AMERICAN IDOL 2013: TOP 8 PEFORMANCES REVIEW

No song suggestions this week. The reason, I'm lazy, it's really hot, and I wasn't feeling like it. Anyway, this week, the Idols took on the songs from the Motown. Overall, the performances were a bit off for me, but I'll still be reviewing their performances and rank them from best to the worst, just like what I do every week.

1. Kree Harrison - "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" (Aretha Franklin) - An amazing way to close the show. Best performance of the night. Kree's really in it to win it, because she delivers very well every week. I can't wait to see her in the finale.
2. Janelle Arthur - "You Keep Me Hangin' On" (The Supremes) - I love the song choice. As for the performance it was awesome, it was amazing and it was extraordinary! Her performance stood out! I'm really happy that she didn't sing it the way it was sang in the previous seasons, but if she did, I'm sure it would still turn out good.
3. Candice Glover - "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (The Miracles) - I didn't really like the song choice, and it was just an average performance. I'm not really sure if I liked the performance, a part of me likes it, but overall, not really. I don't know.
4. Devin Velez - "The Tracks Of My Tears" (The Miracles) - Great performance, but I really think that the song still won't save him, because America will vote for Lazaro. He deserves a spot in the top 7, and I hope America will agree with me.
5. Burnell Taylor - "My Cherie Amour" (Stevie Wonder) - His performance was boring, but he had good vocals. I'm still waiting for an upbeat performance from him, so I hope he'll make it... I know he will.
6. Angie Miller - "Shop Around" (The Miracles) - First, I agree with Mariah that she should've taken on I'll Be There. Second, I am glad that we all got to see a different side of Angie. Third, that performance wasn't really great, but I'm still sure she's safe.
7. Amber Holocomb - "Lately" (Stevie Wonder) - I disagree with the judges. She should've taken on a song that'll really leave a mark, but she didn't, so I'm sure we'll see her in the bottom 3 again. Boring performance, and really not the best vocals of the night. 
8. Lazaro Arbos - "For Once In My Life" (Stevie Wonder) - Enough with the sympathy votes America. This guy has to go. His performance wasn't great at all, but it did help him, because it was better than his two previous performance, but I still think Curtis and Paul deserved a spot in the top 8. They're way, way better than him.

MY TOP 3:

• Kree Harrison
• Janelle Arthur
• Candice Glover

MY PREDICTION OF AMERICA'S BOTTOM 3:

• Devin Velez
• Amber Holocomb
• Lazaro Arbos

Who do you think should go home? What do you think of their performances? Leave a comment. Also follow me on Twitter @RenzAlfonso.

AMERICAN IDOL 2013: TOP 9 PERFORMANCES REVIEW

Whenever it's Lennon-McCartney week, we all are expecting some songs to be covered, and at the same time, we are surprised with the odd song choices that some of the contestants make. There are nine contestants left and tomorrow, only eight will be left if the judges will not use their save. Who did great?

1. Kree Harrison - With A Little Help From My Friends - I wasn't really expecting this song choice to be chosen by any contestant, but I am very, very glad that she chose it. Her performance was just amazing, she showed how powerful her voice really is. Her range is just so fantastic, I really loved the performance, and I am sure she's gonna be in the top 3 again.
2. Angie Miller - Yesterday - Her voice is amazing, but I didn't really see a spark there. She needs to connect with the song even more. I want to see the passion that I saw when she sang "Set Me Free". Anyway, I still think that her performance is top three-worthy.
3. Paul Jolley - Eleanor Rigby - I told you Burnell! It would have been amazing if Burnell covered this song, but since Paul performed it, let's just talk about his performance... I am amazed. Last week, he didn't deserve to be in the bottom 3, and this week, he doesn't deserve to be in the bottom 3 again. Save him America!
4. Candice Glover - Come Together - This is one of the songs that you'll surely hear when it's Lennon-McCartney week, it has been covered on Idol multiple times, and all the performances were great. With Candice, I wasn't really expecting her to pick the song, because I know that it wouldn't really turn out good, but I was WRONG. She did great, and I know she'll still be in the top 3. She was very energetic, and that's what I really like about her.
5. Devin Velez - The Long and Winding Road - Yeah! I got one suggestion correct! And now what do I have to say about his performance? It's one of his best performances. Maybe this will remove him from the bottom 3? We'll see.
6. Burnell Taylor - Let It Be - I was really expecting this song, and this song is also in my suggestions, however, I suggested it to Angie. Anyway, his performance wasn't that great, because I really expected a shining moment whenever this song is sung on the show. Maybe, he would've pulled it off with something faster, or maybe, he would've been much awesomer with "Eleanor Rigby".
7. Janelle Arthur - I Will - She took on a slow song! Yeah! I was expecting a rock-ish song from her, but I am glad that she showed us her soft side. It was just average, but I am sure that she's still gonna make it to the next round.
8. Amber Holocomb - She's Leaving Home - Not the best song choice. I have to admit that I really don't know this song. Her performance was a bit boring, and I didn't really see any spark. Her voice, however, is just amazing. So to summarize my commenet: She has a powerful voice, but not a powerful song choice.
9. Lazaro Arbos - In My Life - I am really sorry Lazaro, but that's one of the worst performances on Idol to date. I understand the things that he's going through, but it's not just a good performance. The song choice would've turned out good if it was taken in a really different way. He should practice more with his vocals, and control it, because that might make him lose. Sympathy votes doesn't make anyone a winner.

