagon. I thought Siobhan’s screeching notes were not great, but I still love her voice. Crystal was ok; she’s still my #1. If Andrew, Aaron, Paige or Katie go home I won’t miss them.
I like Lee’s voice a lot and I hope Lacey stays another week so we can see what else she can do. Casey is just so cute when he sings; I love the smile…it makes me think he’s saying “ok this is a little ridiculous but I’m havin’ fun.” I think I forgot a couple people, probably because they’re forgettable.
I thought (and my husband agreed, so it wasn’t just my menopausal eyes lusting over a cute young thing) that Tim sounded great.
Tim ALWAYS sounds like Bill Murray singing Star Wars!
Jennab – that cracked me up and now gave me an earwig cause I am now hearing Bill Murray singing.
Tim and Katie have the same problem in that they just don’t have the requisite experience or maybe they just don’t read the lyrics enough to know what they’re singing about. They perform the songs, but they don’t feel what they’re singing.
gotta be the eyes, cause that was just horrifyingly lame!!
I suggest that you read the lyrics to “Under My Thumb”. It’s an angry misogynist song (“under my thumb, the squirming dog who’s just had her day”, “it’s down to me, yes it is, the way she does just what she’s told”). The reggae-lite treatment that Tim gave this song just didn’t fit with the lyrics and meaning of the song.
Not to mention that he thought it was a song he could just have fun with. The disconnect between the lyrics and his performance turned me off big time, although his voice was okay.
Um….listen to the words. The song is about misogynistic sadism. It’s a man boasting that he has completely brought a woman under his control and robbed her of free will. And there was not the slightest suggestion that Tim Urban had given one second’s thought to what the words coming out of his mouth meant. That’s why the judges were so tough, and they were right.
Exactly! It was bizarre hearing him sing those lyrics in that way. How can anyone be that clueless?
i seriously fear for anyone who actually liked Tim tonight. I assume this is the first time you have ever heard that song. otherwise I have no words. Tim had NO CLUE what he was singing about. and it showed. (fyi… it is not a love song)
i agree the the way he sang the song did not go with the lyrics. But i often don’t listen to the lyrics anyway. Just the beat and the music. I still liked that he tried and did some reggae.
IF Mick Jagger were dead, he would have been spinning like a top in his grave last night. But I think too that the judges are pulling a fast one with us with Tim and Lee.
i did too. roots rock reggae is what idol needs. plus his hair looked better!
You are hearing with your eyes; I would go as far as to say Tim Urban is the worst contestant ever to reach the top 24.
Really? Have you forgotten Sanjaya Malakar?
Tim’s voice was fine tonight but you can’t sing “She’s Under My Thumb” the way he did it. Look up the lyrics, it’s a vengeful, swaggering, bitter song.
What? Do you know what that song is about? Slezak calling it misogynistic is almost an understatement. Tim is too nice to sing it properly. That song needs some hate to sing it right.
Give it up. They obviously care more about how a contestant looks than if their interpretation makes any sense. This is why there is so much dreck on the radio these days. Sad.
I thought Tim did a good job and (I’ve posted this before) did NOT deserve the clobbering he got from (especially) Simon. Hey, it’s the Stones. No one is going to do the Stones like the Stones. Casey probably made the safest choice – “It’s all over now” wasn’t written by Jagger/Richards and has been covered by everyone on the planet.
You’re just hearing with your eyes. I think Tim would make a great host/announcer ala Seacrest or Billy Bell, but the singing thing is assolutely, completely NOT working out. I get about three lines in and hit the mute.
Wisely chosen words by Crystal at the end…glad the judges are de-pimping her a bit though. Come the finale in May when I have to choose between Crystal and Siobhan, I’ll be torn.
If they lose Crysta and Siobhan, I’m gone–Really like both too. The rest??? Nope.
If Crystal doesn’t stop strumming her guitar and being the same-o every week, she’s going out early. The audience will get tired of the subway singing.
She’s got that rough Bonnie Raitt sound but she needs to start walking the stage or “performing”.
LOL you want someone who is going to eventually be a singer songwriter like Bonnie Raitt or Melissa Etheridge to start walking the stage???
