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FINALLY, I BELIEVE IN PAISLEY Said no one after watching Curtis Finch, Jr. cover Fantasia's victory anthem.
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Burnell Taylor, Westlife's "Flying Without Wings" -- Ruben Studdard's victory song in season 2? Really? I was bored before he even started. Standing still on a pedestal amidst a ridiculous amount of purple fog doesn't exactly scream "current" to me, but what do I know? I can't even waffle correctly.
Hmmm….I liked that Burnell ditched the glasses this time -- it allowed for a better connection to the camera (that thing got REALLY close) and now I know that Burnell has super-long eyelashes. And I still dig that unique timbre in his voice, that "eccentricity that's really pure" and magnetic, according to Keith. The hand choreography has got to go at some point, even though I think we all know that it won't. Overall I just couldn't get into this song. Dullsville.
Amber Holcomb, Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This" -- I like Amber, but I'm annoyed that anyone would choose the original, unbeatable American Idol victory anthem and expect anything other than a tepid "good job!" and a solid high five. I'm even more annoyed that Jimmy suggested Amber go uptempo with this song -- why? How? WHY. And then the 18-year-old was all covered up in a billowing printed evening gown (hey, wind machine), surrounded by what seemed to be an impressionistic painting of hundreds of glowing candles…I don't know, it almost felt like she was being set up for a letdown.
Like I said, I'm still very into Amber despite all these weird choices. Those crazy big notes really are easy for her, and she has this all-natural plucky vibe I think voters can get behind. Sometimes people would rather see a contestant evolve into a star than begin as an established frontrunner. That's the advantage Amber could have against Candice, Kree, and Angela down the line. For me, it's pretty much a four-way competition at this point.
In other words: "I'm like dude, guys -- where y'all at? The girls are killing it tonight!" --Randy Jackson. Subtle!
Who goes home first? Curtis? Lazaro? Janelle? Discuss.
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All 'American Idol' recaps on EW.com
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