Very Few Stars Shine On Day One
by SirMac
Since last nights episode provided us with not a lot of singers who didn’t make the Top 24, save Mary Powers and the Zac Efron lookalike, I figured I’d just use this recap to position the contestants on my very first Top 24 power list! Wooo!
#1- Andrew Garcia
What I like about Andrew is that he’s a relative newcomer to the music scene, who actually tries to make a unique spin on a song like Straight Up. In a year where they want a girl to win, it seems as though Andrew is becoming the single potential wrench in that works, since he could also be the first latino winner of Idol. With the first theme being Top 10 billboard songs, I can’t imagine he won’t do well, and I can’t imagine a Top 12 without him.
#2- Didi Benami
Didi’s performance last night was incredible. I never thought I’d actually like something that Kara wrote, after hearing that terrible song about chasing mountains and hurricanes. Didi had an incredible showing last night, and she’s fast becoming a favorite of the fans too. If she gets more Hollywood exposure in the upcoming episodes, I see no reason she won’t crack the Top 12, and stand a shot at winning the title.
#3- Lee Dewyze
Although he was absent from last nights episode, he remains what the show has embraced so well the past couple seasons: A singer/songwriter/rocker. Barring any sudden changes to the voting pattern, Lee will still be a contender when the Top 24 starts, regardless of whether or not we see him again until then.
#4- Lily Scott
Wasn’t that cool? Lullaby of Birdland? That’s what I like about this girl. She took a standard and made it work for her. She didn’t choose an obscure song, like Maddy Curtis did, she chose a well known classic and just sang it. I thought she kicked ass, and I think she’ll continue to kick ass.
#5- Michael Lynche
Totally did NOT expect him to sing Waiting On The World To Change. I can’t remember the last time that Idol actually had a viable black male contestant, and this season they really have two. He’d be higher on the list, but his audition left me wanting more.
#6- Lacey Brown
There’s something I like about her and her voice. She’s cute and confident, not cocky. I don’t have a strong feeling about her ability to make the Top 12, and I fear she could get lost in the shuffle if she doesn’t perform well and choose the right songs.
#7- Todrick Hall
He’s the other viable black man. Although he didn’t sing last night, he’s still riding off the original audition he killed it with in Dallas. I don’t like that he’s not truly undiscovered, so I’m always going to be apprehensive, but I’m giving him a little wiggle room… for now.
#8-Haeley Vaughn
OK. So I thought her audition was good, but I wasn’t a fan until her Hollywood round performance. I find the prospect of producing a black female country singer to be intriguing and I’m willing to give Haeley a shot at it.
#9-Michelle Delamor
Even though we haven’t seen Michelle outside of a preview, I have a feeling that when we do see her, she’ll blow us away. She’s got the pipes to back it up, so why hasn’t Idol shown her yet?
#10- Alex Lambert
Much like Andrew Garcia flips a song around, I hope Alex can do the same thing. Anyone who adapts the Barney song for their own personal set gets cool points in my book. I want to see what he does for Top 24 week, or if he’ll just be cannon fodder.
#11- Crystal Bowersox
Sure, she’s not pretty, but that was a pretty kickass rendition of Natural Woman. I said PRETTY kickass. Put hers against any other girl whose done that song on the show, and she probably pales in comparison. She’s not Kelly Clarkson, and I realized it while she sang. She has no real shot at winning, but if she’s consistent she might end up in the lower half of the Top 12.
#12- Casey James
Alright, so I enjoyed his performance. I’m giving him points for that. I don’t like HIM though. Really, the whole DUI multiple times thing leaves me a big sick to my stomach. I know he can sing, but I hope America still sends him packing.
#13- Tyler Grady
I’m in the middle of the road with Tyler. He’ll probably land a Top 12 slot, but I just don’t think he’s as good as everyone else thinks he is.
#14- John Park
He’s a novelty, like Anoop. Someone who fits a racial group that is horribly underrepresented on the show, and has no shot at winning. John Park could take a Top 12 slot, but like Anoop will be eliminated midway, and won’t land a solid record deal.
