Real Kato Blog: American Idol 2009 Week 1 Performances

Michael Jackson week. Really. It's like they want everyone to fail.

Lil Rounds
"The Way You Make Me Feel". It's tough to make this listenable; she's doing reasonably well. It's a little old-fashioned but not bad; every note was on key, even the high one. 8.

Scott Macintyre
"Keep the Faith". It sounds like something you'd hear at a hip Catholic church... it's not terrible, but it's a bit pitchy in parts, and it's very non-threatening and milquetoast. 5.

Danny Gokey
"P.Y.T." An interesting jazzy start, then it goes disco, and then it goes a bit Taylor Hicks. It's kind of manic. This genre is a stretch for him, but importantly, he manages to get through it without falling on his face. It's not his best, but he doesn't need to be at his best this week. 7.

Michael Sarver
"You're Not Alone". Bleah. This is another churchy performance; sappy, dull, pitchy, and his pronunciation is weird. The judges oddly love this; that's hard to understand. 4.

Jasmine Murray
"I'll Be There". It's a good song for her, but she's a little pitchy, and others have done this better. It's just not terribly original. 6.

Kris Allen
"Remember the Time". It's a little boring. He's just not as hip as he thinks he is; he's hard to watch and hard to listen to. Still, it's not his worst. 6.

Allison Iraheta
"Give In to Me". I love that this doesn't sound like a Michael Jackson song; very rock and roll, very current, a great song choice. A few pitchy notes. She's got a Pink vibe going, which is brilliant. 8.

Anoop Desai
"Beat It". It's a bit karaoke... how does anyone do anything with this song? He's kicked up his look, and it's great that he's taking chances, but you can't just do a straight cover of this song. Maybe people like him enough that it won't matter this week. 5.

Jorge Nuñez
"Never Can Say Goodbye". It's like a 70s porno song, weird. Pitchy, lounge-y, and I can't wait for it to end. The judges all hate it too. 4.

Megan Joy
"Rockin' Robin". This actually suits her style... it's a little campy, but a lot of fun, and she sang it pretty well. Hopefully she connected with people; it's a little old-fashioned and not really pop-star-like. The judges hated it; Gordon Ramsay liked it. I think she might be okay. 6.

Adam Lambert
"Black or White". Pretty much what we expect... vocally strong and theatrically energetic, but over the top just like before. He knows how to work a live audience, that's for sure... the judges are gushing. I didn't find it quite as original as they did. 8.

Matt Giraud
"Human Nature". It's another lounge act, and not a good one. This whole falsetto part is just painful. The judges like it... this is Eliot Yamin all over again. 5.

Alexis Grace
"Dirty Diana". It's a good song choice for her; it's sexy and current. A few pitchy notes there, but I don't think it'll matter. 8.

Permalink