Every year they do Motown Week and every year, it is one of the worst weeks. How can you find modern artists when you force them to sing these songs? Next week, your favorite songs of the Globe Theater minstrels.

Casey Abrams – “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” – It was better than last week. He sung more than he screamed. He just needs a little more grooming. It’s like being serenaded by a lumberjack. I still think he’s cruising to the Top 5.

Thia Megia – “Heat Wave” – This has been done a lot of times on Idol and I don’t think it has ever gotten a good review. Hasn’t she done her homework? She’s 16. Homework should be the only thing she does. Thankfully for her, there is no such thing as a bad review this season. Let’s get a “beautiful” from Steven, a “great job” followed by the trademark over-laugh from JLo, and a “that’s what I’m talkin’ about” from Randy and move on.

Jacob Lusk – “You’re All I Need To Get By” – Another standing ovation for the guy I can’t stand to hear sing. The music inhabits him so much he should be flanked by Andrew McCarthy and Jonathan Silverman. I don’t get the appeal. Everything is so over the top but not in the good Sylvester Stallone way. What was with all the hugging? Is it cause he’s going away? Please? 1 fish!

Lauren Alaina – “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” – It was really good. Why would she pick a dress so long that she has to carry it? Especially one in a print that could cause a lion or cheetah to stalk and chase her.  Not smart but a strong performance following the greatest singer of all time.

Stefano Langone – “Hello” – That was not good. There’s something in the way he pronounces certain vowel sounds that makes him sound like he needs a “special” vocal coach. I like him so I hope he stays but he’s up one week and down the next. He wasn’t helped by Ryan reminding everyone that David Cook killed this song when he did it.

Haley Reinhart – “Got a Hold On Me” – If she ever learns how to use her body, she might have a shot in this competition. Let me describe how she moves. It’s like tiny aliens came to Earth with the sole intention of taking over and enslaving the population. The tiny aliens got bad intel and were told that the winner of American Idol has a lot of power. So the tiny aliens built a human body that they could control from the inside with pulleys, levers, and maybe hydraulics. Yet, construction ran long, they had to rush, and they didn’t get enough practice behind the wheel before the competition started. Haley moves like she’s the body controlled by inexperienced tiny aliens.

Scotty McCreery – “For Once In My Life” – He has the same mannerisms and facial expressions that I imagine George Bush must have when he rocks a crowd. Like last week, he tried to hold notes again but it did not go as well. Still, not the trainwreck you would have expected.

Pia Toscano – “All In Love Is Fair” – Once again an amazing vocal. She should win this easily. What’s amazing is the judges decided to give her and only her constructive criticism. They made her look like the only one who messed up this week. It’s unbelievable. “Oh hey, Valedictorian, your notes are little sloppy. Everyone else, you’re studying beautifully.”

Paul McDonald – “Tracks Of My Tears” – He finally picked up a guitar and delivered a good one. I was worried he was going home soon if he kept up the Pinocchio-I-just-want-to-be-a-real-boy dancing. Also of note, he managed to take it to a style that removed all chance of comparison to Adam Lambert’s Season 8 moment with this song.

Naima Adedapo – “Dancing in the Streets” – She manages to put on a show. It’s just too bad that it’s one of those shows that you read about in the New York Times Arts section and you think, “I do need more culture in my life” but you never go because you aren’t going to enjoy it so why bother. It’s like that only worse.

James Durbin – “Living For The City” – Better than last week but he is so full of himself. It’s the pomposity of someone who’s never been liked before, then people show interest, and it goes right to his head. Stop working the crowd. Just sing, make the phone number with your fingers, and get off the stage.

Bottom 3:

1. Naima Adedapo 
2. Haley Reinhart
3. Jacob Lusk (just a hunch)

Going Home: Naima Adedapo