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It's a pretty even horse race, with a couple of losers, a couple who have greater potential, and most who seem comfortably in the middle.
I'm batting .750 so far, but now it gets harder. The most obvious ones to go seem inexplicably popular. The really good ones seem safe. But everyone in between? At risk despite fairly reasonable performances.
Oh, and BTW: can AI promise to never ever do these syrupy, "dedication" shows again? The horror...the horror...
Starting with the Top 10 guys...
1. Phil Stacey dedicated "Missing You" to his U.S. Navy colleagues
OK, does anyone else feel like Phil is starting to milk the whole military/missed the birth of his baby a little too much? Anyway, I like this 80s chestnut of a song a lot. Phil has a nice tone to his voice, no doubt, but no emotion actually kicked in until about halfway through. So, it was boring actually. The verdict: I tend to think he's safe. I know some folks who think he's kinda creepy, but most people seem to find him very likable. And that likability factor matters a lot.
2. Jared Cotter dedicated "Let's Get It On" to his mom and dad
Which is actually creepy if you think about it too hard. I think Jared is yummy. I was a little nervous when the song started, but he pulled of a reasonable Marvin Gaye impersonation. No originality and a tiny bit of pitchiness, but he loosened up and rocked it on the last verse, particularly. And like I said: he's yummy. The verdict: The scuttlebutt is that he's forgettable, so I guess he's have to be at risk, but I think he's probably safe.
3. AJ Tabaldo dedicated "I'm feeling Good" to his mom and dad
AJ is another one of these guys with a high, womanish voice...emphasized by singing a woman's song, I suppose. The beginning of this was pitchy, but later he got pretty solid, including doing a perfect example of sliding up to a money note...not taking so long it was painful, like some of the other contestants regularly do. He also had good intensity going. but I don't find him among the most memorable or likable or attractive or talented, so he's so middle of the pack it's a problem. The verdict: gots to be at risk.
4. Sanjaya Malakar dedicated "Stepping Out" to his grandfather
OK, apparently Sanjaya will be this year's John (the red-headed crooner) or Bucky...the guy who's totally out of his league, but for some unknown reason has enough fans to stick around. I mean, nice guy, sweet kid, sweet enough tone to his voice even. But performance skills? Non-existent. Embarrassing and awkward. You want to put him out of his misery! This was low key throughout with lots of random wandering about the stage and a deer-in-the-headlights expression. He doesn't even compensate for it with youthful energy. The verdict: Apparently he has a big fan base, but how can he not be at risk???
5. Chris Sligh dedicated "Trouble" to his wife
Taylor did this last year...and with a lot more passion and soul. Chris has all this personality offstage, and then goes kind of bland and unremarkable on stage. Nice voice, definitely, but not living up to his potential. he tends to run sharp, and he tends to sing with no discernible joy. the verdict: Oh, despite my misgivings, I think he's definitely safe.
6. Nick Pedro dedicated "Fever" to his girlfriend
I confess I mostly like Nick because it cracks me up when he says "Vote for Pedro" every week. (Napolean Dynamite reference, for those of you who are pop culture deficient.) He sounded actually very good on this number...smooth, smoky, kinda Sting-like. He has nice vocal control and style, butyes, he indeed has a "charisma problem." The verdict: At risk because he's a little bland.
7. Blake Lewis dedicated "Virtual Insanity" to his parents
What does that mean I wonder? Anyway, Blake continues to be my favorite, simply because he is the most modern and individual. I get pretty tired of everyone trotting out songs that have been done a million times before. Blake did start out a little breahtless and took a while to kick in, but that scat/ awesome. (Unlike a scat the next day...stay tuned...) The verdict: safe, safe, safe.
8. Brandon Rogers dedicated "Time After Time" to his grandmother
Time After Time is another awesome song that AI contestants regularly slaughter (a la I Can't Make You Love Me.) Brandon was shaky and weak. His smile is getting plastic-y; his gestures were a bit cabaret.