MY TOP 3:
-Kree Harrison
-Angie Miller
-Paul Jolley

MY PREDICTION OF AMERICA'S TOP 3:
-Kree Harrison
-Angie Miller
-Candice Glover

MY PREDICTION OF AMERICA'S BOTTOM 3:
-Devin Velez
-Amber Holocomb
-Janelle Arthur

Who do you think should go home? What do you think of their performances? Leave a comment. Also follow me on Twitter @RenzAlfonso.

AMERICAN IDOL 2013: TOP 9 SONG SUGGGESTIONS

The top 10 American Idol paid a tribute to the Idol winners, and now they're gonna pay a tribute to one of the biggest English rock bands during the British Invasion era. Yes, we're talking about The Beatles. The top 9 will be singing songs by The Beatles, or any song in the Lennon-McCartney songbook.

This is the first time that I'll be suggesting this season because I really didn't know what kind of artists they were, but I've watched them perform three times now, so it's really time for my song suggestions. I'm quite excited with this week's theme because I just love The Beatles. Let's begin...

• Amber Holocomb - I Want to Hold Your Hand - I think this is the best song for her. I think she can play with it a little bit. The song really fits her voice, and I don't really like Amber when she sings upbeat songs.
• Devin Velez - The Long and Winding Road - A big song with a deep meaning. This song's just perfect for him. It'll be phenomenal if we'll see a great connection, not only to the song, but also to the viewers.
• Janelle Arthur - Blackbird - One of the greatest songs ever recorded by The Beatles. I'm not really sure if this song would help her, but based on her voice, this is the song for her. This song plus some drama, and more personality from her will make it perfect.
• Lazaro Arbos - Hey Jude - A really hard song to sing for him, but I will be really, really impressed if he's gonna nail it. I just want him to take on a song that is really big, and that will really showcase his voice. Last week, his song choice was a bit weak, and something this big might just help him get everyone to put him in the top 3.
• Kree Harrison - Come Together - This girl will surely shake America if she's going to sing this song. I suggested this song because I kinda see a rock vibe in her. She'll surely remain in the top 3 if she's gonna sing it.
• Burnell Taylor - Eleanor Rigby - An upbeat song for the guy who sang the wrong song for his first week in the finals. This song will really help him step it up because this song is not boring, and it is really awesome if he'll be able to put the right things in the right direction in terms of singing.
• Candice Glover - Oh! Darling - It's the perfect song for her. I was reminded of her when I heard Sara Bareilles covered this song. The energy she brought to the stage on her "I Who Have Nothing" performance fits this song very well. I can already imagine the perfection.
• Paul Jolley - Across the Universe - One of my favorite Beatles song. I think this song will really help him make it to the top, and I really think that if he's gonna sing this song, he won't be in the bottom 3. Please pick this song Paul! Please!
• Angie Miller - Let It Be - This song is one of the songs that we all expect every Idol season. The challenge for her is to have the best version. I think she can pull it off, and I think it will be one of the most phenomenal songs ever covered on Idol if she's going to sing it.

What do you think should the top 9 sing? Leave a comment for your suggestions. Also, follow me on Twitter @RenzAlfonso.

