American Idol: Season 7 Top 5

Ugh. With both Michael Johns and Carly Smithson gone, the number of people I'm excited to see perform each week is dwindling. Can someone win me over with their Neil Diamond tunes? They'll each get two shots to try!

BTW, my recap is written below the way the evening should have gone: two performances, one critique, we all move on our merry way. But for whatever reason, after the first round, Ryan threw to the judges and asked for remarks. Randy and Simon were disappointed in the early effort (Simon putting it more harshly, obvs), but Paula was a mess. She started giving Jason Castro notes on things he hadn't done yet, and seemed thoroughly confused. Maybe she's just a misunderstood time traveller.

First up is Jason Castro (booo). He's chosen "Forever in Blue Jeans" and "September Morn," and he mixes up the lyrics in rehearsal. Wah-wah, Neil. For "Blue Jeans," he plays the guitar, and he starts out low -- disaster. He sounds much better on the second verse when he gets higher...and then loses it again on the bridge. Everything just sounds so hard for Jason. He goes for the sensitive stool sit for "September Morn" and I have to admit, this is the best he's sounded and looked without his guitar -- he isn't terribly awkward, and he actually sings on-key. (I know, he's set the bar so high, right?). Ugh, then that last note.

Randy reminds Jason: it's a singing competition, and his singing isn't the best. Paula thinks he needs to step it up. Simon says he's unrecognizable as who they put through, and forgettable.

David Cook goes with two lesser known songs, "I'm Alive" and "All I Really Need Is You." He gives Neil goosebumps. The first one, "I'm Alive," is all rocked out, and he accompanies himself on the electric gee-tar. Vintage David Cook...I'm not wowed simply because I know how capable he is of these things. It's like he's already a real performer. On song number two, he goes acoustic. It starts out a bit droning for me, but then he gets to a big chorus where he can show off some range.

Randy thinks he rocked the house on that second song. Paula loves the choice, and thinks he is the American Idol. Simon thought the first song was ok, but the second was brilliant -- he made it sound like the song was written this year.

Brooke White (please don't break down Brooke) will play the guitar on "I'm a Believer," and the piano on "I Am, I Said." She goes with the song the Monkees made famous first, and while she looks like a deer in headlights in the beginning, she gets control of her eyes and she sounds all right. She throws one of those dangerous "woos!" in, but overall, it's an ok performance. Right before her second try, Ryan brings up forgetting her lyrics and Simon calling her a nightmare. Geez Ryan, just push her over the ledge. Actually, maybe she needed a kick in the ass -- this is all right. She still doesn't haven't an amazing voice, but she's got a little bit of her Carole King-y charm back.

Randy says nice job on a tough song. Paula liked the vulnerability. Simon hated the first one, but the second song is the Brooke he likes.

Next up is David Archuleta who has gone for the big ones: "Sweet Caroline" (or, as I was forced to hear my sophomore year, thanks to my sorority-girl roommates, "Sweet Kappa Girl") and "America." Neil calls him a prodigy. David starts with "Caroline" which as my husband says, is the ultimate karaoke song. He changes it enough though that it works for me. Plus, he's such an old-fashioned kid, he wears the cheesiness well. Which is good, considering his choice of "America." Man, this song is so dumb, but it totally pumps me up. Except for one little crack on "they're," David sounds amazing, especially on the bridge/key change and the big ender of "let freedom ring."

Randy says he's in the zone. Paula thinks it was the perfect song for him to sing, but she wants more fun from him. Simon says it was smart -- it ticked all the boxes.

Syesha calls the night a "mini-concert" and she's got "Hello Again" and "Thank the Lord for the Nighttime" on her set list. She goes with "Hello" first, and delivers it from the edge of the stage. She looks really pretty tonight, and she sounds great. She's gaining confidence, it seems. I still just can't get past my first impressions of her -- she's so polished, and yet there's nothing particularly special about her. Her second song (the latter round's only upbeat ditty), just confirms that for me. Just when I think she's kind of cute and having fun, she flashes an insincere smile and loses me. A very consistent night, but nothing overly impressive.

Randy really digs her in theatrical tunes. Paula liked all of it (first and second song). Simon thinks she's a good actress/singer, but she may be in trouble...it just wasn't memorable enough.

As for my opinion? I can only guess that the Davids are safe. And maybe Brooke goes out this week, but with the morale victory of a stronger performance night as her last Idol memory.