American Idol Season 10: The Top 5 Take Us from Now to Then

Sheryl Crowe dropped by to coach the Idols this week. The mission: song from today and songs from back then (well, the 60s).

Today

01 James Durbin sang Closer to the Edge by 30 Seconds to Mars--
Most Memorable Comment(s): Randy saying you are in it to win it.
I have to be honest. I love 30 Seconds to Mars; they are an awesome contemporary rock group and they're putting rock back on the map. I did not like James singing that song. I usually understand what he is saying but I could not quite make out the words. It was a little bit disappointing to me.
Score: 9

02 Jacob Lusk sang No Air by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown--
Most Memorable Comment(s):
Jennifer said you need to find who you are and go for it. Randy said I don't think that's the right direction for you. Most of it was sung sharp. I don't see you as Chris Brown or Jordin Sparks; I see you as more of Luther Vandross. Steven said don't try to do other people; go out there, and find the perfect song for you.
I completely agree with Randy. Jacob chose the wrong song, and I understand him wanting to do contemporary but this wasn't right for him.
Score: 9

03 Lauren Alaina sang Flat on the Floor by Carrie Underwood--
Most Memorable Comment(s):
Randy liked her song choice. Steven said I think you're it. Jennifer said continue rising to the top like that.
I like Lauren, but again the song choice was lacking for me. I think a ballad Carrie Underwood song would have been a better choice. We have seen Lauren sing lots of uptempo songs across the course of the season, and I would liked to see something different. This to me did not show versatility.
Score: 9

04 Scotty McCreery sang Gone by Montgomery Gentry--
Most Memorable Comment(s):
Steven said you've been a Puritan but I saw you dance with the devil tonight. Jennifer said I loved it, I was so excited to see you having so much fun on that stage. Randy said I felt like we were sitting at the Scotty concert; I didn't know you could rock out like that.
I personally cannot wait to be at a Scotty McCreery concert and I think I want front row tickets. This kid can sing and perform; he is the whole package and almost a shoe in for the finale.
Score: 10

05 Haley Reinhart sang You and I (previously unreleased) by Lady Gaga--
Most Memorable Comment(s):
Jennifer said I'm not sure this was such a good idea. I think you should have chosen something that everyone knows now. Randy said I don't know that that song did you any favors. Steven said it's always beautiful when you can sing a song you don't know and make it work.
There were some parts of this where Haley showed brilliance and there were other parts that weren't so good. I tend to agree with Jen and Randy on this.
Score: 9


The 60s

01 James Durbin sang Without You by Harry Nilsson--
Most Memorable Comment(s):
Randy said this is the mark of a true performer and it was emotionally perfect. Steven said when a song and your emotions meet, that's crazy beautiful. Jennifer said you aren't just a rocker, you have the heart and soul to back it up. You're a true artist and you're amazing.
I could tell that this song and its message meant something to James. I think what Jennifer said was perfectly put.
Score: 10

02 Jacob Lusk sang Love Hurts by Nazareth--
Most Memorable Comment(s):
Steven said I am a sucker for passion and the delivery was beautiful. Jennifer said you brought it to a beautiful place at the end even after your small bobble in the middle. Randy said you redeemed yourself after the first performance.
I think this was leaps and bounds better than his first performance. Although the song is a rock song, Jacob put a gospel spin on it, and the end was amazing.
Score: 9.9

03 Lauren Alaina sang Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers--
Most Memorable Comment(s):
Jennifer said it was beautiful and there was nothing to judge and Steven echoed the sentiment. Randy said you sing like a bird.
Wow, her performance of that song took my breath away. She really impressed me singing that song.
Score: 10

04 Scotty McCreery sang You Were Always on My Mind by Elvis Presley--
Most Memorable Comment(s):
Jennifer called him a well rounded artist, so beautiful, so comfortable in your own skin, a true performer. Randy said I told you before, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I love it dude. Steven called it a beautiful rendition of the song.
I don't know what else to say other than what I have said before. I think Scotty is awesome and I actually like what Sheryl Crowe said, she wants him to move to Nashville and somehow she wants to be involved in his career.
Score: 10

05 Haley Reinhart sang The House of the Rising Song by The Animals--
Most Memorable Comment(s):
Randy called it the performance of the night. Jeniffer said that song has never been sung like that before; great job. Steven echoed the sentiments.
I too, as someone who did not care for Haley much in the beginning, felt like that was an absolutely amazing performance. She took a risk coming out and singing acapella like that and it paid off.
Score: 10


I favor Jennifer's sentiment at the end, I would not want to be the sole decider of who gets voted off tomorrow night.