Are you insane..that’s not who she is..have you ever seen Jomi Mitchell,or Bonnie Raitt,or Melissa Etheridge walk the stage.she’s not James Brown.this isn’t a Miss America pageant it’s a singing competition
LOL! Right on Bob! Looks like somebody don’t know how it works!
LOL Bob,
That is SO RIGHT! She is doing EXACTLY what she should be doing. She knows who she is and that’s that! Walk the stage BWAAAA
So, why do they always rag on Casey to move around the stage, when Lee and Crystal do the same thing, and they don’t say anything to them about that?
Crystal and Lee don’t need to parade around the stage because they have great voices. They don’t need to put the guitar down because it works for them. It’s quite simple really when you’ve got talent you don’t need smoke and mirrors
Or Lee.
I WANT MORE PEOPLE TO LEAVE TONIGHT HONESTLY. AND THEN BRING BACK THE PEOPLE ELIMINATED LAST WEEK.
If you didn’t notice, I am still quite bitter.
LOL, I appreciate your honesty!
me too, kels!! Throughout the show I would just shout “Where’s Alex Lambert??” =( And yes, please get rid of Katie AND Andrew AND Lacey tomorrow and bring back ALEXXXX. You know, for all the talk of people boycotting the show b/c their faves are gone, I’m sure everyone was watching anyway….
Yes, get rid of ANDREW!!!!!!!!! He was good but he’s going on a marathon snow downhill skiing trip!!
Uggh! I totally agree! Lilly was my fav! She was so original!
Same here, loved Lilly and totally can’t believe she didn’t have enough support to stay around. At least Siobhan is still there for me!
Oh my God I feel EXACTLY the same way!!! At the end of the episode- I couldn’t control myself, I was just like, and noooowww Alex Lambert. Then I remembered. There were more tears, not gonna lie.
not gonna lie either, there were tears.. Its weird, usually they move on and its like “damn, oh well, thats too bad, movin on”. Not tonight, 1st time ever there just wasn’t enough talent, to satisfy me, in the left over talent. I really needed some Alex and Lily!
Exactly. I just keep going back and watching Alex on Youtube. I shouldn’t be crying this much over a contestant on a TV show, but I just can’t stop.
IA – I would say wipe everyone out except Lee, Didi, Crystal and Siobhan and bring back Lily, Katlynn and Alex.
I’m not a big Rolling Stones aficionado, but I thought a Rolling Stones night would be . . . I dunno . . . more LIVELY than this sleep-a-thon of an episode. Count me out of this season!! I’ll keep up with Idolatry for the latest, but I’m Seacresting-OUT of this season! #bringseason8backbitches!!
Yeah, I have to agree here. It was way more subdued than a Rolling Stones night should have been.
Still, Shebangs was good minus her sharp note (must have sounded better in studio). She’s like my Glambert in her creativeness and the fact that she loves being herself more than pleasing people and I love her for it.
Crystal was pretty good but judges said shehas been better. Want to make sure people know that nobody is safe I guess.
Aaron was improved.
Lee I think wants to be less edge than the producers want him to be. I love Daughtry and David Cook but Lee isn’t them.
Tim I’m guess wants to be Jason Mraz but that was NOT the song to try it on :p
Sharon Osborne Hair was okay up until the distracting “stillI’mgoingtomissyou” bit.
Dude Jessica Beil was good with his guitar but still not as great as Kara wants him to be.
Maybe it’s the cold that’s clogged up my ears, but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. There weren’t any “horrible” performances. I actually even liked Tim Urban.
wait…must be the cold medicine.
I do wish Lacey would go. and Katie. And Andrew. Especially Andrew.
Man, you’re being a bit rough on Lee. His performance was awesome. vocally on point, original arrangement…
Why did Lee get smacked around tonight? Half way thru the performance, my wife and I both looked at each other and said “wow”. I would buy his rendition. We’re starting to think we’ve been sniffing too much glue, based on the judges and thus column.
I must have been sniffing the same glue – I thought it was a great performance. I could see it included in an album.
I have to agree here. Though I think Crystal and Siobhan are the best (with Lilly third – sigh and Alex fourth – sigh again) Lee was my next favorite. Would love to see him do some Pearl Jam or Joe Cocker.
