Eleven to Nine

Big week. Two people go home tomorrow with no possibility of a save. So they all sang their hearts out, especially Casey Abrams whose dramatic elimination and save last week will go down in American Idol history. Oh dear. How do the power rankings look now?

1. James Durbin: He still goes high on the list. Great job on a great song (Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting), perfect choice, incredible use of stage. He is the best of all the contestants at moving and, obviously, using the stage.

2. Lauren Alaina redeemed herself for sure. She took a sappy song (Candle in the Wind) and sang it as well as it can be sung. I don't like her style (either in dress or song) and her personality irritates me. But her talent is undeniable and I think she has popular appeal. If she can hold herself together (a big if) she could win. And then I'll be mad like when Taylor Hicks won.

3. Casey Abrams: He's Baaaack!!! Romantic, restrained, beautiful job on a beautiful song. He pushed it just enough.

4. Haley Reinhart: Fabulous! Hands down the most entertaining performance of the night (along with James). If she gets voted off I might have to stop watching.

5. Scotty McCreery: Yes he's one note, but there's just something about him. And he does change it up enough to remain interesting. I wouldn't be shocked (or sorry) to see him in the top three.

6. Pia Toscano was better than last week. She showed some restraint but still screeched on the high, loud notes. And what was with the melisma? So 2008. But I guess some people like Celine Dion, and although she isn't one, I guess some people might think so and vote for her. But I don't see her winning.

7. Jacob Lusk did a good job of reigning in his lusky stank for the most part. But when he gets that sobbing look on his face he looks crazy. Talented but, like Pia, not top three material.

8. Stefano Langone did much better than last week was was as adorable as ever. The editors did him dirty however by showing his rehearsal struggle to evaluate the words he was singing. I think he is a talented instinctive singer with a beautiful voice, but the intellect might be lacking. But great song choice and great job.

9. Paul McDonald: I don't know dawg, but I just wasn't feeling it. For me it was a little boring. I agree with Jennifer that he was holding back, but I'm not sure he has it in him. I was disappointed by the way he sang my all time favorite song, Rocket Man.

10. & 11. Thia Megia & Naima Adedapo: Bye ladies. Naima I'll miss you a lot; Thia not at all. Thia, come back in ten years.

6.

Toward the Top Ten

This is an important elimination, because the remaining contestants are assured a place in the American Idol summer tour. Besides exposure, the tour means a fat payday for the final ten. Given the stakes, the performers gave their all this week, so ranking them is especially difficult. I feel like previous ranking have been stood on their head. I try to be somewhat objective in the power rankings, but today's power list may reflect my preferences more than usual. Here they are best to worst:

1. James Durbin: Perfect, both voice and movement. I love his voice; it has such a pure ringing tone.

2. Paul McDonald: I haven't been liking him lately, but I loved his performance today. Like James, perfect. The guitar also served him well in curtailing his lurching dance. He is such an entertaining performer, I can't imagine America wanting to send him home now.

3. Naima Adedapo: After this week's performance, I feel justified in giving her a high ranking. She was awesome. The African drumming and dance was beyond wonderful. And she sang very well.

4. Casey Abrams: I still like him, but there is getting to be a sameness to his performances. If he doesn't change some, he'll soon be overtaken as front runner. That said, I loved his vocals on this song, but I found his movements a little creepy.

5. Stefano Langone: He has a classic vocal quality that I really like and which went well with this song. The judges were right though about his not acting the song's feelings. Jennifer nailed it when she said that his delivery was intense in an effort to do well rather than to fit the emotions of the song. But he's too good and too cute to go home.

6. Thia Megia: She did very well on an up tempo song. She has an outstanding talent, but not enough distinction in her delivery. She won't last to the end.

7. Jacob Lusk reigned in the screaming intensity to give a very good performance, but his face and motions were distracting. I liked him, but I don't think he deserved the raves he got from the judges.

8. Scotty McCreery turned Motown into Nashville, but it worked well. I like him too, but I think the voting audience might get tired of his sameness after a while.

9. Pia Toscano: Princess please, not another dreary ballad. And stop going for those high notes, because it makes your voice sounds like chalk scraped over a blackboard.

10. Lauren Alaina: Very boring and awkward. She might be in danger of the bottom three.

11. Haley Reinhart: But Lauren won't be going home because Haley will. I actually liked her performance; I always like a growly voice. But those shorts she wore made her look kind of desperate. If women are the main voters, they won't respond well to her costume.

Top Twelve Power Rankings

Despite the judges jubilation, I found this week's performances generally uncompelling. In order of strength:

1. Stefano Langone: He reminds me of those old-fashioned Italian crooners like Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, but with a modern twist. AI voters won't be able to resist his adorableness. This season's Kris Allen.

