So Idol decided to spice things up for the top twelve with a new introduction (which looks kind of like the old one) and a new stage (which looks a little like the not-too-distant future.) Of course what really made tonight special was the debut of the Lennon/McCartney songbook. When I was 13 or so I came down with a bad case of Beatlemania, from which I am recovering—but I am not a purist. I didn't think that it was a travesty that Paul and John's music was being featured on the show—how can you say it's a bad thing to give the singers more and better songs from which to choose? However it was difficult to take off my Beatles fan hat for this show, so forgive me if I still get a little too overanalytic about the song choices.
Syesha : Syesha kicked it all off with "Got to Get You Into My Life," which to me means one thing: drugs. Her soul-ey interpretation was a good choice for her, but it was really nothing special—the band was outshining her, and so were those constant flashing strobe lights.
Chikezie: I could sense that "She's a Woman" was going to be a great song choice for him. His country/rock take on it was unexpected and definitely a risk but the guy pulled it off and made everyone who voted for him instead of Danny not look like assholes. Even Ryan was feeling him, and I mean literally.
Ramiele: "In My Life" meant a lot to me in high school, and I swore to myself that I'd make it my first dance at my wedding. Now, however, it puts me to sleep a little bit and so did Ramiele's version. Once again, the guitar and strings section outshone the singer. And even Paula was admitting that the rendition was a snooze. I wonder if Danny was pissed, since the song was dedicated to him.
Jason: According to Paula, we can feel his heart, so who cares how he sings? There are a few things up with Jason. First, as a Beatles fan, I wasn't thrilled with his choice of "If I Fell": I think the song is 50% as good without the close two-part harmony. Secondly, his John Mayer-esque ballading is just getting kind of tired. Plus, he has a slight male version of the Britney Spears catch in his voice. I know this kid is talented (even though he was wearing a vest), but he needs to get outside his hot-box.
(This was the point in the show where I put "A Hard Day's Night" on and started listening during the commercials. I actually thought to myself, also, "Man I love 'You Can't Do That.' I wish someone would sing that.")
Carly: This is going to be a cheesy metaphor, but if Carly's voice is an expensive car, it needs a big road to be let out on. Tonight, on that new stage, she finally showed, not hinted at her potential. You wouldn't think "Come Together" would be a great song for showing off your voice but her doing so really proved what she can do. Plus, she looked comfortable on stage, too, maybe more than she has thus far. She earned the coveted Kelly Clarkson comparison from Simon, maybe partially because the lyrics mention Coca-Cola.
David Cook: Argh, he was wearing nail polish in his little personal video montage. I hate nail polish on guys. Where was I? Okay. Here is an example of where Idol and the Beatles clash for me. Like last week, David chose a really good song for him. He sang well and interpreted "Eleanor Rigby" in a way that worked for his preferred singing style. If I never had heard that song before or if I were really into quasi emo rock ballads I would love it. However, knowing what I already know about "Eleanor Rigby," I have a problem with the near-shouting and the flashing lights and the melodrama of the delivery. There's re-interpreting a song and then there's eliminating the context. But again, he did a good job and I have to say that nothing is sacred, so I can't hate. I want to, but I can't.
Brooke: Brooke seemed nervous at the beginning of "Let It Be" but I guess she was just overcome with emotion. Whatever. She did a fine job, doing her Brooke White thing. Once again, the Beatles fan in me gets in the way. I think this song is Paul McCartney getting overly maudlin and hackneyed and I personally find it rather cheesy. If I weren't as familiar with it I'd probably find her performance simple yet powerful but I wasn't into it. "Hey Jude" might have been a more interesting choice for her since she'd be able to rock out a bit at the end.