American Idol Top 7 performances

The mentor for this week was Mariah Carey, and the Top 7 performed her songs tonite.

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David Archuleta “When You Believe” I don’t think this was his best performance, but it was predictable and the same as every week past — technically very good. Randy said it was the bomb, Paula said he made her proud, and Simon thought it was very, very good and that he performed the song very well.

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Carly Smithson – “Without You” She started out slowly and in her lower range and then she got kind of shouty to me. It was just okay. Randy said it was pretty good, Paula thought she made it her own, and Simon said he didn’t think she pulled it off. He said she was capable, but she overthinks. I think she, like Syesha, oversings.

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Syesha Mercado – “Vanishing” I thought this was very good, except for the screamy parts. She always oversings, and I always feel like she thinks she’s better than the original. Randy said she did a good job on a difficult song, Paula said it was extremely smart song choice and it was magical tonite. Simon said it was technically very, very good but that it was risky for her to choose a song that’s not well known.

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At this point, Ryan asked Simon what he thought of tonite’s theme. Simon said that he was in the middle and that so far, David Archuleta had stolen the show and he is the one to beat.

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Brooke White – “Hero” She started out shaky and got a little better, but overall, not so good. I like Brooke, but she’s not had a good performance in awhile and I think she’s in trouble this week. Randy liked it until she got to the bridge and said she lost her confidence. Paula said “every ounce of you is authentic to who you are”. Simon said it was like ordering a hamburger and only getting the bun, the vital part was missing in her performance and that her voice wasn’t strong enough to pull it off.

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Kristy Lee Cook – “Forever” This was pretty good for Kristy Lee, probably the best she’s ever sounded to me. Good, but not great. Randy said it wasn’t amazing but she started to step it up towards the end. Paula said Kristy Lee is very smart in her choices and she was proud of her tonite. Simon said it didn’t give him chills and he thought it was a little whiny, quite smart but not great.

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David Cook – “Always Be My Baby” Another brilliant performance by David Cook. I think he could have a hit with this right now. It was very good, best of the night. Randy gave him a standing ovation and said it was the most brilliant performance yet. Paula loved it and says he has the whole package. Simon agreed and said that hearing David Cook tonite was like coming out of karaoke hell and into the fresh air. He went on to say that this is a great artist — someone who takes risks.

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Jason Castro – “I Don’t Wanna Cry” This was great, his best performance for me. It was very, very nice, I loved it! Randy said he didn’t love it and felt like he was at a beach luau and someone was playing weird music in the background. Paula said she would love to be at that luau. Simon agreed with Paula and said it was a cool version of the song, and that the boys absolutely won the night.

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Best of the night for me by far were David Cook and Jason Castro. Worst of the night for me was Brooke White, followed by (in any order) Syesha and Carly.

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What do you think? Who will go home this week?

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americanidol.com

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