Top four. Two rounds. Two mentors. Three spots. Let’s go.
As always, I’ll rate each song on a scale of 0-5 along with a short blurb, then pick my favorite and least favorite performances of the night.
ROUND ONE – CLASSIC ROCK SONGS:
La’Porsha Renae (“Wanted Dead Or Alive” by Bon Jovi) - * * * * *
As trite as this may be, when you have the vocal talent of La’Porsha, you can make almost any song work. And while “Dead Or Alive” may not be the type of song La’Porsha will include on her freshman album, it was a very solid Idol performance. With a touch of a Macy Gray growl and a slowed down, slinky vibrato, the song did bring out a bluesy and utterly seductive side to La’Porsha. Right now, she’s the front-runner and this performance did nothing to dethrone Queen ‘Porsha.
MacKenzie Bourg (“I Want You To Want Me” by Cheap Trick) - * * * ½
I disagree with the judges; I didn’t mind MacKenzie’s half-time, slowed down version of the ‘80s classic. In fact, if he had done it with the original arrangement, it would have felt out of place and karaoke-ish. The problem for me was less about orchestration and more about MacKenzie’s vocals, which were strained and unfocused. I suspect a bit of laryngitis here, but either way his voice was surprisingly small and forced.
Trent Harmon (“Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top) - * * * * *
As I’ve been saying for weeks, I didn’t start out a big fan of Trent’s, but he’s been growing on me by leaps and bounds each week. While last week’s “Simple Man” was really solid, this was clearly his best performance by a swampy mile. It showed off his wide range well, Trent being able to let loose his inner ladies man. I always say I give a song five stars when there’s nothing to critique and there’s zero notes I’d give.
Dalton Rapattoni (“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys) – * * * *
On one hand, “God Only Knows” is a fantastic song to strip down as it allows you to really focus on some of the best lyric writing in 20th century pop music. As a vehicle for that, Dalton’s performance was quite good. He delivered a monologue-esque take on the song and you really felt every word. But I couldn’t help but find the chord progression a bit milquetoast and boring. A bit jazzier of a piano arrangement could have really made this sing.
ROUND TWO – SIA SONGS:
La’Porsha Renae (“Elastic Heart” by Sia) - * * * * ½
What I love about Sia’s songs is that they’re supremely written pop tunes that are addictive, danceable and memorable, but almost always written from a place of pain. Yes, “Elastic Heart” is a powerful anthem of empowerment, but it too comes from a place of heartbreak. In that way, it is the perfect song for La’Porsha, a woman who has overcome amazing odds and is now riding a tremendous high. However, I wish I had felt more of that angst and power throughout. It was a sterling vocal performance, I just wanted it to emotionally effect me a touch more.
MacKenzie Bourg (“Titanium” by David Guetta & Sia) - * * * ½
High note aside, I wish MacKenzie had stripped “Titanium” down even further and just played it solo on an acoustic guitar. The bland arrangement and somewhat disconnected vocals didn’t add much to the stellar Sia original. Also, MacKenzie, if you’re reading this, please don’t breath between “titan—ium.” It’s just a rookie move.
Trent Harmon (“Chandelier” by Sia) - * * * * *
If you had told me a month ago that Trent would deliver what is perhaps the best vocal of the season, I’d have laughed in your face. But here we are. For the first time in this round, Trent unearthed the wounded, vulnerable side of Sia’s gorgeous music delivering, a pristine, vocally adroit performance that is without reproach. That is just some brilliant, heartfelt singing.
Dalton Rapattoni (“Birds Set Free” by Sia) – * * * * *
This is, in many ways, the mirror image to La’Porsha’s song this round. While La’Porsha’s was vocally perfect, it left me cold. Dalton’s, on the other hand, was all over the place pitch and phrasing-wise, but was amazingly moving and connected. Usually I’d care about the pitch or the fact that Dalton’s emotion overshadowed his vocal abilities, but that’s not the point. Music isn’t about perfection. It’s about telling your story and making the audience feel something. This was music as exorcism and it was incredibly, palpably powerful.
Best of the night: Trent
Worst of the night: MacKenzie
Who Went Home: Sonika*
Who Should Go Home Next Week: MacKenzie
Who Will Go Home Next Week: Dalton
There’s no doubt Sonika is a great singer, and she’ll be amazing in five or so years, but I don’t quite think she was ready for the Idol stage. Once she figures out who she is as an artist and continues honing her craft, Sonika could be a pop star, no question.