American Idol's Bird's Eye Breakdown as Garcia and Stevens Eliminated

Season 9 keeps rolling along as 7 remain in the competition. An analysis of why Andrew Garcia and Katie Stevens were eliminated.

Last week during the top 9, the contestants were given the challenge of emulating a music icon, often imitated but never duplicated, Elvis Presley. Singing songs sung by Elvis is no walk in the park but maybe more of a shimmy in the knee. Elvis brought a swagger with the way he performed, he would not only sing but make sweet love to you as he performed. The often brought up point being stage presence and some had it and some were left in the hound dog house.

Andrew Garcia:

Something of a Youtube sensation with a very loyal following among the Youtube community, Andrew Garcia tried a rendition of Hound Dog that straight up says he is going down down in this round. By wowing the judges early with Sunday Morning in his auditions and with an acoustic version of Straight Up, Garcia talented voice is negated by the fact that he is boring. Sure his story is his touching, how music has helped him avoid gangs, but rarely does one feel connected to what he is singing. Garcia's use of the mic stand proved a lazy attempt of showmanship. Instead of the King he was more of a jester. With high hopes slowly wearing away week by week, and momentum slowly turning against him, this week was no surprise that it would be his last.

Katie Stevens:

Instead of coming off as angry in the song, Baby, What You Want Me to Do, arrogance seemed to be looming. The anger that Katie Stevens was trying to display looked more liked teen angst. With an overuse of a head shake or bob move while performing took the focus away from her vocals. Of course her ability is there and being only 17 gives years to harvest that ability. There was no part in Steven's performance that highlighted her range or had a wow factor to it. There was no eargasm to the song, though Ellen might differ when calling the song "horny," then making reference to the number of horns used in the arrangement. Stevens was the other odd person out this week and with a crop of talented singers it is not a detriment due to her ability.

American Idol this week will have its Idol Gives back and fans should contribute whatever they can.