Did you miss me? As some of you astute readers might have noticed, I’ve taken a two-week recapping hiatus for personal reasons, but I’m happy to be back. While I haven’t written about American Idol since movie night, I’ve watched the last two shows and am happy with the trend. The artists are finding their footing, America finally let Daniel return to middle school and we’re heading into a pretty awesome finale.

As I always do, I’ll rate each song on a scale of 0-5 along with a short blurb and then pick my favorite and least favorite performances of the night.

Jax (“Poker Face” by Lady Gaga) – * * * ½
On paper, Lady Gaga is an obvious choice Jax as both share a similar musical sensibility and love of on-stage theatrics and even inside the Gaga catalogue “Poker Face” isn’t the wisest choice. It’s a fine song but since 2008 it’s been reinvented and rearranged dozens of times, even going as far being used pivotally on Glee. Granted, Jax’s arrangement did feel original but it also felt strangely listless. Jax is a great talent and a great performer, but the song never really went anywhere melodically or theatrically. Was there any glaring errors? Not really, but this is a Jax performance I’ll forget about very quickly.

Nick Fradiani (“Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry) – * * * *
After weeks of trying to figure it out, I think I’ve finally cracked the code on Nick: he needs a band. That’s not an insult but a merely an observation. Some people are meant to be solo artists while others just work better being a part of a larger entity and Nick would make a killer front man. But on his own, his energy isn’t quite up to par and his vocals, while on point, felt just a touch generic. But with a great band behind him and perhaps a set list of original music, there’s not doubt he could pull a Phillip Phillips.

Quentin Alexander (“Latch” by Sam Smith) – * * * *
This is exactly the type of record I’d expect Quentin to make, which is important going into the top 8. This may be his most conventional performance to date, but it’s also one of his strongest with much-improved pitch and technicality.

Joey Cook (“Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus) – * * * *
If you had asked me two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have thought Joey would still be on Idol but I am so, so glad she is. Her Kelly Clarkson track last week was absolute magic. But Joey is walking a fine line between cool indie artist and one-trick retro pony. I’m glad Joey didn’t totally rearrange “Wrecking Ball” to prove she can still be relevant without being shticky, but I’m not sure this was the right song either. During the verses, Joey reminded me a lot of Sia (another quirky and highly original artist) between her squeaky vocals and bob hairdo. But while Sia has those big power-ballad notes, Joey just doesn’t and she felt majored drowned out in the choruses.

Clark Beckham (“Make It Rain” by Ed Sheeran) – * * * * ½
Clark is a terribly gifted technical singer but can sometimes off a little stiff and detached. But the veneers are showing cracks and the emotion definitely came through in “Rain.” I wish he had let everything go even more, abandoning the “perfect vocal” and just pouring his heart onto the stage, but it’s still a helluva vocal.

Tyanna Jones (“Stay” by Rihanna) – * * * * ½
A bit like Clark, Tyanna has an undeniably great set of pipes but her performance scan sometimes feel just a touch sugary and empty. So I’m really glad Tyanna showed off a more personal and emotional side. Vocally, this wasn’t Tyanna’s strongest (there seemed to be a few pitch issues here and there), but it was Tyanna’s most beautiful and pure performance in a long time.

Rayvon Owen (“Set Fire To The Rain” by Adele) – * * * *
The arrangement was cool and, as always, Rayvon delivers a smooth vocal but there’s just a lack of individuality and, well, fire that makes Rayvon oddly bland.

Show VIP: I think Tyanna made the most strides tonight.

Who Went Home: Qaasim. What Scott said is true, Rayvon is a better singer than Qaasim (by a country mile) but Qaasim is a great, exciting, authentic performer. I would have sent Rayvon home, just on that fact but I’m still giddy from Daniel’s exit so all is OK.

Who Should Go Home Next Week: Rayvon or Nick.