Adam Lambert - Whole Lotta Love.

Disclaimer: Still lifeless. I'm on a roll with the whole "I don't agree with the judges" thing. Just know it regards a certain someone being pimped even after delivering a train wreck of a performance. I also do not appreciate the fact two of my favourite contestants were both so blatantly and tactlessly thrown under a bus by the judges with one other being thrown under bus by said train-wreck. But a bus is such an understatement. Let's make it ten buses (is clearly unhappy). & because of said pimpage, my dreams of a Kradison Top 3 have been dashed. BROKEN INTO TINY LITTLE PIECES. LIKE THESE DASHES: - - - - - - -.

American Idol Top 4 [6th May 2009].

Bb looks fierce. :D

Theme: Top 4 Rock Week.
Mentor: Slash of Guns and Roses. I couldn't tell how much advice he actually gave the contestants from such a short video clip, so can't say much. Although it is awesome just to see him shredding.

This. Is. American Idol The Adam Lambert Show, featuring my Pocket-Sized Idol, Kris Allen! -cue music-

• Dress rehearsals canceled due to an accident that happened earlier in the day. Something to do with the AI logo tower and the staircase that Adam used last week. Debbie the Stage Manager gashed her leg pretty bad. She is fine now though! Yay. -will forever remember her as the awesome stage manager who cracked that joke with Brad Pitt last year during Idol Gives back-
  
• Shot of the broken tower, Ryan announces that there's going to be 6 songs. 2 of them being duets.
  
• Ryan says despite the accident, "the show must go on".
  
• He still looks like he spent too long in the tanning booth.
  
• Top 4 are introduced, all decked out in full rock regalia (except for Danny who looked horrible. A red dress shirt is nowhere near to being "rock n' roll". I think he missed a memo or something on "How To Dress For Rock N' Roll Week").
  
• Slash video played, chronicling his 25 years in the music business.
  
• Top 4 clip showing them being taken to a club, a very traditional setting for rock gigs, to lay their songs down with Slash.
  
• Adam fangirls at the side, bopping his head along to the music while Slash is being all Slash-like with his guitar. Melts my heart.
  
• On with the show. Guess who's first. :D

Live Performance Review: Still the reason why I watch this show. Rock N' Roll week was made for Adam Lambert. Like made for him. His days at the The Zodiac Show proves that (see "Crawl Thru Fire" and "Black Dog"). And he finally gets to sing the song that he's wanted to all season, "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin. Slash thinks Adam has "crazy pipes" and actually gave good advice (told Adam not to improvise too much with the higher register) , which Adam took to heart. Adam says he's going to "Kill it", which he did.

I don't have to talk about the vocals because, hello? Adam Lambert? Man can do no wrong! He has such amazing stage presence, from his intense gaze (sex eyes) to his appearance (sparkle like gold, Adam!) to his jaw-dropping voice. And that moment during the part when he sings "womaaaaaaaaan" with that snarl and Elvis-like lip pull, was so sexy, I can't stand it askjfaljfkasjflasf. Call me. Marriage proposal still stands, bb.

He connects with the band and the audience extremely well, but I noticed that he kind of pulled back the reins a little bit and didn't let himself go as much as he did with RoF (which is still one of THE BEST performances by him ever). I loved how he paused midway through the performance and everyone was cheering because they thought he finished, but then he started up again, ending with his signature rock wail. An Adam performance will never be complete without the rock wail. Srsly. Don't people know that by now?

Having never heard anything by Led Zeppelin, as ashamed as I am to admit, I bounced off to Youtube to check out the original track. After listening to it, I have to say that he really held his own to the original. It's still the classic arrangement, but Adam adds a more modern flavor with his version.

Randy says, "This is the Adam that I love, dude. You are a rock star tonight…you and Slash should make a record." Kara says, "you are more than a rock star you are a rock GOD." Paula, "you're a whole lotta perfect!" Simon calls it, "one of my favorite performances you’ve ever done" and that no one will be able to top that. And he's right. THIS, is why you do not give Adam the first slot AND the pimp slot in the same night. Because he will own the entire fucking night and we won't have to see anyone else (which is not cool because I still love Kris and Allison although most of my love is reserved for Adam D:) and then it would be THE END.

Studio Version Review: This is made of a "whole lotta WIN"! It's just as good as the original and in some ways, it's also better especially in terms of vocals because of Adam's insane range. WIN. LOVE IT. BEST STUDIO RECORDING AFTER "FEELING GOOD" OH GOD THEY'RE BOTH SO GODDAMN SEXY. Oh, but hello. I just noticed Adam changed the "Woman" line to "Baby". PURPOSE OF THIS ADAM? D: Total raping of the capslock button everytime I start talking about Adam.

