American Idol: Season Seven Top 10

It's make the audience feel old night on Idol. The contestants are singing songs from their birth year. They've made the top 10, but will they be on Idol Gives Back (baby steps Ryan...the finale is a long way off)?

Ramiele was born in 1987. She sings Heart's "Alone," which was so big for Carrie Underwood. I like the idea -- it's a big ballad but it's at least a bit more interesting. It feels sluggish though. Her opening is too soft, and she's kind of just standing there. Also...whoa, her outfit. Hids. Randy didn't like it...apparently she's under the weather. Paula's just happy that America heard her sing. Simon didn't think it was that bad, but it was maybe a bit shrieky.

Jason was also born in 1987, and today is his birthday. Great. So he's sticking around. Interesting song choice: Sting's "Fragile." He does it with the guitar, sitting on a stool. It's all just so small for Idol to me. He sounds good, but it's not exactly hard, and the unfamiliarity of the song may play against him. Nice little falsetto for the ladies and a strong ending, but I don't get it. Randy loves the song and thinks it was pleasant. Paula says he was true to himself, but he played it safe, vocally. Simon said it was like a subway station busker.

Jesus. Syesha was born in 1987 too. And she's pulling out the baby cry again. She sings "If I Were Your Woman." For the second week in a row, I am begrudgingly digging her...she sounds great. Randy says it's the best he's ever heard her sing. Paula agrees: this is where Syesha flipped it. Simon says it was the best so far, but then again, we're only three in.

Chikezie and I have the same birthday! What up, 9/11 babies! He was born in 1985. He sings "If Only For One Night." A few rough notes in that very first line, but he eases into it, and ends up sounding good...he has a nice falsetto that he can switch in and out of naturally. Don't know about the song choice though, kind of dull to me, and not one that I know so well that I am excited to hear it. Big finish, but is it enough for Chikezie, who fans have been hot and cold on? Hope so! Randy felt like it was too old-school. Paula disagrees, she likes the throwback thing. Simon thinks he sang it well, but the performance was cheesy.

Brooke White is the first person born in a decent year, 1983. There's something weird with the intro of "Every Breathe You Take," because she looks like she's waiting on a signal, and then she starts it, stops, and restarts. She's playing it with just the piano until the chorus. I like it, and it's probably good that she can't move from behind there, but is it different enough from the original? Randy liked the beginning better than the end, which I kind of agree with. Paula thinks it was way better than last week's, and she liked her consistency. Simon agrees with Randy, and thinks it should have just been her and the piano the whole way through.

Michael Johns is older than me! Thank the lord! He was born in '78 in Perth, Australia. He sings "We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions" which is silly, but I love it. Trying the recapture some of that "Bohemian Rhapsody" glory? Why not! I just like Michael, y'all. I'll admit it. He's cute, and his interviews are funny, and he rocks a vest. Randy is psyched he finally challenged himself. Paula agrees, he found the right song. Simon has at least seen star potential.

Carly was born in 1983, and has chosen "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Love this song. It's kind of scary though...it's a huge crescendo, and as she gets further along it's like: can she do it? She does! She kicks it's ass! Nice work, Carly. Randy doesn't love it. What? Paula says Carly can take any song and sell it. Simon thinks something didn't quite work, and she needs to "relax." Lame! She was awesome, eff you judges.

David Archuleta was born in 19 effing 90. Omg, does this mean he'll sing Color Me Badd. Nope, he goes with "You're the Voice." He sounds good, but umm...what is this song? Randy says strange but nice. It was apparently a Johnny Farnham ditty. Oh yes, Johnny Farnham. Paula says he can sing anything. Simon says it was like theme park performance, all he needs are some animated animals. I can see that.

Kristy Lee Cook was born in 1984 and she is, no shit, singing God Bless the USA. Cheap Kristy. Cheap. Who's going to vote her off now? The judges are kind of flabbergasted into calling it good. Simon says it's her best performance yet, and a very smart choice. Oh well, everyone. Get ready for another week of Kristy.

David Cook was born in 1982, and he had a massive supervillain skull. He's doing Chris Cornell's version of "Billie Jean," which I didn't know existed. He's doing it without his guitar this week. This is...interesting. I mean. Billie Jean. Who doesn't love it exactly the way it is? Then again, he sounds great, especially once he gets out from behind the mic stand and goes for it. Randy thinks he's the most exciting and original contestant they've had, and he might just win it. Hot, molten lava, he says! Paula can't even sit, she's so psyched. He's so smart, he takes it to the edge, he's brave, he always does it right. Simon says it could have been insane or amazing...and it was amazing.

I'd say David Cook, Michael, and Carly (why were they so harsh on her?) were the night's best. Kristy, Jason, and Ramiele were the bottom three for me, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Chikezie's in trouble. Don't do it America! Chikezie and I are reclaiming the day from the terrorists!