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I’d like a tall half-skinny split quad shot latte with whip. Oh, wait. I”m actually writing this blog, not at a Starbucks.

Nonetheless, it felt like 1970s singer-songwriter night on “Idol,” even if that wasn’t deliberate. It almost (I say, almost) wished for some upbeat Whitney Houston or Supremes song just to change things up.

At this point, though, it comes down to who knows who they are as an artist and who doesn’t. Katie Stevens and Paige Miles have put themselves in danger by not defining themselves and not even executing what they did try particularly well. Those are the two most likely to go home. But Katelyn Epperly is certainly in danger as well for being in a similar boat and lacking a certain level of “I want this!” energy.

My rankings:

1. Crystal Bowersox
2. Siobhan Magus
3. Lilly Scott
4. Lacey Brown
5. Didi Benami
6. Paige Miles
7. Katelyn Epperly
8. Katie Stevens

First up: Katie Stevens (Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway”) – She tried to break away but failed. This was pure karaoke. Katie just couldn’t find a way to make a good pop song interesting. Nice last note but otherwise, quite dull. “I did feel the song,” she said. “I want to be soulful but has that edge to it.”
Randy: “It paled in comparison. It was almost like karaoke. Just didn’t work for me.”
Ellen: “You took a young song. That was important. Great song choice. You didn’t take a risk. You weren’t feeling. Let’s see some personality.”
Kara: “You have a great radio voice. I can hear you on the radio. What’s going on. We have people who know themselves and people don’t know. I don’t think you know yet as an artist. You do have talent. The sound is years older. You need that experience.”
Simon: “You’ve taken the advice. You look 200 percent better. You chose a young song… You kind of sucked the energy out of it and made it gloomy. I give you ten out of ten for trying.”

Second up: Siobhan Magnus (”House of the Rising Sun” The Animals) – Andrew Felton tortured this song during auditions. Siobhan showed off her stellar vocal skills by starting a cappella. And the backing band stayed in the background. The focal was all Siobhan. She really feels this song and gives it her heart and soul. That worked.
Randy: “You come out every week and surprises us. I love what you do because you take every risk and every chance. It’s hot!”
Ellen: “I’m from New Orleans. I know that house. You are why I love music. It’s supposed to move you. You captivated me. You’re spectacular.”
Kara: “I love the a cappella. That was a brilliant choice. The thing about you, you are so unique and different.”
Simon: “I wasn’t quite such a fan of that. From the interview before hand to the performance, it was all a bit weird.”

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Third up: Lacey Brown (”The Story” Brandi Carlile) – One of my favorite songs of all time. Honestly, it wasn’t half bad. Her vocal stylings have some lineage to Brandi’s so I respect her for picking a good song for her smoky, somewhat sexy voice. But she’s just not quite as good. Was that enough to save her? It depends on the rest of the group.
Randy: “It was a little sleepy but your best performance in a long time.”
Ellen: “It sounded like something you could have written yourself.”
Kara: “Performances like this are why you got here.”
Simon: “I didn’t love love the song but you sang it really really well… this is in danger of being forgotten.”

Fourth up: Katelyn Epperly (Carole King’s “I Feel the Earth”) – Another singer-songwriter song. This is a perfectly credible version. But she doesn’t take it to another level.
Randy: “I didn’t feel the right connection or vibe.”
Ellen: “I don’t know if that was the song to choose to wow people with.”
Kara: “I didn’t feel like you were competing tonight. You were just going through the motions.”
Simon: “I like your hair. [pulling a Paula.] It was kind of like request night on a Friday night in a restaurant.”

Fifth up: Did Benami (Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rhiannon”) – ANOTHER singer-songwriter song. This is Starbucks coffee house night! Uh oh. I do want to like her, but she’s doing a sleepy take. Get me caffeine, stat!
Randy: “Not sure there was a wow moment. Don’t know if it was the best you could do but it was a whole lot better.”
Ellen: “That was a lovely performance.”
Kara: “One of my favorite moments of the show this season.” (Really???)
Simon: “I have to agree with Kara.” (Really??? Again?)

Sixth up: Paige Miles (”Smile” Nat “King” Cole) – A slow tune. This is more cabaret than coffee house. Again, too sleepy. She needed to give this song a little more edge earlier. She picks it up two-thirds through but she actually needs to smile, too. Right? Where’s my coffee? Where’s my barista? I’ll take an Irish whiskey instead!
Randy: “One of my favorite songs of all time. It just didn’t work.”
Ellen: “That song is supposed to be uplifting. You have a great personality but we didn’t see it.”
Kara: “It was all wrong.”
Simon: “It was a horrible choice of song. The arrangement was just awful. The thing you’d hear at a Holiday Inn in 1974.”

Crystal Bowersox (”Give Me One Reason” Tracy Chapman) – A great song choice. It’s slow but NOT sleepy. Thank goodness! She brings a depth and a soulfulness absent most of this night. Another powerhouse, bravura performance.
Randy: Love that. Love you, love the song, love the honesty.
Ellen: I need new adjectives for you. Best performance of the night.
Kara: Every time you step up there, you know what to do. That actually is a great song choice.
Simon: You are one million billion percent going to be in the top 12 next week. I would say definitely the most improved… it’s yours to lose.

Eighth up: Lilly Scott (”I Fall To Pieces” Patsy Cline) – She has been middle of the pack but gets the key pimp spot during one of the most crucial weeks to GET the pimp spot. I’m glad to see someone go old-school country after too many singer-songwriter tunes. This song is right in her wheelhouse for her very girly voice. Pretty, lovely and all that.
Randy: It was hot tonight. You’re in the zone right now.
Ellen: Love your voice, love your originality, your style.
Kara: You kind of made Patsy Cline feel current.
Simon: You’re very brave choosing that song on a night like this. What it didn’t have being in the last spot. It didn’t have the wow factor. It’s cute and quirky.

For fun, check out the latest “Pants on the Ground” reference here, courtesy of “Family Circus.”