American Idol 7 in San Diego

Tonight, the ‘American Idol’ season seven auditions went west, to San Diego. And again, we saw more of the same, some promise, some horrible, and others who were just plain odd.

Tiff: Tetiana Ostapowych auditioned with “Someone to Watch Over Me.” She has an interesting alto voice, could potentially do well with a rock sound. I didn’t think she was too amazing though. She made it to Hollywood.

Kim: She’s one of those who goes into the “good, but nothing special” bin.

Tiff: Perrie Cataldo auditioned with the Boyz II Men song, “I’ll Make Love to You,” and he actually had a good voice. A very R&B sound. He seemed like a likable guy, too. Oh, and he’s a single dad, so he’s got a back story, like many of this year’s contestants do. He’ll be in Hollywood.

Kim: This guy can definitely sing but I feel like I’ve heard his voice a million times before!

Tiff: Michael Johns is originally from Australia. He sang “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long.” I thought he had a bit of a mellow rock voice, but is he really that different from most of what’s out there already? Does anyone else wonder if he’s kin to Daniel Johns of Silverchair? Haha. Yeah. He made it to Hollywood.

Kim: I’m not sure if I loved that auditon or hated it! But I definitely think he tried too hard, although that didn’t phase the judges (and in earlier years Simon probably would’ve called him out but he’s been like sedated or something this year). I’ll reserve my judgements on this one, and he’s one to watch from what I’ve heard.

Tiff: Then, the messes began, from songs about the waltz, to overdoses of falsetto, Shakira and Mariah Carey wanna-bes, that were mostly just a pain to watch. People have yet to learn that gimmicks and ‘Idol’ really don’t mix.

Kim: I really enjoyed the guy who looked like he was having a facial siezure. And of course that girl in the red shirt who thought she was all that and a bag o’ chips. She’s in for a rude awakening when she sees this footage!

Tiff: Monique Gibson sang “I Believe In Miracles” and she had awful pitch, or no pitch actually. She was all drama, and just well, bad. Then came her friend….

Tiff: Christopher Baker, like his friend Monique, thought he could sing. But, well, not so much. He would not stop singing. So annoying. No wonder he and Monique thought they’d make it through, they’re both tone-deaf.

Kim: He was like SHOUTING at them! And he wouldn’t stop shouting! Classic.

Tiff: Samantha Musa and her sister were amusing, and they really liked Simon. He even invited the sister to sit on his chair with him while Samantha auditioned. She sang “Until You Come Back to Me” and had a good alto voice. She made it to Hollywood, and I think she deserved another shot.

Kim: This girl looks so much like my old roommate which is…weird. But she did good and I think compared to the first few people they showed, she’s more likable.

Tiff: Day two in Hollywood brought back Blake Boshnack. This was his eleventh, yes, eleventh audition. His mom has gone with him to every audition, and slept on the sidewalks…she said she wasn’t sure if it was more her dream or his, and I agree, it’s probably more hers. Last year when he auditioned, Blake dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Tonight, he was in regular clothes, and he sang “Stand by Me.” I actually didn’t think he was that bad, he had a bit of a choir voice, but the judges didn’t like him.

Kim: Wow, just give him a red and white striped hat and voila….Where’s Waldo. He wasn’t awful but he wasn’t very good either.

Tiff: Perhaps one of the oddest auditioners ever came tonight, Alberto Hurtado. He sang an original song, “Live.” Given his overall personality, his fans (actual paper fans,) his long nails, and hippie-like appearance, he was very eccentric. And yeah, he didn’t make it to Hollywood. I wasn’t surprised.

Kim:  What a strange guy.  That was pretty much a waste of time.

Tiff: After more lousy auditions, David Archuleta, finally, a 16 year old (I was wondering why there weren’t any younger auditioners,) auditioned. He sang “Waiting on the World to Change” and had a pretty good, pop-esque voice. He also made it to Hollywood.

 Kim: I LOVED this kid when he was on Star Search a few years ago! (which he won by the way)  But I don’t think this audition did him much justice.  It was still good though.

Tiff: Last tonight was Carly Smithson, who previously auditioned and made it to Hollywood in season five. However, she didn’t get to go, because she was disqualified because she didn’t actively have her Visa, she had only applied for it. So, tonight she got another chance, singing “I’m Every Woman,” and she had a good voice. But Simon thought it wasn’t as good as her past audition. Regardless, she went through to Hollywood again.

Kim: Yes, this is the Irish girl they raved about prior to S5.  To me her voice sounded forced and affected and she would probably hurt my ears if I had to listen to that for longer than five minutes.  And if she does make it the hair and make up team will have a LOT of work to do.

Tiff: Honestly, tonight was pretty underwhelming. Tomorrow night, the auditions move to South Carolina.

Kim: I liked tonight better than the last episode, probably because I’ve been waiting to see certain people, and the lack of country singers is always a good thing.

Also the top 24 gets chosen tomorrow! Be sure to check in later this week  for spoilers.