Adam Lambert Earns Standing Ovation from Simon Cowell

Tonight the American Idol contestants took on songs from the year they were born. It sounded like a fun night. The baby pictures of the judges and Ryan Seacrest started the evening on a fun note. The fun did not last.

Danny Gokey kicked off the night well enough. Giving us Mickey Gilley's version of "Stand By Me". The Urban Cowboy rendition set to a soul beat by Gokey fit his vocals perfectly. Though he is still not my favorite, I stick to the guess that Danny will wind up in the top three for Season 8.

Kris Allen and Lil Rounds followed Danny Gokey and we were quickly reminded that this is a talent competition. Kris Allen bombed with a bouncy guitar version of "All She Wants to do is Dance". I just can't stand to watch him bounce like that. Every time Kris does a contemporary song he sounds like any other college age singer. He's alright, just not an American Idol. Lil Rounds did not fair better tonight. With an awful version of Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to do with It", Lil stutter stepped across the stage. Her lower vocals were shaky and off key. This was Lil's worst performance and the judges finally laid into her. Simon Cowell told Lil he felt like they had lost her somewhere along the way.

Anoop Desai did another slow number, "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper. Anoop brought the vocals this week and showed that he needs to be in ballads to be in control. He has a great voice, but not for pop music or beats.

The real winners of the night were Allison Iraheta, Matt Giraud and Adam Lambert. Danny Gokey can be included in this group, though he may have been forgotten if he didn't have such a strong fan base.

Allison Iraheta brought a rock edge to "I Can't Make You Love Me". I thought that song was much older than 1992, and much older than Allison. Her hard edged voice allows her to sing the tougher love songs and get away with it like not many other teen girls. It's always hard to remember she is only 16. Simon Cowell told Allison she needed to find herself... again she's only 16 years old. If she knew who she was he would call her precocious.

Matt Giraud came with Stevie Wonder's "Part Time Lover". While it wasn't great for me, I have to give Matt props for performing on the fly. The show was running late due to Paula Abdul's early babbling. Matt's intro was cut off and his performance and judges' comments were hurried. Don't get me wrong, Matt got to perform at regular speed, but the air was that time was of the essence. The start of the song was a little rough again, but he picked it up and finished it very strong.

Adam Lambert was the closer tonight. Maybe they should stop the draw and just put him there. Adam did "Mad World" by Tears For Fears and again did it every bit of justice. He milks every performance for all it's worth. These are the performers that are only one or two in a generation. If Adam Lambert can handle the fame he is about to receive, he can become truly great. Let's face it, we could use another Freddy Mercury (this time with the backing of a nation). My disappointment tonight was that Adam kept it slow again. This was a chance to show us some Diamond David Lee Roth with Van Halen. Only Adam Lambert could have pulled that off. Knowing Adam has that vocal range makes me salivate for Aerosmith, Van Halen and even Motley Crue. Come on Adam, give me the rock I need. He gave Simon Cowell all he needed tonight, when it was over Cowell stood saying, "words are unnecessary."

I think this may be the end of the road for Scott MacIntyre. I've been tired of Scott for a few weeks now. This week the judges really came down on him. Scott seems like another great guy, but not American Idol material.

My bottom 3: Scott MacIntyre, Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai (I think Anoop will be forgotten).

For more details and judges comments from tonight's show, check out American Idol Dreams.