Battle for American Idol Crown Intensifies with Nine Remaining Contestants

On the March 31, 2009, episode of American Idol, the Idol candidates loaded up for another field trip to the home of the American Top 40s (AT40) radio program. The AT40, which was founded by Casey Kasem in 1970, has been hosted by American Idol's Ryan Seacrest since 2004. On the March 31 edition of American Idol, the lyrical flavor of the week was the AT40 iTunes list.

The rules of the game for the March 31 American Idol airing was that the Idol contestants could choose any song they desired, as long as it was on the approved AT40 list. The nine remaining American Idol contestants sang AT40 songs in hopes of surviving viewer votes and being granted permission to perform again next week. The remaining nine American Idol candidates, as of March 31, are Anoop Desai, Megan Joy, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Scott MacIntyre, Matt Giraud, Lil Rounds, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen.

The American Idol contestants who had outstanding performances on March 31 were Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta and Danny Gokey. The remaining Idol contestants had a rough go of the AT40 assignment. This writer's bottom three for the April 1 American Idol airing are Megan Joy, Scott MacIntyre and Matt Giraud. Here's an American Idol recap of the March 31 show.

Anoop Desai was first on the American Idol stage singing "Caught Up" by Usher. I thought Desai's performance was very good, had almost zero pitch problems and he worked the stage and the crowd. Although Desai did a smashing job, I couldn't help but wonder, "Where were the challenging vocals?" Now is the time for American Idol contestants to put up or shut up and Desai just isn't hitting the mark. Randy Jackson said that it was not quite the right song choice. Simon Cowell said it was a complete and utter mess and the performance gave him a headache.

Megan Joy sang "Turn Your Lights Down Low" by Bob Marley next on the American Idol stage. Joy's performance was slightly better than last week, but the more I hear her sing, the more I do not like her style of vocals. When Joy first began on the American Idol stage, she was very likeable because of her unique vocals. But Cowell said it best when he remarked that Joy's likeability factor is fading. I believe that Joy's time is quickly running out on American Idol.

Danny Gokey sang "What Hurts the Most" by Rascal Flatts. In my opinion, Gokey was pitchy in spots and seemed to struggle with the song. The back up singers almost drowned Gokey out during the chorus on American Idol. Paula Abdul said that she would hit repeat in her car on this song. Cowell said it was his best performance and was much better than last week. Jackson said don't be afraid to rock it.

Allison Iraheta sang "Don't Speak" by No Doubt next on the American Idol stage. Iraheta's guitar skills made its first appearance on the Idol stage on March 31. The judges ribbed Iraheta for the funky dress, but who cares? Iraheta could sing in a brown paper bag and she'd still knock it out of the ballpark. Iraheta had a stunning performance, in my opinion. Jackson said "What are you wearing?" Kara DioGuardi said that the clothing made her feel forced and she didn't need all that. Abdul said she was skating by and going right to the American Idol finish line. Cowell said she shouted the song.

Scott MacIntyre sang "Just The Way You Are" by Billy Joel. Even a new hairdo couldn't disguise the fact that MacIntyre just doesn't hold a candle to the other American Idol contestants. Sadly, my heart wishes he were a better vocalist. Abdul said of all the American Idol contestants, she was most proud of him. Cowell said it was his best performance by a country mile.

Matt Giraud sang "You Found Me" by The Fray next on the American Idol stage. Giraud mixed it up a bit by singing and playing the keyboard amidst the American Idol audience. Giraud was pitchy out of the gate and his vocals deteriorated from past performances. I was sadly disappointed with his performance and am crossing my fingers that he will return next week on American Idol to prove himself. Abdul said it wasn't a great performance. Cowell said "We didn't like you this week." DioGuardi said that Giraud needed to commit to either rock or r&b as his style.

Lil Rounds sang "I Surrender" by Celine Dion on the March 31 American Idol show. Rounds has a vocal range as strong as a category four hurricane and she had a great performance. Jackson said she had unbelievable skills, but she needed to add some youth to it. Cowell said it was similar to a wedding performance and that her personality was being sucked out of her.

Adam Lambert was next on the American Idol stage singing "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry. This 1976 classic brought back fond memories for me, back when my bones were a bit younger and I could dance without needing CPR. I loved Lambert's attire and that Elvis hair style. The riffs at the close of the song were absolutely through the roof. Rut roh! Is Adam Lambert the 2009 American Idol?

Kris Allen sang "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers. Giraud used to be ahead of Allen's game, but now Allen is nipping at Giraud's coat tails, if not passing him. Allen's performance on American Idol on March 31 was smashing with this heart squeezing performance. Jackson said Allen's was one of the best tonight. Abdul said that could be a first cut from Allen's album. Cowell said he showed confidence and it was his best performance.

Sources:

http://www.americanidol.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Top_40