We are getting less hype now. Have they run out of exaggeration? Randy said that they had to know what they sing best. The songs are 70's Classics.

Carly Smithson - She works at an Irish Bar as well as the tattoo shop. She picked a good song for her range and ability. She controlled the high loud notes without shouting. She did a bit too much bouncing around that must have been meant to be dancing. This was a solid performance. Randy says "Good towards the end". Paula - "It takes a fine singer to sing those big notes" Simon - "A much better performance than last week. You have not connected with the right song. You are the girl they all have to beat"

Grade A -

Syesha Mercado - She did a commercial. One? She started out flat and had a hard time getting on pitch. A rather flat performance from her. She has demonstrated much better in past performances. Randy - "Not a great song for you" Paula "On the softer notes is when you fall off pitch" Simon - "Song wasn't written for a girl. It was not a song for your voice. Not a good choice of songs."

Grade C +

Brooke White - She went to beauty school because doing hair is an art form. She dropped out. She played her guitar. It did not hinder as it has most of the contestants. It was a good song choice for her. She seemed to be looking at Simon "You're So Vain". Randy - "Good song choice" Paula - "Perfect song choice" Simon 'I absolutely loved it, you sang it well. It did not sound old fashioned."

Grade A +

Ramiele Malubay - We learn she is a Polynesian dancer and Phillipine cultural dances. She picked a song that does not start well. She had to pick it up in the middle to show her real singing skills. She made the key change well. Ordinary performance for a much better singer. Randy - "This was just ok. Not a good song choice for you. Paula - "you did not get to perform your magic" Simon - "I agree with Paula. Bad song choice."

Grade C +

Kristy Lee Cook She is a 'tom-boy". Her choice of "You're no good" was a good choice for her voice. She sang it about as well as she can sing. Randy "100% better than last week. Good song choice." Paula - "You're back." Simon - "It was much better. You have got real potential."

Grade A

Amanda Overmyer She reminds us that she rides a Harley and is a nurse. She also likes to read. The song was a bad choice for her. She was off pitch most of the time. She wants to be a rocker too much. She was actually screaming. Randy - "Wasn't the right song for a singer. Bluesy rock is better" Paula - "You have some moves.Bad song choice" Simon - "Everything felt contrived none of it felt real. It was an ugly song."

Grade C -

Alaina Whittaker - She had a bit of OCD. She does not like her food to touch other food on the plate. She missed her pitch badly at the beginning. She was flat on the soft parts. Sharp on the loud notes. Randy - "Note a good song for you. Pitch problems." Paula gave her usual pablum. Simon - "I like you. Everything about you is old fashioned. I think you are one of the dark horses."

Grade C

Alexandrea Lushington - Her father was a fireman. She sang for them. She had severe pitch problems. She did not support the notes well enough. She made a key change that band did not. Randy "What did you think? Safe boring choice" She said "Its over." Paula - "I have never heard a female take on that song." Simon - "I was a fan of yours. The song is stuck in the period. You were inconsistent. In tune, out of tune."

Grade C -

Kady Malloy - She loves to sing opera. She was searching for the right pitch at the beginning. She never found the key. She mostly was shouting. The audience gave a polite response. Randy - "You never found the notes." Paula - "Low notes off a little bit". Simon - "I'd struggling as much as you are. Everything you do on film is good."

Grade C -

Asia'h Epperson- She was in Cheer Camp. She started off on pitch then fell off. She was searching for the rest of the song and ended up just screaming. Randy was equivocal. Paula did not have a lot constructive to say. Simon said the song was too big for her. He was right.

Grade C

The early MSNBC poll has Amanda Overmyer (45%)going home along with Alexandrea Lushington and Kady Malloy tied (15%). Alexandrea remarked that her song was "over" - her time on Idol may well be too. Amanda reminds me more and more of Ryan Starr. Both are much better singers than hard rock but both seem to want to force the audience to accept what they want to be instead of choosing what they do best. I will be very pleasantly surprised if she is not sent home. I thought Alexandra might have been gone last week. She should be one of the ones going. Kady Malloy should run out of credit based on the last two weeks as well.