#15- Ashley Rodriguez
I’m waiting to hear more from her, because what I saw in her audition was average. I know she has a huge fanbase, and I probably upset them, but I’m keeping an open mind. For now though, she’s down in the middle of the pack.
#16- Katelyn Epperly
I honestly can’t remember her. And that’s not good, considering her audition was shown.
#17- Janell Wheeler
This girl gets blind praise without really being that unique or good. I feel like there are 75 other girls in Hollywood right now that look and sound just like Janell, and her personality leaves me wondering why they chose to feature her?
#18- Jermaine Sellers
He’s sliding further down my list everytime Todrick and Michael sing. He can’t compete. His voice is far too breathy, and he’s going to get crushed.
#19- Katie Stevens
STOP SINGING OLD SONGS. You’re not cool like Lily Scott, you need to be singing songs like your youtube account suggests… Bubbly, for one.
#20-#22- Paige Miles, Joe Munoz, Siobhan Magnus
Who? I can’t even find good stuff of them on the internet. What’s that over there? Is that a cannon?
#23- Chris Golightly
Overrated Justin Guarini Clone. I’m trying not to be too harsh, but vocally he’s just not as good as most of the other guys in the competition, and he looks crazy weird, doesn’t he? There. I said it. It’s out there.
#24- Aaron Kelly
Like this is a surprise for anyone who knows me. I won’t be mean, but lets just say another contestant is going to have to have a very checkered past if Aaron is going to move up this list. If it turns out that Chris punches babies, then maybe Aaron will move up.
Does anyone read these posts? Or do y’all just come here to chat? Am I wasting my time with the posts? Please Comment if you actually read this stuff
BREAKING NEWS: Chris Golightly actually does punch babies.
i agree with most of this, i still havn’t heard enough of any of them to know if i like them with the exception of andrew. i really got annoyed by michael lynche’s performance yesterday, it was very nasally and not a good performance imo. if he makes top 12 i would truly be shocked.
I didn’t understand Big Mike’s performance, it’s nothing like I’ve heard from him online. Wondered if he was sick. Quite frankly he could sound like a foghorn for all I care though, the man is seriously fine!
Wow I completely disagree with most of his opinions and choices, but they are his opinion and respect them.
Personally I would have Aaron #2, I have know idea why he is put so low.
My rankings
#1 Didi Benamin
#2 Aaron Kelly
#3 Lilly Scott
#4 Andrew Garcia
#5 Janell Wheeler
#6 Crystal Bowersox
#7 Katie Stephens
#8 Haeley Vaughn
#9 Tyler Grady
#10 Jermaine Sellers
#11 Lacey Brown
#12 Ashley Rodriguez
#13 Katelyn Epperly
#14 John Park
#15 Lee Dewyze
#16 Casey James
#17 Michael Lynche
#18 Chris Golightly
#19 – #23 Michelle Delamor, Paige Miles, Alex Lambert, Jose Munoz and Siobhan Magnus
#24 Todrick Hall
While John might not win, I think he has a solid chance of landing in the top 5. The only big thing against him is his constant not-being-shown on the show before the top 24 occurs. >_>;
I’ll list my top 5 hopeful predictions, though won’t let out a winner from these guys:
#5 Mike Lynche
#4 Lilly Scott
#3 John Park (That’s right)
The Top 2: Andrew Garcia and Crystal Bowersox
Okay I’ll admit that Andrew and Crystal are the absolute clear front runners right now. With or without producer interference, they will make it farfarFAR– hopefully all the way. Crystal has awesome vocal skills, and Andrew has the cool James Morrison musicality that everyone (including myself) is in love with right now.
John I still really like, though I know that he might not make it this far because of other peoples’ opinions. Mike can carry a tune and isn’t nearly as shouty-shouts as Jermaine Sellers, the other contender for his spot as ‘the top 5 black guy’. Lilly Scott has a unique voice. Hopefully she can be what Meagan Joy tried to be last year.