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American Idol 8: Top 36, Final 12: Kind of boring

By April MacIntyre Mar 4, 2009, 13:29 GMT

Scott MacIntyre courtesy of FOX

American Idol 8: Top 36, Final 12 - initial thoughts are no one really stood out for me, save for Scott MacIntyre, whose optimisitic joy and raw talent shone like pure sunshine.  You have to love the guy.

Thursday night, American Idol's Top 36 will be winnowed down to a dozen. 

So far, it's Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, and after tonight three more members will join the Top 12. 

Von Smith  “You All I Need to Get By” by Marvin Gaye

Not a bad effort, and he turns on the charm for the judges..

Randy called it a “hot performance.”  Kara and Paula both like.  Simon says that Von looks and reminds him of Clay Aiken.  Result is look of frozen horror on Von's face.

Taylor Vaifanua - "If I Got You" by Alicia Keys

Taylor picks a bad song for her.  She woofs it too.

Nobody knows who she is apparently. Kara doesn't know who Taylor is.  Paula either. Simon calls it generic, bland, forgettable.  

Alex Wagner-Trugman - "That's Why They Call it the Blues"

Alex is a nice guy and way out of his depth.

Simon calls his singing growling ridiculous.  Simon says "you're like a little hamster trying to be a tiger." 

Arianna Afsar: "Winner Takes It All."

Boring and dreary.

"Incredibly dreary arrangement," said Simon. Kara thought she was a beam of sunshine in the auditions, but tonight was dreary and gloomy. 

Junot Joyner - "Hey There, Delilah" by Plain-White T's

Junot sings a slow version of this song. Does not impress.

Judges disagree.  Randy liked the song choice, thought the arrangement was cool.  Kara and Paula both like - Kara says “Where your baby?   Simon says, “That was actually better than he thought it would be.”  

Kristen McNamara - "Give Me One Reason" by Tracy Chapman

Kristen is okay, flatish and not memorable.

Kara calls Kristen “a great singer.”  She could see her doing more of a rock song, didn't think that it was the perfect song for her.  Paula impressed by range.  Simon says it's about puzzling out who Kristen is. 

Nathaniel Marshall - “I Would Do Anything For Love”

Nathaniel does the Loaf. Enough said.

Simon and the judges like him, and his drama queen schtick works for now.

Felicia Barton - "No One" by Alicia Keys

Felicia isa gorgeous girl and can sing, she will be around.

The judges laud their decision to bring her back.

Paula loves how the universe "works".  Simon liked the first half much better than the second half, and Randy loves her voice, “thought it was hot.”  Kara likes the look too.

Scott MacIntyre - “Mandolin Rain” by Bruce Hornsby

He was great - and brave.

Kara says Scott “moves mountains” with his singing.  Paula was grateful he had made it and Simon wasn't crazy about the song, but he says Scott is growing on him, and is starting to believe in himself.  Simon will remember Scott, and says he'll be amazed if he doesn't make it to the next round.

Kendall Beard - "This One's For the Girls" by Martina McBride

Kendall was forgetabble.

Judges concur.

Jorge Nunez - "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" by Elton John

Jorge can sing, but the crying thing killed it for me.

At issue is Jorge's accent.  And his crying.  Kara thinks he's cute.

Lil Rounds - "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige

Lil Rounds gave one of the best female performances in the show.

Love from the judges: Simon calls it “brilliant.”