American Idol Top 10: The Idols Sing Pop Music, Well Gwen Stefani's Pop Music

Didn't have much time to blog last week due to my mini-vacation, and it's already Tuesday today, which means another new week of American Idol!

So I'll cut to the chase on my review of last week. Last week was kind of boring anyway. We learned a little about what type of music influences Gwen Stefani as she imposed her musical tastes upon the contestants. Lakisha and Melinda had a Donna Summer duel. I think Melinda won, but I don't think either was enough of a departure from their smoldering, adult contemporary black diva music that they've been beating us to death with.

Phil sang "Every Breath You Take" the same way that he sang "Missing You" a few weeks earlier--kind of mumbly and inaudible during the regular lyrics, but then really sang out on the chorus. The judges commented that he really goes for it on the chorus. If that's where he's strongest, maybe someone should tell him that he should be shooting for backup singer instead of our Idol.

Chris Sligh also chose a song by The Police and sucked. I don't know if I could really tell that much that he was off the beat, like the judges said, but he was just so out of tune, and his voice sounded like it was on the verge of cracking. I was wondering if maybe Chris Sligh has a better recording voice rather than a live performance voice.

Blake sang a song I hate (The Cure's "Love Song"), and I don't know what the judges were really praising him about. On the other hand, I thought Haley was pretty good on a song that's been sung over and over again at weddings and graduations all over the country. I still get a "I paid you $500 to sing on my cruise ship" vibe from her, but I didn't think she was that bad.

Gina sang The Pretenders's, "I'll Stand By You" and by far gave the most commanding performance that she's ever given. I wouldn't say it would go in the all-time Idol performances, but it was the best of the night and got my vote.

Finally, Jordin, Chris R. and Sanjaya all chose to sing No Doubt/Gwen Stefani songs. All were average to below average. Sanjaya came out with a pony-hawk and got more attention for that than his throaty performance of "Bathwater." My take on the Sanjaya crisis--he can carry a tune, and that's about it. But he just needs to go because if he wins the whole thing, I think the country will go into mass riots. Jordin and Chris R.'s performances weren't working for me, and I think I fast forwarded through them, so you can tell how much I was paying attention.

My votes:

Best Performance: Gina. I think she needs to play up the rocker attitude even more.

Worst Performance: Chris Sligh. When did he become such an unfunny and unwitty pill? He really lost it, when his humor was supposed to be his saving grace.

Most Improved: Lakisha. If only because she at least didn't sound like Eartha Kitt anymore.