Live Performance Review: But it is not the end, because you can't have Rock Week without a little Janis Joplin from our resident rocker, Allison who executed her performance extremely well. I'm still not over the fact that she's only 17 and has such an amazing voice. She went to Adam's hair girl this week in preparation for Rock Week and has funky purplish extensions now. Loves it.

Her performance of "Cry Baby" was heart-wrenching to say the least. Her smoky voice is perfect for a Janis Joplin song. It's amazing to see her hit those notes when she gets to the chorus. And, I am glad to say that she really connected emotionally with the song. But, oh the irony of the song choice (connected to results show).

She pretty much tore the stage. Owned it completely. She has so much confidence now than compared to Top 13 week, yet she's still been in the Bottom 3 so many times, which is something that confounds me.

Again, bounced off to Youtube for the original version and I have to say, Allison also managed to hold her own to it. To some, Allison's voice might be much more enjoyable than compared to Janis Joplin's as the latter is a lot more rawer than the former and it might be difficult for some people to appreciate Janis. But, I personally love her voice. It's extremely unique and I am definitely a fan now.

Randy says, “You can sing your face off”, but didn't like the song choice. Kara says, “Janis is the right choice for you", but would have preferred "Piece of My Heart”. Paula says, “You’re downright peerless. If they do a biopic on Janis you got the role.” Simon says she’s grown a lot through the competition, singing with complete confidence, but didn't see enough originality . Shut up, Simon. A perfect example of the bus backing up and running her over. Allison talks back after Simon says, "Start begging", and I love her for it, "You say I don't talk enough so I'm gonna talk a lot!" YOU OWN, ALLISON. -goes to play The Pixies' "Allison"-

Studio Recording Review: Amazing. 'Nuff said. Her voice shines so much with this song, it sparkles like a rainbow. I can't wait for her album.

Live Performance Review: First duet of the night by Kris Allen and Danny Gokey with Styx's "Renegade". "Renegade"? Really? Isn't there a better song choice? It's a funky song in its own, but two of the show's most wholesome guys singing about being on the run from the law? Not very believable.

I did not enjoy this performance very much. Very good harmonizing when they sing together but at some point I felt like Danny was trying to out sing Kris? It's a personal observation so I don't know if I was the only one who saw it. But honestly, there was hardly any chemistry in the performance and Kris was the only one making the effort to interact while Danny just kept singing as though he owned the damn stage.

Randy liked the harmonizing and so did Kara, but she felt the solo parts were off. Paula calls the performance, "Powerful" and "Compelling". Simon goes on to compare the two singers, saying that Danny was better than Kris.

Kris looked so sad and disappointed when Simon made the comparison. Presenting, Exhibit A:

Not cool. He looks so disappointed.

Glaringly obvious throwing-under-the-bus-act going on here. I actually liked Kris more than I did Danny. Sure, Danny can sing. He's got much more powerful vocals than compared to Kris but Kris is a lot more real. I really think that Danny was trying to out sing Kris with that last note. Eurgh. I feel really sorry for Kris. I was actually hoping for a Kradam duet....

Studio Recording Review: Much better than the live performance. I actually like this. The guitar solo here is Kick Awesome. Notice the Kris Allen reference. I still like Kris better than Danny. Sorry, Danny (putthe"go"ingokey).

Live Performance Review: After being thrown under a bus by judges and train-wreck, Kris got the performance slot right after that disastrous duet. STILL A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF SABOTAGE THOUGH. Shouldn't he be allowed to rest a little bit before his next performance?

Wonky-face says he nearly peed his pants when he was with Slash. So cute. :D He wanted to do "Revolution" by The Beatles, but felt that it wasn't for him, choosing "Come Together" instead.

I'm trying my very best not to compare his performance to Carly Smithson's version which she did last season (it was kick awesome, btw, much like Kris Allen) because it would be extremely unfair to him.

I like it. A lot. I love that he brought out his guitar and again, he has amazing phrasing. I also love how he manages to make every song unique to his own style. The last verse is especially amazing when the band dies down and he goes into a lower register before the band starts up again.

Unlike Adam & Allison, Kris is far from being the rockers that they are. Although, he's a much more mellower side of rock and he did manage to pull off "Come Together" extremely well despite not having the widest vocal range.

Randy appreciates that Kris came out with his guitar, but says that it wasn't a great performance. Kara thought that Kris was "trying too hard". Paula says, “Your signature is all over it but you need more energy.” Simon says the performance was like "eating ice for lunch. It leaves you nothing to remember…it was a bit of a jam…a boring song…I didn’t believe anything was going to top Adam, and I was right.”

