American Idol 9 - Live show 4 - The girls

1. Crystal Bowersox - As Long As I Can See The Light.
Nice country twang. Very well sung.
Randy said it was real and hot. Ellen called it pure talent. Kara called it effortless and focused. Simon misunderestimated her last week. Yes, he said that.

2. Haeley Vaughn - The Climb.
Oh dear. How is she in this competition?
Randy called it excruciating, but she can sing. Ellen felt she didn't connect to the song's message. Kara said she has talent she needs to work on. Simon called it a complete and utter mess, saying she didn't climb, she fell off.

3. Lacey Brown - Kiss Me
It was okay. It suited her voice but also showed its limitations.
Randy thought it was karaoke. Ellen found it adorable, suiting her up personality. Kara said the song brought out her tone, but she needs to step it up. Simon thought it was marginally better than last week, but she's not showcasing her artistry.

4. Katie Stevens - Put Your Records On.
Sickly cute performance, but a pretty good voice. Overall, adequate but she needs to step it up to stay in.
Randy liked bits. Ellen felt she'd hear it in a dentists' office. Kara thought it got better, but didn't have impact. Simon acknowledged her taking their notes, but she needs to think about what type of artist she wants to be.

5. Didi Benami - Lean On Me.
Totally in the wrong key, very screechy. Nice tone there though. Or should've been.
Randy thought it showed what she can't do rather than can. Ellen said she has a great voice and presence, but wrong song. Kara thought it wasn't good. Simon thought it sounded like a cat, calling it a wasted opportunity.

6. Michelle Delamour - With Arms Wide Open.
I love this song, so knew of every change and mistake, and there were many. A big disappointment after last week. Leona Lewis she is not.
Randy thought she didn't take the opportunity to make the song hers. Ellen liked what she changed, but didn't quite work. Kara said her best performance so far, calling it believable. Simon liked the first half, and that she got about 80% right.

7. Lilly Scott - A Change Is Gonna Come.
The most authentic performance so far. Not a perfect vocal, but the imperfections helped her sound.
Randy loved, best so far. Ellen says she's got "it", whatever "it" is. Kara was riveted, saying she had a "moment". Simon wasn't as enthusiastic, preferring Crystal, but liked it.

8. Katelyn Epperly - The Scientist.
Captivating. A bravely simple performance, let down only by the final note.
Randy liked it bar the last note, but not OTT about it. Ellen thought it was too slow. Kara kind of loves her, saying she changes genres too much. Simon liked it, saying she made a cool song corny, but she's back in the race. And a nation hunts down Natasha Bedingfield's version...

9. Paige Miles - Walk Away.
Sounded almost exactly like Kelly Clarkson's version- probably more so than Kelly would live. Strong, but karaoke.
Randy found it too wordy as a showcase for her voice. Ellen loved it. Kara (who wrote it) said it was an angry song, so she shouldn't be smiling, but she could've had a hit with it. Simon called it forgettable.

10. Siobhan Magnus - Think.
She certainly hit the notes, but it did make her voice sound thin.
Randy loved it, as did Ellen. Kara was impressed by her big note. Simon thought she was interesting, but it wasn't all good.

Best for me: Crystal, Katelyn and Siobhan. Paige and Lilly okay too.

My bottom two: Haeley and Lacey. Michelle and Didi disappointing this week, but have been excellent.

Results show:
Michelle out first. Understandable, but unfortunate as she was the best last week.
Haeley out next. A week too late, but she's finally gone.