Adam Lambert Rocked American Idol Season 8 Top 4 Performance

Topics: American Idol, American Idol Season 8

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The rocking Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert totally rocked the stage in Wednesday’s American Idol Rock Week performance night, setting the bar high for the night’s round of competition. Dressed in a total rock outfit of tight black pants, boots and leather jacket, Lambert-who was first to perform-wowed the crowd with his rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”.

It was all praises for Adam as the judges gave their evaluation of his performance. Randy said “This is the Adam I love! You are a rock star tonight!”, to which Kara followed with ” You’re more than a rock star– you are a rock god!” Paula thought he was ‘a whole lot of perfect”, and Simon jokingly said that “the performance was a little understated.” But seriously, Simon thought it was the best performance and thought no one can top Adam’s performance.

The week’s theme, Rock Week, or to be more precise-Led Zeppellin week- was Adam’s favorite week theme so far, as he said in his video montage. It was also a first on the American Idol competition that a Led Zeppelin week theme was chosen. Another first on the series was the inclusion of a duet between the contestants, something that fans have been wanting from seasons

past. It is a twist on the usual 2 songs that each contestant is given to perform. The week’s mentor is rock superstar guitarist Slash, famous guitarist for Guns n’ Roses and Velvet Revolver.

The only girl left in the competition, Allison Iraheta, performed “Cry Baby” by Janice Joplin. Sporting longer hair thanks to extensions put in by Adam Lambert’s hairstylist, Allison tried her best to put her mark on the rock classic. While they all loved her talent, the judges unanimously didn’t like her song choice. Simon even said he would have chosen a Queen song. Known for being timid and never answering back, Allison surprised everyone when she defended her song choice particularly to Simon Cowell, saying she felt the other choices she had “had already been done on the show”.

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Kris Allen and Danny Gokey duet

The first of 2 duets followed the commercial break after Allison’s performance. Danny Gokey got paired with Kris Allen, and the duo performed “Renegade”. While it wasn’t their genre, both contestants gave their all in their performance. Randy commented that both compliment each other,while Kara thought that although some parts were better, “together it was united and strong.” “It was powerful and compelling,” stated Paula and Simon, ever the bearer of sweet criticism, said “Danny, you were better than Kris.”

Kris Allen chose the Beatle’s song “Come Together”, a song that Micheal Johns also performed in season 6. Slash commented that if he manages to pick up the live performance, that’ll help. Randy liked the performance saying “I like the vocals; I like how you were playing the guitar.” Kara called him “the softer side of rock”; she also expressed how she felt Kris was trying too hard with his performance. Paula commented it lacked a little energy and Simon said he didn’t like it. He went on to compare Kris’ performance to having ice for lunch. “It leaves you nothing to remember,” Simon said,”And when I said nothing could top Adam’s performance earlier, I was right.”

Aerosmith’s “Dream On” was Danny Gokey’s song of choice. Slash marvelled at Danny’s vocal range, saying he’s “Naturally gifted. He just needs to get that scream at the end.” And scream he did.

Randy gave him an A for a valiant effort; Kara says she doesn’t see him doing “this” and said she sees him doing something more of Aerosmith’s earlier songs like Crazy or Crying. Paula Abdul didn’t think it was the right song choice either, and Simon agrees. He went on to say that “The last note– it was like watching a horror movie.” “It was a little over the top. With Adam it worked, with you, not so much. I still think you would be safe tonight,” ended Simon on his critique.

adal1 Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta duet

Bringing the night’s performances to a close was the duet between Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert. The pair’s performance of Foghat’s ““Slow Ride” aptly epitomizes this week’s theme. The judges called them rock stars, and Randy suggested they should do a duet on their respective albums. Kara exclaimed “This is when a duet is just right!” Paula called it a “perfect marriage”. “In the battle of the duets, you win the show tonight,” Simon said. On a personal comment to Adam,while pointing to Allison, he said ” Adam, you may have given this one a chance to stay in the competition.”