American Idol – California Dreamin’ and Wishin

Wednesday night’s episode of American Idol had the final four covering two themes – songs about California and songs they wish they’d written – so, like, basically anything. I heard a rumor that next week’s theme will be “Music – Don’t Ya Love It?”

Performances

Phillip Phillips

“Have You Ever Seen The Rain?”: This was a good song choice for Phillip, especially after that brutal song he did last week. CCR is totally in his wheelhouse. This performance was dull, but pleasant. The judges, of course, loved it. Is this guy more engaging live or something? Why are they so infatuated with him?

“Volcano”: I didn’t know this song, and I’ve tired of Phillip’s usual schtick. If I had my druthers, he’d go home this week because I feel I’ve seen everything he has to offer. But I’d be shocked if I had my druthers.

Hollie Cavanagh

“Faithfully”: This one isn’t about California, huh? So this is the song eighteen year-old Hollie wishes she’d written? The themes confused me this week. A song about how it’s hard to make a relationship work when you’re on the road? Sigh. Thanks a lot, Glee. I love that damn Regionals Journey medley, too. I found this performance boring as well, and it didn’t do anything to help Hollie’s issue of seeming older than she is.

“I Can’t Make You Love Me”: Hollie’s wheelhouse is power ballads, and considering what an important stage of the competition we’re at right now, I don’t think this was a good song choice for her. I love this song. But it didn’t sound right with her voice. She got the emotion right, though.

Joshua Ledet

“You Raise Me Up”: Hmm. Chris Mann just did this song on The Voice, and he did it really well. And this version, it just wasn’t my favorite. It was pretty cheesy, and churchy, and not really my thing. Joshua sang well, he’s just had more interesting performances than this.

“It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World”: Another song recently covered on The Voice. But where I thought Joshua’s version of “You Raise Me Up” didn’t measure up to Chris Mann’s, this performance was completely different than Juliet Simms’ version. I loved the all-female band and the fact that he dedicated it to his mother, because that kind of stuff is meant to be loved by someone like me. Beyond that, he sounded fantastic and brought back the attitude that I missed during his first performance. It was very growly, but the passion worked.

Jessica Sanchez

“Steal Away”: Well that was a lot of attitude. I think Jessica is really starting to come out of her shell, and this performance was so good that I didn’t even care what a sexy song it was for a teenager to sing.

“And I Am Telling You”: This is a powerful song, but one I knew little Jessica Sanchez could rock. This performance was just simply outstanding. This is a song for professionals, and she absolutely killed it. This girl easily has one of the best voices I’ve ever heard, and I think she deserves to win.

Duets/Group Performances

Phillip and Joshua singing “This Love”: Wait, so is this the California theme in play? A duet by a band from California? That’s…a loose interpretation of a theme. Anyway, this was kind of stupid. I think Phillip pulled off the vibe better than Joshua did, but neither guy shone.

Jessica and Hollie singing “Eternal Flame”: This was a really good duet, although I’d say Jessica definitely outsang Hollie.

The Final Four singing “Waiting for a Girl Like You”: This was pretty ‘whatever’, don’t you think? It wasn’t good, it wasn’t terrible. It was just a