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Michael Sarver was first, singing "Ain't Going Down til the Sun Comes Up." For some reason, Michael _looks_ like a country singer, but he just isn't one. Travis suggested he work on the words.
Randy (Jackson) said: It was a cool song choice but it didn't show off his voice.
Kara said: The song showed off his personality but not his vocals.
Paula said: The audience had fun watching him and county suits him.
Simon said: It should've been good but wasn't and it was clumsy and karaoke-ish.
Alison Iraheta sang Patti Loveless' "Blame It On Your Heart," which I liked, but honestly I can't remember much about it now.
Travis mentioned he'd never heard such a mature-sounding 16-year-old.
Kara said: "You could sing the alphabet." She made the song her own and continues to improve.
Paula said: "Another rock solid performance."
Simon said: It was good but a little tuneless in parts.
Randy said: "I though it was dope."
Kris Allen sang "To Make You Feel My Love," without his guitar. I thought it was really pretty. Travis told him he made it his own and he's a very strong ballad singer.
Paula said: She was pleasantly surprised and it was a "real, honest, pure and vulnerable" performance. It was kind of pitchy but a smart song choice.
Simon said: "Terrific." He said it was a very smart song choice and for the first time he thought Kris could do very well in the competition.
Randy said: He took a chance and it paid off.
Kara said: She didn't realize it was a country song - it was "very Kris Allen."
Lil Rounds wore a fabulous dress and sang an OK, slowed-down version of Martina McBride's "Independence Day."
Travis suggested she slow it down and said "she's got pipes."
Randy said: It was a very interesting song choice and it didn't feel comfortable.
Kara said: It wasn't her best performance.
Paula said: Her vocals were spot-on.
Simon said: It was like a wedding singer who had to sing a song she didn't really know or like. "It just wasn't you."
Adam Lambert made Travis speechless with his weird, moody, sitar-laden take on "Ring of Fire." No joke, Travis said: "I don't even know what to say about this boy." I respect him for changing the song into something he could sing, but it still just was insane. Somebody stop him, please?
Kara said: "Strange - I don't even know what to make of it...It was strange but I liked it."
Paula said: He's true to who he is as an artist.
Simon said: "What the hell was that?" Also said plenty of folks in Nashville would be throwing their TVs out the window. "Indulgent rubbish...horrific."
Randy said: It was like Nine Inch Nails doing country (um, has Randy ever heard NIN??). "Young, current, fresh, hot."
Scott MacIntyre sang Martina McBride's "Wild Angels" with his piano. Normally I wouldn't like this, but I thought it was pretty. Travis said Scott surprised him more than any other contestant.
Paula said: It was another impressive, lovely performance, but he should stop performing with the piano.
Simon said: Paula was wrong about the piano comment - but Scott needs to pick better songs.
Randy said: He's looking for hot vocals but instead gets "nice, good performances" from Scott.
Kara said: "Up your game a little bit," and he also brings class and poise to the stage.
Alexis Grace sang "Jolene," and it was OK - I can't say I was crazy about it.
Travis said she understands storytelling in song.
Randy said: It was pitchy and not that great.
Kara said: She lost her edge.
Paula said: She thought Alexis was effective because she showed her vulnerable side.
Simon said: It was OK, but very copycat and forgettable.
Danny Gokey sang "Jesus Take the Wheel." Ah, this is not one of my favorite songs, so I can't say I dug this very much.
Travis said Danny's performance was soulful.
Kara said: The chorus was better than the verse.
Paula said: "Carrie Underwood will not only approve; she would go out and buy this record."
Simon said: His only problem with Danny was Danny's outfit (he said it looked like he was going on a polar expedition).
Randy said: It was pitchy.
Anoop Desai surprised us all - he delivered a beautiful rendition of "Always on My Mind." Travis said it's Anoop's best performance.
Paula said: "Anoop is back!"
Simon said: "You went from zero to hero." Also said it was one of his favorite performances of the night.
Randy said: He really showed his vocal skills.
Kara said: The song is a classic, almost untouchable, but he was "amazing." Best performance of the night.
Megan Corkrey sang "Walking After Midnight," in a really cool, bluesy-jazzy way. I really liked it. Apparently the poor girl has the flu, too. Travis said she was totally unique.
Randy said: He was quite impressed and it really worked.
Kara said: It was a perfect song choice.
Paula said: Megan's been to the hospital this week and she's the consummate professional.
Simon said: "You should have the flu every week," because it was so much better than last week.
Matt "Sheena's Mama's Favorite" Giraud performed Carrie Underwood's "So Small." I loved it. Travis remaked on how Matt made the song his own.
Kara said: He's an artist and true talent; amazing.
Paula said: "You're piercing through so many people's hearts."
Simon said: They've never given him proper credit for his vocals, but he outsang the likes of Danny. One of the best performances and he reminds Simon of Michael Buble.
Randy said: It was his favorite performance of the night. "You got it, baby."
What say you, Scenesters? Who were your favorites?