2. James Durbin must have benefited from stylists' advice this week. And his voice really rang out. Too poppy Steven? Really? Aerosmith calling Bon Jovi poppy?

3. Casey Abrams: Not his best performance, but nice try; loved the electric bass. He should pull back on the aggressiveness. His cute parent's interview couldn't have hurt him.

4. Scotty McCreery: Reached a little vocally this week, with success. Elvis? You could have worse influences. Do non-country next time.

5. Pia Toscano: I dislike this personality deprived princess with the ugly clothes, but I know she has her fans. Boring performance as usual. And why doesn't anyone point out how screamy she gets on the loud, high notes?

6. Haley Reinhart: She should probably come later in the list, but I can't help it. I think she is perhaps the most innovative and versatile performer this season, and I hope that America will respond. I don't get the judges' dislike. Haley is this season's Katie Stevens in that regard. I thought that Katie gave better defined performances; maybe Jennifer is onto something in noting Haley's bodily discomfort, but Haley has undeniable talent.

7. Paul McDonald sang one of my favorite songs and did OK, but I can't stand to look at him move. I don't see him as more than an early favorite.

8. Lauren Alaina was much better than last week, but I don't think her immature personality is ready for prime time. Plus her dad scared me.

9. Jacob Lusk: The Lusky stank? That's too big an opening. Jacob is this year's Shiobhan Magnus, starting off strong, but kind of a one-note pony. I liked his momma's impromptu singing and did not appreciate his disrespecting her vocal chops.

10. Thia Megia: Technically good, but oh so boring. Looked lovely.

11. Naima Adedapo gave the worst performance of the night, ruining a really great song. If she doesn't go home, she'll definitely make the bottom three.

12. Karen Rodriquez had the worst hair ever, highlighting her princessy personna. Her performance was much better than last week's, but was it good enough to save her boring self?

AI Round One

Here is my AI 10 power list based on last night's performances (worst first):

Karen Rogriquez: Most recappers hated Ashthon more, but the contrast between this lame performance and the sheer beauty of Selena's voice was crushing.

Ashthon Jones: Meh. Not 100% hideous.

Lauren Alaina: This girl will stay, but her performance stunk. Ew, Shania!

Thia Megia: OK performance, odd song choice, too young. She'd never heard of Charlie "Chapman", but who else hasn't she heard of?

Pia Toscano: I don't get the love. Horrible dress, no personality, screamy undisciplined performance. She's no (ahem) Katherine McPhee.

Paul McDonald: Love this song, decent performance, but his dancing makes me nervous. His truly sexy voice will keep him going for a long time.

Haley Reinhart: Great song choice, nice gutsy performance.

Stefano Langone: Lovely performance, classic pop voice and style in a timeless way.

Jacob Lusk: Fabulous voice and original arrangement, just not perfect.

Naima Adedapo: Vocals not perfect, but LOVED the reggae rhythm and moves; very creative.

Casey Abrams: Tasty; one of my all time favorite songs.

James Durbin: Inspired song choice and performance, but he also makes me a little nervous, like he might explode on stage.

Scotty McCreery: I used to hate it, but thanks to Scotty I now love country music.

I'm looking forward to seeing Adam Lambert tonight.

It's American Idol Season Again

What do you think of the new judges panel? I for one loved them during the kinder, gentler auditions this season, but Steven and Jennifer are looking a little weak in the (semi) live judging. Randy, however seems to be stepping up to the Simon slot.

In any case this season's talent pool has been strong, as every blogger and commentator has pointed out. During last week's two sing -offs, I noticed something else about them. It was apparent to me in the performances of Robbie Rosen and Jacok Lusk, that the contestants are getting good advice. Bother of these over the top performers were nicely toned down. Jacob gave an especially beautiful performance.

Here are your AI 10 Top 13 with my very rough predictions:

Ashton Jones (13th place)

Casey Abrams (top 3)

Hailey Reinhart (11th place)

James Durbin (5th place)

Jacob Lusk (6th place)

Karen Rodriquez (10th place)

Lauren Alaina (top 3)

Naima Adedapo (12th place)

Paul McDonald (4th place)

Pia Toscano (8th place)

Scotty McCreery (7th place)

Stefano Langone (top 3)

Thia Megia (9th place)

That was alphabetical. Here they are in order of leaving:

Ashton Jones

Naima Adedapo (I love her, but America won't)

Haley Reinhart (so forgettable)

Karen Rodriquez (forgettable)

Thia Megia (a little freaky)

Pia Toscano

Scotty McGreery

Jacob Lusk

James Durbin

Paul McDonald

Lauren, Stefano, Casey (in no order yet)

I may be wrong about Pia, Scotty, and Stefano, under rating the first two and over rating the last. Here is a link to mj's big blog, the repository for all things AI, and her power list.