American Idol: The Top 8

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

When you think of the band Queen, you think big. You think rock. You think arena, and last but certainly not least you think of Freddie Mercury. This band has been creating hit records long before some of these contestants have even been a thought in their parents minds. This week, the contestants had some pretty huge shoes to fill as they performed songs from the catalog of one of the greatest rock bands of all time, Queen.

Last week, America was shocked to see what Simon called one of the best singers in the competition go home, and now the final eight go on for the seven spots left in the competition. When I heard that this week belonged to the music of Queen, I was immediately worried that the contestants wouldn't be able to make it at all. Some of them pleasantly surprised me tonight. Queen is hard, and to be able to at least somewhat pull it off you have to have talent.

The night opened up with a performance by country rocker, Bucky Covington. It was an okay performance, not one of the best of the night, but Bucky stood firm and stayed true to himself. I really like that about him. Next up was Ace Young. Now rock is a bit of out of his usual style, so you had to wonder how he would do. When I heard the start to the song he chose, I had to hold my breath because We Will Rock You is one of those songs you have heard done a million times over, and nothing stands up against the original. That was the case here. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised here at all if this performance earned Ace his ticket home tomorrow night.

Now next up we had country singer, Kellie Pickler, and her song choice also immediately squeeze my eyes shut and not want to watch, but shockingly she did okay. Not amazing, but she pulled things off with a style all her own. She was one of my favorite performances of the night. Rocker Chris Daughtry was next, and I knew he would do well. He might have picked a lesser known song, but he rocked out like only he can. He has a style all his own, and no matter what happens with him here in Idol, I fully believe we will see him with an album of his own as soon as he is able.

Katherine McPhee hit the stage next, and she changed up her song choice before tonight's show. Something you might be wrong for her to do, but she went from fast to slow, and I really liked her performance. Elliot Yamin was next, and I think this was probably one of the worst performances of the night, which I know goes against what the judges said to some extent. They mention he had some problems, but in my mind he had a little bit more than some.

The last two performances this week belonged to Taylor Hicks and Paris Bennett. Taylor offered up a high energy performance to Crazy Little Thing Called Love, which was not his first song choice either. I love him, but I was also scratching my head just a little. I know I wouldn't go afar as Simon in thinking he was drunk, but I'm not sure if the world is ready for a performer such as Taylor Hicks. Paris closed out the night in brilliant fashion. I really enjoyed her, even if her look had me scratching my head once again. She's a chameleon when it comes to her looks, and this week was no different.

This week I think we will see Ace, Elliot and Taylor in the bottom three, and I think we might see either Elliot or Ace go home. Everything else had strong enough performances to stick around as long as their fans go out there and vote! Check my entertainment news blog for some news in American Idol world posted earlier today here, and don't forget to check back here tomorrow for my thoughts on this week's eliminations!

The songs performed on tonight's show are as follows:

Bucky Covington: Fat Bottomed Girls - Queen
Ace Young: We Will Rock You - Queen
Kellie Pickler: Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
Chris Daughtry: Innuendo - Queen
Katharine McPhee: Who Wants To Live Forever - Queen
Elliot Yamin: Somebody To Love - Queen
Taylor Hicks: Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
Paris Bennett: The Show Must Go On - Queen

Don't forget to also check out my Blog of the Week, Strange and Beautifully Broken.