After last week’s dramatic “Reshults” show, as Ryan slurred it, we’ve got an extra dramatic week: two are going home, and no judges can save them. (Plus, with Idol Gives Back slated for next week, it’s very likely that the same scenario will play out next week.)

 

The musical theme for the return of the Top 9 was Elvis Presley’s deep catalog of hits, and who better to serve as a guest mentor for the night than … Adam Lambert? Well, both are performers ... and I suppose they have similar physical features. It was kind of an odd rationale/justification for why Adam should be the first former Idol contestant to return as a mentor, especially so soon after his Idol run. An interview with executive producer Ken Warwick even suggests that they felt sorry for the flamboyant singer’s so-so career thus far (though Ryan did Adam no favors with his awkward “tongue” comment).

 

Well, I’ll bite my tongue in hindsight. Adam Lambert was easily one of the insightful guests I’ve seen in the history of the show. He was exactly right in noting the contestants generally needed to show more energy and perform. He challenged their arrangements when they seemed boring, reminding them that they needed to up their game. The dude’s an over-the-top performer with theater experience, so he knows a thing or two about stage presence. Say what you will about his music career thus far—he did his job very well last night. And it showed through the results of the performances, again ranging from middling to good.

 

Crystal Bowersox kicked things off with a country-gospel rendition of “Saved.” It was another different side for her, displaying even more energy than usual with an up-tempo number while playing along on an electric guitar. True, it predictably played to her bluesy side, and the assertion that it was somehow a contemporary sounding performance was nonsense. But she did make some changes to it and made it her own, topping it off with a flawless vocal. Once again, nice work from the probable frontrunner.

 

Yep, you heard me: “Probable.” Because at the rate things are going, Lee DeWyze is going to make things difficult for Crystal. Especially after “A Little Less Conversation,” which might have been Lee’s best in a string of successes this past month. Adam was right on in noting that Lee needs to do more with his face, but let’s face it: the guy’s somewhat introverted and a tad shy. As Kara noted, it’d be nice to see him loosen up, but then he already has in recent weeks—baby steps! The song was a perfect choice for Lee’s soulful rock growl, and he delivered a terrific vocal performance with change-ups in the right places. He even made the song sound current (though I’d argue he sounded more like Christian rock than anything—think Third Day and Todd Agnew). Performances like this get me thinking Crystal is not a sure thing to win it all.

 

And now the contestant in the most interesting position this week. After coming as close as possible to being voted off without actually leaving, Michael Lynche is in a precarious position this week. Yet you can bet his fan base will vote even more fervently after such a near miss last week. Considering the good job Big Mike did on “Eleanor Rigby,” it goes without saying that song selection is crucial. So while “In the Ghetto” might seem a risky choice on the surface, I actually thought it was quite brilliant. Because I think the only way Michael can make himself stand out commercially is if he pursues his unique acoustic R&B style—which he did, transforming an often cheesy and condescending sounding anthem into an urban folk song. True, it was a little slow, but it allowed Mike to put emphasis on the lyrics and interpret it beautifully. I honestly don’t think he could have done any better, so if this performance doesn’t keep him around, then he’s simply not connecting with America, end of story.

Which would be a shame considering how many other contestants this year seem clueless by comparison. That’s not to say Casey James did a bad job with “Lawdy, Miss Clawdy,” but goodness, Simon was exactly right in calling the performance a “wasted opportunity.” Of all the Elvis Presley songs, why did he pick such a dated obscurity? Why not pick something both bluesy and familiar, say, “All Shook Up” or “Jailhouse Rock”? Even “Don’t Be Cruel” might have been an interesting choice. Instead, Casey played to his hardcore blues comfort zone, channeling Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jonny Lang—hate to say so, but he’s not as good as either. I’m glad Adam at least told Casey to give the arrangement some shape, because the performance might have otherwise been more routine sounding. Nevertheless, he performed it well and seemed less stiff than usual, but what a letdown after last week’s impressive spin on “Jealous Guy.”

Still, Casey is surely safe, out-performing the heap of mediocrity peddled by his competitors. And since two are going home this week, it should be an interesting Results Show since any of the remainder could be in trouble.

