American Idol Results: Another Idol Goes Home  4/16/08 

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“Seven Idols Still Standing” Episode

April 15, 2008

By Marcus

Tonight was a tribute to Mariah Carey’s songs with Mariah providing some guidance to the aspiring singers. Let’s do a review of whether or not they did justice to her songs.

First up was David Archuleta who finally wised up by ditching the piano. He sang a fairly vigorous version of “When You Believe.” But his falsetto attempt sounded both strained and uncomfortable. Nonetheless, he is a solid and consistent performer but tonight, unlike previous nights, I didn’t experience any depth of excitement when I listened to him.

Then we heard Carly Smithson singing “Without You.” This is potent

piece that should shoot flaming arrows into our hearts. But Carly didn’t deliver. It was like her bow sting snapped. Her low notes lacked timbre and we could tell that she knew that she was failing to impress us. She appeared to be very uncertain of herself and that is not the Carly that we have come to appreciate. She may be in trouble with that performance.

With sparkles on her skin and in her hair, Syesha Mercado challenged herself with the demanding song, “Vanishing.” It was not a sparkling performance, but it was good enough to allow her to return next week. I think she has great abilities but for some reason, she is holding back. It is her fear of failure? Or perhaps the fear of what success would mean to her? She needs to overcome her self-doubts and let us see and hear her.

I can visualize Brooke White as the staring singer on a large cruise ship stopping at ports along the Mediterranean Sea, but not as a singer filling arenas. She actually fractured some of the notes as she sang “Hero.” Her confidence has been damaged and it may be too late for repair.

Flat and nasally was the performance of Kristy Lee Cook. I don’t know what is the matter with her or with a couple of the others, but we are down to the seven finalists and she is not performing well. It was not just that her ending was gulped like a bird swallowing a grasshopper, but tonight her singing was dull as tarnished tin. Kristy is heading for trouble, big trouble.

With his own creative insight and vocal daring, David Cook delivered an exciting performance singing “Always Be My Baby.” After a mostly dull evening, we finally listened to some real entertainment. And as of right now, he is definitely the one to beat.

Last up was Jason Castro and he was following a hard act. How did he do singing

“I Don’t Want To Cry”? Well, he had a decent falsetto but there wasn’t any depth to his music. It was like canoeing down a shallow stream and then having to drag the thing because the water got too low.

And that concluded the seven singers. I think that Kristy will be packing her bags and if you disagree, then call in your votes for her because she will need it.

Return here tomorrow for my review that is written just for you.

see also:

4/11/08 American Idol Results: Another Idol Goes Home

4/9/08 American Idol Recap: Eight Idols Standing

3/27/08 American Idol Recap: Another American Idol's Dream Dissipates

3/26/08 American Idol Recap: Ten Remaining Idols

3/20/08 American Idol Recap: Another Idol's Dreams Shattered

3/19/08 American Idol Recap: Eleven American Idol's Sing

3/13/08 American Idol Results: Bye, Bye to an American Idol Hopeful

3/12/08 American Idol Recap: Twelve Idols Compete

3/7/08 American Idol: Four More Go Home

3/6/08 Recap: Eight American Idol Women

3/5/08 Recap: Eight American Idol Men

2/29/08 American Idol: Adios to Four More

2/28/08 American Idol: Top Ten Women Sing

2/27/08 American Idol: Top Ten Men Sing

2/22/08 Four Chops on American Idol

2/21/08 The Twelve American Idol Women Compete

2/20/08 Twelve American Idol Men Sing

2/14/08 The Twenty Four American Idol Survivors

2/13/08 164 Hollywood Singers in a Grueling Hollywood Week

1/31/08 American Idol in Miami

1/30/08 American Idol in Omaha

1/24/08 American Idol in Charleston

1/23/08 American Idol in San Diego