I’m a bit late coming into this season but I’m so full of thoughts I have to let it out. I definitely agree that it’s the girl’s year. Overall the girls are much stronger and more memorable than the guys. Several of the guys are very weak and leave me wondering how they got in. Even my favorites for the guys left me empty this week. The girls however, gave some strong performances.

Crystal Bowersox

She’s been one of my favorites from day one. She’s different and she’s fresh. You’re not going to hear the same worn out songs that past idols have chosen. I enjoy listening to Crystal and she’s believeable. While I wasn’t fond of tonight’s song “Long As I Can See the Light” by Creedence Clearwater Revival, I thought she really nailed it. I much preferred last week’s song “Hand In My Pocket”. I hope she stays. I was surprised that both Simon and Ellen saw her as THE potential winner. Crystal is not the type of singer they usually stand behind. Most often it’s what I call the “Whitney Celine” style that the judges love. I much prefer different.

Didi Benami

Didi has a unique sound and I do enjoy her, but I’ve already forgotten her song choice and had to look it up to write this. Turns out it was Bill Wither’s song “Lean On Me.” A bold choice but one that just didn’t fit her voice or her look. I thought she did much better last week. She may be in trouble this week.

Haeley Vaughn

I understand the appeal. Haeley is bubbly and there’s an air of innocence about her. However, her voice tends to wobble and her words don’t come out as clearly as they should. If she stays, it’s probably more for the likeability than the talent. While I doubt she’ll get voted off this week, she would be one of my picks for someone to go.

Katelyn Epperly

I totally agreed with Ellen. The song “Scientist” was way too slow and it didn’t keep me hooked. I much preferred Katelyn singing last week’s song “Oh Darling”. However, neither song really showcases her as a current pop artist.

Katie Stevens

I do hear the potential in her voice. However, for some reason she just doesn’t appeal to me. She hasn’t hooked me once so far although I thought she really connected with last week’s song “I’m Feeling Good”. Katie reminds me of an actress on a TV show only I can’t remember who. If I were going to vote someone off, she’d be one of my picks. She sang “Put Your Records On” and I couldn’t help hearing the echoes of the song as it was sung last season. Katie did a much better job but it just didn’t click for me.

Lacey Brown

I love the sound of her voice and she is picking songs that match her voice, but they aren’t working. Last week’s “Landslide” was a total disaster. Her voice was a good fit but it sounded wobbly and pitchy. She may have been too nervous. This week’s “Kiss Me” was a big improvement and for the most part she did a much better job with it. However, her version was a replica of the original and not quite as good. While I’m not ready to see her go yet, there are several others who rank higher for me and I wouldn’t want her to stay at their expense.

Lilly Scott

She’s another of my favorites and I was very unhappy that Simon compared her unfavorably to Crystal. Lilly is not the same. She has a very unique sound and whenever I watch her perform, I find myself smiling. She’s the only idol who has that affect. I usually don’t enjoy songs I’ve never heard before but last week’s “Fixing A Hole” really sucked me in and this week’s song “Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cook really showed her talent as an artist. She totally made that song her own and connected with it. I believed it.

Michelle Delamor

I disagreed with the judges yet again. I really enjoyed her performance last week of “Falling (In and Out of Love With You)” but this week she fell flat for me. Apparently it was the exact opposite for the judges. Her rendition of “With Arms Wide Open” might have appealed to the judges, but it didn’t appeal to me.

Paige Miles

This was the first time I connected with Paige. Last week I’d hoped for her to get voted out but this week, we connected. I thought she did a great job with Kelly Clarkson’s song “Walk Away” and I disagreed with Kara that Paige lacked the anger needed to pull it off. Her version was just different enough to play on a different type of radio station and I enjoyed her performance. She does need to work on owning the stage.

Siobhan Magnus

Another favorite for me. I’ve enjoyed every performance she’s done and tonight was no exception. Her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Think” would have put me on the dance floor. While she didn’t change it up as they often tell the contestants to do, it didn’t matter because she totally nailed it. I did disagree with one of the judge’s comments, however. I thought she totally aced the song except for that one note, which sounded a bit screechy to me. Apparently, the judges and I didn’t agree. They preferred that one note to the rest of the song.

I can’t offer up a favorite but if I had to pick two to go, I’d pick Katie and Haeley. However, my picks don’t usually match the rest of the world so if I were going to predict who is going to get voted off, it would be Didi, Lacey or Michelle.

Tags: american idol, benami, bowersox, brown, crystal bowersox, delamor, didi benami, epperly, haeley vaughn, katelyn epperly, katie stevens, lacey brown, lilly scott, magnus, michelle delamor, miles, paige miles, scott, season 9, siobhan magnus, stevens, vaughn

Category: American Idol 2010