What’s Better?

What’s better than sitting on your back steps in the sunshine eating chocolate ice cream?  Not much.

CI Top Four

If anyone tuned in to last night’s show as the first idol episode they’ve watched this year, I think it might also be their last. I’m trying to be objective, but with all guys on an Anne Murray night, well that was just dull. Didn’t stop me from watching the whole thing, though. 

Mitch (boy next door with breathing issues): Cotton Jenny. It was okay in a comfortable laid back kind of way. Jake thinks he’s always flat off the top. Sass loves his phrasing. Farley wants more edge and angst. Zack tells him he’s like Perry Como on the couch wearing a sweater and should start tap dancing his way back home.

Earl (oh oh oh la la la): Killing Me Softly. Earl has lost his groove. And maybe even his will to live. That might have been better if he’d been sitting down and left out the arm waving and finger pointing and skulking around the stage. Sass loves his beautiful eyes. Farley likes his funky soulful version. Zack says Who? Where? What? Emotional aimless meandering in your back yard?? Jake disagrees with Anne’s advice and advises Earl to NOT try to draw people in or play to anyone. Be EARL and force the audience to watch. And that performance would take some force.

Drew (guitar guru extraordinaire): Hey Daddy (There’s a hippo in my bathtub). I’m SO happy somebody decided to sing this one! And after hearing it, even more happy that it’s Drew. He concentrates on the vocals instead of the guitar, and what a difference. Farley says it’s clear. It’s concise. It’s very very nice. Zack thinks Drew has turned a huge corner and sounds great. Jake agrees it’s the best singing he’s heard from Drew. Sass tells him he’s a really good singer. I think we’ve all got that now, thanks.

Theo (king of the riffs): You Don’t Know Me. I love this song too, but good as Theo is, it sounded like he was trying way too hard. Just sing the damn song and stop trying to emote yourself to death. Zack finds it radically flavourless. Jake says he’s a matinee idol with heart and soul. Sass tells him his phrasing is outstandlingly great. Farley likes how Theo becomes a part of the song. Theo is beating himself up to be that voice that is like no other and instantly recognizable. I like him better when he’s a little more chilled.

Mitch: Elliot Smith song Between the Bars (?) Hmmmm. Pleasant. But apparently it wasn’t supposed to be, exactly. Now Jake says he’s SHARP off the top. And blathers away about the dynamics issue, indicating that with Mitch there just isn’t enough of that. Sass likes the contrast of the dark song material with Mitch’s charm. Farley goes on again about lack of edge. Zack thinks Mitch has no clue how to win CI.

Earl: Steve Miller’s Joker. Yay Earl for picking such a great song!! Boo Earl for looking like you’d rather be anywhere else but here. Sass likes the cool ending and his phrase endings which go ‘whooo up, and oooop down. Or was it whoo down and oooop up. Farley enjoyed the middle and the end but wants a little more Earl. Earl shouts Yyyyyeeeeaaaahhhh, but it lacks conviction.  Zack says there’s no joie de vive, no ‘I’m lovin’ this moment’ stuff goin’ on. Jake gets the feeling that Earl just doesn’t want to be here anymore. Earl says I don’t know. And then quickly adds, no, that’s not it. Which means that yeah, that’s probably it alright.

Drew: Gravity. Wow guitar playing. And I liked that even better than his first song. Drew just keeps on getting better! The judges are all anal about it though. Farley calls it reasonably good, a lighter side of the blues. Zack thinks EVERYBODY’s got the YIPS. Jake likes Drew without the beard and compliments him on dressing better. And that would be all because Jake suggested it in the first place. Uh huh. He likes Drew’s Jim Cuddy moments. Sass just loves it (yay Sass!) and says he pulled it off great.

Theo (Piano Man): Chariot. Okay, this is way better Theo, with a song he obviously likes a lot, and some animation to go with it. Zack appreciates a man who flaunts his body all over the stage and calls it the performance of the night. Jake says yep. Consistent. You. Sass yells GOOD JOB MY BROTHER! Now let’s blow this pop stand. That last part under her breath, of course. Farley says really good performance and I’m with you Sass, can we get the hell out of here already.

I believe Drew and Theo should be safe, and Mitch and Earl are both at risk.

And I miss Mookie.  Boo hoo.