My Name is Kris and I Blah-g

I’ve been reading the blogs and news sites with critiques about the Top 12 reveal this morning. I am bewildered at why they haven’t a clue as to why Alex Lambert and Lily What’sherface were sent home. Alex, while he has an interesting voice has yet to to let go of his fear and just perform. He stands petrified at the microphone each week and despite being given every opportunity to come out of his shell, he just would never even peek his head out. As for Lily, she made weird faces while she sang. Her voice while folksy and different doesn’t have that mainstream appeal. I don’t see her filling stadiums – coffee shops? Yeah. But that’s about all. I’m no expert but I am not short on opinions. I would most likely never buy their music. I could possibly listen to Alex but he’s such a bump on a log in the personality department that I wouldn’t dream of shelling out money to see him live. Does that mean he wouldn’t ever evolve into a great performer? No. It’s just an indicator that he’s just not ready for this. What America did was put them out of their misery (or ours) sooner rather than later.So, who’s left:Aaron Kelly - I just got back from a visit to Pennsylvania where my late husband was from. To my surprise I saw billboards with this kid’s face up everywhere in my husband’s hometown. Ends up this kid is from there and he’s got a solid local support group that is determined to help him get ahead in this competition. Fortunately for him, he’s made the top 10 with their help, I am sure. Unfortunately for him, he’s got the rest of America that could work against him unless he can stay away from songs that are too big for him. He really risked it this past week with “I’m Already There”…a great song but not one that he should sing. Content wise it wasn’t appropriate for a young kid to sing and style wise it just seemed like a BIG song…too big. Anyway, I think he’s likely to make top 10 but I don’t see him going any further than maybe top 7.Andrew Garcia - Yeah…he’s been kinda disappointing lately. I thought his rendition of Genie in a Bottle, while not as great as Straight Up, wasn’t as bad as the judges let on. I still think he can make something of this and get into the top 4 at least.Casey James - There was no question that Casey would take a spot in the top 12. He’ll be in the top 10 for sure. I think he’ll round out the top 5. I am not sure what he can do differently. He is what he is.Crystal Bowersox - Crystal is the one to beat. She’s been consistently good however I have yet to hear her sing a song a different way. They sound like really good copies of the originals. To seal the deal, she’ll need to pull a David Cook and pick a totally unexpected song and completely change it.Didi Benami - She’s getting a lot better. Her take on Fleetwood Mac’s song this week was her best yet and if she continues to do that, she could see a top 5 spot too. But I question if she’s capable.Katie Stevens - Well, like Andrew, she could have peeked too early or maybe she is a victim to over exposure. It’s very obvious that these elimination shows are way too much for her to take. Maybe things will be different now that the top 12 is in place and the producers and music coaches can focus on less people. I still think she’s got the potential to be one of the last ones standing but as of this point, I don’t think she’s got it in her to win.Lacey Brown - Surprised to see Lacey still chugging along. She’ll be vulnerable pretty much weekly. Unless she can pull out a show stopper, she will be singing for her life until she’s voted off. She will need to work hard to make Top 10.Lee Dewyze - Lee has gotten better each week. I originally said he was “a’ight” but he’s GOOD! I like him more and more as times goes on. I really can see him and Crystal toe to toe in the finale and that could make up for the fact that so far, this season has been beyond dull.Michael Lynche - Michael is great. I can’t help but like him. His singing is fabulous. He isn’t cut from the typical mold and yet, he’s a great entertainer. He has a very nice voice and he could be in it to win it, too. I am thinking he could very well be in the Top 3.Paige Miles - Wow. I am actually surprised she survived this week’s cut. Her performance was super weak. I think she has lots of friends to thank for helping push her into the Top 12. She’s going to need that help to get into the top 10. I have heard some inkling of a great voice in her songs the past couple weeks but she’s another person who has gotten this far under the radar and is lucky to still be here. I am not sure she can get past some of the others to even survive much further than top 9 let alone top 10.Siobhan Magnus - She still bugs me a little but I like her lots more than when the top 24 was announced. Her personality grates on my nerves. I am not sure why. She’s kinda weird. But when she sings, she can SING! It’s really good. There is definitely something there. Top 5?Tim Urban - Cuteness over substance! The thing is that Tim sang for his life this week and delivered his best performance. Like Lacy, he will need to sing like his life depends on it week in and week out. Just the fact that he’s in the top 12 means that he could make top 10 on his looks alone. What does that say about the voters?So, who will be in the coveted Top 10 that goes on tour?? Hmmmm… Well, I think Paige and Tim are the next to go – followed by Lacy, Didi and Aaron. That leaves Siobhan, Andrew, Lee, Crystal, Michael, Katie and Casey left and the order in which they’re voted off will depend upon which week they totally screw up. Right now if I had to pick a top 2 I would pick Lee and Crystal. Based on the performances the past 3 weeks, I pick the following for the top 5 – Crystal, Lee, Michael, Casey and Andrew.