Dipping into the Blogpond

This week’s Australian Idol had the contestants performing both a song of the audience’s choice and a song of their own choice.

First up – Natalie Gauci. Oh, I feel so sorry for Natalie. The song that was chosen for her was “Ray of Light” by Madonna. It was so wrong for her, and she knew it.

Mark tactfully said she was half a step too high, Dicko thought she was an “energy saving ray of light”, and that it was mundane and suburban. Natalie said that she was nervous, well you wouldn’t expect her to say “that was a shit performance, and I know it”. Marcia was even more tactful than Mark saying Natalie sang it really well. Kyle said that Mark dulled down his review – that he thought it was a disaster, the worst thing she’d done and while she looked good it was a wipeout. I’m sorry, but I’m with Kyle.

Next up Carl Riseley performing “You Give me Something” by James Morrison. First I thought I heard Van Morrison – cool! Then I’m thinking Jim Morrison (The Doors – that’s Marty’s domain), then the Aussie James Morrison, but no – this is a British 23 year old. Glad we cleared that up. Forgive my ignorance of contemporary music.

Meh – I didn’t like it, but it didn’t completely suck either.

Dicko said he was nervous that Carl was doing another ballad, but thought he did it well. Marcia said it was a cool song, that Carl stepped it up well and he did a great job. Kyle said that Carl had been performing above the line each week and that if you vote for him you know what you are getting. Mark thought his performance level keeps going up and that it was well done.

(Sidebar: there was talk about McHappy Day and that Kyle would be serving. Kyle piped up “I only do cones” which had the judges cracking up).

Next up Matt Corby doing Evermore’s “It’s too Late”. I thought it was the best performance so far. The judges agreed it was done well – Kyle asserted he thought Matt was the best on the show and Mark had the audience sing “happy birthday”, as it was Matt’s 17th birthday on Wednesday. Dicko made some comment about Matt joining the Balshoi Ballet (because he was wearing super tight – almost legging type pants) and suggested he should buy his “audience picker” a drink (I’m thinking a juicebox, because he’s only 17 right?).

Second song – contestant’s choice

Natalie did Pink’s “Nobody Knows”. That’s more like it! Except for the bottom half of the wardrobe. Peddle pushers and ankle boots with a big chunk taken out of the front. Not. a. good. look.

Image Shoes.com

Uh-oh. Kyle’s up first. You just know he’s going to say something, and he doesn’t disappoint. While he enjoyed the performance, he referred to the shoes as “chicken looking” – bwock, bwock, bwock… The other judges agreed that it was a great performance.

I did learn a new word from my daughter thought “cankles“. See, even Idol can provide a learning experience.

Carl’s second performance was “For Once in my Life” by Stevie Wonder. Sorry Carl, you’ve come a long way mate, but no cigar with this performance. Mark says that no one has improved more that Carl (I agree), and that while his timing was great he needed warmer, richer tones. Dicko said it’s do or die and while Carl didn’t “die” he needed to deliver more. Marcia said something nice and Kyle reckoned he needed more “Justin Timberlake” moves, which Carl attempted, somewhat unsuccessfully.

Matt with the final performance – John Lennon’s “Across the Universe”. I thought it was lacking the “oomph” of his first song, but not bad. Dicko said he was the most consistent performer, and a “hell of a talent”, Marcia said something nice, Kyle said something bizarre (doesn’t he usually?) about Matt being “straight”, but clarified that by saying that he was a “good boy” and the kind of kid a parent could trust with their daughter (HUH?). Then Kyle snapped out of wherever his thoughts had taken him and asserted Matt was a true star and the “best we’ve got”. Mark said he should believe in himself.

So it will be interesting to see who gets cut. A tough decision all around.

Meg’s choice? Natalie and Matt to the Opera House.