Lil Country Surprise

I have to admit, I was scared about country week. This is the first year I can remember when there wasn't a definitive country singer in the whole bunch. Part of me worried the week would just be start to finish BAD, and part of me was curious to see if it sifted the singers a bit - to show who truly had talent and who just rode along on luck. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they did, but I saw some sifting happening.

* Phil. I was scared for Phil coming into this week. I am a Phil fan but know many aren't, including Phats, and since the bottom 3 seems to include Phil every week, I figured this week was his unlucky week. WHO KNEW he was a country boy? I felt a connection to his singing for the first time ever (why am I his fan if I never connect with his song? I don't know.) and loved watching him move around and have a good time. In my opinion, he tied for the best song of the night. Way to go, Phil!

* Jordin. I felt like she was a little bit rigid this week - but that was probably because she was told to stand still and tell the story vocally. I wish she would have relaxed a little more, but her voice was super and WOW can she sing. Good job, Jordin. I would love to see her in the final four.

* Sanjaya. He's back. The Sanjaya we all know is back. I had a hard time getting past the little scarf and the MOUNTAIN of hair. But Randy was right - BAD karaoke. And Simon was right - it was like audition week all over again. PLEASE go home, Sanjaya. Simon was right again - the cuteness wore off.

* Lakisha. It pains me to say this, but I hated it. I truly, truly hated it. I think she took a big risk singing Carrie Underwood on the very show Carrie won. I didn't think she gave the song enough of her own twist to make me forget Carrie and she certainly can't sing like Carrie. I'm worried for Lakisha. I hope she didn't kick herself off the show with that one song. She deserves final four, but that was really bad. She's sifting gone bad. She can't sing country and it showed.

* Chris. I love Chris because he's cute and charming. BUT I was really bored with his song. I kind of thought he sounded like Bucky Covington, and I wasn't a big Bucky fan, so that wasn't a comparison I wanted happening in my head. I am going to guess bottom 3 for him this week. :(

* Melinda. I am principally opposed to lengthening hair, but I thought the longer hair did SO MUCH for her. Loved it. She won the other half of my tie for first. She's just GOOD. I was glad to see that she was back this week - from the roughness that was last week. I want to see her in the finale. She's just amazing and I love her spirit. (I know I say that every week, but it's true.)

* Blake. Blake is a good example of sifting that worked out. Clearly country is not his thing, but he is good enough as an all around performer that he knew where his limits were and he stopped before he got to them. I like him better with his spunky beatboxing thing, but he stood his ground well this week. Good for you, Blake.

If I were in charge of bottom 3, it would be Sanjaya, Chris, and Lakisha with Sanjaya going home.