Top 12 Boys Recap: Quentin Alexander Puts a Spell on 'American Idol'

Wednesday night on American Idol, the top 12 boys competed for the public vote for the first time this season, during a semifinals round previously taped at the Fillmore in Detroit. With a dozen songs packed into just one hour, the episode was refreshingly fast-paced, but it still wasn’t all killer and no filler.

Really, there was only one true killer performance, and it was so fantastic that I’m just going to flout chronology and review that one first. Because really, if you only watch one Idol performance this evening, it should be Quentin Alexander’s. You’re welcome.

Quentin Alexander – OK, EVERYBODY PLEASE GO HOME NOW. SEASON 14 IS OVER. QUENTIN HAS WON. Seriously. I was ready to vote for this superfly guy the instant he strutted out wearing parachute pantaloons, stacks of tribal jewelry, a chubby fun-fur rave coat, and the fiercest, most fearless sex-eyed camera-stare since probably Adam Lambert on Season 8. And then Quentin did a crazysexycool version of “I Put a Spell on You.” This was theater. This was a performance. And it put a spell on me, for sure. I just hope Quentin didn’t scare viewers away with all his OTT funky fierceness. “If [viewers] stay with you, they will find a great artist who makes great choices,” asserted Harry Connick Jr. “That’s performing to me… that was perfect,” raved Jennifer Lopez. “You haven’t even made a record, and that was like a Grammy performance,” said Keith Urban. OK, so maybe this wasn’t quite at the level of Annie Lennox’s phenomenal rendition of the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins classic at this month’s Grammys. But it was pretty freakin’ awesome. (And George Clinton agrees! Why isn’t George a judge on this show?)

Adam Ezegelian – I don’t know if Adam is right for Idol (he’s basically Caleb Johnson 2.0, and I am pretty sure that’s not what Scott Borchetta wants). But he’d be great for Rock of Ages, or if Tenacious D ever decided to expand to a trio. Adam was actually the contestant who sang first, and seeing him open the show wailing Twisted Sister’s “I Wanna Rock” was immensely, intensely entertaining. All that was missing was the warpaint, a chorus line of rebellious teens slamming their skulls into school lockers, and Neidermeyer seething in the stage wings. It was a difficult performance to take seriously (I don’t think even Adam took it seriously), but as Jennifer put it, he was a rock ‘n’ roll everyman, living out his rock ‘n’ roll fantasies, and that was fun to behold. Maybe he can just go on VH1 Classic’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp instead.

Michael Simeon – So, Adam Ezegelian really wants to rock. Clearly, Michael Simeon really does not. Michael Bolton? A schlocky, not-at-all-relevant ballad like “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?” is not the kind of in-it-to-win-it song choice that will earn votes, especially not during a first time out. Michael’s vocal was mostly fine (although Harry sternly warned him to “try to sing in tune,” which was not a good sign), but his performance was limp and wimpy, all too easily lost in the shuffle of 12 back-to-back numbers. And after Adam’s big-haired spectacle, which Harry called a “hard act to follow,” Michael just dragged the mood in the Fillmore down. I have a feeling Idol viewers will be living without Michael after this.

Savion Wright – What was up with this song choice? Doesn’t Savion read Reality Rocks? Just last week, I was complaining about Train’s “Hey Soul Sister” — and now here I was, being forced to listen to yet another cover version on yet another singing competition. To Savion’s credit, he did do a nice, creative arrangement of the hackeyed hit, emphasizing the “Soul” in “Hey Soul Sister”; I much preferred his reggae-tinged remake over Train’s original. But I do wish he’d picked a song that better showcased his impressive pipes, emotional depth, and shreddy guitar-playing. Keith said the song choice didn’t play to Savion’s strengths. Harry called the performance a bit “unfocused,” although he said it came together in the end. And Jennifer warned Savion, “Don’t forget this is the first show that America is going to vote, so keep your eye on that camera, too… make sure you’re touching hearts at home.” I really do hope America votes for Savion; I still believe he deserves to be in the top 12. But I am a little worried for him. Hopefully his existing fanbase from Season 13 will get him through.

Mark Andrew – This season’s oldest competitor kept it old-school with a strummy, shuffling cover of “The Weight” by the Band. Again, this was an odd choice for a first (and possibly only) time on the live stage. “The Weight” may have defined Mark’s throwback folk-rock style, but it didn’t make for a very charismatic performance, and I wonder if this sort of song will inspire viewers (especially younger ones) to vote. J.Lo oddly told Mark, “Your vibe is so right now,” but obviously she is insane. There was nothing about this performance that screamed (or even whispered) 2015.

