America's Got Talent 4, September 8: Clueless Whisper

Ladies, gentlemen, and Acrodunk! Welcome to another performance episode of America's Got Talent, the show where mediocre singers get priority over great acts in other genres.

The second set of semifinalists are performing for five finalist slots, and there will be no judge's pick. At least it's fair considering last week's "surprise." Whatever the judges' talent is, it certainly wasn't acting like that was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

After spending ten minutes talking about last week's shenanigans and watching another worthless montage, it's finally time to watch some talent. First up is not a dance group, but it is a group I really like -- Recycled Percussion. Bye, guys. Drumming got one member through a lot of hard times. His estranged father was a homeless alcoholic, but now Poppa has been sober for seven years and got to watch his last performance. The band has a big drug-free message. Piers wonders how they can top their last performance. To prepare, RP went to a junkyard to find what sounds good. Did they find good music?

Recycled Percussion performs "Highway Star." One member plays guitar while the other three focus on the percussion, including banging a van door like a gong and using a jackhammer. Gotta say, I have never seen an act with such awesome apparatuses on this show. The old van opening up to show off Recycled Percussion's hub cap drum set was great. Plus, I just love this song, so that says something for their taste in music. And the guitar just has to be smashed in the end. I don't think the drumming was as great as last time, but they're a fun act, and maybe they can break the curse of going first.

Piers couldn't work out whether the guys were talented or just mad. Still, he says they have everything needed for a Vegas show – showmanship, excitement, and entertainment. Sharon agrees, but says Piers left out how ripped these guys are. David says they have "just the right amount of grease." He thinks they can sustain a Vegas show.

Next is Lawrence Beamen, a singer I actually kind of like. Lawrence was raised in a very strict, controlling religious group who told him that leaving the place would mean amounting to nothing. At the age of 16, he spoke out. Way to go! His life began anew in music. After so many odd jobs, he's ready to invest his life in music.

Lawrence sing "Fallin'." I don't think I have ever heard a man sing this song before, and I like the risk. I do appreciate Lawrence's range. After all, he went from "Old Man River" to Joe Cocker to Alicia Keys. However, the performance itself could have been better. Either he doesn't stay true enough to the song or he stays too close to the original. It's not bad, but I expected much better.

Sharon liked the contemporary song choice, but didn't like the vocal acrobatics. Simpler is better for Sharon. David also liked the song choice, and Lawrence reminded him of Teddy Pendergrass. Piers wasn't feeling it as much as David. He thinks Lawrence is better as a new Barry White than a new Alicia Keys. If Lawrence makes the finals, he'll do the Lord's Prayer. Will that promise save him?

Let's see what Erik & Rickie can do. Erik almost fainted after getting Piers' vote. Rickie says she and Erik feel like little stars. Rickie's class gave her a good luck video. We learn that Erik loves fancy cars like Ferraris and Aston Martins. They've been practicing really hard so they can win the million and Erik could buy a Ferrari, even though he can't even drive yet. At least he has a goal.

Erik & Rickie do a toy store-themed dance to "Black or White." They start with some moonwalking. Erik does a great job at it. However, I just think the rest of the dancing is a little too slow for the music. Some Tchaikovsky would have been more appropriate for the dancing they did. What was that supposed to be, a waltz? A tango? I believe their limit has been reached.

David thinks Erik & Rickie could have their own Disneyland. "Evil Ogre" Piers likes them personally, but he's with me – the dancing and music didn't work together. Sharon, however, can't fault a single thing about the performance. Really?

So far, the performances have been a little disappointing, though not bad. Maybe Jeffrey Ou will give us a fully good performance. Or at least a full performance. After the technical issues, Jeffrey thought he'd be going home. He doesn't know how America likes to vote for victims of circumstance. This week, Jeffrey will be bringing out the mad scientist persona in full force. That explains the hair. Also, his piano is connected to the lights, so any problems will be noticeable.

Jeffrey and his ridiculous hair perform a song I have no hope in identifying. Later, we learn it's Franz Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody." The same "Hungarian Rhapsody" from all of those classic cartoons? Must be a different rhapsody, because I'm not hearing the same song. I'm not hearing a good tune, either. The light show is really cool (I always love dynamic lights), but I'm not sure the song will get him enough votes. Piers buzzes him, of course, and I can see why.

Piers thought the performance was completely out of control, much like his hair. He doesn't think Jeffrey hit a single note, despite not even knowing what the song was. Sharon likes the look and the Mad Mozart personality, though the playing was out there and not good. David thought the song sounded more like beef stroganoff, though he kind of enjoyed it.

I thought this was supposed to be the stronger of the two semifinal group. Hairo Torres is the last hope for the first half of the episode. Hairo was never the kid who stood out in high school. Even on his beloved football team, he never had the talent to go varsity. Only his dancing worked out for him. His mother is his biggest hero, as she wanted to be a dancer as well. A back injury at his last rehearsal may spell doom for him, however.

Hairo dances a prom themed number to "I Gotta Feeling." Hairo breaks out some really cool new tricks. Like last time, the background dancers add more to the performance, rather than distract. A solo dancer has no chance of holding a whole show without help, but Michael Flatley did it with "Lord of the Dance." I could see a similar show starring Hairo and featuring contortions and breakdancing with a story. Also, if he's injured, I can't tell. I'm rooting for Hairo.

Sharon admires Hairo's new moves and hopes America brings him back. David thinks Hairo is the perfect date for the prom. Piers likes Hairo because he dances the exact same way as he does. In reality, Piers likes how Hairo is funny, and how it fits with his street dancing.

After Hairo's impressive performance, can The EriAm Sisters follow up just as impressively? Mr. EriAm was so confused by the way the results were revealed last time. He wasn't alone. They will be looking at this moment fifty years from now. David wants the girls to focus on singing and not dancing. There were issues on the song choice, so will their final choice work?