Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The American Idol Top 10. (ABC Photo)

The Top 10 take the stage on American Idol tonight singing songs from their birth years.

That’s a nice wide theme that should allow everyone to pick a song suited to their musical style.

At the end of the night, two more singers head home in what will be the most interesting fan cuts of Season 22 so far.

The last two episodes, all of the judges’ wild card picks for the Top 14 were eliminated.

That means that tonight, two singers fans voted into the Top 10 are heading home.

So make sure to support your favorites. Voting runs from the time the show opens until the last commercial break via text, the Idol app and the Idol website.

See also …
Ranking the Top 10
Song by song grades for the Top 12
Song by song grades for the Top 14

Mia Matthews, 18, Centre, Ala., “No One Needs to Know” by Shania Twain: Mia says Shania is one of her idols and she’s singing this song for her boyfriend. She had no idea Shania was going to be the mentor when she picked the song. It’s a fun, flirty number. Just wish Mia seemed like she was having a little more fun performing it. The vocal was fun, except for a couple of missed words that Luke filled us in on, but Mia seemed a wee bit mechanical through the performance. Grade: B–

Jack Blocker, 25, Dallas, Texas, “Believe” by Cher: Jack’s going outside his wheelhouse with a surprise song choice. And reflects on how he didn’t have “a musical bone in his body” when he was young. Jack’s slowing the song down, giving it an acoustic treatment. Interesting attempt. Jack did a decent job. But what makes that song so addictive is the celebratory chorus. Not sure he pulled that off so well. That isn’t a version I’d listen to over and over. Lionel said he made it work. Katy loved it. Grade: B–

McKenna Breinholt, 25, of Gilbert, Ariz., “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls: Five lines in, it was clear. Affected by illness last week, McKenna was back in fine form. Her voice soared on that song. Wish the backing band had been a little quieter on the opening lines, but that’s my only complaint about that performance. It wasn’t McKenna’s best performance, but it was strong enough to merit a spot in the Top 8. Lionel calls her the queen of the smoky voice. She receives praise from all the judges in fact. Grade: A–

Kayko, 23, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus: Kayko was going to perform “Oophs, I Did It Again” by Britney Spears, “Bohemian Rhapsody” style. But rehearsal didn’t go great, so he changed his song. He starts at the piano, but then gets up and starts showing off the Kayko energy that drew such a great crowd reaction last week. He’s jumping around like crazy. The vocal was all over the place though. For me, that didn’t work nearly as well the second time. Lionel loves his energy. Luke loves his unpredictability. Grade: B-

Emmy Russell, 24, Nashville, Tenn., “All the Small Things” by Blink 182: Katy called the song a great choice. I don’t agree. Emmy has a really distinct, delicate voice. She sounded fine on that. But the performance was oh, so forgettable. Not especially moving. Not a song that will tug on your heartstrings. Say what you will about Kayko’s vocal, his performance was memorable. That wasn’t. Again, Emmy sounded fine. And the judges thought she appeared more comfortable on stage. Katy called it her best vocal performance from beginning to end. Grade: B

Triston Harper, 15, McIntosh, Alabama, “She’s Country” by Jason Aldean: Triston calls the song special to him because he used to sing it with his mother. Triston’s working the stage, sorta like he did on “Heartbreak Hotel.” Gotta say for someone so young, he shows impressive stage presence. And a heck of a lot of confidence. Not his best vocal, but a fun performance. Katy calls it big time. Luke wonders if Triston is trying to out-gyrate him. Then hops on stage so they can do a couple of moves side by side. Grade: B+

Abi Carter, 21, Indio, Calif., “Clocks” by Coldplay: Oh, my, Abi was born the year Kelly Clarkson became the first Idol. The judges asked Abi to step away from her piano. So she started that performance standing in the audience and making her way to the stage. She didn’t start off on her kneels as she initially planned. But I’m pretty sure she accomplished everything else she wanted to, including reminding us how beautiful her voice is. That glory note at the end was the best vocal moment of the show so far. The judges praised the performance too. Grade: A–

Julia Gagnon, 21, Cumberland, Maine, “Here I Am” by Bryan Adams: Julia established some momentum with a pair of superb vocals last week. Not sure this is going to be in the same league. The arrangement seemed too busy, forcing Julia to become a little shouty to cut through the background music. That performance was best when the background music faded and we got to hear the quiet power in Julia’s voice. Julia still got great feedback from the judges, though Katy asked for more intimate moments. I’d agree. Grade: B

Will Moseley, 23, of Hazelhurst, Ga., “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” by Travis Tritt: From the opening note, I knew this was going to be special. I wasn’t disappointed. That was the best performance of the night so far. Country rock works very well for Will. He even flashed a couple of smiles during the course of a fun, uptempo performance. Luke called the big note at the end the best thing he’s done all season. Katy and Lionel praised the performance too. It was praise worthy. Grade: A

Kabrienne, 20, Henefer, Utah, “Here Without You” by 3 Doors Down: She said one of her childhood friends died just before she headed off to Idol. In other words, expect another emotional performance from Kaibrienne. This is what I’ve been waiting for all night. A member of this talented cast pulling our heartstrings the way many of them can. But Kaibrienne’s one of the best at that, thanks to that cry in her voice. And while I would have liked her to keep her eyes open for more of the performance, she delivered an incredibly emotional performance while keeping her’s under control. Grade: A–

And now, it’s time to find out who makes the Top 8.

Advancing are Triston, Kaibrienne, Jack, Julia, Abi, McKenna, Will and
Emmy.

That means the singers eliminated tonight are: Kayko and Mia.

Wow, a little surprised to see Kayko heading home. He seemed to be gaining momentum on the show.