Trevor Douglas – I’ve always appreciated Trevor’s energy, so after a slew of sleepy performances this Wednesday, I was looking forward to seeing him liven things up. But he had WAY TOO MUCH ENERGY here. His cover of Gavin DeGraw’s “Best I Ever Had” was manic, panicked, and frantic, and definitely not the best Idol ever had. He seemed so preoccupied with bopping all over the stage and working the crowd, he forgot that he actually had to sing in tune. Keith said the song got on top of him. J.Lo said the performance was “just OK,” which was being kind. I chalk it up to youthful adrenaline and nerves. I think Season 14 would be a lot less interesting without Trevor, but I should probably get used to that idea, because sadly, I think he blew it. If Trevor manages to scrape through to next week’s top 16 round, he needs to calm down and really focus. This was a mess.

Clark Beckham – Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman” was another old-fashioned song choice (sort of like something I’d see in Season 2, not Season 14), and Clark’s performance wasn’t perfect (he got a little shrill at the end, and I missed his piano-playing). But this was one guy who didn’t let the song get on top of him; for the most part, he was in control. “Nashville represent!” howled Keith. “Goosies all day!” yelled Jennifer. This was definitely the best performance of the night so far… until Quentin came along, of course.

Rayvon Owen – Rayvon was the first contestant to go current this evening, singing the Nick Jonas hit “Jealous.” Rayvon’s runs were silky-smooth and his falsetto was on point, and his soulful spin on the song totally worked. The crowd seemed to love him, and he loved them right back, exuding confidence and charisma onstage. I will do something I don’t do too often, however, and agree with J.Lo: Rayvon didn’t bring quite enough swagger or “attitude” to this performance, instead just smiling benignly throughout. I didn’t really believe that Rayvon was a jealous lover. Come on, Rayvon: If a former baby Jonas Brother can manage to sound menacing and sexy, so can you!

Daniel Seavey – Daniel’s mandolin-strumming on Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” was admittedly impressive; the kid’s a prodigy, for sure. But his vocals just weren’t up to par. To be fair, he’s going through a Peter Brady-esque voice change right now, something he can’t really help — which is why I think Daniel, this season’s youngest contestant at age 15, should have waited a couple of years. (Granted, American Idol might not be on the air in a couple years. But The Voice probably will be.) This just felt more junior high talent show than TV talent show. But with J.Lo gushing about how “beyond adorable” Daniel is, I fear he’s going to dominate the teen vote and advance over other contestants that are more ready for prime time.

Riley Bria – Even though, ironically, Eric Church hates singing competitions, Eric’s “Homeboy” was a smart song choice for this Keith mini-me. Some non-country fans watching at home may not have been all that familiar with the song, but as the only male country singer left on the show, Riley was wise to play to his core audience. It wasn’t an amazing performance (there were some pitch issues), but it actually kind of rocked. “You’re the perfect combination of sweet with a little bit of edge,” said Jennifer. “You remind me so much of Keith that I’m going to have to start calling you Keith Suburban,” quipped Harry. Keith Urban loved this performance, of course. I think Riley did what he needed to do to advance.

Nick Fradiani – Cougars across the country were probably sighing into their chardonnay as this WGWG dreamboat crooned Ed Sheeran’s wedding-dance ballad “Thinking Out Loud.” A genius song choice, for sure. It was a little bit of a comedown immediately following the dark, wild drama of Quentin’s performance, but Nick, a longtime gigging musician, proved he’s one of the most consistent, dependable contestants on this show. The difference between this and the performances by, say, Daniel Seavey or Trevor Douglas was night and day.

Qassim Middleton – The former Naked Brothers Band member brought the funk with his show-closing, show-stopping Mark Ronson cover, and while his performance wasn’t quite as funky as Bruno Mars’s, he easily established himself as this season’s standout showman. This was just pure fun. “You are so my type of performer… I just love you!” said J.Lo. Wednesday night and we in the spot, don’t believe me just watch. This was all sorts of awesome.

So eight of these guys will advance to next week’s top 16 round, and I predict those eight will be Qassim, Quentin, Clark, Mark, Savion, Riley, Nick, and, unfortunately, Daniel. (I’d much prefer Rayvon to snag that final spot, but I’m being realistic here.) Tune in next week to see if I’m right, and tune in Thursday to do this all over again with the top 12 girls.

Until then, Parker out.

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