The American Idol 11 Top 7 Redux episode featured 14 big songs. This week’s studio performance reviews will be short and sweet. Listen to the full songs and leave your reviews!
Now
Hollie Cavanagh – “Rolling in the Deep” – Hollie sounds fantastic. Once she’s able to marry emotion with that pure, crystalline voice of hers, she’s going to be a force to be reckoned with. Download from iTunes
Colton Dixon – “Bad Romance” – Uh. NO. Colton’s attempt at playing the bad boy goes all wrong in every way possible. I don’t believe this for a minute. But I have to say–Colton singing “I want your psycho, your vertical stick” is pretty hilarious. – Download from iTunes
Elise Testone – “No One” – Just say NO to annoying drum tracks. PLEASE. Having said that, another nuanced, heartfelt vocal from the Queen. (Yes, she’s still the Queen to me. So there.) – Download from iTunes
Phil Phillips – “U Got it Bad – Another song gets the Phil Phillips treatment, and it’s just a’ight. P2’s re-arrangements all run together to my ears. Love the sax solo. The chick who played with him on stage was awesome. – Download from iTunes
Jessica Sanchez – “Fallin’ – A very bluesy performance from Jessica. A knockout, as always. – Download from iTunes
Skylar Laine – “Born This Way” – The “countrification” of this song didn’t really work for Gaga, and it’s only working a little better with Skylar because she brings an authentic country voice to the song. It still sounds like a pop song twanged up to sound country. Extra bonus points for not cutting the “No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgendered life” lyric. I would have been mad if she had. Download from iTunes
Joshua Ledet – “I Believe” – Ugh. This song is such a piece of hack work. When Joshua signs a record contract, he’s going to have to be guided carefully away from singing dreck like this. His vocal is fine, but I can’t get passed the horror of the Worst. Coronation. Song. Ever. And that’s saying something. – Download from iTunes
Then
Hollie Cavanagh – “Son of a Preacher Man” – A surprisingly soulful vocal from Hollie. Much better than her awkward live performance – Download from iTunes
Colton Dixon – “September” – The clickity-clack drum track makes makes Colton’s ill-suited arrangement of Earth, Wind and Fire’s “September” even less appealing than the live performance. NO. – Download from iTunes
Elise Testone – “Lets Get it On” – I’m going to disagree with Jimmy. Elise’s growly, sexy voice has the potential to make at least a few babies. – Download from iTunes
Phil Philips – “Midnight Hour” – Solid cover from P2! Not as rollicking as the live version, but Phil’s lazy growl is perfect. – Download from iTunes
Jessica Sanchez – “‘Try a Little Tenderness” – Without elimination looming over her head, Jessica delivers a relaxed vocal on the recording, but still soulful and fierce. – Download from iTunes
Skylar Laine – “Heard it Through the Grapevine” – Skylar was operating on all cylinders when she performed “Grapevine” on the Idol stage–the recorded track is sleepy by comparison. Still, a solid vocal performance from Skylar who I predict will be the last girl standing – Download from iTunes
Joshua Ledet – “A Change is Gonna Come” – Joshua is right in his wheelhouse here. A little too much growl during the ad libs, but nice. Very nice. – Download from iTunes
