On `Idol,’ Bowersox shines, 3 sink in judges’ eyes

“Newsday”‘s Verne Gay did a story recently (that re-ran in the Palm Beach Post, BTW) about how “American Idol” has lost its way a little this season, largely because it doesn’t seem to have a lot of heart anymore. And he placed some of the blame on what he considers Kara DioGuardi’s disingenuous judging style, where you don’t quite believe her when she tries to be supportive or sweet. Not to pile on, but after catching her act Tuesday, I think it’s more than not believing her niceness – it’s that I don’t believe her because she’s so dang wishy-washy. Last week she flipped on Michelle Delamor from one day to the next, and Tuesday, she praised Siobhan Magnus but then, when Simon didn’t like the song 15 second later, piled on.

It’s baffling. Seriously baffling. The whole point of Kara, I thought, was to add some credibility and some current hitmaking savvy to the panel, and she has some moments of clarity. But how credible is she when she’s waffling all the livelong day? Also, she’s still doing that maddening thing she started during the auditions where she says “When I found out you were singing this song I wanted you clapped in leg irons and locked under Space Mountain so you couldn’t murder music like you do, ’cause girl, you know you do. But after hearing you sing and realizing I still had the use of my hearing, I didn’t want to kill myself, so good for you!” When Simon leaves next year, I want him to take her with him. Never in a million years did I think I’d be pining for the succinct clarity of Randy Jackson.

Sigh. Anyway, we’re at the Top 16, with the ladies singing first. My sister, who watches this show every week like I do, reminded me of how sometimes the early structure requiring an equal number of men and women doesn’t do some singers justice, like in 2009, when the women were so much weaker. Still, there had to be the same number of men booted as women up until the Top 12. This year, the ladies appear to be stronger than the guys, and as Simon pointed out, there was no room to suck, even a little bit. Not that a few of them didn’t anyway.

Katie Stevens, “Breakaway”- Oh dear. She has such a pretty voice, but it was, as Randy noted, kinda karaoke and certainly boring. The chorus had some nice notes, but it didn’t soar, and the rest of it dragged, like she was following the backup singers rather than leading them. I don’t know how much longer she’s gonna be around.

Siobhan Magnus, “House of the Rising Sun” - Her voice is so pure. You just want to hear her sing, to see what she’s going to do with these words you’ve heard a zillion times. And she seemed to get what the song was about. Randy says nothing that makes any sense but “It’s hot!” Ellen was “captivated”. Kara tells her that she’s doing well “for someone who’s an unlikely character” which is that “You don’t suck like I thought you would” speak and makes me want to pour Coke on her head from the product placement cups. And then, after Simon wasn’t feeling it, Kara jumped in with “I don’t know what artist she is!” Wait, Waffle-O Joe. Didn’t you just say, in a backhanded sort of way, that you liked it? Crazypants.

Lacey Brown, “The Story” – I love her voice. I would buy this.

Katelyn Epperly, “I Feel The Earth Move” - Boring. Boring. Boring. Simon is right on – “It’s like request night.” At an airport hotel bar.

Didi Benami, “Rhiannon” - I loved that. The guitar plucking makes you really hear the words, including some I never heard distinguished with Stevie Nicks’ singing. It’s hard to make a song so identified with the original singer your own. But she’s done it. Bravo.

Paige Miles, “Smile” – Ooh. This was the most uncomfortable performance I remember on this show since Kevin Covais’ “Part Time Lover.” That one, at least, had a “WTF! I’m bring punked, right?” feel to it. This was just a case of a song emotionally and musically overwhelming a good singer who was way, way in over her head. This did not make me want to smile, though my heart was breaking.

Crystal Bowersox, “Give Me One Reason” – I normally cringe when I hear contestants sing this, because it’s not a very dynamic song, musically, and doesn’t give a lot of chances to show off ones voice if you’re not fantastic. And she is. The problem is that this is the first time I’ve seen her that I wasn’t blown away. She needs that “Wow!” moment, all the time. But she’s still the front-runner.

Lilly Scott, “I Fall To Pieces” – Dunno. Didn’t love it. I think she’s adorable and different. But just like with Crystal Bowersox, she’s gotta be careful that her quirk doesn’t become tired and tortured.

So…what say you?