Totally agree!!! He is authentic.
I thought it was his best performance yet. Finally showing of that voice! I really wish he’d relax and start enjoying this more. He could be great, if he’d let himself go.
Lee was amazing. Seriously. He and Crystal blew my mind tonight. The rest of them are nonsense.
Yeah Lee is amazing if you like Nickelback. UGH I can’t even stand to listen to him sing!
yeah I thought Lee was great, he’s doing something that few this season are doing, and that’s being unpredictable. Every time we expect something from him, he surprises us and in a good way.
Listened to Lee on a good set of headphones tonight. He was mostly in tune and did a fine job. Siobhan did fine, but I liked Crystal’s coffeehouse approach to the Stones. Very fine rendition of “you can’t”.
It was also the first time I recognized that Casey is so tall!…or was that goofy announcer standing on a lower step?
Seacrest is not particularly tall. I always find it amusing when they put Big Mike and Aaron together.
I loved him too. His is the only performance I rewatched and I’m still humming it. I’ll definitely be buying his version once it’s available.
Yeah, I liked Lee’s performance a lot. Top of my list tonight followed by Crystal. Siobhan was weird and the scream was way over the top, although I do like her. Hated Didi, Tim and Andrew.
Lee was great. Wow he has a very sexy voice, he did a really good job. He was much more on pitch.
I really loved Lee tonight, I’ll say it! That song was kinda hot and I thought he fared way better on pitch than he usually does. I mean, yeah, his stage presence is still awkward but he’s probably one of my favorites right now. OH, and for the first time I liked Casey tonight…like a lot! He has the same problem as Lee though when it comes to stage presence for me, but it doesn’t seem to be a confidence thing like with Lee.
As for the others, I thought Aaron sounded like he was the one with laryngitis, not Paige…idk what the judges were talking about! And Lacey was the worst tonight. That performance just needed to end. Plus she looked way nervous, I thought she sat down to keep from vomiting on national television.
Bowersox was awesome as per usual, and while I lovelove Siobhan I didn’t think her performance was as epic as the judges made it out to be. At all.
I actually think Aaron quite a nice job tonight. He sang in tune & had control over his voice. He connected with the song. I really don’t know why people doesn’t like him. Just because he is not “macho” like a guy with 6 packs, it doesn’t mean he cannot sing, right?
Lee was the only one who understood the sexual aspect of rock and roll last night. Even Siobhan, who was vocally flawless, properly dramatic, and moving exactly as she should have, did NOT get the song she was singing. The important part of the song (I see the girls go by/ Dressed in their summer clothes/ I have to turn away…) was sung sweetly without any suggestion at all.
This *is* American Idol after all… sanitize the songs so that your four year old won’t wonder what the hype is.
As for the reggae… one of the biggest English groups of the 80′s was reggae… anyone remember The Police? They were reggae-rock, and Tim would have fit in thirty years ago. But he’s going home this week.
Lee’s always good. He’s only lacking in his confidence/absility to work the large stage. People don;t seem to quite get (yet) that vocal technique that he uses that is like a polyphonic growl, but Dave matthrews uses it as well.
I agree. I really liked Lee’s song. I was hearing the Dave Matthew thing before Randy said it. Love it. I wish he’d stop with the deer in headlights look though and RELAX. He’s got a great sound.
Crystal was the highlight for me! Siobhan was awesome as always!
I too was horrified to see the Return of the Swaybots and Clapbots. On a much happier note, Siobhan and Crystal TOTALLY rocked the Stones tonight. Goosebump moments from both ladies!
Yeah, how many of the contestants had the audience singing along tonight? One!
Agreed about the return of the clapbots/swaybots – especially those clapbots or swaybots that can’t keep time.
I know! It must be hard for the singers to shut them out and keep focusing so they don’t mess up their timing.
My thoughts. I had a hard time watching tonight since I’m still pissed that Alex was voted off and Andrew was so awful tonight when we could have been hearing Alex singing 19th Nervous Breakdown. Alex would have been great tonight.