And again! Kris made a sad face. Presenting, Exhibit B:

ENOUGH WITH THE SAD FACE. D:

As much as I love Adam and the fact that Simon said no one can top him, I'm all, "Shut up, Simon and Randy and Kara!". I actually like this performance even if it will never top "Ain't No Sunshine" or "Falling Slowly", but you have to give the guy credit! He is no rocker. At all. He's more of Jason Mraz kinda guy. So, shut up, judges! Because of your bad overall critique, including the duet one, Kris is like, this close to being eliminated! NO. KRADAM FINALE NO MATTER WHAT.

Studio Recording Review: Made of epic win. Smooth vocal work and the song's got attitude. The last verse switch-up sounds great and the guitar work is fantastic. Congratulations, Kris. You have managed to impress me enough to not have to compare you to Carly.

Live Performance Review: Hated it. Completely and utterly hated it. I know I said Danny redeemed himself in my eyes last week with that bluesy rendition of "Come Rain, Come Shine".

However, his version of Aerosmith's "Dream On" made me change my mind. It started off alright but then it sounded like he was just ploughing through the song like a bull. The last 11 seconds of the song was pure torture. The final few repetitions of the line, "dream on" were a whole bunch of falsettos gone wrong and that last note? Like, come on. It sounded like a cat was being strangled. Actually, make that ten cats. Like those ten buses you threw at Kris. Seriously. Slash was right about that final note making or breaking the song.

Personally, I thought that he was trying much too hard to be a "rocker". He lacked grace. He lacked finesse. He lacked the star quality that everyone else has. Most of all, it only proves to me, that Danny Gokey, has become a little full of himself. Especially after that duet with Kris and the whole bus-throwing incident.

Danny Gokey, you are not Adam Lambert. No one else can touch the rock-wails but Adam Lambert and Steven Tyler himself. Don't even try.

Randy, Kara and Paula all give him an "A+ for effort". Oh puh-leaze. SINGING COMPETITION, HELLO? Simon, makes the only right comment, "The last note was like watching a horror movie…it was a little over the top…it worked for Adam but not for you," but negates it by declaring that Danny would still be safe. SHUT UP. And Danny still has the nerve to say he didn’t think it was as bad as they said it was. Oh god, just shut up already.

Studio Recording Review: I don't even want to listen to this, but I have to because I am fair that way. I really do not like it. Thanks for ruining one of the best rock songs of all time. Still don't like last few "dream on"s. And the last note still sounds horrible albeit a little more bearable, thanks to the wonders of technology.

Live Performance Review: Adam and Allison win the award for best performance of the night with Foghat's "Slow Ride" which any tween who plays "Guitar Hero" will definitely know.

This is what a duet is supposed to be like! Truckloads of chemistry dripping from the both of them, unlike the first duet. Vocals need no mention because the two of them work so well with one another. They both get to show off their voices without overpowering the other. And they both look like they're having a ball of a time.

And is this not the cutest thing in the world?! :

Giant hug at the end! & Adam being a protective older brother.
Absolutely precious.

Judges loved it. Randy says, “You guys are our two seasoned rock stars. That was the bomb…you should record a duet together.” Kara calls them a "rock god and rock goddess. " and that that was what a duet is supposed to be like, "pushing each other to be better". Paula says their performance is a "perfect blend" and agrees with Randy about the duet thing. Simon says, “You win the battle of the duets" and tells Adam, "you may have given this one a chance to stay in the competition," to which Adam replies with an "I hope so!" OH GOD SO CUTE. I LOVE THE TWO OF THEM. ADAM HAD HIS ARM AROUND HER THE WHOLE TIME. SO PRECIOUS. YES, MORE CAPSRAPE. CANNOT GET OVER HOW CUTE THE TWO OF THEM ARE.

Studio Recording Review: I have no words to describe how fan-fucking-tastic this is. But they are so much better live to the point where this version doesn't do them as much justice. But it's still fan-fucking-tastic!

AND HELLO. THE BEST ADAM FACE EVER WHEN RYAN ANNOUNCED PAULA ABDUL WAS GOING TO PERFORM DURING RESULTS SHOW. COMPARE AND CONTRAST THIS:

Mm..Sexy face.

WITH THIS:

Adam + Fangirl Moment = WIN. <3

That made me smile. :D

Overall: Kradison wins. Last week was better though. Because someone didn't try to be a smug ass by choosing a song that should not be touched! Michael Johns got eliminated after singing that, what makes you think that you're going to be safe? BRING MATT GIRAUD BACK.

Prediction: Because of the bus throwing incident concerning Kris, I predicted him in the Bottom 2 along with Danny. I was unsure about who would go home, but I had a nagging feeling that it would be Kris. Turns out, my nagging feelings are always wrong. Thank goodness.

