American Idol- Idol Gives Back

Jordin, giving back in song.Ryan stands in some dramatic light to remind us: these may be the same 3 judges and the same 6 finalists, but tonight is different. Tonight, our votes save our favorite performers AND...(wait for it)...lives. THIS...is Idol Gives Back. In honor of the theme, the contestants are singing songs about compassion and hope. Already, I'm getting a toothache. I hope the judges can still be nasty.

Before the performances begin, we are treated to more footage of Ryan and Simon in Africa. Gosh, if I were still an impressionable teenager, I'd get all worked up over this and do some internet research and think very strongly about "doing something" before getting distracted by auditions for the school play and whatever nerd I have a crush on.

I'm sorry...was that cynical? This is a good thing and all, but I know Americans, and we're apathetic. About everything but singing competitions, it seems. So let's get to it.

Chris: Chris chooses "Change the World" by Eric Clapton, which is surprisingly unsugary. I like that he's going softer vocally, it prevents him from getting into that "nasal" form of singing he's so fond of. Also, the occasional R&B runs in a a soft rock song like this provide a nice flair- he makes it his own without cannibalizing it. Chris goes for the big finish, and...wow. I actually kinda liked it. Randy says Chris is in it to win it. Paula is, as always, proud. Simon feels like the competition starts properly tonight (what, without Sanjaya?) and that Chris' performance was soulful and sexy.

Melinda: Melinda sings "There will Come a Day" by Faith Hill. She sticks with the straight hair and I love her dress. This is a good old-fashioned belting song, and when Mel gets to the key change I realize that this is why she's hot. It's a boring song, but her vocals give me the chills. Randy announces that "Melinda is here!" Paula thinks Mel is magical. Simon calls the performance a vocal master class.

Blake: When Blake tells us he's going to tackle "Imagine" by John Lennon, I get a little worried. This song is so beloved and so straightforward, it's not something that suits the show-offy vocals one often sees in this competition. Blake delivers it naturally and earnestly though, and really nails it. I like the purity of his tone. Every once in awhile his voice settles into something slightly jazzy, which is a nice (minor ) twist on the song. Still...would it be totally inappropriate for him to beatbox the finish? I miss the beatboxing. Randy loves the song but thinks the performance was just okay. Paula disagrees. The song is beautiful and simple, so that's how Blake delivered it. Simon is somewhere in the middle. Is it really Blake's fault the song doesn't "go anywhere"?

Lakisha: Lakisha reaches into the Idol songbook and sings "I Believe", Fantasia's season-winning song. Immediately I have to wonder: how is she going to do this without a huge choir? Unfortunately, my fears are not soon assuaged. Lakisha is making Fantasia look damn good tonight. Don't get me wrong, she still has a great voice, but Fantasia owned this shit. I'm a little worried Kisha is losing her 'mo. Randy tells her there were pitch problems. Paula says that Lakisha has a powerhouse voice, but it's hard to improve upon Fantasia's uniqueness. Simon thinks it got a little shouty. Thankfully, Kiki refrains from going Richardson on him and explaining that "Shouty is a form of singing".

Phil: Phil says "The Change" by Garth Brooks had a profound affect on him when it originally came out after Oklahoma City bombing. I believe it- this is the most emotion I've seen from Phil in awhile. He really is improving. Now, if only he could open a song without sounding froggy. Randy says that's two strong performances in a row. Paula thinks he's found his comfort in country. Simon admits that he really likes Phil, and agrees that country is his genre.

Jordin: Jordin closes a sentimental evening with "You'll Never Walk Alone", and she's rocking another beautiful dress. I love the soft start to the song. She has a few pitch issues, but her tone is lovely. Also, as with last week, she's really connecting with the song's emotions. She goes for a huge ending and nails it. She might be the frontrunner right now. Randy proclaims it to be one of the best vocals by anyone on this show ever. Paula thinks Jordin did a lovely job. Simon playfully quips, "Unlike Randy I thought you were fantastic."

With no obvious folks to send home (*cough* Sanjaya and Haley), it's going to be a tough one tonight. Strong performances from weaker contestants like Chris and Phil may take down a better singer like Lakisha, who had an off night. I think Blake, Phil and Lakisha will be in the bottom three, and either Phil or Kiki will go home. Now, I just have to sit through two hours of Idol "giving back" to find out if I'm right...

See y'all tomorrow!