American Idol:Top 12 Women (3/2/11)

Night two of the first week of Idol. It's all the females. Top 5 advance on Thursday's show. "Time to take it to the moon..." (Whatever that means)

Ta-Tynisa
Song: Only Girl (In The World)
Blake: Felt flat and off to me. Didn't really like it. And her outfit completely distracted me.
Rating (out of 5): ***
Mandy: Way too karaoke, sounded like I was listening to a fantastic Rhianna impersonator.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home/Going Home

Naima
Song: Summertime
Blake: She has alot of charisma and a good different voice. I like her.
Rating (out of 5): ***1/2
Mandy: No one could beat her in Forensics, no one could beat her here. (Side note:She went to high school with my best friend with did Forensics with me.)
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Safe/Safe

Kendra
Song: Impossible
Blake: I never heard this song before tonight. Hopefully we weren't the only ones. Alright I guess, tried way too hard.
Rating (out of 5): **1/2
Mandy: Song selection is key. No one knows this song so no one is going to remember her.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home/Going Home

Rachel
Song: Criminal
Blake: Very sassy. Very broadway. Very over the top. Not really sure what to say. It's good but strange to be honest.
Rating (out of 5): ***
Mandy: Fiona Apple should never be Broadway stylied.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home/Going Home

Karen
Song: Hero
Blake: One of my all time favorite songs. Never heard someone sing Spanlish this early on but I really loved it. Original take and sounded beautiful..
Rating (out of 5): ****1/2
Mandy: She just showed that a Latina knows how to do it.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Safe/Safe

Lauren T.
Song: Seven Day Fool
Blake: Good, not much else I can say. She's entertaining, I just wish I knew the song to really enjoy it.
Rating (out of 5): ***1/2
Mandy: I like it but not sure if America will. If she could sing a song I don't know that well, I want to see her sing a song I do know.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Safe/Safe

Ashthon
Song: Love All Over Me
Blake: Too over the top. Too much trying to be more important than she actually is. And well, I just didn't care.
Rating (out of 5): ***
Mandy: If this was season 3, she'd be fabulous but it's not. And stop talking to the crowd! We haven't paid to see you! The only diva I wanna hear is Jennifer.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home/Going Home

Julie
Song: Breakaway
Blake: Always risky to sing a Idol winner alum song. Just blah for me. Felt flat the whole way through like she didn't know how to take it to the next gear.
Rating (out of 5): ***
Mandy: Really pagenty Sounds like she's competing in Miss America.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home/Going Home

Haley
Song: Fallin'
Blake: Felt like she was doing her best Alica Keys impression. But she's got a good voice. Just wish she showed it more.
Rating (out of 5): ***1/2
Mandy: Once the music hit she was trying way too hard. Jennifer said she saw a raindow of colors, all I saw was brown.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home/Going Home

Thia
Song: Out Here On My Own
Blake: Her voice is beautiful. She looks like Tina from Glee. Really well done. Can't believe she's just 15.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: She did a beautiful but if anything song selection will kill her.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Wild Card/Wild Card

Lauren A
Song: Turn On The Radio
Blake: You need a real attitude to pull this song off, and she has that attitude. Well done.
Rating (out of 5): ****1/2
Mandy: Her and Scotty would have some beautiful country babies. She's a younger Carrie Underwood with a Kelly Clarkson attitude. She made that stage her bitch!
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Safe/Safe

Pia
Song: I'll Stand By You
Blake: That was amazing. Simply amazing. I have nothing else to say about that. Great way to end this episode.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: She looks like she belongs on Jersey Shore but she can totally show them something about class, grace and talent.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Safe/Safe

Blake's Top 5 Women

1. Naima
2. Karen
3. Lauren T 
4. Lauren A
5. Pia

Wild Card Pick: Thia

Mandy's Top 5 Women

1. Naima
2. Karen
3. Lauren T 
4. Lauren A
5. Pia

Wild Card Pick: Thia

American Idol:Top 12 Men (3/1/11)

Well season 10 of live Idol has officially begun and to be honest I couldn't be happier. It felt really fresh last night. But since the show has changed, so will my reviews. This season it will have two perspectives. Of course there will be my personal perspective but also Mandy's thoughts from her twitter page that were posted as the night went on. That being said last night, in a rare Tuesday treat, the Top 12 men performed. On Thursday the fans will narrow it down to five men. Let's get into it.

