Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Interesting second night for the Idol guys, right?

Some performers took steps in the right direction. Step forward Michael Lynche, Aaron Kelly, Alex Lambert, Tim Urban.

Some performers took steps in the wrong direction. Step back Jermaine Sellers, Casey James and Andrew Garcia.

Others — well, a couple in particular — proved their time in this competition should be up.

Here’s my recap.

Best of the Night:

Michael Lynche, hands down. The big guy found his R&B groove, opened the night with a bit of swagger and proved he’s around for the long haul. I just loved his performance of “It’s a Man’s World.” The best from the guys so far in the semifinals.

Right on his heels, Lee DeWyze, who was the best last week and turned in another solid performance. Perhaps not quite as self-assured as Michael’s, but ever bit as passionate. You think Lee isn’t smiling from ear to ear tonight? After being told by Simon that he’s head and shoulders above all the other guys vocally? Oh, yeah, he’s smiling.

Deserves to go home:

Todrick Hall decided not to dance in order to prove he belongs in this competition based on his voice. What he proved is that he doesn’t. And remember how David Cook would come up with unusual arrangements of songs that worked. Todrick comes up with unusual arrangements that wreak havoc with everything good about the song.

Then there’s sleepy John Park … well, I don’t know if he’s sleepy, but his performances have that effect on me. Maybe this is what happens when the lead singer of a collegiate a cappella group takes to the Idol stage.

Please keep him:

Hey, it’s hard not to root for Tim Urban, especially after the way he got beaten up by Simon last week. This week, Simon’s comments about how much he improved might just keep him around. Hey, his “Come On Get Higher” wasn’t the best of the night, but it was one of the biggest improvements over a week ago.

And I’m rooting for Tim to hang around on the assumption that Casey James and Andrew Garcia aren’t going anywhere. Same with Aaron Kelly, who shouldn’t after what I had ranked as the third best effort of the night.

Surprise of the night:

Kara managed to play it cool when Casey James performed. Heck, she even gave him a brutally honest critique. He sang Gavin DeGraw’s “I Don’t Want To Be,” which includes a line about being surrounded by imposters. Casey the rock star looked like an imposter. If you’re going to be a rock star, Casey, cut loose on stage.

Best line of the night:

Simon Cowell to Todrick Hall: “I would say, Todrick, move but don’t sing, because this is not working out at all for you. … That was a very bad, corny version of a Tina Turner song that had no relevance. You are getting this completely and utterly wrong.” Ouch.

Prediction for Thursday:

John Park goes home. Voters forgive Todrick because he’s at least trying to do something original. Homeward bound instead: Alex Lambert, who improved last night, but perhaps not enough.

Song by song grades: Full blog here.

Michael Lynche: A-
Lee DeWyze: B+
Aaron Kelly: B
Casey James: C+
Andrew Garcia: C+
Jermaine Sellers: C
Alex Lambert: C
Tim Urban: C
John Park: C-
Todrick Hall: F