 

I say that knowing full well that Siobhan Magnus is too popular to go home at this point. She’s developed a reputation as a creative vocal force … even though she hasn’t truly earned it. Yes, she has hit a ridiculous power note on a few occasions, and her rendition of “Paint It Black” was darkly theatrical like Adam Lambert. But the girl said it herself last night: She doesn’t know what style she is. Judging from her rehearsal footage, she was prepared to deliver a dull, laidback version of “Suspicious Minds” before Adam challenged her to infuse some rhythm into it—far as I’m concerned, he saved her from a dreadful performance. But Siobhan still sounded like Debbie Gibson gone Motown for the first half, before letting the growl out of her cage for the bluesy finale. She can sing well, no question, but where’s her sense of artistry? She sang a ‘60s song, looking like a Totally ‘80s renegade, living in 2010. I agree, she shouldn’t be confined to one style, but that’s not what Simon was getting at in his critique. There is nothing commercial about Siobhan’s performances right now, and she needs to find a way to get current before her momentum fades.

 

Much as it pains me to say it, Tim Urban is also probably safe this week. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” was yet another predictable choice for the equally beloved and reviled mop-top—but at the same time, it was probably a brilliant choice. It played to “Turban’s” romantic strengths and suited his vocal range. I say that even though his phrasing was terrible ("Can't ... [gasp] ... help ... [gasp] ... fallling in love ... "), his melodic change-ups were awkward, and some of his notes were a little off. Moreover, I was bracing for disaster when Adam challenged Tim to use his head voice at the end—good grief, didn’t he see Tim’s lack of falsetto when he destroyed OneRepublic’s “Apologize” months ago? It was probably good judgment that he decided against it. To Tim's credit, the song once again made him sound current, perfectly suited for his target demographic of redialing, Justin Bieber-loving, tweenage girls. But while the idea was right on stylistically, the performance was a little off and not nearly as good as the judges made it out to be. Nevertheless, the enthusiastic comments and shrieking response indicate that Tim’s safe again.

Oh, but Katie Stevens could be in trouble, though not because of her singing. She actually delivered one of her strongest vocals to date with “Baby, What Do You Want Me to Do,” infusing it with sass and attitude. But there lies the problem. She selected the song because she was “angry and frustrated” with the judges. Katie, you’re always angry! Has the teen delivered one performance yet where she smiled or looked happy? At best, she’s looked bored and robotic, but tonight she reminded me of "Chain of Fools," looking ticked off while giving that irritating little head bob. I don’t think she’s doing herself any favors by copping an attitude all the time, and the song selections are beginning to sound repetitive for the same reasons. Katie, your voice is fine, but your days are numbered due to your personality and general lack of artistic sense. More is expected from a winner at this point.

 

Fellow teen Aaron Kelly is in similar trouble, but more because he’s continually bland and lacking personality. At least he finally tried a fast song last night, but why did he pick “Blue Suede Shoes,” one of Elvis’s most iconic songs? It was a textbook example of a karaoke performance, even though it played to his country inclinations and allowed him to throw some grit into his vocal. The performance was still a little stiff—a decent effort, but not enough to justify why he should continue in this competition. Even Aaron seemed dismissive of the song selection and performance, probably wishing he could have delivered another by-the-numbers pop-country ballad.

 

Aaron may go home, but he wasn’t the worst of the night. Andrew Garcia was on the chopping block last week, and if there’s any justice, he will be again after his performance of “Hound Dog.” Once again, Adam recognized a boring arrangement in rehearsal and challenged Andrew to develop the performance. As a result, Andrew did play the stage and sang it well, but the performance was still lacking. It wasn’t as karaoke as the judges said—Aaron’s was more so—but the guy needed to dazzle more with his voice. I think we’ve seen the limits of what Andrew is capable of, unfortunately.

 

And there you have it: a rather lackluster week, all things considered. At least the competition will progress with two less singers after Wednesday night--I predict a scenario involving two groups of four, with Crystal deciding which group she wants to stand with. Do you agree that Andrew and Aaron should be the ones to go, or would you put someone else on a plane home? What did you think of the performances last night? And how did Adam do as a guest mentor, in your opinion?