AMERICAN IDOL 2013: TOP 10 PERFORMANCES REVIEW

Sing a song covered or recorded by an American Idol winner during or after their journey on American Idol. That's how everything went on Idol tonight. It was a really great way to start the finals because we were taken back to the history of American Idol.

As you all know, the things I write here are based on my opinion. I'll rank them from the best to the worst, then comment on their performances. So, let's start...

1. Candice Glover - "I (Who Have Nothing)" by Ben E. King (Jordin Sparks) - Way, way, way better than her previous performances, and her version was better than Jordin Spark's version. She's in it to win it, and I hope everyone sees that because this woman really deserves to saty in the competition. The performance was really, powerful, and I think she connected well with it. Voice quality, A++. She's on fire!
2. Kree Harrison - "Crying" by Roy Orbison (Carrie Underwood) - I'll really be crying if this girl won't make it to the top 4. She also deserves a spot in the top 3, but we'll see. I was really hearing Carrie Underwood, and I'm really amazed that she was able to deliver it that well. Amazing voice, and amazing performance. 
3. Paul Jolley - "Amazed" by Lonestar (Scotty McCreery) - One of the best performances I've seen from this guy. He has really proven that he deserves to stay in the competition. I liked the performance, and I hope he's gonna keep on performing songs like this so we'll all be able to determine what kind of artist he is.
4. Curtis Finch Jr. - "I Believe" by Fantasia Barrino - He delivered the song well, but his performance wasn't really one of the amazing performances of the night. He didn't really step out of his comfort zone, and I salute him for that, because he was able to transform the song a little bit. I hope he'll choose something that is a little upbeat next time.
5. Angie Miller - "I Surrender" by Celine Dion (Kelly Clarkson) - I knew she was gonna perform something like that, but it would've been better if she performed a song like Phillip Phillip's "Home" or any David Cook song. Anyway, she performed it really well, though she didn't stand out.  I think we're gonna see more of her in the competition.
6. Amber Holocomb - "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson - I was hoping she picked a different song, because this is the first Idol coronation song, and for someone to deliver it not that well makes me feel really bad. Bold song choice, but I don't think it was the best of the night Nicki.
7. Burnell Taylor - "Flying Without Wings" by Westlife (Ruben Studdard) - Wasn't his best performance, and wasn't the best song choice for the night. He has a really great voice, and I hope he'll be able to pick better songs next time, if there is a next time, so America would keep him in the competition. 
8. Devin Velez - "Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood - Good performance, but not a really good song choice. If it wasn't for his voice, the song would've turned out really wrong, because I don't think this song should be performed in any singing competition. He needs to consider a lot of things before picking any song, but I'm glad that I didn't hear any Spanish lyrics from him.
9. Janelle Arthur - "Gone" by Montgomery Gentry (Scotty McCreery) - I didn't really like her performance that much, but it looked like she had fun. She was very comfortable up there, but I think she still has a long way to go before she'll bring out the best. I hope she won't be too late.
10. Lazaro Arbos - "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson - I wanted to see more energy from him, and I hope he'll give us that on the upcoming weeks, because that's the only thing that'll keep him in the competition. His voice quality isn't that great, but I'm really impressed about the fact that he stutters only when he's not singing.

POSSIBLE BOTTOM 3 (Based on how America votes)

• Devin Velez
• Janelle Arthur
• Curtis Finch Jr.

I don't have a hint about who will be eliminated tomorrow, but I think there's a big chance that it will be Devin Velez.

What do you think about their performances? Who will be the first one out? Please, leave a comment. Also, follow me on Twitter @RenzAlfonso.

AMERICAN IDOL 2013: THE TOP 20 SEMI-FINALISTS

Credits: americanidol.com

It;s been seven weeks since the 12th season of American Idol started, and now top 20 has been picked, and they'll be singing for your votes.

Here they are:

Adriana Latonio

Amber Holcomb

Angela Miller

Aubrey Cleland

Breanna Steer

Burnell Taylor

Candice Glover

Charlie Askew

Cortez Shaw

Curtis Finch Jr

Devin Velez

Elijah Liu

Janelle Arthur

Kree Harrison

Lazaro Arbos

Nick Boddington

Paul Jolley

Tenna Torres

Vincent Powell

Zoanette Johnson

Next week, the top 10 male, and top 10 females will be performing for America's votes. Who do you think should make it to the Top 10? Leave a comment. Also follow me on Twitter @RenzAlfonso.