American Idol 11 – Top 7 iTunes Studio Performances (Reviews) (Audio)

Here’s your Top 7 edition of the American Idol studio performance reviews.  This week’s winner? Joshua Ledet’s energetic “Runaway Baby”. It makes me want to get up and dance.  Jessica Sanchez is also very good this week.   Elise Testone’s track is marred by a distracting backing track.

What do you think? Which songs are your favs?

Skylar Laine – “Didn’t Know How Much I Loved You” – Not as heartfelt as the live version.  The studio track verges on karaoke, with Skylar’s tone reminiscent of Kellie Pickler’s at times.  The performance picks up when she shows off her powerful pipes at the end of the song.  Skylar has personality and a great voice to match. –    Download from iTunes

Colton Dixon – “Love the Way You Lie” –  The arrangement is very pretty, as are Colton’s vocals.  But this is a song crying out for a passionate delivery, which Colton does not deliver. Who could have imagined “Love The Way You Lie” re-imagined as a Christian Contemporary tune. –   Download from iTunes

Jessica Sanchez – “Stuttering” by Jazmine Sullivan – What’s to say here? Jessica is fabulous as always. Contemporary, fresh. Blah blah blah. I say the same thing every week.  If she leaves the competition next week, she’ll still have a bright future ahead of her.  –   Download from iTunes

Joshua Ledet – “Runaway Baby” – My favorite studio performance from Joshua next to “When a Man Loves a Woman”.   His vocals are so smooth and soulful here.  There isn’t one riff or run in this performance–it shows a side of Joshua we haven’t seen yet. He’s so much more than just a gospel belter.   Download from iTunes

Hollie Cavanagh – “Perfect” – Hollie’s tone is clear as a bell.  So sweet and pure, but there’s very little phrasing or nuance here.  She could be reading out of the phone book.  It’s that connection to the emotion that’s still missing.  Girl’s got to get out and live a little. –    Download from iTunes

Phil Phillips – “Give a Little More” – Phil could have picked a better song. This arrangement is boring. For me, the song really doesn’t go anywhere, although the sax solo is a nice touch –   Download from iTunes

Elise Testone – “You and I” –  Unfortunately, Elise’s warm, soulful vocals are at war through the entire track with a weird drum clack that gives the song a mechanical feel. Whose idea was that? If you can get past the distracting instrumental, Elise delivers a terrific vocal–sexy, with perfect phrasing.  –    Download from iTunes

About mj santilli 34833 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!