Actual Results: I was this close to crying. Bullet point recap of results show.

• Ryan declares that over 64 million votes were cast. The most ever outside of a finale.
• Group Performance: "School's Out" by Alice Cooper with Slash on lead guitar. Not lipsynched. I actually like this. Best moment was when Allison gave Danny this rather nasty shove in the chest. Does that mean something?!
  
• Kris is asked about how it feels to be in the Top 4, Kris replies, "I speak for all of us when I say it's surreal," that he didn't expect to make it this far. Ryan creates drama by asking Simon if Kris should change that attitude, to which Simon says, "Good point. Feel like you should be here." Kris interjects and tries to explain that he doesn't think that he doesn't deserve to be here. Typical snarky Simon says, "We don't want humble anymore". Mean.
  
• Adam says it's his favourite theme week, that he was extremely excited to be doing the first Led Zeppelin song on Idol and that he liked his outfit (omgily. you are such a girl).
• Danny is asked about his last note. Says he looked back at the performance and couldn't stop laughing about it and that his aunt muted the TV when he got to the note. Is very amused about the note and the ringtones being made with the note. Calls it his "funniest moment on American Idol".
  
• Allison is asked about her feisty side. Says she's usually not the kind of person to talk back but it's been a long time coming what with Simon constantly bashing her for being "boring", which she is so totally not. And then she got bleeped. For saying "damn". BRINGS THE LULZ.
• Paula Abdul performed her new single, "I'm Just Here For The Music". I love it. Love it. Love it. Love it. She can still "dance like there's no tomorrow" even at her age. And although it was lipsynched, the awesome-ness of her dancing skills makes me overlook that.
• No Doubt performed "I'm Just A Girl". Not their best, but oooooh, Gwen Stefani is so interesting to watch. Hate her hair and outfit though. What happened to classy Gwen?
  
• Ryan says he has the results. The homecoming clips from previous seasons are played. Totally heartwrenching.
• Ryan calls the Top 4 to the stage. Says that he will be declaring who's safe at random.
• Kris is called out first and he is............. SAFE. LIKE OMG HE TOTALLY DID NOT EXPECT THAT. THIS IS WHERE I SCREAMED LIKE A LITTLE GIRL BECAUSE IT MEANT DANNY WAS GETTING CLOSER TO PUTTING THE "GO" IN GOKEY. CUE SHOCK FACE:
  
  
  
  
  
• And cue Kris faceplant! :
  
  

  
  Brolove. Best moment on AI.

• Daughtry performs his new single, "No Surprise". Sounds nice. Typical Daughtry track. Is given a plaque commemorating the 5 million copies of his debut album that was sold.
• Break. Danny, Adam & Allison are brought back.
• Adam is called out and he is.............. SAFE. DUH. AFTER LAST WEEK'S SCARE? NEVER AGAIN. And yet another brohug from Kris! :
  
  
  
  2 Kradam hugs in one night? Best results show ever
  Except for the part where I sunk into a state of hysteria).

  Kris is standing on tippy-toe! ADORABLE.

• Danny & Allison are left. Ryan goes, "After the record setting vote of 64 million......Danny....You are...........SAFE." LIKE WHAT? ALLISON IS GOING HOME?!?!?!?
  
• And that was when I went hysterical. Hysteria consisted of denial, mandatory swearing session directed towards the TV and extreme anger, ie. "WHY IS DANNY STILL HERE? THAT LAST NOTE WAS HORRENDOUS AND HE'S STILL HERE?!! WHERE IS THE JUSTICE IN THE WORLD?!??!"
  
• I damn near cried when they aired Allison's video package. I was so close to crying because Allison was crying and then her swan song was so goddamn perfect alskfjaslfjalsjflkasjfjf I wanted to sniffle so badly.
• SRLSY. BEST SWAN SONG EVER.
• Adam looked like he was on the verge of tears as well, he gave Allison this HUGE HUGE HUGE hug and a little kiss on the cheek. Kris had a :-( sad face on. NO MORE KRIS SAD FACE. SRSLY. DOTH NOT CARE ABOUT GOKEY.
• END SHOW.
  

I'm devastated that Allison's been eliminated. She's one of my favourite contestants and seeing her grow so much over the course of the competition is inspiring, to say the least. She ended her run with a huge bang and I'm really excited to see what she's going to do next.

It's been a good run. And it's just the beginning.

Next week: 2 songs. Contestants choice & Judges choice. Results show will feature the Top 3's homecomings (which were epic, btw). I still think they should've stuck to the 3-song format. Can America like, freeze Gokey out next week so that we'll have a Kradam finale?