American Idol 5, March 8: Boys Will be Boys

Can it get any more exciting that this? Eight guys remain, but only six will make it to the top 12. So much is riding on these performances tonight, plus the show is being aired live! I am totally psyched!

Ryan welcomes us to the show, and is wearing a suit for the second night in a row. I don’t remember him wearing suits last year. Is this the new, improved Ryan Seacrest? He introduces Gedeon, Chris, Kevin, Bucky, Will, Taylor, Elliott, and Ace, and then the judges. Tonight, before each guy sings, he will reveal a deep, dark secret about his life!

Gedeon McKinney – “When a Man Loves a Woman”

Gedeon tells us that when he’s not singing, he enjoys painting. He shows us a painting that he did showing a 45 rpm record superimposed over the earth. He’s certainly an intense young man.

Gedeon takes this song and gives it a real contemporary flavor. I am so impressed by the tone of his voice and his range. He sings this effortlessly. Gedeon has such a great old-school aura about him. I have totally changed my mind about him, and hope that he gets to the top 12.

Randy points out that Gedeon started out shaky (he did?), but that he liked the big note at the end, and thinks that saved it. Randy digs Gedeon’s “old soul” too. Paula calls Gedeon “unique,” and says that his throw back style is amazing. She says, “You know exactly what to do.” She loves his showmanship as well. Simon says, “You are quite odd.” He thinks that the performance was a bit “cabaret,” but he likes Gedeon and calls him “interesting.”

Watching Gedeon talking with Ryan, I am reminded that he is only 17 - he’s really just a kid! It is rather odd, in that I expect him to act like an adult!

Chris Daughtry – “Broken”

Chris tells us that up until a couple of years ago, he was “styling” his hair just like Ryan’s. But when he noticed that his hair was thinning, he shaved his head, and figures he’ll be doing this for the rest of his life.

Once again, Chris picks a song that is right on the money, and that allows him to sail through the performance. He certainly has a niche, but I wonder how versatile he will be once the dreaded “theme” nights begin. Chris is obviously comfortable on the stage, and this should help him adapt his style to the various genres. Still, Chris singing disco will be interesting!

Randy says he loves people who know who they are and where their vocals are. He says that Chris is ready, and shouts out, “Rock on.” Paula, who seems to be a bit more ebullient tonight than last week, is sure that Chris will be out there selling out stadiums soon. But Simon isn’t quite as impressed. He calls the performance “a bit indulgent,” and notes that this is American Idol, and that a contestant has to be as broad as possible. I couldn’t agree more.

Kevin Covais – “Vincent”

Kevin tells us that he is a big fan of Kanye West, and likes to rap along with him. No, I wouldn’t have guessed that!

When Kevin starts singing this song, I shudder a bit, remembering the controversy over Clay Aiken’s performance of this song. This is a very different song, and actually, rather suits this earnest young man. His voice is quite lovely, and the performance moved me, at least at the time I was listening to it. The problem is that I always forget how good Kevin is almost immediately after he finishes the song. He reminds me of a choirboy, singing the solo on Christmas Eve. This is not necessarily a bad thing, though, just an observation.

Randy loves that Kevin is hip-hop, and says that this was an interesting song choice. He calls it a “nice performance.” Paula has nothing but love for Kevin, and points out that ballads are his thing. She says, “I adore you.” Simon says that people will like Kevin in the same way that they “like watching puppies play.” He tells Kevin that he’s got the “Granny” vote, but says he thinks the performance was very juvenile.

Once again, Ryan asks Simon for some constructive criticism, but the entire conversation deteriorates into a series of double entendres, and Kevin is left to ponder the meaning of all of this.

In the “Red Couch” room, Ryan asks Taylor how being on the show has changed his life. Taylor tells Ryan that he met one of his idols, Christopher Cross, and was thrilled. Ryan wonders how Taylor is handling performing only two nights a week when he is used to doing at least six shows a week. Taylor says he is putting the same amount of energy into five minutes on the stage.

Bucky Covington – “Wave on Wave”

Bucky tells us that he has an identical twin brother named Rocky. Imagine raising two of these characters!

Bucky has chosen another song that is perfect for his voice and laid back country/rock style. I have grown to really like Bucky, and this performance is yet another solid outing. He’s a real natural singer and performer, and I love that he is so true to his roots.

Randy mentions that what he likes about the guys is that they all have a sense of who they are. He coins the term “Bucky Country” to describe Bucky’s style, and says he liked the performance. Paula calls Bucky unpretentious and loves the “raw, untapped talent of you.” Simon has to put a damper on this love fest, though, and says that we can hear this a million times this week in a bar. But he does concede that it was okay.

Bucky’s twin brother, Rocky, comes up onstage! They really are identical, right down to the ponytails. I think they could have great fun fooling people. Hmmmmm, wouldn’t that be something! Send Rocky out for results night!!!