Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Classic rock is the theme we’ll be treated to tonight on American Idol.

But don’t bother digging out your Megadeth T-shirts. No one said hard rock.

And, if the set list I read earlier this afternoon is correct, some songs that resemble ballads are going to slip into the mix.

Yep, even though this is supposed to be the week without ballads.

Group numbers are back, too, as unfair as that is after last week’s disaster. Read my conspiracy theories here.

Oh, and for those of you who think Lazaro Arbos just has to be on the verge of elimination after that disaster, head here to check out some social media stats that might suggest otherwise.

And here we go …

1. Burnell Taylor: For the first time, Burnell goes upbeat. He’ll sing Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name.” Mediocre start. Good thing Burnell has that backing threesome, huh? It does appear as though Burnell is making a conscious effort to keep from crafting the song with his hands. But he’s not exactly doing a great job of selling himself as a rock star. OK, there was that little kick added for emphasis at the end. Interesting. Keith suggests he could have done a better job of making it a Burnell song. Nicki wants to cuddle and squeeze Burnell and says he was still lovable. Randy notes that the timing was off. Mariah says she was proud of Burnell for doing that well with a rock song. Bottom line: So-so start to the evening. Grade: C

2. Lazaro Arbos and Angie Miller: OK, Lazaro starts off mumbling his part. Not sure I would have had any idea what he was singing if I didn’t know the song he was singing. Angie, looking great as usual, waltzing down the steps and does her best to pump some energy into the number. Nicki and Randy note that Lazaro forgot some of his lyrics again, though it was a major improvement from last week. Angie gets compliments on her performance. Keith says it was a “bit variety showish.” Nicki says she thinks that’s what they were going for. “If so, they accomplished it,” Keith says. Angie scores points in my book for not throwing Lazaro under the bus, instead saying they planned to have fun even if there was a little screw-up. Grade: C– (or, individually) For Lazaro, D; for Angie, B–

3. Kree Harrison: The hug-loving Kree will take on a not so hug-able “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin. Get ready for the first really good performance of the night. And Kree isn’t disappointing, though I wish she would have picked a song that hasn’t been done so often. I’ve heard Crystal Bowersox slay this song and drag it all over the stage. That said, the small a cappella bit was a nice touch and Kree belted it out on the chorus. Randy says the show started right there. Nicki calls it magnificent and says she would get all 50 of her Idol app votes. Keith questions Kree about her high-heeled boots and whether they gave her trouble moving around. Her response: “It doesn’t tickle my feet, but it looks good, Keith.” Say hello to the Top 6, Kree. Grade: B

4. Candice Glover and Burnell Taylor: Burnell starts off the song sort of flat. A point Candice drives home once she shows up on stage with that big voice of hers. I thought performing with Candice might give Burnell a boost. Now I’m not so sure. It might show what I’ve been saying all along. He’s just not that special as a singer. Candice sold that song. Burnell looked like he was going through the motions. Mariah calls it beautiful. Keith loved it too, saying Burnell was so Burnell. Huh? Who else would he be? Nicki lays it on the line, saying Candice’s voice is clearly superior. Randy say Candice is “already there.” Grade: B- (or individually) Candice, A–; Burnell, C-

5. Janelle Arthur: She’ll sing “You May Be Right,” an interesting song choice. Yep, Billy Joel. I honestly think this would sound better without the background singers. The first couple of times they jumped in, it was rather jarring. Janelle, unfortunately, sounds like she’s straining some on this song, especially in the chorus. Love her energy. Love that ending. And, all in all, a pretty good performance. Keith loves her boots. Janelle: “I thought they’d fit the rock stage because they’re stoned.” Keith likes her performance, but says it wasn’t the best song for her. Nicki is upset because Keith critiqued the boots. Randy loved the performance, too, calling Janelle “the great contender.” Hmm, they were more taken with that performance than I was. I really like Janelle, but would have preferred to have heard her sing some southern rock. Grade: B-

6. Lazaro Arbos: This bit about Lazaro loving bright colors is humorous. Angie says he wears brighter colors than any of the ladies. Anyway, Lazaro is now going to attempt “We Are the Champions.” Hey, I anticipated disaster. That wasn’t. Lazaro started strong. He was drowned out a bit by the music when it swelled, but he nailed the two big notes. Keith loved the song choice, saying it gave Lazaro a chance to show off his dramatic side. The other judges give Lazaro high marks as well. Don’t be surprised it Lazaro survives to sing for another week. Grade: C+

7. Kree Harrison, Janelle Arthur, Amber Holcomb: Another Billy Joel song — “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.” Dang Idol judges. Now they’ve got me looking at clothing and shoes more than listening. But from what I heard while critiquing clothing, that was a lot of fun. The best group number of the night. Three judges loved the performance. Nicki did not like the song choice. She thought it was cheesy. But she loved Amber’s look. Which is a perfect transition to my fashion report. Hey, I’ve wanted Amber to look more young and fun. And she sure does. But those jeans? It looks like one of the judges decided they wanted them and ripped more than half of them away. I mean, that’s taking ripped jeans to a whole new extreme. Back to the performance. Grade: B+

8. Candice Glover: The gal from South Carolina apparently has a broken toe because of an April Fool joke gone awry. She’ll sing “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” This should be interesting. In a good way. And it was. Candice has this big ol’ voice and displayed it well on that song. Keith calls it an “other wordly” voice. Nicki didn’t like that song choice either and boos herself this time. It would be nice to hear songs not done so often. Randy makes a really nice point — Candice not only delivered the vocal, she brought attitude to the song. Candice says rock is a long way from her comfortable place. “I had to get with it, or get going.” Candice is going nowhere but on to the Top 6 either. Grade: B+

9. Amber Holcomb: OK, I don’t know how this song doesn’t qualify as a ballad, but here goes Amber with “What About Love.” Wow, and that opening is the best I’ve ever heard Amber sound. And that ending was superb too. In between, well, it dragged a bit. But I think that was my favorite Amber performance so far this season. For the first time, I think I saw and heard what the judges have seen and heard in Amber. Still, folks, that was a ballad on a night when ballads were supposed to be banned. The judges have nothing but high praise for Amber’s performance. And, Keith, once again, loves the shoes. Grade: B

10. Angie Miller: Finally, an original song selection — “Bring Me To Life” by Evanescence. And Angie probably has something to prove after last week’s misfire and the critiques she’s been getting from Jimmy Iovine. Angie starts off the song at her piano. For a bit. Then she gets up and rocks it out. Not sure the vocal was perfect. And Angie was clearly distracted by the strength of that wind machine for a moment when she repeatedly grabbed the bottom of her top to keep it from blowing up too high. But on a night of boring song choices, her’s wasn’t. And this is one young lady who knows how to finish a song. Brilliant final note. Strong reviews from all the judges, though Keith suggests she could have been more connected to her song. Grade: B+

Check back soon for a recap.