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So, I’m about to watch the episode for the first time and I’m really nervous. I’m nervous that Lazaro is going to do a decent job tonight, thus guaranteeing another undeserved week safe. I’m nervous that one of the girls will uncharacteristically wobble and thus they will be voted off (Amber Amber Amber). This is how I feel. There’s really nothing Laz can do to convince me that he deserves to make it further, even if he gives his best performance ever (unless he takes a risk a performs uptempo…we’ll see). So, yes, I hope he gives another train wreck performance…because at least he would have a stronger chance at making the bottom 3.

I do want a girl to win this season. Not only because the girls are undeniably stronger than the guys this year…but because between the last 5 seasons, a girl should have won three of them (I’ll say the girls right now: Crystal Bowersox, Haley Reinhart, JessicaSkylarElise). The blatant sexism on this show has gotten too far over the years. I don’t know why these 12 year old girls (the same girls who probably listen to Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Adele) feel the need to vote for the cute guy over stronger talent. I actually commend Nigel for “rigging” the show to ensure that the girls end up on top…but now it’s up to America to go further. We got rid of the last white guy, which was cool…but would Lazaro be a better winner? Honestly, between the two, I would have preferred Paul Jolley staying longer because…well…he mostly sang on key and never gave a bad performance.

Lazaro is very cute. And his story is inspiring. But if his fans really want to support him…they’d buy his album after his elimination. I think this show should be left to the good singers and…I don’t think someone (a GIRL yes) should suffer because his or her back story isn’t sobby enough. End of rant…let’s get on with the show.

Candice Glover: Shoot! They gave her the death slot??? F**k that sh*t! She sang “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” I didn’t love this performance. One, I thought the instrumentals were too loud and sometimes I had a hard time hearing her (not really her fault though). And two, I feel like she didn’t “go for it” like she usually does.  I commend her for not going the obvious route and singing power ballad. Her voice is still crazy good and she did some really interesting things tonight…but this wasn’t a favorite of mine.

Janelle and Kree: They sang “Like a Prayer.” I thought this was a really nice performance. They both did well. I think Kree is a better singer but, honestly, I think they both did equally good here. Just a simple, fun performance.

Lazaro Arbos: He sang “For Once in My Life” (UGH! MY FAVORITE SONG!!…AND IT’S UPTEMPO). OK, let’s say some good stuff. One, it’s very very very nice that he switched things up. In fact, I would have preferred if the whole performance was uptempo (as opposed to that beginning where it was slow with a piano) but whatevs. Second…this was his strongest performance. I actually enjoyed this more than I cringed. He looked confident and not as sweaty as he usually does. He still had some pitch issues but, when one sings uptempo, that’s almost forgivable. Not as good as Scotty McCreery’s or even Megan Joy’s (one of the most underrated performances of all time), but I still enjoyed it because I like the song and the risk.

Janelle Arthur: She sang “You Keep Me Hangin’ Out.” I loved this performance, really. I liked how she took an old R&B song and not only changed it to country, but made it contemporary. She made the song her own and I think her artistry came out this week. She’s been improving week after week and any doubt I had about her in the beginning of the competition is rapidly disappearing. Other contestants need to take note. This is how you make a song your own. Oh! And she cried!

Devin Velez: He sang “The Tracks of My Tears.” This was a stronger performance than the last couple of weeks. He definitely made an effort to change it up with a jazzier song selection. Like always, his voice is so flawless and perfect…but I’m still a little bored with him. I feel like I’m tuning in and out of his performances. But he’s getting there and improving…but I’m not sure this is the performance that will keep him out of the bottom three.

Candice, Angie, and Amber: They sang “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me.” Standing O from the judges! I agree. I loved this performance. Candice definitely redeemed herself (although she didn’t have to do too much redeeming) and was most definitely the “Diana” of the group. Angie surprised me and didn’t stand out like a sore thumb like I thought she would. She had more fun up there than I’ve ever seen her have. If there was a slight weak link, it was probably Amber…but man, towards the end, those high notes…amazing.

Burnell Taylor: He sang “My Cherie Amour.” Silver Linings Playbook! Points off for getting rid of the glasses. Sometimes it sounded like he was singing “My Cherie Amorn” which was a little strange. This was a nice song choice (more tempo than he usually sings) and a solid performance. I always think the lalala part is difficult to sing so I think he pulled that off well. There were parts where his voice strained. And I think he still needs to work on his “vocal color” (different volumes and tones in a song). He has a great voice…but now’s the time to take it to the next level.

Angie Miller: She sang “Shop Around.” This was a rocky performance. One, like Candice, the instruments were too loud and drowned Angie out. Two, she clearly forgot the lyrics towards the middle of the performance. Her voice is crazy amazing…I disagree with Randy…I thought she was mostly on pitch. I like how she rocked it out and tried to have fun. The contestants tonight seem to be taking more risks so I can’t complain too much. But this wasn’t among her best performances IMO.

Amber Holcomb: She sang “Lately.” Standing O from the judges (including Mariah). It seems like the show really loves Amber because, if she wins or at least makes it reasonably far, she could actually be successful. She’s young. She’s pretty (those dimples). And her voice is bangin’! This was another stellar performance from her. I’ve become such a huge fan of her. I don’t necessarily think this performance was as epic as the judges made it seem to be (I think she has the potential to be even more.) But her voice is so smooth and consistent…I really want to hear more of her. (Also…I want to hear her sing uptempo.)

The Boys: They sang “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch.” Oh, this was weird. I don’t know who chose this song (cough cough producers) but this was just not good. This is exactly what each singer was thinking:

Burnell: “I remember listening to this song when I was little. I love it so much that I’m forgetting that I’m even in a competition!”

Devin: “Why am I between these two weirdos?”

Lazaro: “Even I know this is uncomfortable. Smile. Smile. Don’t forget to smile. Eh…I’m not going anywhere anyway.”

I blame the song choice more than the performers on the stage. Nigel really wants a girl to win this year…

Kree Harrison: She sang “Don’t Play that Song.” Interesting. I’ve never heard this before. Another soulful performance from Kree. I feel like she’s getting more and more comfortable on the stage and this was probably her most “alive” performance so far. Oh, and her voice is OOTW.

Overall, I was impressed with how much the contestants broke out of their shells. It wasn’t a perfect night…but I can’t complain too much when there’s so much uptempo tonight. Also, Smokey was actually a great mentor this week.

Best performance of the night: No one TRULY stood out…which is either a good thing or a bad thing. Anyway, I’ll give this one to Amber Holcomb (“Lately”), even though she sang a ballad.

Other stand outs: This was definitely a girls night with Janelle and Kree standing out in their solos, and Angie and Candice standing out in their group performance (not that group performances matter much…)

Who Should Go Home: I’m proud of Lazaro…but I meant what I said in the beginning. He was still pretty much the weakest tonight.

Who Will Go Home: Devin will probably be in the bottom 3. I’m not sure if he truly did enough to avoid elimination. I don’t know who will join him though. I would probably guess Amber (unfortunately) and Burnell. Candice was first but, like Kree last week, she has a strong enough fan base to stay out of the bottom I believe.

Thanks for reading! See ya tomorrow for my quick results recap.