American Idol: Week Eight; The Top 9 Compete

Did last night's performances leave the King rolling over in his grave?

For the most part, I don't think so. Most of the contestants did a fairly decent job of performing the hits of Elvis. However, at this stage in the competition, is it just me, or should I expect a little more than just "fairly decent jobs" at song performances?
Great job by Adam Lambert as mentor by the way, since something he said to the contestants beforehand struck me. He said, "Who am I to be coaching you, since I'm just starting my career as well?" To me, that showed Adam's humbleness, and showed he was only there to offer his honest suggestions, nothing more.

A note on last week: Boy, I could not have been more off at my bottom three picks! The only one I got right was Andrew, and he didn't go home. I honestly didn't see Michael being up there, but I'm not that surprised. Most of you readers know I never was fully on the Michael train, and I think it comes down to the fact that he bores me. He does the same types of songs week to week. BUT, did he deserve to go home? I would say probably not, but at the same time, I don't think the judges should have used their save already. Seriously, I would put Lee and Casey in front of Michael for talent, and if either of them wind up going home, there is no save to keep them in. And Michael's performance last night yet again left me sleepy. Yes, it was very good, and the vocals were phenomenal, but it didn't excite me at all.

Anyway, let's get to the individual reviews, since that's what most of you want from me anyway. Yeesh, I feel so used. To begin, let's start with the only contestant who has been consistently good from the start, that being:

1. CRYSTAL BOWERSOX – sung “Saved” - She not only put her own spin on it, but it sounded like a song I would hear on the radio today. Granted, one of the judges said this as well, but they couldn't have been more right. I love that she used an electric guitar as opposed to the acoustic she usually uses. This is what I like about Crystal, she constantly changes something week to week, to make her memorable, and her performances fresh. There's no way she's going anywhere for a while. At this point, I see her on the express train to the finale. SAFE

2. ANDREW GARCIA – sung “Hound Dog” - Wow, this was bad. I can totally agree with Simon, who I think is the one that said that in the last few weeks, it's like the coolness has been totally sucked out of Andrew. I really need to agree, because there was nothing redeeming about that performance. The fact that he slowed it down made it worse in my opinion. It was a very bad karaoke version of a classic Elvis tune, and it was sort of all over the place. The whole performance I was thinking, "I can't believe how bad this is, coming from a guy who I thought might have made a comeback recently". Andrew, remember how you were in the bottom three last week? Be prepared to revisit. IN DANGER

3. TIM URBAN – sung “I Can't Help Falling In Love With You” - Oh. My. God. I can't believe I'm about to say this, and please readers, if I'm wrong, call me out on it. Maybe my ears are not what they used to be, because did I just hear a fantastic version of one of my favorite Elvis tunes, by resident comeback kid, Tim Urban? Was that really him? This was one of the most beautiful versions of this song I've heard in a very long time, and the fact that it was sung by Tim, I will never get over. Really? Was it really him? The whole performance came from the heart, and I will say this is the best performance I've seen him do since he first started the competition . This was definitely his "moment", and I don't see the comeback kid going home this week....again!! SAFE

4. LEE DEWYZE – sung “A Little Less Conversation” - I'm starting to like Lee more and more as each week passes. This week's performance I saw him less nervous, more confidant, and even smiling more. (thanks Adam, for telling him that piece of advice) This was a perfect song choice for Lee, but I do understand what Kara was talking about when she said that Lee should have been less "harder" singing the song. Not every song needs to be pelted out in such a gruff manner, and this song could have used a little more vocal finesse. But that is a minor flaw with this otherwise great performance. He'll be around next week. SAFE

5. AARON KELLY – sung “Blue Suede Shoes” - Give Aaron an A for effort. I agreed with Simon when he said the beginning was horrible. When Aaron got to the middle, that's when it started to get good. In all Aaron did a halfway job with this performance. The first half he was pitchy and came off very karaoke and corny. Hear those cheers? Little Aaron has some female fans out there. (and some male ones too, let's not exclude). Tim seems to be the heartthrob this season, but Aaron has his fair share of fans to keep him afloat. I don't think this performance was his swan song home, because I do think he has more talent to show us. But this performance will place him in the bottom this week. IN DANGER

6. SIOBHAN MAGNUS – sung “Suspicious Minds” - Just like Aaron, Siobhan gave a half performance this week. Half was really good, and half was...not so good. I've noticed, as I'm sure many of you have, that Siobhan doesn't do that well when she's singing in her lower register, as the beginning of the song showed. By the time she hit the chorus, we saw the Siobhan we all like. Honestly, I still think it was a bit oversung. Siobhan has too many fans for he to be in danger, so I'm pretty sure she's staying. SAFE

7. MICHAEL LYNCHE – sung “In The Ghetto” - I was boooored. I thought Michael's vocals were spot on, but damn, this made me soooo sleepy. The original wasn't this slow, was it? Because honestly, slowing this song down to a crawl just sort of zoned me out. I found myself getting up for the bathroom, when I should have been riveted to his performance. And all you Michael fans, I'm not showing hate here, because I respect Michael's vocal ability. The guy has a set of pipes equal to the size of his arms. BUT, he needs to start getting me excited, and not put me to sleep. Since he got the save last week, I sincerely don't think he'll be going home this week. SAFE

8. KATIE STEVENS – sung “Baby, What Do You Want Me To Do?” - Strange song choice, but that's only on me. I never heard of this Elvis tune, but Katie did a pretty decent job of it. Her vocals were great, but what stood out for me most is her confidence level. The girl I saw weeks ago wasn't on stage now. Gone were her nerves, and her vocal range shown through on each lyric. Simon thought it was a bit screechy, and I can see parts where he would be right, but for me, most of it was really good. However, like last week, I think all these good performances are sort of "too little, too late" for Katie. There are much more talented contestants who have now surpassed her, so I don't think she's safe, despite a great performance. IN DANGER

9. CASEY JAMES – sung “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” - Yet another Elvis song I've never heard of, but Casey made it sound like it belonged on his album. I can see Casey making it big on the country charts. I'm talking Carrie Underwood big. Simon said because of his song choice, the performance was forgettable. In part, I agree, but Casey made the song his own, and made it sound like it was his song. Honestly, if I heard this on the radio, I wouldn't say, "Hey, who redid that Elvis song?", I would think it was his song. Casey is not going anywhere this week either. SAFE

My Bottom Three Picks: You guys know I'm right not to include Tim in this bottom three right? Come on, give it up for the guy. Give him kudos, because that really was one of the better performances from last night. So who's in danger this week? My choices: Andrew Garcia, Aaron Kelly and Katie Stevens.

My Pick(s) to be Eliminated Tonight: No one went home last week, so that means that of my bottom three picks, only one of them is safe, and the other two go home. Based on performances, popularity, and consistency, I would need to say that it's Andrew Garcia and Katie Stevens time to finally go home. Michael gets a stay of execution, as does Aaron.

What did you guys think? Was I totally wrong about Tim? Did he have one of the best performances? Who had the worst? Take the poll below!

Until next week my readers, I bid you farewell for now!!