The singers I found tolerable tonight were Didi, who at least put some emotion in her singing; Lee, who sang with sincerity and sang on-key tonight; Siiobhan, who was wild and sometimes terrible (not half as good as last week) but at least not boring (I did think of Adam when she screamed, which is not a good thing for me, Adam screaming that is); and Crystal, who no matter what the judges said, can hold the stage and could make an album tomorrow.
I found Katie just as boring as usual and I thought her song would never end. And I’m sorry, Aaron was creepy and didn’t move me at all. As for the rest, I could care less. I did think Tim was actually better than Andrew tonight, who continues to look like he wants to kill someone when he sings.
Lacey managed to make Ruby Tuesday soporific, Mike was like a lounge singer.
I thought Casey was OK, at least he dresses well and knows how to show off his physicality.
Casey = Bo Bice + Keith Urban
You know what????? That Casey guy sucks!!! HA HA!! Tim Urban for the WINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!
Yah, I agree! Only Didi sang in a classy way that night. I’m not really a fan of her, but I saw it. She has a great potential is she’ll only get out of her shell. She really has that exceptionally classy voice, like the late karen carpenter.
I don’t think there were any terrible performances tonight. That said, I wasn’t really wowed anyone except for Crystal, Siobhan, and surprisingly I thought Aaron did a great job.
Me too, I thought Aaron did a great job. He has a nice voice & he sang with his heart tonight. Considering his age, he has a nice control over his voice. He just need more chances to improve. Hope he’ll be around for awhile & give some solid performance. Go Aaron!
I liked Aaron also, his has my vote.
@ Michael…i agree not as bad as i expected…im glad that they attempted to up their game. While im secretly dreaming for a Siobhan vs. Crystal finale (ohemgee) its more fun to see competition amongst the contestants and hopefully they all can build on what they did today and keep improving.
My Top 5 (not in order) : Crystal, Siobhan, Didi, Lee, Casey
Who deserves to go home : Tim or Katie
I totally agree with your top 5. Although I would send home Lacey and Andrew before Tim and Katie… because I think Tim and Katie have room for improvement and they could do OK on the tour, compared to the other two who seem finished now.
I almost missed Shiobhan due to all the cotton balls I had shoved into my ears to stop the bleeding after Tim Urbans performance.
I honestly don’t get all the Tim hate. As I said above he didn’t wow me but it wasn’t nearly as bad as you’re making it out to be.
Yes it was. Tim Urban just beat out KLC’s ‘Eight Days a Week’ as the worst idol performance ever. lmao lmao lmao.
Vocally, it was meh but not totally awful (unlike Lacey and Andrew), but really, that song, with those lyrics, done as a laid-back reggae song? Seriously?
Tim wasn’t bad by a long shot. He’s looking to be a real contender.
And I don’t get the Siobhan love, and the screech at the end?
Andrew was better than the previous weeks though still not good, and Lacey was back to awful singing. She is playing a singer in a made for movie TV minus the good vocals. More style than substance.
Guys, if you think Tim did well I’m not sure you understand the meaning of the song. It’s COMPLETELY misogynistic and done reggae style? Ridiculous. It’s not a song you “have fun with”.
Actually, he’s really bad. The singing thing is never going to work. I don’t dislike the guy, but he should use the looks in more of a Seacrest capacity. (And one should hope that he never, ever sings Hallelukah again…)
Tim looks like Tom Cruise only 30 years younger. He’s HOT STUFF!!!!!!!!!!
I thought Tim was that bad too, it was awful
I liked Tim’s voice, and I love reggae, but that song is SO wrong for reggae.
LOVED Siobhan!
And Andrew Garcia’s father should not be allowed on TV if he keeps crying. Dude was a gang banger, man up!
No, she wasn’t great tonight. Over sang that thing.
True, but from now on everyone is going to say that Siobhan is fantastic. She is the new overrated contestant since Adrew Garcia can’t even keep that title.
Thank you! I thought it was awful! My husband looked at me and was like she is RUINING A GREAT SONG! Then when the judges praised her we were shocked! Im not a fan of hers at all.
Have to agree. He cries at the drop of a hat. He must’ve gone from macho to marshmellow.
I was laughing at your comment, that is so true. I mean gangster and tears????? come on