Clint
Song: Superstitious
Blake: I wasn't a fan off this song. I was very runny and not good. He was trying WAY too hard.
Rating (out of 5): ***1/2
Mandy: Clint = Asian Fusion Adam Lambert
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home (B) Wild Card (M)

Jovany
Song: I'll Be
Blake: Caught me off guard in a good way.
Rating: ****
Mandy: Jovany can serenade me any time.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Safe (B) Safe (M)

Jordan
Song: OMG
Blake: Too karaoke and I hate this song no matter who sings.
Rating: **1/2
Mandy: Jordan was auditioning for the Chippendales, not American Idol.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home (B) Going Home (M)

Tim
Song: Streetcorner Symphony
Blake: Pitchy to be honest. Almost felt like he was forgetting the lyrics.
Rating: ***
Mandy: Tim sounded like he was doing karaoke, but I think he has potential.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home (B) Safe (M)

Brett
Song: Light My Fire
Blake: This was terrible. What was that? What were the judges thinking?
Rating: **
Mandy: Brett's version of "Light My Fire" made me want to light myself on fire.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home (B) Going Home (M)

James
Song: You're Got Another Thing Comin'
Blake: Our yearly rocker. I actually enjoyed. That rocked! (Side Note: Stephen Tyler proved why the show will either be taped or on a delay from here on out.)
Rating: ****
Mandy: I have no idea what James sang or what drugs he is on, but I liked it and want some.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Safe (B) Going Home (M)

Robbie
Song: Angel
Blake: Um, not sure what to say about this. It's like he brought the whole show to a sudden halt.
Rating: **1/2
Mandy: I am too distracted by Sanjay...I mean Robbie's nose to find a good insult for the boring performance he just gave.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home (B) Going Home (M)

Scotty
Song: Letters From Home
Blake: Best performance of the night so far! Amazing.
Rating: ****1/2
Mandy: The only thing Josh Turner has on Scotty McCreery is that he's legal.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Safe (B) Safe (M)

Stefano
Song: Just The Way You Are
Blake: This was alright for what it's worth. Seemed like he rushed the beginning. Overall not bad.
Rating: ***1/2
Mandy: Stefano made a great song even better. He's a little street, a little sweet and definitely Italian with dodging questions.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Safe (B) Safe (M)

Paul
Song: Maggie May
Blake: I thought he said "rock out". Just bad for me. His voice just seemed like he doesn't belong here.
Rating: **1/2
Mandy: Paul looks like a homeless man, dresses like a woman and sings like Rod Stewart. Need I say more?
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Going Home (B) Going Home (M)

Jacob
Song: A House Is Not A Home
Blake: This was good. Just wasn't a huge fan but I can see why others would love him.
Rating: ***1/2
Mandy: Jacob belongs on Broadway or in church, but his performances will get real old real fast on Idol.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Wild Card (B) Going Home (M)

Casey
Song: I Put A Spell On You
Blake: I really enjoyed this. Totally different.
Rating: ****
Mandy: Casey sang a song, told a story and taught a class in artistry all at one time.
Safe/Going Home/Wild Card: Safe (B) Safe (M)

Blake's Top 5 Men

1. Jovany
2. James
3. Scotty
4. Stefano
5. Casey

Wild Card Pick: Jacob

Mandy's Top 5 Men

1. Jovany
2. Tim
3. Scotty
4. Stefano
5. Casey

Wild Card Pick: Clint