WOW, you guys were right. The Top 24 pictures of these guys didn't do them justice at all. None of them sang a note yet, but every single one of them looks interesting to me and not just potential eyecandy, but there is definite eyecandy. YAY!And yeah, after a quick look at the girls, two of them on the very end look like twin pretty princesses. It could be a frustrating night tomorrow.
As for the judges, Randy seems subdued, Paula seems subdued. Simon is still the same - smug, with a healthy dash of arrogance and a whole lot of sexy.
Rudy Cardenas: Niiiice! Seems to have a sweet and infectious personality. Great performer and I did enjoy his performance of "Free Ride" despite the cheesy hip thrusts. Agreed with Simon though, his vocals were nothing special.
Brandon Rogers: Gorgeous smile! Definitely knew how to work the eyes without being all creepy about it. Sang "Rock With You" and I didn't care for the song and was a tad bored, but the vocals sounded smooth to me despite the "pitchy" reviews from the judges. He was wearing blinding white shoes.... not sure why guys think this is a good look.
Sundance Head: They showed a clip of his audition and I got all excited to hear his big booming voice, but was quickly disappointed. He sang "Nights in White Satin" and seemed to struggle all throughout. Agreed with the judges on their assessment, he was like a dad at a wedding. If he makes it through, I hope he busts out a blues number or even a dramatic Meatloaf song would be great.
Paul Kim: For the love of God, I hope he wears some shoes....ewww, he didn't. Then he sang "Careless Whispers" and proceeded to butcher my favorite George Michael song. It was a hot mess from the beginning and the high notes made me cringe. I agree with Simon, put your damn shoes on.
Chris Richardson: And here is the eyecandy I was looking forward to! Definitely the heartthrob type and the female vote may take him far in this competition. He sang "I Don't Wanna Be" and while it wasn't a hot mess, it wasn't that great - all nasally up in his nasal. (tm somebody I know ;P ) Overall, enjoyed his energy.
Nick Pedro: Seems sweet and has a cute dimple in his right cheek. That is about all I can say because his "I Will Be Your Man" bored me to tears even though the vocals weren't half bad.
Blake Lewis: Rocking the A-Fed geek chic with his spiked up hair. Sang "Somewhere Only We Know." Ahhhhh! Love this song, love his sweet and soothing vocals, just LOVE THIS GUY. Sure, part of it is that he reminds me of Anthony but its more than that. Seems to be a humble and genuine guy and hope that doesn't change. LOVE HIM!
Sanjaya Malakar: He got the Bucky Covington Bouncy Breck Hair by the stylists tonight. He sang a Stevie Wonder song that I didn't recognize. He has a pleasant voice, was clearly nervous and I agree with Simon, it was dreary. He's a sweet kid that I don't want to see crushed by this competition. He may be one of the first to go this week and that might be a blessing.
Chris Sligh: Loved his snark and humor. I agree with him regarding "Sweet Home Alabama", that song is really played out now. Great song choice....not sure what it was but it worked for him. Great vocals. I think he will go far in this competition, but some might be put off by his over confidence.
Jared Cotter: Very handsome, reminds me of a High School track coach. Smiling face, but scared eyes. That isn't so bad, I thought the same thing about Carrie Underwood and look where she is now! Sang "Back at One" with a great falsetto at the end. Didn't hear the "nasal" that Simon referred to though.
AJ Tabaldo: Like his personality and you can see his joy of performing shining through. I didn't care for the song or performance itself, but it wasn't bad - just not my preference. I hope he stays thru next week because I would like to see more from him.
Phil Stacey: Very nice eyes and that won me over right there. Don't care for the bald head, but perhaps its an homage to Oli-T? Hee! He sang "Could Not Ask For More" and it started off very badly. Whatever was holding him back, he was able to shake off and brought it home during the chorus and the end. I disagree with Randy, not the best vocal of the night. That goes to Blake Lewis.
Overall, I was very impressed with the guys this year. Its going to be a close competition and I am looking forward to this entire season.
My Top Three: Blake Lewis, Chris Sligh, Brandon Rogers (in that order)
My Bottom Two: Sanjaya Malakar and Paul Kim
9 comments:
All I can say is: Jared Cotter is HOT, HOT, HOT!!! Yum! And his falsetto didn't murder me like Ace's did last year, so more points for him.
And thank you Blake Lewis for reminding me how much I like that Keane song, and how I almost forgot about it. And thank you too, for not breaking into beatboxing while singing that song.
Overall though, I am not feeling the guys, at least tonight. Nobody vocally wowed me or performed spectacularly, or one that stood from the rest, at least. Maybe it's the nerves, but for me, this seems to be the weakest top 12 guys group (I've only watched top 12 guys since S4 though). So even though I haven't seen them yet, I'm thinking the girls are gonna have a level playing field, and I will go out on a limb to say a girl will win this year.
