<p>Bad song choice for Matt! I hope that doesn’t cost him the competition.</p>
<p>Funny how our perspectives vary. I thought Damien was powerful and the had one of the top performances all year. But then I thought Blake was good as well. OTOH, I did not care too much for Craig’s first song - whatever style that was. He should stick to CW. Rockers and Blues Brothers will not win this show. </p>
<p>Damien was very good. He just looks so sad all the time. Taylor sounded “breathy” and had the worst performance. Craig seems a little full of himself. Matt and Chris seem to have the best overall commercial appeal. Matt’s performance was excellent tonight and he strikes me as the most humble. </p>
<p>Matt’s second song was good, not great. Technically fabulous, but I dont feel like he really connected with the song.</p>
<p>I thought Taylor was pretty weak tonight. </p>
<p>Agree about Taylor.</p>
<p>Top 3 songs tonight for me were Matt’s first song, Craig’s second song and Chris’ second song - he blew me away tonight - right song choice at the right moment. </p>
<p>My vote for the top 3: Matt, CWB, and Chris. But I don’t vote. </p>
<p>I agree: Matt, Craig, and Chris. (That Bruno Mars song was an inspired choice!)</p>
<p>Oh, that Bruno Mars song was excellent. I think Chris overtook Damien for me.</p>
<p>OK. The way I understand the wild card is that they will announce the top 3 first tomorrow night. Then the rest of the top 12 (including the two from tonight who don’t make the top 3) will sing again for the instant save? </p>
<p>I admit to be biased, but in spite of his first song choice, the night belonged to Craig. He took risks and has shown a much wider range than all the others who range from uber boring to technically sound. If there are points for entertainment value, Craig was the better man. </p>
<p>Matt will grab his typical votes but I am not overly impressed by the tattoo dude. Taylor is just out of his league. Easy first to be sent home. I could see putting his hat down on a street in Portland and sing for tips. </p>
<p>Not sure why we need that WC non-sense. More Anita or Luke? Meeeeeh! </p>
<p>My tv is sounding pretty good already tonight. I thought Blake sounded great, he is better than I thought he would be. Kind of weird, though, a country star without a hat or a guitar. Very nice.</p>
<p>I’m predicting a Chris victory. Maybe Damion. </p>
<p>CraigWayne isn’t quite special enough (and I admit I liked the other country guy much better).</p>
<p>Chris has a presence onstage that is growing and actually has a lot of ease and facility regarding his movements and control that appear to me to be better than most of the others. He doesn’t seem to have any of those shaky moments where he wonders if he should really be there, and he seems to enjoy all of what he’s doing.</p>
<p>Matt the tattoo dude actually is pretty good, I think. And I don’t think Taylor is actually out of his league. Since this is a voting show, they could really do well with certain demographics. Given that its all males at this stage, it’ll be interesting to see if the final voting produces any surprises. </p>
<p>First couple of performances…Damion was great, but he’s always so depressing to me. Rarely smiles, always seems like he’s on the edge of tears. Can’t wait for his upbeat song. Craig is obviously very skilled, never makes a mistake, but kind of boring to me.</p>
<p>Matts tattoos don’t bug me since the first day. I am pretty anti tattoo, but once he started singing, I looked past them and saw the nice, geeky kid behind them. I haven’t heard him sing yet, but I think he appeals to many different demographics. And the question is, which ones of them vote?</p>
<p>Matt is my favorite … I look forward to every note he sings.</p>
<p>I worry a bit that the demographic for Chris and Taylor and maybe Matt are too close and it will split the vote a bit, giving the edge to Damien or Craig since they stand out in their genre.</p>
<p>My prediction: Matt, Damien and Craig.
Wild card: Reagen, unless the last female standing with the great voice is eligible and then I’d say her. </p>
<p>Did not like Falling Slowly for Taylor. Love the song, but he was very weak. Kris Allen on American Idol blew that song out of the water, no comparison whatsoever. Could tell the judges praise was lukewarm, but jeez, aren’t they ever honest? Like that he lost the hat.</p>
<p>Matt was awesome. But what idiot designer put him in that jacket? Come on. He was fantastic, in spite of the jacket. Liked the song last week better. Chris was pretty good.</p>
<p>I never liked Chris. I liked Chris the best tonight. The last song was fantastic. I think he has a shot.</p>
<p>Taylor was a little dull on the Taylor Swift song.</p>
<p>Chris, Craig and Matt…final 3. </p>
<p>Okay, the last set of songs. I didn’t think anyone was particularly spectacular, nor slightly bad. To me, they all ranged from really great (Chris) to pretty good (Taylor, he missed some notes).</p>
<p>I think the top three will be Matt, Craig, and possibly Chris. He had an advantage by going last. The wildcard…I’m guessing it will be either one of the two kicked out tomorrow, DaNica, or maybe Luke (if he sings Let’s Get it On). If Matt sings the Blowers Daughter in the finals, he wins.</p>
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<p>xiggi, Are you okay? Your outpouring of positivity is bringing tears to my eyes. </p>
<p>Thought Matt delivered 2 solid performances. Thought Adam could have talked Matt up more heading into the finals. Matt’s jacket pattern clashed with his tattoos.</p>
<p>I didn’t like either one of CWB’s song choices tonight. He’s gotten away from what he does best. Blake needs to take some of the blame, if he falters.</p>
<p>I liked Damien’s rendition of MJ’s song in round 1 but did’t like him sitting down for the entire song. I really didn’t like his 2nd song choice.</p>
<p>Taylor’s song choices missed the mark. I agree with others that think he didn’t have a particularly good night.</p>
<p>Didn’t love Chris in song 1. Hated the back drop. I really liked his 2nd song choice and performance.</p>
<p>Okay… here are my picks for the final:</p>
<p>Matt
CWB
Damien or Chris</p>