Round 1: The Guys

Here’s how the top 12 guys performed on their first live round.  It’s really great to see the Big Mike is still in the competition and wasn’t removed because of his father’s actions.

Todrick Hall – Since You’ve Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson (His own version, VERY cool!  The judges were pretty harsh.)

• Simon – “You came over as a dancer trying to sing.”  “What you did was murder the original song.” “It was verging on stupid.”
• Randy – “It didn’t even sound like the same song.”  “You don’t have to go all over the top with the performance and completely change the song to give us who you are.”
• Kara – “It’s undeniable that you are a performer and you took a risk.” “At least he’s being creative.”
• Ellen – “You’re such a great performer.” “The singing wasn’t the greatest but you were such a great performer.”

Aaron Kelly – Here Comes Goodbye by Rascal Flatts

• Simon – “It was…a good performance.”  “It’s not a memorable song.” “With you, it’s all about self-belief and confidence.”
• Randy – “You have a huge voice.” “I’m a big fan.”
• Kara – “You have no idea how great your raw, natural talent is.”  “What you do naturally, you can’t teach people.”  “Great job.”
• Ellen – “I love how humble you are.” “You’re just gonna get better and better.”

Jermaine Sellers – Get Here by Oleta Adams

• Simon – “It’s the kind of song , you know, if you’re playing piano in a cocktail bar, somebody in their 50’s are gonna ask for that as a request.”  “It actually sounded as if you were screaming.”  “It just didn’t work.” “You’ve blown your opportunity.”
• Randy – “You were trying to do too much vocally.”  “Just sing sometimes.”
• Kara – “It felt a little old to me.”
• Ellen – “You were pushing a little too much.”  “I really like you a lot.”

Tim Urban – Apologize by One Republic (He was cut from the show originally but called back when Chris Golightly was disqualified.)

• Simon – “We absolutely made the right decision the first time around by not putting you through.” “There was just nothing to take from that.”
• Randy – “It was just really the wrong song.” “None of it worked.”
• Kara – “The music over powered you.” “You’re likable, current, and cute.”
• Ellen – “You couldn’t hit those high notes.” “You’re adorable.”

Joe Munoz -You and I Both by Jason Mraz

• Simon – “I think it was an okay, safe, forgettable performance and what you failed to do was to come out here and take your two or three minutes and show us and everyone else that you have the potential to be a star because in 10 secs time we are going to forget that performance.” “It was all a bit limp, forgettable…kind like our host.”
• Randy – “You have a great voice.” “I think you did a good job.”
• Kara – “You’ve been the best so far.”
• Ellen – “Great stage presence.”

Tyler Grady - American Woman by The Guess who

• Simon – “It’s all a bit cliched.”
• Randy – “It was definitely style over substance.”
• Kara – “It’s like Jim Morrison is all up in your room, all over the walls or something, there’s an obsession, kinda, with the 70’s.”  “You have a front-man personality.”
• Ellen – “You’re lacking the charisma.” “You’re kinda just going through the motions without really being that person.”

Lee Dewyze - Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

• Simon – “This was the best performance by a mile.”  “This guy is a naturally good singer.”
• Randy – “It didn’t really quite work for me.”
• Kara – “You almost made the song unrecognizable.”
• Ellen – “I love the tone of your voice.”  “It got a little too pushed.”

John Park - God Bless the Child by Billie Holiday

• Simon – “You haven’t got an incredible voice.” “Zero emotion.” “Pointless performance.”
• Randy – “It made you feel old and all out of sorts.”
• Kara – “You have a really big voice in there but there was no connection.”  “A little sleepy.”
• Ellen – “I thought you sounded great.”  “I like you a lot.”

Michael “Big Mike” Lynche – This Love by Maroon 5

• Simon – “You were like the support act before the main act.” “You delivered so little.” “You’re better than that.”
• Randy – “I like your persona.”
• Kara – “It wasn’t outrageously great.”
• Ellen – “You have so much personality, it’s just bursting out of you.” “I love watching you.”

Alex Lambert – Wonderful World by James Morrison

• Simon – “That was the most uncomfortable performance of the night.” “Naturally, you have a good voice.”  “I really feel for you.”
• Randy – “It’s my favorite tone of voice.”
• Kara – “You sound so much like James Morrison.”  “It’s just not completely together.”
• Ellen – “I like that you are holding out on the mullet and not letting it go.”  “You just need to ripen.”

Casey James -Heaven by Bryan Adams  (Singing straight at Kara!  How cute!)

• Simon – “You absolutely chose the right song.”  “The cougar here loves you.” “You did great, well done.”
• Randy – “I actually really liked you.” “I like you, too, but not in that way.”
• Kara – (All smiles and she blushed, for sure.) “I didn’t recognize you with your shirt on.” “I’m married, honey, I love you.” “You’re eyes candy but you’re ear candy, as well.”
• Ellen – “I could feel Kara undressing you with her eyes.” “You sounded great.”

Andrew Garcia -Sugar, We’re Going Down by Fall Out Boy

• Simon – “I was disappointed.” “Too serious, too indulgent, not not original.”
• Randy – “It was a little try-hard.”
• Kara – “It was a really strange rendition of that song.”
• Ellen – “I think you’re gonna stick around, we like ya.”