Music

AMERICAN IDOL RECAP: Sing a song by Queen, then sing whatever you want, I guess (4/25/2012 & 4/26/2012)

by Aaron Zorgel

Pop Hunter is re-capping the grotesque display of culture that is American Idol all season. Here’s what you need to know from this week’s round, which aired April 25th and 26th.

It was a chance to be Queen for a day for the Top 6, with the remaining contestants choosing a classic Queen song, as well as a random song of their own choosing. Is it just me, or does Queen have a long-standing promotional relationship with American Idol? It seems like every year, there’s an episode where Brian May and Roger Taylor trot out on stage for a mediocre performance with that year’s Idol hopefuls.

Still, Freddie Mercury’s vocals are a tough hill to climb for even the most seasoned professional singers, so I had a feeling we might be cringing through the majority of the episode. Let’s see how the contestants did.

Performances:

Jessica Sanchez – Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen) & Dance With My Father (Luther Vandross)

Jessica did a fine job with both of her songs tonight, although she chose to omit the iconic “Scaramouche!” verse from Bohemian Rhapsody, I imagine for fear of sounding goofy. The most important thing to note is the insane art direction on Jessica’s Queen performance, which had 3 of her disembodied floating heads singing backing vocals, projected onto the screen behind her. I know it was an homage to the music video, but it looked insanely creepy. It was like a weird fever-dream, or peyote party at Steven Tyler’s opium den.

Hollie Cavanagh – Save Me (Queen) & The Climb (Miley Cyrus)

Of all the Idol contestants, Hollie probably had the most trouble living up to Freddie Mercury’s vocals. She had a lot of trouble making it through “Save Me.” Doesn’t she realize the judges already use their only save of the season? Her song of choice was “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus, which gives you a good idea of what kind of artist Hollie Cavanagh would be if she won American Idol: a salvia smoking, product of the Disney Channel with a famous father. Err, maybe Hollie Cavanagh isn’t ready for the spotlight just yet.

Phillip Phillips – Fat Bottom Girls (Queen) & The Stone (Dave Matthews Band)

FINALLY! Something I’ve been waiting for all year — Phillip Phillips performed a Dave Matthews Band song. This really drives home how much of an impersonator he is. And somehow, the judges didn’t really care for it. Jennifer Lopez said it was too “arty.” Yeah, Dave Matthews Band is only for a high-culture, extravagantly intellectual crowd. Just ask his sensi-frat-boy fanbase.

Joshua Ledet – Crazy Little Thing Called Love (Queen) & I Am Ready For Love (India Arie)

Joshua’s performances were so good this week, they made Randy’s “YO” brooch spin. ‘Nuff said.

Elise Testone – I Want It All (Queen) & Bold As Love (Jimi Hendrix)

Elise’s raspy rock vocals are usually a welcome diversion from the cleaner vocals of the younger contestants, but when she’s singing songs I’ve never heard, it’s hard for me to care. The obscure Jimi Hendrix pick really killed her this week.

Skylar Laine – The Show Must Go On (Queen) & Tattoos On This Town (Jason Aldean)

I thought she might have trouble with Queen week, but Skylar’s version of “The Show Must Go On” was one of her best performances to date. She hits an insane money-note towards the end of her performance that Jennifer goosies on top of her goosies. God, I hate that word.

On Thursday, after a terrible performance by Katy Perry (has she ever given a good-sounding live performance?), it was revealed that the bottom three vote-getters of the week were…

Hollie Cavanagh, Elise Testone, and Skylar Laine.

Hollie and Elise were in the bottom 3 last week, so it was no surprise that one of the two would be going home. In the end, it was time to say goodbye to Elise Testone. At least there won’t be any more lazy Janis Joplin comparisons. So long, Elise.