We should have known how this week was going to go when the word ‘country’ was uttered last week.  But were the performances tolerable enough for us to make it through the whole hour?  Read on!

TAYLOR HICKS
SONG:  “Take Me Home, Country Roads”/ John Denver
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  I’m not sure if the problem is the song or the genre, but Taylor started off a little weak and flat tonight.  He is really struggling through some of those notes.  Let’s just pray he makes it through this week.  Unfortunately, he was forced to start off what could be quite an interesting night overall.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy didn’t think the vocal was that exciting.  Paula said that the song choice didn’t allow him to shine.  Simon thought it was safe, boring and easy.

MANDISA
SONG:  “Any Man of Mine”/ Shania Twain
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  She also started off a bit weak.  I can barely understand what she is saying.  Mandisa is not typically known for being soft-spoken and this song is not helping her.  The song almost sounded like it was getting away from her.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought it was a weird song choice but that she finally sounded better in the end.  Paula wasn’t thrilled with the song choice.  Simon, predictably, thought the song was just plain horrible.

ELLIOTT YAMIN
SONG:  “If Tomorrow Never Comes”/ Garth Brooks
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  He’s definitely had a better start than the first two.  He’s definitely managed to add his own personal style and inflections to the song.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought that it was hot.  Paula thought he picked the right song for his voice.  Simon didn’t think it was a great vocal.

PARIS BENNETT
SONG:  “How Do I Live Without You”/ Trisha Yearwood or LeAnn Rimes
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  She started off with a most horrific note and I can’t say that it got much better.  Those runs were just too much for her.  And frankly, so was that high note.  Maybe her corset was just a bit too tight tonight??
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought that the beginning of the song was just not good.  Paula didn’t feel the joy in her singing tonight.  She felt a lot of struggle.  Simon thought it was actually very good and very early Dionne Warwick.  Let’s see if he takes that comment back tomorrow like he did with McPhee’s last week.

ACE YOUNG
SONG:  “Tonight I Wanna Cry”/ Keith Urban
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  First off, let’s just say that Ace Young is nowhere near as cute as Keith Urban.  But I must admit, this melodramatic song is a perfect song fit for Ace.  It’s just cheesy enough for him to pull it off.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy was impressed with the falsetto at the end of the song.  Paula says that he has a knack of picking the right song for himself.  Simon actually agreed with Paula and said that this was a good song choice tonight. 

KELLIE PICKLER
SONG:  “Fancy”/ Reba McEntire
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  Does the fact that she is walking through the aisles mean that she will walk all over the rest of the competition?  As much as I dislike Kellie Pickler, she is definitely doing her best tonight.  It’s about time.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought that this was her element.  Paula thought it was a song that she could sink her teeth into.  Simon hated the song but thought that her performance was good.

CHRIS DAUGHTRY
SONG:  “Making Memories of Us”/ Keith Urban
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  Interesting twist to have Chris sing such a sedate song.  He actually did a pleasant job with it.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought he did a good job.  Paula appreciated the versatility.  Simon didn’t really like the song choice.

KATHARINE MCPHEE
SONG:  “Bringing Out the Elvis”/ Faith Hill
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  I don’t know what it is, but I’m really not digging this song.  And somehow, it makes her seem quite obnoxious.. and bouncy.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought she did a nice job.  Paula thought she hit her niche.  Simon thought the song was just peculiar.

BUCKY COVINGTON
SONG:  “Best I Ever Had”/ Gary Allan
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  Although I think Bucky is obviously suited for the genre, I think he could have picked a less boring song.  Also—I’m still not quite sure what he’s saying!!!!
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought it was aw-right, though a bit pitchy.  Paula thought he was in his element.  Simon actually thought it sounded okay! Huh?

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Paris has got to be the one to go tonight.  That song was far too popular for people to not know she massacred it.

(You can find all the American Idol 5 posts here.)