Casey James

"I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw

Idol Intro Confessional: Gasp! Casey doesn't own a TV and has never watched Idol.

Casey is covering a song with some serious Idol baggage, Elliot Yamin and Bo Bice have done it too. But Casey has a secret weapon: his electric guitar and a bad ass amp. I think it's an unfortunate song choice for Casey, his voice sounds pinched and rushed during the all-important chorus. It's not the greatest vocal, but that being said dude can definitely play a mean electric guitar and his performance convinces me even further that whether he succeeds on Idol or not, Casey will make a good living as a working musician. (Even if it's just playing bars.)

Simon Says:

Randy drops a bunch of guitar speak which makes Casey grin like a school girl. He says his guitar playing was hot. Kara says Casey took two steps back, I think mainly to stop the drooling crush chatter. She then makes a good point, "this isn't a lead guitar player competition." Simon backs up my bar comment, saying Casey played like someone "you can see at any bar."

Safe, Shaky, or Should Be Packing: Safe (finally someone rocked out)

Alex Lambert

"Everybody Knows" by John Legend

Idol Intro Confessional: Alex suffers from stage fright. He threw up before last week's performance. You don't say... Least. Surprising. Fact. Ever.

Here's to hoping having a guitar serves as a safety blanket for Alex or we may have a vomit covered performance. Alex still looks a bit nervous, looking down and biting his lip, but it seems coy and cute instead of last week's "oh my god is he going to pee his pants out of fear?" Without the awkward camera staring (and the likable stage fright thing) Alex shows off the interesting vocals that we only got a sample of last week. It's rich and warm and completely his own. It would be great for acoustic tunes, it would be great for soul, it would be great for Marc Cohen cover night. Sure, the performance is still lacking but it's a much stronger vocal performance than just about everyone else tonight.

Simon Says:
 
Ellen continues with the vaguely sexual banana reference when it comes to Alex, saying he's ripe this week. "Under that mullet you have that Sam Cooke voice. Out of everyone here I think you have something unique." Simon says it was "a million percent better," but that Alex lacks the killer instinct.

Safe, Shaky, or Should Be Packing: Safe (we've found this season's lovable under dog)

Todrick Hall

"What's Love Got To Do With It?" by Tina Turner

Idol Intro Confessional: He's a ballet dancer! (So why isn't he on So You Think You Can Dance?)

Side note to Todrick Hall: Stop singing ladies songs. Todrick doesn't want folks to compare him to the original artist, but there's another way to do that without singing something by someone of the opposite gender. (Maybe talk to Andrew Garcia about how.)

This song has the potential to show off Todrick's vocal strengths, but instead it seems to highlight his weaknesses. The song gets off to a slow start where Todrick sounds timid and by the end of the song, he's out of breath. It was karaoke at best. And while I think Todrick has natural ability, which we get glimpses of, but he needs a few more years of strength training before taking on the vocal Olympics. I'm starting a campaign: Todrick Hall for So You Think You Can Dance. Will you join me?

Simon Says:

Randy is getting frustrated with Todrick's insatiable need to rearrange songs, "Just sing a nice song and just sing it. For once." Simon says, "Todrick, move but don't sing. Because this is not working out for you." He then compares it to a program he would suffer through at a theme park.

Safe, Shaky, or Should Be Packing: Should be Packing

We've seen half the guys perform so far, are they doing better than last week? Who's been the best? The worst?


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