But on a brighter (and shallow) side, this seems to be the BEST top 12 guys group in terms of EYECANDY!!!! LOL!
Blake Lewis, I love you!!
I just had to get that out of the way. Okay. I feel better now.
If I had to pick my top 6 guys out of tonight's performances it would be Blake *Smitten*, Phil (love his voice but not his scary bald head...or maybe it's the sharply contrasting dark eyebrows), Brandon (he could just stand there and smile and I'd vote for him), AJ (I'd never even SEEN this guy before), Chris S. (great personality but he's going to have to be careful not to get on Simon's bad side), and Jared (another guy I don't remember seeing but has a really nice tone to his voice and it quite handsome).
I agree with the judges that these guys are going to have to bring it from this point on. Stop playing it safe.
And yes. Put your shoes on Paul!
First reactions with all these guys is that I liked them personally. There didn't seem to be a polarizing Constantine type in the bunch or anyone that either skeeved or scared me.
I wonder when all the misdemenor drug/alcohol arrest, shoplifting, jaywalking, fraud, speeding, domestic type of dirt will start to come out....or if there is any this year.
In my initial review I forgot to give my bottom two. I'm going to have to go with Rudy (sorry Spork) and Sundance.
Rudy's hip thrusty performance just wreaked a little too much of Vegas Night Club. That and his annunciation...or lack there of...just bugged the bejeebers out of me (even more than Paul's bare feet and Sanjaya's bouncin' and behavin' hair).
Sundance appears to have been on a steady downward talent spiral since his initial audition and last night did nothing to change that. Listen to Anthony when he talks, Sundance. Song choice is EVERYTHING. That song was just...yuck. And if you feel you MUST sing a crappy song please at least sing it in tune.
Can I have one Jared Cotter to go please?
He is quite gorgeous!! I think he needs to sing better next week but it was the first week so I'll forgive his pretty ass.
Chris Richardson..his voice is Justinesque so WHY was he singing I don't wanna be while wearing a jacket and tie? Nothing matched up!! Wrong move IMO.
Blake Lewis chose an excellent song and he was good, I expect big things of him! No pressure Blakey boy.
Phil Stacey sang one of my favourite songs, it started very badly though and I was distracted by his scary look (I'm sorry).
Chris Sligh sang well I thought, I think we'll be seeing lots of him because he is showing lots of personality too, but is it too much too soon? Hmm..
The others? Meh.
Oh and what's with all the family members getting so much air time? Lol. I LOVE the funky parents, they're fun. (I assume they are their loved ones and not random people)
Bring on the ladies!!
Speaking of families, I don't remember this much family presense in Season 4. Not this soon in the competition anyway. Last season I assumed it was because half of the contestants were infants so they had to have parents present. I'm wondering if it's just because so many of the contestants are from California this season.
Eeekk Creak Snicker Sneak! I've waited all season for this? Bummer man! Out of 12 contestants I only like 3, this is not good.
Rudy and his Vegas jazz hand/hip thrusts scared me. He can take a "Free Ride" right on off my tv. Brandon was quite nice, but how often do I need to be reminded that he's a backup singer? Sundance was horrible and I vote for him to go home. I couldn't even tell you what Paul sang or how he sounded b/c I was too caught up in the fact that he wasn't wearing shoes. There's a time and a place for barefeet--national television is NOT one of them! I've got a slight crush on Chris R. Maybe a little too nasal with the song but more credit for spitting it out so fast without messing up the lyrics. Nick I don't remember, must not have been good for me. Rulz has threatened me against any bad words on Blake so it's a good thing I thought he was great. My fav of the night. Sanjaya and his huge mouth full of the whiteest teeth was just a huge bore! He can go home. Chris S. has the goofiest hair I've ever seen, I don't even remember what he sang. He's got an attitude too.
Jared is dreamy lookin isn't he? I have an urge to call him Boris though, song was generic though.
AJ was too into his dance that I forgot he was singing too...oopps! And I really like Phil, his bald head and all. The beginning of that song had me cringing though, thank goodness he pulled it off.
Rulz has threatened me against any bad words on Blake so it's a good thing I thought he was great. My fav of the night.
USOCRAZY! Do not let that Rulz intimidate you. And Rulz, I will be watching you......stop being such a bully! ;P
And WORD on the shoes. I still can't get over how rude and just lame that is. Ew.
This group was really sad, IMO. The only performance I really liked was Blake's. Like you, I am also fond of Brandon and Chris Sligh as performers and I hope they get a chance to sing better next week.
My bottom two would be Rudy and Sanjaya. Rudy was too microwave lounge singer for my taste and watching Sanjaya was exactly like watching a high school senior get up in the cafeteria and serenade in his ex-girlfriend in an effort to get her to go to prom with him. I felt nervous for him.
Hope the girls do better!
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