IDOL TOP 7
4.14.09

The show starts in typical fashion with Ryan Seacrest parading past the contestants – who all look like perfect characterizations of themselves tonight. Ryan intros movie night by calling Quentin Tarantino a legend. Really, a legend? He also allows the legend to deliver the line, “This is AMERICAN IDOL.” That may very well be the first time anyone has uttered that “infamous” line other than Seacrest – and the defunct Dunkleman, of course.

Much to the judges’ dismay, their grand entrance has not returned and Ryan is the only one to prance his petite feet down the ginormous staircase. The judges do, however, get special intros.

Randy is called “vibrant and congenial.” He throws up the peace sign and then points to the heavens. Did I miss something? Did he win some hip hop award – or better yet, score an NFL touchdown?

Kara is labeled as “provocative” and then reacts with a dismayed and absolutely hideous facial expression. Note to self, don’t look like that on TV tomorrow. At least Kara is good for something.

Paula confuses Ryan with her bejeweled neckpiece and then requests to be called “hot.”

Simon is referred to as “legendary” and then called “your highness,” “his majesty” and “sir.” They’re pretty loose with the term legendary tonight, wouldn’t you say?

Reference is made to last week’s episode when most of America missed Adam’s performance. Simon explains that it was the totally the girls’ fault and, because of this mishap, each contestant will only receive feedback from two judges tonight.

The top 7 hit the stage and Steve Van Zandt is shown applauding the gang. What’s he plugging?

A trailer style reel on Quentin follows and it utilizes a voice other than that of the “legendary” Don La Fontaine, which makes me sad.

First up is…

Allison Iraheta
16-year-old from LA, CA – the youngest finalist
Sings “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” from Armageddon

This may be the most overplayed movie song of all time. Besides that damn Titanic song, that is. I do NOT like this track for her voice. She sounds terribly weak. She hit a couple of good notes, but, all in all it was pretty lame.

Katie Couric dug it though. So did Steve Van Zandt.

Paula noticed tonight, more than ever, that she possesses the same “special sauce” as Adam. She calls her authentic and remarkably talented.

Simon thinks it was BBQ sauce Paula was referring to, hot and spicy. He calls her the girls’ only hope in this competition and says he’s never heard a girl sing this song so well.

Anoop Desai
23-year-old from Chapel Hill, NC
Sings “Everything I do, I do it for You” from Robin Hood

What is with the letterman style jacket? He’s not giving up on that preppy frat boy look, is he? His style may suck, but his voice sounds great. 100 % solid.

Randy says, “Yo!” He feared it would be rough but says Anoop has found his zone and was rocking the house.

KD says he has definitely found his place with pop songs he can add soul to. She calls this one of his best.

Adam Lambert
27-year-old from Hollywood
Sings “Born to be Wild” from Easy Rider

He skips across the stage. LOL. Nothing says rock star more than skipping. He sounds awesome, of course. He rocks with the band, works the stage and plays to the girls in the crowd. Yeah, I said girls. His vocal prowess is absolutely stellar. As is his style. He is the one to beat. No doubt.

Paula says he dares to dance in the path of greatness and points out that fortune rewards the brave and he is one of the bravest contestants she was ever witnessed.

Simon jokes that he needs to learn to express himself. He says that vocally it was incredible but the downside is that the performance was a bit too Rocky Horror Picture Show. He doesn’t think this performance will be as popular as last week’s. But at least I got to see this one.

Matt Giraud
The 23-year-old dueling piano player from Kalamazoo, MI
Sings "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman” from Don Jaun Demarco

He’s at the piano and he’s not bad but I can’t help but think of him as a JT knock-off. OK, I take that last statement back. He is bad. The second half of the song was really rough. He’s in trouble.

Yikes. His fam isn’t even standing.

Randy calls that performance interesting and says it started OK but got rocky once he hit the bridge. He thought he did too much with the song and fell down more places than he won. It wasn’t one of his best, according to R Dog.

Kara says he tends to take two steps forward and, I assume, she’s implying he then takes two steps back. During the break, Paula plans to call her lawyer and request he draw up copyright infringement papers. KD babbles some more but simply just reiterates what Randy said.

Danny Gokey
28-year-old from Milwaukee – the oldest contestant
Sings “Endless Love”

OOH! I think he actually hit a bad note. I wasn’t sure it was possible. This song is so much better as a duet. Honestly, this is my least favorite performance from him. That doesn’t mean he sucks…but it does mean he’s not selling it like he should.

From the opening of the performance, Paula was worried about the key…but the magic is in the tambor of his voice. Seriously. That’s what she said. It’s that magical place that defines who he is, Paula says.

Simon can’t fault how he sang the song but he’s disappointed in the traditional version of the song. He congratulates him, though, for his emotion.

Kris Allen
23-year-old from No Where, Arkansas
Sings “Falling Slowly” from Once

He’s still sporting that half stache. Either commit or quit, dude! This is a very soft, sweet song and he is delivering it quite well. The falsetto note was superb…gave me chills. I’m back on the Kris train. I LOVED IT! Must. Watch. Again.

This was one of my faves from the entire season. And it came from boy bander/ half stacher Kris. Who would’ve thunk?

WOW! It never quite caught on for Randy. He says it was pitchy from note one. I’m thinking that the studio sound came off different than the over the air sound. Or else I’m coming down with a cold. I don’t know. You tell me.

Kara thought it was one of his best. DOUBLE WOW! First, I dig Kris. Second, I agree with Kara? What is this world coming to?

Lil Rounds
24-year-old from Memphis
Sings “The Rose”

This is an interesting look to rock while delivering this tune. She sounds good but I am waiting for the power. She is definitely back to being Lil. Kudos for that. She is singing for her life…and she’s somewhat succeeding. I just don’t think she can compete with the big boys.

Paula paraphrases the song lyrics and says the road is long but it’s one worth taking.

Simon rolls his eyes.

Simon still thinks she’s getting it completely wrong. He calls the song too soft, too middle of the road and says she is not the artist we met 7 or 8 weeks ago.

Lil responds and says she put her own bit to this song; that she’s into R&B, soul and gospel. The crowd screams, Simon interrupts and the Tivo cuts off once again.

On that bad note, I say the bottom three are Matt, Lil and Allison.